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It was Kip’s first time traveling with his boyfriend since they’d publicly come out, and it was nothing short of exhilarating. They could finally be normal. No pressure, no secrets. Just… happy.
The Admirals were going to play a game against the Boston Raiders shortly, meaning Scott would be leaving for a couple of days. Unfortunately this also meant that Kip would have to stay alone in their big, New York penthouse apartment, counting down the minutes until his boyfriend came back. But really… did he?
After some talking they’d decided that there shouldn’t be any problem with Kip coming with. He would simply stay in the same hotel room as Scott. That way he could not only watch the game in person, but be with his boyfriend immediately afterwards.
At first Kip had been a bit worried about the reaction from the other Admirals, but after everything that’s happened recently… Scott seemed to have no more inhibitions. That was all he needed to make up his mind.
They’d fully committed to the plan the night before. Kip would be accompanying Scott to Boston. But to his dismay, that’s exactly how he finds himself in the particularly strange situation he’s currently in.
They’d had a great time decompressing together after the game. Scott fucked him good and hard into the squeaky hotel mattress, probably leaving behind multiple marks that will soon begin to show on his neck.
A blush creeps onto his cheeks as he begins to pull his jeans back on.
They’re about to go to bed, and god Kip wants nothing more than to stay tangled in Scott’s warm embrace for the rest of the night… but his boyfriend had decided to order room service. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem, but right now it was, because it was running late. Even worse, the responsibility fell on Kip to go inquire about the delay, since Scott had to make some kind of “important business phone call”.
Despite the immense fear of running into a multitude of intimidating hockey players down in the hotel lobby, Kip turns the doorknob as quietly as possible and steps into the hallway. They probably won’t interrogate him too hard right? Scott’s team seemed to be alright with him… what he isn’t so certain about is the opposing teams.
Deep breaths. He totally won’t get lost… or hate crimed. He can do this.
As he shuts the door behind him, he tries his best not to disturb any other residents of the hotel on his way out. God what is it… one AM? Who needs room service at this hour anyway? His boyfriend, apparently.
For a moment he thinks he’s in the clear. There’s no one else visible to him in the hotel corridor, and he lets out a deep sigh of relief. Maybe it really will be a quick in and out trip.
Then…all his hopes and prayers are crushed only seconds later.
He hears the doorknob of the neighboring hotel room begin to turn open, clicking in a way that makes Kip snap his head around.
His heart stops point blank when he sees the man that comes out.
Ilya Rozanov is no less than two feet to the right of him, seemingly sneaking out of his… own hotel room?
Just his luck. It couldn’t have been any other player? Fuck.
They make eye-contact and Kip regrets looking in his direction immediately.
Rozanov locks eyes with him, an equally perplexed expression taking over his stern, angled face. It’s terrifying.
He curses himself for agreeing to his boyfriend’s half-asleep plea for a late night meal..
Not only had Scott not told him their hotel room was right next to Rozanov’s, he also has left him all alone to deal with whatever homophobic remarks he’s about to be on the receiving end of.
Truthfully, Kip knows nothing about Rozanov… but he can read people, and that man does not seem particularly tolerant.
When he’d asked Scott about a month ago what was in the dm Rozanov had sent him, he was told a vague “He asked about another player getting traded. Nothing important.”
And Kip didn’t push, because why would he. All that mattered was that he hadn’t said anything derogatory to his boyfriend. That was a relief. Other than that, it wasn’t his business. He had no interest in the hockey world. Apart from watching Scott of course. His friends knew that all too well, with how he’d “poisoned” Kyle’s bar with “straight man sports”.
The relief had been short lived though, because now he had to face the man himself. In person.
He knows the fluorescent lighting of the hallway is doing nothing to conceal the intimidated look on Kip’s face right now, and god he hates it. Rozanov’s cocky grin on and off the ice reminds Kip of a vicious shark, mapping out a plan to eat it’s next victim. Hopefully Rozanov can’t sniff out weakness like his shark counterparts … or he’s fucked.
Gulping nervously, he attempts to flash a polite smile Rozanov’s way, trying scoot past him and towards the elevator.
But what he receives back is an amused quirk of his mouth, and an extremely hard to read glance, surveying him up and down.
He blocks his way and raises an eyebrow.
“You are Hunter’s boyfriend, yes?” He questions, crossing his arms casually.
Shit. He was really hoping he wouldn’t recognize him. Had the news really spread that quickly? What a dumb question, of course it had. In fact, his face had been sprawled across every single news article since the Admirals had won the damn cup…
“Um yeah, I am.” He furrows his brows.
It comes out nervous and unsure, despite Kip doing his best to sound casual and unbothered.
He’s so fucked…
Rozanov doesn’t say anything for a moment, eyes merely roaming over his body like a predator studying his prey.
“I saw you kiss on tv, was nice kiss.” He smirks, leaning against the door frame.
What?
Kip eyes widen like saucers.
He has to be making fun of him right?
Just glancing at his mocking expression he knows it undoubtedly. It’s just like Rozanov. Of course a straight guy finds gay men kissing amusing…
“Look I should get going, it was nice to meet you.” He says through gritted teeth, flashing his best polite smile Rozanov’s way.
It was anything but nice.
But before he can get through, something else startles him.
Suddenly the door behind Rozanov opens, and to his surprise, Shane Hollander stands before him.
“You forgot your coat-“
He momentarily wonders if he’s hallucinating. Maybe he’s in some sleep deprived state, that was brought on by the aftermath of the intense state of pleasure his boyfriend had put him in only ten minutes ago.
Shane looks like the color has completely drained out of his face. He looks mystified, maybe even mortified. Well that makes two of us, thinks.
Before he has a moment to react Shane shoots Rozanov a panicked look, and gestures for him to come back in the hotel room.
What the hell could they possibly be doing this late at night… together? He’s never even seen them interact off the ice…
Shane clears his throat, almost as if to command for Rozanov to get back inside. And to Kip’s surprise… he actually does. Like a faithful servant, he sighs and shuts the door behind him.
“Hi, I’m Kip. You might have heard of me, I’m Scott’s boyfriend.” He politely reaches his hand out, only to receive zero reciprocation back
Well alright…
Fuck that probably sounded so self important…of course someone of his caliber has no idea who Kip is…
He’s never met Shane Hollander, albeit he is much less intimidating than Rozanov by a far margin, but that doesn’t make it any better. He figured when he would, it would be Scott introducing them. He definitely didn’t think it would be through a surprise encounter sprung on him immediately after having sex with his boyfriend…
Speaking of his boyfriend, at that exact moment he hears the doorknob behind him begin to turn his phone all must be done... Thank fuck. He doesn’t want to be stuck in this conversation alone. Actually, he can’t.
He seems to stun Shane into silence for a moment, which is honestly better for him. Less conversation to be made.
Then, just as he opens his mouth to speak, Scott cracks the door open like a saving grace.
Immense relief washes over him. Between Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander, he was beginning to feel cornered, even in such a vast hallway.
The look on Scott’s face reads as equally confused. Had he not known his teammate was staying next door? Or not teammate, right? Rival? No that doesn’t seem right…
Kip really knows nothing about hockey. He makes it his mission to learn from now on, instead of just ogling at his boyfriend whenever he’s on the tv…
Wait a minute… whose room even is this? Rozanov’s or Hollander’s?
“Oh, I didn’t know you were next door Hollander.” Scott parrots, looking at him curiously.
Shane looks nothing short of horrified, eyes darting back and forth between them.
“Yeah they um, they placed us on the same floor I guess…” he laughs nervously, scratching at the back of his neck.
Scott looks at Kip in confusion, almost as if to ask. Why exactly is this big deal?
Oh, if only he knew that he’d just been face to face with Ilya fucking Rozanov.
Then, as if on command, he hears a muffled whine come through the door.
“Shane come back.”
Rozanov’s voice is almost begging, like a petulant toddler asking for a cookie. Kip really couldn’t imagine anything more irritating.
He watches as Scott’s head jerks towards the door.
“Rozanov?” He questions. Kip sees a look of realization fall upon his boyfriend’s face.
At what, he doesn’t know, but at least he’s all caught up…
“You two…?” Scott practically chokes on his words, eyes darting back and forth between Shane and the room’s entrance.
What the fuck is happening?
“Yes.” Kip hears Rozanov’s muffled voice say through the surprisingly thin door.
Maybe Kip should go back inside…
His attention is immediately brought back to Shane, who’s now rubbing at his temple fiercely.
“Just get out here.” Shane utters weakly, presumably at Rozanov.
Fuck, he’s extremely confused. Is there some kind of hockey secret he isn’t in on here? He’ll have to ask Scott about it later…
Maybe if he tries extra hard he’ll understand the context better..?
Slowly the door to Shane’s hotel room creaks open, Rozanov awkwardly walking back out. The expression on his face is miles away from the usual energy Kip had sensed from him in interviews. He honestly hadn’t thought the man even had it in him to be awkward. Wow. Today is full of surprises.
“Fuck, this looks so bad.” Shane breathes out, face now entirely engulfed by his shaky hands.
He’s nearly hyperventilating…
To his complete bewilderment, he watches as Rozanov’s demeanor switches from laid back to concerned. His eyes dart over to Shane, and he quickly places a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
“Hey hey, it’s okay. They won’t tell anyone Shane.” He rubs at his back slowly, softly shushing him.
His voice seems to drop two full octaves when he speaks to him.
There’s actually no wa, Kip must be dreaming. Ilya Rozanov being comforting… Shane Hollander of all people? Weren’t they supposed to rivals?
He thinks his brain might just implode. This is the last time he’s accompanying Scott on a road trip. He decides indefinitely that next time he can 100% wait for his boyfriend to come back. This feels like a complete invasion of privacy. Should Kip even be here?
But Shane continues, entirely ignoring everyone around him. Probably without even meaning to.
Kip knows what a panic attack looks like. This is definitely a prime example of one.
“No it’s not Ilya this isn’t… this isn’t how I wanted this to go. Fuck.” Shane begins to truly hyperventilate, turning around to steady his head on the door.
“Shane, I won’t tell man. I promise. Cross my heart.” Scott assures carefully. Kip can tell he means it. His tone is stern in a way he’s only ever heard during his speeches.
Shane’s breathing seems to regulate a bit at that.
“He gets like this sometimes. Shane see, Hunter will not say anything.” Rozanov says in a gentle voice, gesturing to Scott in a way that confuses Kip even more.
It’s clearly to reassure Shane, who seems like he’s two seconds away from blowing a fuse.
“I’m sorry… what’s going on?” He asks carefully. He hopes it’s not the wrong time, but god he’s just so curious…
He sees Shane give Rozanov a tight nod, almost like a grant of permission.
“Me and Shane, we are together.” Rozanov says seriously, arms crossing around himself.
He think it might be a joke at first, but it can’t be, not with the matter of fact tone he’d just used.
What the fuck…
“And you will not tell anyone. Both of you, yes?” He raises an eyebrow and locks eyes with Kip specifically. What did he do? It sends shivers down his spine.
He glances at Scott anxiously, but fails to meet his eyes. His boyfriend seems to still be in shock.
“Of course man, of course.” Kip blurts out immediately. Truthfully he’s scared for what might happen if he responds a second too late. Scott says nothing, merely nodding in confirmation.
“Good.” Rozanov says bluntly, turning his attention back to Shane.
“Can we take this inside guys?” Shane chimes in finally, voice still a bit shaky.
Kip turns his head towards Rozanov, who seems to be calling all the shots.
“Yes, let’s go inside.” He says in his typical Russian accent.
Kip hates how intimidated he is by the man. Maybe it’s the fact that he’s Russian. That inherently makes him a bit scarier. Or maybe it’s because he’s just borderline threatened him without saying it out loud…
He feels like he’s on autopilot, mindlessly following Rozanov as he leads them all into Shane’s hotel room. He’s carefully watching over his shoulder as everyone files inside, like someone may sneak up behind them.
Kip is the last one in, and without saying another word, he quietly shuts the door behind them and complies to the man’s orders.
This is definitely not how he’d expected their night together to go..