Chapter Text
Ekaterina
Alexei had been staring at Ilya for some time now. Shooting glances his way, making it clear he wanted to talk.
Sadly for him, Ilya was not in the mood.
This whole day has been difficult.
His father was dead.
It’s not like he liked his father, so he didn’t feel like crying but it was still his father. Ilya hated to admit how much it actually affected him.
Wanting to take a break he stood up and went to the bathroom, hoping to be able to gather his thoughts and get through the rest of the day.
But luck was never on his side as not even 5 minutes later his brother had already followed him.
“Stop fucking avoiding me.” Alexei snarled.
“If only.” sighted Ilya.
“So?” Alexei asked, almost like Ilya should be able to know what he was talking about.
Turning to look at his brother, Ilya replied: “So what?”
The words had barely left his mouth before Alexei pushed Ilya against the wall.
“Don't fucking touch me.” shouted Ilya, pushing Alexei’s hands off him.
He wasn’t a small boy anymore and Alexei touching him like that was not happening ever again.
Pointing his finger at him Alexei stated: “Then tell me the fucking plan.”
Bewildered, Ilya replied: “Jesus Christ.”
“I don't know yet, Alexei! He just died.”
“Can I get a minute to breathe?” Ilya was honestly surprised he was expecting more from his brother.
He should have known that the only thing on his brother’s mind was not, is Ilya OK, but is the money going to run out?
“And me? What about me? Do I get to breathe too? Or is that just something reserved for rich faggots who abandon their families?” replied Alexei, like that would make Ilya care more.
Ilya barely even registered the insult thrown at him, it had been used so often.
But the insult that he abandoned his family, that was something that angered Ilya.
“Abandoned? Who's money do you live on, you piece of shit? Who puts food in your mouth and coke up your nose?” hissed Ilya, he could not believe the audacity of his brother to say this.
It was Ilya who had been paying for everyone the past years.
While other hockey players used their money on whatever, Ilya had been dutifully sending a large part to his family in Russia.
“I have a child, Ilya! And a fucking wife! And me, I've spent the last five months taking care of our dying father every fucking day!” Alexei informed Ilya, like he didn’t know this and it would create a small amount of compassion from Ilya.
Their argument came to a halt when they heard another voice saying. “I thought I heard singing.”
It was Svetlana coming in.
She didn’t say it but she was hinting that they had been away for too long and that the other guests were starting to take note.
“Great. Now we have to listen to this whore run her mouth.” Alexei said under his breath.
And that was too much for Ilya.
You could insult him all you wanted but not the people he cared about.
With a scream he pushed Alexei against the wall and punched him in the face.
Immediately Svetlana placed a hand on his shoulder trying to stop him from punching Alexei further. “Stop, Ilyusha! Stop. He's not worth it. He's not worth anything”
Having had enough of this and never wanting to deal with his brother again, Ilya made him a final offer. “You can have my apartment. And there will be a trust for my niece. She can have it when she's 18. And you will never, ever contact me again. If you do, I will use every piece of my fame and money and notoriety to make sure that you can't show your face in this fucking city without someone wanting to break it open. So take what I offer, shut your fucking mouth and walk away.”
Seeing that Ilya was not going to give him anything more, Alexei gave him a small nod and walked back inside.
Just as Svetlana was planning on saying something, his beautiful twin sister Ekaterina entered the bathroom. Upon seeing Ilya’s angry face and Svetlana standing there, her eyes widened. “Are you OK?”
Probably knowing something must have happened, as Alexei had just exited the bathroom and she sadly enough also knew how their brother could be.
Seeing she was not needed Svetlana exited the room saying to Ilya “If you need anything, I will be here.”
The second Svetlana left the room, Ilya pulled his sister in a crushing hug.
It had been so long since they last saw each other.
“Rina.” he murmured.
“Hey, Ilyushka” Ekaterina sighed back, happy to see her brother again, even if the circumstances were not the best.
After soaking in each other's warmth for what felt like hours they slowly pulled apart. The feeling of being together again, touching again, talking again was the highlight of the week for Ilya.
Well until he saw the guarded look on his sister’s face.
“Rina? Is everything OK?” seeing her look slightly away, considering what to answer her brother, Ilya pushed a little bit. “Please tell me, you know I am always here for you.”
After several more seconds Rina hesitantly said: “It has been almost 2 years since Dima passed away.” Dmitri was the man his sister had married and sadly got killed in a car crash 2 summers ago, leaving her a widow and single parent to Nikolai. “Father and Alexei have been looking at potential new husbands.” Rina continued. “Alexei made it clear that with father now gone I need to remarry after the summer.”
Suddenly her eyes hardened and she looked directly at Ilya.
“Ilyushka, I..” she stammered, her resolve disappearing for a second before it came back stronger than before. “You have to take Kolya with you to the US.”
Ilya was shocked, but before he could respond Rina continued.
“I am unsure who I will marry, but you know how men here are with children from a previous marriage. I can’t subject him to that.” She trailed off before continuing.
“He won’t be a bother. He can stay home by himself now if needed and, Ilyushka, he loves to play hockey. Wants to be just as good as his uncle one day. I know I will need to give up my parental rights to you and..” Ilya finally cut her off.
“Rina, no, there has to be another way.” Ilya insisted. “I cannot take care of a seven year old and I don’t want Kolya to grow up without you. I refuse to let you get married again. You were lucky with Dima, he was nice. But there is no guarantee this will be the case again. There has to be another way.”
Rina looked so defeated.
Almost like the only hope she had disappeared.
“Ilyushka, there is no other way” Rina whispered, tears appearing in her eyes.
“If I stay here I won’t have any choice. Even with you sending me money.”
Almost laughingly she continued “It’s not like I am an amazing hockey player that will allow me to leave Russia.”
Becoming more serious she looked again at Ilya. “You know I didn’t continue my studies. I know the only way to get a visa is either work, marriage, or guardianship. Which is why you could take Kolya out of here and give him a better life.”
Ilya wanted to deny it but for the first time he realised his twin sister must have really thought about it, because it was true.
Getting a visa for the US or Canada was only possible either via work or if you got married or were a minor child under the guardianship of a legally allowed adult.
But looking at his sister Ilya knew he couldn’t accept this.
His sister had given up too much for him his entire life, protected him for horrible things, and this time with all his connections and money, it was his turn to protect Rina.
Looking at her, feeling determined, Ilya exclaimed. “Give me some days, I will find some way to get you out of here.”
Seeing the disbelief in her eyes, Ilya sighed “If I can’t find another way I promise I will take Kolya with me.”
Directly after Ilya’s promise he had his hands full again of his sister who was giving him a crushing hug murmuring thank you over and over again.