The Reclusive Shygryf

for the next two weeks, let's just be honest with each other about what we actually think and maybe how we really feel? i will try.

Teammates love him. Not in a big way, just in the way they trust him without thinking. The bench feels better when he’s out there. The game feels calmer. Like whatever’s happening, Shane will handle it.

Non-teammates love him too, which is way more annoying. They talk shit, run him into the boards. They say he’s overrated, say the system makes him look good. Then they play him and it’s like ohhh. Right. Fuck. Hollander’s actually that good, the asshole.

Coaches love him. They believe in him. They give him room. They let him figure things out because he always does.

The entire league’s WAGs love him. He’s polite. He remembers names. He listens. He makes people feel seen. They joke he’d be the one they go after if they weren’t already taken.

Commentators love him. They try to stay neutral and absolutely fail. Their voices change when they talk about him. They say things like “composed” and “instinctive” and “special,” like they didn’t mean to.

Montreal fans adore him. Fans from other teams love to hate him and secretly wish they had him. He’s the kind of player you’re not supposed to like if he’s not yours and yet they all do.

People who don’t even watch hockey know his name. Everyone knows Shane Hollander.

Companies compete to get him for endorsement deals, putting him in their advertisements like he’s the face of everything. He shows up in interviews, highlights, social media, everywhere, and people notice. He doesn’t have to try. He just exists, and everyone can’t help but pay attention.

There’s just something about him. The way he smiles. The way he laughs. The way he plays like hockey is the only thing that exists and also like it’s fun. The way he treats people. The fact that he’s got a smoking hot body and a gorgeous face doesn’t hurt either.

Shane knows. He’s not oblivious. He just doesn’t dwell on it. Hockey comes first.

Ilya notices everything.

It makes him jealous in small, sharp ways. The looks. The watching. The way the world seems a little too comfortable claiming and loving Shane.

After they come out, he stops hiding.

Ilya is relentless about loving Shane. Open. Obvious. Unapologetic.

He knows the power he holds. People notice. They get jealous. The world is furious. Shane is off the market. Their fantasies are over.

And Ilya loves it. Loves watching the world squirm while Shane leans into him. Loves being feral about it.

💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤

No.

I still have the baby blanket I made your son, it's embroidered with his name on the front, but it never made it to the mail, he must be nearly ten years old now, I remember when you mentored me about that one life skill, thanks for letting me talk to you when you were busy, do you remember when I was telling you about my family, what about the time you and I voice called over dinner, or when I told you to try rambutans and jujubes, I still have the pencil holder you sent me seven years ago, but of course I ate the chocolate, the last time we talked you didn't seem so good, you were worried about your health, I haven't been back there in years, I hope you're well -