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Cormeau’s wedding, 2019
Hayden
Because it was both the off season and a wedding, nobody was supposed to be talking about hockey. In fact, it had been strictly banned by order of the team WAGs.
So the hockey team table at the wedding were forced to talk about other things. Like babies and summer plans and holidays and toddler tantrums. Naturally, as the topic of conversation was about something other than hockey, Shane was quiet. He'd turned up stag. Yet again. Not that Hayden was at all shocked; he had offered to set him up with an amazing girl that Jackie knew, so that Shane wouldn't be the only one at the wedding without a date, but he'd been shot down. Yet again.
Hayden was getting worried about Shane. It had been ages since he'd dated anyone, and now most of the team had wives or fiancés, and kids. Hayden didn't want Shane to be alone; he was too good of a guy for that. Any girl would be lucky to have him! And lots of girls knew it too, which was why it was so damn peculiar that Shane was so averse to dating.
He guessed maybe it was hard to lower your standards after dating the Rose Landry.
“Guys, holy fuck, guys!” Drapeau's voice cut off Jackie.
Taylor crowded round whatever Drapeau was looking at on his phone, and then laughed after a moment. “Holy fuck, you guys have to seen this? Holy fuck.”
Hayden glanced at the bride and groom; knowing them it had to be about hockey to get them this excited.
Cormeau's wife looked exasperated. “This better not be hockey related.”
Twin looks of guilt appeared on Drapeau and Taylor's faces.
She sighed. “I’m guessing that means it is.”
“Come on guys, lets not break this early. No hockey talk, we promised.” Shane said.
Oh, sweet Shane. Hayden could see all the women just melt whenever he spoke.
"Thank you, Shane!"
"Exactly, listen to your Captain." Jackie said.
J.J ignored the women's objections, crowding around the phone. His reaction was priceless; his jaw dropping fully open. Damn, now Hayden really wanted to see whatever it was.
J.J glanced up at Shane, and laughed. “Trust me, dude, you’re going to want to see this more than anyone.”
Well, that was weird. Something Shane in particular would want to know about.
Shane’s reaction was even weirder. He suddenly went all pale. “What do you mean?”
Hayden glanced at Jackie and she huffed, and nodded, as if to say 'fine, go ahead, talk about hockey'. Hayden's wife was the best.
Drapeau turned the phone around and they all crowded around it.
Holy. Shit.
“Ilya Rozanov traded from the Boston Bears to the Ottawa Centaurs.”
As he said. Holy. Shit.
“No fucking way.” Hayden said slowly.
This made zero sense. Why would Rozanov move to the worst team in the league? They were barely even a team. And surely this would mean a pay cut, too. There was no way that a small team like Ottawa would be able to afford the multi-million dollar salary the Bears had been paying him. Not to mention the fact that Ottawa was in the middle of nowhere, and had nothing going on except restaurants and a fuck load of museums. Not exactly Ilya Rozanov's scene.
“Now this is a cause for celebration.” JJ said. “I’m popping a bottle of champagne.”
“Excuse me?”
“Dude, is my wedding not enough of a celebration for you?” Cormeau asked.
J.J laughed sheepishly. “Sorry!”
The bride's mouth pressed together in a thin line.
Taylor blew out a breath. “Christ. I wonder what happened.”
“I reckon he got booted for being a complete asshole.”
“Yeah, right! I think being an asshole is a requirement to play for Boston.”
"I mean, it had to be Boston's decision, right?" Taylor asked.
"Oh, for sure." J.J responded. "There is no one crazy enough to voluntarily leave Boston for Ottawa. Not even Rozanov is that mental."
“Yeah, I mean, it's insane.” Shane spoke up, finally.
Hayden whirled on his best friend. “That’s all you have to say?”
Shame just shrugged, sipping his ginger beer.
Hayden frowned. “Come on, dude, you’ve won!”
Shane just laughed. “Won what?”
Hayden threw his hands up in the air. “I don’t know, your whole rivalry thing! I know it wasn’t technically a competition, but if it was, you’ve definitely won. God, Rozanov is never going to lift another Stanley again, my life is complete.”
Weirdly, Shane's lips turned down into a frown for a brief moment, before he smiled. "Yeah, totally."
“This is the best day of my life.” J.J agreed. “Second best,” he amended quickly, when his fiancée smacked him on the arm.
Hayden laughed. This was a pretty great day.
BREAKING NEWS: ILYA ROZANOV TRADED BY BEARS TO OTTAWA CENTUARS
Date 13th August 2019
By Maxine Cooley
In what might be the most shocking news of the year in hockey, it has been announced by the Boston Bears that their star centre is leaving them for the Ottawa Centaurs, famously the worst team in the league.
In the statement released jointly by the Boston Bears' management team and Ilya Rozanov, it is stated to be a mutual decision that was, for Rozanov, because of personal reasons. This shockingly vague wording has left us all wondering what happened. It was only last season that the Boston Bears' Coach was singing Rozanov's praises for being an amazing player and Captain. And there had been no signs from Rozanov that this was his intention, either, as he was recorded saying many statements that indicated his intention to be with the Bears for the rest of his career.
We can only speculate on the 'personal reasons' that would make a star like Rozanov throw away his career by moving to the Ottawa Centaurs, however if anything further is revealed, trust us, you'll hear it here first!
Ottawa, 2019
Hayden
Hayden skated forward with the puck in possession. They'd already scored three goals against Ottawa, and he was confident they could score another two before the buzzer went. The team really was living up to its reputation as the worst team in the league. Sure, they had Rozanov now, but even that didn't do much if the players couldn't even get the puck to Rozanov for long enough for him to score.
Oh, it was going to be so much fun rubbing it in Rozanov's smug face when they won five-nil.
Once again, Hayden wondered why the hell Rozanov chose to do this.
@mrsrozanov81
this is PAINFUL to watch oh my god, ilya why are you forcing me to support this team??? WHY
@hockeyfxn1989
Okay, but does anyone actually know why Rozanov got traded? Seriously, I will take any information.
@ir81
Responding to @hockeyfxn1989
i heard it was because he punched a teammate
@hockeyfxn1989
Responding to @ir81
Who? Where did you find this out?
@bbearsforeva
Responding to @hockeyfxn1989 and @ir81
This is definitely not true. It seems like he is still on good terms with most the team from what I've heard.
@81isthebest
if the fucking voyagers beat boston this year because rozanov got traded i might have to change my username fr
@kitkatkatie
is anyone else watching this car crash of a game that ottawa is playing?
Hayden's house, 2019
Taylor
Taylor stretched out on the sofa, yawning slightly.
"You're not tired of watching Rozanov get his ass handed to him already, are you?" J.J asked, grinning.
Taylor grinned back. "Never."
They were at Hayden's house, as usual, watching one of the first games of the season. It was looking like Ottawa was going to be knocked out in the first round, shocking absolutely no one.
"I still can't understand what made Rozanov do this."
Taylor nodded. "He's thrown away his whole career, for what?"
"It's weird, dude. Like, unheard of." Cormeau added.
"Whatever the reason, I bet the Centaurs are happy, though. He's a good player." Shane finally spoke up.
The entire room whirled on him.
Shane held up his hands, defensive. "What? He is."
Hayden threw his hands up, exasperated. "You're telling me you don't care what the reason is?"
"I never said that, I just think we should let it go. We're never going to find out, so," Shane shrugged.
"Dude!"
Shane laughed. "You guys are kind of obsessed with him."
"Gross!"
Hayden pointed his finger in Shane's face. "You take that back."
Shane laughed again.
They watched the screen as the post-game interview starts.
"So, Mr Rozanov, can you give us anymore insight into your move to the Ottawa Centaurs?"
"Was mutual decision."
"Right, but it was stated in your statement that it was also for personal reasons?"
"Yes."
"Can you tell us more about that?"
Rozanov shrugged.
"Was it for a special someone?"
A brief smile graced his lips.
The reporters latch onto it like sharks scenting blood in the water.
"Is that a yes?"
"Mr Rozanov, did you move to Ottawa for a relationship?"
"Who is she?"
Next to him Shane inhaled sharply.
"Maybe."
The noise of shouted out questions from the reporters is instantaneous. Rozanov just shrugs.
"We talk about hockey now, yes?"
The room was silent for a beat.
Ilya Rozanov in a committed relationship. One that he'd jeopardised his career for.
Hayden burst. "What the hell was that?"
"Surely not."
"He was just fucking with them, I bet."
"True," J.J nodded. "He probably just didn't want to tell them the truth."
"Yeah," Taylor nodded. "There's no way, right?"
@rozanovloverrrr
DID ANYONE ELSE JUST WITNESS THAT SMILE??? THAT CAUSAL 'MAYBE'??? HELLO??? in case anyone is not chronically online like me, ilya rozanov just announced he left the bears for a WOMAN!!!!!
@montrealmmetros
Responding to @rozanovloverrrr
is this confirmed??
@puckme81
Responding to @rozanovloverrrr
WHOEVER SHE IS, SHE IS THE LUCKIEST GIRL EVER OMG IMAGINE THE ILYA ROZANOV SWITCHING TEAMS BECAUSE OF YOU
@bostongirlxo
Responding to @rozanovloverrrr
did anyone else not know that rozanov was even seeing someone?? this is literally the first i'm hearing of this and now he's fucking changing teams for her wtf
Hayden's house, 2020
Hayden
The three of them were sat on his sofa in the living room. The TV was playing but Hayden was barely focusing on it, too busy noticing his toddler pulling at the plug on the wall. He moved, as if going to chew on the wire, as Hayden had prevented him from doing countless times. He jumped up and swiped Arthur up before he could get there, gently shushing him when he started crying.
Hayden sighed as Arthur refused to stop screaming, as if Hayden hadn't just stopped him from chewing through an electrical wire. Kids; so ungrateful.
Hayden flicked through the channels until he found a sports channel. Unfortunately, it was a replay of one of Rozanov's interviews, with three presenters dissecting both the interview and Rozanov's games since moving to Ottawa.
Arthur's cries subsided. He watched the TV with fascination as a reel of Rozanov played. Hayden sighed in relief and kissed the top of his son's head, shushing him gently.
"Dude, do we really have to see his face off season?" Drapeau groaned.
"Look, it got Arthur to stop crying so it's staying on."
"Ha!" J.J laughed. "You're telling me that watching Rozanov is what your son enjoys?"
Hayden scowled. "No. He's just a hockey prodigy already. He's watching to get ahead of the game." He bounced his son. "Aren't you? Hm?"
"Right." J.J grinned.
"Yeah, Hayden's son being Rozanov's number one fan-"
"Actually, get fucked-"
"Language!" Jackie called out.
"Shane would die if he saw this."
Hayden glared at him. "Well, it's a good thing no one will ever hear of this, then, isn't it?"
"No promises, dude." Drapeau laughed.
They watched as the presenter made a comment about one of Rozanov's new teammates. At one point, he'd thought maybe Rozanov had some plan that would become clear, but no. There was still no apparent reason for the move.
"Has anyone heard from Shane? It's been like two weeks since I texted him, and nothing." J.J complained suddenly.
Hayden exchanged a glance with Jackie. It had been a topic of concern between the two of them for most of the off season: how cut off from everyone else Shane seemed. It wasn't healthy the way he spent so much time alone in that cottage, with only his parents nearby for company.
He'd sent numerous texts inviting Shane over, or suggesting things to do, but he'd heard nothing back. At the beginning of the off season, Hayden had been in semi-regular contact with Shane, but he had a million kids who were absolutely filthy animals 24 hours a day, and so he was busy. Then, he'd noticed that Shane hadn't responded in over a week, at which point he'd started to get concerned.
"No," Hayden said. "I haven't,"
J.J's brows raised as Drapeau shook his head.
Okay, now Hayden was really getting worried.
"Do you think maybe you should go and check on him?" Jackie suggested, gnawing on her bottom lip in the way she always did when she got anxious.
"I'm sure he's fine," Drapeau said dismissively.
"I think you should," Jackie said. "I don't know, maybe take him out, get him to have some fun."
"I don't know guys, maybe we should." Hayden said.
"Er, does anyone actually know where Hollander lives off season?" Drapeau asked.
J.J shrugged.
"I actually have his address somewhere, wait one second-" Jackie said before disappearing into the other room.
Jackie wasn't going to take no for an answer, and so it was decided, they would go check on Shane.
Shane’s cottage, 2020
J.J
J.J shut the car door, taking in the enormous house in front of him. This was Shane's 'cottage'?
J.J had never been here before. He'd heard Shane talking about it, naturally, it was where he went every summer break. Everyone who knew Shane knew that. But no one had ever been invited. Not even Hayden, apparently. The only way they'd gotten the address was through Jackie, who'd gotten it from Shane's mom a few years ago when Shane had been injured and Jackie had wanted to send a care package.
Drapeau and Hayden walked with him up to the front door.
"Well, is someone knocking or are we just going to stand here like morons?" J.J asked.
Hayden rolled his eyes, but knocked.
They heard footsteps behind the door, and it swung open.
J.J's jaw drops at who he sees on the other side.
Instead of seeing Shane, as they'd naturally expected, it's Ilya fucking Rozanov who's answered the door.
An Ilya Rozanov who was wearing a white tank top and a pair of joggers with the words 'MONTREAL VOYAGERS' printed in blue and red up the side of his leg.
All four of them are frozen, staring at one another in sheer disbelief.
Rozanov steps back slightly. “Erm."
Hayden splutters incredulously. Neither J.J nor Drapeau manage to say anything. J.J thinks his brain might be broken. Maybe he's in a coma and he'd having some sort of insane fever dream. He's trying to remember whether he hit his head yesterday.
"Shane?” Rozanov shouts, looking uncertain.
J.J doesn't know what is more unbelievable, the fact that Ilya Rozanov of all people looks anything other than smug or furious, or, the fact that he just called Shane, 'Shane'.
“Yeah?”
That was definitely Shane's voice coming from inside the house.
What the fuck?
“Come here.” Rozanov shouts back.
“In a minute!”
“No. Come now.”
Rozanov glanced back at them, looking wary as his eyes flickered between their faces.
“Quit bossing me around, asshole, I said I’m coming!”
Rozanov huffed a laugh that was half amused, half panicked.
J.J felt like he’d taken a puck to the face.
They heard footsteps and suddenly Shane appeared, shirtless and just in shorts. As soon as he saw them in the doorway, he went white as a sheet.
"Oh, fuck."
"Yes." Rozanov said.
"Oh, fuck." Shane repeated, his voice wavering.
Finally, J.J felt his voice return to him. "What the fuck is going on here?"
Shane came closer to them. "What are you guys doing here?"
Drapeau scoffed. "Answer J.J's question, Hollander."
Shane looked between them. The expression on his face was one J.J recognised; one of desperate, blinding panic. It reminded him of when he'd taken a puck to the face, suffering a terrible concussion and three teeth out. At the time, his Captain had been both panicked and furious, and J.J had thought how nice it had been for someone to care about him that damn much.
For that, J.J will hear Shane out. Whatever this is: cheating, doping, whatever the scandal is, he'll hear him out.
"You guys should come in." Shane said. "Come on."
Hayden still hadn't said anything, and so J.J looked at him, silently asking what they were going to do about his. Hayden ignored him and stormed into the house after Shane and Rozanov. J.J exchanged a glance with Drapeau, and followed Hayden inside.
They shuffled through the hallway and into the large, open-plan living room. Rozanov had already made himself comfortable on the large sofa in front of the TV. Shane didn't even spare a glance even though Ilya goddamn Rozanov was lounging on his sofa. He was acting as if this whole weird domestic scene was normal.
Shane gestured to the other seats around the TV, and they all sat while Shane tugged on a hoodie that had been left on the arm of the sofa.
He glanced at a set of photo frames on the mantel, and it suddenly became clear why he’d never been invited to Shane’s 'cottage' before.
It also became very clear why Rozanov was here in the first place.
One was of the two of them, barely seventeen or maybe eighteen, in full hockey gear and laughing. J.J recognised it as the photoshoot they’d done as rookies. The next one was of what was clearly a younger Rozanov next to a tall, beautiful looking blonde woman.
The last was on a deck overlooking a lake, with Shane laughing at the camera while Rozanov kissed his temple.
So. That was it.
Shane was in some sort of twisted, secret relationship with Ilya Rozanov.
The man who had been their worst rival for a decade.
The man who Shane had supposedly hated for a decade, who had broken Taylor's collarbone, who'd insulted Hayden more times than anyone could remember.
Finally, Hayden spoke up. “What the fuck is this?”
“You do not have eyes, Pike?” Rozanov retorted.
Hayden’s face went from angry to furious. “Oh, fuck you-“
“Ilya, please.” Shane said, rubbing his face.
Rozanov looked immediately chastised, and, if circumstances had been different, J.J would definitely be making fun of Rozanov for being so damn whipped.
Maybe now was not the time, however.
He was too busy trying to get his brain to start functioning again.
“Guys, please. I can explain-“
Drapeau snorted incredulously. “Yeah, I should fucking hope so-“
Rozanov glared as the other man raised his voice at Shane.
“We explain, yes. But save this macho-man bullshit for rink, yes? Not here."
“Ilya!”
“Sorry, moy llyboyv.”
Shane immediately softened.
Meanwhile, J.J was watching the interaction as if he’d never seen Shane before.
“We- um.” Shane started. He was twisting his hands round and round, fiddling in a way that J.J had seen many times before whenever Shane got nervous.
It was silent for a few beats.
“We’re lovers.” Rozanov offered.
“What the fuck?” Hayden said.
"What?"
Partly J.J understood: the shock of it all was too much. But really, he was also concerned about his teammates' observation skills.
Shane groaned. “Stop saying that, oh my God!”
“What? Is not true?”
Shane flushed. “Just-“
“You two. You’re like- together?” Drapeau asked, his eyes flickering between the two of them.
“Christ, I’m gonna be sick.” Hayden said faintly.
Shane’s head reared back and Rozanov immediately stood. “Then fucking leave, Pike.”
Hayden realised what he’d said and held his hands up, a look of panic on his face. “No. No, I didn’t mean- Shane I’m fine with you being gay, I swear-“
Rozanov rolled his eyes. “Someone give this man a medal-“
“For fuck's sake, Ilya-“
“I’m just shocked. I mean, can you blame me?”
Though the question wasn’t aimed at him, J.J responded. “No.”
He felt similarly. He was fine that Shane was gay. He knew people in the league would have a problem with it, but he was not like that. He didn't give a fuck.
It was the lying that he hated. Years of it.
That felt too much like a betrayal.
“This is officially too much for me to handle.” Drapeau said, moving as if to leave.
Shane looked even more panicked than before. “No, wait- wait. Look you can’t tell anyone!”
“Why the hell not, Hollander? We’re your teammates, we deserve to know what our captain is doing with another fucking captain!”
“I know- I know. I’m so sorry I lied, but can’t you understand? Please. Just- if this gets out Ilya can never go home. Russia- it’s not-“
J.J noticed Shane’s hands were trembling.
Apparently Rozanov had also noticed, as he clasped Shane’s hand and squeezed it reassuringly. J.J couldn’t tear his eyes away from the casual display of care and intimacy.
Drapeau looked unsure. “What?”
Rozanov sighed, looking uncomfortable. “It is not just because of hockey and stupid rivalry that we keep this secret. In my country it is illegal to - er -“ He glanced at Shane.
“Promote.”
Rozanov nodded in thanks. It was like they could read each other's minds. Rozanov just had to pause in the middle of a sentence, and Shane would give him the English he was looking for.
“Promote gay relationship. I am public figure. My relationship could be seen as promoting it, because is so public. And even if not, people would not like it- I doubt my family would be happy for me to come back.”
J.J blew out a breath. “Fuck.”
Rozanov snorted. “Yes. Fuck.”
“This is still fucked. You still lied!” Drapeau said.
“I will not tell and I do not care that you are gay, Shane. But Drapeau is right. This was a big thing to keep from us.” J.J said.
Shane sighed. “I know.”
The doorbell rang, and Shane immediately tensed. Rozanov patted Shane’s thigh. “I will get door.”
Rozanov left, making his way out the room. JJ watched him leave, eyeing the 'MONTREAL VOYAGERS' print up the side of his leg.
“Who the fuck are you, dude?” Hayden said. “I mean- seriously? Do we know anything about you?”
“Of course you do! I’m still me. Exactly the same. Just-“
“Just playing house with Ilya goddamn Rozanov.” Drapeau finished.
The four of them all fell silent.
What else was there to say?
Shane and Ilya's cottage, 2020
Hayden
Rozanov had returned after putting the takeaway food in the kitchen. The kitchen of the house that he apparently lived in. With Shane.
Hayden’s mind was whirling, replaying every conversation he’d ever had with Shane about Rozanov in his head.
Suddenly, he had to know everything. Had it all been a lie? In every single conversation they'd ever had about Rozanov, had Shane been lying to him?
“How long has this been going on, then?”
Shane and Rozanov exchanged glances, and Hayden felt a pit forming in his stomach.
“How long?” Hayden repeated.
“Since rookie year-“
“It’s complicated.” They spoke at the same time.
Hayden watched as J.J’s jaw dropped.
“That long?”
"Jesus." Hayden muttered. "You lied, all this time. You said you hated him, for fucks sake."
Bizarrely, both men seemed to find that amusing.
Shane shrugged. "That wasn't a lie. I mean, I did hate him. For years."
"Now he does not. Simple."
Hayden choked on an incredulous laugh. "Simple. Yeah. That's one word for it."
"Yes. We were fuck buddies-"
"God, I hate whoever taught you that word-" Shane muttered.
"Then, we become more. He decides he does not hate me so much, after all." Rozanov finished and shrugged. "So, yes. Simple."
“So this is like- a relationship. Like for real.” Drapeau mumbled. "Christ."
“You did not get that from me living here, Drapeau?”
“Wait. You live here. Like full time?” Hayden asked, his mind whirring.
“Yes.”
"So... you're actually together?" Drapeau repeated.
Rozanov sighed. "Again. Yes. We are together. Boyfriends, whatever you want to call it, I don't care."
Distantly, he heard Drapeau say something else, but he couldn't focus on it. The pieces were slowly adding up.
Rozanov's move to Ottawa, for 'personal reasons'.
“Wait, is this why you left Boston? For Shane?” Hayden blurted out.
Drapeau and J.J clearly hadn't cottoned on as quickly as Hayden had, as they both inhaled sharply at the question.
Hayden looked between Shane and Rozanov. Shane's eyes flickered down, and Rozanov moved to put his hand over Shane's.
“Christ,” J.J muttered.
"You left Boston for Shane?"
Hayden's heart was pounding in his chest all of a sudden. It was if the information overload was catching up to him.
Hayden thought back over the last year of debates the team had had over this very topic of conversation. He thought of the sports broadcasters consistently discussing why Rozanov had been traded and entire twitter threads that Hayden had been tagged in, where people online broke down every shred of evidence about Rozanov's move.
And Shane had known the reason the entire time, because it had been for him.
Hayden knew Rozanov. He'd known him for years. Known him as the guy who'd never settle down, who loved disgusting, garishly coloured sports cars, drinking, fucking, partying, and pissing people off. He'd never seen any other side to him. And now, to be told that that guy who he'd thought he'd known as a heartless asshole had given up his NHL star career to move in with Shane.
Oh God, Hayden was going to have to start liking Ilya Rozanov.
“Wait, you never threw a game for him, did you?” Drapeau asked suddenly.
Both men looked instantly furious, and Hayden felt exactly the same.
Apparently, J.J had similar suspicions as Drapeau. “Well?”
“How dare you?” Rozanov snarled. "Go fuck yourself-"
"Ilya-"
“Well? It’s a real concern? I don’t think it’s unreasonable to think-“
“Yes, it is. If you knew Shane at all you would not ask this.”
“Well, clearly we don’t know him as well as you do, Rozanov-“
“You really think I would do this?” Shane asked. “You really think I would throw away my career like that? That I would in any way jeopardise the team’s chances? The team which I’ve given everything to for the last decade?"
"Dude, I-"
"Who works harder than Shane? Does anyone else attend every single practice and then go home and read hockey strategy books? Who else is on fucking disgusting macrobiotic diet?" Rozanov was very obviously fuming.
Silence.
Shane blew out a shaky breath, his eyes glassy with unshed tears. "I've given everything to this team. I hide my relationship with the man I love, and have done for years, for the team. And you think I would, what - let him score just to make him happy? If you really think that then you can get the fuck out of my house. Now.”
None of them moved. Hayden’s shoulders dropped with the relief of it. This was still salvageable.
"Anyway, Shane does not need to let me win. I beat him, easy."
Rozanov smirked as Shane threw daggers at him. It was the first time Hayden had recognised Rozanov the entire time he'd been here.
"I don't think you would do that, Shane." Hayden said, glaring at Drapeau. "No one thinks that, do they?"
J.J sighed, but shook his head. "No. I'm sorry, Capitaine."
Hayden nodded, satisfied. He turned to Shane, the man who'd been his best friend for so many years. "I'm sorry... we've reacted poorly."
Drapeau scoffed.
"No, no- it's fine. It's a shock, I get that. And, for what it's worth, I'm really sorry that I lied, but can you see why we couldn't tell people about this?"
"I get it. I know it can't be easy being in the NHL and being- erm," Hayden stumbled over his words uncertainly.
"Gay." Rozanov provided. "You can say it, is not catching."
Hayden scowled, and he felt his cheeks heat with embarrassment. "I never said that, I just wasn't sure-"
Shane cut him off, saving him any more humiliation. "It's fine, Hayd, really. You've been better about this than I expected, really."
Hayden smiled, relieved.
No matter whatever weirdness was happening here, Shane was still his best friend.
“So, now what?” Drapeau asked.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, do you really expect us to pretend we don’t know about this?”
“I-“
“Sorry, but the team deserves to know.” J.J said.
“I know. I know.” Shane put his head in his hands.
Rozanov leant forward, resting his hand on Shane's knee. “Shane. I think we should just tell everyone.”
Shane's face dropped. “No!”
“I know you do not want to. It will change our careers, obviously. People will have a lot to say. But I am ready, if you are.”
“No, Ilya, your family, your home-“
“Russia has not been home for long time. You are my family. You, Yuna, David. And Anya.”
Shane’s eyes glistened with unshed tears.
Oh.
This was more than a relationship. This was, like, serious. Family.
Rozanov shrugged. “I will apply for citizenship. Become a boring Canadian."
“Okay?” Shane laughed, disbelieving. "That easy, is it?"
“Maybe you should give me citizenship.” Rozanov waggled his eyebrows.
Shane frowned and then Rozanov’s meaning apparently dawned on him. “Oh, for fucks sake.”
“What?” Rozanov asked, the picture of innocence.
“Ilya, you are not proposing like this, you asshole.”
Rozanov pouted. “Fine. Your loss. I would be amazing husband.”
Shane’s lips turned up into an amused smile. “I’m sure.” He said dryly. “Not at all a pain in my ass.”
Rozanov’s smirk deepened. Hayden looked away at the sickening domesticity between the two.
Rozanov stood, pausing to plant a kiss on the top of Shane's head.
“I am done with this now. My food is definitely cold now.”
With that, Rozanov left and made his way into the kitchen.
A second later, they heard the microwave going.
"One second, guys." Shane got up, making his way into the kitchen. “Ilya, that better be covered.”
They could hear their voices easily.
“Yeah, like I have - what is it - death wish.”
“Very funny.” They heard Shane say flatly.
“Is true. I fear for my life if you discover I make mess in my own kitchen.”
“Whatever.”
The three exchanged glances as if to say ‘what the fuck’.
Then, quieter, Rozanov spoke up. “What do you think about what I said?”
“About us telling people?”
“Da.”
“I’m scared.”
Oh, Shane.
“I know, sweetheart. Is scary thing. People are assholes.”
Sweetheart.
Christ.
This was utterly bizarre.
Shane laughed wetly.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Then he spoken in Russian, to which Shane responded also in Russian.
“Shane speaks Russian?” J.J asked.
Drapeau pursed his lips together. “Apparently.”
“This makes no fucking sense.”
“You’re telling me! I didn’t even know Hollander was gay!”
“Did you know?” J.J asked Hayden.
Hayden looked at the carpet. “No. I didn’t know anything.”
"And Shane being the reason why Rozanov moved to Ottawa? Seriously!" Drapeau said.
J.J scoffed. "Dude, you are telling me. This whole fucking time we wondered why."
“Never in a million years would I have expected this. It seriously makes no sense.”
Hayden said nothing.
Hayden thought about how intense the two were. How competitive Shane was, and how he never enjoyed himself more than when someone pushed him. How Rozanov had moved to Ottawa for Shane, to the worst team in the league. The little touches he’d witnessed. Shane’s privacy over his love life, and his refusal to be set up with the countless women Hayden had suggested.
Maybe it didn't have to make sense. Not to them, anyway.
He was never going to be Rozanov’s biggest fan - in fact, he would go as far as to say he still absolutely despised Rozanov - but if Shane was finally happy, then maybe Hayden didn't care whether it made sense or not.