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Having completed a successful run of camps felt great. It was Troy’s first year joining the team of coaches and he had loved it; he definitely wanted to do it all again next year. This idea Hollander and Rozanov had had was wonderful; all of them got to keep in shape while having fun and spending time together without the pressures of the actual hockey season.
It was really cool to get to coach alongside other awesome players from different teams. This year some of the players who had been there in previous years complained that the lineup was looking very “centaury”, which was fair since Hollander and Rozanov were now playing for Ottawa and both Troy and Boodram had joined them.
It spoke to how much the hockey world liked this initiative that all of them who were coaching the camps in both cities were doing it so as volunteers, most of them were willing to coach not only Montreal but also Ottawa, and many of the coaches didn’t even live in any of those cities. Also, every single one of them was part of the group Scott Hunter and Carter Vaughan had started to stand against toxic hockey culture, and it felt really empowering to actively try to make a difference in any possible way.
This summer was different in many different ways. Just for starters, the two leads of the Irina Foundation were married, which shocked the hockey world and fans at the beginning. Said leads had also decided that they wanted to celebrate the ending of camps with a barbecue at their house in Ottawa; all the coaches were invited to join and bring their significant others, children were very much encouraged to be brought as well.
Troy had been to Ilya and Shane’s wedding just weeks before, and he was very surprised by how different their backyard looked now. He had no fucking idea how they’d managed to get all the garden furniture set up while they were working the camps non-stop; there hadn't even been chairs for their wedding ceremony!
However they’d done it, this place was definitely ready to entertain all the people who had decided to take them up on their invitation. Shane Hollander was managing the grill like a pro while Ilya Rozanov made sure everybody had something to drink and was comfortable, he was also making sure the kids were having a good time–it was incredible seeing how childish he could be.
Troy saw Rozanov coming out of the house with a can of ginger ale and saying something to Hollander, who just nodded and kept on flipping burgers and hot dogs while his husband opened the can and put it to his mouth so he could take a sip. Once that was done, Rozanov wrapped his husband in a hug from behind and kissed his cheek.
Troy realized he wasn’t the only one witnessing the scene when Zane Boodram whistled softly and said to their small group, “Who would have thought Rozanov had such a soft side?”
Harris, who was next to Troy, snorted, “Please! If you didn’t know it, it’s just because you were so comfortable taking in his macho persona since you never knew to look for anything else.” Harris turned his face to kiss Troy’s cheek, and Troy still couldn’t believe how lucky he was to have found someone like Harris. “You hockey players are so immersed in your toxic masculinity environment that if someone isn’t soft all the time, there cannot possibly be softness in them at all. If people don’t go around showing their ‘gayness’ proudly like I do, then there’s no queerness in them at all, either. Seriously, Bood, catch up.”
Troy knew Harris wasn’t actually angry at Bood. The Centaurs were a super accepting team, and Harris had always been welcomed. However, Harris never lost any chance to educate them if he could or to help them be better at sensitivity.
Bood looked at Harris with a frown on his face. “OK, Mr. Smarty Pants. When were we supposed to see this soft side to Rozanov?”
Harris laughed and said, “Did you never see him with Chiron? Rozanov is a big softie through and through.”
“We should all stop making assumptions based on appearances.” Troy turned his head to see Fabian approaching the little circle he was in. Ryan Price was, of course, next to his boyfriend. “I mean, would you have ever imagined my manly defenseman to be gay if he hadn’t said it himself?” Fabian went on his toes and barely reached Ryan’s cheek, which he lightly kissed. “And I’m not saying this just to you. I had trouble myself thinking he would ever be into me as much as I was into him because this…” he signaled to himself and Ryan, “…doesn’t make immediate sense, does it?”
Troy couldn’t agree more. “Hear hear to fewer assumptions and more openness and communication!” He listened to Harris cheer Fabian’s comment. To his surprise everybody in their circle reply with loud “Hear hear’s.”
“Okay, fuckers! Not sure what you’re cheering, but it better be the successful run of this year’s camps.” Rozanov yelled from the table next to the grill where he seemed to be helping Hollander place platters of food.
“Ilya!” Hollander chastised him, probably because of the ‘fuckers.’ “Food’s ready, everyone! Better come and get it while it’s hot.” Shane said.
When Troy was getting close to the food, he realized that there was a shorter table with mini burgers and mini hot dogs and Dino nuggets and basic condiments. Their hosts had obviously planned ahead even for the children.
Rozanov was helping Hayden’s twin girls fix some burgers, and he started reaching for some nuggets when a hand slapped his. “Those better be for Jade and Ruby’s plates.” Hollander said. “There’s food for you on the grown-ups table.”
“But Shane, they want to share with me.” Rozanov whined. Troy couldn’t help but burst out laughing. There was a whole other side to Ilya Rozanov that apparently only came out when Shane Hollander was around. Sharing a locker room with both of them was apparently going to be an experience once next season started.
Hollander took the plates Rozanov had been preparing and handed them to the twins. “Here you go, ladies. You can eat anything else you like.” He then took hold of Rozanov’s hand and pulled him towards the big table. “There’s food for you with the grown-ups.” He said again.
Troy laughed out loud when he finally made it to the table and saw a plate with Dino nuggets and a tag that said ILYA’s in big letters and a note in small letter that read ‘Everybody else, hands off!’
Rozanov spotted the plate as soon as Troy’s laugh exploded, and he turned to Hollander saying, “Oh, you do love me!” And he planted a kiss on his husband’s mouth.
Hollander smiled mischievously and said, “Here I went and married you, and all I needed to do to convince you of that was a plate of nuggets?” He kissed Rozanov’s cheek and added, “Talk about low expectations.”
Rozanov rolled his eyes and pulled on Hollander’s hand so they could both get some food.
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The Hollanovs–as Harris had started calling Hollander and Rozanov as a couple–were wonderful hosts and everybody had a great time. Most everyone had left, but Troy and Harris had stayed behind a little longer since Harris adored Anya and was playing with her. Hayden was also trying get his kids away from the dog so that he could start loading them into his car.
Hayden was carrying his youngest girl and stopped in from of a painting with geometrical angles. “Shane, buddy, I knew you had to miss Montreal at least a little.”
Hollander looked at him with confusion etched all over his face, “What are you talking about?”
Troy spied a smile making its way to Rozanov’s lips before Hayden said, “This painting’s got the colors of the Montreal uniform.”
“What?! You’re crazy. That painting has been at Ilya’s place since he lived in Boston.” Explained Shane.
“That makes sense.” Interfered Jackie. “Look, Hayden. These are the colors of the Raiders uniform.”
“But these here are Montreal’s colors.” Insisted Hayden.
“They’re both.” Rozanov said simply. Every eye in the room looked at him at the same time that Hollander asked, “What do you mean?”
“I liked the style of this artist and I commissioned a piece that had both Montreal and Boston colors. It was the first piece of art I got for my condo.” Rozanov stated matter-of-factly.
“I think what we all want to know…” Said Harris. “…is why.”
“Because… for a long time, Shane and I only got together whenever our teams met.”
Troy was surprised at how obvious Rozanov’s tone sounded, like he was making all the sense in the world. “How long have you two been together exactly?” He asked. He thought, like a lot of people did, that they had gotten close when Rozanov had moved to Ottawa, but that move had never made any sense for someone of Rozanov’s talent.
Rozanov looked at Hollander, as if letting the choice of replying to him. Hollander shrugged his shoulders and said, “Since our rookie season.” He must have noticed the shock on Troy’s face because he clarified, “I wouldn’t say we were together until 4 years ago, but we did start hooking up a little before we started our rookie season.”
“Wow!” Said Harris, who’d taken hold of Troy’s arm. “So, was Rose Landry a publicity stunt?”
“Never thought you had it in you, Hollander.” Troy joked.
Hollander shook his head, “Oh, it was real.” One more shake of his head, as if clearing it. “At least, I wanted it to be… I was freaking out when I met her and talking with her was easy, which hardly ever was for me, and she was nice, and I wanted the chance to have something that could be in the public eye without having to hide.”
“Makes so much sense.” Harris reassured him.
Hollander sighed and said, “It wasn’t working, though. I got super lucky that she was compassionate enough to confront me because she asked just the right questions for me to finally be honest with myself: it was men for me.” He took hold of Rozanov’s hand and squeezed it before adding, “Frustratingly worse, it was this asshole I had already been fucking for years. And I was terrified because I couldn’t be completely certain that he felt anything for me beyond sexual attraction or whatever…”
“Oh, you knew.” Rozanov contradicted his husband. “Deep down, you knew it had already become more for me.”
“Gosh! If you guys ever need more money, which I doubt you will, you can absolutely sell your story. It’ll make such a great book, or something!” Said Harris. “I get the feeling this is just the tip of the iceberg.”
Rozanov pulled Hollander closer and hugged him from behind. “As always, Harris, you would be right.” He kissed Hollander’s neck.
Hayden groaned. “God! I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to that!”
“Hayden, Jackie is right here.” Rozanov said. “Are you sure you want her to realize how jealous of me you are?”
“Fuck off, Rozanov.” Was Hayden’s reply.
“Swear jar!” Hollander and Jackie said at the same time.
“He’s intentionally provoking me!” Hayden whined.
“You’re still putting money in the swear jar, babe.” Jackie said, kissing his cheek.
Thankfully, Hayden kids had taken advantage of the impromptu conversation and they had followed Anya to her trove of toys next to the fireplace.
‘I hate you.’ Hayden mouthed to Rozanov, to which the Russian replied with a roll of his eyes.
Hayden decided to get the conversation back on track, “So, what phase of your sordid affair does that one represent?” He pointed to another piece of art, a set of paintings with like two circles in black and white each.
Hollander laughed. “Come on, Hayden! Not all the art in this house represents our relationship.” He didn’t say it, but his tone sounded like, ‘Don’t be ridiculous.’
“That’s true.” Agreed Rozanov. “But that one does.”
Hollander’s head whipped around to look at his husband. “What?!” That really was a surprise for him.
Rozanov smiled like he had a secret, which apparently he did. “First time you realized you wanted to kiss me.” He said cryptically.
Troy could see the frown on Hollander’s face. Then, his eyes opened widely. “Holy shit!”
“So?” Hayden pressed. “Are you gonna share with the class?”
Troy wanted to laugh. For all that Hayden seemed not to be completely sold on his best friend’s relationship, he was certainly invested.
Hollander was still looking directly at Rozanov. “The hotel gym?” Rozanov confirmed with a nod, and Hollander repeated. “Holy shit!”
“Ew! You wanted to kiss him at a gym?” Hayden said making a disgusted face.
“I always wanna kiss Troy after he’s done with a workout or when he’s all sweaty after a game.” Harris said unabashedly. “What’s wrong with a hot sweaty man?” He looked at Shane. “Not trying to overstep, Shane, but your husband is hottie.”
Hollander chuckled. “Do not feel threatened at all. You’ve got your own man. You’ll hear no discussion from me for appreciating mine; he deserves to be appreciated.”
“Why would you be threatened?” Jackie wondered aloud. “It seems your man has been whipped for way over a decade.” Rozanov sent her an evil stare. “He’s been collecting art that’s all about the two of you in mysterious ways.” She winked at Rozanov. “So, Shane, what are those paintings representing?”
“After we were drafted, we both used the hotel gym that night. Apparently, the day had us pumped with energy and we both decided–individually–to let it free at the gym. Not sure if you’ve noticed, but we’re very competitive, so after we tried to outdo each other on the stationary bikes, we fell to the floor facing each other. Ilya was wearing all black and white sneakers. I was wearing a white t-shirt and black shorts and sneakers.”
“The night you were drafted?” Harris was fascinated. “Forget about needing money. Get your story told in any format. This is crazy, and by crazy I mean incredibly engaging.” He pulled on Troy’s hand. “Let’s go home. They are disgustingly cute. I’m getting jealous.”
Troy laughed and kissed the hand that was pulling him away. “G’night, you two. Thanks for having us! Enjoy your honeymoon.” When they were at the door, he and Harris added, “Bye Jackie. Bye Hayden. Bye Pike kids!”
As they were heading towards Harris’ truck, Troy listened to Hayden’s voice, “You really love Shane.” That was followed by a groan from Rozanov, “Of course I do, moron. Not swear jar for me, Jackie!”
Troy had to give it to Harris, he had been right: Rozanov was a complete softie. Troy had known for a while that Rozanov wasn’t the asshole he tried the NHL to see him as, but the revelations of the night, he would have never imagined. Ilya Rozanov had been into Shane Hollander for a very long time, even if neither of them had been ready to admit it for a while. Not only had he joined a loser team to be close to Hollander, but he had also been collecting art that represented their story in hidden ways. Troy wondered how many of those were around their house. How long would it take Hollander to find all the ways Rozanov had been saying ‘I love you,’ before either of them had the brain pathways to understand it and to say it aloud?
Harris was on to something: their love story was definitely worth telling. However, even if it wasn’t told to the world, Troy was happy that he got the chance to see it happen in real time and learn little easter eggs here and there.
Ilya Rozanov had moved to Ottawa to be closer to the man he loved, and he’d made a difference on his team for the better. Rozanov was an excellent hockey player, no one doubted that, but the way he had influenced his team was by valuing every single one of his teammates’ individual skills and helping them figure out how they could use them to benefit the team as a whole.
Even more so, if it weren’t for Rozanov’s not so subtle push, Troy might not have gotten his act together with Harris. Having been traded to the Centaurs had been the best blessing to Troy’s life, and Rozanov being his captain and teammate was a big reason why. Troy was elated that his captain was finally living his love freely, he and Hollander had seriously earned the right. He didn’t know everything, but their story sounded like one of those meant for the books, the ones meant to inspire.