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"So, you really think he'll go for this?" Troy asked.
Harris was already typing out his text, "Oh I'm almost positive."
"Shouldn't we ask-"
"No! You know he'll say no even if it's what he wants. This is the way."
Harris
Hey, can you meet me and Troy in my office after practice tomorrow? I have a question for you.
You'll want to keep it a surprise for a certain someone.
"Jesus Harris, you know what he's going to think."
"Yeah, based on the emojis I just got back he 100% thinks we're propositioning something kinky."
—
By the time Harris was in his office waiting for Troy he was kicking himself for making the text so suggestive. He could hear the laughter coming down the hall, knowing what was coming for him. Troy came in first looking exhausted, not from the practice that just wrapped up, but from what followed him in the door.
"Harris, I know I had a reputation, but I am a married man now! Shane would not appreciate me being in a threesome." Ilya had the ability to fill every room he entered, his personality was simply too much to be contained. It was the kind of personality that could take a bottom of the barrel team to the playoffs within two seasons of joining the team.
"Ilya, I promise this isn't a sex thing."
"Sure pervert, isn't that what you said while you were inviting Troy back to your office?"
"Oh my god Roz, shut up!" Troy blushed, which Harris had to admit was pretty cute.
"Wait! You invited me here the same way, this really is a-"
"Ilya!" Somehow that finally got him to stop. "You remember how we found Anya dumped on the side of the road near my parents' orchard?"
"Yes, monsters!"
Harris wasn't going to argue with that, "Well it happened again."
"Harris, you know I want a house full of dogs but I don't think we can right now."
"Oh I know! This is different, this is a cat."
Ilya's face immediately softened, "Oh…"
As soon as they saw him Harris had known he had to talk to Ilya. Since adopting Anya the two of them had talked extensively about Ilya's desire to have a small army of dogs. But one thing that always came up was the cat, Shane's cat. Just the one. He apparently brought it up one time, but Ilya said anytime they saw a cat he could tell the want was real. Shane loved Anya, but Ilya wanted to give him a cat.
"He's young, but not a kitten," Harris explained. "He's a black cat and already very sweet. He gets along with all the dogs, and you know with Mac that can be a challenge."
Ilya was nodding along, clearly deep in thought, "But what if he doesn't like Anya?"
Troy stepped in, "We already thought about that. You guys bring Anya over during away trips anyway. Harris and the Drovers will use the time to socialize them. If the two of them don't work out it's okay, the cat can live a happy life on the farm."
Ilya nodded, "Okay, okay. We try this."
"One last question, are we telling Shane?" Harris asked.
Ilya thought for a moment, "Do you think we could be ready for him to come home by May?"
Harris instantly knew what Ilya was wanting, Shane's birthday. "Yeah, that's three months. We could do May."
Ilya smiled, "Don't tell Shane."
—
Ilya was drumming his thumbs nervously against the steering wheel as he drove the familiar road out to the Drover Orchard. In the rear view mirror he could see Anya curled up asleep in the back. He hadn't been this nervous since the first time he dropped her off for a road trip. As he drove down the road he couldn't help himself but imagining her being left behind on the side of the road. He couldn't imagine the monster who would just leave behind the most perfect dog to ever exist.
And now a cat.
Harris sent him pictures. Ilya wasn't a cat person, but this cat was beautiful. Harris said his coat would look better with time, but he already had beautiful, long fur. Ilya was not just nervous about Anya meeting him, but he was nervous about meeting him too. He didn't meet Anya with the plan to adopt her, it just happened. This was the first animal he'd meet with the plan of adopting. With the intention of wanting.
And he wanted this so much. He wanted a cat for Shane.
Shane who was at home packing for both of them. Shane who did everything to take care of both of them. Shane who would happily take in more dogs because he knew it would make Ilya happy. Shane who never mentioned wanting a cat again after the night of their wedding in Hayden's living room.
Shane deserved a cat.
During one of Bood's barbecues a neighbor's cat had wandered into the yard. Everyone had pet the cat, Luca even threw some of his chicken down for the cat to eat. But later in the evening Ilya had found Shane in a quiet corner of the yard, sitting on the ground petting the cats belly. He could tell from the look on Shane's face this wasn't just a curiosity, this was something deeply soothing for him. Before Ilya could say anything Bood's neighbor showed up to reclaim her cat. Shane smiled as she scooped her up, but Ilya recognized the slight disappointment in his eyes that their time was up.
Fuck this needed to work.
As he pulled into the Drover's drive Anya perked up, recognizing where they were. By the time he was parked and out of his car he was surrounded by a pack of dogs. This was Ilya's idea of heaven.
"Back up if you want me to get your friend out!" Ilya laughed. As soon as she was unclipped, Anya was part of the pack. All part of the routine of a drop off at the Drover's.
Harris was at the door waiting for Ilya, "Ready to meet our boy?"
Ilya nodded and followed him into the house. They went upstairs, with each step he could feel the nerves grow. He knew some people were better with dogs and some were better with cats. What if cats didn't like him? What if nothing he did could make this plan work? Harris stopped and put his hand on the door handle to what Ilya assumed was a guest room.
"Okay, so he hasn't been skittish so far, but you are the first new person he'll meet in a week. And you'll be the biggest so I don't know if that will make a difference. Have you been around cats much?"
"A little."
"Better than none. Just chill out and don't push him too much." The more Ilya heard about cats, the more Shane liking them made sense. Harris gave him a little more advice on being around cats, then they went in.
The cat was curled up on a chair in the corner of the room, sunshine coming through the window causing him to glow. It reminded Ilya of Shane's hair during summer afternoon naps on the dock at the cottage. Harris gestured to the bed and Ilya followed, giving the cat space. The cat seemed wary of Ilya.
Harris spoke first, softly, "So, we should talk around him. Get him used to your voice."
"Okay. Um…" Ilya's mind went blank.
"Oh boy. So, how are you feeling about the game?"
"It's, uh, it's Buffalo, so pretty, ummm…"
"Ilya, what do you want to name the cat?"
"What?"
"You're obviously nervous and can't just talk about non cat stuff, so I'm talking about the cat. What do you want to name him."
Ilya thought for a moment, "I don't want to name him. I got to name Anya. I want Shane to name him."
Harris just stared at him for a moment, "That's really sweet Ilya."
In that moment, the cat stood up and stretched. He looked at the bed at Harris, then at Ilya before jumping over to join them. He sniffed at both of them before rubbing his head against Ilya, then walking to the other end of the bed to sleep on the pillows.
"Is that..?"
"A good sign? A very good one bud."
After a few minutes, Ilya had to leave. He didn't want to push their first meeting to far and it felt like it had gone really well. He and Harris went downstairs to find Troy already throwing his bags in Ilya's car.
"What is this?"
"Oh come on, you have to come back here for Anya anyway. Give me a ride into town!"
"Fine, go tell Harris goodbye while I tell Anya." Troy smiled as he went off to tackle Harris.
Ilya found Anya in the living room with the rest of the pack. When she saw him come in she was immediately by his side. He squatted down so he could be face to face with her.
"Anya, I need you to be the best girl. There is a very special boy here who I need to love you." Anya started licking his face. "I know, it's hard to imagine anyone not loving you. But we have to do this for Shane, okay?" As if she understood, she leaned into his chest for snuggles.
God, he hoped this worked.
—
Harris
[Picture of Anya sniffing the guestroom door]
Good news, they were both curious about the door. Neither one growled or hissed.
We gave them blankets the other used so they can get used to each others scent.
Ilya
So will they meet this time?
Harris
No, we just want them to get used to scents. But they are eating meals by the door. That's a big deal!
Ilya
Thank you Harris
—
April began, and so did their Stanley Cup push. The Centaurs had been on a tear this season, fueled by their insane team chemistry, momentum from their success the previous season, and finally being the team that put Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander together. They managed to lock their position in the playoffs early, much to the delight of the whole city.
But during every away game Ilya's mind was at the Drover's farm. He had finally been able to pet The Cat, even had him curl up on his lap. Anya had met him through a baby gate and things had gone well, but he knew it would be different once there was no barrier. The longer it took the more he realized this wasn't just for Shane, he was starting to love The Cat too.
It happened during an away game in Colorado. They won in overtime, the locker room was on fire. Ilya and Shane had been celebrating together. When Shane went off to shower, Troy came over.
"Hey, you might want to look at your phone. There are some pictures waiting for you."
Ilya laughed, "Barrett, I am a married man, I don't want pictures of your-"
"Ilya, trust me."
The serious look on Troy's face made Ilya realize what he was talking about. He quickly got to his phone and had several texts waiting from Harris.
Harris
[Picture of Anya and The Cat sniffing each other]
[Picture of The Cat rubbing its head against Anya]
[Picture of Anya curled up on the bed with The Cat peaking over her]
Big success. The Cat only batted at Anya once, but it was just a smack no claws involved.
Ilya, they are besties.
Ilya had to compose himself. He wanted to run into the showers and tell Shane everything. He wanted to show him all of the cute pictures Harris had sent him. He wanted to get his opinions on names so they could use anything other than The Cat. But instead he needed to keep it together. It was only a few more weeks.
He looked at Troy, "It really worked."
Troy smiled at him, "Yeah man, it really did."
He sent Harris a text before he got in the showers.
Ilya
Thank you Harris. Thank you for all of this.
Harris
Happy to do it. For all of you.
—
They won their first round. Last season was the first time in decades the Ottawa Centaurs had even made it to the playoffs and no one could believe they were making it into the second round two seasons in a row. Except maybe the Centaurs themselves. They finished in game five and Ilya couldn't have asked for better timing. Their last game was a home game on May 9th, the day before Shane's birthday. They were at home and done for a week.
Perfect time for The Cat.
The next morning, Ilya paced around the house. He told Yuna and David about his gift for Shane. They took him out for breakfast so Ilya could bring in the supplies and hide them in the guest room. Water fountains and food approved by Harris and Linda. Litter boxes for upstairs and downstairs. Cat beds. Cat trees and toys. Only one thing missing.
The Cat himself.
Ilya looked at his texts with Harris again.
Harris
[Picture of The Cat wearing a red collar with a bowtie]
Someone is excited to come home to his Dads and Sister.
Yuna had texted him that they would be back soon, so went ahead and sent Harris a text.
Ilya
Shane will be home soon.
You can come anytime.
Harris
We are at the arena, we'll be 20ish minutes.
We'll drop him off so you can have all the gift giving glory.
Ilya had taken Anya on a extra long walk that morning to wear her out, but he wasn't worried. She had become extremely close with The Cat. When she was at the Drover's she would seek The Cat out. Then when Ilya went to pick her up The Cat would follow them, chirping as if he didn't want her to leave.
He heard car doors close. As the Hollanders came back into the house, Shane immediately went straight for Ilya's arms.
Ilya smiled, "Miss me?"
"Of course, you should have come with us."
"And miss out on planning you birthday present? Never."
Shane laughed. Ilya knew he was thinking about the night before when Ilya had another surprise that included him wearing a gift bow and nothing else.
"Well it was great to see you boys," Yuna wrapped both of them in a big hug, "but we are going to head out."
"What? Already Mom?"
"Yeah, I'm still tired from last night. You boys have a great day celebrating." She gave Ilya a little extra pat on the back. When he told her the plan, she had been surprised to find out Shane wanted a cat. But when he told her how he acted around them she started recalling a great aunt who Shane loved who had a cat. When Ilya asked what her cat looked like Yuna might as well have been describing The Cat, despite having never met him.
After his parents left, Shane settled on the couch, arms outstretched, "Come here."
God Ilya wanted to, but Harris was coming soon, "Give me a minute."
He started pacing the kitchen. He should have talked Harris into location sharing so he would know how close he was. It had been 15 minutes. What does 20ish mean? More? Less? Ilya needed something more concrete right now. Why didn't he have The Cat brought here while Shane was out? He could have hidden it in-
He felt strong arms wrap around him from behind, "Hey, what's the matter?"
"Hmmm?" Ilya leaned back against Shane, all of his worries melting away.
"You have been stressed all morning. What's the matter Ilya?"
Ilya turned around in Shane's arms, looking at his big brown eyes. They were full of concern for Ilya. Ilya who was stressed because he was trying to surprise Shane. He couldn't help himself but laugh.
"Ilya?"
"I have a surprise for you," he gave Shane a quick peck. "It should be here anytime. I just want it to be perfect for your birthday."
Shane smiled, "If it's from you, I bet it is."
As if on cue, Ilya's phone buzzed.
Harris
We're here.
Ilya snuck in another quick kiss, "I'll be right back. It's here."
—
Ilya carefully brought in the carrier. The Cat was curled up against the back purring. Shane had returned to his spot on the couch. Perfect.
From the entryway, Ilya called out, "Don't turn around! And close your eyes!"
"Okay!"
He put the carrier behind the couch and carefully opened it to get The Cat out. He snuggled against Ilya's chest, just like he had the last few times they had seen each other at the Drover's. Ilya came around and sat next to Shane.
"Before you open your eyes, I want you to know this is a project that has taken a lot of work. Multiple people have worked on this, including Anya. All out of love for you." Shane smiled. "Keep your eyes closed, but give me your hand."
Shane lifted his hand up. Ilya carefully rested The Cat on his lap so he could guide his hand to The Cat's head. As soon as his hand hit fur Shane made a confused face. He started tentatively petting before finally opening his eyes. His face instantly went soft.
"Ilya…"
"He doesn't have a name yet, I wanted to save that for you. He was found near the Drover's Orchard, just like Anya." He saw a flash of sadness as Shane continued to pet The Cat. "Anya has been spending time with him during our away trips. I have so many pictures to show you that Harris sent me of the two of them."
He took a second to really look at Shane. He was leaning against Ilya, resting his head on his shoulder, just carefully watching the cat. Completely mesmerized as he continued to pet The Cat. In that moment every bit of doubt Ilya may have felt in the past three months washed away. The thought of Shane not having a cat seemed impossible. He leaned over and kissed the top of Shane's head.
"So, what do you think?" Ilya finally asked.
Shane looked away from The Cat for the first time since he opened his eyes, "He's perfect. Thank you Ilya."
Shane leaned in to kiss Ilya. Ilya eventually made him move so he could put The Cat on his chest.
"I have some things to set up."
The rest of the afternoon was spent setting up everything Ilya had hidden in the guest room. Part way through building a cat tree for the living room he looked up and saw the most beautiful sight. Shane and The Cat were both asleep. Ilya pulled out his phone and took a quick shot.
Ilya
[Shane sleeping with The Cat on his chest]
I'd call today a big success.
Harris
Oh Ilya, this makes me so happy!!!!
Good job boys (and Anya!)
Ilya looked over where Anya was sleeping in one of her many beds. This really was thanks to her too. As stressed as Ilya was, everything she did made him feel more at ease. As much as The Cat seemed meant for Shane, Anya was meant for Ilya.
He looked back to see Shane smiling at him, his hands lazily petting The Cat, "I'm thinking Gordie."
"For The Cat?"
Shane nodded, "Yeah, after Gordie Howe."
Ilya thought back to a text from Harris about The Cat smacking at Anya, "Gordie is a perfect name."
Gordie stretched real big on top of Shane before jumping down to find his food.
"Oh good, I have to pee." Shane got up and left for the bathroom.
When Gordie came back to the couch he looked offended that Shane left. Ilya laughed, "Sorry Gordie, he's not yours all of the time." After months of calling him just The Cat, it felt nice to finally have a name for him.
Gordie looked around the living room, until he saw Anya. By the time Shane made his way back, Gordie and Anya were curled up together.
Shane smiled and pulled out his phone to take a picture, "Guess I'm going to start sending pictures to Harris too."
Ilya stood up so he could wrap his arms around Shane. He nuzzled in so he could kiss the side of his neck. "Happy birthday Shane. I love you."
Shane looked up at him smiling, "I love you too Ilya."
They spent the rest of Shane's birthday building cat trees, playing with cat toys, and taking pictures of Gordie and Anya.
A pretty good way to spend a 30th birthday.