Chapter Text
Ilya was lonely. He knew Shane was too.
Ilya was new to the Centaurs and hadn’t yet managed to make any connections with the team, unsure of how to bridge the gap his media-curated asshole persona created between them. Shane, even with Hayden Pike there, felt alone in his team. They didn't - and if Shane had any say, would never - know he was gay. They both knew the risks were far too high, but he could see how it tugged at his boyfriend's heart.
He couldn't tell what hurt Shane more; The fact he had to hide his sexuality from his team or the fact he knew there was a strong possibility they would hurt him for it.
Even living only two hours apart now, he knew that despite the increased time they could spend together, neither one of them was happy. He just didn't know how to fix it.
Ilya rolled over in bed, itching to call Shane and talk to him. He couldn't though. He knew Shane would still be out celebrating with the Voyageurs after their game, and certainly hating every minute of it. Ilya would have to wait until he got home. He'd watched the game on TV, of course, but it wasn't the same. He knew Shane was upset, and could see that distance between him and his teammates had followed them onto the ice. Ilya’s lip curled. Stupid Montreal Voyageurs, unable to see the perfection right under their noses.
It was okay, Ilya would make sure Shane knew how perfect he was.
Jane
Shannneee
when are you coming home
I am very lonely here
The reply came quickly. Ilya grinned.
You know I can't leave yet. They will never let me hear the end of it if I leave before 11.
Tell them you have someone very beautiful waiting for you
Like they'd believe that.
Virgin Mary Hollzy casually fucking a beautiful woman.
As if.
Ilya snorted. Not many people knew it, because they were all bigots and assholes, but Shane could be exceptionally funny when he tried. His texts with Ilya often took on a dry sarcastic tone that had him in stitches of laughter. Not that he'd ever tell Shane that of course.
Maybe they should come watch and you can prove them wrong моя шлюха
Christ Ilya, not while I’m in public
Maybe pretty blush will help convince your teammates, yes?
Come home shane, i want you
Fine.
Mission accomplished.
Not even half an hour later, his phone lit up, Jane flashing across the screen. Ilya swiped to accept and rolled onto his side, nestling his phone on the pillow near his head.
“Hello, моя любовь.” he said quietly, mindful of Shane's usual exhaustion after a night out.
“Hi Ilya.” The weight on Ilya's chest seemed to dissipate at the sound of his boyfriend's voice.
“You are okay?” Shane seemed even more beat down than usual, and Ilya’s heart clenched.
“Yeah, just one of the newer rookies won't shut up about his girlfriend. She's all he’ll talk about. It’s sweet really, I just-”
“You wish you could do the same.” Ilya finished for him. “Is okay, I wish this all the time too. I think if I could tell my team about you, it would help me build connections with them.”
The silence that follows is charged and guilty.
“I’m sorry-” Shane starts to say before Ilya interrupts him.
“Do not apologise моя любовь. We both know it is for our safety. We cannot change it, even if it is hurting us.”
Shane is quiet for longer this time and Ilya can tell he is thinking.
“What are you thinking?” he teases. “I can hear your brain through the phone.”
“We’re struggling right now.” Shane says slowly.
“Yes, is not breaking news. What is your idea?” Ilya bitches. He can almost hear Shane rolling his eyes over the line. Oh, his beautiful Shane, so willing to put up with him.
“Do you trust your team? I know you've said the atmosphere is very different, more open and everything, but do you trust them?”
It's Ilya's turn to be silent.
“Yes,” he says eventually. “I do. They are good men.”
“Tell them about me. Not who I am, but that you have a partner, call me Jane or whatever. You deserve to have a team you’re friends with. Even if I can't share anything with my team, doesn't mean you have to suffer.”
His words are strong, but Ilya can hear the waver of uncertainty in his tone clear as day.
“Are you sure?” He knows his voice is disbelieving. “We do not have to do this Shane. I will live if I am not friends with shitty Centaurs team.”
“But you want to be, don't you? If you trust them, I trust them Ilya. And don't call them shitty, they're your team.”
God he can't believe how in love with this man he is. Even scared, he's willing to put himself at risk for Ilya's happiness. It’s times like these he can never be more thankful for their week at the cottage. Without it, Ilya didn't know where he'd be.
“Okay дорогой. If you're sure, I will talk to the team soon. Now, you should sleep, you are very tired.”
Shane hums in agreement, and Ilya can hear a door shut as he moves through his Montreal apartment.
“Stay with me while I get ready?”
If there is ever a time where Ilya says no to that, he wants Shane to put him down with a gun.
****
Ottawa Cens
Roz: Team, I have announcement.
Bood: Go for it man
Bood: Everything alright?
Hazy: Yeah, what's up?
Roz: yes, everything is fine.
Roz: when i join team, you all ask me if i have partner. I say no, no, I am playboy, I am slut.
Roz: I lie.
Roz: I have partner.
Hazy: Holy shit
Young: whatever you were gonna say, i was not expecting that
Hazy: So who locked you down then?
Roz: I call her Jane. She is very private, does not like people knowing we are together.
Bood: got it, we'll keep it on the dl, wont we guys
Haas: of course
Hazy: can we ask why?
Roz: she is well known, famous
Roz: will affect her career if she is associated with me
Dykstra: model then?
Roz: sometimes, but no
Haas: that sucks roz :(
Bood: thanks for trusting us roz
Bood: can i tell Cassie? she’ll want to add her to the WAGs chat
Roz: let me ask
****
Lily
I have told the team
Bood is asking if he can tell cassie
she will want to add you to WAGs chat
Oh
Uh
I think it will be fun
you can be friends with other wives
my pretty wife jane
Shut up
if you are uncomfortable you can say no
but i think it would be good
I know you are lonely
Fuck off
I’m not lonely
Don’t lie to me Shane.
Fine.
Maybe you're right.
You can brag about me every day
Ha. Ha.
****
Ottawa Cens
Roz: she says yes
Roz: *** *******
Roz: her number
Bood: she from Montreal then?
Roz: yes
Lapointe: would we know of her?
Roz: HAH
Roz: yes you know her very well