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MVP award night, 2017
Scott Hunter
The second Scott Hunter noticed Rozanov walking towards him and Kip, he felt his stomach drop.
The week leading up to the MVP awards night had been simultaneously the best and most anxiety inducing of his life. He felt the huge relief of finally being out, the constant weight of his secret finally gone, he was with Kip, and his team had been more than supportive. However, this was hockey, and Scott wasn't some naïve kid. No matter what the league's social media had said about 'inclusivity' or 'diversity' or 'support', he knew he was going to be on his own against any snide comments.
Luckily for him, he had Carter and some of his other teammates surrounding him all night, so they'd mostly stuck to themselves. A few players had actually gone out of their way to congratulate him, specifically mentioning the Kiss, but they were few and far between. A lot of players had chosen the easy way out and avoided him, while pretending not to. He was almost glad of this; he didn't want Kip to have to deal with any bullshit because of him.
He figured that Rozanov would be the type to ignore him - not as bad as Kent, who'd called him a 'fag' in the bathroom not twenty minutes ago, but Scott had strong doubts that Rozanov would be prepared to celebrate the fact that Scott was here with a boyfriend instead of a girlfriend.
The guy was a pain in the ass, and annoying as hell, but he'd never thought of the man as malicious. Still, he was one of those aggressively straight guys who was pictured with different girl hanging off his arm in every city. And, not to stereotype, but the guy was Russian. Maybe it was bad of Scott to assume that every Russian guy would be homophobic, but it wasn't exactly a huge stretch of the imagination considering the views there.
Out of the corner of his eye, Scott noticed Kip glancing at him. He'd clearly noticed how tense Scott had suddenly gotten.
Scott gave him a weak smile that he knew Kip would never buy.
“You okay?” Kip said lowly, following his gaze to Rozanov.
“I think so. Not sure.” Scott responded quietly.
They both watched Rozanov as he made his way over.
"He looks... intense." Kip said into his champagne glass.
"Don't worry, there's only so much he can say here. It's not like we're in private or anything."
Kip's lips turned down in an unhappy frown, as they always did whenever Scott hinted at the rampant homophobia so deeply embedded in the game he loved so much. He knew a part of Kip would never understand how the two could co-exist for Scott, but it just did. He'd accepted that this was how it was, though a part of him was hopeful that things would change now. Maybe not immediately, but soon.
"Hunter. Hunter's boyfriend." Rozanov nodded in greeting.
Scott ground his teeth. "His name is Kip."
"Ah, hello, Kip." Rozanov grinned, wide and savage, and Scott braced himself for what was coming. "You know you are handsome, yes? You do not have to settle for old man over here."
Scott blinked and then scoffed. It took him almost a minute to comprehend that Rozanov hadn't, in fact, said anything homophobic, but was still an fucking asshole.
"You're an asshole, Rozanov."
Rozanov smirked. "This is true, I will admit. But does that mean I am wrong?"
Kip laughed and Scott's head whipped around. Kip shrugged at him, in a way that said 'what, it was funny'.
"Anyway, I wanted to congratulate you."
"...thank you." Scott said cautiously, knowing that this couldn't be it.
Where was the chirp he was waiting for?
"You are probably oldest to ever win Cup, so that is very impressive. They should give you special geriatric award."
There it was.
"Jesus fucking Christ, kid." Scott huffed a laugh. "You're a piece of work, you know that?"
"Ah, but I am funny." Rozanov shrugged, sipping his vodka. "And hot. Hotter than Hunter." He winked at Kip.
Kip's jaw flew open and Scott immediately pulled his boyfriend closer to him, uncaring that he was acting like a possessive caveman.
So what if Ilya Rozanov was 100% straight and definitely just trying to fuck with him? Scott still wasn't going to just stand there while fucking Rozanov flirted with his boyfriend.
Then, something even stranger happened. Rozanov's expression turned serious.
Oh God, what the fuck was he about to say now?
Rozanov lowered his voice considerably.
"I do want to say thank you, though. You were... very brave. I know it meant a lot to many people." Rozanov coughed into his drink and glanced away, trying to see casual. "I'm sure even many people in this room here tonight feel this way too."
Holy shit.
Was Rozanov saying what Scott thought he was?
Surely not.
Scott cleared his throat awkwardly. "Well, thank you for saying that, Rozanov. I hope you're right. Lots of people here have made it clear they think the opposite."
Rozanov's eyes narrowed. "Who? I will punch them. You know I am good at it."
Scott idly rubbed his jaw, remembering when Rozanov had got him good a few years ago. He couldn't believe what he was hearing; was Ilya Rozanov really offering to fight a few homophobes on Scott's behalf.
It was sort of... sweet.
Ugh.
It was kind of disgusting to think, but there was clearly a lot more to Rozanov than Scott had ever given him credit for.
"Scott!" It was his general manager, waving him over.
Scott glanced back. He still hadn't decided how on earth to respond to Rozanov's ridiculous yet generous offer.
"Scott, come here, there's someone who wants to talk to you-"
Scott stole a look at Kip. He did not feel comfortable leaving Kip alone surrounded by hockey players.
"Go," Kip said, smiling. "I'll be fine."
Rozanov smirked, his typical smug, shit-eating grin that Hunter wanted to wipe off his face. "Yes, go. I will look after Kip."
Reluctantly, Scott let himself get dragged away. He did not like the look of that smug grin on Rozanov's face - fine, Scott didn't have to worry about Rozanov being homophobic anymore, but even if he wasn't a scumbag, he was still Rozanov.
Still, with how he'd behaved tonight, maybe Scott didn't need to worry at all.
Ilya Rozanov
Hello Kip
Ilya Rozanov
Your boyfriend is going to lose very badly tonight
Ilya Rozanov
Prepare to comfort him
Kip
In your dreams, Rozanov
Kip
My man has the home ice advantage tonight
Kip
He's going to destroy you guys :)
Ilya Rozanov
Wow😞
Ilya Rozanov
I thought you were nice😞
Kip
Hi, this is Kip :)
Kip
I wanted to ask you a few questions about hockey
Ilya Rozanov
And you could not ask Hunter? He is not boyfriend anymore?
Ilya Rozanov
Is okay, you could do better than dinosaur
Kip
🙄
Kip
We’re still together.
Ilya Rozanov
Ah, I understand why you come to me
Ilya Rozanov
I am best player in league
Ilya Rozanov
Is smart choice to come to me😝
Kip
Never mind.
Ilya Rozanov
Call me. I will teach.
Kip Grady liked this message.
Ilya Rozanov
Tell Hunter his backhand is very bad
Ilya Rozanov
It needs work
Kip Grady disliked this message.
Hunter
Is it true you're being traded to Ottawa???
This message has been read by Ilya Rozanov.
Kip
Hey, heard about the Ottawa trade.
Kip
Are you okay?
Ilya Rozanov
Yes. Was my choice.
Kip
Wow, really?
Kip
Can I ask why?
Ilya Rozanov
For love
Ilya Rozanov
Don't tell anyone, I have reputation to keep
Ilya Rozanov
Not even Hunter
Kip
Woah.
Kip
This is so cute!
Kip
Your secret is safe with me :)
Kip
Can you tell me anything more about this mystery girl who's managed to lock Ilya Rozanov down?
Ilya Rozanov
We are very private. But she is very beautiful. Good at sports. Sexy in glasses. Travels for work. Is my number 1 fan ;)
Kip
Aw!
Kip
I meant more her name but fair enough haha
Ilya Rozanov
Oh
Ilya Rozanov
Is called Jane :)
Ilya Rozanov
But I say no more. We are very private.
Kip
Trust me, I get it!
Kip
Thank you for trusting me with this.
Ilya Rozanov
Thank you Kip
Ilya Rozanov
You are much too good for Hunter
Kip Grady disliked this message.
Ilya Rozanov
Hello Kip
Ilya Rozanov
Can I ask you question
Kip
Sure!
Kip
Are you okay?
Ilya Rozanov
Kind of.
Ilya Rozanov
How did you stand being kept secret by Hunter for so long?
Ilya Rozanov
At first was both of us who wanted to keep private, but now is too much for me. We want to get married but we still have told no one of relationship except her parents and some of her friends.
Ilya Rozanov
Is hard.
Kip
Okay.
Kip
And you haven’t told anyone?
Ilya Rozanov
Yes, his friends know but I have told no one.
Kip
His?
Kip is typing.
Ilya Rozanov
*Her
Ilya Rozanov
Ignore
Kip is typing.
Ilya Rozanov
Ah fuck
Ilya Rozanov
Yes is a man
Ilya Rozanov
I have boyfriend
Ilya Rozanov
He does not want to come out
Ilya Rozanov
I did not want to either for long time, because of family and hockey
Ilya Rozanov
But now I do
Kip
Oh
Ilya Rozanov
Yes
Kip
Honestly I didn't deal with it well. We broke up over it, actually. Which is not helpful advice, I know.
Ilya Rozanov
No this is very unhelpful
Kip
I know
Kip
Trust me, I've been where you are. Do you think it would make things easier if you broke up?
Ilya Rozanov
Never
Ilya Rozanov
I would never do this
Ilya Rozanov
Would rather die
Kip
Wow.
Kip
That's pretty romantic, actually
Kip
And kind of sad :(
Kip
What about if you came out, would that be possible? You don't have to tell people about your relationship, but maybe it would be a step in the right direction
Ilya Rozanov
No I cannot because people would realise we are together
Kip
Wow, really?
Ilya Rozanov
I cannot say more
Kip is typing.
Kip
I think you have to talk to him about this. I told Scott when it became too much, and it was fucking hard, but I think you have to do it.
Ilya Rozanov is typing.
Ilya Rozanov
I do not want to
Ilya Rozanov
Ugh why do we have to talk
Ilya Rozanov
I hate talking about feelings is disgusting
Ilya Rozanov
But I will do
Ilya Rozanov
Thank you for advice Kip
Kip
Anytime <3
Kip
I hope he knows how lucky he is <3
Ilya Rozanov
No I am lucky one.
Kip
Ilya are you okay???????
Kip
Please text if you're alright.
Kip
I heard about your team's plane.
Ilya Rozanov
Aw Kip you do care
Ilya Rozanov
I am okay
Ilya Rozanov
Better than okay😉
Ilya Rozanov
Boyfriend proposed🥰
Kip
WHAATTTTT
Kip
Holy fuck
Kip
CONGRATS!!!
Ilya Rozanov
Thank you
Ilya Rozanov
Wedding is this summer
Ilya Rozanov
We are going to go public with relationship soon😁
Kip
Wow
Kip
That's amazing news!
Kip
Happy for you two!
Kip
Am I invited to the wedding?
Ilya Rozanov
Of course
Ilya Rozanov
And I guess bring Hunter
Ilya Rozanov
If you have to
Kip Grady
LOL
Scott
I feel so old but I want to bang on the door of the people in the hotel room next to mine and tell these kids to shut up
Scott
I'm not in the mood for this
Scott
Does this make me a grumpy old man :(
Kip
Haha
Kip
Maybe
Kip
But you're my grumpy old man <3
Scott
Ugh. It’s Rozanov, I just heard his name.
Scott
Also who the hell gets their hook up to call them by their last name
Scott
Seems weird to me
Kip
Can you please be quieter my husband is complaining that you're keeping him awake and now he's keeping me awake
Kip
I need sleep I have a presentation tomorrow
Ilya Rozanov
I am with my boyfriend
Ilya Rozanov
Tell Hunter to stop getting in the way of love
Ilya Rozanov
Is homophobic, I think
Kip
HAHAHAHAHA
Kip
I think he'll lose his mind if I say any of this
Ilya Rozanov
Do it then
Shane glared at Ilya. "Ilya, I swear to fucking God, if you don't stop texting while we're having sex, I'm breaking up with you."
Scott Hunter
I'm so sorry this happened to you guys. Let me know if I can do anything to help.
This message has been read by Ilya Rozanov.
Kip
Are you and Shane okay????
Kip
This is so awful.
Kip
Tell me if you guys need anything.
Ilya Rozanov
Thank you Kip, you are very nice
Ilya Rozanov
We are okay
Ilya Rozanov
I am lucky my team are good men
Ilya Rozanov
Shane not so much
Kip
I know I shouldn't say this but I fucking hate hockey
Ilya Rozanov laughed at this message.
Kip
Why are people in hockey like this
Kip
Fuck that Pike guy
Ilya Rozanov
No is not his fault
Ilya Rozanov
I hate him but he did not do on purpose
Ilya Rozanov
He is crying to Shane right now about how sorry he is
Ilya Rozanov
Is very embarrassing but very funny
Hunter
Are you fucking with me?
Hunter
Why is your wedding invite for Kip and a plus one?
This message has been read by Ilya Rozanov.
Shane & Ilya's Wedding, 2017
Scott Hunter
This was officially the weirdest wedding Scott had ever been to.
It was a given that it would be the weirdest wedding ever, just by virtue of who was getting married, but the lack of chairs, band, food, or anything else that generally made up a normal wedding really made it that much weirder.
"Kip!" A loud, obnoxious, Russian voice shouted from across the backyard. Scott turned his head to see Rozanov waving at Kip, beckoning them over to where a large group of people were stood. Scott recognised most of the guys as members of the Centaurs team.
Scott looked over at where Kip was stood beside him, ready to exchange a confused glance over why on earth Kip had been singled out by Rozanov, but Kip was already moving. He grabbed Scott's hand and pulled him along.
"Kip, what-"
"Hey!" A tall guy in a suit nodded in greeting at them both. Scott recognised him as Zane Boodram.
A few of the other guys said hello.
"Everyone, this is Kip." Rozanov gestured to Kip, then Scott. "Kip's husband."
Scott immediately rolled his eyes. It was almost a Pavlovian response to whenever Rozanov opened his mouth and started speaking.
Shane pursed his lips, clearly trying not to smile. "Behave, Ilya."
It was still the most bizarre thing Scott had ever witnessed, the two of them together.
"Where are the fucking chairs, Rozanov?" Scott said dryly.
"Why, you are too old to stand for more than one hour?" Rozanov taunted. "Ah, I am sorry, we should have prepared wheelchair for geriatric husband of Kip-"
"Watch it." Kip said, but he was laughing.
Boodram laughed as well. "This is the weirdest wedding I've ever been to."
"Hands down." Hayes agreed.
"Wow," Rozanov dragged out the word, and Scott knew another stupid comment was about to come from Rozanov's mouth. "Two men getting married is weirdest wedding ever? This is very homophobic-"
Thankfully, Hollander interrupted him with a long-suffering sigh. "Just ignore him."
"Shane!" Rozanov pouted at his new husband. "What a thing to say to your husband on your wedding day! Very cruel."
"Oh, give me a break-"
Shane was interrupted as Rozanov slid his arms around him and dipped him into a kiss. When they emerged for air, Hollander was bright red but laughing.
"Ilya!"
Rozanov shrugged, looking extremely unrepentant, and extremely pleased with himself.
It was an expression that brought back horrible, terrible memories of resounding defeats on the ice.
"Aw." Kip said. "I'm so happy for you two. Congrats, guys."
"Thank you, Kip."
Rozanov winked and clapped Kip on the back. "Couldn't have done it without your help, Kip."
Scott frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Scott glanced at Hollander, but he looked at clueless at Scott was.
"Kip was very helpful to me." Rozanov said. "Lots of good advice. He is much too smart for you Hunter."
"What?" Scott looked between his husband and Rozanov. "What?"
Rozanov slung and arm around Kip's shoulders. "We are best of friends now."
"What is happening?" Scott asked, aghast.
His husband had secretly been giving Rozanov advice? What the fuck?
Kip shrugged. "We exchanged numbers at the MVP awards, and he just kept texting me."
The MVP awards. What the hell, that had been fucking years ago!
Scott just gaped at the two of them. This was unbelievable.
He had so many questions, but the first thing that came to mind was, "I texted you like fifteen times last year, and you didn't respond once, but you've been texting my husband for five years? What the fuck, Rozanov!"
"I like him. " Rozanov shrugged.
"I thought you just didn't answer texts!"
"No, he's a ridiculous over texter." Kip laughed.
"Kip?" Scott looked at him, betrayed. “Wait, is this how you suddenly knew so much about hockey?” Scott gasped. "Wait, is this why you told me my backhand needs work?"
Rozanov cackled loudly. "You actually said that to him?"
Kip grinned.
"Why didn't you tell me!" Scott said, aghast.
"Well, I thought about it, but I knew if I did I'd be in for a minimum of two hours of you complaining about Ilya, so-"
"Ilya?" Scott repeated, feeling sick.
Fucking Rozanov. He'd turned Scott's own husband against him!
Scott's head was pounding. This was ridiculous.
He thought back to that night at the MVP awards; he'd been right, Rozanov wasn't homophobic, but he was very much still the evil bastard that Scott had known for years.
How the hell had he managed to get Hollander - kind, shit-at-chirping, golden boy Hollander - to marry him?
It made no sense.
"Wow," Rozanov drawled. "You are very obsessed with me I think. You know I am married. I have husband. He is very possessive, too-"
"I am not!"
"Right," Rozanov grinned. "And that time you-"
"Where the hell is Rose?" Shane interrupted Rozanov quickly. "I'm going to find her, she's much nicer-"
"Shane! How dare you-" Rozanov said, running after his husband. "Shane, sweetheart, wait!"
On second thoughts, maybe they were perfect for each other.