Rating:

Mature

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, Yuna Hollander, David Hollander, Hayden Pike, Ottawa Centaurs Team Ensemble (Game Changers), Scott Hunter (Game Changers), Kip Grady, Cliff Marlow, Zane Boodram, Luca Haas, Wyatt Hayes, Troy Barrett, Harris Drover

Additional Tags:

Shane Hollander Loves Ilya Rozanov, Ilya Rozanov Loves Shane Hollander, Autistic Shane Hollander, Introspection, Post-Book 6: The Long Game (Game Changers), Canon Compliant, Social Media, From the Cottage, Docuseries, Documentaries, Light Angst, Twitter, Mixed Media, Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov Relationship Timeline Reveal

Language:

English

Stats:

Published: 2026-01-07 Completed: 2026-01-27 Words: 15,067 Chapters: 7/7

i just want you to know who i am (from the cottage)

Summary

Ottawa Centaurs ☑️ @OttawaCentaursOfficial

The Ottawa Centaurs are honored to present “From the Cottage,” a limited docuseries about Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander. Follow along to see their incredible journey from young rookies and rivals to where they are now, in their own words. #ftc 🏒🏡

Or, Shane and Ilya finally get the chance to tell their story the way they want to.

Notes

hi so like so many other people, shane and ilya have been living in my brain rent free since i show the show and read their books!! heated rivalry brainrot is real and it led me here because i LOVE all of the social media fics i've read and i love the idea of them being able to tell their story in their own words 🥹 also this is most likely gonna be mostly shane’s pov because i’m a slut for introspection and i see too much of myself in him than i maybe should…oh well anyway hope you enjoy <3

the title is from iris by the goo goo dolls because it’s literally them?? i have many other songs so maybe i’ll make a playlist for this fic soon !

also general disclaimer that this was NOT written by ai, i've used em dashes for much longer than they've been used as an ai indicator !!!

Chapter 1: introducing: from the cottage

Chapter Notes

Sometimes, the way Ilya looks at Shane makes him want to crawl out of his own skin.

Not in a bad way. Not in the way he wanted to back when he was a kid, and he heard the things his teammates would throw around the locker room growing up. When they were cruel in a way that was so exceptionally casual, yet simply written off as “hockey players being hockey players.” When he was “not Canadian enough”—Shane knew what they really meant; everyone knew what they really meant—or too quiet or too anxious.

Or when he was too particular, because even the most superstitious players would watch his careful routines in disbelief. Because it was always too much for them. (Too much seemed to be the tagline of Shane’s life, if he really thought about it.) And he’d always feel something slowly prickle under his skin, until his whole body was buzzing with an energy he couldn’t expel and couldn’t control. For years, Shane had come to expect that feeling whenever he was around people, especially other hockey players, and it was always exhausting. Always suffocating.

And then Ilya Rozanov came barging into his life.

Or, if he was being honest, slowly crept into his life, wave by wave until one day, the water was suddenly above Shane’s head and he came to the realization that he didn’t want to swim out of it. Until he ultimately recognized that he, in fact, would like to drown in all these feelings, in these moments no one knew about but them, in these memories that he had replayed during all the nights they were apart. In Ilya.

But in spite of all of these years with him, Shane still sometimes got that crawl-out-of-my-skin sensation when he felt Ilya’s gaze on him. It made him feel…flayed open. Like Ilya could see past all his routines and strict schedule and control and saw everything he’d spent his life hiding instead. Like he was peeking directly into his brain and saw all his thoughts like they were neon signs flashing across his face. Like he was reading each one slowly and carefully, like he wanted to know every single one, like he wanted to memorize them. Memorize him.

And it wasn’t like Shane couldn’t read Ilya, because he could. Because yes, maybe he wasn’t the best at picking up on things that weren’t outright mentioned to him, but he was getting better. At least when it came to Ilya. But it was different, because out of the two of them, Ilya was somehow the more open one now. And Shane was trying, of course he was—therapy was definitely the right decision—but old habits die hard, especially when his brain kept screaming at him not to give away too much. To be too much.

But what all of this really meant was that a few months after Shane joined the Centaurs, when Harris approached both of them with the idea of a short docuseries to tell their story the way they wanted to, Ilya’s eyes pierced through Shane immediately and he felt the buzz start in the tips of his fingers.

Because Shane was sure that he could clearly read his gut instinct answer: fuck no. After all the chaos and drama of the way they were outed, after the sharp betrayal and hurt still lingering with the way his former team and city reacted, the last thing Shane wanted to do was open their relationship up even more to the public eye.

Keep your head down, play hockey, and win. The sort-of mantra that Shane had held on to fiercely with both hands when he was growing up echoed in his head. It had kept him focused, allowed him to push past the casual racism, the harsh critics, and build his career the way he had always visualized. It was why he was so private when it came to his personal and social lives, and why he hesitated to share anything that extended beyond hockey with his teammates, with reporters, with the fans.

Shane gazed back at Ilya, eyes flitting over the face he knew so well, the face he could draw every curve and edge of in his mind. The messy, light brown curls Shane loved running his hand through and the sharp jaw that had just clenched slightly. He felt his own hands slowly uncurl from the tight fists they’d formed after hearing Harris’s suggestion. 

Eyes moving across Ilya’s expression, he saw a quick flash of eagerness settling into acceptance. Because Shane knew that even though he definitely wanted to do the docuseries, Ilya wouldn’t push him if he didn’t want it, not on this. They both had their ups and downs, their good and bad days, but Ilya…Ilya had always been the braver one.

The one to reach out for his hand in public first, the one to look at him with what Hayden donned the Russian’s “fucking heart eyes” when they had their friends over, the one to lean into him on the couch when the night was ending and things were winding down. Shane never pulled away—granted, it had taken him some time to get used to it, to remember that everyone knew now and it wasn’t a secret to hide anymore—and when it was just them, he didn’t hesitate with anything, but more often than not, it was Ilya who was brave enough to do any of it in front of anyone else.

And Shane…Shane loved him. Shane Hollander loved Ilya Rozanov, and everyone knew they were married. They knew, and both of them were still playing hockey, on the same fucking team for the first time (because everyone knew the All Stars game didn’t really count), and the world hadn’t ended. And yeah, there were a lot of negative reactions, but the positive ones seemed to drown them out most days.

And if Ilya could be brave for them, if he could move to a new country and switch to an objectively worse team for him—although it wasn’t anymore, not after Ilya became captain—then Shane could embrace the buzzing under his skin for once. Could embrace it as the way Ilya knew him, understood him. Embrace it as the way Shane loved him: a constant, heady rush he couldn’t always put into words, in any language that he knew. He could show the world a glimpse of the Shane and Ilya that only they got to see, the versions of themselves that had fallen in love quietly, away from prying eyes and nosy journalists.

Shane reached for Ilya’s hand, gently squeezing when their fingers were entangled, and saw Ilya’s brows scrunch just a little in response to whatever he saw on his face. With another squeeze, Shane turned to Harris, who’d been patiently waiting in the way only someone who understood the gravity of this could, with a small smile on his lips.

He could be brave.

“We’ll do it.”

❄︎❄︎❄︎

Ottawa Centaurs ☑️ @OttawaCentaursOfficial

Tune in tomorrow for an exciting announcement! 🏒🏡 #ftc

rozanov’s wife @centaurs81

someone smarter than me pls decode what ftc means quick

Mark Hall @mark_hall1974

The Centaurs have really fallen off in recent years, and they continue to show it with every decision they make.

⤷ kaylie @huntersnum1fan

    just say you’re homophobic and leave

hollanov truther @hollanov8124

and when the announcement is hollanov having a kid what then

bradleyy @imamirrorball

watch it be something stupid like a new social media manager

inez swift @bettydeservesbetter

my years of being a swiftie have finally paid off !!

read for an in-depth analysis of every easter egg we’ve gotten from the centaurs in the last two weeks revealing why we’re getting a hollanov doc (1/?):

naomi hollander @iloveshaneh

ftc = first time centaurs i’m calling it rn it’s gonna be a “get to know the centaurs” thing

⤷ hockey1234 @hockey1234

    finally someone with a relatively realistic guess

⤷ daddy ilya @ilyaismyhusband

    okay but the house emoji??

⤷ naomi hollander @iloveshaneh

    they’re getting to know them at their homes there mystery solved 🙄

meet me in paris @ilyshaneilya

this will either be something so dumb or so earth shattering i can’t decide which one

Ottawa Centaurs ☑️ @OttawaCentaursOfficial

The Ottawa Centaurs are honored to present “From the Cottage,” a limited docuseries about Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander. Follow along to see their incredible journey from young rookies and rivals to where they are now, in their own words. #ftc 🏒🏡

Chapter End Notes

cue the internet losing their shit (don't worry reactions coming soon)

Chapter 2: the internet reacts

Chapter Notes

a short little update for all the social media reactions to the announcement in the last chapter 🤭 i had SO much fun with this

inez swift @bettydeservesbetter

I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I KN—

⤷ erin n @spiritmeetsthebones

    i always believed in you bestie 🫶

⤷ inez swift @bettydeservesbetter

    never underestimate my ability to clown correctly y’all this is what i trained for

meet me in paris @ilyshaneilya

hollanov breaking the internet once again ily my kings

aaron west @mtl88

great, those two players once again making hockey not about hockey do they ever shut tf up

bradleyy @imamirrorball

…i stand corrected

daddy ilya @ilyaismyhusband

!! WE’RE GETTING DOMESTIC HOLLANOV !! I REPEAT WE’RE GETTING DOMESTIC HOLLANOV !!

The New York Times ☑️ @nytimes

Hollander and Rozanov’s ‘From the Cottage’: “Incredible Journey” or PR Stunt? Read the new article written by Josh White here: https://nytimes.com/360Bkwp

rozanov’s wife @centaurs81

okay but in all seriousness, hollanov getting to control the narrative of their story with #ftc 🥺🥺

⤷ priyyya @shortnsweet_19

    it makes me wonder if this is how they would’ve announced it if b*** wasn’t such a bitch

⤷ rozanov’s wife @centaurs81

    STOPP no you’re so right that’s so sad 😭😭😭

Hayden Pike ☑️ @real_hayden_pike

So proud of @shanehollanderofficial (and the other one) and their docuseries From the Cottage. Love you buddy, and can’t wait to kick your ass on the ice! #ftc

⤷ Hayden Pike ☑️ @real_hayden_pike

    oh and @nytimes @josh_whitee do fucking better

⤷ whitney’s gf @safeandsound00

    the other one 💀

⤷ Ilya Rozanov ☑️ @ilyarozanov81

    you know you love me pike

⤷ Shane Hollander ☑️ @shanehollanderofficial

    Always grateful for your support Hayd!!

⤷ hollanov truther @hollanov8124

    my bby hayden standing on business as usual

Walter Pine @hockey_bro26

We as a league need to come together and realize that hockey isn’t what it used to be anymore. What happened to men being men? Everything about this is unprofessional and frankly, disgusting. Hollander and Rozanov shouldn’t even still be playing after everything that happened

⤷ pretty isn’t pretty @itsbrutalouthere

    you wish that was you huh

Zane Boodram ☑️ @zanebood

You guys aren’t ready to see how annoying Shane and Ilya actually are in real life, I promise you 💀 But for real though @shanehollanderofficial @ilyarozanov81 proud of y’all ❤️ #ftc

Yuna Hollander @hollander_yuna

So so incredibly proud of my sons @shanehollanderofficial and @ilyarozanov81!! Love you boys so much ❤️ #ftc

⤷ Shane Hollander ☑️ @shanehollanderofficial

    love you mom ❤️

⤷ Ilya Rozanov ☑️ @ilyarozanov81

    love you ❤️

Rose Landry ☑️ @rose_landry

In case you missed it, one of my dearest friends @shanehollanderofficial is releasing a docuseries, From the Cottage, with his husband, @ilyarozanov81!! Adore you guys, and so excited to watch this ❣️ #ftc

⤷ rose’s robin @robinlandryy

   OMG MOTHER I LOVE YOUU

⤷ Shane Hollander ☑️ @shanehollanderofficial

    Thank you Rose! ❤️

⤷ sports car girl @tatefortat

    is no one else weirded out by the fact that rose and shane are still close friends even tho shane cheated on her with ilya???

⤷ pretty isn’t pretty @itsbrutalouthere

    @tatefortat girl WHAT 💀 she was literally at their WEDDING be so serious right now

Shane Hollander ☑️ @shanehollanderofficial

Ilya and I are so thankful for all the positive reactions to From the Cottage. This is our story and has been for over a decade, but we’d like to invite you to a little peek behind the curtain. The first episode will be available this Friday ❤️🏒🏡 #ftc

Ilya Rozanov ☑️ @ilyarozanov81

This Friday. Watch From the Cottage to see number one hockey player and Shane Hollander’s story ❤️🏒🏡 #ftc

Chapter End Notes

i promise the actual docuseries chapter is coming soon trust

Chapter 3: episode one

Chapter Notes

if any of you have watched the reputation stadium tour intro….picture that when reading the intro 😌

From the Cottage: Episode One

Audio begins to play, evidently short sound bites from news outlets, podcasts, and game announcers from over the years, with short videos from hockey games, podcast videos, and hockey news clips playing. The audios start off separate, but slowly start overlapping with each other, and the videos cut to each other faster and faster. Social media comments and tweets about both players and their rivalry also begin to flash on screen on top of the videos.

ANNOUNCER

Shane Hollander.

ANNOUNCER

Ilya Rozanov.

UNNAMED PODCAST HOST

Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, arguably the two most prominent rookies in hockey right now—

ANNOUNCER

And the Boston Bears have drafted Ilya Rozanov—

ANNOUNCER

Shane Hollander gets picked by the Montreal Voyageurs—

NEWS ANCHOR

Hollander and Rozanov facing off once again—

UNNAMED PODCAST HOST

—and you know you can’t mention Hollander without bringing up Rozanov—

ANNOUNCER

—and captain ILYA ROZANOV—

NEWS ANCHOR

Rozanov and Hollander appear to have put aside their rivalry—

ANNOUNCER

—captain SHANE HOLLANDER—

The voices and videos start to overlap faster, getting harder to hear each one completely, with music getting more intense in the background. 

MULTIPLE OVERLAPPING VOICES

Hollander—

Rozanov—

Shane Hol—

Ilya Roza—

—the biggest riva—

—a heated matchup—

—Roz—

—rivals? Or friends—

—Hollan—

—the rival rookies—

—Shane—

—Ilya—

All audio and video cut out abruptly into a black screen with a loud beat, which echoes faintly for a few seconds.

The following words appear, line by line on the screen.

FROM THE COTTAGE

Episode One

Rookies and Rivals

The video cuts to a shot of Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, sitting side by side on a couch, relaxed and at ease. It is clear that this is Shane Hollander’s famous cottage. Behind them, framed pictures can be seen on the walls. Although it is hard to clearly identify them all, one appears to be a shot from the CCM shoot, with a young Shane and Ilya attempting a face off. However, both boys are mid-laugh. Another is a picture of Shane and Ilya, clearly older, sitting cross-legged in a kitchen, with a small Anya laying belly up between them. The only other identifiable picture is one from their wedding.

SHANE

I’m Shane Hollander. 

ILYA

I’m Ilya Rozanov. But you know that already.

Shane rolls his eyes while Ilya smirks slightly.

ILYA

What? Is true, they would not be watching if they don’t know me.

SHANE

Us. If they didn’t know us.

HARRIS (PRODUCER, OFF-CAMERA)

Guys, it hasn’t even been one minute.

Harris’s voice is unmistakably exasperated, although fond. Shane straightens a little, the tips of his ears turning pink. Ilya’s smirk remains unchanged, and he drapes an arm on the couch behind Shane.

HARRIS

Ready?

There’s a brief pause in which Ilya and Shane finally both turn fully towards the camera and nod.

HARRIS

We’ve all heard the stories. Drafted together, rookies together. But what were those early days actually like?

Shane and Ilya speak at the same time. 

SHANE

Confusing.

ILYA

Hot.

Shane smacks Ilya’s shoulder. 

SHANE

It was…a complicated mix of things. At least for me. Back then, hockey was my entire world—

Ilya snorts softly, then mouths back then directly to the camera. Shane doesn’t look at him or stop talking even as he smacks him again.

SHANE

But then all of a sudden, there was this other rookie who was almost as good as me, on the same playing field as me. And as much as it was about the game, it was also suddenly about me and him.

HARRIS

And so the draft is when you first met?

ILYA

No.

Ilya glances at Shane, lips curling up a little.

ILYA

Shane introduced himself the summer before season. Told me to stop smoking like boring Canadian. Was annoying, but even more annoying was his freckles.

HARRIS

His freckles?

ILYA

Yes. Stupid, beautiful freckles. I could not stop thinking of them even after he left.

A light blush spreads on Shane’s face. Ilya’s expression softens, before he once again turns to the camera.

ILYA

About early days question: they said we were rivals all the time. Hated each other. They didn’t see us off the ice. Was always Rozanov and Hollander, never Ilya and Shane.

SHANE

Yeah, exactly. We’re not saying we were immediately fast friends, because we weren’t. We clashed on and off the ice, all the time. We’d been pitted against each other since we were 17, and at that age, it was hard to not take that kind of narrative into our interactions.

The visual cuts to a montage of game clips from Shane and Ilya’s rookie season, some including them facing off, shooting into the net, and fighting for the puck.

SHANE (VOICE OVER)

To Ilya’s point, the league took the concept of Shane Hollander versus Ilya Rozanov, and ran with it. Our names were a brand bigger than who we actually were, and the rivalry just kept getting played up worse and worse.

ILYA (V.O.)

We were young. Figuring things out.

A behind-the-scenes video of Shane and Ilya’s CCM sponsorship starts to play. There are multiple takes cut together, with the boys skating up to each other, only to start smiling or laughing as they get closer.

ILYA (V.O.)

Was hard, sometimes, to remember we never made the rivalry. We both like winning, and we like winning against each other. Is true. But we never hated each other like they said we did.

The video cuts back to Shane and Ilya on the couch. Shane’s mouth opens, as if about to say something, but Ilya side-eyes him, and Shane closes his mouth with a subtle smile. It seems to be some sort of inside joke between them. Shane shakes his head slightly in amusement, before turning serious again.

SHANE

And we couldn’t do anything without the other one getting brought up. It was like…like there was no “Shane Hollander” without “Ilya Rozanov.” And vice versa.

Ilya’s hand, the one draped over the sofa behind Shane, moves forward slightly. It is hard to see exactly, but Ilya appears to be running his fingers gently in Shane’s hair at the bottom of his head.

ILYA

But they didn’t know this. Didn’t know there also was no Ilya without Shane. And no Shane without Ilya. Was obsessed with me, obviously.

Pictures begin to flash on the screen as a soft instrumental begins to play, but before the video fully fades, it shows Shane elbowing Ilya and Ilya chuckling.

The first picture is a selfie from the night they presented the sportsmanlike award together. Although everyone saw them take the picture, this is the first time it’s actually been shown. Next is one of a bare chest—Ilya’s—while a small part of Shane’s sleeping face is in the corner. Then, one of the two of them at the first hockey camp they coached, arms around each other’s shoulders.

The pictures flash by quicker, and the music gets a little quieter.

SHANE (V.O.)

It was hard to hide this part of our relationship. Of course it was. I mean, there were times where I’d get off the ice and the first person I wanted to talk to was Ilya. And I couldn’t.

A picture of Ilya kissing Shane’s helmet at the All-Stars game. A blurry picture of Shane’s lips on a close-up view of Ilya’s jaw.

ILYA (V.O.)

I never had big injury. Was lucky. But I wanted Shane to be my emergency contact, in case. Obviously, I could not do that.

The photos start slowing down. One of their backs, shirtless and sitting down outside of the cottage in low lighting. It’s hard to tell that it’s Shane and Ilya. A close-up of two hands intertwined. Once again, it is not clear that it is Ilya and Shane. More pictures are shown, but the common theme is the unidentifiable nature of the men in the photos.

ILYA (V.O.)

We couldn’t even keep pictures on phones. In case they got leaked. For years, didn’t have pictures of us together. Too risky.

It cuts back to Shane and Ilya. The former has a small frown on his face, and Ilya stares somewhere off-camera, jaw slightly clenched. They both seem lost in thought or a memory.

HARRIS

That must’ve been very difficult, to do all of this with the added pressure of needing to keep it all a secret. Especially when, like you said earlier, there were so many things you guys were still figuring out.

It’s clear that the topic is hard to discuss for both of them. Ilya's hand is once again tangled in Shane’s hair behind them, and Shane blinks a few times. Their voices are low when they speak.

ILYA

Yes.

SHANE

It was.

Shane clears his throat quietly.

SHANE

We knew the consequences. And the risk we were taking by being involved. And it’s not like we just didn’t care, more like…we wanted it anyway.

The video cuts to clips from various interviews Shane and Ilya did over the years, both together and separately.

SHANE (V.O.)

Everything you saw back then, there was something else going on behind the scenes. We were “rivals,” we both won cups with our old teams, but outside of that? When people weren’t looking? It was just us.

ILYA (V.O.)

It was ten years of hiding and waiting. Yes, we weren’t officially together early on, but is still part of our story. Even back then, I realized that Shane was…

The video cuts back to them and Ilya turns to Shane, brows a little furrowed.

ILYA

What’s word? Like fate, can’t avoid?

Something flickers over Shane’s face, an emotion that flashes quickly before he covers it up again. He leans closer into Ilya, their bodies now fully pressed together. The two men share a loaded look, something passing between them.

SHANE

Inevitable.

ILYA

Yes. Inevitable.

❄︎❄︎❄︎

Ottawa Centaurs ☑️ @OttawaCentaursOfficial

The first episode of From the Cottage is out now! Shane and Ilya take us back to their rookie season and their so-called rivalry, and the secrecy they had to maintain. #ftc [image attached: a still from the first episode, Shane and Ilya on the couch]

rozanov’s wife @centaurs81

IT’S FINALLY OUTTTT CANCELING ALL MY PLANS FOR HOLLANOV

lyla hollander @lylaholl

so who was gonna tell me that ep1 of #ftc was gonna make me sob

⤷ kaylie @huntersnum1fan

    i was actually not prepared holy fuck

meet me in paris @ilyshaneilya

inevitable 😭😭 i can’t describe how much these two mean to me omg

Mark Hall @mark_hall1974

There is no place in hockey for players like Rozanov and Hollander.

⤷ waynee @signofthetimesbabyy

    saying this about two of the most decorated hockey players in history is…a choice

inez swift @bettydeservesbetter

😭😭😭there was no ilya without shane 😭😭 and no shane without ilya 😭😭😭

⤷ pretty isn’t pretty @itsbrutalouthere

    that shit was corny as hell i still love them tho

⤷ inez swift @bettydeservesbetter

    after everything they went through they deserve to be corny tbh

hollanov truther @hollanov8124

both of them holding back tears when talking about the way they had to hide…mhl when i catch you

⤷ hollanov truther @hollanov8124

    and while im at it, fuck the voyageurs too

my bby shane @hollanderandme

a thread ft my live reactions to #ftc ep1, got my popcorn and tissues ready 😀 (1/?)

priyyya @shortnsweet_19

can we talk about how they couldn’t keep pictures of them on their phones bc of leak risks??? that’s actually so sad wtf

⤷ daddy ilya @ilyaismyhusband

    ten year situationship and no pics oh they’re stronger than me

eli pike stan @lovepike4ever

knowing ilya’s family history…him wanting to put shane as his emergency contact and not being able to im about to murder a bitch

⤷ hollanov truther @hollanov8124

    count me in bestie we ride at dawn to mhl hq

shane’s freckles @shanehollandersfreckles

ILYA SAYING HE COULDNT STOP THJNKING ABOUT SHANES FRECKLES AFTER THEY MET FOR THE FIRST TIME HI TWIN ME TOO @ilyarozanov81

⤷ Ilya Rozanov ☑️ @ilyarozanov81

    i love them more

frankie r @wednesdayinacafe

“like fate, can’t avoid” ilya is so fucking romantic without even trying???? @shanehollanderofficial can you fight

⤷ Shane Hollander ☑️ @shanehollanderofficial

    Yes.

⤷ frankie r @wednesdayinacafe

    OMG KING HIIII i promise im not trying to steal your husband 😩

Two Men and Hockey Podcast @twomenandhockey

Watch our latest episode now, where we react to and discuss the first episode of Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov’s From the Cottage! [link to youtube video attached]

shane’s slut @slutforholly

imagine being 17 years old and the league you just joined as a rookie tells you you’re supposed to hate the only other player who’s as good as you and he’s also the hottest man you’ve ever met

⤷ shane’s slut @slutforholly

    i’m just saying if it was me i would’ve lost my shit like a month in

keery girl @endofbeginning24

ilya still trolling his husband after all this time he’s just like me in a relationship

holzy stann @shanesmyhusband

my close personal friend shane hollander is so baby girl @ilyarozanov81 can you fight????

⤷ Ilya Rozanov ☑️ @ilyarozanov81

    yes.

PopCrave @popcrave

“There was no Shane Hollander without Ilya Rozanov”: Read now for everything revealed about the famed hockey husbands in From the Cottage’s first episode, including never-before-seen pictures of the couple! [link to article attached]

nick w @nick_w_80

We need to take back hockey from these homos the centaurs should be disqualified from everything

rebecca rode up @tlgadlover

shane saying “when people weren’t looking it was just us” 😣 them falling in love quietly when no one was watching FUCK MEE i am so not normal about my two comfort gay hockey players someone lock me up

lemon drop @lumax_77

no one is talking about ilya’s hand running through shane’s hair basically the whole episode GOD WHEN IS IT MY TURN

Ottawa Centaurs ☑️ @OttawaCentaursOfficial

We hope you’re enjoying the first episode of From the Cottage! Shane and Ilya would also like to remind everyone that as professional hockey players, yes, they can both fight 😌

⤷ inez swift @bettydeservesbetter

    not yall thirsting so hard on main you forced the official centaurs account to post this 💀

Chapter End Notes

so obviously this is not a full 40mins episode…let’s just pretend there’s more in between

Chapter 4: two men and hockey: episode 481

Chapter Notes

some of you asked for this after episode one, and while i hadn’t planned on it, i decided it would be so fun ! hope you enjoy !! also my hockey knowledge is very limited. VERY limited. so keep that in mind 😌

Two Men and Hockey Podcast

Episode 481

Transcript

LIAM

Hi, guys, welcome back to Two Men and Hockey. I’m Liam!

NOAH

And I’m Noah! If you’re new here, and I’m sure many of you are based on what we’re talking about today—

LIAM

Welcome Hollanovers!

NOAH

(flatly)

Liam did in fact spend four hours scrolling through Twitter today. As I’m sure you can guess by that introduction.

LIAM

Hey, I’m just giving the people what they want!

NOAH

I’m sure you are. Anyway, as everyone who’s watching probably knows, the biggest news in hockey this week was of course the first episode of From the Cottage dropping yesterday.

LIAM

It sure was. And we talked about the announcement last week; the timing, the reasons why, and what this all means for the hockey world. If you’re interested in that, make sure to check out last week’s episode!

NOAH

Also, some of you were surprised that we were both excited for the docuseries, and I can’t…imagine why?

LIAM

(in a serious tone)

I can’t either, because we’ve been very open about our views on hockey being for everyone, and if that for some reason offends you…well.

NOAH

(overly cheerful)

Goodbye!

(They both laugh)

NOAH

Okay time to get serious. The first episode.

LIAM

(takes a deep breath)

The first episode.

NOAH

First things first: did you cry?

LIAM

(dragging out word)

Well…

NOAH

So, that’s a yes.

LIAM

I’m not gonna lie and say my eyes were completely dry the whole time.

NOAH

I’m no scaredy cat: there were definitely tears.

LIAM

It was emotional! We all know Hollander and Rozanov. We all know their story, and the unfortunate way their relationship was revealed. But hearing them describe what it was like as rookies—

NOAH

ROOKIES! I don’t know about you but I don’t think anyone knew that their relationship went back that far—

LIAM

I definitely didn’t.

NOAH

—so that really put a lot of things into perspective. Since they were seventeen, man.

LIAM

(shaking his head)

Seventeen. I can’t even imagine what that must’ve been like.

NOAH

Anyway, back to the episode. Before we get into the details, I wanna talk about the intro. Because that was fucking cool.

LIAM

Oh, yeah I loved that. It set up the whole narrative of their brands vs them and the rivalry really well right from the start.

NOAH

It’s like you read my mind dude.

LIAM

Yeah, it’s definitely not like we were live-texting each other while watching.

NOAH

No, of course not. Couldn’t be us.

LIAM

Moving on: the rivalry.

NOAH

Oh, the age-old rivalry. But in all seriousness, this felt like subtle shade towards the league for pushing that so hard for so long.

LIAM

100 percent. And I honestly can’t blame them. The league loves its drama. But sometimes, like it was for Hollander and Rozanov, that fucking sucks. Imagine what their lives might’ve looked like if they didn’t have a massive league-wide competition pushed onto them as TEENAGERS.

NOAH

Not gonna disagree there. I liked what Rozanov said about it: “We both like winning, and we like winning against each other. But we never hated each other like they said we did.” So much of what happens in hockey when it comes to things like this, it’s really played up for the content. And most of the time, like here, it’s simply just not true.

LIAM

And I’m sure that was a small dig at Montreal and all the fans that turned on Hollander during the end of his last season with them. Which, I mean, good on Rozanov.

NOAH

Yep, and again, knowing they were something since rookies corroborates—

LIAM

(smirking)

Wow. Bringing out the thesaurus today, huh?

NOAH

(talks louder with a slight glare)

—CORROBORATES that. Hollander led Montreal to three cups, Rozanov led Boston to one, all while they were together. Hollander would not trip on purpose just to give Rozanov a win.

LIAM

I never understood where people got the idea he would, honestly. Have you seen them on the ice against each other? They play like their asses are on fire. There’s no world in which either of them would throw a game for each other.

NOAH

(in a deadpan tone)

Haters just gonna hate, Liam.

LIAM

(laughing, then more serious)

They sure are. Onto some of the heavier stuff from the episode: the secrecy.

NOAH

Yeah, this is what got me.

LIAM

Agreed.

NOAH

Taking away everything else, just the sheer amount of time that they had to hide everything is just…just brutal.

LIAM

And then adding back everything else, I mean, Hollander saying the first person he wanted to talk to was Rozanov.

NOAH

The emergency contact.

LIAM

Stabbed right in the heart with that one, honestly. And the pictures.

NOAH

(slamming his hand on the table repeatedly)

The. Fucking. Pictures.

LIAM

I can’t imagine not being allowed to have any pictures of me and my wife for years after we started talking. It’s just…just so sad.

NOAH

With the way they both looked like they were trying not to cry, honestly, me and Naomi were both crying a little.

LIAM

I think a lot of people owe the both of them a heartfelt apology, truly. Most of all, Montreal, for the way they handled everything.

NOAH

(ending on a small laugh)

I’m sure they’re kicking themselves right now anyway, given the state of the Centaurs roster.

LIAM

Oh, they definitely are. What do we think? Think the Centaurs have a shot at the cup this season?

NOAH

It’s still too early to call it, but all I’m gonna say is…Hollander, Rozanov, Barrett. And that’s not even including the rookies and the powerhouse that Hayes has become in the goal.

LIAM

They’re fucking stacked. I’m excited to see the season play out, honestly.

NOAH

It’ll be one for the books, for sure. Okay, getting back on track, I think we covered the main points of the episode?

LIAM

Well, I think the last thing we gotta talk about is Hollanov.

NOAH

(small chuckle)

What about them?

LIAM

The banter. The romance. The, I don’t know, comfort? They have with each other.

NOAH

Never let it be said that Ilya Rozanov is unromantic.

LIAM

I saw a lot about this on social media, but the “like fate, can’t avoid” he said has really blown up. Like, epically blown up.

NOAH

Naomi did squeal at that part. And slap my arm multiple times with increasing strength.

(rubbing his left arm and looking at camera)

Which still hurts, by the way.

LIAM

We all know Naomi is the stronger of you two.

NOAH

She sure is. The “inevitable” part resulted in even more slapping.

LIAM

Well, after everything they’ve gone through, I thought it was nice for them to end on a happier—and sappier—note.

NOAH

They deserve that, I think. I will say though, Rozanov still seems to love pissing his husband off.

LIAM

I’d say it’s more…fondly annoying him.

NOAH

Which, you know, valid. I love doing it too.

LIAM

Lord give Naomi strength.

NOAH

(lightly shoving Liam)

She loves me.

LIAM

Alright buddy, think that’s about it?

NOAH

I’m sure we could keep recording for another thirty minutes with everything we got in that episode.

LIAM

We really co—OH, I almost forgot, the new videos and pictures.

NOAH

Shit, yeah. The CCM one was insane.

LIAM

(shaking head in disbelief)

They were so young.

NOAH

Practically still boys. Them not being able to hold back their laughter was cute, I will say.

LIAM

At the end of the day, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov were just teenagers thrown into something they never really signed up for.

NOAH

But I’m glad they made it out to the other side together. Even though the journey was rocky as hell.

LIAM

(looking directly at camera)

Shane and Ilya, if you’re watching—

NOAH

(also looking at camera)

Which would be crazy, by the way.

LIAM

—thank you for everything you’ve done for hockey. Because I’m sure you guys know how you’ve have inspired so many young athletes. And so many people, in general.

NOAH

We got quite a few DMs about that after last week, actually. Reading all of your guys’ stories was so inspiring, and I hope you all continue to keep doing what you’re doing. Whatever that is. And with whoever that is.

LIAM

And remember, hockey is for everyone! Thanks for tuning in, we’ll see you next week!

LIAM and NOAH

(grinning at camera)

Bye!

Chapter End Notes

i was considering naming the podcast hosts hudson and connor but thought that might’ve been a little too on the nose…in my heart though, their names are hudson and connor <3

Chapter 5: episode two

Chapter Notes

this one took me a little longer than the rest sorryyyy but i hope you enjoy ! i had a lot of fun with this one

From the Cottage: Episode Two

A video of the 2017 Stanley Cup game begins to play. For anyone who keeps up with hockey or even pop culture in general, it isn’t hard to recognize one of the most recognized hockey clips: when Scott Hunter brought out Kip Grady after the New York Admirals won the cup. The video starts from when Scott is seen mouthing something to someone [Kip] in the stands, with the confused broadcasters speculating. It continues playing, until Scott brings Kip out onto the ice and kisses him.

ANNOUNCER

Scott Hunter, in more ways than one, has just made MHL history—

The screen goes black, but the last word echoes slightly, until the following words appear.

FROM THE COTTAGE

Episode Two

Not Alone

The video cuts to a shot of Shane and Ilya in their kitchen at the cottage. They’re in casual clothing; Shane in sweats and a faded juniors championship T-shirt, and Ilya in sweats and a black muscle tank. Ilya is at the stove making pancakes, while Shane is sitting at the counter, scrolling on his phone.

SHANE

My mom’s asking if she can keep Anya for the weeken—

ILYA

No.

Shane looks up from his phone with a quiet snort, and Ilya is shaking his head while flipping the last pancake onto a plate.

ILYA

We have four days before we are back on road, Anya has to come home today.

Ilya places a plate of pancakes in front of Shane, before sliding into the seat next to him with his own breakfast. The camera zooms in onto Shane’s plate to show the smiley-face that Ilya had made with blueberries.

SHANE

Yeah, yeah, I already told her no.

Ilya gasps dramatically, turning towards his husband. Shane is already half rolling his eyes, clearly well-aware of whatever Ilya is about to say.

ILYA

You are bad husband, teasing me with our daughter. The internet should know that golden boy Shane Hollander is actually asshole Shane Hollander.

SHANE

Well, they should also kno—

ILYA

But not as bad husband as Scott Hunter.

SHANE

Ilya—

Ilya is undeterred, and continues talking as he pours maple syrup onto his pancakes. Shane, who seems to be used to this topic of conversation, sighs and sits back in his seat.

ILYA

Scott Hunter is ancient, yes? Old as dinosaur bones. But his poor husband, so young and hot. He deserves better than old man Hunter, someone who doesn’t need hip surgery to keep up with him, no?

While the camera is centered on Ilya, Shane can still be seen in the side of the shot, mouthing something to the camera. Captions appear below them:

[Sorry, Scott. I tried.]

Ilya, who was slightly turned towards Shane, seems to have picked up on what he’d mouthed to the camera. He grabs a piece of Shane’s pancake, and gently stuffs it into Shane’s mouth, while Shane slaps at his hand in annoyance.

ILYA

He is not sorry, internet. Is his idea, to bring up Scott Hunter.

Shane glares at his husband.

SHANE

But not like—

ILYA

Harris, roll the clip!

SHANE

Harris, stop teaching Ilya about social med—

The video changes a black screen with the words 2 DAYS EARLIER briefly, before cutting to another shot of Shane and Ilya. This time, they appear to be in some kind of office, sitting in two chairs in front of a desk. Harris Drover is also visible on screen, sitting behind the desk. The camera is clearly recording from outside the window, but with the office door open, their voices are still clear.

HARRIS

—and you cleared this with Scott already?

SHANE

Yeah, he’s down. Wants to see it before it airs, but other than that, he’s cool with everything we planned so far.

HARRIS

Great! So we play the 2017 cup video, and then cut to you guys in the kitchen, and—

SHANE

Yeah, about that.

Shane lifts a hand and scratches behind his ear. He seems a little nervous, but Ilya throws a shoulder over the back of Shane’s chair, and his shoulders unclench.

SHANE

What if while we’re in the kitchen, we bring up Scott? So it’s more of a natural transition instead of randomly cutting to him, you know?

Harris hums contemplatively, looking down at something on the desk. He starts to nod slowly, and his gaze shifts between Ilya and Shane.

HARRIS

Yeah, that makes sense. You guys think you can figure out a way to do that? Naturally?

SHANE

Ye—

ILYA

Don’t worry. Is my talent.

He winks at Shane, while Harris’s eyes narrow at Ilya.

HARRIS

Is it gonna cause another social media crisis?

Ilya grins. Shane’s eyes track his husband, and when he sees the grin, they soften in adoration. His lips also tilt up in a small, subtle smile.

ILYA

No! Is not breaking news that Hunter is elderly, only the truth.

Harris sighs, eyes closing briefly.

HARRIS

Ily—

ILYA

Old like…those things in boring, rich people’s homes? People collect…

Shane’s smile transforms into a smirk, and the camera zooms in on it before backing out again.

SHANE

Antiques?

ILYA

Yes! Scott Hunter is antique, but is not fake news. Everyone knows already.

Ilya’s voice is filled with glee, as it always seems to be when it comes to chirping. Harris’s head is in his hands, and his words are a little muffled when he speaks.

HARRIS

This is not gonna end well for me, is it?

The smirk hasn’t left Shane’s face, but it mellows out slightly. Amusement is still clear in his expression.

SHANE

If we really think about it, Ilya’s not wrong, though, is he—

The clip ends, and the shot cuts back to them in the kitchen. Shane’s face is now buried in his hands, and Ilya is beaming into the camera.

ILYA

I am always right!

The video cuts to Scott Hunter’s famous MVP speech, which plays in its entirety, before cutting to Ilya and Shane again. This time, they are back on the same couch as in the first episode.

SHANE

2017 was…a hectic year for us.

A montage of clips are shown. They include moments from the All-Star game, the Montreal vs. Boston game where Shane got hurt, and the Boston vs. New York playoff game.

SHANE (V.O.)

Professionally, yeah—

The shot cuts back to Shane and Ilya in the cottage.

SHANE

But also personally. The stuff no one knew about.

ILYA

Was hectic, but also…good.

His tone is warm, a thread of nostalgia running through his voice. Whatever Shane hears in Ilya’s words makes him lean closer to him on the couch, their thighs pressing together firmly.

ILYA

And bad news is…

Ilya’s face droops, but it is obvious that it is an act. Shane’s shoulders shake slightly with a hushed laugh.

ILYA

It was because of Scott Hunter.

Shane leans back, his arm resting behind Ilya. In a parallel of the last episode, his hand is in Ilya’s hair at the nape of his neck, gently carding through the locks. Ilya’s head tilts a little to the side, but he keeps talking, his voice more serious now.

ILYA

But in all truth, Hunter was very brave. Before that, I could not…could not imagine what a future with Shane would be. I wanted it, very bad, but seemed hopeless. Impossible. And then Hunter brought out Kip. And it…it made me brave.

The two men share a brief glance, before Shane turns back to the camera, brows slightly furrowed.

SHANE

It made me brave, too. I don’t…I was always a pretty private person. With everything. Ilya was the first person who could really draw me out of my head, even if it was just to yell back at him.

Shane shakes his head in mirth, and Ilya’s lips pull up into a faint smirk.

SHANE

From a league perspective, it changed a lot, obviously. But for us, it changed pretty much everything. And we’ll always be grateful for the courage that Scott had in that moment. I knew I wanted him, but like Ilya said, it just seemed impossible before that.

HARRIS (OFF-CAMERA)

Have you guys talked to Scott about all of this before?

ILYA

Yes. Unfortunately, ancient Scott Hunter knows how he is, uh, inspiration. He says he will “never let me live it down.”

Ilya’s hand quotes are mocking, but there is a genuine smile on his face.

SHANE

Even though the way it happened was not ideal, we…

Shane looks over at Ilya, who had gotten distracted by Anya jumping onto the couch beside him. Ilya is giving her scratches while murmuring something inaudible to her. It seems to be in Russian. An expression passes over Shane’s face briefly, a mix of longing, hope, and relief, before he turns back to the camera.

SHANE

We hope that even if there’s just one person out there that our story helps, that would be enough. Whether that’s someone who is struggling being queer in hockey, or other sports, or just anyone who doesn’t feel like they fit into the environments they’re a part of. We hope that all of this—

He waves his hand around vaguely. Ilya has lifted Anya onto his lap and is softly petting her, but is once again tuned into the conversation.

SHANE

—has the chance to help them and give them courage the same way Scott did for us. To remind them that they’re…

ILYA

Not alone. Is important, I think, to realize you’re not alone.

Ilya slowly reaches for Shane’s hand, and they rest their intertwined fingers on Shane’s thigh.

ILYA

I had hockey, had teammates, coaches, parties, money, everything. And still, felt alone. 2017 was…very good.

Ilya’s voice is a little thick with emotion, and although almost imperceptible, Shane squeezes Ilya’s hand three times gently. Ilya sets his jaw, before nodding slightly.

ILYA

Gave me Shane, fully. We could not tell the world, obviously, but he gave me family. The cottage.

Shane’s eyes glisten a little, while Ilya glances around the cottage. His eyes land on a picture frame on the table next to the couch. Although the picture is not visible to the audience, his eyes latch on for a few seconds, unmoving. He swallows, before looking directly into the camera.

ILYA

A home.

The video cuts to a compilation of more recent videos of Shane and Ilya, with soft music playing in the background. First, a clip from their wedding plays, both of them in suits facing each other. It ends with their kiss, and their friends and family cheering.

Next, it cuts to a video of Ilya sitting on the ground, with a puppy Anya in his lap. The audio is cut out, but Shane is clearly the one recording, evident with the way Ilya looks up at the person holding the phone with a tender grin.

Another cut to both of them in front of a mirror, Ilya holding the phone this time, recording. He zooms into the jerseys they’re wearing, the Ottawa Centaurs logo clear on both of them. Ilya wraps an arm around Shane’s neck from behind and pulls him in to kiss the side of his head. The elation on Shane’s face goes nowhere, despite the red flush crawling up his neck.

Then, it cuts to a shot of them on the ice, recorded during a Centaurs practice. They’re both fighting for the puck aggressively. When Ilya finally scores, Shane turns to flip him off, but there’s an unmistakable smile on his lips.

Another cut to them sitting in a living room, the soft, yellow lights dimmed considerably. The recording seems to be taken from a different room, almost peeking into where they are. The TV casts a brighter glow onto their faces. There are three children on the sofa in between them, though all their faces are blurred. Shane is holding a baby carefully, and although their face is also blurred, it is visible that Shane is lightly running his fingers on top of the baby’s head. Ilya, who was watching the TV screen until then, looks over at his husband, eyes flickering down to the baby for a moment before darting back up. The expression on his face is hard to place in the low light, but the plain love in his eyes is indisputable.

The compilation continues, music delicately playing as the video cuts from clip to clip. It’s a vast array of the life that Shane and Ilya have built together. It ranges from quieter moments to competitive ones to silly ones. As the videos begin to slow down, the compilation ends on a video of the Centaurs locker room. It is a shot of Shane and Ilya’s lockers, which are, unsurprisingly, next to each other. Their last names are labeled above their own respective locker, and the camera begins to zoom in slowly. In the middle of their lockers, someone had taped up a strip of paper with ROZANOV-HOLLANDER written on it. There’s a small heart drawn in the corner, and the camera zooms in closer until the strip of paper nearly covers the whole screen, and then slowly fades to black.

❄︎❄︎❄︎

Ottawa Centaurs ☑️ @OttawaCentaursOfficial

The second episode of From the Cottage is out now! Shane and Ilya would also like to thank @scott_hunter21 for all that he has done for the hockey world (and them). We truly hope you enjoy this one ❤️ #ftc

Scott Hunter ☑️ @scott_hunter21

Thank you to Shane and Ilya for all their kind words in #ftc! It really is so important to know you’re not alone, and this project embodies that message perfectly. Proud of you both @shanehollanderofficial @ilyarozanov81

⤷ Scott Hunter ☑️ @scott_hunter21

    Oh, and fuck you Rozanov

⤷ Ilya Rozanov ☑️ @ilyarozanov81

    okay dinosaur man 🦕 @kippp_g tell me if you need saving from prehistoric husband

⤷ kip grady hunter @kippp_g

    he’s not that old ilya 😭

my bby shane @hollanderandme

IM SOBBUNG??? I DESERVE FINANCIAL COMPENDATION FOR THAT ENDING #ftc

pretty isn’t pretty @itsbrutalouthere

a brief recap of everything we got in this ep pt 1:
    - ilya making them pancakes WITH A BLUEBERRY SMILEY FACE
    - classic old scott hunter jokes 😌
    - ilya exposing shane (AS HE SHOULD!!)

⤷ pretty isn’t pretty @itsbrutalouthere

    recap pt 2:
        - scott hunter being the reason they got together officially??
        - ILYA CALLING SHANE HIS HOME!! HELLO??
        - the end video…there’s too much to process here i’ll be back in two business days

holzy stann @shanesmyhusband

hollanov babysitting who i’m assuming are pike’s kids i haVE THOUGHTS

⤷ rebecca rode up @tlgadlover

    yea so does ilya bestie did you see his “i want you to have my kids” face

rozanov’s wife @centaurs81

ilya’s wink at 13:22 i am gnawing at the bars of my enclosure i am FERAL

kaylie @huntersnum1fan

can’t believe this is how we found out that scott hunter changed the trajectory of hollanov forever 🫢

Hayden Pike ☑️ @real_hayden_pike

Yes, those are my kids. No, I was not recording, that was all my wife @jackiepike_. Yes, unfortunately, I was there. The part of the clip you didn’t see was Rozanov dead asleep and snoring three minutes later, with sharpie all over his face

⤷ Shane Hollander ☑️ @shanehollanderofficial

    You brought this on yourself, man.

⤷ Ilya Rozanov ☑️ @ilyarozanov81

    i think uncle ilya will gift all your kids drum sets for christmas this year. little birdie told me they like music 🙂

⤷ hollanov truther @hollanov8124

    ilya referring to himself as uncle ilya 😭😭 i love petty ilya rozanov!!!

⤷ erin n @spiritmeetsthebones

    pics or it didn’t happen ‼️

luca marry me @lucahaasily

no you guys don’t understand ilya rozanov calling shane hollander his home with his full chest and with tears in both their eyes i fear ilya is never beating the romantic softie allegations

⤷ luca marry me @lucahaasily

    also im crying @lucahaas wanna make me feel better

⤷ meet me in paris @ilyshaneilya

    ykw i applaud you for shooting your shot

shane’s freckles @shanehollandersfreckles

shane’s smirk when he says “antiques?” oh i have nothing appropriate to say—

shane’s slut @slutforholly

ILYA DRAWING SHANE OUT OF HIS HEAD AND SHANE GIVING ILYA A FAMILY THEYRE ACTUAL SOULMATES IM SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP ON THE FLOOR 😭

daddy ilya @ilyaismyhusband

ilya rozanov in a black muscle tank!!! ilya rozanov in a black muscle tank!!! ILYA ROZANOV IN A BLACK MUSCLE TANK!!!

⤷ eric loves me @babylove14

    okay jesus we get it

⤷ daddy ilya @ilyaismyhusband

    ILYA ROZANOV IN A BLACK MUSCLE TANK!!!!!!!!!!!!

Two Men and Hockey Podcast @twomenandhockey

Sorry guys, our latest episode is unfortunately going to be a couple days late, Noah, me + the wives watched the new #ftc episode together and we were all crying a little too much to record a video 😅 The new episode will be up by Wednesday!

inez swift @bettydeservesbetter

the real impact that scott hunter has had on the league forever thank you @scott_hunter21!!!! you are an inspiration everywhere ❤️‍🩹

⤷ Scott Hunter ☑️ @scott_hunter21

    thank you ❤️

zahara <3 @stillattheblackdog

them doing #ftc because they don’t want anyone else to feel as alone as they did im ugly crying so hard in my living room my mother is getting concerned

Ryan Pierce @r_piercee

I’ve been playing hockey since I was three, and it’s one of my favorite things in the world. But growing up and slowly coming to terms that I’m gay was hard, especially with hockey culture the way it is. The things I heard in locker rooms and from guys I considered my friends were inescapable and I thought that it was something I’d have to hide for the rest of my life (1/2)

⤷ Ryan Pierce @r_piercee

    I watched the second episode of #ftc with my parents after coming out to them last week (after ep1). The way they hugged me when the episode ended has stuck with me for the last three days, and I genuinely couldn’t have done it without the courage that ftc gave me. @ilyarozanov81 @shanehollanderofficial I hope you know that you’ve changed at least one guy’s life forever thank you ❤️ (2/2)

⤷ Ilya Rozanov ☑️ @ilyarozanov81

    your story made me cry, in good way. dm me ❤️

⤷ Shane Hollander ☑️ @shanehollanderofficial

    thank you for sharing your story, there is always a place for you at our hockey camp if you’d like to join ❤️

eli pike stan @lovepike4ever

harris is a mf saint for having to wrangle ilya AND shane praying for him 🙏

⤷ Harris Drover @harrisd_92

    at least someone acknowledges it 😫

priyyya @shortnsweet_19

“antique scott hunter” was WILD ilya rozanov you will always be famous

lemon drop @lumax_77

shane running his hand through ilya’s hair like ilya did last ep…..GOD PLS IM ON MY KNEES BEGGING 🧎‍♀️

frankie r @wednesdayinacafe

yea so the whole pancake scene is living in my brain rent free (ilya pushing a piece into shaNE’S MOUTH HELLO?!??!)

wendy’s cardigan @wendycastro

domestic hollanov might actually kill me because what do you MEAN ilya makes shane pancakes and makes him a smiley face with blueberries??? did i die and somehow go into one of my 2010s hollanov fanfics??

Chapter End Notes

ilya vs scott and ilya vs hayden are my favorite things to write 😌

Chapter 6: two men and hockey: episode 482

Chapter Notes

Two Men and Hockey Podcast

Episode 482

Transcript

LIAM

Hi, guys, welcome back to Two Men and Hockey. I’m Liam!

NOAH

And I’m Noah! We apologize for the slight delay with this week’s episode, but to make up for it…

LIAM

For the first time in this podcast’s history—

NOAH

—joining us in the studio today are—

LIAM and NOAH

Our wives!

(They both cheer and clap; the shot expands to show their wives sitting on either side of them)

NAOMI

Hi! I’m Naomi, Noah’s wife.

YASMIN

And I’m Yasmin, Liam’s wife!

NOAH

Well…welcome to the show.

NAOMI

We’re excited to be here.

(turns towards Yasmin)

After, what, five years? You guys finally decide to bring us on.

YASMIN

Almost six, honestly. Though, hockey isn’t my fa—

LIAM

(starts off in a fake offended tone, but smirks at the end)

Bup bup bup! You can’t say that on a hockey podcast, babe. Besides…you sure seemed to like it when we were watching the second episode of From the Cottage.

NOAH

(with a wide grin, looking directly at camera)

And with that perfectly subtle segue, let’s get into the new episode!

(Naomi and Yasmin laugh)

LIAM

Well, we mentioned having to delay this week’s episode. If you saw our tweet, well, you know the reason why.

NAOMI

We were all crying like babies. That’s the reason. And yes, even Noah and Liam.

NOAH

Hey, I’m not denying it. That episode was a lot, guys.

YASMIN

Even as someone who doesn’t particularly know everything about the MHL, it got to me.

LIAM

Oh, yeah. Quick timeout to mention that Yas only watches hockey because I make her. Unlike the rest of us, she didn’t grow up with it—

YASMIN

I just think there are better sports out there.

(shrugs)

Sorry.

NAOMI

Booooo. Just kidding, love you Yas. I, fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, was born and raised in Ottawa.

NOAH

And she definitely had a Shane Hollander poster on her wall as a teenager.

(Naomi smacks Noah’s shoulder)

NAOMI

Who didn’t?

(Liam and Noah nod, shrugging in concession)

And plus, I’d say as an Ottawa native, I think I’m winning right now.

LIAM

We were talking about this last week, but they might just get the cup this year.

YASMIN

With the first hockey husbands on the same team? From everything I’ve heard about them for the last ten years, I’d bet on them.

NOAH

(chuckling, then more serious)

Anyway, back to the episode. I don’t think I was expecting the Scott Hunter angle, if I’m being honest.

LIAM

Oh, not at all. But starting off with the 2017 cup clip set the tone really well, and including Hunter’s MVP speech rounded that out perfectly.

YASMIN

I still remember watching that game. It was one of those moments that’s kind of eternalized, even outside of hockey. And seeing how that really impacted these two…it was beautiful to watch.

NAOMI

I don’t think I really realized how momentous that was for their personal relationship until I watched this episode. And it just makes me think of how many players over the years had to hide this significant part of themselves because of the way the league is. Was. Still is, in some ways.

NOAH

Exactly. We know now that Hollander and Rozanov weren’t the only ones, obviously. But Hunter was the major first step. And every time another story is told, it’s gotta be inspiring for people in similar situations. Which was the whole premise of this episode, I think.

LIAM

I saw a tweet that said Hunter completely changed the trajectory of Hollanov. Which, I mean, based on what we saw, seems pretty accurate to say.

YASMIN

(leans closer to her mic and stage whispers)

If you guys didn’t know, Liam’s favorite pastime is scrolling through Hollanov twitter.

LIAM

(pouts)

Hey!

NOAH

Can confirm, guys.

NAOMI

It’s the truth.

LIAM

Moving on…

(the other three snicker)

The kitchen scene.

NAOMI

(giggle bursts out of her)

They are just like us. Just like every married couple out there with an inclination to pester their partner. But I truly loved seeing that.

NOAH

Domestic Hollanov, as the internet likes to say, was very adorable. And the cut to their conversation with Harris, I mean. They’re just so fun to watch.

YASMIN

I will say that “Golden Boy Shane Hollander” is a phrase I’ve heard a lot. It was fun to see that that’s not always true, and that Rozanov brings out his less serious side.

NOAH

Even if it was at the expense of Scott Hunter.

NAOMI

At the expense of an antique, as Rozanov would say.

LIAM

Dinosaur man.

NOAH

Prehistoric husband. Yes, Liam did show me that tweet.

LIAM

You’re welcome. Overall, though, I just enjoyed getting to see Hollander and Rozanov in a stress-free, casual environment. We don’t get to see a lot of that for most hockey players, but I think for them, especially, it was so important to get a glimpse of that version of them. The one where they can joke around, embarrass each other, you know, regular relationship shit.

NAOMI

I think a lot of people forget that at the end of the day, they’re still just a married couple. A very famous one with very intense jobs, no doubt, but still. A married couple.

YASMIN

A married couple who makes pancakes with blueberry smiley faces for each other.

NAOMI

That was so fucking cute. Why don’t you ever make me pancakes with designs, Noah, hmm?

NOAH

(looks at his wife with a flat stare, his tone deadpan)

You hate pancakes. I remember trying to surprise you with breakfast in bed once back when we were still dating, and I’ll never forget the excitement you faked. Not very well, by the way. I thought I was doomed.

(Naomi laughs, wrapping an arm around her husband’s arm, leaning into him, and giving him a light peck on his bicep)

NAOMI

Definitely not doomed.

LIAM

Well, I would hope so, given that you just celebrated seven years together!

(Noah places a kiss on the top of Naomi’s head, while Yasmin cheers and Liam whoops in excitement)

NOAH

We did, we did. And a little fun fact for all you guys out there, the first thing that me and Naomi bonded over was actually the Hollander-Rozanov rivalry.

NAOMI

And by bonded, he means that we fought about it. Very passionately. Very often.

YASMIN

(pretends to be shocked)

You were a Rozanov fanboy, Noah?

LIAM

Oh, was he. Do I have some pictures to show you.

NOAH

(shaking his head)

Liam, absolutely n—

(Liam already has his phone out, scrolling through it. He tilts it to show the other three.)

YASMIN

Oh…wow.

(A picture shows on the screen. It is of a much younger Noah, wearing a black jersey with the Raiders logo on the front, and a black cap backwards. The picture was clearly taken at a hockey arena. He is standing in front of a huge banner that has Ilya Rozanov on it, and he is pointing up at it with one hand. A beaming smile is on his face, his eyes crinkling with his elation. Another picture appears above the other one, in the same position except Noah is now turned the other way. ROZANOV 81 is visible on the back of the jersey he is wearing, and the cap is clearly Raiders merch as well. He has his arms up, thumbs pointing down towards the back of his jersey.

The second picture starts moving, seemingly a live photo. Noah’s arms are moving slightly, and then he begins to turn around. Liam’s voice is audible towards the end, and there’s a note of amusement in his voice.

“Dude, I think we’re hogging the Rozanov banne—”)

NOAH

Okay, okay, I think that’s enough—

LIAM

Naomi, if you ever need blackmail, I got you. I got years of Rozanov fanboy Noah material.

NAOMI

(laughs quietly)

Thanks, Liam. I’ve seen a lot from his mom, but I’m sure you have the deep cuts.

LIAM

Oh, I do.

(Noah flips Liam off; Yasmin and Naomi are grinning widely)

NOAH

OKAY.

(The pictures on screen disappear)

We’ve gone so far off track, I’m not even sure we can call this a FTC review anymore.

YASMIN

Like we don’t know how often you guys go down rabbit holes in your usual episodes. This is par for the course.

(Naomi nods with a small smirk)

LIAM

Fair. But yeah, let’s get back into it. I saved this part for the end mostly because, well, it was by far the most emotional thing we’ve gotten from the docuseries so far.

NOAH

100 percent.

LIAM

So, let’s talk about it: thematically, it’s the title of the episode and obviously the key idea. The idea of not being alone. Knowing there’s other people out there going through something similar. Even if it’s not the exact scenario, just something close enough that you don’t feel like you’re trudging through life on your own, you know?

NOAH

And yeah, they kinda touched on this last episode, but it was definitely the center focus in this one. An important, necessary focus, too.

NAOMI

Anyone who follows hockey knows Rozanov’s past. It was hard not to, and he was definitely living it up for the cameras often. But hearing him talk about how lonely he felt that whole time…god. That was—was a lot.

LIAM

Like he said, he had “everything,” or what I’m sure most other people thought was everything. But…

YASMIN

Now, I’m not gonna speculate too much on their relationship, because that’s for them and they don’t owe anyone anything. So, don’t quote me on this, but to me, it felt like they were saying that 2017 was when they really became exclusive. But the first episode, we kinda got the hint that they’ve been something since they were, what, teenagers? I just, I mean, that’s a long time, guys.

(Yasmin frowns, shrugging slightly)

Their demanding jobs didn’t help, I’m sure. And it seemed like, even if it wasn’t exclusive or super consistent, they kind of only had each other to battle that kind of loneliness.

NOAH

(voice a little lower than normal)

It’s no surprise that whenever we do get any content from them, it’s crystal clear that they’re very much obsessed with each other. I feel like anyone would be, after all that. They became something like…a safe space? For each other.

(The other three start nodding while he was talking)

NAOMI

I was already crying a little before this, but when Rozanov said Hollander gave him a home? Implying that he was that home? Yeah, I had no chance after that.

LIAM

Fuck, yeah. It’s enough to make a grown man cry.

YASMIN

And it did.

LIAM

I feel like Rozanov is on a mission to say something overtly romantic every episode.

NOAH

Well, he’s outdone himself in this one, for sure.

LIAM

And then cutting to a compilation of their videos, oh my god.

YASMIN

It was already over for me, but those videos had me sobbing.

NAOMI

The mix of competition and soft and funny, it was just done so well. A perfect ending, in my opinion.

NOAH

Oh, definitely. Okay, I have to ask. Which video was your guys’ favorite?

LIAM

(slightly whiny)

You’re gonna make me choose?

YASMIN

Mine was the one where they were at a party, and Hollander was sitting across Rozanov’s lap. When the camera zoomed in, and they were in their own little world, talking to themselves, even with the chaos and people around them…just so cute. It reminded me of the day I first met you.

(She nudges Liam with her shoulder, and both Noah and Naomi aww. Liam turns and gives her a quick kiss.)

LIAM

For context: I met Yasmin during college at a mutual friend’s party. I walked in and immediately saw this goddess of a woman just casually sitting on my friend’s couch. It took me like, an hour to hype myself up enough to go talk to her. But after that, well, the rest was history.

NAOMI

(turns towards Yasmin, a ghost of a smirk on her lips)

What was the first thing he said to you?

YASMIN

(laughs for a few seconds)

Oh, god. He didn’t introduce himself, nothing. Just walked up to me and asked whether I thought he should dye his hair. I didn’t even know his name, at this point.

NOAH

(fakes disappointment, shaking his head)

Liam.

LIAM

One of my friends told me Yas worked part time at a hair salon! I thought it would be a guaranteed way to see her again.

NAOMI

Okay, okay, I admit, that’s pretty cute.

LIAM

Thank you. Anyway, my favorite was the second? I think? Rozanov and their dog, with Hollander recording, that one. It wasn’t a professionally done video or recorded by someone else, I liked the tenderness of it. Also, I have a very similar video on my phone of Yas and our dog, Duke. So, it reminded me of that, too.

NAOMI

Seems like that’s the trend here, because my favorite is also something that reminds me of me and Noah, actually.

YASMIN

We’re all just a bunch of big old saps. This is the real us, guys.

(All of them nod in agreement)

NAOMI

Yeah, mine was the one where they were fighting for the puck—

LIAM

Honestly. I’m not even a little bit shocked.

NAOMI

(mocking glares at Liam)

—and I don’t know. Me and Noah are also so competitive. With almost everything, and it’s one of my favorite things about us. So, I just saw a bit of us in that one.

(shrugs halfheartedly, with her lips curled into a small smile)

Including the part where Shane flipped Ilya off. Very me. Noah loves ragebaiting me.

YASMIN

Mr. Fanboy has Ilya Rozanov tendencies. Who would’ve thought?

NOAH

She loves it.

NAOMI

(sighs loudly)

I do, unfortunately.

NOAH

Well, my favorite was the one with Pike’s kids, on the couch. Very cute, obviously, but the way Rozanov looked at Hollander? I don’t know, something about his expression just got to me. It felt like everything I feel when I look at Naomi.

(He turns to Naomi, eyes softening)

But especially on our wedding day.

(Naomi leans over and kisses him softly, and Liam looks at the camera and draws a heart in the air with his fingers)

LIAM

Well, fuck, guys. Hollanov turned us into complete saps with this episode.

(They all laugh)

YASMIN

I feel like they’d appreciate that, honestly. With the thought and care they put into both of the episodes so far, it’s just—mesmerizing to watch their story.

NAOMI

And it’s the way they want to tell it, too. It’s crafted so beautifully, so kudos to the both of them and everyone involved.

NOAH

Well, those were our thoughts on the second episode! What do you guys think? Let us know in the comments. This one was a little different from our usual videos, but we had a blast having Naomi and Yasmin with us today!

LIAM

(lips slanted into a smirk)

And who knows? Maybe they’ll be back soon. We’ll see you guys next week!

ALL

Bye!

***

Comments

@starry_babe

i came here for hollanov and now i’m somehow invested in the relationships of two random men who talk about hockey how did i get here

@MatthewColeson

man this channel used to actually be good, now all they talk about is their wives and fucking gay people

⤷ @hollanovlover

    so you watched their last two videos and saw the title of this one and are still out here commenting stupid shit even god can’t help you at this point

@Eloise_W

noah and liam being so secure in their masculinity oh i love them

@rileyyy

the part where they talk about their fav hollanov clip…..every single one being something that reminds them of their partner. not PODCASTERS making me feel single as hell now this might be rock bottom for me 🫩

@Kaylie_hunter

OMGOMG the scott changing the hollanov trajectory was MY TWEET IM FAMOUSSS

@louisstyles

all the noah and liam lore that was suddenly dropped in this ep?? i swear these men have never dropped lore like this before 

⤷ @emory8124

    i’m saying!!! i need naomi and yasmin on the show more tbh

@ottawacens39

naomi “ottawa born and raised, shane hollander is my hometown and teen idol” vs noah “decked in boston raiders merch, ilya rozanov’s biggest fanboy” guys i SWEAR i read a fanfic just like this before

⤷ @brianna_e

    imagine hollanov finding out that their rivalry has led to irl couples getting together their power is actually unmatched

⤷ @pikepikepike

    literally the plot of a movie someone call hollywood

@whereismyphone

poor yasmin stuck in the middle of three hardcore hockey fanatics (she is exactly where she wants to be)

@myreputationisworse

2017 is definitely when hollanov became exclusive, shane and rose broke up in early 2017

@fckmeupflorida

can we talk about liam calling yasmin a “goddess of a woman” but the first thing he said to her was about dyeing his hair?? how did this man pull her omg

⤷ @pattybakes

    unfortunately this would work on me

@stillattheblackdog

i fear noah and naomi now have my heart 🥺

@singinginthecar09 

them making fun of scott using ilya’s nicknames LMFAOO they’re so unserious i love them all

@atyourmercy

this ep being 30% about ftc and 70% about liam/yasmin and noah/naomi lore….don’t be shy give us more

@shortnsweet19

yasmin and naomi mentioning the thought and planning that went into the docuseries and how it perfectly creates a mesmerizing story, i wanna be their friend so bad 😩

Chapter End Notes

can you tell that i somehow got invested in the lives of two random podcasters that i originally wasn't even gonna write about 😌 it was so fun expanding into noah and liam's lives though ! also i had so much fun with noah and naomi....i'm kinda obsessed with them even though i was the one that created them

Chapter 7: episode three

Chapter Notes

and we finally made it to the last episode !! hope you guys enjoy <3

From the Cottage: Episode Three

The video opens up to the lake behind Shane and Ilya’s cottage. The sun is high in the sky, reflecting off the water, giving it a glittery effect. Shane is sitting on a large rock, wearing shorts but no shirt. Ilya is in the water, also shirtless. He alternates between lazily swimming and treading water, although he doesn’t venture far from Shane.

The following words appear on top of the video, moving slightly as if they were part of the water.

FROM THE COTTAGE

Episode Three

Forever

The words fade. Shane and Ilya appear to be talking, but the camera is too far to pick up what they’re saying. The audio is mainly dominated by the quiet lapping of the water as well as various animal and insect noises. Shane leans back on his arms behind him, and says something to Ilya. The latter laughs, the sound loud enough that it is audible to the camera. It is unrestrained, an elated sound that not many people hear from Ilya Rozanov. Shane’s responding grin widens, and it brightens his entire face.

A voice begins to speak, but the video still shows Shane and Ilya in the water.

HARRIS (V.O)

You guys had a lot going on, all these years. Was there anything that you guys would say was the hardest part of it all?

The video cuts, now showing Shane and Ilya on the sofa inside the cottage. Their expressions are somber, due to the nature of the question, but their hands are tangled together and resting on Ilya’s thigh.

ILYA

Hiding was always hard. And after we were exclusive, became harder. Obviously, is not something we could show many people, so hiding it from world was hard, but not too bad. But hiding from friends, from team?

Ilya doesn’t continue, and Shane squeezes his hand lightly. Ilya blinks a couple of times, his eyes the slightest bit glassy, and he turns his head to the side and away from the camera. Shane seems to be fighting an instinct to move their hands, but instead swallows thickly and turns to the camera after glancing at Ilya.

SHANE

My parents were the first to find out, and as difficult as it was at the time, it gave us a little bit of hope, you know? Ilya became part of the family, and that—that meant a lot to me. And him. But we were still keeping this massive secret from basically everyone we’ve ever known. It was exhausting, but also just—sad? To not be able to bring up this huge part of our lives, something that made us really happy.

HARRIS (OFF-CAMERA)

How did it feel when people finally knew about you guys?

SHANE

Oh god. Nervewracking? Terrifying? But, also—

ILYA

Freeing.

Shane nods, and he meets Ilya’s eyes for a moment.

SHANE

Freeing.

ILYA

Obviously, was not best way to come out. Many bad reactions. But friends and family were always good. And I can finally talk to them about Shane that was not about foundation or hockey. Tell them how Shane Hollander, golden boy of hockey, is actually very boring. Reads boring hockey books in free time. Has pretty freckles and wears sexy reading glasses.

Shane shoves Ilya softly, but there’s a small smile on his lips. Ilya chuckles, untangling their fingers and moving his arm to the back of the sofa, almost draping it over Shane’s shoulder.

SHANE

And I could tell them that Ilya is scared of loons.

Ilya gasps in mock outrage, while Harris laughs behind the camera. When Ilya speaks, his voice is a low grumble.

ILYA

Stupid Canadian wolf birds.

HARRIS (OFF-CAMERA)

A quick hypothetical for you, just for a little bit of fun! If you could go back to the beginning and do it all over again knowing what you know now, who would be the one person you’d tell?

SHANE

Hayden Pike.

Ilya blows a raspberry, sticking his tongue out of the side of his mouth a little. Shane rolls his eyes.

ILYA

I have many friends, obviously. Everyone loves me. But only one was there when I was in Boston. So, Cliff Marlow.

The video cuts to a location that seems to be behind the cottage, with part of the cottage visible in the corner of the screen. Sitting on two director’s chairs in the middle of the screen are Hayden Pike and Cliff Marlow. Text appears below them, with their names and their respective team.

HARRIS (OFF-CAMERA)

How long have you guys known Shane and Ilya?

CLIFF

Since our rookie year with the Bears.

HAYDEN

Yeah, I’ve known Shane since his rookie year. I think out of everyone, I’ve known him the longest.

Cliff snorts, and Hayden side-eyes him with slightly narrowed eyes.

CLIFF

You sure?

HAYDEN

Excuse me?

Cliff raises his hands in surrender, a hint of a smirk on his lips.

CLIFF

Just saying, man. You’ve never known a Hollander that didn’t know Rozy. So, you know. I don’t think you can claim you’ve known him the longest.

Hayden freezes subtly, his eyes moving around as he thinks about what the other man said.

HAYDEN

Holy shit.

Cliff presses his lips together, nodding in agreement.

CLIFF

Holy shit, indeed.

Hayden shakes his head from side to side, letting out a quiet laugh. When Hayden starts to speak, the video cuts to a montage. There are clips from Shane’s time with Montreal, various hockey ones of him and Hayden, Shane facing off with Ilya, and similar videos. There are also some photos sprinkled in of Shane and Hayden over the years, some with Jackie and their kids as well.

HAYDEN

It was a shock, at first. I mean, out of everything I could’ve imagined that Shane was keeping from me, I don’t think I ever thought that it was this. It took some time to understand it, but once I got it? They, you know, fit. They make sense together.

Once Cliff starts talking, the montage shifts to focus on Ilya. Various videos and pictures are shown from his time with Boston—some including Cliff.

CLIFF

Ilya would always be texting someone, and that went on for years. Even with just the small glimpses we got, I could tell that it meant something to him. At the time, we all just thought he had someone that he didn’t want to tell us about, and we called her his Montreal Jane. 

HAYDEN

Oh my god, yeah, and Shane had his Boston Lily. Looking back, it’s kind of crazy that we didn’t put it together.

CLIFF

Jane and Lily. Jesus. Did they even try with those nicknames?

Hayden and Cliff both laugh, but it's fond. Hayden’s eyes shift to somewhere behind the camera as he begins to speak, a grin on his face.

HAYDEN

We got permission to reveal those, by the way. I didn’t want Shane to murder me.

CLIFF

I think Rozy’s more likely to murder you, man.

Hayden rolls his eyes, settling back into his seat more.

HAYDEN

I’d like to see him try.

There’s a brief pause, before something seems to occur to Cliff, and he turns to Hayden, his brows slightly furrowed.

CLIFF

You know what I’m worried about?

HAYDEN

What?

CLIFF

Facing them both on the ice. Together. On the same team.

Hayden drops his face into his hands, a quiet snicker bursting out of his mouth.

HAYDEN

Shit, Marlow. We’re so fucked.

CLIFF

They’re probably different lines, but. On the power play?

HAYDEN

I’ve played against Shane during practice but—

CLIFF

From someone who’s played against both of them, I think I might be a little scared for my life, not gonna lie, man. Hollander is like, most of the league’s main sleep paralysis demon. And Rozy might be the second.

HAYDEN

Maybe it’s time to move to Ottawa.

The video cuts again, now showing clips of Shane and Ilya from Centaurs practice. The other Centaurs also appear at various times throughout the compilation.

ZANE (V.O)

They’re a little insane.

There’s a cut to the same location as the last shot, but with four chairs instead. Zane Boodram, Luca Haas, Wyatt Hayes, and Troy Barrett are on screen, looking at the camera. Text below them states their names as well as their team name.

ZANE

Not in a bad way, obviously. It’s just, it’s really clear how well they know each other, you know? It’ll just be a regular practice or in the locker room, then something will happen, and all of a sudden, it’s hard to ignore how long Roz and Holzy have actually known each other.

WYATT

They kind of just, I don’t know, exist in each other’s orbit, in a way. It feels like they have their own language, sometimes.

Zane and Luca both nod.

TROY

It was obviously huge, finding out that Shane Hollander was moving to our team. We’ve had Roz for a bit, but we kinda knew there was something he wasn’t telling us, you know? Then everything happened, and suddenly Shane fucking Hollander was gonna be a Centaur.

LUCA

Playing on same team as Ilya Rozanov was crazy. Playing on same team as him and Shane Hollander?

Luca shakes his head in disbelief as he looks into the camera, and the other three chuckle.

WYATT

Haasy still gets a little starstruck sometimes.

Luca lightly pushes Wyatt’s shoulder as Wyatt grins.

ZANE

To be fair, I think it’s hard not to be starstruck with them sometimes.

WYATT

Before they came here, we only knew Roz and Holzy through the hockey and headlines. The whole rivalry narrative. But seeing them together now and on the same team? It’s hard to picture them without each other, you know?

TROY

They can read each other’s minds a little, especially when it comes to hockey. It’s kind of cool and creepy at the same time.

LUCA

I grew up looking up to them, like many other people, they were my hockey idols. And they’re still just as dangerous on ice as they were back then. Only now, they play on the same side.

ZANE

I’m very glad that they’re on our team. For many, many reasons.

WYATT

And I’m glad I don’t have to be in goal against both Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander.

The video cuts away from them, switching to another montage. This time, all the videos include Yuna and David Hollander. There’s a clip of them cheering for Shane at a Montreal game from years ago. Another is one recorded on a phone by Ilya, the video starting with him and then tilts to show Yuna and David, then moving again to show Shane on TV at one of his games. Another clip is a parallel of the last one, recorded by Shane and showing Ilya on screen at one of his Ottawa games before Shane had joined him. More clips play with pictures interspersed as well, and it’s clear that the four of them are a close family.

YUNA (V.O.)

I read a book a while ago, a memoir from a former professional athlete. One thing they said stuck with me: it’s lonely at the top. You can have your family, peers, friends, but it’s not always easy. To understand what it’s like to perform at that level.

The video cuts back to behind the cottage, Yuna and David now in the chairs.

YUNA

Shane has always been so focused on hockey since he was very young. Even as a little kid, he’s always been pretty serious about it. Maybe too much, sometimes.

Yuna smiles, but there’s a trace of sadness in it.

DAVID

And you know, I might be biased but—they’re the league’s top two players. I don’t know if it’s easy for anyone to fully understand the pressure, the discipline, the passion that they both have, except for each other.

YUNA

In all the ways that matter, they’re both my sons. And it’s been—lovely, to witness them have someone like each other. Who just, gets it. The world, the critics, you know, everyone, they don’t get to see this.

Yuna waves a hand towards the cottage, and David nods as she keeps talking.

YUNA

They don’t see who they are when they’re not on the ice, determined and laser-focused on winning, and I think if they could see that? They’d get it, too.

DAVID

As a parent, the only thing you can hope for is for your kid to find what they want out of life and be happy. Both of them, they found hockey pretty early. But—

David leans forward in his chair, looking directly at the camera.

DAVID

—they found each other pretty early, too.

The video cuts to a montage of videos and pictures of Shane and Ilya. Soft music plays in the background. A selfie taken by Ilya at the gym, with Shane on a treadmill in the background. A clip of them on the rink, both of them holding a hand of Arthur Pike—whose face is blurred—and helping him slowly move around on the ice. A slightly blurry picture from a table at a crowded bar with Shane sitting sideways on Ilya’s lap and his arm hooked around the latter’s shoulder; Shane is mid-word, his mouth open with an exaggerated expression on his face, while Ilya’s eyes are on Shane, a soft smile on his lips. Both of them chasing down a soccer ball, arms stretched to the side to push at each other as they try to get to it first. Shane recording his face while saying something—the audio is cut out—before the camera flips to show Ilya lying on a couch asleep, with Anya also asleep on his chest. The montage continues, veering from professional to casual to funny to emotional clips.

SHANE (V.O.)

I love hockey, and I always will. Sometimes it all gets to be a lot, and there’s no avoiding that. But it also gave me my favorite person.

ILYA (V.O.)

He makes me better person. Always first person I want to see in morning. And last one at night. Forever.

The last word echoes as the montage keeps going, more videos and pictures cut together as the music gets louder again. Eventually, they slow down, and end on a video similar to the one from the beginning, on the lake. Ilya splashes Shane, who reaches down and slaps at the water to splash him back in retaliation. Their laughs are faint but audible, and the camera slowly zooms out as they continue.

The video slowly fades to black as the music fades out.

❄︎❄︎❄︎

Ottawa Centaurs ☑️ @OttawaCentaursOfficial

The last episode of From the Cottage is out now! We hope you enjoyed coming along on this journey with Shane and Ilya ❤️ #ftc

shane’s freckles @shanehollandersfreckles

did NOT expect the cameos but good lord i am sobbing

inez swift @bettydeservesbetter

JANE AND LILY. FOR SHANE AND ILYA. I DONT KNOW WHETHER TO LAUGH OR CRY 😭

⤷ daddy ilya @ilyaismyhusband

    im honestly SHOCKED that not a single one of their teammates figured it out i mean CMON

⤷ meet me in paris @ilyshaneilya

    the dumb hockey player stereotype is alive and thriving ig

luca marry me @lucahaasily

luca still being starstruck by hollanov i cannot WAIT for the hollanov + luca content we’re gonna see this season AFDKJS

zahara <3 @stillattheblackdog

shane hollander and ilya rozanov the sleep paralysis demons of the mlh i know that’s right 😚

⤷ shane’s slut @slutforholly

    pike and marlow had me gasping for air at that part i can’t

rozanov’s wife @centaurs81

yuna proudly claiming both shane and ilya as her sons and talking about how great it is that they have each other bc only they can understand what they go through im—

⤷ kaylie @huntersnum1fan

    “they found each other pretty early too” KILL ME NOW

Two Men and Hockey Podcast @twomenandhockey

What an incredible ending episode of #ftc! No dry eyes here, which seems to be the pattern. Our reaction will be up on schedule this week ❤️

priyyya @shortnsweet_19

hayes saying he’s glad he doesn’t have to be in the goal against hollanov LMFAOO they really are everyone’s worst nightmare huh

frankie r @wednesdayinacafe

ilya blowing a raspberry the SECOND shane said hayden i love him your honor

hollanov truther @hollanov8124

obviously there were still sadder parts to this one but i am eternally grateful that we got a softer ending showcasing how in love hollanov are with each other 🥺🥺

keery girl @endofbeginning24

the clips on the lake at the beginning and end??? they were so peaceful i just want to spend one (1) day at the cottage PLEASE

PopCrave @popcrave

“You’ve never known a Hollander that didn’t know [Rozanov]”: The touching conclusion to Hollander and Rozanov’s From the Cottage docuseries and everyone who was featured in the episode. Read now! [link to article attached]

lemon drop @lumax_77

ILYA ROZANOV SCARED OF LOONS?? SIR WHAT ABOUT YOUR LOON TATTOO—

⤷ Ilya Rozanov ☑️ @ilyarozanov81

    still stupid canadian wolf birds ☹️

⤷ my bby shane @hollanderandme

    loons are 100 PERCENT an inside joke which makes that a tattoo he got for shane…😫

pretty isn’t pretty @itsbrutalouthere

“gave me my favorite person” “first person I want to see in morning and last one at night. forever” i will be needing five business days to recover from this holy fuck

eli pike stan @lovepike4ever

@real_hayden_pike pls move to ottawa please please 🙏

⤷  Hayden Pike ☑️ @real_hayden_pike

    😅😅😅

kristen @bylerbaddie

FOREVER. F O R E V E R #ftc

⤷ vivian’s girlfriend @stylesforlove 

    romantic ilya rozanov you will always be in my heart

Shane Hollander ☑️ @shanehollanderofficial

Thank you so much for all the kind messages about From the Cottage ❤️ Ilya and I are so grateful that we were able to share a part of our story the way we wanted to and are so thankful to @OttawaCentaursOfficial and @harrisd_92 for giving us this opportunity! #ftc

lana roz @rozycheeks

hayden’s face when he realized that the whole time he’s known shane he had something with ilya IJBOL

peter parker’s wife @spideygirl19 

they have their own language?? they exist in each othER’S ORBIT??? wyatt hayes you are a poet and i love you

⤷ andrea @friendstothis

    the way their teammates described hollanov i feel they’re all like. a little in love with them

⤷⤷ Zane Boodram ☑️ @zanebood 

    yes.

⤷⤷  Luca Haas ☑️ @lucahaas 

    yes.

⤷⤷  Wyatt Hayes ☑️ @wyatthayeshockey 

    yes.

⤷⤷  Ilya Rozanov ☑️ @ilyarozanov81 

    😎

clara bee @gaveyoumyhoes

i need 1935860 more episodes of from the cottage IT CAN’T BE OVERRR what am i supposed to do with my life now 🥲

luiza @hollanitsover 

so now that from the cottage has ended i’ve decided to dissect all the pictures/videos we got of hollanov and find every little detail 😌 so follow this thread for that thorough and potentially insane analysis (1/?)

Ilya Rozanov ☑️ @ilyarozanov81 

Much love from me and my husband for #ftc ❤️ but do not worry you will see us again soon 😈

Chapter End Notes

and that's the end !! i'm tentatively calling this the last chapter of this fic, but i might come back and add a podcast reaction for this one eventually !! i love writing outside pov a lot and i'm playing around with some ideas of outside povs for my next fic so stay tuned 😌