Chapter Text
Tampa Bay
2017 All-Star Game
Behind his sunglasses, Shane's eyes continuously searched the crowd, waiting for Ilya to arrive. Although the sun lounger next to him was currently empty, he wasn't sure if he hoped it stayed that way. Would people start staring if Ilya took it? Start wondering? Closing his eyes, he did his best to stop overthinking it. If Ilya chose to sit down next to him, he would just stay as relaxed as possible so as not to call attention to them. Just as he was giving himself the internal pep talk, he felt a presence to his left, peeking one eye open, he saw it was Matheson from Colorado, setting a towel down on the open chair.
Fuck. Well, no reason to panic now, Shane thought in irritation. Why had Ilya taken so fucking long? Now he was stuck talking to this guy.
"Hey Hollander."
"Hey Matty.", God, he hated small talk. "Nice season so far. Great hat trick in that San Jose game."
"Thanks man. Appreciate it. Oh, is anyone sitting here? I should have asked."
"Uh...."
"Yes. Matheson. Me. I was just getting a beer." Shane's eyes widened behind his sunglasses as Ilya simply picked up Matheson's towel, tossed it to the other man, and set his own down without a care on the world
"Fuck off Rozanov." At least the other man laughed, which calmed Shane's nerves - a bit.
"Hollander and I plan to laugh about how bad we are going to beat you tomorrow."
"Dream on man. A thousand bucks say we beat your asses hard." At that Shane laughed, drawing a look from Matheson.
"Make it five thousand." Ilya said, "I will happily take your money."
"Dude, you're such a dick. See you around Hollander." Matheson tapped him on the shoulder. "Sorry you have to play with this asshole this year."
"Bye!", Ilya said with a wave, before sneering at the man's retreating back. "Ugh. Told you people were going to try to talk to us."
"Well, he was talking to me, soooo...", Shane reminded him.
"Which you hate. So just say Thank you Ilya." Setting his beer to the side, Ilya made a show of removing his tank top, throwing Shane a quick wink just as the material cleared his eyes. Laying down, he threw on his own sunglasses and let out a soft sigh, relaxing against the lounger.
Shane took a moment to look at him before quietly saying, "Please tell me you put sunscreen on."
"What?", Ilya turned his head with a confused look.
"Sunscreen. You have sunscreen on, right?"
"Uh..."
"Do you understand how at risk you are for melanoma?", Shane asked in exasperation, tossing his own sunscreen at Ilya, who looked at it with distaste.
"Hollander, I don't even..."
"Melanoma! Skin cancer!"
"Oh, that." Ilya waved his hand nonchalantly at Shane. "I am fine."
"Yet, you have no sunscreen on? That's not smart. You need to be careful."
"We can always go back inside, if you are so worried about getting me out of the sun.", Ilya murmured for Shane's ears alone.
Shaking his head, he urged, "Please...just put it on."
"Okay...okay." Shane watched as Ilya rubbed some sunscreen on his arms and attempted to put the bottle down.
"I swear to God...you need it everywhere!" Scowling at Ilya smirked at him, he growled and whispered, "And, no, I am not putting it on you!"
"Your loss.", Ilya shrugged and flapped his hand at Shane again. "Anyway, there is no point. It will just wash away when we go in the pool."
"Who's 'we'?", Shane shuddered, the distaste on his face clear as he looked at the people currently enjoying the water. There wasn't enough money in the world to make him want to enter that pool. With or without Ilya.
"You are not going to go in?", Ilya asked with a laugh.
"No. There are little kids in there. God only knows what is happening."
"Well, I am going in. Enjoy the view." With that, Ilya stood, tossed his sunglasses down and hopped in the pool. Trying not to shudder at the germs now coating that body, Shane watched as Ilya floated on his back for a bit, then waded back toward Shane and rested his arms against the deck of the pool. Looking up, he smiled. "Notice how Matheson would not take my bet? They have no idea how badly they will lose tomorrow. The two of us on same line? Please. It will be like...taking candy from children?"
"Taking candy from a baby." Shane supplied with a laugh.
"Who takes candy from babies?" Ilya asked in confusion. "Anyway...the rest of the team really doesn't need to show up tomorrow, yes? I think we will be fine."
"Ok. You make sure to tell Hunter and Vaughn and the rest that we don't need them."
"Hunter will probably be out with a broken hip after the skills competition tonight." At Shane's laugh, Ilya gave him a smile, then rested his head atop his arms. Seeing him so relaxed, Shane suddenly, vividly, pictured him at the cottage. He could see them playing in the water, then tiredly resting their bodies against the sun warmed rock. He wondered, would Ilya even want to visit him there? Spend time together alone without the threat of being...caught? Maybe one day Shane would get up the courage to ask him to come. But not now. Now, their reunion was tenuous at best, but who knows what tomorrow might bring.
"I'm going to challenge those kids to a swim race. Cheer me on, okay?", Ilya pointed over to the few children at the far end of the pool with a smile on his face.
"Okay, have fun." He returned Ilya's smile, then watched as he swam away and immediately engaged the children of random players into pool games. Shane didn't understand how he did it. He never shied away from talking to people, never seemed uncomfortable in crowds, never let things overwhelm him. Shane wished, sometimes, he wasn't so closed off, or that he could be a little more like Ilya, but he just...couldn't. Wasn't. Yet, Ilya never seemed to mind. Neither did his parents, or even Hayden and Jackie. Some people just let him be himself, which was nice. He continued to watch Ilya for a short time, then laid his head back and closed his eyes, only to open them immediately when Ilya shouted at him. "Hey, Hollander. Hollander! Make sure none of these cheaters cheat, okay?"
"Okay." Shane gave him an unenthusiastic thumbs up, chuckling as Ilya engaged in childlike trash talking with the kids, then set about racing them across the pool. Stopping mid-way to pretend he was being attacked by a shark, he let the children beat him. Shane clapped in celebration with them and felt himself fall a little more for Ilya as he continued to play in the pool. Why did he have to be so...likeable? Interesting? Funny? Silly? Yes, Ilya could still be cold, quiet, sometimes cruel, but which one was the real Ilya? The one in the nightclub, or the one in the pool? Shane wished he could know for sure.
When Ilya swam to the edge of the pool and lifted himself out, Shane swallowed at the sight of the pool water rushing down that perfect body. Shane suddenly cursed himself for saying no earlier, which Ilya had warned him would happen. Ilya stood over him, telling him to ...what? Give money? To...someone?...before shaking the pool water onto him with a smile. How was he expected to concentrate on words at this moment? The way Ilya was smiling down at him, his amazing body on full display? His brow raised because he knew exactly what Shane was thinking? But Shane just shook his head at him and tried his best to ignore the exasperating man. As Ilya dried off haphazardly with his towel, Shane felt his phone vibrate. Sliding it out of his shorts, he saw a text from Rose.
Rose Landry:
WELLLLLLL???????
Shane:
I'll talk to you later
Rose Landry:
GADJADJFHASJDHGAJSHDGJAGKJHASDKG!!!
Shane chuckled because he honestly had no idea what any of those random letters even meant, but assumed Rose was frustrated with his response. Setting his phone against his chest, he looked over at Ilya and saw him scowling. "What?" Ilya's eyes dropped briefly to the phone, but merely said, "Nothing."
Was he...jealous? What on earth would Ilya Rozanov have to be jealous about? He was turning that over in his mind, when suddenly, groups of players gathered near the pool to start a very spirited game of something very loosely based on water polo. Without a net. Shane didn't even know who made up the rules. Ilya unsuccessfully tried to get Shane to join his team, scowling when he refused. The trash talking began almost immediately from both sides. Large sums of money were wagered. Children were cleared from the pool. Shane and Hunter were selected as coaches, two wives as scorekeepers and the game began. No one knew what was happening, where the scoring zone was, but as Shane watched Ilya laughing and having fun, he realized it didn't matter. He could watch him laugh all day long. He was suddenly a little overwhelmed that they were back in each other's lives. What did it mean? Would they finally figure out what this was? Maybe it was something that would always have to be hidden. But, for Shane, it was worth it, because being hidden away with Ilya was still better than being out in the open with anyone else.
He wondered if Ilya felt the same.
He hoped he did.
----
The rest of the weekend passed in a blur. At the skills competition. Shane took Shot Accuracy and Ilya took Fastest Skater. It was as if they were still rookies, no one came close to their abilities. How was that still possible after playing for almost ten years, Shane wondered in amazement. Player meetups were filled with laughing, injury comparisons and drinking. Shane always felt Ilya's presence nearby, not as close as he would have liked, but close enough that they could join in random conversations and groupings without calling attention to them being near each other.
The game itself ended in a 4-2 win for the East. Shane's goal off of Ilya's pass garnered the loudest cheers of the night, only beaten by the silly mid-ice kiss to Shane's helmet. Vaughn, Ilya and, unfortunately, Dallas Kent rounded out the scoring; his over the top showboating garnering disgusted side eyes from both benches, but all in all, the game had been fun. Being on the same team, the same line as Ilya was something Shane could get used to. They were unstoppable together. Maybe the league would make this the All-Star norm from now on. Shane would love that - playing with Ilya once a year. Hours later, the excitement and fun of the weekend tapering off, Shane sat alone on the beach, hoping he would see Ilya again before everyone left tomorrow morning. He wanted a little more alone time with him. He knew they planned on talking again, knew there were still things he needed to say out loud to Ilya, but he didn't want to push too hard on him for further conversation, so he forced himself not to send any texts. Maybe they would see each other at breakfast tomorrow...
"Found you."
"So you were looking for me?"
"Of course not.", Ilya said, making Shane smile. Their quiet conversation mixed with the sound of the waves hitting the water in front of them. Just the two of them in their own secluded world. Ilya seemed to need assurance that Shane and Rose were no longer together, which Shane happily gave him. When Ilya's fingers found Shane's in the coarse sand, rubbing back and forth, it gave him the courage to ask for Ilya's room number. Ilya's eyes found his, darkened with desire, but Shane could also hear the unspoken questions within them. Should we start again? Do you still want this? Why are we still doing this?
"Twelve seventeen.", Ilya finally whispered.
----
In room 1217, they shared more secrets, hidden fears and a few tears, but for the second time that weekend, they didn't shy away from any of it. They were honest, brutally so at times, but still talking. Still not giving up. Their bodies reached for each other time and again over the few hours they spent together. Their time apart seemed to have made them desperate for each other. As the time ticked away, Shane knew he had to return to his own room before the hallway started to crowd with people. His head was resting gently against Ilya's stomach, their fingers intertwined. "I'd better go.", he whispered, not wanting to. Sitting up, he turned to look down into Ilya's eyes. "Good luck against Toronto. Make sure to send Kent home crying, okay? I hate that fucking guy."
"We will do our best.", he said with a laugh, then softly asked, "Boston in a few weeks, yes?"
"Mmmhm." He leaned over and pressed his lips to Ilya's, lingering. The memory of the last time he was at Ilya's house ran quickly through his head. The gutting sadness he felt walking away from it. From Ilya. He needed to replace that memory with something better. "That's so far away.", he complained against Ilya's lips. Pulling back, Shane met his ever changing eyes. They always seemed to be searching for something. Back and forth, back and forth, his gaze pinning Shane's. Sometimes Shane looked away because it became too intense, but this time he didn't. He stared right back, his lips curving into a smile. "Text me, okay?"
"You will come, if I do?"
Nodding, Shane opened his lips over Ilya's and kissed him deeply. He needed to make it last for the next few weeks. "Should I play a little hard to get?"
Ilya suckled at his neck, making Shane moan. "Mmm...I like it when you pretend you might not come over. Makes me harder." When he felt Ilya's fingers slowly creep toward his nipples, he quickly pulled away.
"Perv.", he scolded, making Ilya laugh softly. Crawling off the bed, Shane quickly dressed as Ilya pouted behind him. Grabbing his phone from the nightstand, he gave it a quick glance, noticing more texts from Rose, but slid it in his pocket without giving them any attention. Leaning over the bed, he kept his body as far away from Ilya's as he could, and gave him one last quick kiss, whispering "Bye."
By the door, he slid into his shoes, then turned back for one last glimpse of Ilya. One that would have to last him for the next few weeks. He was draped across the bed like some sexy Greek god, his body glowing in the low light of the room and he just stared back at Shane, his eyes intense. "What?"
"Nothing...Good night Shane."
Heart pounding at hearing his first name again, he smiled. "Good night Ilya.", then carefully left the room, making his way quickly to his own. Getting out of his clothes, he took a quick shower and laid down on the bed, intending to get a little bit of sleep before his alarm went off in a few hours. Heart and head racing, he grabbed his phone and sent another good night text to Ilya, complete with a ridiculous heart emoji, before he could talk himself out of it. He was so tired of second guessing his every interaction with Ilya, so if he wanted to send a heart emoji from now on, fuck it, he was sending it. Swiping over to Rose's texts from earlier, his eyes widened as he read her messages.
Rose Landry:
Great goal Shane! That was a very interesting celebration on the ice too 😉
Rose Landry:
Rose Landry:
Very interesting indeed🤔
Rose Landry:
🤯 but 🤐 but also 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Rose Landry:
you're welcome😘
"Fuuuck." Shane mumbled. Immediately tapping into Twitter, he was astounded that he and Ilya were trending and people were already trying out ship names. Hollanov was apparently the winner by a mile. Against his better judgement he felt himself smiling because...well...Hollanov did have a certain ring to it. Shaking sense into himself, he tapped over to his text with Ilya and sent him the screenshot and the trending alert.
Shane:
This...isn't good
Lily:
Relax. Everyone will just assume I was being an asshole. It will go away in a few days
Lily:
BUT, how come your name comes first?? Should be Rozander
Shane:
THAT'S what you're worried about??
(Be for real tho. Rozander is TERRIBLE)
Lily:
😠
Shane:
Delete these! (I'll see you soon😜)
Lily:
Hollanov is stupid. Deleting now (Can't wait🤤) Bye
Shaking his head, Shane laid his phone against his chest, draped his arm over his eyes and...smiled.
-
In room 1217, Ilya stared at the picture far longer than he should have. Shane's shy smile went straight to his heart, lodging itself there with the rest of Ilya's best memories. Without a shred of guilt, he saved the photo to his 'Boring' folder, changed the protective passcode and, then, begrudgingly deleted the texts. But it was okay, he reasoned, he already had what he needed. He had Shane back. And he planned on keeping him. Whatever it took.
(The end)