Rating:

Teen And Up Audiences

Archive Warning:

No Archive Warnings Apply

Category:

M/M

Fandoms:

Heated Rivalry (TV), Game Changers Series - Rachel Reid

Relationship:

Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov

Characters:

Shane Hollander, Ilya Rozanov, Scott Hunter (Game Changers)

Additional Tags:

Scott Hunter Finds Out About Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov, Protective Ilya Rozanov, Bar fights, Minor Injuries, Hurt Shane Hollander, Confused Scott Hunter, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, I guess????, Good Friend Scott Hunter (Game Changers)

Language:

English

Series:

Part 4 of love-a-nov (hollanov one-shots)

Stats:

Published: 2026-03-11 Words: 3,096 Chapters: 1/1

welcome to new york

Summary

As far as games go, it isn’t the dirtiest that Shane has suffered through. There are dirty hits and chirps that are a little meaner than usual and the Voyageurs are no better, but no one leaves on a backboard and Shane doesn’t have anything worse than some scattered bruises.

That changes when he meets up with Hunter for drinks afterward. Shane is not unused to irritated fans in rival cities, but getting punched in a bar after a game is not on his list of things to do. Between everyone standing in Scott Hunter's apartment, though, Ilya is the one who looks the most upset by it.

Notes

New York is not Shane’s favorite team to play, but they aren’t his least favorite. They’re good―there’s always a challenge and the Voyageurs do have to work for their goals―but Shane still prefers going up against Boston. Or Ottawa now, he supposes. Ilya is his favorite competitor and maybe Shane’s biased, but no one has to know. 

This time, he likes New York a little less than usual. 

It’s only the start of the season. The Voyageurs have played a total of two games so far and the Admirals will be their third, but already Shane knows how this season is going to go. It’s the first one after Hunter’s coming out―the first season where the MLH has an officially out and queer player. Already, the locker room talk has driven Shane to put in his earbuds more times than he can count. He doesn’t wait for it to get bad before he does it in New York.

The guys are still loud and he can hear them through his music, but Shane doesn’t let it distract him from the follow-up texts he’s in the middle of sending. 

Lily: Surprise for you in the hotel when you win 😉

Lily: If you hurry after, surprise will be better

Jane: I’m going out with Scott Hunter after the game

Lily: What

Despite the immediate response, Shane ignores Ilya in favor of confirming with Hunter―once again―that they are getting drinks after the game. Shane… Well, he kind of feels like he needs to. He hasn’t spoken to Hunter since their fight last season and while it may be obvious that Hunter won’t care if Shane is gay, Shane needs to confirm what he knows. And also apologize. And make it clear that Shane is a safe person. He’s got a lot of things to do at this post-game drinks meeting. Ilya surprising him in New York can’t become an excuse.

When he switches back to his texting chain with Ilya, he has to scroll to find the bottom.

Lily: What

Lily: Hunter is ancient. Is dinosaur

Lily: I am better

Lily: Why are you going out with Hunter?

Lily: Is this joke? Is bad joke. Is it joke?

Lily: Shane 

Lily: SHANE

Ilya has also tried to call him despite knowing that Shane is in a locker room with his teammates about to play a game. Shane had denied the call without so much as a blink. It seems to have made Ilya’s texting more frantic.

Lily: DO NOT LEAVE ME FOR DINOSAUR

Lily: SHANE 

Lily: Why Hunter??? He is boring and old. I am young and hot

Jane: Just for drinks, geez, Rozanov. I just wanted to talk to him

Jane: Make sure he knows I’m not homophobic or anything

Ilya doesn’t respond immediately this time, so Shane puts his phone away and rushes to change. If Ilya is still upset or confused―whatever he may be―Shane will take care of it later. Besides, if Ilya did decide to surprise him in New York―stupid; romantic―then Shane can reassure him that he is not, in fact, leaving Ilya for Hunter in more concrete ways.

First, Shane has to get through this game.

As far as games go, it isn’t the dirtiest that Shane has suffered through. Comeau tries to get a dirty hit on Hunter that results in a brawl. The Admirals chirp a little meaner than usual and the Voyageurs are no better. But no one leaves on a backboard and Shane doesn’t have anything worse than some scattered bruises. He considers it a win and, when he meets Hunter at a bar shortly after, Hunter looks like he might think so too. It’s a bit surprising given that New York lost.

They exchange pleasantries, get their drinks, and find an open table to occupy. It’s predictable, nothing exciting, and yet, Shane’s heart beats just a bit faster when the easy greetings are over and they’re sitting with their drinks.

“So,” Hunter says easily, “you said you wanted to talk?”

“Yeah.” Shane nods a little too firmly. “Yeah, I, um, I wanted to apologize. For the fight last season. And say, um, congratulations for… with…”

He doesn’t know the name of Hunter’s boyfriend, he realizes part way through his sentence. His face heats up in embarrassment. 

“Kip?” Hunter offers. Shane nods.

“Yeah, congrats with Kip.” Shane doesn’t cringe but it’s a close thing. Congrats with Kip? It sounds stupid now that he’s said it. “That was really brave and, um, yeah. Just… sorry and thanks and congrats.”

Hunter stares at him for a moment. He doesn’t look upset―doesn’t look anything worse than confused―and Shane tries very hard not to fidget. 

“You’re welcome,” Hunter says eventually, and Shane’s face heats more. “And thank you for saying that. It was…” Hunter lets out a short laugh. “It wasn’t exactly easy.”

“I know,” Shane says quietly. 

“Yeah,” Hunter says, and it sounds like agreement. “It’s been good, though. It was not easy, but it’s been really, really good. The guys―Not everyone in the MLH is happy, but they also aren’t all bad. They’ve been accepting overall.”

Shane lets out a deprecating, “The Voyageurs wouldn’t be,” before he can stop himself. When he whips his head up to look at Hunter, he isn't as surprised as Shane had hoped he would be. Rather, Hunter is looking at him very neutrally.

“I, um,” Shane starts, “I’m gay. In case you didn’t, you know, already know.”

“I didn’t,” Hunter says simply. 

“But you suspected.”

Hunter shakes his head. 

“No,” he says, “but thank you for telling me.”

Shane blinks in surprise. “But―Last season. That thing you said about me and Rozanov.”

Hunter frowns and Shane can see the confusion on his face.

“That I sounded like him,” Shane clarifies. Hunter only looks more confused. “I thought you―What did you mean if it wasn’t that?”

“It’s not everyday Shane Hollander chirps you,” Hunter says. It sounds a bit teasing but Shane is now too worried about having accidentally given Hunter a clue about him and Ilya’s relationship. “Just figured you wouldn’t like the comparison to your rival.”

“Well, guess you were right,” Shane says. His voice sounds distant in his ears. “So that was it?”

“That was it.” Hunter nods and looks more curious than Shane likes, but Shane refuses to tell Hunter anything about him and Ilya that Hunter doesn’t already know. Unfortunately, Shane may have made it worse.

“So,” Hunter says after an awkward silence has settled, “are you―”

They’re interrupted by a very drunk man in an Admirals jersey.

“Hey, 'Ollander!” the man slurs, his full attention on Shane. “This is for the hat trick.”

Shane doesn’t have a moment to so much as blink before the man lands a solid punch on his nose. Pain bursts across his face and gets exponentially worse when a second hit lands in the same spot. Before the man can get in a third, Hunter pulls him back roughly and starts calling for assistance. Shane gasps a bloody, metallic breath and gingerly reaches up to confirm what he already suspects: His nose is bleeding.

“You bastards should know better than to show face in this city,” the drunk slurs. He tips precariously forward and Hunter holds him tighter.

“Hey, man, take a hike,” he says, pushing the man toward the door of the bar.

“Get outta town!” The man stumbles as Hunter passes him off to someone else and he’s escorted out, but the damage is already done.

Shane’s nose is bleeding heavily. He’s still sitting but as he tries to stem the blood flow and protect his shirt, his head starts to feel too light. Combined with the beer he had and the hours since he last ate, he isn’t surprised. It’s embarrassing that a little bloody nose makes him dizzy from blood loss, but it is what it is at this point.

“Shit, man.” Hunter hovers awkwardly beside Shane. “How can I help?”

“Napkins?”

They manage to stem the blood eventually, and by then, Shane can no longer deny that he’s dizzy. Unfortunately for him, Hunter picks up on it before Shane can think to hide it.

“Come on,” he says, helping Shane up. “My place isn’t far. You probably shouldn’t be left alone like this.”

“I’m fine,” Shane argues.

Hunter doesn’t struggle guiding him out of the bar and into a taxi. He also doesn’t struggle pulling Shane into an elevator and his apartment. They’re walking through the elevator doors when Shane realizes that he should fight a little more. This is arguably weird―he and Hunter aren’t friends―and he should definitely not be in Hunter’s apartment. The apartment where Hunter’s boyfriend also is, apparently.

“Uh―”

“Some fan broke Hollander’s nose,” Hunter says by way of explanation. He makes Shane sit on one of the bar stools and presses a kiss to Kip’s lips on his way to the freezer.

Shane can only watch with an open mouth. It’s hard to breathe if he closes it.

“Ice it,” Hunter tells him, passing over a gel pack, “and then tell me who to call to come get you.”

“I’m fine,” Shane says again. His head still feels a little fuzzy. “Just get me a taxi and I’ll be good.”

Hunter doesn’t even pretend to believe him. He simply stares, waiting, until Shane grabs his phone with a groan.

“It better be someone who can stay with you too. Pike,” Hunter suggests.

It is not going to be Hayden, but Shane will call someone. His vision isn’t fuzzy but it does blur when he turns his head. His body also feels a little too light and floaty. There’s a very real chance he passes out if he’s left on his own. Besides, his head hurts and he feels a bit like crying. It’s the end of an adrenaline rush, he tells himself, and a perfectly valid reaction.

He texts Ilya. He asks Hunter for his address and instructions for accessing the apartment, and he tells Ilya that he needs him to come pick Shane up. Ilya’s response is instant.

Lily: What happened

Lily: What did Hunter do

Lily: Are you okay

Jane: I’m okay. Just need you

Ilya doesn’t respond after that and Shane knows it’s because he’s driving too fast in whatever sports car he brought up from Boston with him. Shane doesn’t know how long it should take Ilya to arrive, but he suspects it is longer than the seven minutes that it actually takes.

Ilya steps out of the elevator with a scowl so deep that Shane is surprised it’s still on his face.

Kip and Hunter are in the middle of a whispered conversation but turn at the sound of someone’s arrival. Upon seeing Ilya, Hunter’s face twists confusedly.

“What the fuck did you do, Hunter?” Ilya demands. He doesn’t so much as pause on his way to Shane’s side, still scowling at Hunter. “You hit him? You let him get hit?” Ilya doesn’t wait for Hunter to reply as he reaches Shane’s side and immediately softens. “Oh, lyubimii. What happened?”

Shane is still holding the ice pack for his face. It hides the worst of the hit, but there’s no denying the dried blood on Shane’s shirt. 

“Angry fan,” Shane says. Hesitantly, he pulls the ice pack back and Ilya sucks in a sharp breath. “Tried to get a hit for each goal. Hunter pulled him off before the third.”

“What?” Ilya drawls angrily, turning to glare at Hunter again. “Were you sleeping during first two?”

“Ilya.” Shane grabs his hand and squeezes. “It’s not Scott’s fault. Be nice.”

“I will be nice when he does not return you bloody and broken,” Ilya says with a huff. “You are more hurt at bar than in game.”

Shane shrugs. “Doesn’t hurt that bad.”

“Then why am I here, hm?” Ilya smiles softly and doesn’t press a kiss to Shane’s head, but Shane sees the thought cross Ilya’s mind. 

“He’s lightheaded,” Hunter finally chimes in. Ilya’s lips thin and he doesn’t turn to look at the other captain. “He bled a lot and we were drinking. Make sure Pike is back before you leave him. Someone should stay with him overnight.”

“And what do you think I’ll be doing?” Ilya retorts.

Hunter blinks and Shane watches. Ilya’s focus is still solely on Shane. He misses the look of dawning realization as it crosses Hunter’s face not once, but twice. Beside him, Kip is watching silently with wide eyes. 

“Oh,” Hunter says with a hum. “This is what… Okay.”

“What?” Ilya huffs. He finally spins to glare once again at Hunter. “What is wrong now, Hunter?”

“Nothing,” Hunter says quickly. “Nothing, Rozanov. Look―” He changes tones, something softer and less questioning, “―take the ice pack. And help him walk cause he’s a little dazed―”

“Hey,” Shane protests. 

Ilya scoffs. “I know how to take care of my boyfriend, Hunter.”

Another look crosses Hunter’s face and Shane watches it carefully. It isn’t that he thinks Hunter will be homophobic―he’s pretty sure that won’t be the issue. The issue that he has feared from the beginning of the night is that it’s Ilya Rozanov. So far, everyone who has found out Shane is gay have been most upset with the fact that his choice of partner is Ilya.

“I know,” Hunter says evenly. “Just―Maybe text when you get him back to the hotel.”

“You think I will kidnap him?” Ilya accuses. “Hurt him more?”

“Of course not,” Hunter says. “Just humor an old man, would you? I watched the kid get punched and almost pass out.”

Shane wishes he could see Ilya’s face more clearly. Even from the side, he can see it twist with a variety of opinions. The fact that Hunter has called himself old seems to have amused Ilya, but the reminder that Shane is hurt and at risk of passing out makes his face cloud over once more. It’s enough to make Shane refrain from protesting Hunter’s use of “kid”. He just wants to go to bed; arguing won’t get him there faster.

Fortunately for Shane, Ilya seems to come to the same realization. He stops pestering Hunter long enough to help Shane off the stool he’s been sitting on and together, they make their way into the elevator. Hunter hovers the whole time, oddly enough, and waves awkwardly as the doors shut between them. As soon as it’s just the two of them, Shane slumps heavily into Ilya’s side.

“Whoa.” Ilya holds him tightly. “Should I be more worried? Did you lie to Hunter about pain?”

“I’m tired,” Shane grumbles against Ilya’s shoulder. “Let me sleep in peace.”

“You have concussion, probably,” Ilya says quietly. Shane silently disagrees as Ilya brushes hair off Shane's forehead and presses a lingering kiss to the spot. “You will say no to hospital?”

“No hospital,” Shane confirms.

Ilya sighs but doesn’t protest. The elevator doors open before he can anyway, and Ilya helps Shane into the car he left parked in a loading zone. Shane doesn’t have the energy to comment on it and he sees Ilya frown, but neither of them talk again until they reach Ilya’s suite. By then, the gel pack that Shane has been holding against his face isn’t cold anymore.

Still quiet, Ilya follows Shane into the bedroom. He offers up a pair of sweats that Shane takes with a heavy blink and gets a new ice pack from the front desk as Shane changes. When he comes back, Shane is already in bed―nighttime routine be damned―and half asleep. The ice pack being placed gently on his face does not help.

“Hey!” Shane yelps, swatting at the offending cold. His hand hits Ilya’s arm but his boyfriend remains, unmoved. The ice pack stays securely―and gently―placed on his face. “Fuck off, that’s cold.”

“It will help,” Ilya insists. “Leave it.”

“I can’t sleep with it on my face,” Shane argues. “It’s cold and wet.”

“Fifteen minutes.”

Shane glares but the effect is ruined when half of his face is covered by the ice pack and the other half is partially obstructed by the pillow. Ilya smiles sweetly at him and remains right where he is.

“At least cuddle me,” Shane grumbles, “if you’re going to abuse me.”

“Not abuse,” Ilya says, but he slides under the covers facing Shane and doesn’t protest when Shane curls so close that the ice pack also ends up pressed to Ilya’s bare chest. Shane hopes he freezes. 

Soon enough, Ilya removes the ice pack from Shane’s face and tosses it somewhere over his shoulder. He turns off the remaining bedside light and although his chest is cold from the ice pack, Shane presses his cheek to the spot in an effort to be as close as possible.

“Sorry tonight was ruined,” he says. In the darkness, it’s easier to admit that being punched in a bar had ruined their post-game celebratory plans.

“Was not ruined, lyubimii,” Ilya murmurs in return. “Never ruined when you are here.”

“Sap.” Shane kisses Ilya’s chest, skin slowly warming. “Thanks for picking me up from Hunter’s. Guess he definitely knows about us now.”

“He knew before, yes? You thought so,” Ilya says. Shane doesn’t say that had turned out to be a false alarm. It doesn’t matter now and Ilya is continuing on. “I will always pick you up. Even if it means seeing Hunter. Is not worst thing ever.”

“Yeah well, thanks anyway,” Shane says. 

“You are welcome.” Ilya presses a smacking kiss to Shane’s head. “Now go to sleep.”

In the morning when Ilya drops him off at his team’s hotel, Shane tells them he stayed at Hunter’s after the bar scuffle. It’s easy enough to believe―his teammates know they are friendly―and no one will text Hunter to confirm anyway. Besides, Shane suspects Hunter would cover for him if they did. There’s a text sitting at the top of Shane’s inbox that indicates as much, as well as an invite to do dinner―the four of them―next time he and Ilya are both in town.

So Shane gets away with it, except maybe for Hayden’s narrowed eyes, and although his head still hurts and his shirt is actually Ilya’s because his was ruined, Shane doesn’t think New York was all that terrible. Though, maybe next time he sees Hunter, he’ll try to avoid punches of all kinds, not just those on the ice.