Chapter Text
December 2008
The horn sounded, indicating the end of the game between the Ottawa Centaurs and Montreal Metros.
‘Finally.’
Andy liked hockey well enough, but he most enjoyed the off-the-ice interviews with the players who were especially nice to look at. He certainly wasn’t as invested in the actual games as the rest of his family, who were at that moment cheering and hugging one another at the rare victory for their home team. Andy gave a half-hearted “whoo” and returned a clap on the back when his brother, Rick, turned to celebrate with him, but quickly returned to his seat and waited for them to be ready to leave.
At least this meant that the Centaur's captain, Robert Nokivov, would be in a good mood for his post-game interview. Andy loved his accent and his smile, and he always spoke and grinned a lot more after a big win. Andy made a note to look up the interview as soon as he got home.
“Alright kiddos, back to the car so we can get ahead of these hosers. Andy, don’t forget your book again,” his dad said.
Andy and his family would be heading down the street to the Hometown Sports Bar, where they always went after a win. This was a popular choice for the most rabid fans; tonight, Andy knew it would be filled to the brim and loud.
His older brothers Rick and Henry chatted non-stop as they made their way to the restaurant, breaking down every shot and goal three times over while their dad reminded them how those accomplishments fit with the trends of each player involved. Andy knew that this was really just a rehearsal for the conversations they were about to have with every other fan in the vicinity of their table.
Fifteen minutes later they were seated and Andy had ordered his first ginger ale. He had a feeling they would be here for a while, so pulled out his book and tried his best to tune out the redundant chatter.
“Hey.”
Andy assumed his brother had caught some girl’s attention, so didn’t turn.
“HEY.”
He turned.
“Whatcha reading?”
The girl was around his age (13? 14?), had dark brown hair worn in two braids and was wearing a Centaur’s beanie and jersey; she had a sprinkling of freckles across the bridge of her nose.
“Oh. Uh, it’s called ‘New Moon?’ It’s part of a series-”
“Twilight! Yes. Of course. I’m obsessed. Have you read the new one yet? Breaking Dawn?”
Andy blushed. He had, of course, and was on his fourth (fifth?) re-read of the entire series; but he hadn’t admitted that to anyone out loud before.
“Uh, yeah, it was pretty good. I’m just reading through again now that they’re a complete series.”
“That’s what I did. I read Breaking Dawn twice, then went back and read it all the way through. I wanted to get a couple of re-reads in before the movie. How many times did you go see it?”
“Oh. Uh, once?”
Andy had seen it three times. He would have gone more if he’d had more excuses to make to his family about what he was seeing.
“I’ve seen it five times. I would have gone more but my mom made me stop. She doesn’t think it’s healthy.”
Andy was stunned. He wasn’t used to being one-upped when it came to obsessive fandoms. At least not away from the internet.
The girl moved to sit next to him in the booth. “I’m Charlotte, by the way.”
“Andy.”
“So Andy, are you team Jacob or team Edward?”
Later, as he was getting ready for bed, he received his first text from someone that wasn’t his mom.
Charlotte: I would say it was great meeting you tonight, but I’m afraid I can’t be friends with anyone who thinks that Edward is romantic.
Andy: I guess you wouldn’t be friends with Bella then.
Charlotte: I DEFINITELY wouldn’t be friends with Bella.
Two hours later, Andy remembered that his phone plan included 200 messages per month. Oops. He made a note to pay his mom back for the overages. And maybe ask her about the unlimited plan.
February 2009
Charlotte: Omg Andy
Andy: Omg Charlotte
Charlotte: So you know how we were talking about how cool it would be if Stephanie Meyer wrote more books
Charlotte: And you know how we said that love triangles are only triangles if the boys kiss too
Charlotte: Let me introduce you to a thing I found called FAN FICTION
May 2009
Charlotte: Okay Andy. Enough with the Jakeward stuff. I’ve found a new angle. Your brothers might even approve.
Andy: I don’t see how that’s possible but go on.
Charlotte: So I know you’re not the biggest actual hockey fan. But like, you know stuff, right? You can’t be in a hockey family that’s just as obsessed as mine and not know stuff.
Andy: Most of what I have learned about actual hockey has been against my will, but yes I know stuff.
Charlotte: So there’s this new thing that’s been happening on ao3. It’s like fan fiction, but for real people.
Andy: Real people?
Charlotte: Real HOCKEY people.
Andy: …???
Charlotte: You know Benny Armstrong and Robert Nokivov? They’re on the Centaurs
Andy: Of course.
Charlotte: There are all of these stories about them being secretly together.
Andy: Aren’t they both married to women?
Charlotte: Andy, it’s FICTION.
Andy: Oh.
Charlotte: They call them BenBob. Real creative, I know. But it’s super sweet. Some of it isn’t even that far out
Andy: How is it not far out?
Charlotte: Like we know that they’re actually best friends. They’re seen together a lot, and on facebook (do you follow them on facebook?) they tag each other all the time.
Charlotte: And we’ve been to their games, they’re real chummy. Always leaning over the boards to talk to each other, sitting near each other on the bench.
Andy: That doesn’t mean they’re in love
Charlotte: OH YES IT DOES
Charlotte: But no really. I know that it’s not real. But it’s fun to think about.
Charlotte: Seriously think about it.
Charlotte: It might even get you past your unhealthy Jakeward addiction.
Charlotte: Here: (ao3 link)
Charlotte: See also: (ao3 link)
Charlotte: And when you’re done with that one: (ao3 link)
By the fourth fic, it was official. Jakeward had been replaced in Andy’s heart.
June 2009
Andy was sitting on his couch with his brothers and their dad, tuned to ESPN as they waited for the first round of draft picks. Andy’s focus was on the 15th chapter of the slow-burn BenBob fic he’d started that morning; he couldn’t believe it took him this long to start it when Charlotte had recommended it a week ago.
“I know the Raiders have first pick this year, who’s second again?” asked Rick.
“The Montreal Metros”, answered Henry.
“Fucking bullshit that the Centaurs aren’t top 3. It’s all political.”
“It’s not political, it’s math.”
“Keep telling yourself that man. Funny how the “math” is never in our favor.”
Henry rolled his eyes and changed the subject. “Everyone’s saying this Hollander guy is a prodigy. He’s from Ottawa. He’ll probably be first pick but it would be cool if he stayed loyal to his country and went to the Metros instead of Boston.”
“That’s not how the draft works dude. Besides, Rozanov is the real star; they’ve been talking him up all year. They’re calling him ‘a generational talent’”
“He can’t be a generational talent with Hollander in the same generation. And Hollander’s the Canadian, I feel like that gives him the edge. The KHL doesn’t even allow fighting.”
Rick turned to Henry, getting more invested in the speculation. “Well they’ll definitely be the top two picks, meaning one will go to Boston and the other Montreal.”
“Those teams are already the biggest rivals in the league; they’re going to spend their entire careers hating each other.”
“Maybe it’ll give you and I another reason to hate each other. I’m already team Rozanov and it sounds like you’re team Hollander. They haven’t even played yet.”
“Sounds like a tremendous opportunity to win some money off of you.”
Rick leapt up to grab his wallet. “$10 on Rozanov being drafted to the Raiders. Hollander will be second and go to the Metros.”
Henry threw a $10 bill on the table and they settled in to see who was right.
Andy looked up from his Kindle as the commissioner began his preamble. Moments later, he was announcing Ilya Rozanov as the first overall pick, going to the Boston Raiders. Andy ignored his brothers’ cheers and jeers as the camera panned to a young boy in the crowd with soft golden curls and a distinctive beauty mark on his cheek.
As the boy made his way to the stage, Andy couldn’t help but admire his chiseled jawline and broad build. He knew immediately that Charlotte would be obsessed with him. Andy probably would be too, but he promised himself he would be more subtle about it than she was bound to be.
Next, they were announcing Shane Hollander as the second overall pick, going to the Montreal Metros. He, like Rozanov, was remarkably (objectively, Andy told himself) good looking; but his features were softer, more rounded than Rozanov’s. He had dark, straight hair, dark eyes and tan skin, but appeared to be about the same height as Rozanov. They were both beautiful people, but opposites in nearly every feature.
Andy pulled out his phone.
Andy: Thoughts on Rozanov?
Charlotte: No thoughts just trying to pick up my jaw off the floor.
Andy: I knew it.
Charlotte: Hollander seems more your type though.
Andy: I don’t have a type
Charlotte: Of course you don’t.
Later, as Andy’s brothers lost interest in the TV and were excitedly discussing all the fresh blood in the MLH, Andy’s attention was caught as Rozanov and Hollander came back on screen.
They were standing on a podium with a third boy, holding up their jerseys for the camera. Hollander was looking at the camera with a forced smile. It reminded Andy of a young child in a bad mood being told to smile for a school picture.
Rozanov had a much larger, more authentic grin, and kept glancing at Hollander standing beside him. Andy noted that he never turned to look at the other boy to his left, but couldn't keep his eyes off Hollander. Rozanov’s hand and shoulder seemed to bump into Hollander a little more often than strictly necessary, and he was standing a good 3 inches closer to him than the other boy, all while continuing to gaze in his direction. His expression could undeniably be read as gloating - he was definitely just gloating - but Andy couldn’t help but read it a different way.
He knew it was probably nothing.
But it could be fun to think about.
Andy sighed as he pulled out his phone to text Charlotte.
Andy: I’m gonna call them Hollanov.