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Shane had been watching on TV. It looked like a bad fall and he couldn’t tell anything other than Ilya had been taken off the ice on a stretcher. Undoubtedly he would be heading to the nearest hospital. You couldn’t even tell if Ilya was conscious. Hockey players got injured all the time, Shane had his own fair share of injuries, it was a rough sport but he hated being here in Montreal. Although Boston had been playing Ottawa so Ilya wasn't too far away. It still felt like too far.
Shane had been pacing the floor in front of his TV when his phone rang. The game was still going on but it was looking like Boston were still going to win even without their captain. Ottawa didn't have a great team. It was a number he didn't recognise. “Hello?” Shane asked.
“Is that Shane Hollander?”
“Speaking.” Shane replied.
“This is Coach LeClaire, Ilya Rozanov's coach. I'm just calling because you're down as his emergency contact.” Coach LeClaire explained, he sounded very confused.
“Is he okay?” Shane asked.
“I'm not too sure just yet. The hospital won't release the information as I'm not his emergency contact. They want to speak to you.” Coach LeClaire continued.
“Where is he?” Shane checked, grabbing his keys and heading to his car.
“Ottawa General.” Coach LeClaire said.
“I'm on my way.” Shane assured him before hanging up. This was going to be fun to explain.
The Canadian had absolutely no idea when Ilya had changed his emergency contact information although Shane had a feeling that he had probably done it after his father's death. It was a two hour drive to Ottawa and Shane had always been a safe driver. Always obeyed the speed limit. Until today. Ilya needed him and Shane wanted to be by his side. Needed to be by his side. He made the drive in an hour and a half. If he got a speeding ticket then he would deal with it then.
The game was over and all of Ilya's teammates had arrived at the hospital by the time Shane got there. They all looked shocked when Shane walked through the doors. “What the fuck are you doing here, Hollander?” Marlow asked.
“I told you Rozy's emergency contact was on their way.” Coach LeClaire told the team.
“You didn't say it was Shane fucking Hollander!” Carmichael shouted. Shane ignored the rest of the Boston Bears and went to the desk.
“Hello, I'm Shane Hollander. I wanted to know how Ilya Rozanov is doing?” Shane asked.
“He's been asking for you, Mr Hollander.” The nurse told him.
“Is he okay?” Shane questioned.
“He's in room 209. I'll let his doctor know you're here to come and tell you.”
“Thank you.” Shane smiled before turning back to the Bears.
“What did she say?” Marlow asked.
“He's in room 209. His doctor will come and tell me now I'm here.” Shane replied.
“Let's go, then.” Someone else said.
“We will wait here.” Coach LeClaire stated.
“But-”
“I'm sure Shane will let us know once he's seen Rozy.” Coach LeClaire finished. Shane could tell there was no room for arguments in his voice. Shane was feeling very grateful for that. He could do without the million questions everyone had. He needed to see Ilya first and make sure he was okay.
Shane felt a little bad that all these people spent so much time with Ilya and they couldn’t be told how he was. It must be very worrying for them but Shane would let them know what had been said. It had been brutal to watch, Shane couldn’t imagine how bad it had been for the team to be there on the ice with him when it happened. And then they’d had to carry on with the game. It must have been awful to have been waiting so long for Shane to get here. Thankfully, they’d only been playing in Ottawa and it wasn’t too far away. Shane dreaded to think what would’ve happened if they’d been in Florida or something.
The Canadian made his way to Ilya’s room and headed inside. “Shane!” Ilya exclaimed before wincing and holding his side. Shane couldn’t help but roll his eyes fondly. Of course Ilya was sitting up talking to the doctor at the side of his bed. “How are you?” Shane asked, moving closer.
“I’m fine.” Ilya stated. Shane just raised an eyebrow at him.
“Of course you are. Because completely fine people end up in hospital all the time.” Shane deadpanned. The doctor couldn’t help but laugh.
“Hello, Mr Hollander. I’m Doctor Brown. He’s trying to act tough but he had a mild concussion and a couple of cracked ribs.” Doctor Brown explained.
“See, it's practically nothing.” Ilya said.
“Lots of rest for this one, please.” Doctor Brown said, finally before leaving the room.
“Why are you here?” Ilya asked with a smile.
“Your coach called me…” Shane trailed off.
“Oh, fuck. I forgot to tell you I'd changed my emergency details.” Ilya said.
“I know.” Shane laughed. This whole situation was so bizarre but Ilya would be okay and that was all that mattered.
“Come here.” Ilya requested.
“I need to let the Bears know how you are. As I'm your emergency contact, they wouldn't tell them anything.” Shane said.
“They've waited a few hours, they can wait a few more minutes.” Ilya shrugged. Shane couldn't argue with his logic. Ilya had a point. Shane moved closer to the bed and Ilya reckoned for him to lean down. When Shane was close enough, Ilya kissed him. It was only a chaste kiss, nothing compared to how Ilya would normally kiss him but they were in a hospital room where anyone could walk in.
“Ilya.” Shane said. He could tell that they had the Russian on the good painkillers. Shane wasn't sure he would be acting like this if he wasn't.
“What?”
“What am I meant to tell your team? About why I'm here. They have so many questions.” Shane checked.
“Tell them the truth. Tell them you're my boyfriend.” Ilya replied.
“Am I? Am I your boyfriend?”
“I want you to be.” Ilya admitted. Shane didn’t know if he would be this loose lipped if he wasn’t high on painkillers but for now he was going to enjoy it.
“You do?” Shane was surprised. This Ilya was singing a different tune to the one Shane had spoken to in Tampa but a lot had happened since then.
“I do. I was scared to tell you in Tampa but things are different now. My father is dead. I don’t have to go back to Russia anymore. We can be together.” Ilya explained.
“Will you still feel this way when you’re not high on painkillers?” Shane asked, not really wanting to know the answer.
“I’ve been feeling like this since before my father died. I just couldn’t do anything with him still alive.” Ilya said. Shane just kissed him again.
“What the fuck?” A voice said from the doorway. Shane turned around to find the entire Boston Bears team standing in the doorway. Marlow had been the one who had spoken.
“That explains so much.” Coach LeClaire sighed. Shane couldn’t help but flush. This hadn’t been how he wanted to come out to anyone and although part of him felt like Ilya would agree, another part of him said that Ilya would love to come out to them in this way.
“Everyone is here.” Ilya smiled. “My team and my boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend?”
“Yeah. Boyfriend.” Shane agreed, taking Ilya’s hand in his. Ilya squeezed it reassuringly.