Rating:

General Audiences

Archive Warning:

No Archive Warnings Apply

Category:

M/M

Fandoms:

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

Relationships:

Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov, Kip Grady/Scott Hunter, Troy Barrett/Harris Drover

Characters:

Shane Hollander, Ilya Rozanov, Scott Hunter (Game Changers), Kip Grady, Troy Barrett, Harris Drover, Fabian Salah, Ryan Price (Game Changers), Zane Boodram

Additional Tags:

Ilya Rozanov Loves Shane Hollander, Shane Hollander Loves Ilya Rozanov, Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov in Love, shane did not come here to play, Shane wants the world to know he loves Ilya, Hidden Talent

Language:

English

Series:

Part 2 of Shane speaks up

Stats:

Published: 2026-02-04 Words: 2,620 Chapters: 1/1

Love, Out Loud: Public Service Announcement: I Love My Husband

Summary

Ilya has never had a problem with loving Shane out loud, and on their one-year wedding anniversary, Shane decides to show Ilya and the world how much he loves him by showing a hidden talent of his in front of a sold-out arena.

Because for Shane, Ilya deserves to be loved out loud and without fear.

Notes

This is a one-shot that came to mind after listening to the song "Ordinary," and I can picture this scene so clearly that I had to write it and share it with you all.

I do not own Heated Rivalry, The Long Game, Shane Hollander, Ilya Rosanov, or any of their characters; they belong to Rachel Reid.
The song “Ordinary” is by Alex Warren and is not mine. No copyright infringement intended. This work is purely for fun and non-commercial.

The price for the box seats in Ottawa were absurd. They played in that arena all the time, and box seats in their own arena were still absurd. But it was a day of celebration, so it was worth it to celebrate with their friends.

Shane had said that when he booked them, and Ilya had rolled his eyes while absolutely appreciating the hell out of it. The arena was sold out, lights blazing, bass vibrating through the floor, Fabian already halfway through his opening set while the crowd screamed like their lives depended on it.

Their box was full.

Scott Hunter sat with his husband, Kip. Harris leaned against the railing with Troy wrapped around him, partly swaying to the music and partly stopping him from taking any more videos or selfies. Ryan Price hovered near the drinks, chatting with a couple of the other Ottawa players and their wives who had made it.

If it were not for the music, Ilya would think it was less concert and more Ottawa Centaurs outing.

And Shane… he was buzzing…like he was excited.

He had one arm slung loosely around Ilya’s shoulders, moving badly to the music, grinning wide and recklessly the way he always did when he was happy and unbothered and exactly where he wanted to be.

“One year,” Shane said into Ilya’s ear over the music.

“One year,” Ilya repeated, smiling helplessly.

Marriage still felt surreal sometimes. Husband. Ring. Life. After everything they had been through, secrecy, distance, pressure, the slow grind of public scrutiny, this steady, open happiness felt almost decadent. They had spent over ten years loving each other in the shadows. Now they had this in public. Ilya felt giddy just thinking about it.

Shane tugged him into a clumsy spin, laughing when Ilya stepped on his foot.

“You’re terrible,” Ilya said fondly.

“I know,” Shane said. “It’s part of the charm.”

Fabian launched another song, and the lights shifted gold across the arena. Ilya was mid-sip of his drink when Shane’s phone buzzed.

Shane glanced at it, blinked, then slid it into his pocket.

“I need to step out for a minute,” he said.

Ilya narrowed his eyes. “You are lying.”

“I am not,” Shane said, a ghost of a smile tugging at his mouth.

“You are smiling.”

“I always smile.”

“You absolutely do not.”

Shane kissed his cheek. “Two minutes.”

“During Fabian’s set. I thought you liked this song.”

“I do.” Shane leaned in and pecked him on the lips. “I’ll be quick, I promise.”

“I will allow,” Ilya said mockingly, glaring at him.

Shane backed away anyway, hands raised in surrender. “Love you.”

“I love you too,” Ilya said automatically.

Shane grinned, and then he was gone.

Ilya turned back toward the stage, but his attention kept snagging on the empty space beside him. Scott noticed.

“Dude, he will be back,” Scott said.

“Surprised you can see without glasses, old man,” Ilya muttered.

“Relax,” Kip said quickly, stepping in before Scott could respond.

The song ended.

Fabian stepped up to the mic, breathless and grinning. “Okay, okay, hang on. Before the next one, I want to do something a little different tonight.”

The crowd murmured.

“I’ve got a friend here,” Fabian continued, “who’s celebrating his one-year wedding anniversary tonight.” Ilya’s stomach did a weird, anticipatory flip and their box exploded into cheers. Troy and Boodram appeared at Ilya’s sides, clapping him on the back and keeping him facing forward as he tried to twist around and find Shane.

Scott and Kip cheered from the side, and Harris immediately raised his phone.

Ilya blinked, realizing they all knew something. “Wait.”

“And,” Fabian added, smiling wider, “he wanted to give his husband a gift.”

The lights dimmed.

A single spotlight hit the side of the stage.

And Shane Hollander walked out.

The arena lost its mind.

People surged to their feet. Phones flew up like stars. The noise was physical, crashing through the space like a wave.

Ilya’s brain short circuited.

“What is he doing,” he whispered.

The camera immediately cut to him.

His face filled the massive screens, wide eyed, stunned, mouth open, and the crowd screamed louder.

Ilya laughed, lifting both hands and waving like, yes, hi, hello, this is happening, apparently.

Shane lifted the mic, standing center stage in a dark jacket and jeans like he had not just hijacked a sold-out concert. He looked calm. Confident. Steady. Like this was exactly where he meant to be. But Ilya could tell he was nervous.

And his eyes locked onto Ilya.

“Hi,” Shane said, smiling. “Uh, hi, everyone.”

The crowd roared again.

“Okay,” Shane laughed softly. “That’s… a lot of you out there.”

More screaming.

“My name’s Shane,” he continued unnecessarily, “and tonight is my one-year wedding anniversary with my husband, Ilya.”

The camera cut back on Ilya again, who was screaming happy anniversary and blowing kisses toward Shane to the delight of the entire arena.

“I love him very much,” Shane said. “And I spent a long time trying to figure out what to get him. But the truth is…” He glanced down briefly, then back up, voice steady but warm. “We spent a lot of our relationship having to hide. Ten years of loving each other quietly, in the dark, in hotel rooms and stolen weekends. We have only gotten to love out loud for one. And sometimes, a part of me still feels like we have to hide. But we don’t.”

The arena quieted.

Ilya’s chest tightened.

“So I realized,” Shane continued, “that what I really wanted to give him was this. Me. Saying it. Publicly. Out loud. For the world to see. Without shrinking. Without apology.”

The crowd erupted.

Ilya pressed his hand to his mouth.

“So, fun fact about me,” Shane added, smiling nervously. “There’s a secret only my mom and dad knew until recently, Fabian, and soon all of you. I can sing. Apparently really well. I practice with Fabian and everything, and he said it was good enough for his concert.”

That got a laugh from the crowd.

“I’ve never been comfortable singing in front of people,” Shane continued, eyes back on Ilya, “but this song really captures how I feel when I’m with you.”

“And also,” he added lightly, “he loves this song.”

Fabian laughed faintly from the wings.

“One more thing,” Shane said. “I’m nervous, but not about singing. I’m nervous about doing something this big for someone this important. But he deserves it, to be loved out loud.”

His eyes softened when they met Ilya’s again.

“So, Ilya,” he said, “this is for you.”

The music started.

The opening chords of Ordinary by Alex Warren started.

Ilya forgot how to breathe.

The spotlight softened. The roar of the crowd melted into something distant as Shane began to sing.

His voice was not loud. It was warm, smooth, and steady. The kind of voice full of such richness that sent shivers straight down Ilya’s spine.

They say, ‘The holy water’s watered down
And this town’s lost its faith…’

Shane did not look at the crowd when he sang. He looked up at Ilya, like the two of them were alone in a quiet room instead of surrounded by thousands of people.

Oh, my, my
Oh, my, my love
I take one look at you

Like this gift was just for him. Just for Ilya. Because Ilya had spent years teaching Shane how to love loudly and openly, even when Shane had wanted to shrink away from the spotlight.

At your altar, I will pray
You're the sculptor, I'm the clay

This was Shane making sure the world knew that Ilya was loved, out loud and without shame, by a man proud to be his husband.

You're takin' me out of the ordinary

It was beautiful in the kind of way that snuck up on you and wrecked you without warning.

The arena fell into something like reverent silence.

People swayed. Phones recorded. A few audible gasps rippled through the crowd when it became clear this was not a stunt. Shane could actually sing. Really sing.

The angels up in the clouds are jealous knowin' we found

Somethin' so heavenly, higher than ecstasy

The camera cut back to Ilya.

He stood there flanked by Troy and Boodram, hands gripping the railing, staring down at Shane with his entire heart written openly across his face.

I want you laying me down 'til we're dead and buried

His smile softened.

His eyes went glossy.

One hand slid to his chest like he was trying to steady his heartbeat.

He never looked away.

The crowd reacted in waves. Soft cheers during quieter moments, louder ones when Shane hit especially gorgeous notes, full-on screaming when the camera returned to Ilya’s openly besotted face.

Fabian stood just offstage, arms crossed, watching as he had just facilitated the most romantic crime imaginable.

Shane never broke eye contact.

He sang like the world did not exist. Like the only thing that mattered was the man in the box seat directly above him, glowing under arena lights, mouth parted, eyes wet, heart wide open.

Lord, return me to dust
The angels up in the clouds are jealous knowin' we found

When the song ended, the silence lasted exactly one second.

Then the arena detonated.

Screaming. Cheering. Stomping. Chants of Hollanov rolling through the stands. Phones waving in the air.

Shane lowered the mic slightly, breathing hard, cheeks flushed, eyes still locked on Ilya like the rest of the world had not just exploded around them.

He smiled into the mic. “Happy anniversary, my love,” he said softly. 

The crowd screamed again.

Fabian jogged out, laughing, clapped Shane on the shoulder, then took the mic. “Okay, okay. Apparently, I’ve been emotionally upstaged at my own concert. But I’m a sucker for love, and that was beautiful. Go get your man.”

More laughter.

Shane jogged offstage.

Ilya did not have to wait long before the door to the box opened. Shane rushed in, and one moment he was in the doorway, and next he was in Ilya’s arms, kissing him like the world was still watching. More cheers erupted, not just from their box, and when they broke apart just enough to breathe, their faces were on the Jumbotron.

Shane waved sheepishly at the crowd.

Ilya just stared at him.

“You,” Ilya said hoarsely, clutching Shane’s jacket as if he might disappear. “You absolute menace.”

Shane laughed breathlessly. “I take it you liked it.”

“I am so proud to be your husband. I love you.” Ilya pulled back just enough to really look at him, eyes bright, mouth trembling with a smile he could not seem to control. “You sang in front of thousands of people.”

“For you.”

“You hate being in public.”

“I hated hiding my love for you more,” Shane said quietly. “I hated not doing things like this for you more.”

That did it.

Ilya surged forward and kissed him again, their love crashing together. Shane made a surprised sound in his mouth before kissing him back just as hard, hands sliding up Ilya’s back like he needed proof this was real.

Somewhere behind them, someone wolf whistled.

Shane pulled back laughing. “We are absolutely still being watched.”

“I do not care,” Ilya said, still holding his face. “You shared your love for me in public. I will never forget this.”

They rested their foreheads together, breathing each other in while the muffled roar of the concert filtered through the walls as Fabian started playing again. The rest of the box politely turned their attention back to the stage, granting them something like privacy.

“I didn’t get you anything,” Ilya murmured. “We said no gifts.”

Shane blinked. “Do not think I do not know you have something waiting for me when we get home.”

“That gift pales in comparison to this.”

Shane smiled slowly. “I’m sure I will love it. I just want to love you out loud.”

Ilya leaned down and pressed one softer kiss to Shane’s lips, then turned him in his arms, hands settling around his waist as they swayed gently to the music together.

Yes, Ilya knew Shane would love what he had bought and hidden under their bed. But he would be lying if he said he would ever forget this night. The way the man he loved chose him in front of the world, not because they were forced or cornered after being outed, but because Shane wanted to share his love openly. No matter what Shane said when they got home, nothing would top this. This gift made him feel loved, seen, and accepted.

At one point, Ilya leaned close to Shane’s ear and murmured, “You know you’ve set a dangerous precedent.”

“For what?”

“For anniversaries.”

Shane smiled. “Worth it.”

Ilya kissed his cheek. “I love you, moya lyubov.”

“I love you,” Shane said easily, without hesitation, without shrinking.

Just loud.

Bright.

Ordinary.

In the very best way.

~

@fabianmusic (video clip):
Caption: “When your concert becomes someone else’s anniversary surprise 🥹”

💬 Comments:

@fabianfanclub: sir i came here for music not EMOTIONAL DEVASTATION

@nhlromancewatch: the eye contact alone should be illegal

@puckromanceirl: not me crying on my lunch break over a hockey player singing to his husband

@hollanovtimelinepanic: wait WAIT wait. ten years hidden. one year married. arena serenade. this is a ROMCOM ARC not real life

@hockeysoftcore: shane hollander really said “happy anniversary babe” and then dropped the smoothest vocals of the year

@ilyasleftretina: TEN YEARS????? TEN. YEARS????? THAT MAN SAID WE ONLY GOT TO LOVE OUT LOUD FOR ONE YEAR AND I SIMPLY PASSED AWAY

@rinksidepanic: SHANE HOLLANDER CAN SING????????? EXCUSE ME??????? WHO AUTHORIZED THIS INFORMATION

@rosanovsupremacy: ilya rosanov waving at the camera while being serenaded like a disney prince is my roman empire

@fabianupdates: NOT SHANE STEALING THE STAGE AND MY HEART AT THE SAME TIME???

@rosanovenergy: ilya rosanov went from 😄 to 🥹 to 😭 in under 90 seconds i am suing

@puckbunniesunite: this is the most heterosexual-coded homosexual moment i have ever witnessed (affectionate)

@rinksidegirlie: THE CAMERA CUT TO ILYA EVERY FIVE SECONDS AND I THANKED GOD EACH TIME

@shanehollanderdefenseleague: this man said “i love you” and meant “i will emotionally dismantle you in front of 20,000 people”

@ilysmoodboard: ilya rosanov smiling through tears while shane sings is what healing looks like

@shanesleftthigh: IF I HAD TO HIDE MY LOVE FOR A DECADE I TOO WOULD HIJACK A SOLD OUT CONCERT ACTUALLY THIS IS RESTRAINT

@hockeyromcomirl: this was the climax of a romcom happening in real time and we were ALL extras

@rinkculture: i’m not exaggerating when i say shane hollander singing to ilya rosanov at a fabian concert altered my brain chemistry

@ilyasleftkneecap: the way ilya waved at the camera like “yes hello i am the moment” while actively tearing up is cinema

@hockeysoftbois: not shane hollander having a SECRET VOICE and choosing to tell the world on their anniversary

@rinkromantics: “we hid for ten years so now i’m loving you loudly” actually i am unwell about this

@fabianeyelashes: shane hollander hijacking my fave’s concert to serenade his husband is actually character development for ME

@rosanovagenda: ilya rosanov being both dramatic AND emotionally wrecked at the same time is my favorite genre

@goalhornsobbing: if someone doesn’t put this in a romcom immediately what are we even doing

@puckandpoetry: “ordinary love” but make it stadium-sized and life-ruining

@ilyasbesteyelash: the way shane said “without shrinking” and then SANG IN AN ARENA like sir that is HEALING BEHAVIOR

@shanesbestfriendwannabe: TEN YEARS IN HOTEL ROOMS AND STOLEN WEEKENDS AND NOW HE’S SERENADING HIM ON JUMBOTRONS IM UNWELL

@rosanovheartbeat: imagine loving someone for a DECADE IN SECRET and then choosing violence via concert mic. legendary behavior.