Chapter Text
ShaneHollanderOfficial Instagram post 3 hours ago
Picture of Shane and Ilya sitting by the lake at the cottage, their backs to the camera and the sun setting.
Caption: Missing those summer sunsets.
Comments:
Hollanov2481: So are we never going to address that you are with ROZANOV
TheRealBood: This is from years ago, old news
Young03: Yeah what a throwback pic of Cap!
RoseLandry: ♥️
ScottHunterHockeyPlayer: Great pic. Admirals will make sure to help start your summer early this year.
IlyaRozanov81: Who let you have your phone? 🧓
IlyaRozanov81: Time to go back to nursing home. 🦖
ShaneHollanderOfficial: Ilya be nice.
HockeyGirl: my heart 😭
~~~
Rose: So
Shane: So?
Rose: You have anything you need to say to me.
Shane: I finally watched that X-Squad movie you did a great job ♥️
Rose: Shane
Shane: Rose
Rose: Fine, when were you going to tell me you were dating Ilya Rozanov
Shane: I did
Rose: No you didn’t
Shane: Yes, I did
Rose: 😐
Shane: Remember when you told me I was gay and I said I have been with a guy before. I told you it was Rozanov and I let you know we became official that summer.
Shane: It’s been awhile now. Can’t believe you forgot.
Rose: Oh, I see
Shane: You do?
Rose: Yes you did tell me that summer. 😉
Shane: Why are you winking?
Rose: 😉
Shane: Stop, why are you doing that?
Rose: Secret is safe with me. 🤐
Shane: There is no secret, we’ve been out for forever.
Rose: Uh huh totally.
Shane: Ok great.
Rose: Great.
Shane: So you will help us gaslight everyone?
Rose: Absolutely 😊
~~~
Scott: I wanted to reach out and congratulate you two on coming out. Proud of you both. If you ever need anything you can always reach out to me.
Scott: How have your teams handled this news?
Ilya: My Father had dementia.
Scott: Oh, I am sorry to hear that... Are you ok?
Ilya: I recognize the signs. Scott you are forgetting things in your old age.
Ilya: Shane and I have been out almost as long as you. Same year we’ve been through this conversation before.
Ilya: I have resources I can send for help with mind.
Scott: Ilya, I do not have dementia.
Ilya: Ah yes my Father didn’t know he had it either.
Scott: Can you be serious for one second?
Ilya: Yes, very serious. You may need to retire earlier if you cannot even remember second gay hockey player, and first bi hockey player.
Scott: If I retire early it will be because I’m sick of dealing with you, asshole.
Shane: Sorry guys, just got off the phone with Rose. Give me a second to catch up.
Shane: ILYA
Shane: Scott, I am so sorry about him. Ilya, you can’t joke about dementia.
Ilya: Sorry, lyubimyy moy.
Shane: Thank you for reaching out, Scott, we both really appreciate it. Ilya is right, we've been official since you came out. Now, we are gaslighting everyone into thinking we’ve been out.
Shane: Trying to minimize the spectacle.
Scott: I see. That makes sense, crazy, but I get it.
Ilya: Hmm, it seems your mind isn’t all gone.
Shane: Ilya last warning. Be nice.
Ilya: 😇 always
Scott: Like I said if you need anything don’t hesitate to reach out.
Shane: Actually, if you don’t mind helping us out. We are getting as many people to help support the idea that we’ve been out to help everyone that’s not in the loop go with it.
Ilya: It has been very effective. Voyagers fell for it fast.
Scott: Put Kip and I down for gaslighting. He is very excited.
Ilya and Shane like this message.
~~~
Shane is sitting in front of the media. This will be the first time he has had to directly address the media with the knowledge that everyone knows he is in a relationship with Ilya.
“Shane, I have to address what everyone has been thinking. Can you confirm you are dating Ilya Rozanov?”
“Oh, um, sure. I mean yes we are still dating. A lot easier now that he is closer. You all should know this by now though.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well we announced we were dating a couple years ago and were pretty obvious about being on and off since our rookie season. That’s why you all like to post about the rivalry. Makes it extra intense when you think of the couple aspect.”
A new journalist speaks up then, taking advantage of the moment of silence.
“Yes, our team at Montreal13 have always been excited to highlight the rivalry between you and your partner Rozanov. It seems some have forgotten you have been out now since what year was it again?”
Shane hides the smirk thinking no way, is this actually working. Was Farrah right that no one wants to look stupid for not knowing. “It was right after Hunter in 2017 we became official that summer, but like I said, old news so if anyone wants to talk about my hat trick tonight...”
Another reporter jumps in steering the conversation towards tonight's game. Shane shares a glance with Marcel in the corner. They nod their head, eye brow raised. I guess it did work.
~~~
The Centaurs were in the process of finishing their own game and they are on fire tonight. It seems with the team all on board to gaslight in their Captain’s honor they have just clicked this week during practice. Ilya accepts a pass from Bood and sends it into the top right of the net giving him his first hat trick as a Centaur and bringing the final score to 3 -1.
Centaurs rush Ilya on the ice cheering and going absolutely crazy. Their first win with Rozanov this season. Their first win in a long time.
Eventually Ilya finds himself in front of the media about an hour after Shane has done his round. Ilya hasn’t had time to watch them, but he is eager to see what the reporters will ask him tonight. He glances at Harris in the back who seems relatively calm. This helps put Ilya at ease as well.
“Ilya, you know at Ottawa7 we have always been supportive of your privacy with your partner Shane Hollander these past years. We are thrilled to see you two share more of your lives together. Has this influenced your play tonight in any way?”
Ilya blinks, processing the lengthy English and does not hide his smirk. It worked. “ Ah, yes thank you all for your privacy and support these past few years. It is much easier to spend time together being closer. It definitely feels good to be settled into Ottawa and the team is finding our stride and clicking on the ice.”
“Tonight felt different. As Captain how did you rally your teammates and inspire them to ‘click’?”
“Puppy yoga. I tell team win this game and I take everyone to OttawaDownwardDogs. You know them, yes?”
“Puppy yoga?”
“Yes, Shane took me this last week and they have the cutest puppies. They-” Ilya stops seeing Harris motion to wrap it up. “Well, it is important to bond and increase team relationships. This is a good way to build team morale giving everyone a goal. Thank you, any more questions about winning tonight?”
Several hands go up and Ilya sits back finally releasing the last bit of tension. Ilya and Shane have officially come out and everyone is rolling with it. Shane is a genius. Ilya gets unexpectedly choked up thinking that he couldn’t imagine being able to love Shane openly and have hockey, yet it is really happening. They can be together, open the Irina Foundation, maybe eventually get Shane to Ottawa, and start their lives together publicly.
~~~
That summer following Shane’s announcement that he will be joining the Ottawa Centaurs he has one more major announcement, no gaslighting needed this time.
ShaneHollanderOfficial and IlyaRozanov81 Instagram post 24 minutes ago
Picture of Ilya in front of Shane who is down on one knee surrounded by candles at the Cottage. Next picture of them laughing at the CCM shoot.
Caption: Falling in love with you has been the greatest honor of my life. From the very first time I saw you in 2008 I knew I’d never be able to stay away. You have supported me and loved me in ways I could have never hoped for. I’m so lucky to have been able to call you my boyfriend, now my fiance, and even my rival. You have always pushed me to be the best I can be and have always believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. I can’t wait to be able to call you my husband. 💍
Comments:
YunaHollander: My boys! Congratulations ♥️
ScottHunterOfficial: Congratulations!
IlyaRozanov81: Thank you old man Hunter.
Kip92: Congrats next drink on us at The Kingfisher! (Stop calling Scott old 🙄)
Hollanov2481: Oh my god 😭
Hollanov2481: Still in denial that they ever officially came out
RoseLandry: Literally been out for so long. I would know 😉
ScottHunterOfficial: Can confirm Ilya copied me and got with Hollander.
IlyaRozanov81: Liar, Hunter is lying. Look at last photo we have been in love looong before you.
Hollanov2481: I’m dead 💀
ShaneHollanderOfficial: please don’t die
RoseLandry: ♥️♥️♥️ Can I be your maid of honor?
HaydenPike: No, that is my job.
IlyaRozanov81: Yes Hayden is maid of honor. No take backs. I will find pretty dress for you.
HaydenPike: No I meant best man!
IlyaRozanov81:Too late😈
HockeyGirl: my heart congrats you two 😭
OttawaCentaurs: Congratulations Captain! 🏳️🌈♥️🏒
Young03: Congrats Cap! Glad to see you announce it this time😉
Haas: So happy for you two! 🥳
WyattHayesOfficial: Can’t wait to celebrate!
TheRealBood: Already planning the BBQ celebration! Congrats!
TroyBarrett: Congrats!
JJVoyagersPlayer: Oh my god! You two look so young! Can’t believe you’ve been together so long. Congrats Capitaine! Will miss you in Montreal!
HaydenPike: Congratulations to both of you!
JackiePike: All the kids say congrats and can’t wait to see their Uncle Shane and Ilya get married...again.
IlyaRozanov81:Yes, make sure Ruby and Jade know theirs was the real one.
RozanovsWife: I guess I need to change my username
ShaneHollanderOfficial: yes
IlyaRozanov81: Shane you can now be RozanovsWife
ShaneHollanderOfficial: no