Rating:

Not Rated

Archive Warning:

Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Category:

M/M

Fandom:

Heated Rivalry (TV)

Relationship:

Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov

Characters:

Cliff Marlow, Hayden Pike

Additional Tags:

Texting, Frenemies, Relationship Reveal, Humor, spreading the gospel of hayden&cliff bestism

Language:

English

Series:

Part 6 of ways they didn't find out, Part 1 of the unexpected besties of the MHL

Collections:

hollanov for the heart <3, so obsessed i might actually watch hockey, Relationship Reveal HR, *Heated rivalry melts my heart*

Stats:

Published: 2026-01-05 Completed: 2026-01-06 Words: 3,744 Chapters: 2/2

the support group

Summary

Hayden
I just called Shane. Pretty sure Roz was giving him head on the other side. Just a warning for you.

Cliff
Ha!

Hayden
My suffering is not funny.

Cliff
Thanks for the heads up

Cliff
Get it?

Hayden
I'm blocking you

(cliff & hayden's guide to surviving hollanov)

Notes

Chapter 1

Hayden

Hayden was pretty sure that the blood on Marlow’s face was from his knuckles. 

What the fuck was the guy even doing here? 

He scowled across the waiting room, hoping Marlow would take the hint. Hayden had only just arrived because he’d had to call Yuna and David before leaving the rink. Apparently they were on their way soon, but they were still a few hours out. So Hayden had quickly made his way over to the hospital. 

Unfortunately, it was apparently only one visitor at a time, and someone was already in there. Who it was, Hayden had no idea. 

Marlow seemed to notice the disdainful look Hayden was giving him, because he spoke up, sounding annoyed. “Look, man, I’m really sorry about Hollander and I hope he’s okay but relax. It’s hockey. Shit happens.”

“Why are you even here, then?” Hayden shot back. 

Marlow huffed. “Captain’s orders.” 

“What?”

Marlow shrugged. “Yeah, Cap’s real fucking pissed at me.”

”You’re telling me that Rozanov asked you to come check on Shane?” Hayden said, his tone dubious. 

It wasn’t unheard of, players visiting their opponents after particularly bad hits, but this was Rozanov. He was the asshole who’d knocked out two of Hayden’s teeth, and he certainly hadn’t personally visited to make sure Hayden was alright. 

Marlow shrugged. “It was a pretty bad hit. And I really do hope Hollander is okay, man. Trust me, I didn’t do it on purpose.”

“I know.” Hayden would never accuse another player of purposely sending someone to hospital. Most of the guys were good, decent guys, and hockey was a rough game. 

“Anyway, I think you got your payback already, dude.” Marlow grinned, gesturing to the huge black and purple shiner that was covering his left eye. 

Hayden grinned back. “Yeah. Guess I have to forgive you now.”

A few minutes passed in silence, thankfully less tense than before. 

Hayden checked his phone. On seeing the multiple texts from Yuna asking for updates on her son, he groaned, glancing at the clock. 

Whoever the fuck was in there needed to hurry up. 

“You know who’s in there with him now? I tried to go straight in but they said it’s one visitor at a time. And I need to get updates for Shane’s parents.”

Marlow looked confused for a moment. “Oh, shit. I guess forgot to say, but - Roz is in there right now.”

”What?” 

“Yeah, he wanted to go in and apologise first, as Captain, and then he said I can go in.” 

Hayden just stared at him. 

What the fuck?

Well, there was no possible way that Ilya Rozanov actually had good intentions in doing this. So fuck the rules, Hayden was going to go find his best friend. 

He stormed down the hall, ignoring Marlow’s shout behind him. 

He got to the door and almost burst through when something stopped him cold. Behind him, Marlow smacked straight into his back, as he’d not expected Hayden to freeze to a dead stop in the middle of the hall. 

“Bro, what the fuck?” 

But Hayden couldn’t respond. Because, through the glass window, he could see his best friend reaching up to pull Ilya fucking Rozanov into a deep, frantic kiss. 

Hayden
Hey this is Hayden.

Hayden
Hayden Pike

Hayden
Just thought after what we witnessed the other day I'd get your number.

Hayden
I know we didn’t really have a proper discussion on what we saw but I want you to guarantee you won’t tell anyone. 

Hayden
Also, watched the game back and Shane was looking behind him, totally not your fault, I'm sorry.

Hayden
Guess now we know who he was looking at, huh?

Cliff 
Hey Pike, all good here. My lips are sealed. 

Cliff
LOL

Cliff
Has Hollander said anything to you about Rozy yet?

Hayden
No.

Hayden
I'm waiting for him to bring it up to me.

Hayden
Jackie says not to rush him until he's ready to come out on his own.

Hayden
And that we're assholes for spying.

Hayden
Jackie's my wife BTW.

Cliff
Yeah my girlfriend Emma said the same about Roz.

Cliff
Guess we'll have to wait for them to tell us themselves.

Cliff
Surely it won't be that long.

Cliff
This is random but how long do you think this has been going on?

Hayden
Idk.

Hayden
He never even told me he was gay.

Hayden
I mean he was super cagey about this girl Lily for ages.

Hayden
Starting to suspect it was a guy.

Hayden
But that only stopped just before Rose.

Hayden
So I'm guessing since All Stars??

Cliff
You are a moron.

Hayden
????????????????

Hayden
Go fuck yourself Marlow.

Cliff
Lily…

Cliff
Sound familiar???

Hayden
Oh my GOD.

Hayden
Ilya

Cliff
Well done for catching on, smart guy. 

Hayden
FU.

Cliff
Okay sorry.

Cliff
I'll admit I only realised that Ilya's 'Montreal Girl' called 'Jane' was Shane like 2 days ago.

Cliff
Bit embarrassing.

Hayden
I guess we’re both morons.

Cliff
But this means its been going on for years!!

Cliff
I mean, Roz was texting ‘Jane’ back in his Rook year.

Hayden
WHAT

Hayden
Holy shit???

Hayden
I only noticed Shane was texting Lily since idk maybe like 2015???

Hayden
Since rookie year…

Hayden
Motherfuckers.

Hayden
Holy shit did you just see that???

Hayden
Scott motherfucking Hunter!!!

Cliff
I know!

Hayden
Do you think it will change things?

Hayden
With you know.

Hayden
What we know.

Cliff
Fuck knows.

Cliff
I fucking hope so, I can’t contain this secret for much longer.

Cliff
I mean, Hollander and Rozanov?? This is the news of the century and we can’t fucking tell anyone. 

Cliff
I texted him about Scott the other day. Thought maybe he’d at least tell me he’s into dudes.

Cliff
No such luck.

Cliff
He just said Hunter should be arrested for cradle robbing…

Cliff
LOL

Hayden
🙄

Cliff
Come on, that was pretty funny.

Hayden
I like Hunter.

Hayden
He’s a nice guy.

Cliff
🙄

Cliff
Roz being cagey about where he’s going this summer, any insider information??

Hayden
Interesting…

Cliff
???

Hayden
Shane just texted saying he’s going on a ‘silent retreat’ for two weeks.

Hayden
AKA not to be disturbed

Hayden
AKA calls only

Cliff
And you’re supposed to believe that?

Cliff
Your boy is a shit liar.

Cliff
LOL

Hayden
Leave him alone!

Hayden
But yes, he’s a dumbass if he thinks he’s getting away with this silent retreat lie.

Hayden
You think Rozanov is going to Shane’s cottage for the summer?

Cliff
Big step.

Cliff
Aw

Cliff
They’d be cute if they weren’t ruining my life. 

Hayden
Fucking tell me about it.

Hayden
Erm.

Hayden
I need help.

Hayden
Brain bleach if you have it.

Hayden
Possibly therapy…

Cliff
???????

Hayden
Do not under any circumstances call Rozanov.

Cliff
?????

Cliff
Explain.

Hayden
I just called Shane.

Hayden
Pretty sure Roz was giving him head on the other side.

Hayden
Just a warning for you.

Cliff
Ha!

Hayden
My suffering is not funny.

Cliff
Hahaha

Cliff
Thanks for the heads up.

Cliff
Get it?

Hayden
I'm blocking you.

Cliff
LOL

Cliff
Hey

Hayden
Hi?

Cliff
Hollander said anything to you about the cottage?

Cliff
Rozy's lips are sealed.

Cliff
I thought for sure them taking this big step would mean them telling us.

Hayden
I KNOW

Hayden
I don’t know how much longer I can keep this a secret.

Hayden
IM DYING MARLEAU

Hayden
DYING

Cliff
You need to chill.

Hayden
How can I when I know my bestfriend is secretly fucking Ilya fucking Rozanov????

Hayden
That information haunts me, Marlow.

Hayden
And I can’t even discuss with anyone except you!!!!

Hayden
And Jackie, but she's no help.

Hayden
She doesn't understand how evil Rozanov is!!!

Cliff
...

Cliff
Rozy just told me he's moving to Ottawa next year????

Cliff
????????????????

Cliff
Fucking Ottawa

Cliff
Did you know about this?

Cliff
Pike.

Hayden
WTF!!!

Hayden
Are you sure he's not fucking with you??

Cliff
He was dead serious.

Hayden
Are you sure?

Hayden
This is Rozanov we're talking about.

Hayden
He's an asshole just for the fun of it.

Cliff
Hey!

Cliff
I was gonna defend my boy but you're actually not wrong so…

Hayden
Exactly

Hayden
So.

Hayden
Ottawa…

Hayden
Surely this can't be real.

Cliff
I just asked Coach.

Cliff
Apparently this is not a joke.

Cliff
Management is PISSED.

Hayden
Somehow not surprised.

Hayden
Can't imagine any team would be happy about losing their best player.

Hayden
FUCK

Hayden
FUCK

Hayden
Pretend you never saw that.

Hayden
That never happened.

Cliff
...

Cliff
Knew you were a secret fan.

Cliff
You want a jersey for Christmas? I’ll mail it to you, special order :)

Hayden
If you send me a Rozanov jersey I will burn it to ash.

Hayden
Going back to the Rozanov moving to Ottawa news…

Hayden
This has got to be for Shane, surely.

Hayden
Right??

Cliff
100%

Cliff
I tried to get Roz to admit it but no such luck.

Hayden
This is INSANE!

Hayden
Proud of my boy.

Hayden
He has this man WHIPPEDDDDDDD.

Cliff
Unfortunately you are not wrong.

Cliff
It’s actually embarrassing how whipped this man is.

Cliff
And I can't even make fun of him for it!

Cliff
And we've lost our best player!!!!!

Cliff
(as confirmed by you, Hayden Pike)

Cliff
This is torture.

Cliff
I actually think their relationship is going to kill me.

Hayden
Now who's being dramatic...

Hayden
Welcome to the club ;)

Cliff
This fucking sucks.

Cliff
Everyone’s freaking out about the press conference man.

Cliff
What are you saying to your guys about it?

Hayden
Nothing.

Hayden
Don't want to give anything away.

Hayden
I'm terrible with secrets.

Hayden
Best thing is to keep the mouth shut.

Cliff
This is stressing me out.

Cliff
Everyone is so confused.

Cliff
I think the guys think the charity is cool and everything.

Cliff
But announcing a friendship with Hollander?

Cliff
They're freaking out.

Hayden
I know right!!

Hayden
The team hasn't stopped talking about it ALL DAY and I’m dying.

Hayden
Fuck someone just asked me if I knew they were friends.

Hayden
I just said no but I don’t think I was very convincing.

Hayden
I’m not a good liar, okay?

Hayden
Marlow.

Hayden
I’m cracking under the pressure. 

Hayden
God, this is so stressful.

Hayden
I want to kill these fuckers for putting me through this.

Hayden
Hey

Hayden
I just asked Shane outright if he’s with Rozanov.

Hayden
And he just fucking told me.

Hayden
Just like that!

Hayden
Apparently it was as easy as that…

Hayden
All that stress of keeping their secret.

Hayden
And these grey hairs I got were for NOTHING!!!

Cliff
You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.

Chapter 2

Chapter Notes

part one of this chapter is for @phoenixpixie who commented asking my muses to do their work on the whole fanmail-gate incident, and part two is for @lila_Luna who requested a part 2 of hayden/cliff bestism at the wedding, and also @unfinishedduets, @ifitisntpassionthenwhat, @madrey7 & @anewdaysend who threw their votes in for this idea. i hope this lives up to expectations ;)

You have (1) missed call from Cliff Marlow.

You have (2) missed calls from Cliff Marlow.

You have (3) missed calls from Cliff Marlow. 

Cliff
I know it’s late in Montreal but pick up the fucking phone, Pike.

Hayden Pike has notifications silenced. Notify anyway. 

Cliff
Pike.

Cliff
Pike!!!!!

Cliff
Wake the fuck up.

Hayden
Fucking hell Marlow I have a newborn that doesn’t bother me this much.

Hayden
It’s half four in the fucking morning.

Hayden
You better have a good reason for waking me up.

Cliff
Are you fucking joking????

Cliff
Have you not been online???

Cliff
Go on fucking twitter right now.

Hayden
Holy fucking shit

Hayden
Fuck

Hayden
Fuck

Hayden
Fuck

Hayden
Fuck I need to call Shane. I’ll call you in a bit. 

Hayden
He’s not picking up. Anything from Roz????

Cliff
No.

Hayden
They’re probably asleep.

Hayden
Fuck. Is there any way we can get this taken down?? I've reported every video I've seen but should I like call someone??

Hayden
Why am I so shit at social media

Hayden
How do you even get a video taken down??

Cliff
Dude, it's all over the internet.

Cliff
The original video got 1.5 mill views.

Cliff
There's no going back now. 

Cliff
Sorry to break it to you.

Hayden
Fuck.

Hayden
They’ll know that I didn’t mean to do this right?

Hayden
Like I would never have done this on purpose.

Hayden
I swear.

Cliff
Dude, relax. I believe you.

Cliff
We’ve kept this secret for years.

Cliff
It’s fucking Brad’s fault, not yours.

Hayden
Who the fuck is Brad??

Hayden
Oh.

Hayden
Right. Fan mail guy.

Hayden
What a fucking dick!

Hayden
Fucking Brad

Hayden
We kept this secret for years and Brad doesn’t even wait a day??

Hayden
Why do people have to SUCK?

Hayden
God, what the fuck am I gonna tell Shane

Hayden
Cliff, I’m freaking out here

Hayden
What if he never talks to me again???

Cliff
Hayden. Fucking relax.

Cliff
What happened is fucked up.

Cliff
But there’s no way Hollander will blame you for this.

Cliff
He’s too nice.

Cliff
Trust me, it'll be fine, bro. Just try and talk to him.

Hayden
Okay. Going over in the morning if they don't answer by 9am.

Cliff
Good idea.

Hayden
Thanks for letting me know.

Cliff
I would say anytime, but let's not repeat this...

Cliff
LOL

Hayden
Not the fucking time, bro.

Cliff
Fair enough.

Cliff
Good luck tomorrow.

Cliff
Call if you need back up.

Hayden
Thanks.

Hayden Pike has unsilenced his notifications. 

Hayden
Fuck I just took my phone off DND and literally the entire team has texted me.

Hayden
What the fuck do I say?

Hayden
Fuck, some of them are PISSED.

Hayden
Mostly everyone's just confused as fuck.

Hayden
What the fuck do I do? 

Hayden
I shouldn't say anything before talking to Shane and Roz, right?

Cliff Marlow liked this message.

Cliff
Tell them they’re gonna get fuckin battered by me next game if they’ve got anything to say.

Cliff
That will shut them up.

Hayden
Not helpful.

Cliff
You asked for solutions???

Hayden
Thanks, but I think I’ll choose literally any other option!

Hayden
Oh, wait, I take it back. 

Hayden
I think battering should be the solution, actually. 

Hayden
I’m about to fight my own fucking team, care to join?

Hayden
I know it’s been weeks and things are settling down but can I just say

Hayden
Fuck. Brad.

Cliff
LOL

Cliff
Fuck Brad!!!

Cliff
Heard Hollander’s moving to Ottawa?

Hayden
Where did you hear this??

Cliff
Where’d you think

Cliff
Roz is fucking elated

Cliff
Meanwhile now we have to go up against Roz and Hollander on the same line…

Cliff
Is it too early to retire?

Hayden
You're fucking telling me.

Hayden
Honestly

Hayden
The fucking thanks we get

Hayden
We kept their secret for years and now this is what we get

Hayden
We deserve better

Cliff
Well…

Cliff
Some of us deserve better

Cliff
Others of us should be banned from posting on social media...

Hayden
Uncalled for.

Cliff
Hey I just got the invite to the wedding.

Cliff
It's in three weeks???

Cliff
Macy's losing her shit trying to find a dress. 

Hayden
Jackie thinks they're insane.

Hayden
I mean three weeks seems enough time

Hayden
Like what do you need except tuxes and a priest or whatever, but what do I know?

Cliff
Jesus.

Hayden
What?

Cliff
How are you the married one?

Hayden Pike disliked this message.

Hayden
Jackie's asked who you're bringing so she can add her to the girls group chat.

Cliff
Share contact.
Katie: 02876 7780 90

Hayden
Errrrr

Hayden
What happened to Macy???

Cliff
Not the one.

Hayden
Jesus.

Hayden
Am I now going to be victimised by your love life as well?

Cliff
Fuck off.

Cliff
Not all of us can meet our fucking soulmate at 19.

Cliff
Prick.

Hayden
True :)

Hayden
I am very lucky.

Cliff
And you say Roz is whipped...

Hayden
Jackie wants me to check it is still Katie that you're bringing to the wedding.

Hayden
LOL

Cliff
Yes.

Cliff
And don't pretend this is Jackie asking, I know this is just you finishing for gossip.

Cliff
It's almost like you miss the stress...

Hayden
Never.

Cliff
Whatever.

Cliff
Will be good to see you (not on the ice) after all these years.

Hayden Pike liked this message.

Cliff

Cliff saw Hayden and whooped. "Pike!"

Hayden grinned when he spotted him. "Fucking Marlow!"

Cliff made his way through the crowd to a small group of Hollander's friends and a few Centaurs. He only recognised Hayes, the goalie, and Boodram, who he'd briefly met at an awards show once. 

Hollander was standing next to Roz, both of them looking dapper as fuck in their tuxes. Hollander looked at Cliff and Hayden nervously, as if he was envisioning a fight about to break out. Though most players are chill off the ice, some don't forget the fights they've had on ice and have no problems holding it against each other. Cliff thought that was dumb - it was just a game, after all. 

Instead, he held out his hand to dap Hayden up, pulling him into a hug and thumping him on the back.

"Look who it fuckin' is! My co-conspirator. My brother in arms."

Hayden rolled his eyes but thumped him back as Cliff let go. “You make it sound like we went to war together.”

Cliff shrugged with a laugh. 

Hayden shook his head. "Good to see you, Cliff."

"You too."

"Wow." Hollander looked shocked by the lack of animosity. "I thought we'd be tearing Metros and Bears away from each other all night."

Roz smirked. "There's still time. Just wait till everyone gets drunk."

Hollander pursed his lips in response. "It's almost like you want a fight at our wedding."

"Would be free entertainment." Roz shrugged, a shit-eating grin on his face. 

He was playing with fire there. 

"Our wedding isn't enough entertainment for you?" Hollander asked, exasperated. "Also why do you care if it's free, you're a millionaire."

Roz pouted. "Be nice to me, is my wedding day."

Hollander tried to glare at him but failed miserably as Roz crowded up to him, snaking his arms around Hollander from behind and resting his chin on the lapel of Hollander's tux. 

Roz muttered something in Russian in Hollander's ear, planting a kiss on his temple as he spoke. 

"So, where's Katie?" Hayden asked. 

Cliff barely held back a groan. "At the bar."

"Not the one, then?" Hayden grinned.

Cliff flipped him off. 

"Wait," Hayes interrupted. "Do you guys, like, know each other or something?"

"What?" Hollander asked. "You never told me you had a friend on the Bears, Hayd!"

Hayden raised an incredulous eyebrow, his gaze flickering to Roz and back. The words didn't even need to be spoken.

"Pot, kettle, moy lyubimyy."

Hollander blushed and raised his hands as if to take it back. 

"Wait, do you guys actually like each other? Is this a joke?" Boiziau asked. "Is this another secret relationship I'm unaware of?"

Jackie cackled. "Okay, that's hilarious."

"So, you two are, what, friends?" Roz said. 

"Wait," Jackie said. "You guys never told them about the hospital... incident?"

The group stared at her. 

"What?" Hollander said. "What is the hospital incident?"

"I sense drama!" Boodram sang. 

Hayden shrugged. "I guess once I knew about them it never came up. And Shane was already losing his shit about me knowing, I thought maybe it wasn't a good idea to tell him that Marlow also knew."

"Wait, what?" Hollander asked. 

"What are you talking about?"

"Come on, Pike, spit it out!"

"Okay, okay! Back in - when was it?"

"2017, I think." Cliff interjected.

"Yeah, in 2017, when Marlow knocked Shane on the ice. Me and Marlow over there were in the hospital waiting room together. Then he fucking tells me that Rozanov is in your room, and I'm there conjuring up images of my best friend being smothered in his sleep by his fucking rival. Obviously, that was dumb because when we went to your room, what do we fucking see? You guys making out! Like there wasn't a fucking window on the door!"

"Oh my God," Hollander groaned, ranking his hands through his hair. "Will anyone find out about us without us making out?"

Roz smirked. "Not if I can help it."

Shane shoved him. 

"Wait, Hayden, you knew since then and you never thought to mention it?" Hollander said, looking bemused. 

Everyone turned to Hayden. 

"Look, fucking hell! I have four kids, I have other things to worry about, leave me alone!"

Roz smirked. "Is that your excuse for everything, Pike?"

Hayden flipped him off. 

Roz turned to Cliff. "Okay, what's your excuse, Marly?"

"Well, you fucking moved to Ottawa before I got the chance to say anything! Also, you're an awful texter, so when was I going to tell you. I mean, I'm kind of offended, because I know you used to answer the phone quickly. I'm lower down the food chain than your old booty calls used to be." He complained. "Uh, I mean-"

Hollander laughed. "Don't worry, I'm well aware my husband used to be a manwhore."

Roz's mouth dropped open in mock offence. "You all see how my own husband treats me! This is abuse!"

"Oh, poor you." Shane rolled his eyes. 

"Wait, so both of you knew since 2017?" Hayes asked. "Jesus."

"Yes!" Hayden said. "And it was fucking torture not being able to talk about it. I had to turn to fucking Marlow for support."

Cliff snorted. "He was very stressed about it."

"I was getting grey hairs, wasn't I, Jackie!"

Jackie wisely kept silent, though her pursed lips showed she was trying not to laugh at her husband's expense.

Roz raised an eyebrow. "Is this why you leaked us online, Pike? To preserve your youth? Because I don't think it worked."

Hayden spluttered. "Obviously not, you know it wasn't on purpose - Shane, tell him!"

Shane glared at his husband. "Ilya."

Roz rolled his eyes. "Fine. I am joking. You are so boring, Hollander. Is my wedding day, let me have my fun."

"No." Hollander said, but then immediately leaned up to kiss Roz. 

"I told you," Hayden smirked at Cliff. "Roz is whipped."

Hollander laughed. "How much did you guys talk about us?"

Cliff shrugged. "It's been a long six years."

"Well, at least you're free men now." Hayes said, grinning. "It's our problem now."

It sure fuckin' better be, Cliff thought as he watched Roz and Hollander ignore everyone around them to make out. 

Cliff gestured his beer towards Hayden. "I'll cheers to that."

Hayden clinked his beer on Cliff's.