Chapter Text
Harris really regrets agreeing to the idea. Agreeing to a MLH media day where members of select teams come together to play arcade games against each other. Something about fan engagement across the board. But why did Harris regret letting them agree to this event? None other than the Ottawa Centaurs’ captain Ilya Rozanov. The same Ilya Rozanov who made anything a competition, especially if one Montreal Voyagers captain Shane Hollander was involved. On the bright side he gets to socialize with the other MLH media managers, networking and content farming,
He watched Troy play pool; Wyatt was challenging Seattle’s goalie to a round of DDR (and losing), and other players scattered around. Some of the rookies huddled around a game of Pac Man while some veteran players watched with drinks. Beer and drunk professional hockey players did not sound like the best idea with arcade games, but it was hilarious he had to admit. And the biggest competition of them all: in the middle of the room sat two air hockey tables with a white board of names. Names of players wanting to compete for a mini-Stanley Cup. And of course, Hollander and Rozanov names were on the bracket.
That’s when Harris just knew that this was going to be a very eventful day.
~~~
Shane and Hayden stood at the edge of the room, watching hockey players from various teams all interact with each other. But Shane’s focus was mainly on one man from one team. His tall, blonde, loud, and breathtaking fiancé Ilya Rozanov. Who, at the moment, was currently teamed up with Troy Barrett playing pool against two players from Austin. There was something about Ilya bent over a table with intent focus.
“Shane, buddy, you are staring.” Hayden brought him back to reality. Was he that obvious?
“Oh.” He blushed.
Shane walked over to where J.J. was playing ski ball against a player from the new Atlanta team. They were just reemerging again after almost two decades of being dissolved. He knew there were a lot of players on his team excited to play against him, and on other teams as well. He remembers watching them when he was younger; they had a lot of tribulations then, but it seemed now they were coming back on a much better footing. Shane thought about just staying in the corner though, silently watching and observing. A perfect distance to watch the room. But more specifically the perfect angle to watch Ilya without others noticing too much.
Shane observed as he watched old teammates catch up. He watched a group of rookies push each other around as they seemed to challenge some of the elders at games. He patiently waited for the part that he was most excited about, however. Winning the air hockey competition. No one wanted to make a mini replica of the actual Stanley Cup- too much superstition and no one wanted to jinx their chance at the actual cup- so instead they got the tumbler Stanley cup. That just so happened to be a mini one. It was a silly prize, but Shane Hollander loved a good competition.
He probably stood there for a good 20 minutes before he noticed someone come to stand a little bit close to his left side. Looking over, he saw a very sly looking Ilya Rozanov. “Are you ready for me to beat you for the cup?”
“You’re so confident that you will win?” Shane asked.
“Oh yes. Because I always win.” Ilya sung.
“Sure, and you definitely didn’t lose that game that you played against Utah of all teams. Which you played last Saturday.” Shane snorted.
“Hmm, I seem to remember that you almost lost to us two weeks ago until someone whispered something really interesting to me during a face off in over time. Purposely distracting me.” He whispered, watching for others who may look over. Shane smirked a little and blushed. He remembered that game perfectly well, as well as his own prize for winning the game. Pro tip: fluster Ilya Rozanov by whispering something foul in Russian while in a face off and you win every single time. The face off, the game, and what always comes after.
“I don’t know what you are talking about, Rozanov.” Shane took a sip of his drink and looked back towards where most of his teammates were, well the handful of them who came. Hayden, JJ, two of the rookies, and four other guys all came. Others were busy or just did not care enough. It wasn’t as bad as some teams though who only had a handful of guys come, while it seemed others had almost their entire teams come. He could appreciate that about Ottawa, almost all of Ilya’s team was here. He currently was watching Troy Barrett sneak over to where their media manager stood taking pictures.
They seemed close, and would it be crazy for Shane to say he was a bit envious of them. This man, Harris was the name he remembered, was able to show himself so proudly in a room full of professional hockey players. And Troy Barrett, who seemed to be constantly drawn to him like a moth. He wished he had the reality of being like them, but he probably would never have the same courage as him. The same courage to drag Ilya onto the ice with him and kiss him in front of the whole world to see- like Scott Hunter and Kip. Or the nonchalantness of Ryan Price, who didn’t even have to come out, he was just there with his Fabian and didn’t seem to care about anything else. Instead, he hid himself from the world. It was safe like that, in the corner where no one could see you. In the corner where very few trusted people knew the real you. And even that was still masked to some extent. But Shane was letting his brain get away from him when JJ came up to him, spooking him out of his thoughts. It was time to start the air hockey competition. And if there is one thing that Shane loves just as much as Ilya- its competing against Ilya.
What Shane did not appreciate about this event was that alongside the arcade set up, there was also karaoke. Because why not. It was really loud and most of the guys were really bad at singing. But it was bearable if he blocked it out enough. He was just waiting for the air hockey competition to begin. They were all told about the competition about two weeks ago when they announced the event, and since then he had been practicing for this. Especially against either Hayden or JJ who didn’t plan to play. He tried with Ilya twice, but in their fashion, the game was left unfinished not even 3 points in. And thinking about that right now was not what he needed. Especially in front of half the MLH players all in one room.
Shane was up third against a player from Pittsburg and won 7-2, his next round 7-3, next round 7-0. He felt great; he always felt great after any win. That’s what happens when you are Yuna Hollander’s son and inherit her competitiveness: the need to always be on top, the need to always win. To his credit he was now one of, if not, the top player in the league. After the first level of the bracket, he took a break to rest. He knew his limits- at least most of the time. He’s gotten better at it with himself lately. Some inner reflection after he almost had another really bad concussion last season. Then Shane had an excellent idea. As he watched Ilya, he studied him intensely and he was sure he did the same when Shane was playing first. A skill he acquired after years and years of watching and studying Ilya play and his reactions. Shane can almost always predict Ilya’s next move. Ilya played aggressively and fast. Playing off his own moves rather than the other persons’ play. Shane’s other thought was how incredibly hot it was, which was also why they couldn’t play against each other back home.
~~~
Troy, for some reason, had agreed to play air hockey. Even more surprisingly he had made it far enough to win at least 5 other people. And now he was up against Shane Hollander. AKA the hottest man in the MLH according to the official MLH magazine. Crazy that is a category in a sports magazine, but Shane was always on top in and outside of the game. Troy still being starstruck actually going up against Shane Hollander was probably inconceivable. He’s played against him on actual ice. He met him once or twice in person since moving to Ottawa. But here, facing him down on the other side of the table was a whole other game. Whichever one of them won this game would be moving to the last 4 standing. And as much as Troy loves to win, he knew he would never beat Roz. That doesn’t mean he won’t fight for that spot.
Hollander shook his hand and nodded before they took their place. Briefly, he swore he say Ilya wink over at him from behind Hollander. And the slight glanced that he gave Hollander from behind. Now, Troy Barrett was very aware of Ilya being bisexual, and that there were rumors that Shane Hollander was gay (especially after his breakup with Rose Laundry), and that Ilya and Hollander were apparently good friends. And maybe the memory of Ilya dismissing him when he brought Hollander being gay when Ilya game out to him. But he should definitely not be focusing on if the two were fucking and should be focusing on playing air hockey.
It had been 3 minutes and Shane had 5 points, whereas he had 2. It wasn’t his fault though- Troy kept glancing behind Hollander to see Ilya definitely not being subtle. Maybe it was to other people around not paying attention to him or who didn’t know about Ilya. But it was kind of very funking obvious when you’re staring at his ass. Troy thought that it would be a very interesting thing to tell Harris later tonight about their theory on Ilya’s mystery partner. It was just a silly competition between the two and purely just for fun. Harris does not believe it is Shane Hollander; he thinks it's just some random guy in Ottawa. The more Troy watched Shane and Ilya interact, the more he believed it was him. He does not see how Harris could miss that. And then he scores a goal. A clear shot when Hollander was distracted- presumably because it seems Ilya had moved to be behind Troy. He could only imagine what Ilya was doing behind him. It only took Hollander two more minutes to get to 7 points. If Troy had to lose this to anyone, he was honored to have it be by Shane Hollander.
“You played great, Hollander. Even with Roz being a distraction to us both,” he suggested. He saw the small blush and how his eyes were briefly widening.
“You too, Barrett.” He coughed. It seemed slightly like he was trying not to blush. Maybe Troy’s brain was playing tricks on him, but he’s had a slight suspicion since Ilya came out and the rumors in the MLH that Shane Hollander was gay.
It may be true; they seem to have become good friends since the announcement of the Irina Foundation. But that could come with working together on the foundation and playing against each other. But rumors spread like wildfire in the MLH. They’re all connected somehow and people love to talk- especially when there isn’t much else to do for entertainment. If you were cheating on your girlfriend or wife and a teammate knew, other players would know by the next week. Or those who bragged about their hookups, especially those that involved threesomes or more, which Troy himself always raised an eye at. Even more so at the rumors where multiple players were involved in them. The biggest one: what players were gay. And no one disputed the rumor about Shane Hollander’s sexuality; most just tried to ignore it.
On one hand it explained a lot about Hollander’s dating history or lack thereof. But many also cut it down to him being an extremely good person and very private about his personal life. Or the very short-lived relationship with actress Rose Landry. But on the other hand, it made sense somehow; Troy just couldn't pinpoint why. Harris called it a gaydar and agrees with the rumor being true. But there were also small rumors of other players being gay, especially those who didn’t exactly hid but weren’t open.
Since his round was the last round before the final 3 game, they all took a break. Troy headed over to where Ilya was standing, a can of coke in hand. “Roz, I think you were staring a bit too hard. Kind of distracting man.”
“Hm. I was not staring. I was assessing the competition. Simple.” Rozanov deflected. All Troy could do was hum to stifle his laugh and nudge his captain’s side.
~~~
Iya would not admit outload he was most definitely looking at Shane’s ass. He thought he was being discreet until Troy pointed it out, but it seemed that Troy was the only one who noticed. In his defense, Shane has the best ass in the world that Ilya had ever seen. Call him bias, but many other people agree online.
“And why are you looking at another man's ass, Barrett?” Ilya jokingly questioned. This caused Troy to stop in his tracks.
“I was assessing the competition; no one can deny how attractive he is,” Troy replied before whispering to him, only reassuring that Troy was as whipped for Harris as Ilya was for Shane, “Plus, I may be wrong, but it seems Hollander likes to stare at you more in more than a friendly way. You could have a chance if the rumors are true.”
“Hmm, maybe. But he is good friend. Nothing more.” He tried to lie. It wasn’t a complete lie; Shane was a good friend and an even better lover. Especially when they are finally alone and can live in their own reality.
Troy gave him a look, a questionable look. Ilya wouldn’t be afraid to tell Troy- or anyone- about Shane and how much he loves Shane and how much he cares for his boyfriend. But not here where most of the MLH can hear. Not when Shane isn’t ready. Not until it is safe for Ilya to not have to face the repercussions of Russia. But Ilya was more than ready, but he would wait for Shane no matter how much it hurt him.
“Look dude, I understand and I won’t push. I can guess and understand what he may be going through if you two are more than friends. And if not, I can also understand why you’re attracted to Hollander. It may be mutual.” Troy patted him on his shoulder. How lucky was Ilya to have friends like Troy to find solace in, even if he couldn’t tell him.
He watched as Troy walked over to where Harris had been taking pictures of Haas and Young playing pin ball with some of the other rookies. It was always nice watching them become a tight group of friends. They will most definitely need that kind of community together to survive their years of playing in the league. Sometimes it can be harsh, and he was always so competitive and cold to other players then. He learned to be a good captain by relating though, thanks to his own first captain at Boston. He wanted to be like that to other players, to motivate them on and off the ice. Ilya thought that he was doing a half decent job with not just these rookies, but with Ottawa as a whole. And he knows they love him back. He thinks if he was more like them when he was young, he would be in a different place today. There was Russia and his family looming over him at their height at the time, not so much now and he was so thankful for that. Ilya looked over at where Shane was laughing with Pike and Boiziau. He saw Marlow across the room and heads over to where he seemed to also be scanning the place.
“Rozy!” he heard as he got closer, Cliff swinging his arms around Ilya’s shoulder, “Nice games there.” He missed hanging out with Cliff Marlow, but he has come to love Ottawa a lot more than Boston. His family was there in Ottawa, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t reminisce on his old life in Boston.
It felt nice to see his old friend again. Although Ilya did feel slightly guilty for the lack of communication. But to be fair, he told no one that he was trading himself beforehand. The only people who knew before it was announced were the Hollanders. And there was definitely mixed reactions from all sides. Many confused and agree, some happy to see him join in hopes to improve them, some called it a career death sentence. And if it was a death sentence, Ilya Rozanov would gladly choose it to be anywhere near Shane Hollander. He loved hockey and playing in the MLH, but there is nothing more important to him than those he considers his family.
“How have you been? Are you still seeing Montreal Jane, since you guys are closer now?” Cliff asks. Right off the bat, shocker.
“Hmm yes. We have been officially together for a while now.” Ilya response, trying so hard not to glance where he knows Shane is. It was getting harder to not constantly be with him. To not hold his hand, prop his head on his, kiss his cheek and watch him blush at every compliment Ilya whispers to him.
“I hope so. I don’t think I want to meet 2016 Ilya ever again. And I pray for Ottawa if you two ever break up.” Cliff patted him on his shoulder, chuckling. Ilya himself couldn’t help himself chuckle as well.
A two-hour drive and weekends off were the best times for Ilya. Spending 90 percent of that time together, and the other ten with Yuna and David. Sometimes when Ilya drove to Montreal, they’d stop by Pike’s house to see the kids. He adored them, even if they came from Pike, and dreamed of him and Shane having kids of their own one day. And the kids at their camp, watching and teaching them to learn and become better at hockey. Those were some of his favorite places to be. Especially with his Shane by his side. Even if in public they had to stay a distance away from each other.
That is what really hurt Ilya- keeping his distance from the love of his life when in public. He knows why Shane wants to stay hidden even with other out players. They are different. Their boyfriends and husbands aren’t also professional hockey players. Their partners weren’t pushed as rivals from the beginning regardless of whether it was real or not. It was safer for them because they didn’t have the threat of losing a visa and being shipped back to Russia where the punishment could be death or worse. Ilya hadn’t realized he zoned out until Cliff placed his hand on his shoulder, “You good man? You left for a minute.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Well, it’s time to go win your air hockey, they’re calling you guys back up there.” Marlow laughed.
~~~
It came down to the final two players. And of course, it was him and Ilya. Why wouldn’t it be him and Ilya. It’s always Hollander and Rozanov; it will always be Hollander and Rozanov. Sometime Shane wondered if it would be Shane and Ilya Hollander, Shane and Ilya Rozanov, maybe even hyphenated Hollander-Rozanov or Rozanov-Hollander. Not that Shane didn't like competing against Ilya, no, he loved it almost as much as he loves him. Competing with each other came like breathing and was absolutely accelerating. There was no better feeling in the world than competing with Ilya. Except just maybe being with Ilya. Distantly he could hear the other players watching and waiting.
“Готов проиграть, Холландер?” Ilya whispered to him as they shook hands.
How he wished he could keep it there, but there were consequences. What will happen if the other players and the world find out. It was one thing for Shane to be out to those who mattered. It is one thing for players like Hunter and Barrett to be out and dating a man- their partners weren’t also top MLH players, their partners were just regular guys who happen to be dating professional hockey players. It will always be different for them. They are unique in that way, which is what scared him the most about even thinking of coming out. In his years of realizing he way gay- even before coming out to himself- he felt safe in the closet. No one could hurt him if he never left. Even if it hurt him to be safe. A major irony.
“We’ll see about that.” Shane smirked.
And so, the game began, and it was aggressive. It almost seemed like Ilya was distracting him. The way he leaned forward, the way he looked into his eyes. The same way that he would play when they were alone, only just a little more contained. But still enough to get Shane to feel the kindling inside him, and in that moment, Shane decided that he could play the same game. Shane knew that the effect he had on his boyfriend- the looks, the tone of his words, the movement of his body. He would have to dial it down majorly for it not to be obvious to others. Except, maybe just enough, where it wasn’t noticeable to everyone else.
Shane knows each thing that makes Ilya weak. Wearing his glasses, the way he looks at him when annoyed, when he slightly sticks his tough out trying to concentrate, but most importantly: Shane speaking Russian, or at least attempting. Maybe seduction is the best way to learn a language when your teacher is Ilya Rozanov. Shane had done some of these things. Winking at Ilya, being a little more aggressive with the puck to make Ilya accidentally push it in. Maybe purposely letting one goal to exploit Ilya’s cockiness. Bending slightly too far across the table and looking at him, winking at him right as he hit the puck when it was stuck right over the line on his side. Being able to fluster Ilya while everyone watched for once. It was different here than on the ice, on the ice it was just them- the others on the ice are just background. Eyes following everyone on the ice. Here they were the main focus since it was only them.
After what felt like forever (Shane looked at the clock and it had been 10 minutes) the score was tied 6-6. Ilya was also distracting him. Of course, Ilya was trying to distract him. And Shane can’t deny the sex after either of them lose to the other was better and the thought of that later made him just slightly distracted. The way that Ilya’s crucifix threatened to fall out from tucked into his shirt, in doing so would reveal his engagement ring. It made something stir deep in Shane.
Then Shane had an idea. He wouldn’t say it out loud- at least not completely. But he would mouth it towards Ilya. Something he knew would stop Ilya in his tracks. Was it playing dirty? Maybe. Will it be worth it later that night? Absa-fucking-lutely. Both of them would burn the world down for the other, would go to the ends of the earth for each other. But he also knows that Ilya has a hard time saying no to him. Especially when it comes to their sex life. And Shane loves it. Shane also knows Ilya loves it when Shane tries to talk in Russian, most specifically when in the bedroom.
Shane bent down across the table going for the puck. Looking straight into Ilya’s eyes he mouths in mixed English and Russian: “If you like to be walked like a dog, why don’t we try it at yours?”
Ilya’s reaction was amazing, and the split second he was distracted gave Shane the perfect opportunity to just barley shoot the puck into the slot. 7-6 for the win. Shane could give less of a shit about the cup; he just loved to win and loved playing against his boyfriend, especially when it came to winning against his boyfriend. It was almost like foreplay for them, but neither would admit that out loud.
~~~
Harris got the shot facing Ilya. He had recorded every round with Troy and Ilya to hopefully use later, as well as some with Wyatt who was somewhere about. Lat time Harris saw him he had taken a few shots of Wyatt playing ski ball. That man was surprisingly really competitive with arcade games.
“By the way, I think you own me a date once this is done?” Troy stood beside him and whispered.
“Hmm, maybe. Or we could just go back to the hotel and order take out, maybe watch a movie ... or two.” Harris replied, just almost missing the moment where Ilya and Hollander shook hands one final time.
“Maybe we could compromise, but I would love some salmon and you right now,” Troy chuckled. Maybe Harris is now really excited to be finished for this situation. But there were still around 40 minutes left and unfortunately, he did have a job to do.
“How about this. You be my first Centaur interviewee, we go back to the room and play out my plan, and tomorrow we go out and I will cook you the best salmon you’ll ever eat.” Hariss pulled away. Troy groaned about it but was more than willing to.
It should have been suspicious on how much chaos Ilya Rozanov was not causing. But he really didn’t think about it at that moment. Currently he was editing a short video of moments he captured, the final clip of them congratulating Ilya on placing second place. He thought it looked great, but no, he forgot the hockey player’s murphy’s law. If it involved Ilya Rozanov’s shenanigans: anything and everything will go viral for the wrong reasons.
Because, despite Harris’ keen eye, he just so happened to almost miss the other players in the background of some of the photos and clips. The first one was a clip of Troy and Ilya playing pool, and there behind him stool Shane Hollander and Hayden Pike. Now Harris knew of the rumors about Hollander; rumors and secrets spread like wildfire in the MLH between players and WAGs. But there was an unspoken rule to keep those in or face horrible consequences. Most were predictable things: who was cheating, hookups, which players were on drugs, who were getting cheated on. Since Scott Hunter, there had been a few about players' sexualities.
And there it was just in the corner: Shane Hollander staring at Ilya. He knew that look; it was the same look Troy looked at him when he was in the zone. A look of absolute admiration and filled with love. Hayen Pike seemed to be looking at him bewildered, glaring at him. Did he know something? Maybe it was just an unrequited crush, or maybe it was mutual. Harris didn’t want to speculate about Ilya, not completely at least. He had a theory of Ilya having a secret boyfriend in Ottawa, Troy said he didn’t think it was a random guy. Just that maybe it was another player.
Harris continued on, he knew Hollander and Ilya were friends. He had taken some photos of the two talking and shaking hands before they competed as well as after. And he noticed in one of the photos how Ilya gave him a similar look. Maybe he was wrong, but there could be many reasons. He’s seen people give their friends that look, and it be completely platonic. Friends who care very deeply about each other. How could the two not respect each other after the decade of competing against each other. There was respect and admiration there.
There were more things Harris caught: one of them was the slight blush on Ilya Rozanov’s face right before he lost to Shane Hollander. You could even see it on thew video. It made him wonder what he said to Ilya to distract him. He wasn’t going to lie; that round was absolutely electric. More so than the usual Montreal vs Ottawa games were. Maybe because you could see how they competed up close and more personal. However, Harris had a job to do. Both personal and professional. He couldn’t pretend to not know what the backlash was if they were actually together, and his post revealed that. He couldn’t pretend the absolute guilt he would have if it happened. Ilya was his friend, and he was probably one of Troy’s biggest supporters. He just wouldn’t be able to forgive himself if he accidentally outed the two of them. So, after some intense editing and clipping, Harris finished editing the photos and putting together the videos he took before queuing up the post.