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“Your dad asked if he could come to my game next week.” Ilya started slowly, combing his fingers through Shane’s hair as they relaxed together on the sofa.
“That’ll be nice for you.” Shane humm’d softly.
“I said no.”
“Oh?” Shane tilted his head slightly on Ilya’s lap to look at him. “Why not?”
“People might recognise him, no crowds. People would talk.”
Shane laughed softly before he spoke. “You’re right.” He felt Ilya tense. “It would be weird for a man who has lived in Ottawa his whole life to go and watch the home team play. Especially when they are on a winning streak. Very unusual.”
Ilya relaxed again, glaring playfully at him. “You know what I mean.”
“Would you like him to go?”
“Of course! He seemed sad when I said no.”
“You should call him and tell him to come to the game.” Shane smiled, reaching out to take Ilya’s hand.
Ilya looked away for a minute, and Shane stroked his thumb across his hand soothingly, waiting.
“I could get him a nice Ottawa jersey to wear at the game.” Ilya teased, deflecting. “With Rozanov on the back.”
Shane shifted slightly on the sofa, sitting upright beside him instead. Ilya swallowed nervously, worried that he had maybe sounded too honest.
That Shane was going to spiral and list off all the reasons that would be a bad idea. Maybe suggest he take a step back, that Ilya was too close to Shane’s family.
Shane cupped his face with his hand when Ilya opened his mouth to quickly amend what he had said. To take it back or make it clear that he was just joking.
There was a part of him that had meant it, part of him that wanted to see someone he genuinely cared about in the crowd sporting his name proudly as he played.
He wouldn’t tell Shane that.
Shane kissed him softly, reassuring enough that Ilya turned to meet his gaze again. His smile fake, sad, unsure. Shane kissed his again.
“Ilya,” he said gently, “it’s okay. This is all part of the plan remember? We are friends. We have the charity together. He’s an Ottawa man; you are the captain of the team and the best player they have. The stalls are filled with fans who have bloody Rozanov jerseys on, it’s ridiculous. They have such poor taste. What is one more amongst the crowd?” Shane rolled his eyes when Ilya smiled proudly. “It would be fine.”
Ilya shrugged, his smile gone again. “Could get complicated.”
“Ask him to come and watch you, he’ll love it.” Shane said firmly. Ilya nodded slowly. “Get him a jersey as well, one with your stupid name and number on it. God help me, he’ll love that too.”
“Your mum will hate it.”
“That’s why he will love it.” Shane laughed.
“You don’t think it will make people think we are together?”
“Maybe.” Shane levelled, oddly calm. “But I think more than anything it’s just going to fuel the rivalry claims. Can you imagine? The fans thinking that my dad is a Rozanov fan?”
Ilya laughed.
Shane smiled.
“If you do want him to go, just ask him.” Shane said, leaning forward to kiss him again. “It’ll be fine, I promise.”
Ilya nodded, closing his eyes as he moved awkwardly to rest his forehead against Shane’s. Usually Ilya would be the one reassuring Shane that it would be okay, Shane was renowned for being uptight and cautious. Especially when it came to their relationship, but when it came to his parents and Ilya he let go.
He wanted Ilya to feel comfortable and loved by them and not feel like he had to be alone.
He was a part of their family now, Shane wanted Ilya to know that.
He never wanted Ilya to feel like it was something he could lose.
“Okay, I will ask him.”
“Good.”
___________
Ilya didn’t call David Hollander the next day, instead he brought a ticket to his own game and ordered a jersey from the official site. He probably could have just asked management for both, but there would have been questions that he wouldn’t have been able to answer.
And the ticket would have been for his private seats, the media would be all over that. A jersey was one thing, being centre stage in the captain’s seats was another.
Maybe one day he would have David, Shane and Yuna sat there watching him. Not this time, but one day.
This time he would be content knowing that David was somewhere in the crowd, cheering for him.
“Ilya,” David greeted, pulling him into a hug. “I wasn’t expecting you. Come in.”
“I’m sorry, is it a bad time? I can come back—”
“Don’t be silly, you’re always welcome.” David said quickly, smiling at him.
Ilya smiled back.
“What can I do for you?” David asked, gesturing for Ilya to take his regular spot on the sofa.
He didn’t sit, instead they both remained standing.
It still felt strange, knowing that he had a place in a home that he had never had before.
A place at the table, a place on the sofa, somewhere to put his shoes. The Hollanders had opened their home to him, and he had never felt out of place or unwelcome.
They often invited him to watch movies, hockey games or to play board games when Shane was away. Not wanting him to feel like he was alone, David had made it very clear that Ilya could call or stop by whenever he wanted.
Yuna would send him home with left-overs and bags of shopping that he didn’t need, check that he was eating and wish him luck before a game. And David would send him bottles of expensive Russian vodka and send him detailed information about whatever car Ilya had been looking at.
They treated him like he had always been a part of the Hollander family.
They had created an Ilya shaped space in their life for him. From the moment that Shane had told them about their relationship. They made room for him; no expectations or questions just love and acceptance.
It was more than he had back in Russia.
“I spoke to Shane about you coming to the game.” Ilya started.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to put you in an awkward position,” David apologised quickly. “I shouldn’t have asked. Don’t worry about it.”
“No, it is fine. I was happy that you asked.” Ilya jumped in, smiling softly. “My family never watched any of the games. You and Yuna are very kind. I am glad that you want to be there for me.”
“Of course.” David smiled setting his hand on Ilya’s shoulder and squeezing affectionately.
“Shane said it would be fine.” Ilya said and followed it with. “I would really like you to come to the game. If you still want to.”
“Of course! I’ll get a ticket.” David replied excitedly and Ilya’s soft smile turned into a full-blown grin. Relieved.
Had he thought that David would say no? Surely not.
“No need, I got you a ticket. I’m sorry it’s not in my box but it’s close.”
“You didn’t have to do that.” David said his voice soft.
“I did. I also got you this. For the game.”
David furrowed his brow in confusion as Ilya handed him the little gift bag he’d brought in. He hadn’t thought anything of it at the time, Ilya usually brought flowers or chocolates when he visited with or without Shane.
A little thank you for David and Yuna.
Yuna was always crooning about how well-mannered he was. Ilya loved watching Shane scrunch his face up and roll his eyes every time she said it. Muttering under his breath about Ilya being an asshole.
David took the bag from him, “thank you.” He said chuckling as he opened it, his eyes bright with amusement as he lifted the Jersey up and opened it out. The almost empty bag, set on the sofa next to where they were stood. His ticket at the bottom. “Did you ask Shane about this too?”
“Yes, he was there when I ordered it.”
“Wow,” David laughed, his eyes tracing over the name and the big ‘81’ on the back. “This is great. I can’t wait to wear it!” His tone was raw with honesty.
“Me neither.” Ilya answered softly, feeling his chest get tight.
He had sent his niece a jersey when he played for Boston and packed one for his father and brother too after his first season. Just in case. Just in case they wanted one, in case they had been watching and wanted to show support. They had both remarked about his vanity and called it crass as they tossed them aside.
Ilya hadn’t been surprised but he had been disappointed.
David Hollander however was so happy to be given a jersey with Ilya’s name on it. Proud to be able to wear his colours and support his son’s boyfriend.
“Thank you.” Ilya said quietly and David looked up from the jersey at him.
“For what?”
“For welcoming me to your family, for wanting to see me play. For letting me take care of Shane and everything that you’ve given me since I moved here. I should thank you and Yuna more.” Ilya swallowed, feeling the air get knocked out of him when David pulled him into a hug.
This time it was tighter, David squeezed him like a real father.
A proud father.
“Don’t be silly, you are part of this family.” David stated firmly, no room for doubt. “Don’t tell Shane but you’re our favourite.”
Ilya laughed wrapping his arms around him. “I will definitely tell Shane.”