Chapter Text
The universe made a great joke. Shane hoped that whoever was in charge of destiny enjoyed the show.
Out of all people, of course his soulmate had to be his arch-rival.
He stared at the tattoo that had just appeared on his wrist a few minutes before, as the clock struck midnight on his 21st birthday. As much as he wanted to believe that he read it incorrectly at first, now the name was clearly visible on his skin. He also wasn't torturing himself, thinking it would be another person, who just happened to share the same name as Boston’s All-Star player.
Ilya.
Shane quickly grabbed his phone and checked Ilya’s birthday on the Internet. He knew they were the same age and the thought of Ilya already having his name on his skin made Shane terrified. Luckily, there was over a month until Ilya’s 21st birthday.
Shane was getting a lot of messages in the meantime. His friends and family were wondering about his soulmate.
He really didn't want to respond to anyone. He needed a plan. Needed to figure out what to do now and most importantly, he had to calm himself down and try to comprehend how the hell was Ilya Rozanov his soulmate.
Maybe it would be better, if Rozanov already knew.
Shane was sure he wouldn't sleep that night. He surfed the Internet for a few hours, looking for stories about soulmate tattoos being incorrect, checking if they could change. Then he moved on to look for information about Ilya.
About his soulmate. The thought kept crawling back into his thoughts.
Finally, he felt so tired and emotionally drained that he dozed off.
He never really thought about this whole soulmate thing. Just believed that once he turns twenty-one he'll see a name on his wrist and it will be someone that he knew or he'll just wait till the universe brings them together. Shane didn't even really wonder if it would be a man or a woman. If the universe knew who was the best for him, then he'd just go on with it. He focused fully on his professional life, knowing that his love life was covered without his action.
He'd never thought, that out of all people, the perfect match for him would be Ilya, fuckin, Rozanov.
Shane didn't know him at all. They just played against each other and never shared a word off the ice. Though Shane had to admit that Ilya was a great player. He liked playing against him as it was the most challenging.
He also knew that Rozanov was a dickhead, had a reputation of a ladies’ man and enjoyed making people pissed at him.
Shane's future looked as bright as literal hell.
A few days passed and Shane hadn't really left the house, too afraid that someone would see the name on his wrist. He told everyone concerned that he didn't know anyone with his soulmate’s name. It was partly true… He didn't know Rozanov at all.
He had a team meeting approaching but he figured he’ll just wear a long shirt and maybe a watch to cover the tattoo. He's never been sharing much of the private stuff with his team so no one should bother him. Maybe some of his teammates didn't even know that it was THE birthday he'd just had. Hayden already asked him about the name but Shane managed to dodge this question. Same with his parents. It felt insane, to hide it but he couldn't get himself to tell anyone that Rozanov was his soulmate.
“Just tell me if you have any idea who she is,” Hayden asked him once they finished the meeting. “Wouldn’t be surprised if she was a movie star or something.”
Shane couldn't help but feel a rush of panic upon hearing “she”. Of course he knew that soulmates were typically the opposite gender, he even assumed that himself, when his friends were getting tattoos. Which was something he had to stop doing, obviously. It did put more pressure on him, having to tell people that it was actually a man that he was supposed to spend his life with.
Or maybe there would be no pressure if it wasn't his arch-rival.
“You'll be the first to know,“ he promised and said his goodbyes, as he wanted to leave as soon as possible.
Shane only listened to the first few minutes of a meeting, anyway, as their coach announced that there would be a special get-together event organized for team captains. That would, of course, include Rozanov. Thankfully it was still before his birthday.
A meeting like this had never been organized before. At first Shane couldn't believe that after dropping an archrival tattoo bomb, the universe is still playing with him, but then he thought it was a perfect moment to try to get to know Boston’s captain, without him knowing that they're soulmates.
Actually, was there a chance that he won’t be Ilya’s soulmate? Did stuff like that happen? Shane had to check.
“Yeah, this looks better, “ Rose commented during the FaceTime they were having. Shane asked her for advice on what to pack for the captains’ meeting. Currently he was showing her a blue linen shirt that he recently bought, paired with khaki shorts. He was sure that she wondered why he cared that much about how he’ll look, but luckily she didn’t ask any questions. Shane wasn’t sure he’d be able to lie to her.
“Okay, I think we got it,” he said with a smile and closed his suitcase once everything was packed. “Thanks for the help, Rose.”
“Always! I hope you appreciate me not asking any questions while I’m dying to know the answers,” she laughed and Shane felt bad about not telling her. Maybe he could tell her? She’d understand.
“I know who my soulmate is,” he sighed and watched her face light up with happiness. He wished his own would do the same. “I’m not…ready to tell you who that is. But we’ll see each other soon.”
“You must be nervous, huh?”
“Yeah… They don’t know yet. Not for a couple more weeks. I want to… Well, I don’t know really,” he sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.
“Get to know them?”
“Yeah, probably. No idea how to do it, he’s alwa…” Shit. He didn’t mean to let her know it’s a HE.
“Shane, it’s okay,” Rose said immediately. She probably saw how the blood drained from his face. “It really is! Are you…disappointed that it’s a man?”
“Not that much. Just shocked about who he is,” Shane sighed and took a few deep breaths.
“Whoever it is, you’re gonna be okay. I’m sure he’s perfect for you, even if you don’t see it yet.”
“God, I hope you’re right.” Shane really tried to let her words get to him. He wanted so badly to believe in them. A few days passed already but he still couldn’t apprehend the fact that Ilya Rozanov was his soulmate. No matter how many times he told it to himself, how many times he looked at that tattoo. It was still unbelievable.
They said their goodbyes as Shane’s cab arrived and he headed to the airport. The meeting was organized in New York so he had to take a plane. If it was up to him, he’d drive all the way there. Do anything, basically, to prolong seeing Rozanov.
Of course, he saw him as soon as he entered the hotel lobby.
Ilya was sitting at the bar, all by himself. Shane figured that without his teammates Rozanov probably didn’t have anyone to spend time with. No doubt all players admired his skills, but they mostly perceived him as an absolute asshole. Shane couldn’t help but wonder how much of it was just an act. He was curious what Ilya was really like.
He’ll probably find out soon. If not during this weekend then once they both have their tattoos. Unless Ilya just ignores the universe and finds himself some girl…
Would he actually do that?
He knew he should act cool, but seeing Rozanov was too much. Knowing that his name is written on his wrist. Knowing this was the man that the universe chose for him. The man that was supposed to be perfect for him.
Ilya looked good, Shane had to admit. He was wearing all black, his muscular arms and collar bones exposed in a deep V-neck. His curly hair was styled to the back, but there were a couple of loose strands around his face. Shane wondered how they’d feel against his fingertips.
He had to calm down. Actually, had he? It was his soulmate after all. Looking, staring, at Ilya right now he thought, for the very first time, that the universe had a point. He certainly didn't mind the view.
He asked the hotel staff to get his suitcase to the room and headed to the bar. He stood close to Rozanov to order his drink.
“You came closer for a better view, Hollander?” Rozanov snorted, as soon as Shane placed his order. He looked at Ilya puzzled, not sure what he meant. “Oh, you hoped I would not notice? You were staring at me. Handsome, I know. ”
Shit.
“Guess that's what you get, being an asshole to everyone. Sitting alone at the bar,“ Shane pointed, trying his best to change the subject. He figured there is no point in denying anything Ilya said.
“You seem to be as alone as I am, Mr. friendly, “ Ilya laughed and sipped his beer. “You didn't bring your soulmate with you? “
“How do you?…”
“I'm very, how do you say… Notices things? “ Ilya said with a smile that forced Shane's eyes to look at his lips.
“Perceptive.“
“That. You’re making sure your wrist is covered every few minutes…and I know when your birthday is.“
Shane couldn't believe it. How could Rozanov already know everything? Hell, maybe he knew that out of everyone HE was Shane's soulmate, because at this point why wouldn't he know that already.
Rozanov’s expression changed, however. He lost this mesmerizing but bitchy grin and turned his gaze away from Shane.
“None of my businesses, but you don't seem to be happy with it. Sorry,” he said in a serious tone, which Shane's never heard before.
“It was quite… unexpected,“ Shane admitted and took a sip of his beer. He had to be careful not to say anything disrespectful and not to give him any clue about them being soulmates.
“Will be okay,“ Rozanov commented. “I am sorry for that person, tough. You’re boring as fuck.”
Shane couldn’t help but laugh at that. If only Ilya knew. He was, however, the first person who didn’t assume the gender, Shane noticed.
“Fuck you,” he just snorted, finishing his beer.
“Oh, you’re not saving yourself for the one?” Rozanov asked surprised and Shane blushed a little, because in fact, he was.
And he suddenly realized that this ONE was Ilya. If they do get together they’d kiss, have sex…he’d get to lick these collar bones that were daring him to do so at this very moment. He focused so much on the idea of them being soulmates that he didn't even think about the physical aspect.
Rozanov had to order vodka for both of them cause it appeared in front of Shane.
“You look like you could use some,” Ilya just mumbled, already sipping on his own liquid.
“You think you know who your soulmate will be?”
“No idea, really. For all I know it can be you, Hollander,” he snorted and Shane almost had a panic attack. It took him a while to comprehend the fact that Ilya was just joking.
Having him joking about it had to mean that he wasn’t like totally grossed out about this idea, right? At least that’s what Shane comforted himself with.
He ordered two more shots, just to be even with Rozanov and once they drank the vodka Ilya stood up. He was so close that for a moment Shane thought he’d kiss him, but of course he didn’t. Shane really shouldn’t let thoughts like that one into his head, but it was hard, having Ilya so close and so handsome. Now that he started to notice his appearance and thought of the possibility of touching him, going to bed with him, spending the life with him.
“Do not worry, Hollander, if it’s your soulmate, it’s meant to be. Goodnight.”
Shane was actually surprised that Rozanov believed in this concept so much. Unless he was just trying to be nice to Shane, which was an unexpected turn from his usual behaviour.
Shane didn't know if it was the alcohol, or the friendliest interaction he’d ever had with Rozanov, but it was the first time after his birthday that he went to sleep with a smile on his face.
If it's your soulmate, it's meant to be.