Chapter Text
Shane
After an incredibly violent game against Toronto, Shane wanted nothing else but to just lay down and sleep. But his husband and his team had other plans. Shane was still adjusting to being with the Centaurs and being in a public relationship, so he thought it would be good for him to get used to being out with the guys. They all filtered into a bar in Ottawa and completely took it over. In a matter of minutes, you could see burly hockey players in every corner of the bar. It was kind of fun to see how everyone just found their own corner. Ilya was dancing with the rookies in the middle of the room, while Shane just sat in the corner with Troy and Harris observing everyone and commenting on the weird shit everyone got up to. After a while the door opened at let in a cold breeze. Shane’s eyes instinctively drifted towards the entrance where he spotted Dallas Kent and a few other Toronto players walking in. They were definitely outnumbered here but that never stopped them from doing something stupid. Shane found Troy’s angry gaze and just shook his head. The others did not seem to notice the shift just yet. Of course, Shane hated Dallas like any other reasonable guy but confronting him here with all those people around was not going to solve anything. He just hoped Ilya felt the same.
Over the rest of the night Shane nursed his one and only beer while keeping an eye on Kent and his crew. They were mostly keeping to the bar. Shane could tell that the rest of the Centaurs had noticed the intrusion but were keeping their feelings to themselves. The last thing anyone needed was a big fight outside of the rink. His eyes caught Dallas talking to a brunette woman near the bar. Shane was not the best at reading social cues but even he could see that the woman was definitely not into him. Her eyes scan over Kents body with a look of disgust Shane could only laugh at. He watched Dallas grind his jaw as the woman turned around to look for someone. From where he was sitting, he could not quite see, but it looked like Dallas shortly put his hand over the woman’s drink before walking away. Shane knew how he was and wanted to intervene but before he could even stand up, the drink was already empty. Dallas walked away keeping a watchful eye on the brunette at the bar. But he was not the only one. Shane was not sure if what he saw was correct, but he was sure as hell not going to let anything happen to her. It really did not take long for Shane’s assumption to be confirmed. He was just lucky that he was not as drunk as Kent and noticed the little wobble in her steps before he could. With a speed normally reserved for the rink, Shane stood up and followed the woman towards the quiet hallway. On his way Shane’s eyes caught Ilya’s questioning gaze and he gestured for him to follow. Behind the door towards the hallway he could see the woman collapse against the wall. His hands shot forward to steady her, but she just slowly slides to the floor.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah fine, I just need a minute.”
Her fingers gripped tightly into Shane’s arms with no sign of letting go. The noise from the party shortly filtered back in when Ilya walked into the hallway looking confused.
“Shane, what-“
As soon as he saw her, he understood. Maybe not everything but he understood enough. His jaw tightened. Usually, Shane would find the time to appreciate the perfect jawline of his husbands face but right now he was too worried. He knew that to this girl they were just to strange men who followed her towards the bathroom as she appeared completely drunk. All his energy was reserved to not looking threatening in any way, so she would not be scared. Ilya’s hands slowly ran over Shane’s stiff shoulders as he placed a kiss on his head. Normal, of course, but also showing show her, that they were not threatening. It is ridiculous actually. Shane knew they could be queer and still awful and a threat, but it probably eased her worry. If she was in any state to worry at all.
“What is your name?” Ilya’s accent getting stronger with the alcohol but his voice still so soft Shane could melt.
“Lily.”
Shane could not help but smile. Lily slowly lifted her head her hair falling back from her face as her eyes slowly roamed over the room, not focusing on anything.
“Lily, everything is going to be okay. We are staying with you until you feel better.”
She shook her head.
“No, it is fine. I can take care of myself, thank you.”
She makes an attempt to stand up but she just falls again. She was clearly dizzy, not being able to focus her eyes. Her hands still gripped onto Shane’s underarms for stability as if it was the only thing anchoring her.
“I do not think you should be alone right now. We know we are just strangers, but-“ Shane thought for a minute how to phrase it. “We think you may have been drugged. And maybe it is better for you to stay with two gay strangers than out there alone. Did you come with any friends?”
“Actually, I am bi-“
“Ilya not helping.”
Lily just barely seemed to register what they were saying, her head rested against the wall and her eyes barely open.
“My friend already left with a guy.”
“Okay, so we stay with you.”
Ilya sits down on the floor next to Shane and tries to look as non-threatening as possible.
“Do you need anything?”
“Water maybe.”
Ilya immediately stood up and was out the door again, before Shane could say anything else.
“Whats your name?”
Lily’s voice was weak and slurred; it broke Shane’s heart. The difference between the confident woman who so clearly rejected Dallas and the woman sitting on the floor barely keeping herself upright was drastic. What was even worse is, it only took five minutes for her to get like this. Hot rage started to rise in his throat, but Shane couldn’t think about it too much right now. He needed to help her now and find Dallas later.
“Shane. And the other guy is Ilya.”
She just nodded as an answer. Her fingers slowly loosened on his arms and she steadied them on the floor. Her eyes were still barely open and her hair a mess. Ilya came back with a glass of water and she took it only taking a small sip of it. Just then Shane realized how stupid that probably was. Here she was roofied by some stranger, while they – also strangers – brought her another drink. Ilya had his hand on the glass the entire time, because she did not seem strong enough to hold it on her own.
“Lily, where is your apartment?”
All that came out is a mumble. Even if they could understand her leaving her alone would not be an option. Should they find her phone and text her friend? What exactly was the protocol for this?
“Lily, I think we should get you out of here, before something happens. Okay?”
A small nod is all they get. It looked like she was slowly losing consciousness or falling asleep they couldn’t know.
Ilya turned towards Shane and said:”I am going to call us a cab. She will have to sleep at our place.”
“Do you really think this is the best idea?”
“Do you have a better one?”
Shane in fact did not have a better idea. It was the best they could do right now, even if it felt wrong. Ilya made the call while Shane was keeping an eye on Lily.
“Five minutes.”
Luckily Lily’s purse was still slung over her body so they would not have to search the whole bar.
“Lily, can you stand up?”
Her head shook, barely noticeable. Shane shared a worried glance with his husband before standing up and softly picking her up, so she rested in his arms. He was overly cautious not to touch her anywhere she could feel uncomfortable. Luckily Lily did not seem uncomfortable with his touch. Her head slumped on his shoulder and Shane could feel her tears soaking through his shirt. Ilya held open the door for him to walk through and the quickly made it through the crowd with weird looks being thrown their way. Luckily no one tried to talk to them though. Shane held an eye out for the Toronto players, but they were already gone. When they stepped outside their cap was already there and they got in. Shane put Lily in the middle seat, putting on her seatbelt. The whole ride was spent with her slouching on him while he tried to keep her awake. Ilya’s eyes periodically met his in the rearview mirror and he could tell he was as angry as Shane was. He was angry, that Dallas felt like he could do this without any backlash. Without anything happening to him. It was awful. The ride back to their place felt agonizing. Normally it was not long, but it might as well been a trip across the entire country. When they finally stopped in their driveway, Shane picked Lily up again and stepped inside with her in his arms. Normally his heart swelled at the familiar scent of their home. At the light scratches of Anyas paws against the floor and the soft light illuminating the photos of them. But right now, he could not appreciate it. Without taking of his shoes he walks towards the couch and slowly let Lily rest against it. Her chest was rising and falling heavily but her eyes were still closed. Shane was just happy she was safe.
“Get ready for bed, I will stay with her.”
Shane did not question Ilya, already feeling the heaviness of the day settling in his bones.
--
Ilya
Ilya watched Shane slowly ease out of the living room and sat down on the couch next to Lily’s feet. He scanned her for any injuries before pulling a blanket over her body.
“Please, help me.”
Her voice was so low, Ilya almost did not hear her. But he did and it broke his heart. All he could think of was his niece in Russia being raised by his piece of shit brother. Would he be able to protect her? Shaking his head Ilya stood up and crouched on the floor next to Lily’s head.
“You are safe here, Lily.”
Hesitantly he brushed one hand over her head watching for any flinch in her demeanor. All he could see was the single tear falling down her cheek. She borrowed her face into the pillow her head was resting on, leaning more into Ilyas touch in the meantime. The quiet engulfed them again, Ilya attentively watching for any change in Lilys demeanor. After a while Anya trotted over to them and greeted Ilya like she has not seen him come through the door. For the first time since finding Lily a smile crept his way onto his face. It does not take a while for Anya to approach Lily. Her soft nose carefully dancing around Lilys face and hands trying to find out who she is. Without opening her eyes Lilys hand reached out to Anya’s head and sloppily pets her. Shane gets back in sweatpants and a hoodie immediately reaching out to stroke Ilya’s curls. Before Ilya could enjoy the touch Lily started trembling.
“Are you okay?”
“Cold.”
It is all the answer they get. But it is enough for Shane to hurry around to find more blankets to pull over her trembling frame. It does not really die down but gets a little less intense with the added warmth. Ilya and Shane stay at her side for a while not really knowing what to do, so they just let Anya comfort her in her usual cute way. Ilya is almost asleep with his head on the sofa when Lily starts kicking off the blankets in a rush. Her forehead is now glistening with sweat and she seems to struggle to breathe.
“Sick, I’m going to be-“
Before she can finish her sentence Ilya lifted her up and walked her to the nearest bathroom. Lily was barely sitting in front of the toilet when she started retching and throwing up. Ilya hold back her hair as loosely as he could and stroked her back, trying to give her some form of comfort. She probably does not even feel any of it but at least he felt useful. Shane came in a minute later with a glass of water and some stale bread. It was not going to fix her, but it also might help once she stopped puking. It only lasted a few minutes until all the strength left Lilys body and she fell back against Ilya. Helpless, he looked back at Shane for help, but he was already gone. So all he could do is let instinct take over. He wrapped his arms around sitting her up before stroking her head again. He watched intently how her breathing came out ragged, her fingers still trembling her eyes barely open. When would she finally get better? When would Ilya be able to stop worrying about her and start plotting murdering whoever did this to her? His mind was already starting to wrap around a solid plan when Shane came back offering Lily a make-up wipe, they kept in the guest bathroom for when Svetlana or Rose stay over. Lily tries to do it herself but is clearly still to knocked out to do it, so Shane takes over wiping the excess make up of her face with a care and caution he only sees him use with newborns.
It takes them a while, but they get Lily dressed in comfortable clothes and sleeping in the guest room with a trash bin next to the bed. Ilya kisses Shane on the head and ushers him towards their own bedroom so he can get some sleep while Ilya watches out for Lily. They were not ready for kids, but right now it felt like they had one. One who is almost as old as them but nothing about them is conventional anyway.