Chapter Text
Scott gets the text at 1pm on a boring Tuesday afternoon. He doesn’t have practice today, so he’s just been sitting on the couch trying to read his newest book on the Son of Sam. Okay sure, maybe what he was actually doing was staring blankly at the blender sitting on his counter. But the book was in his hand, so it still counted.
The text is from an unknown number, and it’s first a picture of Ilya Rozanov holding a piece of paper that says ‘Hello Hunter!’ with today’s date written under it. A text comes through almost immediately.
Unknown number: Hello Hunter! It’s Rozanov. Figured you wouldn’t have my number so I send photo as proof it’s me.
He stares at it for a minute, not really sure what’s happening. Another text comes while he’s trying to think of something to say.
Unknown number: I have some very important hockey things to discuss with some players. Can you join this chat so it’s secure?
Unknown number: Link
Scott frowns at the link. It’s not unusual for hockey players to discuss things like player contract issues or to ask about new cities if they are anticipating getting traded, but neither of those would apply here. Also it’s usually done over text or by phone not at some weird link.
Scott: Is this a prank?
Unknown number: If it is, it’s very boring. Click link, come see.
Scott sighs heavily, but figures there’s not much to lose. It’s probably just a stupid rick roll or a link to an ESPN article calling him old. He clicks the link.
It opens a browser tab to a chat room. There’s a symbol of a padlock in the top corner and the word ‘secure’ twice at the top of the screen. A little popup informs him he’s an anonymous user and his chat name is AU08. The top of the screen says “Chat with 9 members” and he frowns a little at the number. As he watches another person joins and the number goes up to 10.
Rozanov: Ah good, you all click link!
AU03: What the hell is this?
Rozanov: It’s a secure chat room. I have an idea I need to get some other players on board with.
AU05: I’m not joining your stupid petition to ban country music from all locker rooms.
Rozanov: No. More serious.
Rozanov: I want to coordinate a mass coming out for a bunch of NHL players. If we all come out at once, no one has to be first.
Scott nearly drops his phone. What in the FUCK.
AU05: Holy shit
AU04: What the hell are you talking about?
AU02: I don’t even know what that means
Rozanov: 🙄 I invited 10 people to the chat who I believe might have a special interest in this conversation
Rozanov: It’s secure and anonymous and I didn’t even write the list down so no one panic
Rozanov: But we all know we’re not the only ones. And it’s stupid to pretend we are
Scott types four letters before he has a chance to fully think about it.
AU08: Fuck
Rozanov: Everyone be calm. This is not blackmail. Here, I’ll go first. You can screenshot for leverage if it makes you feel better.
Rozanov: I’m bisexual
There’s a pause where no one else comments. Scott presses a hand to his chest over his thumping heart.
AU05: Holy shit
AU01: What the fuck. Why am I in this chat and why am I number 1?
Rozanov: 🙄 Numbers are assigned by who clicked link fastest, not by how gay you are.
A shaky laugh escapes out of Scott’s mouth as he hunches over the phone.
Rozanov: And I picked ten people I was pretty sure of from different teams
Scott is reluctantly fascinated.
AU08: Pretty sure of?
Rozanov: I mean, I haven’t fucked any of you, but I can usually tell
Rozanov: Sorry, that’s not true
Rozanov: I’ve fucked one of you.
AU09: Fuck off
Rozanov: 😉
For some reason Rozanov being a dick about this makes it a little less fucking terrifying, Scott huffs out another laugh.
Rozanov: Look. There are gay players in the league. There probably always have been. At some point someone is going to either come out and be brave and be first
Rozanov: Or someone is going to be outed
Scott closes his eyes, breath coming faster as his worst fear is typed out in black and white. When he opens his eyes a couple seconds later there are more messages.
Rozanov: No one wants to be first. So what if no one is? If we do it together then no one’s the poster boy
AU09: And they can’t run all of us out of the league.
Rozanov: Yes. Exactly!
Rozanov: I may have also picked big name players. Harder to ignore
AU02: I’m not a big name player
AU09: A mix would be good.
This is like a fever dream, Scott has no idea what’s happening right now.
AU08: So what, we all put up something on Instagram at the same time?
AU08: Like, hey we’re gay, let’s go play some hockey?
He only realizes he’s actually typed the word gay after he sends it, and his brain starts screaming alarm bells and his heart starts racing even faster. Fuck did he just admit it? To Rozanov?
Rozanov: Yes!
Rozanov: I mean, not that boring
AU01: Jesus Christ this is fucking serious shit, can you not be a dick about it?
Rozanov: Oh oh? This is serious shit? Really?
Rozanov: I know this is serious shit, I’m fucking Russian!
Scott winces, remembering a long ago conversation in Sochi.
Rozanov: If we do this I’m probably never going to be able to go fucking home again!
There’s another pause.
AU01: Fuck sorry. I know
AU01: Sorry
Another long pause. Scott wonders what everyone else is thinking.
AU07: I’m in
AU08: Holy Shit
AU07: He’s right
AU07: I don’t want to be first but I also don’t want to keep hiding
Rozanov: Good! Yes!
Rozanov: If anyone is feeling brave, you can change your id to your actual name by clicking the icon
AU05: I’m in too I guess I’ll follow you cap
AU05 has changed their name to G. Riley.
AU07 has changed their name to Mike Carter
Greg Riley is the backup goalie for the Raiders. Scott supposes it makes sense that Roz’s own team would be the first to trust him. Mike Carter is a very popular defenseman in Colorado. He had no idea he and Rozanov even knew each other.
AU09 has changed their name to Hollander
Hollander: I’m in too.
Hollander: Like I’d let you be first at something without me.
Scott snorts out a laugh, even as his thumb hovers over the icon.
Rozanov: 😆
There’s another long pause. Scott can’t seem to make his finger touch the little icon on the screen. He’s just staring.
He wishes Kip was here.
Hollander: It can’t just be two Raiders and me. They’ll spin it that Roz is fucking both of us or something.
Hollander: I mean Carter helps but -
G. Riley: Ew
Rozanov: 😆😆😆
Rozanov: You wish Riles
G. Riley: No thank you.
AU02: This might be the most scared I have ever been. Fuck it I’m in
AU02 has changed their name to Ryan Price.
Scott’s eyebrows go up in surprise, and his thumb finally lands on the name icon. The screen comes up with a blank text field. He types in his own name carefully, his heart pounding in his ears.
AU08 has changed their name to Scott Hunter
Scott Hunter: This is fucking insane
Scott Hunter: But I’m in
Scott Hunter: And Price, I’m fucking terrified too
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They spend a while debating the timing and how to make the announcement. Three people are still anonymous, but AU06 turns out to be Hank King, a star left wing from Vancouver.
Roz is in favor of social media since it can’t be edited or cut like an interview. He guesses that makes sense, but he doesn’t understand Roz’s insistence that it shouldn’t wait until after the season.
Hollander: No, he’s right (ew).
Hollander: If it’s in the off season then they have nothing happening all those months to distract from it. It’ll be horrible.
Hollander: But if we do it sooner, a bunch of teams are still fighting to secure a spot, and the playoffs will be starting and they’ll have to focus at least a little on that.
Rozanov: Yes that’s what I’m trying to say!
Rozanov: Thank you Hollander
Rozanov: (also ew)
Scott laughs to himself. He’s moved from the couch to his kitchen, and is eating a salad. He’s been smiling too much though. Every part of this impossible conversation makes him feel like someone’s cutting him free of a net that was holding him down. He’s also pretty sure Roz and Hallsy are flirting. Literally right in front of his salad.
Kip would like that joke.
Scott Hunter: You two are ridiculous
Scott Hunter: I’m looking at the schedule. Is it better to do it on a day we’re all playing or a day we’re not?
As a rule there are only one or two days in the MLH season where there’s not a game being played somewhere. There are some days where less games are played though, and it looks like a couple coming up where none of the teams of the named players will be playing.
King: I don’t think I could concentrate on a game the same day this goes out
Ryan Price: Me neither
Hollander: Really? I feel like the stress would make me faster.
Rozanov: Okay, so definitely an off day
Hollander: Scared Rozanov?
Scott rolls his eyes again. There’s an urge to chide them for the flirting that he automatically stifles. Then he realizes he doesn’t actually have to. With something like wonder shining in his chest he types it out.
Scott Hunter: Can you two please stop flirting? I’m trying to eat lunch
Scott Hunter: Looking at the schedule then this Friday’s the best day. None of us play Friday or Saturday
AU01: I play Saturday.
Scott Hunter: Are you joining us?
G. Riley: Wait is that seriously flirting?
Rozanov: wink.gif
Of course Rozanov is the type to respond to a conversation with a gif of his own face.
Hollander: I hate you.
Rozanov: That is also flirting I think
Hollander: 🙄
AU01: I don’t know
AU04 has changed their name to Eric Bennett.
Scott fucking chokes on his salad.
One second later while he’s still trying to cough up some lettuce, he gets a private text directly from Eric.
Benny: Sorry cap. Had to talk to Holly first
Scott: Don’t apologize what the fuck
Scott: I never told you either
He swipes back to the secure conversation, feeling very confused. What in the hell is happening?
Eric Bennett: I’m in too
Eric Bennett: Also, how the fuck did you spot us all Rozanov? Hunter and I didn’t even know about each other
Rozanov: What do you mean?
G. Riley: I was wondering that too cap. Do you just have some NASA grade gaydar?
Rozanov: What is gaydar?
Hollander: It’s like a special ability to be able to tell that someone else is gay
Rozanov: 😂 Stupid word
Rozanov: Did not know this was a special power here
Rozanov: It’s not hard
Rozanov: Guy checks me out, I think, this man must like men
Okay, Scott should just give up on trying to eat while still dealing with this fucking conversation.
Scott Hunter: What the fuck? I have for sure never checked you out Roz
AU01: Neither have I!
Rozanov: surejan.gif
Rozanov: It’s okay I am hot
Ryan Price: Wait you can tell?
Rozanov: Price I don’t want to freak you out but when I wore my black tank with the lace you literally could not speak to me
Ryan Price: I’m just going to go die in a corner now
Rozanov: 😂 It’s okay Price! I’m used to it!
Hollander: Yeah, honestly fuck that lace tank
Hollander: Oh fuck, can I unsend something?
Rozanov: 😂😂😂
Scott Hunter: Jesus
Scott Hunter: Can we focus back on details please and not how smug Roz is?
Rozanov: Don’t be jealous 😉
Scott Hunter: OKAY
Scott Hunter: So are we okay to post on Friday? Let’s say 1pm est?
Hollander: This Friday holy shit.
Rozanov: We can put it off until the week after if it’s better?
Scott knows it’s not really better just looking at the schedule. Is Rozanov being - sweet? To Hollander? That's bizarre.
Hollander: No, Friday is good.
Hollander: Fuck I have to call my parents
Everyone else who’s agreed replies that Friday is good. And all of the sudden this is an actual plan.
Rozanov: Okay we all have two days to call who we need to call and write our posts
Rozanov: And the rest have until then to decide if you’ll join too
Scott Hunter: Should we keep this tab open until Friday so we can coordinate?
Rozanov: I think probably not. I’ll send another link Friday morning to those who are in
G. Riley: Makes sense
Rozanov: Anyone who hasn’t decided can text me and I’ll send you link too. You all have my number now
AU01: I still can’t even believe this is happening
Scott can’t either. But he knows what he wants to do next. He goes to an old text conversation in his phone.
Scott: I have to talk to you. Can you come by today for a bit?
Scott: Or call if you don’t want to come over
There’s no response for a long while. Long enough for Rozanov to close down the chat.
When he does a popup comes up on Scott’s screen informing him the chat room is closed and the history has been deleted. It’s oddly comforting. Even if it will be public soon enough there’s still that part of him that’s terrified about his secret being written out in black and white like that.
He takes some time finishing his salad and a protein drink, trying not to continue checking his phone for a response or triple text like some kind of obsessive crazy person. Which he definitely is.
He’s doing his dishes when his phone finally makes a noise, and he practically lunges across the counter for it.
Kip: I can come by for a little bit around 5.
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ESPN Today
MLH Players Come Out
In what appears to be a coordinated announcement, eight stars from the MLH have come out as either gay or bi on social media today. The eight players span the league in both location and the positions they play. The players include Shane Hollander (c) Montreal Metros, Ilya Rozanov (c) Boston Raiders, Greg Riley (g) Boston Raiders, Scott Hunter (lw) NY Admirals, Eric Bennet (g) NY Admirals, Hank King (lw) Vancouver Whales, Mike Carter (d) Colorado Blizzard, and Ryan Price (d) Buffalo Epees.
Six of the players identified themselves as gay, while Ilya Rozanov and Eric Bennet specified that they are bisexual.
The eight players are the first active queer MLH players in the league's history. As of posting the league has not provided a comment. This is a live story, updates will be added below.