Chapter Text
It was an innocent mistake, really. Shane had taken a cute picture of Ilya at the cottage. Just him posing in front of the lake, with not nearly enough clothes to be rated PG. Shane had accidentally added that to his story instead of the SuperWay ad. That's what made the mistake not so innocent.
Shane had only noticed after he had posted, but it was far too late.
Oh man. The internet was going to go crazy.
Yuna had tried to contact Shane, to try and help with the damage control, but Shane was not making an attempt to respond.
It really didn't help that Montreal was due to play Ottawa tomorrow.
Shane was having a hard time getting out of bed.
His muscles ached. His head rang. His stomach had an unusual pit feeling in it.
He had just fucking posted a nude of Ilya Rozanov.
He unlocked his phone, and despite Yuna's panicked attempts to get him not to, opened up instagram.
Of course it was spread around. Shane had expected that. But just the amount of people that had seen the most popular post about it sickened Shane. 1.9 Million people.
He exited the app.
Being careless was Ilya's thing. Certainly not Shane's. Shane was the one that was careful. Not the reckless one.
He really needed to see Ilya.
He was coming over later that day, before the game.
He sighed, and opened up his messages with Yuna.
Mom: Shane? What did you do? Call me.
Mom: It's not that bad, Shane. Call me. We can figure out what to do.
Mom: Baby, I know this is scary. Please respond. I understand.
And the most recent one:
Mom: I've talked to Ilya. Please call me back, baby.
Shane sighed and clicked the call button.
“Oh! Honey! I was worried. How are you?”
His mothers lovely voice filled his ears. It was moments like these where Shane wished that he lived in Ottawa.
“How could I have been so stupid, mom?”
“Shane, don't be too hard on yourself. It was a mistake.”
“An irreversible one!”
“We can’t change the past. I'll see you tonight. Me and your father booked a flight to Montreal for the game. We will stay at the hotel near your place, ok?”
“Huh? Mom, you can stay over? I have too many guest rooms to count. You know that.”
“I know, honey. But, something tells me you and Ilya need privacy.”
Shane blushed.
“Oh. Mom, you are always welcome to stay.”
“I know love. I’ve got to go now. Don’t worry too much. Talk to Ilya. He's not mad at you.”
Of course he isn't. Ilya is never mad at Shane.
“M’kay. Bye Mom.”
“Bye, Shane. Love you.”
Shane sighed and hung up.
He decided to take his mothers advice and talk to Ilya.
He checked the time. Ilya was coming soon, but it didn't matter.
Shane: Hi, Ilya. I'm so sorry.
Lily: its ok really
Lily: it was a good photo
Shane: That's not the point. I'll see you soon. How far away are you?
Lily: ten minutes. I will see you soon, moj lyubov.
Shane: Ok. See you then.
Shane sighed, sat down and started to wait.
Ilya pulled up onto Shane's driveway.
He sighed. There was no way on earth he was going to be able to get Shane to calm down. Ilya really didn't care. It wasn't anything new. If you cared enough, you could find a million photos identical to the one posted.
But Ilya knew it wasn't because of that.
It was because people would figure it out.
He sat in silence for a moment, then realised Shane was waiting for him.
He walked up the pathway, and rang the doorbell.
After a moment, shane appeared,
He looked messed up. Sad. It broke Ilya's heart.
“Ilya, I’m so sorr-”
Shane didn't have enough time to finish, before Ilya kissed him hard.
“Shut up.” He mumbled, lips still pressed up against Shane's.
“I do not care. Are you ok, love?” He pulled away, closed the door, and led them both to Shane's living room.
They both sat down, and pulled closer to each other.
Shane rested his head on Ilya's shoulder.
Then he started crying.
“Ilya… I'm so sorry..”
“Shh… Moj lyubov..”
Ilya slowly stroked Shane's hair.
“Hows your team reacting?” Shane whispered.
“Well, at first, they thought it was a joke. Then they saw my reaction. What's the word..? Smug.”
Ilya smiled softly.
“They aren't idiots, Shane. They connected the dots. What about you?”
Shane smiled bitterly.
“Horrible. I just checked the Montreal chat, and no one's taking it lightly. I think the f slur may have been dropped 50 times.”
“Montreal sucks. Join Ottawa.”
“I wish.”
Ilya smiled fondly at his boyfriend. He couldn't resist going in for another kiss.
“I love you.” He muttered, face in Shane's hair.
“I love you too.”
Shane sighed and started to get up.
“I need to go shower. Can you get started on dinner? My parents are coming over.”
“Can I not help you shower?” Ilya frowned.
Shane smiled. A small one. But it was there.
“No, sweetheart. Oh and,”
Shane paused.
“You can tell your team. About us.”
The smile Ilya produced was brighter than the sun.
“Thank you, moj lyubov. Go! Go shower.”
Ilya watched his boyfriend leave. His heart ached. God, how he loved this man.
Ottawa boiiiis and Harris
Ilya: hello i have big news
Bood: bout the instagram post? Well there's no denying it, buddy.
Ilya: yes, about post
Ilya: im not denying
Harris: Well? What do you have to say? I'm going through a nightmare that I can't wake up from. I may as well know the truth while I try to sort this out.
Troy: Save my boyfriend!!
Ilya: i am dating shane hollander
Bood: What.
Wyatt: I KNEW IT. I KNEW there was something during game 32. That wasn't a rivalry. That was Pride and Prejudice hand-flex tension. That was “we accidentally touched gloves at the faceoff dot and now I must stare into the middle distance for three business days.”
Troy: No way
Harris: I TOLD YOU all. The gaydar never fails.
Luca: Captain? What? Is that why you never stay in the hotels when we play Montreal? What about jane?
Troy: How do you know about jane rook?
Wyatt: You two out there were acting like Zuko and Katara in season two. All “I hate you” but standing way too close and looking at each other like you’re about to either duel or confess feelings in the rain.
Luca: i just do
Ilya: see you all in a couple of hours
Bood: Ilya?? You can just FUCKING leave us like this!!
LaPointe: Oh god
Bood: Shit shit now everytime they face off im going to imagine them flirting
Ilya: Foreplaying***
Bood: Oh god oh man oh save me
Harris: Thanks for telling us the truth, Ilya! We will see you soon.
LaPointe: oh how i admire you harris
Troy: He really is amazing
Wyatt: It was like Professor X and Magneto if instead of philosophical differences it was just unresolved longing and elite skating ability. I swear the puck was just a metaphor at that point.
Nick: wait what happened
Nick: what the fuck
Nick: Help where did everyone go?
Ilya climbed into Shane's bed with a smile that could not be wiped.
Shane walked out the bathroom, drying his hair.
“Well, how’d it go?”
“Not bad. No one really mention you, it was more like ‘Oh em gee. I'm so shocked’.”
Ilya made sure to emphasize on the American accent, which made Shane giggle.
“That's good. You will see them later.”
Ilya was thankful that shane seemed to forget about the post, even if it was for a few minutes.
Shane climbed into bed next to Ilya, and snuggled next to Ilya's chest.
“Did you start dinner?”
“Ah! Shit, I forgot!”
Ilya smacked his face with his palm.
“It's okay. I'll just message my mom to bring some takeaway.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah.”
Shane reached for his phone, quickly typed something up, and set it back down.
Shane looked at Ilya expectantly.
“What?”
“Ilya. We have 30 more minutes alone together.”
Ilya grinned.
“Oh. Right.”
He proceeded to unbutton his shirt.
Shane chowed down on the chinese takeout. He really didn't want to engage in small talk.
He had a bigger thing on his mind.
“Shane? What do you think?”
“Huh?”
“What will you two do?”
“Uhm…”
Shane cleared his throat.
“I was thinking we could soft launch our relationship. After the game.”
Yuna choked.
“Oh-oh yeah…” Yuna paused. “Of course.”
Both Yuna and David looked at Ilya expectantly. Ilya just shrugged.
“Im on board with whatever shane wants to do.”
Shane glanced at Ilya.
Ilya understood.
“Ill be right back.”
After Ilya left the room, Shane turned to his parents.
“Im going to propose. Tonight. On the ice.”
Yuna smiled softly, but still had that concerned look in her eyes.
“Shane, are you su-”
Shane cut her off.
“Yes Mom. I love him. I'm going to do it. It may not be the perfect time but it just feels right.”
“Oh honey. We understand. But people will think it's a joke, understand? Should I notify management?”
Shane shook his head slowly.
“I’m not sure why I would risk everything just for a joke.”
The game was over. 3-4, overtime loss.
But he didn't care about the score.
The arena could blow up, for all that he cared.
He was about to propose.
He, Yuna and Ilya had discussed soft launch options. As far as Ilya was concerned, they were going to subtly drop it during an interview.
As they lined up to shake hands, Shane tapped Ilya's shoulder and motioned to stand on the side.
Ilya did just that.
Ilya also looked extremely confused.
So did the whole crowd.
When the ice cleared up, Shane dragged him towards the center of it.
Cameras rushed towards them. They were expecting a fight. Sure, Ilya and Shane were on friendly terms. But there was another reason for this.
The ring box felt too heavy in his hands.
“Drop your gloves.” Shane instructed.
Ilya did just that.
Cameras were swarming them. Every possible angle.
Shane dropped to one knee. He pulled out the ring box.
The whole stadium froze.
Shane looked up at Ilya. He was frozen.
“Ilya Grigoryevich Rozanov. You give me a reason to get out of bed. You are the light on all my dark days. There is nothing in this world that matters more to me than you. I love you so much. Will you marry me?”
Ilya nodded. Shane slipped the ring on his finger.
They kissed. Center ice.
Neither of them seemed to notice the whole stadium had gone silent.
Suddenly, a cheer from Ottawa's bench rose.
Then 2 people from Montreal.
Finally, every single person in the whole stadium.
The floor was rumbling so hard Shane thought he might throw up.
“HE DID IT! HE HAS LEFT ILYA ROZANOV SPEECHLESS!” Cheered a voice, probably Blood.
Shane felt as light as a feather.
@OttawaCentuars
We congratulate our captain Ilya Rozanov on his engagement! All the best! #Loveislove🏳️🌈
@Immyhollanov
It's real. HOLY SHIT IT'S REAL!! RELEASE THE PARADES!!
@rozanov81 Replying to @Immyhollanov
Yes it is real i have a fiancee now now what is the details of the parade
@hdhloveshockey
HAPPY PRIDE EVERYONE!!! #loveislove
@milaisasmartass
Omg. The photo he posted!!!! It was because they were TOGETHER!!! Not a joke! Holy shit! I'm going to start watching hockey! Happy pride, everyone! 🏳️🌈