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❤︎
“Why are you doing social media today?” Troy asks, making a face as he spots Harris standing in the equipment room between the locker rooms and the rink at the Ottawa Centaurs practice facility. Harris is set up across from the hockey stick racks, grinning widely beside a camera perched on a tripod with a sign taped to it. “Where’s Rebecca?”
“Wow. Not happy to see me?” Harris says, rolling his eyes.
Rebecca, the former marketing intern for the Centaurs, is now the team’s social media manager after Harris got promoted to head of communications. He sometimes misses running the accounts himself—making silly little posts on Twitter and Instagram, forcing the players to do QNAs—but Rebecca does a great job.
Her most popular social media bit is the Question of the Day. After practice, Rebecca waits just off the ice with a mini microphone and a whiteboard scrawled with that day’s prompt. Most of the guys love it because the questions are short and silly, and the fans love to overanalyze every answer. It’s always a hit. Rebecca’s good at coming up with fun questions, too, so she usually handles them.
But sometimes, like now, Harris gets an idea that’s just too good not to execute himself. And he spent hours planning this one, so of course he has to see it through.
“Of course I’m happy to see you,” Troy says. “It just feels like I’m walking into a trap.”
“Read the sign,” Harris says, gesturing toward the whiteboard propped against the tripod.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, here’s a gift from the Ottawa Centaurs staff,” Troy reads aloud, voice monotone. Harris holds out a small card. Troy eyes it suspiciously. “It’s not Valentine’s Day yet—”
“Hey! When it’s posted, it will be. Stop breaking the illusion. Read it.”
Troy takes the card with his free hand and squints at the tiny piece of paper. It’s white text on a purple background, a cut-out of his face surrounded by hearts and emojis.
“You’ve Barrett-ed your way into my heart,” Troy reads. He looks up. “Like… barreled?”
Harris nods encouragingly, making a little go on motion with his hands.
“Oh. That’s… nice,” Troy says, though it comes out more like a question. “Thank you?”
“You sound disappointed,” Harris says—not offended, just clearly poking at him for content.
“Well, it’s not bad,” Troy says quickly, not wanting to insult his boyfriend. Honestly, Harris did spend hours on Canva and Photoshop making custom graphics and brainstorming puns for everyone. “It’s just corny as hell.”
“Duh,” Harris says. “That’s the point. Like the cards you gave out in elementary school.”
“Is this you asking me to be your Valentine?” Troy asks, grinning.
“If it was,” Harris says, “what’s your answer?”
“That making a corny graphic of me isn’t the way to go.”
Harris scoffs, shaking his head.
“Harris!” Wyatt Hayes exclaims, stumbling into the room in his bulky goalie gear. From the excitement in his voice, you’d never guess he sees Harris practically every day. “You got a question for us today?”
“Wyatt, I have a gift for you,” Harris says, gesturing to the sign.
“Ah, I’m flattered, but I’m a taken man.”
“Well, my actual Valentine rejected me, so we’ll have to make do,” Harris says, shooting Troy a pointed look. Troy scoffs in response.
Harris hands Wyatt the purple card, which looks comically small in his massive goalie glove.
“I’ve been Wyatt-ing for you all along,” Wyatt reads, pronouncing his name correctly on the first try. “Wait—I see it! I’ve been Wy-ate-ing for you all along. Nice! This is good.”
“Thank you,” Harris says, giving Troy another pointed look.
Troy rolls his eyes half-heartedly, a grin threatening to break through anyway. He slots his stick into the rack and heads toward the locker room just as more players begin flooding into the space. Some skirt around Harris—there’s a no–social media clause for a few of them—but the veterans make a beeline for the makeshift media station.
“Harris!” Nick Chouinard calls, Evan Dykstra right on his heels. “You’re doing socials today? What’s this?”
“A Valentine’s Day gift, obviously. Read the sign!” Evan says, swatting Nick’s shoulder with his glove.
Harris flips through the small stack of cards in his hands, finding the customized ones before holding one out to Nick.
“Aw, for me?” Nick says, pressing a hand to his chest as he takes it. “Thank you, Harris. I’m Nick-ing you as my Valentine. I like that one, that’s pretty good.”
“You have one for me?” Evan asks excitedly.
Harris hands him the card, smiling as Evan’s excitement lights up his face. It’s almost funny how these big, tough hockey players get so genuinely delighted by the smallest things. Harris is endlessly grateful the Centaurs are not only a good team, but a team that makes great content.
This is so going to go viral, he thinks.
“I’m Evan more into you than I thought,” Evan reads. “Aww, I could’ve told you this one was gonna happen.”
“Hey, some names were easier than others.”
“Can I keep this?” Wyatt asks. “Wanna give it to my wife.”
“Shit, that’s a good idea,” Nick says. “Can we keep them?”
“Sure,” Harris says. He already let Troy walk off with his, and he can always make more if he wants to. He doesn’t see why not.
You’d think Harris had just told them they’d won the Cup, judging by the way all three of them light up.
“Thanks, Harris!” Evan calls over his shoulder as they head toward the locker room, already showing off their cards and chattering excitedly about them.
Harris keeps handing them out—My heart Boyles for you, You really made yourself right at Holm in my heart, Are you Young, or do you just make me feel it?—and gets plenty of good content out of it. Eventually, he’s left with four cards for the last four guys on the ice, who are the same people as always: Ilya, Shane, Bood, and Luca. The first three because they’re the captain and alternate captains, and Luca because he likes to run extra drills with Shane.
Sure enough, Bood steps off the ice and into the equipment area.
“Oh, God. Let’s see what we got.” Bood squints at the sign, then pulls a face. “But it’s not—”
“Just take it.”
Bood takes the card Harris holds out, eyebrows knitting together as he reads. “My love for you makes me Zane-y.” He snorts. “That’s so cheesy. You made these?”
“Yup.”
“All custom?”
“Yeah. If you go into the locker room, you’ll see all of them.”
“Nice. How long did they take?”
“Too long.”
Bood laughs, shaking his head. He gestures to the small stack still in Harris’s hands, then back toward the ice, where Luca, Ilya, and Shane are finishing up. “You got any good ones for the rest of them?”
Harris grins. “Oh, you know it.”
Just as Bood disappears into the locker room, Luca steps off the ice.
“Oh no,” Luca says, docking his stick before walking over to the tripod. “What’s it today?”
“Happy Valentine’s Day!” Harris says, handing him a card.
“For me?” Luca asks, pointing at himself as he takes it. His face is flushed, the tips of his ears red, and Harris can’t tell whether it’s from practice or the card. Luca’s easy to embarrass.
“I Haas to have you as my Valentine,” Luca reads, frowning. “This doesn’t even make sense.”
“Come on. Like has?”
“My last name isn’t pronounced that way. Also, English isn’t my first language, but I’m pretty sure that isn’t correct grammar.”
“Your name was the most difficult, Luca,” Harris sighs. “Cut me some slack.”
“No, no—I am thankful,” Luca says, clutching the card to his chest. “I get to keep this?”
“Of course. You got someone you want to give it to?” Harris teases, already knowing the answer. Luca’s love life is a favorite topic among the Centaurs—he’s sweet, the kind to love hard, but chronically unlucky in that department—and his face immediately burns red.
“Um, I don’t really have anyone in mind—” Luca says, the words stumbling out of his mouth.
“Why is Haas-y bright red?” Ilya’s booming voice cuts in as he steps off the ice. He’s always been the most eager participant in these silly little videos, and he usually walks away with the most clips and quotes. Harris grins to himself. He’s glad that Ilya and Shane are last.
“Just our question of the day,” Harris says.
Ilya squints at the sign. “Doesn’t look like a question to me.”
Luca takes the opportunity to escape into the locker room. Ilya immediately fills his spot in front of the camera, ready to perform.
“Happy Valentine’s Day,” Harris says, holding out a card.
“Feels wrong to be taking a gift from another man,” Ilya quips, but takes it anyway. “What is this? ILY-a lot.” He stares at the card for a long time, jaw set and brows drawing together, before shaking his head. “I don’t get it.”
“Read it again, but slower.”
“ILY-a. Lot.” Ilya pauses, tilting his head and rereading it like the answer might appear if he tries hard enough. “I still don’t get it.”
Harris opens his mouth to explain—a bit annoyed at the idea of having to walk Ilya through the joke—when Shane steps in from the ice, breathless and a bit sweaty, clearly not paying attention as he fiddles with his gear.
“Hollander,” Ilya says immediately. “What does ILY mean?”
Shane blinks. “I love you?”
“Yes, I know you love me. But what does it mean?”
“I love you. I–L–Y. It stands for ‘I love you.’ It’s an abbreviation. People use it because it’s shorter.”
Ilya looks genuinely baffled. “Why would they shorten it? ‘I love you’ is already short.”
“It’s a texting thing,” Shane says. “Sometimes people don’t want to type the whole thing, so they send ILY instead.”
“And you know this because people are texting it to you? Who?” Ilya asks, tone demanding. Shane bursts out laughing, shaking his head. “No, seriously, who is saying this to you?”
“No one, I swear! It’s the most common phrase ever!”
“But you never texted ILY to me,” Ilya says, wounded. “I see how it is.”
“That’s a lie and you know it!” Shane says, pointing at the camera. “Let the record show that I do text my husband that I love him. Even though he’s an asshole. Why are we talking about this?”
“Because of this,” Ilya says, handing over the card.
Shane reads it and laughs. “ILY-a lot. Oh, I like that. That’s good.”
“Ah,” Ilya says, brightening. “I get it now. I love you a lot.” He grins, his hand drifting to Shane’s arm like it belongs there, like he’s always unconsciously reaching for him. “It is true.”
“And you gave it to me because I’m your Valentine?” Shane asks, smiling.
“Of course, lyubov moya,” Ilya says softly, his eyes warm as they settle on his husband.
There’s a faint flush high on Ilya’s cheeks, the kind that only ever shows up around Shane. They keep things mostly professional at work, but the way they look at each other always gives them away—open, soft, utterly smitten. It makes Harris’s chest feel warm, happy that at least this team will always be open for people like them.
Harris clears his throat. “I have one for you, too, Shane.”
Shane blinks, looking over. “For me? Thank you…?”
Harris bites his lip to keep from laughing as he hands the card over, face down. Shane eyes him suspiciously before flipping it over.
“I’ll make you—I’m not reading this.” Shane’s face turns an impressive shade of red, fingers tightening around the card.
“What is it?” Ilya demands. “Let me see.”
“No,” Shane says immediately, yanking it out of reach as Ilya reaches for it.
Ilya pouts. “Oh, so I give you card, but you will not give me one back?”
“Yes,” Shane says, chin up high and hand behind his back, challenging Ilya.
They stare at each other for a long moment, having one of those silent, intense Ilya-and-Shane conversations that makes absolutely no sense to anyone else. Then, without warning, Ilya makes a grab for it, pulling on his husband’s arm and fighting for the piece of paper. Despite Shane’s impressive grip and louder protests, Ilya manages to wrench it free.
“Stop it!” Shane hisses, grabbing at Ilya’s arm.
But Ilya has already stepped back, holding the card up triumphantly.
“I’ll—I’ll make you Hollander all night!” Ilya reads, the last word breaking as he dissolves into laughter. “Oh my God, Harris. You did not.”
Harris’s shoulders shake with silent laughter, a grin splitting his face. This is going to be perfect for the Centaurs account. He’d almost felt bad when he came up with Shane’s card, but he couldn’t resist. Shane’s reactions can be hit or miss, but catch him off guard—especially when he’s with Ilya—and it’s always a hit.
“Is this appropriate?” Shane demands, eyes wide. “Can you even post this?”
“Don’t worry, I will show it to the camera,” Ilya says, but Shane snatches the paper out of Ilya’s hand before he can, glaring at him.
Ilya makes an affronted noise. “You took your Valentine’s gift back from me! I gave you my card, and this is how you treat me?”
“I didn’t even give it to you, you stole it!”
“Just like I stole your heart,” Ilya replies smoothly, flashing a crooked grin. “And how you stole mine.”
“You’re so fucking sappy,” Shane scoffs, but he has to press his lips together to fight the smile breaking through.
“You did not thank Harris for the gift,” Ilya points out, turning to him.
Shane rolls his eyes. “Thank you,” he mutters half-heartedly. “It was… very creative.”
“Very creative,” Ilya echoes, delighted. “He means he loves it.”
“I did not say that.”
“You did not have to.” Ilya beams, then looks toward the tripod. “Thank you, Harris. You make good content.”
“It feels like you two are ganging up on me,” Shane sighs.
“Okay, okay,” Harris says from behind the camera. “Wrap it up before Shane kills one of us.”
“Happy Valentine’s Day!” Ilya says brightly, grabbing Shane’s hand and lifting it to wave at the camera. His grin is blinding next to Shane’s unimpressed glare.
“I’m putting a no social media clause in my contract,” Shane says through clenched teeth as Ilya keeps waving his hand for him.
“No, he will not,” Ilya says, winking. “I will make sure of it.”
Shane sighs. “Cut the camera.”
❤︎
Ottawa Centaurs ✔️ @OttawaCentaurs
Do you have a jersey? Because I want your name and number! The Centaurs wish all our fans a very Happy Valentine’s Day! <3
dylan @puckzone
Listen i love rebecca but YOU KNOW that harris always feeds us with good content!! Thank you king and i hope troy treats you right today @harris_drover_17
> Harris Drover 🍎 @harris_drover_17
thank you, thank you! i spent a very long time making the jokes and graphics. and don’t worry—even though troy wasn’t amused by my card, he is still the best valentine ❤️
quinn @hollzyshots
gonna send this to my crush to ask them out
> wyattcel ❄︎ @supercens
i don’t think your crush would appreciate you asking them out with a shirtless picture of the finest man i have ever seen in my life
> > quinn @hollzyshots
well my crush is my boyfriend and is also a diehard roz fanboy, i don’t think he would mind 😭😭
tara #gocens @chironsno1fan
I am actually so mad that they showed every other Valentine’s Day card on the screen but not Shane’s… like how bad was the graphic??
Ottawa Centaurs @OttawaCentaurs
Do you have a jersey? Because I want your name and number! The Centaurs wish all our fans a very Happy Valentine’s Day! <3
> Wyatt Hayes ✔️@wyatt_hazy
same :/
> > noah²⁴ @hollapilled
uhh weren’t you literally one room away??
> > > Wyatt Hayes ✔️@wyatt_hazy
We tried to see it, but Shane flushed it down the toilet before we could corner him.
> Harris Drover 🍎 @harris_drover_17
i am not taking the chance to get yelled at by management (and shane), unfortunately 😔😔 i gave a copy of the graphic to ilya and shane, though!
> > #centerhollanov @cellanovs
OMG… @rozanov81 SHARE WITH THE CLASS PLEASE??
Ilya Rozanov ✔️@rozanov81
one like and i will post the card
> Wyatt Hayes ✔️@wyatt_hazy
#liked
> Troy Barrett ✔️@troybarrett17
#liked
> Zane Boodram ✔️@centaursboodram
#liked
> Evan Dykstra ✔️@evanbdykstra
#liked
> Nick Chouinard ✔️@nchouinard10
#liked
> Shane Hollander ✔️ @shanehollanderhockey
How can I get someone else’s tweet #deleted?
Ilya Rozanov ✔️@rozanov81
for the fans :)
> jenna²⁴ @H0LL4ND3RS
thank you for your service, captain ilya rozanov of the ottawa centaurs, we appreciate it
> cc @fckmontreal
The arch is NASTY
> paulie ☆ @troyschiron
THE EMOJIS?? @harris_drover_17 explain yourself.
> Harris Drover 🍎 @harris_drover_17
ILYA ADDED THOSE EMOJIS, THOSE WERE NOT THE ORIGINAL EMOJIS. THEY WERE HEARTS. that was NOT the picture i sent them, i swear
> > paulie ☆ @troyschiron
Harris, we love you, but you really think ILYA ROZANOV pulled up picsart, covered up the previous emojis, and added new ones all by himself?
> > > Harris Drover 🍎@harris_drover_17
YES BECAUSE IT’S TRUE
> > > Ilya Rozanov ✔️@rozanov81
🤫
juliet <𝟑 @lesbiansforcens
gonna send this to my gf and I’ll update y’all if it works
Ilya Rozanov ✔️@rozanov81
for the fans :)
> juliet <𝟑 @lesbiansforcens
update: it worked
> > Ilya Rozanov ✔️@rozanov81
it worked for me too
> > > Shane Hollander ✔️@shanehollanderhockey
Ilya, please get off Twitter and come talk to me.
> > > > Ilya Rozanov ✔️@rozanov81
😳
juliet <𝟑 @lesbiansforcens
not a hollanov fight in my mentions i—
> cal @lucahaascentered
oomf if you break them up i will personally make sure your girlfriend breaks up with you
> > juliet <𝟑 @lesbiansforcens
ON VALENTINE’S DAY?? DO YOU HATE LESBIANS??
> > > cal @lucahaascentered
I DON’T CARE ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP, IF YOU PREVENT A CENTAURS DYNASTY THEN I HAVE A PROBLEM
> > > > Gianna R. @ottawagigi
damn sports fans are crazy (real)
jamie ❀ @B4RR3TS17
It’s been three hours since both Ilya and Shane have tweeted and there’s still no activity… do we think hollanov divorce is coming?
> priya loves luca @switzerhaas
shane might’ve snapped and killed ilya
> > noah²⁴ @hollapilled
Nah they’re just fucking
> > > priya loves luca @switzerhaas
…oh my god they’re definitely just fucking
Shane Hollander ✔️@shanehollanderhockey
Even though you annoy me constantly, you love me more. I’m so lucky to have you in my life. And yes, Я тебя очень люблю <3 @rozanov81
> noah²⁴ @hollapilled
beating the divorce allegations i see… i guess love is real
> m 🏒 @captainroz
MY PARENTS AHHHH
> dylan @puckzone
aww this is so sweet… let’s see how ilya ruins it
Ilya Rozanov ✔️@rozanov81
я тоже тебя люблю, солнышко. and proud to be the only one who has the honour of making you hollander all night ❤️
Shane Hollander ✔️@shanehollanderhockey
Even though you annoy me constantly, you love me more. I’m so lucky to have you in my life. And yes, Я тебя очень люблю <3 @rozanov81
This Tweet has been deleted.
❤︎