Work Text:
Ilya couldn't help but find it sardonically amusing. Hockey used to be his escape. It helped him leave Russia, it gave him purpose, a community in his team. And of course, it gave him Shane.
The feeling of gliding on the ice, heart thumping to the cheer of the crowd. He relished it. But then his mind would falter. Back to his heart pounding two days before, as he took Shane apart with his mouth. Those soft whimpers that Ilya yearned for every second they were apart. Sounds that let him know Shane trusted him, loved him.
Now they were beyond just physical notions, Ilya wanted to sit in the everyday moments with Shane. Indulge in domesticity in a way he'd never craved before He wanted to argue about what they ate for dinner. He wanted to taste Shane’s mouth after he brushed his teeth.
As he daydreams in his hotel bed for the night, Jane’s name lights up his phone screen.
Jane:
Nice shot tonight.
Too easy
Could play San Francisco in sleep
They don't have a lot of fight in them this season.
You need to teach them how to be bratty
I am not bratty.
Want me to call you good boy instead?
Asshole.
😈
Ilya fiddles with his chain. He'd never tire of this. Shane always looked prettiest when blushing. But his chest feels heavy. His fingers slide under his vest, drawing over the bite mark Shane had left on his hip. It pinches but the pain only settles Ilya. Something to tether him to Shane.
His phone lights up again, this time Jane is calling.
‘Hi. Sorry, can you talk?’
Ilya sits up slightly, Shane's voice loosening up his muscles.
‘Yes. No roommate tonight. Boys went out to club but I was too tired.’
Ilya doesn't know why he's lying to Shane.
‘I miss you.’
Ilya dissolves back down the headboard.
‘I miss you too, Hollander.’
He hears Shane let out a heavy sigh. They're still new to this, letting the feelings out in the open. They don't have rules for this.
‘I didn't expect it to hit me this hard. We've been like this for years. And yet…’
‘And yet. Feels wrong to be apart now?’
‘Right.’
Ilya lets out a humourless chuckle. He can hear shuffling on Shane's end, he must have gone to a hallway.
‘My parents always say this thing to each other. Especially when they'd been apart. Like my dad had to work away for a week and when he came back, they'd hug and just say safe haven back to each other.’
Ilya smiles, the image of Yuna and David forming in his mind. Young Shane being purplexed.
‘I just thought it was some weird adult thing when I was a kid. But, I get it now,’
Shane's breath shudders before he says, ‘You're my safe haven, Ilya.’
Ilya’s throat dries up, he closes his eyes to take a deep breath. It's hard. He sees it all so clearly now.
‘Ilya?’
‘I’m here. Just feeling. A lot.’
He lets out a genuine laugh and Shane chuckles.
‘Safe haven?’
Ilya dabs his eyes with the back of hand before he responds.
‘Safe haven.’