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It was a Saturday night, today was the yearly charity gala for raising money we’re many hockey players were in attendance across multiple different teams. It was a family friendly event so many people brought their kids as an end of season celebration. Ilya always loved this event, he loved seeing all the kids light up and have fun with their parents in a way that he never got to experience and it felt good to see that not all kids were as unlucky as he was.
His favourite kids were obviously the pikes, but he wouldn’t tell anyone else that. They were dancing in a circle with the other kids and Ilya softened when he saw little Arthur being included by the twins and the other kids, he was always shy next to the twins, Jade and Ruby.
He stopped by the bar getting a drink, not as good as his vodka from back home, but not the worst he had ever had either. As he looked up, he saw his boyfriend enter the room, he looked gorgeous in a black suit with a black tie and his freckles out. They made eye contact across the room Shane giving him a small, discreet smile to let him know that he saw him before moving on to greet the rest of his team.
Ilya went to stand with his own team saying hi to Troy and everyone else. He loved his new team. They were funny and welcoming and Ilya never felt more at home even if they were struggling to win their games.
“Thought you weren’t coming Roz.” One of his teammates said.
“Oh you know me can’t resist getting dressed up, what a shame it would be for people to miss out on me in a tux, looking this good.” He smirked.
“Asshole .” His teammates all laughed as they continued to talk amongst themselves.
“I’m just gonna go to the bathroom.” Ilya said as he walked towards the nearest restroom.
Ilya entered the bathroom and two seconds later he heard the door open again this time locking, he turned around and was instantly backed into the wall and kissed with crazy passion.
“Hollander.” He says as he opens his eyes, “can’t control yourself for one night, you follow me to bathrooms now huh?”
“Shut up, you just looked so good I had to get one minute with you.” Shane breathed against his neck.
“You can have me whenever you want moya lyubov.” Ilya stoked Shane’s check bringing him in for another kiss.
“Okay.” Shane said as he pulled back. “I better get back out there.”
“Yeah, don’t want anyone noticing your disappearance Hollander.”
“Shut up.” Shane rolled his eyes.
Shane went to leave the bathroom his hand on the lock.
“Wait.” Ilya grabbed his arm. “You look great as well by the way, very hot, can’t wait to take you home tonight.”
Shane threw him a wink as he unlocked the door and joined the party again.
By the time Ilya came back his teammates were all stood in a circle doing shots. Ilya joined them again smirking at Shane on his way who was stood with the Pikes and their kids. Ilya stood in front of them pretending to listen to his teammates but really he was eavesdropping on Shane talking with the kids about what ice cream flavour they think each other they would be. It’s was sweet and made Ilya’s heart expand. He couldn’t wait to hear conversations like that between his own kids with Shane one day. Maybe bring them to these events together.
Arthur was showing Shane how fast he ran in a race in school when he accidentally stumbled and fell into one of Ilya team mates. The team mate instantly dropped to the floor and helped him back up asking if he was okay.
Arthur smiled as he looked up and said, “I am okay, I did not mean to bump into you, my running is to fast.”
Ilya laughed, he has a soft spot for Arthur.
“Yes.” His teammate replied, “very fast, we will have to get you on the ice one day like your dad hey?”
“Yes. And like uncle Shane.”
“Yes.” His teammate laughed before then saying, “cool nails dude, I love them, maybe I should get some so I can be cool like you.”
“Thank you.” Arthur giggled. “Uncle Ilya did them, he is the best in the whole world.” Arthur puts his hands out as far as he can to show how cool his uncle is, normally Ilya would find it adorable but right now his face was frozen.
“Uncle Ilya…?” His teammates all looked around suspiciously, Ilya saw Shane shaking his head with his eyes down to the floor. How can they get out of this one?
Arthur, too little to pick up on the tone, ‘uncle Ilya’ was spoken breaks out into more animated conversation, “Yes uncle Ilya, Ruby and Jade got theirs painted first by him and then he asked me if I wanted mine done but then my sister said only girls could get their nails painted and uncle Ilya said that everyone can paint their nails and he painted mine and his, he’s so cool, I want to be like him when I grow up!”
Ilya felt his heart crack open, he loved these kids so much.
Hayden however, looked annoyed at that comment but also couldn’t help but smile, Ilya was an amazing uncle to his kids he could never discredit that.
But Arthur wasn’t done with his rambling just yet, “And then Ruby and Jade married uncle Shane and uncle Ilya because they love each other and I love them and it was a great day!”
Jade shouted at her brother then saying, “Arthur the wedding was a secret you weren’t meant to tell.”
“erm captain, want to explain?” His teammates all looked at Ilya expectantly.
“Well…” Ilya breathed in speaking again, “is long story really… I should erm…”
He looked at Shane for help. Shane looked shaken but gave him a soft smile.
Arthur spoke up again first with a sad, small voice “I’m sorry, uncle Shane, I’m sorry uncle Ilya I thought you loved each other and it was not a secret. do you not love each other?”
He said it with such a sad voice and guilty expression both Shane and Ilya hearts broke.
They both bent down to be eye level with the child, Shane instantly spoke holding Arthur’s hand whilst Ilya held his other, “no, no your okay.” Shane said softly, “of course we love each other, you did nothing wrong.”
“Really…?” He asked, voice still small.
“Really.” Ilya replied. “Besides your boring uncle would have had me tell the team in some boring way, you saved me from conforming to his boringness.”
Arthur giggled as Shane complained “Hey! I’m not boring”
They hugged Arthur as he asked to be lifted up by Ilya, Ilya held him on his hip and he looked back at his teammates.
“So… “ one of them spoke up. “You and been Hollander? how long is that been going on?”
“Years, if we’re being transparent since rookie season.”
“Well shit.” The whole team laughed bewildered at how they could keep the secret for such a long time.
“Look you guys you have our support no judgment here.”
“Yeah always.”
Ilya loved his team.
Shane smiled as he reached to hold Ilya’s hand, Ilya kissed him on his forehead.
“eventful night right moya lyubov?”
“Just a little” Shane exhaled.
“You are okay tho yes.”
“Always, with you.”
“Good, I love you. “ Ilya said softly.
“I love you too.”
“Hey.” Hayden’s voice took them back into the room, Ilya passing Arthur over to his father.
“All that work of secrecy for my son to expose you, this can’t be made up.”
Everyone burst out laughing.