Work Text:
Part of Shane – the part that has lived and breathed hockey for as long as he can remember – has been worried about retirement. The disruption to their routines. The sudden length of time they’d have with just each other. The change.
In practice, none of that matters. Ilya gets a sister for Anya, a puppy called Emmy, and steps up his volunteering at the local rink. Shane picks up volunteering at the local shelter, bc no one looks pityingly at him there. No one is astonished that even at 35, he’s never quite learned how to talk to people.
And –
They’re a little out of tune, both the guitar and Ilya, but it’s not like Shane has an ear for that. Sveta said so, the last time she was here. To Shane, it’s just comfort. Ilya plucking at the strings, and then strumming, a meandering melody that is faintly familiar.
A new song, then, because Shane has become familiar with the other ones.
The melody may be new, but Ilya’s voice isn’t: deep, a little raspy, still slightly angular. Shane could listen to it for hours. Will listen to it for hours.
For now, he smiles, and starts their pancakes.