Chapter Text
Shane loved hockey more than anything.
When he was too blunt, too boring, too slow, in almost every other part of his life, he was never too much for hockey.
When he presented as an omega at 15, he felt like the world was attempting to suffocate him. Suddenly, everything he had ever dreamed of was so much further away.
Canada considered itself a progressive country. Omegas were allowed in the same public spaces as other designations; they could vote, they could travel without an escort, they could live unmated if they pleased. All things that were still up for debate in many parts of the world.
But a male Omega ( the rarest designation) in a sport like hockey? With its strong history of being dominated by Alphas and overall roughness, it was no place any Omega should want to be.
But Shane was good, he knew he was good, and coming off the wave of big advancement in Omega Rights, this was his time.
Shane loved hockey so much that he was willing to give his blood, sweat, and tears to it. His parents, with enthusiasm and love, supported him through every change of coach, through threats of discrimination lawsuits, and ridiculous red tape.
This is how Shane found himself, captain of the World Junior Hockey team, waiting to play the final game against Russia.
The game had dozens of important people watching, and more news teams than he thought possible in attendance. It would have been huge news that one of the potential number one draft picks and a 'generational talent' was an omega.
But then there was Ilya Rozanov. Potential number one pick, a generational talent, the captain of Team Russia, and an Omega. Just like Shane.
Two Omegas playing hockey and respective captions of their teams. It was a spectacle.
Everyone wanted to see them, whether it was rising to the occasion or falling short and proving once and for all Omegas should stay at home where they belong.
.....
The cold was biting, and his whole body was shivering, but he was a man on a mission. Shane had been wanting a chance to speak with Ilya Rozanov the moment he learned about him. Shane knew it was difficult for him to get where he is, but he couldn't imagine how hard Rozanov had to work. Russia was notorious for its very strict views on dynamics, with Omegas hardly leaving the home, nevermind the country.
He spotted Rozanov in the parking lot, standing mostly alone. A couple of feet away, he spotted who must be Rozanoz's escort. A Sturdy Beta man, according to his faint smell, stood far enough away to allow a semblance of privacy.
His parents were chattering away, walking towards the car.
"Mom? Dad? I think I'm going to go say hi," he pointed towards Rozanov. His parents stopped and looked at where he was pointing.
" We can wait here? Or go with you!" his Mom asked.
Shane immediately cringed at the idea. He knew they meant well. It was their job to keep him safe and reasonably monitored. But Rozanov had traveled to a different country, not knowing the language, and was a vulnerable omega, so Shane could stand to not look like the sheltered Omega he was for just a moment.
"It's okay! It will be just be a moment, and his escort is right there." He saw his parents relax as they eyed the beta approvingly. They nodded and went off to get the car.
He wiped his sweaty hands on his pants and attempted to look put together and swauve.
"I don't think you can smoke here," were the first words out of his mouth, and he immediately regretted them. Rozanov paused for a second, finger automatically continuing their attempt to light the cigarette. The moment Rozanov noted who he was, he straightened unlit cigarette going into his pocket.
"Yes." He replied briskly.
"I'm Shane Hollander," he said, sticking his hand out to Rozanov, who grasped it firmly.
This close Rozanov scent was clear, firewood and lavender, the smell was sweet, warm, and heavy in a way most Omega scents were; it was intoxicating. Shane knew his scent was similar to Rozanov in quality, but his being of Lilly's and vanilla. A smell that Rozanov seemed to be taking in as well.
Since presenting when Shane walked into a room, people turned their heads, smelled the air, and attempted to get close. Opposing teams slamming him into the boards for much longer than appropriate, and teammates wanting to trade favors for a chance to scent him. On one memorable occasion, when Shane had managed to find himself sharing a secret drink with his teammates, they had attempted all manner of convincing to get him to pull down his pants. It had only been two years since he presented, and it overwhelmed him to think that for the rest of his life, these would be the reactions he would promote in people.
Beta's were the majority, making up 70% of the population, and Alpha's were 20%, with Omegas being the last 10%. Of those, A pitiful number were male. He understood he was an anomaly, and to get the chance to smell any omega was one most people jumped at. But he hadn't really understood it until now, with how quickly the desire to stick his face in the scent glands on Rozanov overtook him.
It hit him that he was still holding Rozanov's hand. He quickly let go and took a step back.
"Ilya" Rozanov said, eyes still roaming him. "Canadian Omega, Da?" he nodded his head as if confirming his own words.
"Yeah, what are the odds that we both get this chance?" Shane said. He had never been around another male omega, and he found himself desperate to connect with Rozanov. He wanted him to like him, to be his friend; in a way he hasn't since he was child on the playground being picked last for a game of tag.
"We are too good. Not chance, we deserve."
Shane found himself blushing; he would not have put it like that himself, but he agreed with the sentiment.
Rozanov smiled at him, soft and kind. A stark difference to the hard face and quick chirps he had seen on video. Not that he was watching videos of Rozanov.
"I guess you're right. Still, it was hard getting here."
"Da"
"You are an awesome player to watch."
"Yes"
"Do you like it in Canada?" He asked after a beat. Was he doing this right?
"Is like Russia, but boring." Rozanov shrugged.
Shane laughed, "I guess there isn't much to see here."
They stood in silence for a second, and Shane searched his mind for all the conversational topics he had prepared.
"You have meeting after games, Da?" Rozanov asked, suddenly nervous, shifting his weight from heel to toe.
"Yeah, for negotiating how having an omega would look for the teams. I think they want to make sure that when we get drafted, the teams can accommodate, and we're protected and stuff." Shane tried to say nonchalantly. 3 years ago, he wouldn't have been considered someone who needed accommodating.
Rozanov looked distressed at this, "Accommodate what is this word?" His scent betrayed how much this meeting was bothering him.
"Umm, to make sure our needs are getting met," he tried to explain. Rozanov nodded his head.
"My parents are going to be there, my mom is my manager," he felt the need to explain. "Who's going to be with you?"
Rozanov shrugged his shoulders, "Maybe coach."
"No manager?"
"Only in Russia, he... do not like me in NHL." Rozanov's hand took the cigarette out of his pocket, twirling it in his fingers.
Shane pitied Rozanov; he couldn't imagine not having his parents' support while the suits breathed down his neck, wanting nothing more than for him to suddenly grow a dick that can knot so they wouldn't have to actually deal with him.
"Maybe we can have the meeting together? It'll probably save them time?" Shane did not know if that was possible, but it didn't hurt to try.
Rozanov brightened, "Da! Yes. Will be smart, Hollander." He took out his phone, clicked around, and passed it to Shane. Holding his hand out expectantly.
It took seeing the page to add a new contact for Shane to get what he was asking. He wanted his number.
"I'll tell my mom, and she'll make it happen." Shane hoped he wasn't gonna became a liar any time soon.
They gave back their phones. Shane rocked on his toes, then stuck his hand out once again.
"It was nice meeting you, Rozanov. I guess I'll see you at the game."
"Ilya," he said simply.
Shane found himself grinning, "Ilya. Umm Shane."
" You will not be so nice when we beat you," Ilya smirked, cigarette traveling up to his plump lip.
" You wish!"
................
They lost.
Shane played what was probably the best hockey of his life. Scoring 3 out of the 4 goals, with the last one being an assist.
Ilya made him work for every goal, and Shane also made himself a menace to the Russians. But their team was simply better at the end of the day.
Shane felt incredibly disappointed in himself. Already feeling the sneers that another person, an alpha, should have led the team. But Shane knew that at the end of the day, only one team could win.
And if rumors were believed, this win was likely more imperative to the Russian captain, who was only begrudgingly allowed out of the country due to intense American scrutiny. People poking fun online that, in Cold War fashion, they couldn't let the America's have the best new Omega. In a way, it seemed Ilya and Shane's careers were tied from the start.
Shane begrudgingly braved the media storm. It helped that Shane had played almost embarrassingly better than his teammates. Meaning the questions were more about omega leadership abilities and not omega playing ability, small miracles.
He couldnt nurse his wounds for long, as the meeting with NHL organizers was fast encroaching.
Shane's mom was appalled at the idea that Rozanov would not have a proper representative with him at his meeting, and within hours managed to ensure that the meeting would occur at the same time.
Shane attempted not to spiral down the road that said he wouldn't be chosen in the draft, that this meeting would confirm that having an omega on the team was not right, and that it would be too much work.
The meeting was in a large office building in the 15th floor. They had arrived 20 minutes early, and neither he nor his mom could relax in any capacity. Ilya arrived with his Beta escort shortly after them. His suit was pressed and clean, but his tie was badly done.
He smiled politely at Yuna, holding out his hand. "Hello, I'm Ilya. Thank you for this."
Yuna shook his hand, pointing at the seat next to Shane and her. "Of course, I couldn't allow them to take advantage of your situation. You two set the precedent for all Omegas in the future," she rummages with her papers.
Ilya looked over to Shane with a furrowed brow, "Prece-prece..?"
"Precedent, the expectations and rules." Shane said.
The beta escort with Ilya shifted on his feet. He held his hand out to Shane's mom, who was an Alpha woman with a strong presence. "Good day madam, would you keep an eye on my charge for this meeting? I should be back before it ends."
Yuna's face became stern. "I suppose." That was all the man needed before he exited the way he came. His mom put her papers down and rubbed her nose in a soothing motion. "He's the person the organization hired to keep an eye on you, right?" she asked Rozanov.
"Yes." Ilya replied simply.
"He should not have just left you like that." She turned toward Ilya, pointing towards his tie. " Let me fix that for you." She moved to do it, not allowing Ilya the chance to complain. Ilya looked bemused as she fussed over his suit.
The meeting was a humbling experience for the Omegas. Everything from scent blockers, heat leave, locker room usage, pregnancy, hormone use, ecorts, protection, anything and everything that had to do with his body was discussed.
He felt humiliated. When one of the suits had turned towards them, attempting to overpower the whirlwind that was Shane's mother, pushing for them to agree not to press assault charges if something 'unfortunate' were to happen with a team mate.
Rozanov had turned red. "What is this you mean?" he asked, confused and offended.
Shane, who had been unable to speak until then, explained, "If somebody on the team umm.. touched us..."
"touched?"
"Sexually." He said, almost panicking at that thought.
Yuna's scent became strong and angry in a way Shane hardly ever felt his mother be "The only reason something like that could happen is if the proper precaution isn't taken, which this meeting is for; nevertheless, this isn't the dark ages. Alphas don't go into a rut and become uncontrollable. Teammates should behave like civil human beings. For you to suggest they agree to sign away their rights!"
Shane decided to block out the rest of the conversations. He knew his mom had his best interest at heart. When they exited, it was with relief that everyone seemed satisfied with the conditions.
Ilya's escort was not in the lobby when they arrived.
His mom turned to Ilya, "Hun, are you able to contact the escort? I can't in good conscience leave you here." She spoke gently, the way she did sometimes to Shane when she had to remind him of the things he shouldn't be doing.
"He message, is running late," Ilya said, with a strained expression on his face. "Is no matter, I sit, play game, no problem." he shrugged.
" Absolutly not, let me take you boys out to get something to eat." Her tone left no room for argument and Ilya followed along dutifully.
His mother led the way to a small restaurant 5 minutes from the offices. Ilya and Shane bumped shoulders following along behind her look good dutiful Omegas. Ilya could have easily rebuked his mother's domineering. This wasn't Russia and an escort was merely a gesture of good will, not a strongly suggested legal protection.
They made an odd group a small Alpha asian woman with two hulking omega boys in a booth. Shane was used to stares, but the current stares gave the impression they were the stars of a reality tv show's making a scene and not people getting lunch.
Shane was worried that it would be awkward, and that they would sit in silence for half an hour. Instead Ilya and his mom got along like a house on fire. They spoke about hockey, traveling, favorite foods, and Shane didn't find keeping up with the conversation tiring at all.
"What do you mean you do not like Ice cream?" Ilya exclaimed at Shane's admission.
"It's too much sugar and dairy" he shrugged.
Ilya and Yuna shared a look. "You are so boring Hollander." Ilya said grinning like an asshole.
"Fuck off" he replied.
"You're a little boring." His mom nodded sagely. "He's always been like this, as a kid we had to keep soda out of the house. David and I would hide a couple of cans in the basement to have a when he was asleep!" She laughed heartily.
"Shane why have you made mom and dad struggle." He laughed as well, soft and dainty. His laugh was perfect for an omega and a sound you wouldn't expect from such a large man.
Ilya looked down at his phone face sobering "Yosef is two minutes away."
Shane felt disappointed, he enjoyed being near Ilya, smelling him, not being the only male Omega in any given area. Now he would not see him again until the draft in a couple of months.
Yuna sat up straight. She looked through her purse and brought up her business card.
"Ilya. I know you said you're looking for representation. I really don't like the idea of you handling things alone. I'm always available, always. You know I'm Shane’s manager I don't have to be yours if you don't want to but you can call me even if you need advice. Do you understand?"
Ilya took the card in hand slowly. He looked at it like he had been handed a sacred treasure. "Yes. Thank you. No one has ever... thank you." He placed the card into his pocket.
His mom nodded her head satisfied leaning back into her chair. "I just want you boys to be taken care of."