Chapter Text
Shane leant against the boards, a soft smile on his face as he watched Ilya instructing the rookies. The Russian was helping one of them adjust their hold on their stick, explaining what he was doing in a hushed voice. He was incredibly kind and patient with them; never raising his voice or berating them for getting something wrong, even if they had made the same mistake 5 times in a row. It made perfect sense to Shane - he had already had to deal with enough hostility while growing up - of course he wouldn’t want to create that sort of harsh environment for the young rookies.
Looking at him now in his captain jersey, an immense feeling of pride in his chest, it was hard for Shane to remember that they were pretty much still kids themselves. In hockey years they were in their prime, sure, but in the eyes of the rest of society they had barely started to peek their way into adulthood.
It was Ilya's first year as captain and he was taking it in his stride. It felt like he had been born for the role. Ilya had been insistent that the title could have easily gone to either of them but Shane wasn't remotely surprised at the result. Ilya had that easy chemistry with their teammates and ability to encourage and hype them up that Shane was never able to project in his fumbling speeches as alternate captain.
Shane had a better eye for hockey and its intricacies - able to see plays before they happened, could read his opponents moves and analyse the ice with a keen eye - but when it came to impassioned speeches aiming to inspire and motivate, he stumbled and fell. He was more than happy to watch his boyfriend take the lead.
It had been good for Ilya, being captain; Shane thought. A badge of honour, tangible proof of his hard work and dedication to the sport. No one could say he hadn't put in the effort. He had always been incredibly hard on himself - feeling like he wasn't deserving enough, wasn't good enough, that he would always end up disappointing the people around him. Likely a result of his messed-up family. Shane hoped that this was helping prove to him the opposite.
The rink was quiet, the morning's practice being optional - mostly meant for the rookies to see how they were settling in and making sure they were feeling comfortable with everything. Shane was there as alternate captain, but mostly he was just stood off to the side, watching Ilya take charge, a fond expression on his face.
Despite Ilya's insistence that he would make a great captain, he was still surprised when he had been awarded the title of alternate. There were guys on the team who had been there longer than him, had much more experience - any of them would have been much more suited to the role in his eyes. He didn't view himself as someone with captain tendencies; surprisingly awkward and shy for a hockey player, nervous and unsure of himself, unquestionably bad at giving rousing speeches. But nobody could deny that he knew his hockey. He was modest, but he understood his worth to the team at least.
He watched as one of the rookies gave out a frustrated cry as they messed up on the drill they had been working on. He was about to make his way over and correct his stance when Ilya beat him to it. Ilya laid a reassuring hand on the 19 year old's shoulder, murmuring something to the rookie that made his posture relax, his irritation slowly leaving his face as he listened while nodding. Ilya guided his hands into position, showing him how to angle his feet properly with gentle encouragement.
The sight made an odd feeling rise up in Shane's chest, one he quickly tried to shake away. He already knew Ilya was great with kids - he had seen how he acted with the children of some of the older players; joking and playing with them at team social events, effortlessly making them laugh with silly antics and calming them down when they became agitated. It was like magic the way kids flocked to him, seemingly drawn to his playful, laid-back energy.
The prospect of kids was always something that stayed in the back of Shane’s mind, along with other vague, faraway dreams he had about the distant future. He tried not to dwell on them for too long, not wanting to get carried away with thoughts of things that might never happen. Certainly the sight of Ilya instructing the rookies with soft, encouraging words and reassuring touches shouldn't instil such a sense of longing in him. He needed to get his act together.
The pair had decided to commit to one another, try their hardest to make this crazy thing work - but it wasn't as simple as just making a promise and sticking to it. There was Russia to contend with, Ilya's family, the league, the reception from the fans if their relationship ever went public. Wishing for unobtainable things such as marriage, family, a forever spent with Ilya by his side - it just made his heart ache. They had vague plans to stop hiding and be together properly after they retire, but Shane was becoming increasingly convinced he wouldn't be able to survive that long. Especially not when he was met by the sight of Ilya in his captain jersey, surrounded by a group of rookies gazing up at him in awe as he demonstrated some basic drills. Damn it all.
Practice wrapped up and Ilya skated over to him as the rookies began to filter out, a teasing grin on his face.
"Well hello there, beautiful. Too busy enjoying the view to come over and help your captain teach the newbies?"
Shane smiled back, "You seemed to be doing such a great job by yourself, I didn't want to interrupt."
"Hmm, I think you just enjoy watching me in my captains jersey. Seeing me take charge, bossing all the little rookies around - I think it does it for you, da?" Ilya rested against the boards, leaning towards his boyfriend with a sly smile.
Shane's gaze flicked down to his lips before returning to his ocean blue eyes which were flickering with mischief. He bit his lip suggestively and raised an eyebrow.
"Is that what you think, Cap-tain?" Shane drew out the syllables and watched as Ilya's face flushed.
"So naughty, my alternate captain. Flirting with me so blatantly at practice. What will the kiddies think if they overhear?"
Shane smirked, "Best hope they don't then."
He squeezed Ilya's arm lightly. "Come on, let's get home."
They didn't make it very far before Shane was grabbing Ilya by the arm and dragging him into an empty storage cupboard, one they had both become incredibly familiar with the interior of since the start of their relationship.
He was on him immediately, kissing his boyfriend hungrily as if it hadn't been less than three hours since they had been naked and tangled together in Ilya's apartment, breathing heavily against each other's mouths as the first rays of morning light filtered through the blinds.
"What happened to waiting until we got home?" Ilya asked as Shane began kissing his neck, hands clawed tightly in his jersey. "So desperate for me, Hollander? One look at me in my captains jersey and you go weak at the knees?"
"Shut up." Shane was nuzzling his way along the other man’s jaw, eyes hooded and wanting.
"I would like to see you in my jersey. Wearing my name," Ilya growled against his throat, "Maybe wearing nothing else, hm?"
Shane groaned, "You'd like that wouldn't you, Rozanov? Stoke your giant ego even more?"
Ilya squeezed his waist, pulling them even closer together with a smirk, "I'm just saying, the jersey clearly turns you on. It would be good for both of us, I think." He captured the tip of Shane’s earlobe between his teeth and tugged lightly, earning him a soft moan.
Finally, Shane sobered enough to pull away, flattening down his ruffled hair and adjusting his clothes.
"We should get going. Don't forget we've got that dinner with the Pikes tonight."
Ilya groaned, "Remind me why we have to spend our valuable free time hanging out with Hayden Pike of all people? We could have a lovely night in, just the two of us. I'll cook for you, pamper you...I'll even wear those little shorts you like." He reached out to wrap his arms around Shane, his eyes pleading, but was batted away.
"We have nights in together all the time. Let's go hang out with our friends for once. It's not often we get to be ourselves in front of another couple."
Ilya hummed, unconvinced.
"Besides, Jackie will be excited to see us anyway. I think she's having a rough time with the pregnancy - she hasn't been able to get out of the house much recently."
Ilya relented, "Fine, but only because I love Jackie so much. Pike being there is something I will put up with for the sake of the lovely lady Pike."
Shane laughed and swatted his arm, "You love him really."
Ilya shook his head indignantly. "Is not true. This is lies and slander."
"How are you feeling Jackie?" Shane leant over to top up her empty water glass.
"Exhausted. Even just after walking up a flight of stairs I have to sit down to catch my breath. It's torture."
Ilya tutted, "Classic Pike, being bad husband and not waiting on you hand and foot. If I were your husband you would not have to walk up stairs a single day in your life."
Hayden glared at him, "Can it, Rozanov. I'm a great husband."
"I am not so sure. Poor pregnant Jackie is being made to slave away at home alone, no one to do the chores for her, her so-called husband too weak to even carry her up the stairs. She is a queen - she should be your number one priority. Not messing around with whatever it is you do all day.”
"What I do all day," Hayden growled, "Is come to the mandatory team practices which you schedule, in case you forgot. If you care about my wife's wellbeing so much then you should be the one not insisting that I come to practice!"
Ilya shook his head, "Excuses, excuses. Classic man behaviour. Blaming all your problems on someone else. I think you are just embarrassed that you are such a failure of a husband, not willing to try hard enough for your dearest wife."
"Oh my god. Remind me what you see in this guy, Shane?"
"Be nice, Ilya," Shane muttered, half-heartedly.
"I am just trying to stand up for beautiful lady Pike, moya lyubov! Does feminism mean nothing any more? You know what - Pike gets bag skates tomorrow. For not supporting feminism."
"Dude, seriously? I am a feminist! And you can't threaten me with bag skates just because you want to be annoying."
"I can and I will. You forget Pike, I am captain now. My word is law." Ilya punctuated his statement with a loud, bellowing laugh that sounded like it had come straight out of the mouth of a Disney villain.
"Jesus Christ, he's gone mad with power," Hayden muttered under his breath.
"Alright boys, that's enough," Jackie chimed in, "If you all care about feminism so much, how about you clear up the dishes while I go and have a relaxing sit down in the other room with Shane."
"Why does Shane get a free pass from cleaning up?" Hayden complained.
"Because I'm a feminist," Shane deadpanned.