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Jordan noticed Buchy acting off for about a week before he brought it up to Brayden. He’d been staring at nothing, talking to himself, avoiding group hangouts, and overall seemed to have less energy than usual. Brayden said he would talk to Torpo to see if he knew anything but there wasn’t anything else he could do because he was so busy with prospects and new trades.
Jordan decided to take matters into his own hands. He texted Buch to see if he wanted to hang out at his place for a few hours. He made a quick trip to the grocery store to pick up some snacks he knew Pavel would like as well as some actual healthy options. Jordan knew Buch wasn’t taking care of himself as well as he could and he intended to change that.
Buch arrived at Jordan’s place with bags under his eyes. He looked like he’d just woken up and hadn’t slept for days simultaneously. He mumbled something Jordan couldn’t make out as he led the russian inside. They sat on the couch for a while, not talking before Jordan brought out his pathetic excuse for a charcuterie board.
Pavel rubbed his eyes and stared at Jordan as he offered him a slice of turkey.
“You invite me to eat this?” He asked quietly. The first words he’d spoken in a while. It was a start.
“Figured you were lonely. It’s just snacks. You want some cheese? I’ve got cheddar, swiss, havarti. I might have some provolone in the fridge.”
“How much cheese you own?”
“Not enough if you ask Hofer. He has an obsession I think.”
“Like you with fruit?”
“That’s a completely different scenario and you know it. Speaking of fruit, do you want some? I have apples, blackberries, cantaloupe, cherries, watermelon, mangoes, maybe apricots although Jake might have eaten the last of those.”
“So much fruit. Why?”
“Good source of vitamins. Plus it just tastes better than processed sugar.”
Jordan got up and opened his fridge, taking out his bag of mangoes. Two left. Perfect. He sliced one in half and handed one to Buchy. Pavel took a large bite.
“Mmh. Wet.”
“The word’s juicy, bud. Wet isn’t how you describe fruit.”
Pavel shrugged and continued to eat his mango half. Jordan sat next to him. He put on some movie they’d both seen a million times before. Jordan pulled the russian closer and continued to offer him bits of food.
“I’m probably going to take a nap in a bit if you wanna join.” Jordan offered. If he made it sound like he was going to do that anyway maybe Buch would join him and get some clearly much needed sleep.
“Fine.” Buch cuddled into Jordan. They cuddled on the couch for a bit before Jordan finally decided to ask about what was going on in his teammates head.
“You’ve been acting weird lately. You okay, buddy?” Pavel shrugged.
“Just tired. Everywhere.”
“I get it. You talk to the coaches about this yet? They’d probably let you have a break to get your mental health back in order.”
“NO! Am fine. Nothing wrong.” Buch panicked. Like the idea of mental health was terrifying for him.
“Okay. I’m not saying you have to do anything. But it might help you feel better. The team cares about you y’know.”
“You just say that. I play better. Nothing wrong.” Jordan pulled Buchy on top of him, carding though his hair.
“Y’know you would play better if you’re not pushing yourself so hard.”
“Push limits is grow.”
Jordan shrugged and held his teammate closer.
“You don’t wanna relax even a little bit? You’re gonna burn yourself out at this rate. You’re not a machine, Pascha.”
Pavel nuzzled closer, humming dismissively. Jordan kissed the top of his head. That seemed to make it worse. He got up and walked out the door, muttering something about pushing himself.
**
Buch stayed longer at practice, avoiding everyone. He wasn’t joking around with Jake or talking to Torpo in russian or messing with Snuggy. He was acting like a robot and completely avoiding looking Jordan in the eye.
Alexey caught Jordan after practice to ask about Buchy’s recent behavioral changes.
“You did nothing with him?”
“I invited him over, we watched like half of a movie, ate some fruit and cuddled. I was trying to help him rest a little because he was actively burning himself out. He was already agitated when I tried to help.”
“What did you do before he leave?”
“I kissed the top of his head? I think. He just got up talking to himself.” Torpo sucked in a breath.
“You kissed him?”
“Not in like a romantic way. It was the top of his head.”
“глупый канадец [stupid canadian]. You kissed him! He take that as romance!”
“Seriously?”
“Pascha is an idiot. He’s also very ingrained in Russian culture. Affection is something reserved for couples in his brain. And you are another man.”
“You’re saying he won’t look at me because he’s homophobic?”
“Yes and no. черт, как мне это объяснить? [shit how do I explain this] Canada and USA are easier. Buch is scared HE’S homosexual. He’s probably worried he felt something.”
“So it’s like…Internalized?”
“Yes. And now we have to fix.”
Torpo walked off leaving Jordan to question everything. Buch was avoiding him because he thought he had a crush on him?
**
Torpo made a group chat that night. Jordan, Schenn, Parry, Faulk, Jake, Holloway, and Snuggy.
W-THE-F: 4:30pm. My place. Bring food.
Snuggly: I can’t cook. Neither can Jake
COCO-Nibs: rude
Mustache-man: What kind of food, Torps?
W-THE-F: Buchy food
Hollyberry: translation?
Goaliegoalie: Be nice Dylan. We’re staging a Buch intervention.
COCO-Nibs: how do u know?
Goaliegoalie: DMs exist Jake
LeCaptain: I just got out of the shower. can someone give me the TLDR?
Mustache-man: Buchy intervention, Torps place 4:30, bring snacks, no grocery shopping required unless your Binner who is absolutely bringing fruit.
Goaliegoalie: Not just ANY fruit you uncultured swine.
ParryThePlatypus: I was in the shower whats happening?
COCO-Nibs: we didn’t need to know you were fucking Schenner.
Snuggly: YOU WERE DOING WHAT TO WHOM?
Goaliegoalie: you say that like this is new information
COCO-Nibs: THERE IS A CHILD HERE WE DIDNT NEED TO KNOW YOUR SEXUAL HABITS
ParryThePlatypus: there is no child in this gc Jake
COCO-Nibs: what else is Snuggy here for?
Snuggly: RUDE
COCO-Nibs: thats whatchu get ass!
W-THE-F: can we get back on track here? Buchnevich depression crisis is ongoing
LeCaptain: Don’t worry Torpo I got it under control.
LeCaptain: Jake here, Schenner took my phone so I stole his.
ParryThePlatypus: I had it under control -Schenn
**
Jordan arrived at Alexey’s place 15 minutes early. Schenn was there setting up chairs he apparently bought.
“So what exactly is the plan here?”
“We talk to Buch about what’s been happening, make him go to therapy and face the fact that he can be gay here.” Brayden summed up.
“Easier said than done.” Alexey added quietly. “Half tempted to call Nathan to slap some sense into him. невнимательный трах [Oblivious fuck].”
“This better work. If he runs off again, he won’t talk to anyone again.” Jordan grumbled.
“I’m more scared he’ll try something on his own.” Alexey set down a plate of sandwiches as he spoke.
“What do you mean?” Jordan asked.
“Torpo’s worried he’ll ‘become a statistic’ as they say.” Colton chimed in because apparently he’d been here the whole time.
“You think he’d kill himself over gay thoughts?”
“You don’t know Pavel like I do. The way our homeland views those acts and thoughts. It took me ages to accept myself. And I had Nathan and Vladi to help me.” Torpo was quiet as he opened the door for Holly, Snuggy and Jake.
“Buch is on his way with Faulk. Said they were about two minutes out.” Holly said as soon as he was in the door, setting down a bag of chips on the table. “I brought food for the three of us because Snuggy’s a baby, and Jake apparently doesn’t know what Buchy likes.”
“Dude’s a brick wall! You can’t expect me to know everything!” Jake started to argue.
“Everyone shut up, they’re here. Jake, sit down and shut up for once in your life please.” Brayden finally took control of the situation.
Faulk walked in with Buchy.
“What this?” He immediately spoke.
“Это вмешательство, Пасха. Нам нужно поговорить о твоем поведении в последнее время. [This is an intervention, Pascha. We need to talk about your behavior recently.]” Torpo spoke first, in russian to be sure nothing was misinterpreted.
“What behavior? Nothing wrong. Am fine.” Buch deflected as expected.
“Are you kidding me dude? You’re avoiding everyone! You straight up refused to go hang out with me, Holly and everyone yesterday!” Jake cut in immediately.
“Jake’s right, Pavel. We’re worried about you. especially Binner and Torps.” Faulk’s calm voice was a nice contrast to whatever Jake had going on.
“We know you’re scared and worried about what’s going to happen but trust me, it’ll get better if you just let us help you.” Jordan actually let some of his anxiety over his teammate show. Buch sat down next to Jordan and flopped against him. Jordan put his arms around him. Torpo handed him a small bowl of chips that he slowly fed to Buchy.
“Do you wanna tell us what’s happening in your head right now?” Schenner asked softly. Jordan carded through the russian’s hair.
“We’re here for you buddy. It’s gonna be okay.” Pavel looked up at him.
“How you know that?”
“Because everyone deals with these kinds of things. And Alexey especially know’s what you’re going through. Not to mention how much everyone on the team loves you.” Buchy turned to Torpo.
“Ты гомосексуал? И ты мне не сказал? [You’re homosexual? And you didn’t tell me?]”
“Я встречаюсь с Натаном с тех пор, как он стал несовершеннолетним. [I’ve been dating Nathan since the minors]” Torpo replied sheepishly.
“Asshole.” Buch spoke before turning back to Jordan. “Sorry I run off. Was scared.”
“It’s okay, Pascha. I don’t mind.” Jordan cupped his friend’s face in his hands. Buch leaned up and kissed Jordan experimentally. He wasn’t entirely sure what he was doing was okay but he was willing to try if Torpo hadn’t dealt with any consequences.
**
It had been weeks since the intervention. Buch was spending more and more time with Jordan. They actually went on dates together.
Buch woke up in his boyfriend’s arms. He snuggled into Jordan’s warmth. He trailed kisses along his collarbone. He knew Jordan was awake when his hand gripped his hair.
“Good morning asshole.” Jordan smiled and kissed Pavel’s forehead.
“Ты такая красивая. [You’re so pretty like this.]” Buch replied without thinking. He knew Jordan wouldn’t understand but he didn’t care. The affection in his tone was enough to get the message across.
“I love you so much. Y’know that?” Jordan kissed him easily.
“Мой Джордан [My Jordan]”
“All yours Pascha.” Jordan smiled and kissed his boyfriend again.