where dreams are never seen again

Canon a little (or a lot) to the left

holy matrimony - lowkey_existential_despair

shane/ilya, 31k, E, complete

It's 2021 and Scott Hunter is getting married. Shane and Ilya attend the wedding (separately) and have Feelings about it. It's 2017 and Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov get married in secret. Literally no one knows they're gay, and it stays that way for years.

In my heart this is what happens in the alternate universe where David never walks in on them at the cottage, the characterization is top notch. Absolutely devastatingly sad, but also so so lovely, because they had each other all these years even when they didn't have anyone else. Just so gorgeously written and absolutely worth the read.

Game Day - Anon

shane/ilya, 30k, E, complete, cw: graphic deaths

Ilya dies during game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals. Except no he doesn't, because Shane wakes up in bed next to him the next morning. But it's still game day? And maybe Shane's not the only one stuck in the time loop.

Sounds awful and angsty, and it kind of is, but it's actually mostly dumb and camp and super fun. Trust me on this. (Heed the tags though because Ilya does still die a gruesome death everyday)

The Hottest Cold War - Vee(Vera_DragonMuse)

scott/ilya (and also canon pairings), 75k, E, WIP

Scott accidentally hooks up with rookie Ilya Rozanov. And then he hooks up with him not-so-accidentally. And maybe it's good if they both have someone in their corners.

this goes on the hear me out cake. It's Scott POV but STAY WITH ME because the regular game changer and heated rivalry plots are happening too, Scott and Ilya are just hooking up on the side and it’s good. I swear it’s so good. Everything this author writes has such excellent characterization (go read all their HR fics, they're all so good) and it's very worth the read.

We Both Go Down Together - NotALonelyTraveler

shane/ilya, 34k, E, complete

hanahaki disease AU

this is the fic that converted me to being a hanahaki fan. If any couple is gonna truly make sense for hanahaki it would be Shane and Ilya. However, it was the really lovely flower imagery that sealed the deal more than anything.

death and taxes (and shane hollander) - fingersfallingupwards [@fingersfallingupwards]

shane/ilya, 67k, E, complete

Second chance romance with widower, single father, and hockey coach Ilya x deputy MLH commissioner Shane. Late-40s Hollanov where they reconnect and simultaneously communicate far better than and just as badly as the first time around.

Shane and Ilya feel like real adults here and it's glorious. Also does not fall into the second-chance romance trap where one person is So Very in the wrong and they should not be getting back together. This fic understands that adulthood is full of impossible choices, but also second chances.

anybody like you - plonk

shane/ilya, 29k, NR, WIP

figure skater Ilya Rozanov and new main character "my buddy Joe" are at the Sochi Olympics. And maybe Joe and Shane were a little gay once upon a time, and now Joe is sussing out whether Shane is actually gay or not. And maybe Shane is into Ilya, who's to say?

Love exploring Shane and his relationship with sexuality when Ilya's not around to be his gay awakening. In this one Shane thinks he just needs a girl who's into pegging him lol. The vibes are very "wow, I finally fit in with a group of people, life is great!" and the group of people are all queer and Shane just Does Not clock it. Very fun.

smoke on skin - ivylines

shane/ilya, 23k, T, WIP

Rose Landry accidentally runs into Ilya after a game while trying to surprise her boyfriend Shane and things start to click, maybe. Also a Rose character study (hence the proximity to the character study section)

Really deep dives into the Jennifer Lawrence/young female actress of it all. Like, yes Rose gets along with Shane because she's so famous, but in a lot of ways she's had the same specific struggles as Shane (intense public scrutiny, insane pressure to perform, 'role model' status to uphold, etc. and all from SUCH a young age because she was a child actress). Like, the trauma of being a child actress vs. the trauma of being a pro sports player - you never had a normal childhood and then becoming an adult flips the world on its head. Ugh, it's just delightful.

Character Studies

Shane and/or Ilya

the weather of your youth - Anon (same as above)

shane/ilya, 14k, E, complete, cw: suicidal ideation

Ilya Ottawa depression redux

do take care with this one, but so well done wrt Ilya's depression. This version of events just makes so much more sense to me than canon. This author does excellent work in the sad fic department (the cockroach of your heart is too popular for this list, but I loved it, even if it's technically MCD, kind of)

Not a Strip of Paper Merely - Marivan [@mprosperossprite]

shane/ilya, 18k, E, WIP

Milan Olympics, 2026. Shane competes for Canada and Ilya doesn't compete at all. Competing is complicated when Russia is Russia and Canada isn't home, not like that.

international geopolitics! pandemics! the real world! Fascinating dive into Ilya's relationship with Russia and citizenship/international competition. Also there's some sex about it, but it's mostly really good angst and emotion.

Shine a Light in the Morning - thegoodthebadandthenerdy [@cauldronoflove]

gen, 14k, T, complete

Ilya's niece turns 18, decides to move to Canada, and reaches out to her uncle

complicated family dynamics and Feelings, what's not to love? You can feel the tension here, the years and years of distance + messed up family are so well conveyed. Not lovey-dovey, and it Shouldn't Be. Love this version of Ilya's niece.

Til They Retire Your Number - technicallyverycowboy [@technicallyverycowboy]

shane/ilya, 17k, E, complete

Ilya decides to retire. Shane is very normal about it.

sad and bittersweet and grappling with losing your Purpose. Because this is so obviously a problem for Shane. That man literally cannot think of anything in life past hockey, and yet retirement is an inevitability. Delicious to explore.

[the obvious companion to this fic (w/in the bounds of 'underappreciated') is here we are and what the hell are we going to do with it - walkingthroughwindows]

Other Characters (mostly parents)

we said we'd only die of lonely secrets - be_themoon [@oakashandwillow]

shane/ilya, 3.7k, T, complete

Svetlana character study/outsider POV of Ilya through the years.

lovely, lovely, lovely. Captures my ideal version of the Svetlana and Ilya relationship. Also has a criminally low hit count.

P.S. if you read and enjoyed my Svetlana fic this is the 'omg two cakes!' moment you've been waiting for.

i showed you the way, even though i'd never been - floodlights [@keenry]

gen, 4.8k, T, complete

You didn’t have to be a genius. Or gay. It helped, probably, that Scott was, but they were just so fucking obvious about it.

Scott outsider POV/character study. So good that I read this from a rec list and went to bookmark it, only to realize I already had a bookmark!

[Other Scott POVs:

Scotty Didn't Know (but he sure does now) - halfbaked_ziti

I've Been Down Here Before (I Know The Way Out) - HollowIsTheWorld]

And a Sense of Guilt I Can't Deny - jewelledfoxes [@jewelledfoxes]

david/yuna, 9k, M, complete

Yuna character study. Also hits on one of my fave themes: reckoning with who you meant to raise your child to be vs. who they actually became

I'm a Yuna lover and defender to my core. She was not the perfect mom (no one is, this is an insane bar to hit) but she tried! and is trying! This fic in particular does such a good job exploring the complexity of where she's at.

[Other Yuna fics in a similar vein:

Wunderkind - a_good_soldier [@agoodsoldier]

the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose - alchemystique [@alchemistc],

ribs - hoko_onchi]

tu peux sauter loin de la peur - Revenant

shane/ilya, 6k, T, complete

David goes to Shane's cottage to get his phone charger. Or maybe, it's really not about the phone charger.

David character study! I just find all the parent character studies to be delicious, and there really isn't a lot of David, which is too bad because I think there are some really interesting bits to dig into.

Of the Rose - cy_pres

gen, 4.5k, NR, complete

Irina tries to keep the pieces of her family together, even as she feels herself slowly fall apart.

Need I say more? (pre-suicide, not graphic)

Misc

summer has come and passed - littlearrows [@montrealmetros]

gen, 12k, T, complete

Yuna dies and Shane grieves

idk what to say about this one. It's really really good, but also, you know, Yuna dies.

predator instinct - elumish

scott/kip, 1.8k, T, complete

Shane's allyship includes the power of confidence and a pre-drafted takedown. Kip has no clue what just happened.

Would this be canon Shane pre-coming out? I don't think so, but it exists in a world where Shane is like, 20% less scared of being outed, so it's basically canon to me.

About Summer - Chaentics [@rozzed]

shane/ilya, 7.4k, M, complete

Ilya comes back. This is the crux of it.

[ Also, on the Loras inclusion, since he is mentioned in relation to Sansa believing her betrothal is to him, also compared to the same Leo Tyrell, and brought up within the same paragraph ]

"She could never hold a picture of Willas long in her head, though; her imaginings kept turning him back into Ser Loras, young and graceful and beautiful."  "Willas, Willas, Willas.” Willas was as good a name as Loras, she supposed. They even sounded the same, a little." — Sansa II, ASOS

"There are those who say Ser Loras is better than Leo Longthorn ever was,” said Tyrion." — Tyrion V, ASOS

TYBOLT LANNISTER / TYRION LANNISTER

Tybolt is named for King Tybolt, who was the first to defeat the Andal army in the westerlands.

Tyrion's namesake is King Tyrion, who was the next to meet the Andal army, Tybolt's successor. In text, he is mentioned specifically in tandem with King Tybolt.

"The first Andal warlord to march an army through the hills met a bloody end at the hands of King Tybolt Lannister [...] but as more and more Andals began moving west in bands large and small, King Tyrion III and his son Gerold II saw their doom ahead." — TWOIAF

Tybolt [as well as the Baratheon] challenges and defeats Lady Ashford's older brother

Tyrion / the Lannisters challenge and defeat Sansa's older brother

"The Grey Lion of Casterly Rock struck the shield of Lord Tyrell, while his golden-haired heir Ser Tybolt Lannister challenged Lord Ashford’s eldest son." "Tybolt Lannister and Androw Ashford rode against each other thrice more before Ser Androw finally lost shield, seat, and match all at once." — The Hedge Knight

“And when do you imagine Sansa will be at her most fertile?” Tyrion asked his father in tones that dripped acid. “Before or after I tell her how we murdered her mother and her brother?” — Tyrion VI, ASOS

HUMFREY HARDYNG / HARRY HARDYNG

Important note: Hardyng is an extremely minor branch house. Humfrey and Harry are actually the ONLY two members ever appearing in the ASOIAF/AKOTSK text.

Humfrey is seriously wounded in the Ashford tourney, after his horse falls and crushes him. He later dies from his wounds in the Trial.

Curiously, Sansa, upon meeting Harry, wishes for his horse to stumble and cause them to fall in the tourney, too.

"Screaming, the horse crashed sideways, knocking the wooden barrier to pieces as he fell. Ser Humfrey tried to leap free, but a foot caught in a stirrup and they heard his shriek as his leg was crushed between the splintered fence and falling horse." — The Hedge Knight "[...] so we can begin the tourney on the morrow.” And may your horse stumble, Harry the Heir, so you fall on your stupid head in your first tilt." — Alayne I, TWOW

Humfrey is said to have "overthrown" the lords of Arryn and Royce, as well as won against the Tully challenger.

Harry is being used by LF as the successor to the Vale seat, in opposition to Arryn (Robert, half-Tully) and the Royces.

"The fourth pavilion was sewn together from diamond-shaped pieces of cloth, alternating red and white. Dunk did not know the colors, but Egg said they belonged to a knight from the Vale of Arryn named Ser Humfrey Hardyng. “He won a great melee at Maidenpool last year, ser, and overthrew Ser Donnel of Duskendale and the Lords Arryn and Royce in the lists.” "By then Ser Humfrey had beaten Lord Tully into surrender, showing himself as skilled with a sword as he was with a lance." — The Hedge Knight

VALARR TARGARYEN / ?

Note: The only, last, champion, who doesn't yet have a matching suitor in Sansa's arc, is the Targaryen. There is widespread speculation on this, but the parallels presented below, apply to JON SNOW and the surrounding characters.

Valarr is dubbed "The black prince with the white guardian",  referred to as the "black knight" due to his black attire, and following guard

Jon is known for his black attire, as part of the "black knights" of the Wall & has a white direwolf that is said to be a "a guardian".

"And the black-and-white knight, Lord Gawen Swann, challenged the black prince with the white guardian." — The Hedge Knight “There was a wolf for Jon as well. I found them, remember? I know how many there were and where they came from. I used to think the same as you, that the wolves were our guardians. . ." — Catelyn II, ASOS

"The Young Prince's horse was black as night, to match the color of his armor.." "A black stallion emerged from out of the river mists, a black knight on his back. Dunk saw the dragon shield, and the red enamel crest upon his helm with its three roaring heads. The Young Prince. Gods be good, is it truly him?" — The Hedge Knight

"In the songs, they were called the black knights of the Wall" - Sansa III, AGOT "Jon was armored in black ice. . ." — Jon XIII, ADWD

Valarr is a dark-haired Targaryen prince. Him and Baelor do not look Targaryen, since they take after the maternal line.

Jon is a dark-haired Targaryen prince, with the same hair colour, who does not look Targaryen, since he takes after the maternal line (Stark).

"He [Baelor] does not look a Targaryen in truth, with that dark hair." "It is said he favors his mother." "The Young Prince had his father’s light brown hair, but a streak of silver-gold ran through it." — The Hedge Knight

Valarr's father, Baelor, shares parallels with Jon's father, Rhaegar.

✧ Other character parallels

BAELOR TARGARYEN / RHAEGAR TARGARYEN

Baelor is the father to Valarr, named for Baelor the Blessed

Rhaegar is the father to Jon, "Baelor the Blessed born again"

"Daeron bore the same name as the Young Dragon, but when his Dornish wife gave him a son he named the child Baelor, after the feeblest king who ever sat the Iron Throne." — The Sworn Sword "The maesters were awed by his wits, but his father’s knights would jest sourly that Baelor the Blessed had been born again. Until one day Prince Rhaegar found something in his scrolls that changed him." — Daenerys I, ASOS

Baelor donned all-black armor with only a red Targaryen sigil and dragon detailing where he was dealt the final blow by his relative in battle.. which which in turn led to the killer eventually becoming King.

Rhaegar donned all-black armor with only a red Targaryen sigil and dragon detailing where he was dealt the final blow by his relative in battle.. which in turn led to the killer eventually becoming King.

Baelor and Rhaegar are also both noted to ride a black stallion to match their armor.

"A black stallion emerged from out of the river mists, a black knight on his back. Dunk saw the dragon shield, and the red enamel crest upon his helm with its three roaring heads." — The Hedge Knight "And saw her brother Rhaegar, mounted on a stallion as black as his armor." - Daenerys IX, AGOT "...the Targaryen prince armored all in black. On his breastplate was the three-headed dragon of his House, wrought all in rubies that flashed like fire in the sunlight." — Eddard I, AGOT

"Prince Baelor. The scarlet dragon on his helm had lost a head, both wings, and most of its tail. [...] "It’s crushed down at the back, Your Grace, toward the left side. Smashed into the gorget." “Brother’s mace, most like,” Baelor said thickly. “He’s strong.” - The Hedge Knight "The waters of the Trident ran red around the hooves of their destriers as they circled and clashed, again and again, until at last a crushing blow from Robert’s hammer stove in the dragon and the chest beneath it." — Eddard I, AGOT

SER DUNCAN THE TALL / BRIENNE OF TARTH

Important note: Brienne is the only confirmed descendant of Duncan the Tall, personally by the author [2016], and the author himself also confirmed that she will be knighted [2025].

Ser Duncan: The tourney at Ashford was narrated (and, ultimately, interrupted), by Dunk, after he protected a young woman.

Brienne: As Sansa is held in the Vale & preparing for their tourney, Brienne sets out to search for her in order to become her protector.

Dunk is an unlikely knight, Kingsguard to Aegon V. He carried a shield with a green shooting star above an elm tree.

Brienne is an unlikely knight, Kingsguard to Renly. During her search for Sansa, she has her shield repainted as a homage to Dunk's, as she had seen it in her childhood.

“Yes,” Dunk said. “That would serve. An elm tree…but with a shooting star above. Could you do that?” The girl nodded. “Give me the shield.” — The Hedge Knight “It was more a picture than a proper coat of arms, and the sight of it took her back through the long years, to the cool dark of her father's armory. She remembered how she'd run her fingertips across the cracked and fading paint, over the green leaves of the tree, and along the path of the falling star.” — Brienne II, AFFC

Dunk introduces & portrays the "true knight" theme, which is fundamental to both Sansa's and Brienne's arcs.

"Heartsick, Dunk wheeled Thunder and raced back and forth before the tiers of pale, cold men. Despair made him shout. “ARE THERE NO TRUE KNIGHTS AMONG YOU?” - The Hedge Knight “You are a good man, Ser Duncan. A brave knight, and true.”  "A true knight, Ser Duncan. A true knight." Dunk was turning red." — The Sworn Sword “My thanks, m’lord. You’re a true knight, it’s plain to see" [...] A true knight, she thought, frowning." — Brienne III, AFFC

“There are gods, she told herself, and there are true knights too. All the stories can't be lies.” — Sansa IV, ACOK

"Help me, she prayed, send me a friend, a true knight to champion me. . . She moved from tree to tree" — Sansa II, ACOK "Then the trees closed in around her, black as pitch and full of ghosts and memories. I am coming for you, Lady Sansa, she thought as she rode into the darkness. Be not afraid. I shall not rest until I’ve found you." - Brienne I, AFFC "And for me, thought Brienne, a prayer for me as well. Ask the Crone to raise her lamp and lead me to the Lady Sansa, and the Warrior to give strength to my arm so that I might defend her." — Brienne V, AFFC

TANSELLE TOO-TALL

Ser Duncan meets the woman he steps in to protect at Ashford, as she is telling us the story of Florian the Fool and Jonquil:

"This morning the puppeteers were doing the tale of Florian and Jonquil. [...] the tall girl held Jonquil’s strings. “You are no knight,” she was saying as the puppet’s mouth moved up and down. “I know you. You are Florian the Fool.” “I am, my lady,” the other puppet answered, kneeling. “As great a fool as ever lived, and as great a knight as well.” “A fool and a knight?” said Jonquil. “I have never heard of such a thing.” “Sweet lady,” said Florian, “all men are fools, and all men are knights, where women are concerned.” — The Hedge Knight

The story is both Sansa's favourite, and the most prominent in her arc. Tanselle's narration & play as Jonquil [1998] comes in the same year as Sansa being nicknamed "Jonquil" after the tale [1998] :

“Florian,” Sansa whispered. A shiver went through her. “Sweet lady, I would be your Florian,” Dontos said humbly, falling to his knees before her." "My Florian,” she whispered. “The gods heard my prayer.” [...] "he’ll keep me safe, my Florian. The songs about Florian and Jonquil were her very favorites." — Sansa II, ACOK “Sweet Jonquil, I’ve come. Your Florian has come, don’t be afraid.” — Sansa V, ASOS

[ note how similar the wording is in comparison to Brienne, and the way she speaks of finding & taking Sansa home ]

Tanselle even teasingly plays at quoting back Florian the Fool's words at Ser Duncan himself:

“I don’t…I’m not certain.” His ears were turning red, he realized miserably. “You must think me an utter fool.” She smiled. “All men are fools, and all men are knights.” — The Hedge Knight

& Brienne is among the people that recalls Florian, too. This comes as she thinks of protecting Sansa:

"It was a sword fit for a hero. When she was small, her nurse had filled her ears with tales of valor, regaling her with the noble exploits of Ser Galladon of Morne, Florian the Fool... [...] “You’ll be defending Ned Stark’s daughter with Ned Stark’s own steel." — Brienne I, AFFC

Sansa & Tanselle also share a tie through Aerion being linked to Joffrey's abuse, both directly and indirectly:

"Joffrey himself was waiting for her on the steps of the castle sept. The king was resplendent in crimson and gold, his crown on his head." "Her heart lurched. “Please, Your Grace,” she begged." — Sansa III, ASOS

"In the midst of it all stood Prince Aerion, resplendent in a red velvet doublet with long, dagged sleeves, twisting Tanselle’s arm in both hands. "She was on her knees, pleading with him." — The Hedge Knight

"Aerion’s quite the monster. He thinks he’s a dragon in human form, you know. That’s why he was so wroth at that puppet show." - The Hedge Knight "Aerion Brightfire was comely enough, but a monster all the same. The question is, what is Joffrey?" — Sansa I, ASOS

✧ Note that GRRM states the tourney & Trial at Ashford and the surrounding events [particularly Baelor's fate] are the event that changed Westeros' history, and hold great significance to him:

"in a 2022 interview promoting the first season of "HOTD", George R.R. Martin was asked which minor event changed the course of Westeros' history. His answer was: the climax of "The Hedge Knight" — Source

✧ Other reading & compliments:

There is a wonderful meta on Valarr's hair being a homage to Simon Snowlock, as well as a deeper dive into Valarr / Jon by @butterflies-dragons

GRRM on Brienne/Dunk being confirmed relatives and parallels [ 1 / 2 ]

Big thank you to the theorists, metawriters, wikiwriters and artists that contributed to the information and visuals compiled in this post.

✧ Art credits: