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Coach Wiebe stares them both down with something like anger in his eyes. Ilya knows he’s not actually upset with them. Probably just mildly disappointed or whatever. Ilya gets it, he really does. If Ilya was coach and his alternate captains had absolutely zero communication, he’d be a little pissy, too. Especially when those captains can’t even communicate enough to get through a practice without fucking everybody else up in the process. HOWEVER Ilya is certain that he must’ve fucked up tremendously in a past life to deserve what he is being told right now. He can’t move his eyes from his skates; he can feel Shane Hollander breathing next to him as Coach Wiebe drops the fucking bomb.
“I think it would be beneficial for the team if Rozanov moved in with you, Hollander. At least until the end of the season.”
Ilya feels his mouth gape open, his mouth is dry, and he has absolutely no words.
“Coach, I’m not trying to be rude. But are you serious right now?” Shane practically squeaks, his face is ghost pale, and he honestly looks like he’s gonna throw up. Ilya tries to ignore the way his body responds to Shane’s voice. How his heart clenches a little in sadness at the indirect rejection.
“Let’s face it, boys, neither of you has any communication with each other at all, and it’s starting to affect how the team plays on the ice. I don’t want to jeopardize our chances at a championship, and I know neither of you boys wants that either.” Coach Wiebe’s eyes soften just a little. Ilya feels like his soul is being looked into. “So, just get to know each other a little. Break the ice, no pun intended.” Coach winks, an awkward chuckle bubbling from his chest. Ilya knows his mouth is still hanging open, and a fierce blush creeps up his neck.
Shane goes to argue, but ultimately decides to be quiet. Perfect Shane Hollander. Canada’s golden boy, Shane Hollander. It all makes Ilya want to suffocate himself with a pillow. Because it’s so fucking true. Shane is so fucking perfect. With his loving parents, loving boyfriend, team full of friends, and he’s an absolute academic weapon. The courage it takes to be an out gay, asian man? Ilya would be insane not to recognize that bravery.
“I… Uhm.” Ilya tries to respond, the English not quite meeting his tongue. He gains the courage and looks towards Shane, whose cheeks are bright red. He’s nibbling at the inside of his cheek, and Ilya has to fight the urge to just fucking lose it. “That uhm… I mean if it’s okay with Shane.” Ilya finally fucking gets out.
Shane quickly nods his head, “Yeah, it uhh should be fine?” He says like it’s a question. “I have a two-bedroom apartment, so I have the space, I just have to talk to my uhm- my boyfriend about it really quickly.” Ilya nods, ignoring the little pangs of jealousy.
“Is your apartment, yes?” Ilya asks, Ilya does not want to move into Shane’s boyfriend’s apartment. What the fuck. Shane nods his head again.
“Yeah, it’s mine, uhm.” Shane huffs out a breath.
“And your… boyfriend,” Ilya says quickly, like his tongue is on fire. “He lives there, too?” Shane’s eyes widen, and something akin to a flinch spreads across his shoulders.
“No,” Shane replies. “No, Adam doesn’t live in the apartment. He just stays with me a lot.” Shane gives a tight smile. Ilya lets go of a breath he didn’t know he was holding. Relief settles across his shoulders. Adam. Ilya is sure he’s lovely, only somebody incredibly lovely and amazing would ever be with somebody like Shane Hollander. Because he deserves the best, duh.
Ilya nods, swaying back and forth a little on his feet. Very awkward, very unsure. Ilya wants to sink into the ground and just stay hidden there.
“I’ll uh, text you the information and stuff. You have my number, right?” Shane asks, fumbling for his phone. Ilya does not have Shane’s number. Wow fucking pathetic. What kind of captain doesn’t even have his alternate captains fucking phone number? No wonder the team is suffering; it’s all Ilya’s fault.
“No, I don’t think I do,” Ilya says awkwardly. Ilya can see that Shane is thinking the exact same thing as him right now. This is why the team is failing. We need to fucking fix this. Shane gives a warm smile while grabbing Ilya’s phone from his hand and typing in his number quickly.
“When you text me, don’t like…” Shane hesitates, “Don’t like- say your name or anything.” That struck Ilya as odd; aren’t they doing this arrangement for the sake of knowing each other at least a little bit? Does Shane hate Ilya so much that he doesn’t even want Ilya’s name on his phone?
Ilya doesn’t say anything, just nods and sends a quick thumbs up to the number and hears Shane’s phone ding.
“Okay, thanks,” Shane says, almost relieved. He quickly makes a contact for Ilya, and only because Ilya is a snoop, he sees Shane write his name in as “Olympia Sports”. Which just confuses him even more. But he doesn’t ask questions, he doesn’t say anything. Ilya stays quiet as Shane gives a tight nod and walks away. Ilya doesn’t say anything when he hears Shane on the phone ten minutes later, an angry male voice on the other line. And Ilya definitely isn’t brave enough to say anything when he hears sniffles and soft crying from inside the office Shane is alone in.
Shane texts Ilya that night with more information, including the address, rent (because Ilya told Shane he would help with rent, he isn’t a monster), and just a few other rules that Ilya only found a little weird. Again, Ilya doesn’t exactly know much about Shane Hollander. But so far, even with the little bit of interaction they’ve had. Ilya could only call it odd. And it continues into the small set of rules, the first few of which are considerably normal.
SHANE HOLLANDER:
- Leave shoes at the door, or take them off at the doorway and bring them to your room.
- Don’t get your outside clothes on the couch or chairs. Inside clothes only, please.
- Whoever cooks, the other has to wash the dishes.
- Designated laundry days are a thing; we can work out a schedule.
- If Adam is home, speak to me minimally. Don’t touch me, don’t look at me for too long.
- Don’t touch any of Adam’s things. I will let you know what is his.
- If Adam is home, do not go into my room.
Ilya read through the list a few times. This Adam character is odd to Ilya. Shane’s boyfriend must just be very loving and caring of Shane to require rules like this. Ilya rolls his eyes and sends the text.
Adam has lots of rules, yes?
It’s meant to be playful. To be honest, Ilya actually doesn’t even know why he sent it. But the reply just gives him another weird feeling.
SHANE HOLLANDER: He doesn’t! He’s just very protective. I guess. It’ll be fine, he’s very excited for you to come live here.
Yeah fucking right. Doesn’t sound like it. But nonetheless, Ilya starts packing up his suitcase. He keeps reminding himself this is for the team. Maybe if he can keep focusing on that, he’ll forget about his raging crush on Shane Hollander and the beginnings of hatred for Adam.