The Horrors Persist But So Do I

Instead, it’s Yuna. But that’s not what catches his attention - it’s the group chat he’s been added to.

Hollander Family Chat Jane's mama: Hi Lily! Jane: Mom! Lily can’t have this chat name on her phone. Jane’s mama: Sorry, honey! I’ll fix it. Jane’s mama changed the group name to: Family ❤️ Family ❤️ Jane: That’s better. Just make sure her name is Lily in your phones. Jane’s papa: Done and done, kiddo! Jane: Thank you. Jane’s mama: Anyway, Lily, do you have thanksgiving weekend plans? Because I noticed you and Jane are both free that weekend and I thought…

Ilya put his phone down as Yuna detailed their thanksgiving plans. He could not tear up in the Bear's locker room.

He never imagined himself having this, never let himself consider it. Being in a family group chat. Having a family. He was pretty sure he buried that dream with his mama.

But the Hollanders welcomed him so comfortably. Even after he caused their son to lie to them. Even after all the things he’d done. They never even wanted an apology, would probably be confused if he gave one.

He’s afraid if he moves wrong it’ll all disappear.

But he has to respond because he wants to spend with holiday with them so much.

And the texts don’t stop there.

Family ❤️ Jane’s mama: Great game today, Lily! What a comeback. Lily: You watched? Jane’s mama: Of course! We watch all your and Shane’s games. Jane: Jane. Delete that text. Jane’s papa: And if we miss it, I have them on the recorder. Lily: Thank you.

~*~*~

Family ❤️ Jane’s papa: Lily, do you have any allergies? Lily: Russians do not get allergies. Jane: Yes they do and no, dad, Lily does not. Jane: Also, don’t mention being Russian.

~*~*~

Family ❤️ Jane’s mama: Lily, could I get the forwarding information for your agent? Jane got a proposal that I think will work out perfectly for you. Jane: Please call about this. Lily: Not only hockey players get proposals maybe I am famous model Jane. Lily. Jane’s papa: You could definitely be a model, kiddo! Lily: Thank you 🥰 Jane why are you unsupportive of your girlfriend. Jane: Boyfriend. Jane’s papa: Now I’m confused.

~*~*~

Family ❤️ Jane’s mama: I can’t believe the ref let Adams get away with that hit! Jane’s papa: . . .

Ilya gripped the phone waiting for David’s response. The metros had been obliterated 1-5 and Shane, fresh off a bruised wrist, didn’t play his best.

Jane’s papa: How’s your wrist, son? Jane: It’s fine. Jane’s papa: Lots of ice and elevation! You played great! Jane: I didn’t. Jane’s papa: You’ll get them next time!

Ilya breathed out, shaking his head. Shane didn’t know how lucky he was. And Ilya was so grateful he didn’t.

Eventually, Ilya even began initiating the conversation.

Family ❤️ Lily: Are you guys coming to MTL / BOS game today? Jane's mama: We are! Jane's papa: I know we can't wear any Boston merch, but we'll be rooting for you! Jane: Dad! Jane's papa: We'll be rooting for both of you! Jane: You can't root for both of us. Jane's mama: No comment. . . . Lily: I was wondering if you all wanted to come to my house after? Lily: After the game, I mean Lily: Only if you want Lily: Or don't have other plans Jane's mama: We would love too! Jane's papa: Need us to pick up anything before we come over? Lily: No, thank you. I have things to make dinner. I will send address. Lily: Thank you. Jane's papa: Of course! Have fun tonight, girls! Jane's mama: Play hard! Love you both. Jane's papa emphasized this message

Ilya could not stop smiling as he got all the ingredients together to make pelmeni. He separated the dough and the meats and sauce into separate little containers so it would be easier to make once the Hollanders arrived after the game.

He imagined doing this for years to come. Maybe when he and Shane had their own home together, making food for his in-laws, for their friends and teammates. Maybe even for their children.

When Adam Parrish’s mentor and friend Persephone passes away unexpectedly, she leaves him all her worldly possessions.

Including a house.

Well, half a house.

The problem with being left half a house is that someone has to own the other half.

And that someone is Ronan Lynch.

Stuck under the same roof, can they learn to live with one another? Can Adam find out why Persephone left him half of the Georgetown townhouse? And can he figure out what the hell Ronan is up to in the basement?

— What are you doing?

The One That Got Away

Rating: Explicit

Relationships: Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov

Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Angst, Second Chances, POV Alternating, Hockey Coach Ilya Rozanov, Hockey Coach Shane Hollander, Anal Fingering, Anal Sex, Blow Jobs, Falling In Love, Older Characters, Fluff, Slow Burn, Food as a Metaphor for Love, Anxiety, Depression

Summary: Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov haven't spoken in fifteen years. After an emotionally charged hookup at Ilya's penthouse in Boston, the two hockey phenoms stop talking. They meet again as coaches for the struggling Ottawa Centaurs, both of them still harboring feelings for one another, but can they overcome the hurt that was caused on that day in Boston to try again?

Excerpt:

November 2030 - NHL Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony - Toronto

Shane Hollander stood at the bar in the Allen Lambert Galleria at the after party for the Hall of Fame induction class of 2030, ordering a light beer.

He was in a tailored suit, a dark navy that his stylist had said looked amazing on him, and he had taken his word for it.

He was surrounded by his peers and had never felt so alone in a crowded room.

Shane had only recently retired from the NHL and was still adjusting to his new status.

The transition had been a little bumpier than he had anticipated but he was trying to ride the wave, even if change made him anxious.

I'm working on a friends/idiots-to-lovers thing, which got me thinking about some of my favorite friends/idiots-to-lovers Pynch fics. These two have it all. Mutual pining. Low self esteem. Deep-rooted psychological issues. It's the perfect storm for denying your best friend could ever be into you. But when they stop being idiots and start being lovers? 🤌

So here we go with some of my favorites:

With Abandon or Not At All* by @tinyarmedtrex - Rated M - 35k

Fake dating? Check. Reality TV? Check. This one is such a good time. Ronan is selected to compete on a cooking show and brings Adam as his plus one-slash-fake boyfriend. It's funny, but still meaty, and I enjoy it every time I read it.

Talk some sense to me* by @daisyapples - Rated G - 45k

More fake dating! This time, Adam needs to be married to keep his graduate scholarship, so he calls on Ronan to play his fiancé. There are so many of my favorite tropes in this one. Not just the fake dating, but there's also mutual pining and only one bed. This fic is chef's kiss.

When an Unstoppable Force (of idiocy) Meets an Immovable Object (of equal idiocy) by DubiousSparrow - Rated T - 6k

It's right there on the tin with this one. 😂 Ronan's a bartender and Adam keeps going on bad dates in the bar he works at. On purpose. The humor in this is delightful.

bubbles in my eyes* by @your-void-senpai - Rated M - 23k

After a breakup, Adam starts spending a lot more time with Ronan. Who definitely hasn't been in love with Adam the whole entire time. This one is punchy and funny and another absolute delight.

There are a ton more friends-to-lovers fics I adore, but these are four of my favorites. Keep this list going and reblog with yours!