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Shane, Ilya, Scott and Kip
“Let me get this straight, you want to come out to Scott Hunter?”
“Yes.” Ilya replied, “I think it would be good.” The light of their small fire beaming off his face.
It was something that had been in the back of Ilya’s mind ever since Scott had recklessly come out on the ice after winning the cup. He would never forget how his heart had pounded as Scott Hunter, surrounded by the admirals cheering in victory, beckoned someone from the crowd to join him. Ilya couldn’t have predicted what would happen but even through the TV he could feel the shift, knowing this moment was going to be big.
Sitting by the campfire at their cottage always made Ilya reminiscent of the first time he’d been there and with all the talk about the establishment of their hockey school and charity, and which hockey players they could enlist to help, Ilya couldn’t help but think about Scott Hunter. Which was disturbing to him. He did not want to think of that old man, but he couldn’t deny that he had been a big part of his life.
“I would want to know if I had changed someone’s life.” Ilya continued in his best efforts to persuade Shane, staring at the fire because he knew eye contact would just stress Shane out even more.
“Changed your life huh?” Shane said breathily with a slight smile.
“Yes,” Ilya said more seriously, “I would have not come to the cottage if he had not kissed his pretty boyfriend on the ice.”
Shane sighed. Ilya knew that Shane loved him, there was no doubt about it, but Ilya also knew that Shane needed time. He always needed time; Time to process, plan, evaluate, plan again and work up the courage to actually carry out said plan. Ilya would be lying if he said that it wasn’t frustrating at times. It’s not like Ilya wanted to pull a Scott Hunter and drag Shane onto the ice, although the thought had it’s appealing elements, but he was open to sharing the news with more people.
Ilya watched intently as the cogs turned in Shane’s head. God, he loved his boyfriend. Then finally, “Okay, if we are going to do this, we need to plan it.”
“Of course,” Ilya shrugged like it was the most obvious thing to come out of his boyfriend’s mouth.
“So here is the plan.” Shane declared.
Step 1 - Befriend the dinosaur
“First we need to build a relationship with Hunter,” Ilya groaned at Shane’s words, “Come on, it’d be weird if we just told him out of nowhere. And a bonus is that it works in our favour in getting him on board with the hockey school and the charity too.”
“Okay fine, so we make friends with the dinosaur.”
“Yes, Montreal are playing the Admirals next week. I’ll make something up and invite the team to a bar after the game. I’m already friends with some of the guys on the team so it won’t be that weird.”
“Okay. I will be waiting at the bar, and we kiss when Hunter walks in.” Shane shoved him. “I am joking Hollander.” Shane bowed and shook his head, “I am sorry, sorry, please tell me more.” Ilya whined and squeezed his knee waiting for Shane to continue.
———
“Good game, Hollander.” Scott Hunter said in his thick American accent, shaking the Canadian captain’s hand after the game.
“Of course you would say it was a good game, you won.”
“Yeah well, home game advantage I guess.”
Shane had a lot of respect for Scott Hunter. He only really feigned annoyance because he knew that Ilya enjoyed chirping on him, but the truth was that Hollander really liked the guy, even more so after he came out. They skated to the edge of the rink about to part ways when Shane chimed, “Hey Hunter, you free tonight? I want to run something by you.”
“Kip and I were gonna head to our usual bar, but you can join us of course.” Scott’s smirk was undeniably charming, “Kip is my husband by the way.” Even Shane could see that Scott was trying to feel out where Shane stood with the whole gay thing.
“Yeah man, that sounds great. I’ll shower then meet you out front?”
“See you soon.” Shane sighed a breath of relief. The first step of the plan was in motion.
Shane met Scott outside the rink and only felt a little bit bad that it looked like Scott had been waiting for a while. Scott’s car pulled up and once they were in the car a heavy silence in the air fell. Shane and Scott were well acquainted, hell they’d been playing against each other for years and had also played alongside each other in the All-Star games, but this was one of the first times they were interacting outside of the rink. Scott pulled his phone out and they travelled in silence for the rest of their journey.
They pulled up outside of this bar, that appeared to be half sports, half gay bar which was immediately fascinating to Shane. In another life this might have been his favourite place in the world. Scott was greeted with whoops and cheers while entering and Shane’s theory was strengthened. Maybe Shane wanted to be this free? Maybe coming out to everyone wouldn’t be so bad? Was this how Ilya had been feeling? Shane made a mental note to text him once he left the bar.
Scott’s friends immediately clocked who Shane was and Kip boldy shook his hand. Shane didn’t know how to respond other than to say hi with a close-lipped smile before putting his hands back into his pocket. “What are you drinking Hollander?” Hunter asked.
“Ginger ale, if you have it.”
“We get a lot of Canadians, of course we have ginger ale.”
They gathered their drinks and Scott cocked his head in the direction of a booth in the corner. “So, Hollander, what did you want to run pass me?”
Shane shook his head slightly while looking into his lap, “Yeah of course.” Why was Shane so nervous? “Okay so, I know you are associated with a few charities, especially ones supporting children.” Shane couldn’t quite meet his gaze, but he saw Hunter nod his head, “Well, I’m thinking of opening up a summer hockey school for kids, gonna try and rope a few of the best players to volunteer to run a few sessions. The money raised will go towards a mental health charity which I want to establish. I just wondered if you’d be interested in joining in, in any kind of capacity. I know that there are things to work out, and I know the school would be a sacrifice of time, but yeah, do you have any thoughts?”
“Yeah man that all sounds great. I’d love to be involved.” Scott said, “Is there a specific area of mental health?”
“Well, we want it to be quite general but have specialists in different areas. Like depression, bereavement, anxiety, PTSD. That kind of thing. We’re quite passionate about Suicide prevention, that was the main motivation behind it.” Shane was so relieved to have finished his sloppily put together pitch that he didn’t realise until after he had said it, his slip up.
“Who’s we?” Of course, Scott Hunter picked up on that. Shane shook his head again, finding his lap interesting again.
“Oh yeah,” He panicked grappling for a response, “well my mom is gonna kind of oversee everything, she loves this stuff, but I’ve also gathered a few players who are interested and because I want it to be a real team thing, I want everyone to contribute their opinions.”
“That sounds really great Hollander.” There was that charming Scott smile again, “So if I were to join and perhaps wanted to advocate support for the mental health of the LGBTQ+ community…”
“Then your contribution would be more than welcome.” Scott seemed really happy with this outcome. Shane caught his glance towards his boyfriend who was smiling with his friends.
“So, what players have you got on your roster?”
“Umm I’ve got Hayden… Pike ya know, JJ, and umm” Shane knew he had to bite the bullet, “umm Rozanov.”
“Rozanov huh?” Scott choked, “I’m impressed Hollander, you must have had to charm the socks off of him.”
Shane didn’t really know his play here. The plan seemed so simple, he’d befriend Hunter, they’d develop a friendship through working for the charity but now their conversation seemed to be skipping a few steps of his plan, so Shane decided to cut off while he was ahead.
“Yeah, I’m just glad to have some high-profile players with us.” Shane downed the rest of his ginger ale, “Well thanks Scott, it was really nice to hang out. Maybe we could do this again, it seems like you’ve got a good place set up here.” Shane watched with slight envy as Scott glanced to his boyfriend once more, not a care in the world that people would publicly see them.
“Yeah, it’s pretty great.”
———
“So did he say anything else?” Ilya said through to phone.
“Nope.” Shane replied,
“Well, is good that he wants to help gay people, I think that’ll be popular with the two founders.”
“Oh actually,” Shane piped up, “I kind of told him that you were just involved at this stage rather than being part of its creation. It seemed like too much information at once.”
“Oh so, you do this charity by yourself now?” Shane could feel his tease through the phone and wanted nothing more than to be right next him.
“Not by myself, mom will help.” Shane teased back.
“Oh no, Yuna likes me more than you now. She told me today.”
“She was probably lying.”
“Oh no, Yuna Hollander does not lie.” they let the silence hang for a little bit.
“Ilya,” Shane said quietly, made out of habit just in case someone overheard, “I miss you.”
“We will see each other tomorrow.” Ilya replied, and after a beat, “I miss you too, lover.” Ilya’s drawl was somehow the sexiest and most frustrating thing ever.
Shane groaned but then, “Hey when I was with Scott today, I felt kind of umm heavy, I guess. Seeing him able to just exist in the same space as his boyfriend with no fear made me jealous, I think.”
“I know what you mean Hollander. I want that too.”
“Maybe we could…” Shane trailed off because he didn’t know where he was going,
“Yeah maybe.” Ilya finished, knowing his boyfriend better than Shane knew himself. “Tell me the next part of your plan then.”
Step 2 - Normalise the Hollander/ Rozanov friendship
[A few weeks later]
Every couple had their thing. A weird niche that was really strange to everyone else but was very dear to the people in the relationship. For Scott Hunter and his husband Kip, their hyper fixation was detective and murder mysteries. Scott had got Kip hooked on some of his serial killer novels and Scott had been more than annoyed when Kip predicted the endings correctly, when Scott had been clueless till the end. True crime documentaries were a norm in their house now and the two would spend hours trying to pick apart cold cases. It was exciting but it also meant Kip felt that he was a master detective himself and his current fascination was Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov.
“I am just saying that there must be more than what meets the eye with them.” Kip said, making his and Scott’s famous morning smoothie.
After the blender stopped whirring, “Hollander and Rozanov have been forced together their whole lives. Their relationship is complex.” Kip shrugged in response. He couldn’t explain it, but he trusted his gut and he knew something was up.
———
“Did you see the interview Hollander and Rozanov did?” Kip said before Scott had fully walked in the door.
“Kip, I love you, but I spend all day thinking about those guys, I don’t want to think about them when I get home too.”
“Please just watch this.” Kip had the interview queued up on the TV ready to go. Scott begrudgingly collapsed onto the sofa, not even taking his shoes off and the only reason he didn’t complain was because Kip quickly sat next to him. They leaned back and watched the interview.
———
“So can you tell us a little more about the charity?” The first interviewer asked.
“Well, it is called ‘The Irina Foundation’ for my mother. She was very funny and beautiful, but I lost her when I was very young. She was so sad and I wish someone had been there for her, so she couldn’t be sad anymore. I approached many players, but Hollander showed most interest.” You could hear the mumble of the interviewers, “I was also surprised,” Ilya continued, “but he seemed to have passion for the mental health.”
“Yeah, I have seen a lot of great people suffer with their poor mental health, my own family members included, and when Rozanov approached me about a charity to provide support, especially to those who might not be able to afford or access it themselves, I was eager to join.”
Another interviewer chimed in, “Do you think your partnership will have an impact on your game?” Both players shifted slightly.
“Well, I cannot speak for Hollander, but I will always play hard.”
“I’d rather die than let him win.” Shane said, earning a laugh from the audience. Who knew he could be so funny? If you blinked, you would have missed how Ilya smirked in response.
“The truth is,” Ilya said, “Hollander and I have always umm… been rivals to everyone else. And even though this guy has a weak backhand, he has good ideas. Ideas to help the Charity.”
“And for someone who excels at angering every player they meet, Rozanov is very capable of caring for others.” That earned laughs from the room again.
——
“Hmm,” Scott started,
“What?!” Kip replied, a little too eagerly.
“It’s just that when Hollander approached me, he made it sound like the charity was his idea and he’d roped in Rozanov.” Kip was basically giddy at Scott’s words. Kip then hummed in happy thought. “Oh no what could possibly be going through your head. You have no information, Kip.”
“It just seems interesting, why would both of them say that they’d roped the other in?”
“Does it make a difference?”
“Scooott,” Kip whined, “You know that in any case, you should always be looking out for when stories don’t align.”
“Yeah, but this is about the establishment of a charity, not finding an alibi.”
“Not yet it isn’t.” Kip smirked.
-------
The largest part of Step 2 wasn’t just for Scott to see the growing “friendship” of Hollander and Rozanov but for everyone to see it (For the sake of the larger scheme that would warm the world up to their relationship). So far, they’d been seen in public together; Getting out of a car into offices where they would be organising charity stuff; Dinner with Hayden and Ilya’s old teammate Marley who had publicly associated themselves with the hockey school and once it was dinner just the two of them. The riskiest situation was probably when they’d been spotted playing paddle with each other.
Playing paddle was a carefully curated plan. It was common for players to do other sports activities outside of hockey when there were breaks in between games, especially if they were near each other and given that Shane’s parents lived in Ottawa, it was an easy enough excuse for the two of them to hang out and play a few games together. Shane had gone as far to ask his parents to join, just so they weren’t truly alone.
Ilya as usual was calm. He was especially calm when he was in the driver’s seat. He liked to call Shane his passenger princess which Shane begrudgingly really loved, and Ilya was about to turn to him and call him that when he saw Shane heave a huge sigh.
“Shane.” He said in that gentle but commanding way, that grounded Shane.
“Sorry, I’m just freaking out again.”
“You afraid you cannot keep your hands to yourself.” Ilya said as he parked his car outside the sport centre where the courts were.
“Well, I don’t know. Maybe.” Shane replied.
“Don’t worry, I find it hard to keep my hands away from you.” Ilya smirked, somehow looking hotter as he backed into a parking space, “I might pull your shorts down in the middle of the game, get on my knees and give paparazzi something to really talk about.” Shane slapped him.
“Your English is too good now.” Shane said trying to be flirty, but Ilya knew deep down he definitely wasn’t feeling it.
“C’mon Hollander, let’s go play a nice friendly game.” After they’d exited and locked up the car Ilya couldn’t help but add, “It’ll be a nice day for me. Some time with my future in laws.” He said while shoving Shane. It could have been seen as romantic but given their deep rivalry, if anyone saw it, they might just register it as a partially teasing act.
Shane wanted to smile but when Ilya’s words sunk in Shane realised that maybe it was a bit weird. Ilya hanging out with Shane’s family. What if people really thought it was some kind of “meet the parents” situation? What if people spotted the familiarity of Ilya with his mother and read into it? Shane hadn’t realised he’d stopped in the middle of the car park. “Shane?” Ilya said gently, trying to coax him from his trance. “Shane. Come with me.”
Somehow Shane found himself in some empty hallway to the club house. “Hollander, you need to calm down. Are you okay?” Shane tried to nod but his eyes started to water.
“I just, umm,” Shane started, “my parents love you.”
“And this is bad thing?”
“No, it’s very good, but” Shane was trying to find the words, “You and I have spent years perfecting how to not look in love with each other in public, but my mom isn’t so subtle.” Ilya smiled. “She’s very physically affectionate and I’ve never really been that way with her, so I think she enjoys that you enjoy casual physical touch and she reaches for your face all the time when she speaks to you. I don’t even think you realise how much she does it.” Ilya smiled at his words.
“I will just hit her hand away then.” Ilya said quickly. “Come on Shane, how about you let me beat you at a game of paddle.”
——————
“Scott!” Kip called from their kitchen to his poor husband who was laying down on the sofa.
“What?” Scott said sleepily. Maybe he’d been asleep? Oops.
“I’m sorry but @hockeynews1 has posted some interesting photos.”
“Ki-“
“No, I know what you’re going to say but I actually think there is merit to my theory.” Kip jumped over the back of the sofa, landing on Scott’s lap. “Just look at these photos!”
Scott sat up and his eyes did widen slightly at the photos. The first photos depicted Hollander and Rozanov exiting a car together… yes together and if you looked close enough (or were delusional enough) you could even see a small smile. Okay well that makes sense, the two had become friends while establishing the charity, no matter whose idea it was. The next few photos were of the pair playing paddle with Hollander’s parents. Ilya was paired up with Shane’s father and there was a series of photos showing the two in varying levels of celebration, discussion and competitiveness against their opposing team. Which again, kind of made sense; It was no secret Shane was close to his parents, even Hayden Pike had been photographed with Shane’s family. The final few photos are what caught Scott’s attention the most. Shane’s mother, Yuna, was standing next to Ilya with her hand raised to his face with a broad smile. It was such a gentle and casual embrace and the look on Ilya’s face was unlike anything Scott had ever seen. The next photo depicted Shane moving toward Ilya and his mother and the one after that placed Shane right in the line of sight of the cameras.
“You see. I’m not being crazy right?”
“What exactly are you trying to say? That this is a nice little day out for Rozanov with his in-laws?” Scott asked, scoffing, “How about you be full crazy for the next few minutes? Tell me what you think and why.”
Kip inhaled a breath and then, “I think Hollander and Rozanov have been in a romantic relationship for a long time, maybe even a good handful of years.”
“Kip…”
“No, no, no,” Kip interrupted, “You said I could be full crazy.” Scott nodded so Kip continued, “Okay so they’ve been together and it’s obviously been a secret. Shane is basically out and Ilya has never commented or denied anything to do with his sexuality. However he is very outspoken of his support of pride in the NHL, which is dangerous for him, especially with his nationality. There’s no denying that there is chemistry and a spark between the two and I’ve been watching lots of YouTube videos compiling clips of them over the years that show this.”
“Kip I don’t know how many times I’ve had to tell you, but during a face off, you have to look the other person in the eye and there is always a level of intimacy in that moment because adrenaline is high and you’re trying to gain the upper hand.”
“Look I can’t explain as well as @Hollanov8124_lover does, but this isn’t just face offs, it’s interviews, interactions and mentions throughout their entire careers. And the cherry on the cake is when Shane was knocked out on the ice.”
“Anyone would be in shock to see that.”
“But Ilya had to be hauled away. There’s shock and then there’s not being able to move because your heart stops.”
“You’re just a big softie aren’t you blueberry boy.” Scott said cupping Kip’s face.
“Not to be even mushier but remember that game you played a few months ago where you got knocked over and you didn’t get up straight away. The way I felt is what I see in Ilya when I watch that clip.” Kip said, and Scott didn’t have any words. All he could do was lean down to brush his lips against his husbands.
“Can I speak?” Scott asked and Kip nodded, “Okay well first of all, I think we need to stop watching all those cold case, detective, murder mystery shows, you’re starting to scare me with how much research you’re putting into things. Secondly, you are right that they have chemistry, they’ve known each other since they were newly adults, they’ve grown up together in the media, in all honesty they probably have more shared life experience than any other couple I know.”
“So, you think they’re a couple?!” Kip pointed accusingly.
“I never said that,” Scott hummed, “but I think it would be very closed minded of me to not consider it as an option. I’d be no better than that detective who saw straight past the murderer in the case because he made a mindless assumption.”
Kip smiled up at his boyfriend, “I love when you talk ‘detective’ to me.”
“I love you too.”
“Do you love me enough to help me solve a mystery?” Kip said and Scott tipped his head back and sighed.
“What do you want?”
“I just need you to feed back any information you get when you speak to anyone about them.” Scott groaned, then-
“You’re lucky I love you.”
Step 3 - Make Rozanov and Hunter friends.
This might be the hardest part of the plan. That was a lie, Shane knew the hardest part would be the fourth and final step, but this was still going to be hard in its own way. Shane had to pull off the greatest challenge of all, making Russia’s Ilya Rozanov and America’s Scott Hunter to become friends. It wasn’t that they hated each other, or even that they’d been pitted against each other for over a decade, but there was just a lack of something, and Shane couldn’t put his finger on it. He hated when he couldn’t put his finger on things.
Shane sat opposite Scott Hunter at his favourite restaurant in Montreal the day after a Metro/ Admirals game. Shane supposed that they were friends now, they sent each other reels on Instagram of stupid things and all their conversations no longer revolved around Hockey. Shane zoned back into the conversation they were in the middle of.
“…so, then Kip, who’s been locked into this game of Cluedo, completely flips out,” Scott laughed and pulled his beer to his lips, “and he literally flips the board. So, if you think I’m competitive then you just need to meet him.”
“And here I was thinking that the most competitive people, you’d find on the ice.”
“Well, you’ve been on the end of the most heated rivalry probably in Hockey existence. You and Rozanov were basically bred to compete.” Scott laughed, not knowing how happy Shane was with the window Scott had given him to talk about Ilya.
“Understatement of the century.” Okay so Shane had been given the window, but he didn’t know how to take advantage of it.
“How is it going?” Scott asked, “With Rozanov?”
Shane’s heart might have stopped for a second and then he realised that Scott was probably talking about the charity. Okay this was good, this he had prepared for.
“Yeah, it’s going well actually. Don’t get me wrong he’s an asshole but he has a knack for establishing charities. He’s very good at getting his own way.”
“Oh, I can believe that.” Scott smirked into his drink.
“He’s also been great with the money side of things. He’s surprisingly good at maths.” Shane tried his best to not smile.
“Damn Hollander, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say that maybe you even liked the guy.” Shane’s heart did stop. But the plan was working because maybe Scott was starting to see Ilya through another lense. Shane had to make sure he wasn’t laying the praise on too thick.
“Well, it’s been good to get to know each other,” Shane stuttered, “but don’t get me wrong, Ilya is still a piece of work. He’s been great with the charity but is being very flippant about the summer hockey school. He keeps saying “We just put the children in the rink and make them play, simple.” It’s…. very frustrating.” Shane again was trying not to smile but when he did his Russian impersonation, he always laughed a little. It made Scott laugh too.
“I think you need to stop spending time with him, that Russian accent was a bit too accurate.” Scott said and Shane brushed it off with a laugh and then Scott excused himself to the bathroom.
—————
Scott: Kip, I’m in the bathroom and I have updates.
Kip: Oh, my goodness, I love you so much.
Scott: Okay keep it in your pants, Hunter.
Kip: Less flirting, more tea.
Scott: Okay so I brought up Rozanov as you asked. Asked him how it was going with him.
Kip: And how did Shane react?
Scott: …?
Kip: Like did he respond, slowly/ quickly, what did he say?
Scott: Well, he said it was going well and then said that Rozanov had a knack for forming charities or something.
Kip: Hollander is giving out compliments????? About Rozanov?
Scott: Yeah, he also told me that Rozanov’s good at maths.
Kip: I hope you pointed out that that sounded friendly.
Scott: I did indeed. I said something like “It sounds like you even like the guy”.
Kip: and….?
Scott: I did notice his eyes widen a little bit.
Kip: Oh God Scott, I knew I should’ve called you and listened in to your conversation, you’re giving me nothing.
Kip: I think Shane might be weirded out by how long you’ve been in the bathroom.
Scott: Wait wait I didn’t even tell you the best part?
Kip: This better be good.
Scott: He called him Ilya.
Kip: …….
Scott: Kip?
Kip: THIS IS HUGE.
Kip: First name.
Kip: They used first names.
Kip: Do you know what this means in the realm of romance novels.
Scott: Then you’re really going to like this next part.
Kip: Scott honey you should’ve started with this stuff and not the silly stuff about math.
Scott: Shane did a Russian accent.
Kip: A Russian accent?
Scott: He did an impression of Rozanov, and it was surprisingly accurate.
Kip: Not surprising considering they spend loads time together.
Kip: Shane’s probably heard him speak more than any other person in the world.
Kip: I can’t believe he did a Russian accent. That’s so cute.
Kip: Are you finally seeing my point?
Scott: I’m not saying I’m fully on board with this whole big conspiracy you’ve created but I agree that there’s something more to their relationship.
Kip: I won’t stop till I’ve fully convinced you.
Scott: Love you, I’ll see you tomorrow.
Kip: Call me tonight. Love you too.
————
Lily: How is it going?
Jane: Scott just went to the bathroom. It’s going well, I think.
Lily: Okay good, we have a lot of time then, you know because it takes old men a long time to pee.
Lily: What have you been talking about?
Jane: We’ve actually been talking about you.
Lily: So, the plan is working?
Jane: Very well.
Lily: So, what have you been saying about me? All the bad things, I hope.
Jane: No, the goal has been to get him to like you.
Jane: I told him that you are good at Math.
Lily: Oh, that’s persuasive.
Jane: It is! And then I told him you were good setting up the charity.
Lily: And then you told him you were gay.
Jane: Ilya…
Lily: He probably already knows.
Lily: What is the word? Gaydar?
Jane: That’s not a real thing.
Lily: Yes it is, yours just sucks.
Jane: Anyway, I think I’ve convinced him you’re pretty decent.
Jane: Now I just have to try and convince you that you can be friends.
Lily: Well, he likes you, so he should like me?
Jane: I don’t think that’s how it works.
Lily: Maybe the next time the admirals play in Ottawa we can all get dinner.
Lily: Then I can show him how delightful I am.
Lily: And if that fails maybe I can show him how good of a kisser I am.
Jane: Ilya!
Lily: By kissing you.
Lily: Although he is very hot.
Jane: He’s married.
Lily: We will be too.
Lily: Soon.
Jane: You are being a menace, and I am putting my phone away now.
Lily: Wait one more thing.
Jane: What?
Lily: I think it might make him like me.
Lily: Because if he knows I am good to you then he might like me more.
Jane: Ilya…
Lily: And it seems like Hunter and you might have something in common.
Jane: Shut up.
Lily: If he knew just how quickly I can make you cum. I think he would like me.
Lily: I think he might like to know that you are bottom.
Jane. My phone is going away.
Lily: Tell him you’re a very satisfied bottom.
Lily: Shane?
Lily: Are you not satisfied?
Lily: Are you ignoring me?
Lily: Tell him that Rozanov can satisfy him.
Lily: Then he will really like me.
Lily: I am very convincing.
Lily: As you know.
Lily: I am excited for you to read these after dinner.
Lily: I love you.
Lily: I’m waiting for you.
Lily: Hurry home. I will be in bed naked.
————
While Shane was occupied with carrying out his big Hunter plan, Ilya and Yuna ploughed on with more charity stuff. They had decided that a classy black-tie event might be a good way to collect sponsors and network. The profits from the event would also go towards setting up the charity.
Yuna tried to push for a Canadian venue, but Ilya argued that Canada was irrelevant and they should hold the event in New York. Ilya loved New York in general, but it didn’t bypass him that it was Scott Hunter’s territory and that maybe he could help enact step 3 of Shane’s plan. So, the original idea of getting dinner in Ottawa could now be getting a drink in New York.
Two months had passed since Shane and Hunter’s dinner, and Ilya knew that Shane was starting to enjoy Hunter’s friendship. In Ilya’s favourite moments, when him and Shane were just with each other in companionable silence on their phones, Shane would often remark on the funny videos that Hunter would send him. Ilya wasn’t stupid, he knew that part of Shane’s actions was to convince Ilya that Scott was a good guy, but Ilya knew Shane’s genuine smile, and he saw it when Shane talked about Hunter.
Their friendship was a great reason for Hollander to show up in New York the day before the event to see his good buddy Scott, and Ilya’s partnership with Shane meant that they could all meet up, without there being public suspicion. Well, there would be comments about their rivalry turning to friendship and there would only be a few fan account tweets that were mostly run by younger female hockey fans who speculated a romantic relationship. Ilya was actually a little bit scared of them and purposefully hadn’t told Shane because he knew his boyfriend would spiral.
Ilya got to the bar early. He hadn’t planned it, but when he saw a very recognisable “someone” at the bar he took advantage of the situation.
“You are Scott Hunter’s boyfriend?” Ilya asked. The man turned around on his bar stool, probably expecting it to be another hockey fan but his eyes widened when he clocked who it was.
“Yes, I am his husband. Rozanov, right?” Again, Ilya wasn’t stupid and Kip’s attempt at being nonchalant was bad.
“Yes, and you are Kip.”
“Yeah, I’m Kip.” He reached to shake Ilya’s hand and Ilya was reminded of all the times Shane had shook his hand the first time they met.
“It was very good what you did.” Ilya commented and Kip tilted his head, “Ya know, it has been good that you have been brave and went public with your relationship. Must be hard to go from being nobody to then have YouTube edits made of you.”
“Thanks. It’s been hard but also really good.”
“Well, it has been good for me because Hunter is not cutthroat on the ice anymore. He is probably not wanting to get injured for you.”
“Yeah, it’s hard to see someone you care about get injured. Although I’m sure you know. I was watching the game when Shane was knocked out, it’s hard to go through that, even with a friend.” Ilya sized him up then. That was a comment from someone who had suspicions. Suspicions like the teenage girls on twitter.
“Yeah, it doesn’t get easier.”
“Just wait till you fall in love.” Oh, Kip was good at playing this game. Maybe Hunter was a good guy if he could bag a guy like Kip.
“Do not worry, love will never affect my game.”
Kip might have challenged him but that’s when Shane walked through the door. Shane greeted Kip with a vague familiarity and then didn’t quite know what to do to greet Ilya. Ilya could see the cogs turning in Shane’s head, almost like Shane was thinking - do not kiss this man. Ilya only hoped that Shane kept looking at him with that lingering gaze and then they could truly have some fun tonight.
Shane quickly said, “Have you seen they’ve got some good games in the bar? We could play some pool?”
Kip chimed in, “Yeah just jump in after those guys finish. I’m sure Scott would love to try to beat you. I’ll send him your way when he gets here.”
Ilya and Shane turned away to walk towards the pool table and Ilya’s couldn’t help but push Shane’s buttons a little bit.
“If we kissed now, Kip might have a heart attack.” Shane didn’t even flinch, so Ilya pushed a bit more, “or sex on the pool table? Whatever works for you.” Shane choked on a cough. Ilya 1, Shane 0.
When they were out of sight a little, Shane brushed his fingers lightly along Ilya’s. “Or you can get on your knees on filthy floor?” It was Ilya’s turn to cough. Okay so Ilya 1 - 1 Shane. “Jokes aside, remember the plan for tonight is to just hang out. No deep conversations, just us drinking and playing a few rounds of pool, then tomorrow at the event you can whip out more charm.”
“So, I do not need to be charming tonight?”
“Just don’t start any fights.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it, Moya Lyubov.”
Ilya 2 - 1 Shane.
________
“Kip is nice.” Ilya said, starting a conversation with Hunter.
“Yeah, I think he’s pretty great.”
Ilya sighed a little. They weren’t even facing each other, they were just watching Kip and Shane play their round of pool. He had to try a little harder it seemed to get through to Hunter.
“Tell me, how did you meet?”
“Ah well one day I walked into this smoothie shop, the place Kip was working but he was asleep.”
“So, you both fall asleep in your jobs. Lots in common.” Ilya smirked taking a drink of his beer. Thankfully Scott had taken it for the joke it was. He jokingly cursed back at him which caused Shane to look up, but after he saw it was playful he returned to the game.
“It is sweet. So, you woke him up because you wanted smoothie?”
“You make it sound like I was an asshole?”
“Oh, you are asshole,” Ilya laughed a little time, “but maybe you are also a nice guy too.”
“Don’t go soft on me now Rozanov.”
“Never.”
“So, Kip woke up, recommended this blueberry smoothie, but told me to add banana- “
“Ah so he is wild.”
“That’s exactly what I said.” Scott laughed back, “I just couldn’t stay away. I think I knew from the first time I met him.” Ilya looked longingly at Shane only because he knew Scott couldn’t see, “He was very understanding of everything and has taken all the nonsense that people say in his stride.”
“He sounds like a keeper.”
“Well, I did marry him.” Ilya gave him a big smile at his words and there was a stretch of comfortable silence. “I have to say that all your work with the charity is admirable”
“Don’t go soft on me now Hunter.” Ilya mimicked back.
“Never.” Scott chirped, “But seriously, I assume it’s been a lot of work and Shane sings your praises. Quite a lot actually.”
“I am having fun with it. It is important so I feel more motivated, I guess. I don’t want to be lazy with this.”
“Out of all the words in the world to describe you, ‘Lazy’ is very low down on the list. I might have even called you friendly before I described you as lazy.”
Ilya hadn’t realised that this was some kind of trigger for him because all of a sudden, he was feeling very emotional. “That means a lot. Thank you.” Ilya could have sworn Scott jolted a bit, surprised to hear Ilya’s gratitude.
“I am so sorry about your mother.”
“It was long time ago.”
“It doesn’t make it any easier.”
“No, it doesn’t. You might be one of the few people who really knows how it feels.”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe.”
Another moment of silence passed. Scott and Ilya watched Shane and Kip finish the game, Shane winning by an absolute mile.
“Okay Rozanov, let’s show these two what a real game of pool looks like.” Scott said nodding towards to table, beckoning Ilya to join.
“Oh, Scott you will go home crying.”
—————
“… but Scott they were standing next to each other.”
“I was there Kip, I could see.” Scott replied. He was just trying to get ready for bed. However, the memory of Ilya calling him Scott and not Hunter was still circling his head.
“So, you could feel that there was a certain kind of energy?” Scott didn’t know how to respond because he had indeed felt a shift with the two of them in the room. “I’m going to keep a close eye on them tomorrow at the event.”
“Please don’t be weird though?”
“You really wanna say that to me?” Kip said sliding under the covers.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Kip only raised his eyebrows knowingly with a smirk before rolling over and turning off his bedside light.
Scott didn’t know what to make of the evening, but he was definitely unsettled that he wasn’t more unsettled about his feelings towards Rozanov. Oh God maybe he could actually like this guy.
—————
Like every event that was planned by Yuna Hollander, the black-tie gala was a complete success. Ilya and Shane got to speak to every guest and only 2 out of every 3 guests made some kind of comment about the Hollander/ Rozanov alliance.
Shane was most excited though to see Ilya at the bar with Scott and Kip and was even happier when he saw them laughing. Somewhere in this plan, Shane had platonically fallen for Scott and what started as a “simple” coming out plan to the first openly gay guy in the MHL turned out to be something Shane wanted to do because him and Scott had become so close and it warmed his heart to see his boyfriend and his friend get along. It felt the same as seeing Ilya hanging out with Hayden.
There was one snag though. Ilya approached Shane, “Please do not hate me.” Shane furrowed his eyebrows, “Maybe I said something stupid.”
“What did you do?”
“I mentioned the cottage.”
“I’m sorry… what?”
“I accidentally mentioned it when they were talking about a holiday they had last summer. I do not know I said something stupid without thinking.”
“What did you say?”
“They told me they had seen wildlife and I told them to not tell you because you have a little book where you drew all the birds you saw around the cottage.”
Shane groaned but, “That’s not awful - “
“Then I said, “It’s beautiful there.”.” Shane was silent. Then he remembered where they were, so he turned around and walked away.
——————
Okay so they needed to come up with a reason why Ilya was at the cottage. It was suspicious right to have two guys, who had previously had the most intense rivalry, to hang out a private cottage in the middle of nowhere. Shane settled on the story that he would often host gatherings for his team and host them for a few days, and the last one that he’d had, he invited Ilya. It was a total lie. The only people to see their cottage where Shane’s parents, the Pikes and Rose. However, it did give Shane an opportunity to throw a casual invitation to Scott and Kip. It wasn’t weird to invite a couple to stay at your private home that was a plane journey and long road trip away? Right?
Regardless of how weird it might have been to ask, Scott and Kip had said yes. Now onto the final part of the plan.
Step 4 - Tell Scott Hunter Come out to Scott and Kip Hunter at the cottage.
“So, Scott is on his way, and Hayden will join tomorrow morning with the family?”
“Yep.” Shane said preparing for the barbeque he’d planned for Scott and Kip.
Ilya hugged Shane from behind, “So we tell them tonight?” he pressed a kiss to Shane’s ear.
“I guess.” Ilya knew when his boyfriend was worried. He kissed his ear again and then trailed down slightly till he was kissing the back of his neck.
“Ilyaaa.” Shane whined.
“Shchenok, we have time. You can gimme a small kiss.” Ilya kept kissing his throat, more open mouthed but when Ilya used his tongue Shane groaned loudly. It almost drowned out the sound of the doorbell and Shane felt so stupid because they could have easily been caught and his whole plan would have been for nothing.
Shoving Ilya away, Shane raced to the door and greeted Scott and Kip. He showed them to their room to let them settle in and told them that Ilya was out on the patio because when he heard there was a barbeque he simply had to come and show him how to do it right. Shane would have liked it if Scott and Kip had been more surprised.
“Feel free to help yourself to anything. Drinks are in the fridge, but I’ll be in the kitchen doing some prep for dinner if you need anything.”
———————
“Rozanov wasn’t lying, this place is beautiful.” Scott said.
“Understatement.” was all Kip could reply with. Actually, Kip did have more to say, “I wonder how many times Ilya’s been here.”
“Well, the fact that he’s well acquainted with the barbeque is suspicious.”
“He might keep a toothbrush here.”
“He might keep some clothes here.” Scott chimed in, raising his eyebrows suggestively, finally giving in to his husband’s insane ways. Kip squealed quietly.
“I wish we could snoop but Ilya’s probably got the nose of a bloodhound and would suspect instantly.” Scott laughed. They unpacked some of their things before wandering into the more communal areas of the house. Wow there were a lot of windows.
They turned a corner and Kip couldn’t tell if he was surprised or not to see Ilya sprawled on a sofa changing the channel. “I hope you like Hockey, Hunter because that is what we are watching.”
“I’m sorry?” Hunter replied,
“Hockey? Is a sport with sticks on ice. I know you don’t know much about it.” Kip laughed at that breaking the tension before joining Ilya on the sofa.
“I didn’t know that you were gonna be here.”
“Yes, Shane has good TV but cannot barbeque, so I am here to help.” Scott scoffed but joined his boyfriend and the bane of his existence on the sofa.
“So, you are here a lot, huh?” Scott followed up.
“Yes,” Ilya said, very matter of fact, “It is a good place to meet for business, Shane likes his space and the view is pretty.” Scott and Kip nodded their heads in consideration then-
“Ilya,” Shane said loudly, “I need you to- “He cut off his words when he saw that Kip and Scott were with him. Kip had had his suspicions but now that he was seeing substantial evidence, he didn’t know what to do.
“Is okay I help.” Ilya said, excusing himself from the living room. Kip looked at Scott with the biggest smile on his face.
“Okay you might be on to something.”
————————
Shane was pacing. It was never good when Shane paced. “I think I’m having a panic.”
“Is okay.” Ilya went in to hug his boyfriend, but Shane shoved him away.
“Ilya, we can’t.”
“Okay, so what can we do? We will still tell them today?”
“Yeah, I just need the right words.”
“Take your time, we do not need to rush.”
Ilya loved his boyfriend. Loved him so much. He loved him so much that he wanted to declare it, even if it was to Scott Hunter. He wanted to tell Scott that he’d been important to him, and he wanted Shane to feel comfortable telling his newest friend.
Shane rounded everyone up and called them outside to sit around the fire to eat the burgers that Ilya had been preparing. There was a side table filled with condiments and some drinks, and the Hunters had no issue in digging in. There was a light tension in the air that wasn’t entirely uncomfortable, but Ilya couldn’t just sit in silence.
“How are you liking the burgers?” Ilya asked and before anyone could answer Shane was on his feet and saying something about getting something from the kitchen and walked off. “I will be back.” Ilya declared following Shane.
Shane was pacing twice as fast as he had been before. Head hung low and breathing heavily.
“Hollander now you are having panic attack.”
“It’s okay I can do this.”
“Do you want me to tell them?”
“No, I can do it, I just need to rehearse what I’m gonna say.”
“Shane, can I say something you might not like?” Shane nodded his head slightly, “They probably know.”
“What? How? Did they say something?”
“Scott Hunter is not stupid, and his husband is very intelligent.”
“What are you saying? That we just go outside and not even tell them and let them work it out?”
“It might be good?”
“No Ilya, we didn’t put in all this effort to just let them suspect. I have to say it.”
“Okay. Will you trust me?” Ilya’s voice was so soft, and Shane hadn’t even realised that Ilya was cupping his face. Shane nodded and Ilya pulled him towards the door, back outside to face the music.
————
“Do you think they’re kissing in there?” Kip said with another huge smile on his face that earned a shove from Scott. A few seconds later, Shane and Ilya appeared on the patio again. They weren’t holding anything, so the excuse to get something was obviously a lie.
Kip couldn’t hold it in anymore, he needed answers and he needed them now. It was time for him to enact his plan. He waited for the pair to sit down, and they did. Surprisingly close.
“Ya know Rozanov,” Kip started, “When Scott and I started dating, he could hardly get through a sentence without complaining about you. Who’d have thought we’d be sat by your campfire peacefully together in the Canadian mountains? You’re not as bad as people say you are.” Kip really hoped that Shane and Ilya noticed that he’d called it Ilya’s firepit, but his husband had to butt in. However, Kip was happy to hear that Scott was prodding now too.
“Yeah, there’s almost been as much media attention about your guys’ personal rivalry coming to an end as there was…”
“When you kissed him after winning the cup.” Every smiled.
Shane chimed in, “Yeah, I know I’ve said it before but that was really something. It meant a lot to a lot of people.” Kip spotted instantly Ilya’s hand moving. Oh my! There was no way this was happening. Ilya Rozanov put his hand on Shane Hollander’s knee.
“It meant a lot to us.” Ilya said and punctuated it by squeezing his knee. Kip was aghast, this was everything he wanted but he also recognised that this was hard for Shane and that he was powerless to helping. Then Kip watched as Ilya’s hand that was on his knee trailed up till it rested on the back of Shane’s neck and squeezed gently again. He heard Ilya murmur Shane’s name along with a Russian quip. Kip wondered if it was a term of endearment and turned to his boyfriend hoping to see that Scott had noticed it too but instead, he saw a wide-eyed man. Apparently, they were both speechless.
“So?” Scott finally said, after there had been a few beats of Ilya smiling at Shane. At Scott’s words, Shane looked at Ilya and nodded slightly.
“Yes, Hunter.” Ilya said while turning to Scott. Kip and Scott were still speechless and so Ilya let out a playful groan and proclaimed, “I am gay, you are gay, he is gay. Do I need to say more?”
“And the two of you are-?” Kip started.
“Yes.” Ilya said so matter of factly. Scott sank backwards in the chair, now processing the information and Shane had finally looked up to assess the situation.
“Can I ask how long?” Kip asked.
“Well, boyfriends since when you two kissed on the ice but we have been, umm together, since. the summer before our rookie season.” Ilya nudged Shane, and Kip smiled to see that Shane was now smiling ever so slightly.
Scott launched forward in his seat, “Your rookie season?!” It was sheer disbelief.
“Summer before, yes.” Ilya said.
“I knew it!” And Kip was standing to his feet and jumping a little in the air while pumping his fist. “I told you, didn’t I Scott! I knew there was something! Aww you guys this is really great.” Kip returned to his sitting position and the rest of the group were in different stages of smiling to huffing out small laughs.
Scott leaned forward, patting Shane’s knee. “Thanks for trusting us.” Scott smiled and Shane smiled back, “So, why tell us now?”
Shane smiled, “There’s actually been a long elaborate plan leading to this point because we wanted to say thank you, I guess. But also, you’ve become one of my closest friends and I genuinely wanted to tell you. Both of you.”
“And it would have been weird if you saw us go into the same room tonight.” Again, everyone was in some kind of state of smiling or laughing. It was a moment of pure joy.
“Really though,” Ilya said more seriously, “we might not have gotten to this point if not for you.” Ilya grabbed for his boyfriend’s hand, thrilled to finally be able to show some physical affection.
Scott whispered a short “wow” under his breath. “Thank you guys, this means a lot that you would trust us.
The four of them then just looked around the circle once again. This was a big moment, yet no one really knew what to say. It was perfect. Kip loved to see their contentment.
“Okay,” Ilya stood rubbing his hands together, “I think is time for marshmallows.”