1 – 18 of 18 Works in Alternate Universe - Childhood Friends
- Alternate Universe - Childhood Friends ×
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kismet by lovablelamb
Heated Rivalry (TV), Game Changers | Heated Rivalry - All Media Types
2026-08-16
He flops down, starfishing in the shade. When he opens his eyes, there’s somebody above him. It’s probably the most beautiful boy he’s ever seen in his very extensive seven years of life. He has dark eyes and hair, a smooth nosebridge, and freckles that dot across his round cheeks. Ilya sits up immediately, and the boy retreats, drawing his knees up to his chest. They stare at each other for a few moments. Ilya beams. Something in his belly is on fire. “I’m Shane,” the boy says. Ilya recognizes that phrase! With glee, he replies, “Ilya!” and scoots forward. He resists the urge to reach out and wrap his arms around this boy—Shane. He knows him somehow. Or: 6 times Shane and Ilya hit a milestone, +1 time they watch someone else reach one.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 7,791
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Files:
- 1
- AO3:
- #88829286
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“I like how long your hair is getting. You look pretty,” Shane’s blush intensified. “Fuck off,” he scoffed, although there was no mockery in Ilya’s voice, only genuine affection. This was the voice only reserved for Shane, usually when they were in the dark, able to tell themselves that they were the only two people in the world. Another snarky comment died on Shane’s tongue as Ilya moved his hand, brushing Shane’s freckles with his thumb. Slowly, Shane’s eyelids fluttered closed, letting himself focus on nothing but the gentle touch of Ilya’s fingers on his face. Suddenly the touch on his skin vanished, but it was quickly replaced by Ilya’s thumb rubbing against Shane’s bottom lip. He opened his eyes to find Ilya staring down at his mouth, and he couldn’t help his own gaze from wandering down, fixating on Ilya’s lips. or: Alexei is an asshole and Shane is Ilya's safe space There was a rerun of some hockey game still playing on the tv, but the school day had exhausted the boys so much they had dozed off during second intermission. They had been sitting next to one another, Ilya’s legs stretched out in front of him, feet sitting on the coffee table. Somehow in their sleep they had rolled closer to one another. Shane had landed with his head rested between Ilya’s shoulder and chest, while Ilya’s arm had snaked itself around Shane, hand rest on his head. It was the sounds of fast and angry Russian that shook them both out of their slumber. Alexei was standing in front of the coffee table, his face contorted in disgust as he continued to shout words that Shane couldn’t understand. Ilya had jerked away, basically shoving Shane off of him, and started rapidly replying, his face pale. Shane managed to capture a few words, "Pedik" spit from Alexei’s mouth, "luchshiye druz'ya", Ilya seemed to plead back. Alexei had started shouting something else when he seemed to notice that Shane was still sitting there, fearfully watching the exchange between brothers. “I think it’s time for you to go,” Alexei said coldly. Shane stood up and rushed past the large man, sparing a glance back at Ilya who was adamantly not meeting Shane’s eye. As Shane closed the front door to Ilya’s house he could still hear Alexei shouting. Shane had texted Ilya an hour later, checking if he was okay, but he got no reply. Throughout the night he continuously checked his phone, waiting to see Ilya’s name pop up, but there was radio silence. He tried to brush it off, figured Ilya needed time to deal with the nightmare that was his brother. Shane was sure he’d be okay at school tomorrow. By lunch the next day, Ilya still hadn’t shown up to school or answered any of Shane’s texts that had gotten more frantic by the hour. Shane barely listened to any of his teachers throughout the day, constantly checking his phone and staring at the classroom door. He was waiting for Ilya to walk in, slide in the seat behind him, and whisper some asshole remark in his ear. After school, Shane debated going to Ilya’s house, but he feared that Alexei would be home and not happy to see him. Instead he once again spent the night desperately looking at his phone, willing a text from Ilya to come through. His parents asked him several times during dinner if he was okay, but he just shrugged them off and offered some excuse about his classes stressing him out. A few hours later Shane lay in his bed, attempting to read, when he finally heard his phone ping. "Open your window", Ilya had sent. Quickly Shane scrambled to the window and looked out to see Ilya crouched on the roof. He opened the window and gestured Ilya to hurry inside. “What the fuck are you doing? You know we have a front door, right?” “Oh come on, you know you love when I come through your window,” Ilya smirked as he climbed in, “It makes you feel like you’re breaking the rules.” Shane rolled his eyes, refusing to deny his friend’s statement. As Ilya stood up Shane noticed the distant look in his eye, a look that Ilya was trying to mask with his cheeky grin. “Are you okay?” Shane asked softly. Ilya shrugged, “I’m fine, just didn’t feel like dealing with school today.” He walked past Shane and crossed to the other side of the bed. “I’m sleeping here, Alexei and his friends are high and refuse to let me sleep.” He kicked off his shoes and lifted the covers before crawling in. Shane sighed in mock annoyance, although he was mostly just relieved Ilya was here and okay, and that Shane could make sure he stayed that way. He grabbed his pillow off the bed and tossed it on the ground before grabbing a blanket from the bottom of his bed. “What are you doing?” Ilya raised his head, “Come here,” Ilya leaned over and pulled back the covers on Shane’s side of the bed. “We’re not little kids anymore Ilya,” Shane argued, although he offered no other objections as he returned his pillow to his bed and laid down. He turned on his side so he and Ilya were facing one another. “What happened with Alexei yesterday?” Shane asked gently, not wanting to push Ilya too far. Ilya shook his head, “Nothing, he’s just an asshole,” his voice was calm but Shane could hear the anger and bitterness that coated the words. Shane knew that Ilya’s relationship with his brother was fraught, it had been that way since they were kids, Alexei belittling Ilya in an effort to hide the resentment that Ilya was their father’s favorite. Not that that benefitted Ilya much. Now that they were older, Alexei was out of the house more and more, but when he came around his presence was a weight that dragged Ilya down somewhere that Shane struggled to pull him out of. Shane opened his mouth but before he could ask anything else he yelped, feeling Ilya’s cold foot against his leg. “Fuck off! Your feet are freezing,” Shane complained, although he didn’t push Ilya off. Instead he moved his other leg so it was wrapped around Ilya, their limbs tangling together. “Is your skin always this warm or only around me?” Ilya raised his eyebrows, a mischievous smirk on his lips. Shane rolled closer to shove his shoulder, “You’re an asshole, you know that?” Ilya’s face fell slightly, a sad softness settling there, “Yes, I know,” his mouth curled up, “You like it though.”
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 1,834
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Files:
- 1
- AO3:
- #90261056
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Ilya was glowing, and wild, and so bright he was almost blinding. Beautiful, Shane had known, even back then, when he was still too young to know much of anything at all. Ilya Rozanov belongs to the summer, and the summer belongs to them. (Or, two childhood best friends spend a summer by the lake, before the rest of their lives begin.)
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 51,643
- Chapters:
- 10/10
- Files:
- 4 versions
- AO3:
- #89234436
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spinning out, waiting for you to pull me in (i'm right here) by kilmers
Heated Rivalry (TV), Game Changers | Heated Rivalry - All Media Types
2026-07-13
Shane swiftly darts his eyes to the front and shifts it back to the boy. “Sorry! What were you going to say?” “No, no. Is nothing, you go first,” he insists. “Oh. Um, okay, I was wondering about your name?” “Ilya Rozanov.” Ilya. Pretty. Woah. Okay. Or 12 year old Shane Hollander's whole world was focused on one thing. Unbeknownst to him, llya Rozanov has been eyeing Shane in longing for the past week (and his freckles, of course).
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 13,144
- Chapters:
- 5/5
- Files:
- 1
- AO3:
- #88052021
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“English is… is not first language,” the woman said quietly. Her accent was thick, and unmistakably Russian. “Oh, sorry! I’m speaking too fast, aren’t I? Sorry,” she took a breath, and held out her hand. “I’m Yuna,” she repeated. The woman took her hand quickly, her hands bony and delicate. “Irina,” she replied, before gesturing for Yuna to sit with her. Quickly, Yuna did. “Sorry, I have not been in Canada long.” “No problem at all; welcome to Canada! Is that your boy?” Yuna asked, gesturing over to the child that had similar hair to Irina, which was poking out from under his helmet. He was taller than Shane, though his little hockey outfit still seemed to still dwarf him. He had a serious look on his face, but his eyes were light as he watched the other boys play. He was tapping his stick on the ice, clearly itching to get into the game. “Ah, yes,” Irina nodded, taking a few seconds to translate the question, “Ilyusha.” Irina looked over at her son, a small smile on her face. “Is my Ilya.” Or: Ilya and Irina move to Canada for a fresh start when he is six years old. He meets Shane Hollander at ice hockey practice, and they grow up together (and of course, fall in love).
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 100,050
- Chapters:
- 13/13
- Files:
- 2 versions
- AO3:
- #79548876
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It was a known quantity, something he could depend on now that every other part of his surrounding world had changed: Canada was nothing like Russia, but Ilya was still good at hockey. Would only get better.
[Ilya moves to Canada, and makes a friend.]
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 49,891
- Chapters:
- 13/13
- Files:
- 1
- AO3:
- #81982931
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the space between us by noisehues
Heated Rivalry (TV), Game Changers | Heated Rivalry - All Media Types, Game Changers Series - Rachel Reid
2026-04-23
When the Hollander family trip to Moscow comes to an end, 8-year-old Shane swears he's never going to see Ilya again. He parts from his summer friend with a heavy heart and the certainty that that's the end of their budding friendship. Over a decade later, Ilya walks into his life again, all grown and handsome; his thick accent is a hint, but what gives his identity away is the bracelet tied around his wrist. There should be no reason for Ilya to be in Montreal, and yet here he is. Shane takes a deep breath and reintroduces himself, completely unaware of the whirlwind Ilya is about to take him in.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 35,580
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Files:
- 1
- AO3:
- #83645981
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room for more by aurora_chiroptera
Heated Rivalry (TV), Game Changers Series - Rachel Reid
2026-04-20
For several years, Shane and Ilya have been the center of each other’s worlds. But when a new kid transfers into their grade, their duo turns into a trio. Cue shenanigans from hockey rinks to stray kittens.
- Part 4 of what’s the price of being young
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 4,714
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Files:
- 1
- AO3:
- #83486641
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keep a place for me by agetwellcard
Heated Rivalry (TV), Game Changers Series - Rachel Reid
2026-04-19
From across the rink, Shane watches Ilya get punched in the face. He keeps a distance from the mess playing out. He knows better than to go over and make it worse. He would be more worried about it if Ilya wasn’t laughing with blood running down his face as one of his teammates drags him away. He’s yelling at the player that punched him, and Shane is grateful he can’t hear what he’s saying because he knows it’s obscene. “Your boy is feral tonight,” Pike says to Shane. Shane groans. “He's not my boy.” When Shane is in junior high, Ilya's family moves to Canada. Instead of meeting as adults, they grow up together. Shane learns Russian and Ilya spends a majority of his time at the Hollander household. When they start their professional hockey careers, they have to learn how to be opponents instead of teammates, but also how to be apart for the first time in their lives. When Ilya suggests that they sleep together, Shane has to balance their friendship and their casual relationship.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 30,101
- Chapters:
- 3/3
- Files:
- 2 versions
- AO3:
- #80253536
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hard to keep it all inside by aurora_chiroptera
Heated Rivalry (TV), Game Changers Series - Rachel Reid
2026-03-20
Irina had always been scared that Grigori’s violent anger would be passed down to their sons. She’d hoped Ilya would be different. But things were more complicated than that. Or, three times Irina was called to get her son because Ilya had punched someone. And one time when someone had his back instead...
- Part 3 of what’s the price of being young
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 5,079
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Files:
- 1
- AO3:
- #81514426
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You're The Risk I'm Gonna Take It by PumpkinPrincess22
Heated Rivalry (TV), Game Changers Series - Rachel Reid
2026-02-14
In a world where Ilya and Shane are already friends by the time of the Draft, what if Ilya had kissed Shane in that hotel gym? And what if that kiss sparked the beginning of a real relationship seven years earlier than in canon?
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 2,781
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Files:
- 1
- AO3:
- #79522356
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When Shane is 11, he and Ilya have their first sleepover, as best friends do. Shenanigans ensue and secrets are shared. Everyone needs someone who sees them. [Can be read as a stand alone.]
- Part 2 of what’s the price of being young
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 4,341
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Files:
- 1
- AO3:
- #79387226
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Shane, As Defined by Ilya. by Jamjamfae
Heated Rivalry (TV), Game Changers Series - Rachel Reid
2026-02-10
Finally have time and inspiration to write a AU where Irina escapes her husband, and is able to take Ilya with her and raise him on her own with the support of the women of the neighbourhood like Yuna Hollander. 'There has never been a version of Shane that never loved Ilya.'
- Part 1 of There is no Shane without Ilya.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 31,215
- Chapters:
- 7/7
- Files:
- 2 versions
- AO3:
- #79225396
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candle in the window (won't you stay till the am?) by Anonymous
Game Changers Series - Rachel Reid
2026-01-29
Shane Hollander meets Ilya Rozanov when he is four years old and he cannot be any more unimpressed by this turn of events.
Thirteen years later, like the most cliché heartbreak in the making, they are best friends and Shane is thoroughly, utterly in love with him.
*
Ilya Rozanov's life has been a study in leaving things behind and one way or another he learned to deal with it.
One exception is Shane Hollander who came along thirteen years ago, settled in all too cozy, and ensured himself as the one thing Ilya can't ever leave.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 184,630
- Chapters:
- 14/14
- Files:
- 3 versions
- AO3:
- #37648417
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“Um. Hi,” Shane starts, looking down at the boy. The boy just looks up at him, a puzzled expression on his face. “кто ты?” The boy says in some funny language Shane has never heard of. “Um.. I only speak English.” The boy's eyebrows furrow, but he doesn’t seem all too deterred by the language barrier. Instead, he hands Shane a piece of pink chalk. He points to the drawing he’s been working on, saying something in that funny language again Or: Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov meet when they are six. They aren’t rivals, but they still fall in love. Some small moments in that process.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 3,849
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Files:
- 1
- AO3:
- #77869951
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He repeats it like a mantra, “Hockey players don’t like boys.” Ilya squints, brows furrowed with fury. He challenges, “Who cares?” “Well, do you—like boys?” Shane asks, then. It’s so earnest, his bottom lip trembling like he might cry again. Ilya doesn’t know how to answer, because he doesn’t know the answer, but he would move Heaven and Earth to make those tears go away. Ilya turns his chin up, resolute, “Who cares? I like you.” At eleven years old, Shane realizes he’s not like other boys. Naturally, his best friend is the first person he tells.
- Part 1 of hollanov diaries
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 7,114
- Chapters:
- 2/2
- Files:
- 1
- AO3:
- #76621811
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Shane gets in the car and slams the door shut. “What was that?” his dad asks, voice slightly worried. “Nothing,” Shane says unconvincingly, looking down at his hands, tearing at the skin around his fingernails. “Didn’t look like nothing, bud. It’s unlike you not to say bye to your friend like that. Or slam the door.” “Ilya Rozanov is not my friend, Dad.” *** Shane Hollander thinks he's ready for 8th grade. For the most part, he is. Enter: Ilya Rozanov. Shane is not ready for the way his life is about to change.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 18,926
- Chapters:
- 3/3
- Files:
- 1
- AO3:
- #76929901
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Young and Hopelessly Smitten by jukoist
Heated Rivalry (TV), Game Changers Series - Rachel Reid
2025-12-15
“Ilya Rozanov,” Shane repeats slowly, letting himself taste the words. He grins. “Wow. You’re, like, a really good player. How come you’re in Canada for summer camp? Is that weird to ask? Sorry if that’s weird. I just meant-” Shane is cut off by a hand on his mouth. He flushes. “Too fast,” Ilya says. “My English… not good.” “Sorry,” Shane mumbles into Ilya’s hand. Ilya grins and shakes his head, curls dancing, as he pulls his hand away. “Is okay. Slow words. Okay?” This year marks thirteen year Shane Hollander's third summer at Coach Marakov's elite hockey training camp. In attendance for the first time: Ilya Rozanov, visiting from Russia. Shane isn't the most sociable, and Ilya's English isn't the greatest, yet the unlikely duo soon become the best of friends. It's just one summer, but it makes a world of difference.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 8,769
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Files:
- 3 versions
- AO3:
- #75757186