Chapter Text
Luca wasn’t a kid anymore, but to the Centaurs, none of that mattered.
Most people don't start going pro until they're 18, and Luca had only just turned 18 a few months ago. He envied the other rookies who all had at least a year on him before joining the team. Elijah Young, Cory Holmberg and Jean LaPointe were a year older than him. It embarrassed him to no end.
Shane was the only one who didn't tease him about it. Kind of.
Everyone knows that the Shane fucking Hollander was the best player the NHL has seen since Crosby. He’s kind to all the fans he meets; he was an incredible captain when he played for Montreal (Now he shares AC with Bood and he's still incredible), and he makes the best grilled cheese Luca has ever tasted.
But before he ever got to taste his food, Luca had to meet the man. Luca looked up to Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov so much. They were Hockey superstars. And when they came out as a couple and later that year Luca got an invite to play for them… Let’s just say Anna has a lot of blackmail on him.
That being said. He was so nervous when Shane introduced himself to Luca. Had talked to him about how well he played and had watched the majority of Luca while he played in Switzerland and would be thrilled to assist him. Then Ilya had made himself present by draping himself over his husband's shoulders and embarrassing the fuck out of them by retelling a story of how Shane would watch all of Luca's games on TV and write notes on his play, hoping one day to give it to him.
Luca adored them.
He loved being around them.
They made those first few weeks of having to find a place to rent by himself in Ottawa so much more enjoyable.
So when Shane invited him over to the Hollanov House because his apartment building lost all heat and AC for the foreseeable future because of a pipe leakage, he wasn't too surprised. He was still getting into the groove with being in the NHL so they probably didn't want the baby out of their sight.
The infamous Hollanov House was more like a mansion. It was huge, and Luca could only gape at it as Ilya came out and helped Luca with his bags from the Uber's trunk.
“I told you Haasy to call us to pick you up. Little Haasy doesn't listen. Bad Luca.” Ilya flashed his signature cocky smirk that made Luca blush. “Ah, just like Shanya. Always blushing. My little кролик is just like his mama.”
“Ilya, don't tease him, he just got here.” He smacked his husband on the bicep. “ Hi Luca, welcome,” Shane greeted. His hair was out, no longer in his ponytail and Luca could marvel at how long it's getting, just past his shoulders.
Anya greeted Luca by sniffing his offered hand and licking it. “Good,” Ilya smiles, “Princess of the house likes you. If not, I would have to throw you out. Bye bye.”
Luca and Shane snorted and they entered the house. It was even nicer on the inside. “Hopefully it's to your liking. I know it can be a bit…overwhelming for the first time,” Shane blushed. It was. The house was modern and filled with photos and hockey clippings and smelled like dogs. Everything looked expensive. Anya, clearly the spoiled one in this house, had an entire room off to the side that was hers. Ilya was quite proud of it.
“Yes котёнок. Your fancy mansion scares people away. Especially little Lucas.”
“Ugh, Roz, stop calling me little. I'm not some child.”
“Shush, кролик, you are still a baby to us. Only seventeen.”
“Eighteen.”
Shane led him up the stairs while Ilya stayed to get ready for lunch. The room was huge with more than enough space. “Thank you, Holly. It's more than enough. I can't thank you guys both for letting me stay.”
“Nonsense, Luca. And call me Shane. It's your first year playing professionally and we want it to go as smoothly as possible. If it happened to any of the other rookies, we would have done the same.” And Luca believed him. Shane spoke with such assurance that Luca couldn't say anything but a mumbled thank-you back. “Let’s just be glad this all happened before Pre-Season. You wouldn't want to be dealing with all of this when we’re focusing on training. Make sure you let your people know everything is okay now”
Luca didn't want to think about his people, his home (More of a house really). Anna was there still, completing her final year of high school. All alone. Shane must've noticed something in his stance that made him speak up. “And if anything is bothering you, you can come talk to me or Ilya. Okay?” His tone left no room for question, so he nodded silently.
They spent the rest of the evening helping him unpack and showing him around the grounds of the place. They had a pool (obviously), an indoor gym (which was fucking huge), and a trail that passed through their backyard (which they walked through with Anya leading them). He was also informed that he could go anywhere on the property except the room with the black door handle (freaks) and could use either of their cards when buying food or something for the house.
He loved it. And he knew Ilya and Shane knew he loved it too. His apartment called three weeks later saying he was safe to come back. Ilya had answered the call and promptly told them they were good to put the place back up for rent. They then made s'mores in the backyard firepit. Ilya ate seven before Shane had to hide the marshmallows. Luca fed little pieces of graham crackers to Anya.
August 18, 2022
Luca: Congrats on finishing your last first day of School!
Luca: Smartest girl I know!!!
Luca: Make sure to make all the best memories.
Anna: I know
Anna: This year is gonna kick my ass
Anna: I can't wait to come visit you
Anna: SO excited to meet Anya
Anna: And the hockey husbands who highkey adopted you.
Luca: Please don't
Luca: I deal with that enough already from my team
Luca: Ilya keeps sending them embarrassing pictures of me whenever im not looking to our team groupchat
Luca: How's everything at home?
Anna: The usual
Anna: Noah and Yvonne came by with Sofia, haven't seen mom and dad that happy since Louis got married
Anna: Grandma and Gramps are here, both sides. I don't even want to tell you what they've been saying about me and you.
Anna: About Alice
Anna: I'm held up in my room. Too exhausting to be around them right now
Luca: Come down for Autumn Holidays please
Luca: Then me and you can spend almost 2 weeks together, no one to bother us
Anna: I can't wait to graduate
Luca: Me too
Luca frowned at the abrupt change of subject. He hoped everything was okay. His little sister was all he had left.
“Luca!” Ilya called from somewhere, “Let's go, кролик!”
“Coming!” He called back. Luca put away his paints and threw on his shoes. Ilya was standing by the door, Shane already in the driver's seat. “Pup, let's go. Don't stay held up in the room painting forever.”
“Sorry,” he whined, “I was talking to my sister.”
Ilya brightened up. He loved Anna from the few times he caught them FaceTiming. It was he who suggested she come over for a few weeks since he isn't heading back anytime soon.
It was humid enough outside that they were all in shorts and tees, save for Ilya, who was wearing a tank top. It was Sunday, which meant restocking on groceries for the week and whatever else they needed. It was always an adventure.
Shane made sure the first place they stopped was Costco so he could pick up toilet paper and paper towels. They picked up dog food for Anya and Ilya threw in an extra toy for her. They spent about 30 minutes just eating samples before the workers told Luca and Illya they couldn't have Krispy Kreme donut samples anymore.
They stopped at the new Bestco to buy everything else. Unsurprisingly, they ran into Bood, Cassie and baby Milo. They ended up in the middle of the supermarket talking. About 11 people came up for photos during it. They left with Bood telling them about hosting one final BBQ before the season starts in three weeks.
Shane led them to the rice section, holding Luca's hand to drag him closer while he chatted away at the options of Jasmine rice. “Mom said Dad and her are coming over Thursday for dinner. Said she wants a specific brand of rice for it.”
“Can't we just pick up any rice? Why does it matter?” Ilya mused as he looked at the options. Luca pulled up a photo of the one Yuna wanted and Shane made an approving noise. “Thanks, mon chou,” and put the bag in the cart.
“Please don't call me a cabbage.”
Shane grinned and gripped Luca's hand tighter to pull him along.
They were packing the car with groceries when Luca remembered he was running low on cyan. “Oh, can we stop at the craft store? Any should be fine. I'm running low on paint.”
Shane started the car and smiled at him. “We can go to Julian's Paints. I know how much you like him more than others.” It was true. Mr. Julian made paint himself and sold them at ridiculous prices. Shane and Ilya got him a set as a welcome gift and he hasn't stopped gushing about it to the other rookies and Anna.
The shop was only a 10-minute drive away. Luca and Shane went in while Ilya stayed in the car. Shane stayed close to him the entire time. Luca took his time looking through the shades of blues and greens. Maybe he should pick up some magentas too…
“Hello.”
Shane and Luca turned around to see a man (boy?) towering over them. He had curly brown hair and minty eyes. “Are you Shane Hollander and Luca Haas?” He said with a bright smile. He had a little bit of a Spanish accent.
Shane eyed him for a moment and smiled back, “Hi, yes. Are you a fan?” Shane was always awkward around fans but he still was polite to them.
He nodded eagerly and pulled an Ottawa Centaurs hat. “I am new to Ottawa. Big fan.” God, what did he use to brush his teeth? They were so white. “Would it be okay to sign?” he asked.
Shane pulled out a Sharpie he always keeps in his pocket and signed the hat before passing it to Luca. Once he was closer to the man he could take in a whiff of his scent. It smelled like a bakery, some kind of cookie. And maybe tea? Was he a baker?
“You are very pretty,” he whispered. Luca hadn't realized how close he got to him. His face was only a few inches from Luca's. “I love watching you play.”
“Oh.” Oh my fucking god. “Thank you...”
“My name is Valentino. ”
“Yes. Um, thank you, Valentino.”
Luca stared in his eyes and felt himself flush. Why was it so hot in here?
Luca was pulled from his trance when he spoke again. “Are you looking for paint?”
“Uh, yes?” Fuck, why is he struggling for words? And where did Shane go? That little bitch (affectionate).
Valentino quickly stepped back and eyed the colours. “Uncle Jullian is always going off about new primary colours. Angel, arrête avec le bleu. Adopte le cyan,” he said with a thick French accent. “If you're looking for the best, Uncle uses this one.” He handed him a small container of paint.
Luca looked up at him. His smile was contagious. “Thank you.”
“Do you need any more help?”
Luca could leave now. Shane was by the cashier talking with Mr. Jullian, apparently this guy's uncle. They looked to be in a heated conversation. “Sure. I need some magentas and browns.”
“Angel.”
“What?”
“Oh. Uh. Everyone here calls me Angel. It's my middle name. Valentino Ángel Diaz. It’s really pronounced Ángel,” (AHn- Hell), “But everyone just says Angel.”
“Okay. Angel. Show me around?”
They spend the next twenty minutes going over paints and brushes. They talk briefly about how they are both excited for the Hockey Pre-season to start before Shane pulls him away for taking too long.
Shane heads to check out and Angel clears his throat. “Will I see you again? I work here sometimes.”
So Angel will be here? A 20-minute drive from home?
Luca can only nod before he runs after Shane who is waiting by the entrance. The walk back to the car was silent.
“You were in there for a long time,” Ilya said. Shane started the car and shrugged.
“I don't know. There was a fan inside. I think… He was trying to hit on Luca.”
Luca called out Shane's name in betrayal while Ilya gasped, pleased. “Solnishko, our son is all grown up! Getting hit on by pretty art boys.”
Luca could feel his face heat up as he groaned into his arms. “Shut up, Ilya. I don't want to talk about this.”
Shane taped his fingers repeatedly against the steering wheel. Ilya spent the rest of the ride trying to get information out of Luca but he firmly kept his mouth shut.
They unpacked the groceries and spent the rest of the day on the couch, Luca squished between the two with Anya on his and Ilya's lap. Ilya and him watching TV while Shane was on his laptop, mumbling to himself.
Shane mumbled as he picked up a green grape and crunched on it, satisfied with the noise it made. “These grapes are really good. Have one.” With no hesitation, Shane picked a grape in his fingers and Luca opened his mouth on instinct. The crunch satisfied something in his brain he couldn't name and he let out a happy noise.
“Good, right?” Shane said, popping another grape in his and Luca's mouth who agreed.
Ilya laughed to himself and looked at the TV quickly. “What are you doing, Sweetheart? You have your cute nose all bunched up in frustration.”
Shane scoffed. “Shut up, asshole. And I'm looking for something. I feel like I’ve seen that kid before.”
Ilya looked away from the TV to look at Shane, head tilted like a dog questioning his owner. “Who?”
“The boy at the shop. Jullian's nephew.”
Luca felt his face heat up as Ilya broke into a big smile. “Shane! Already doing background checks on Luca’s crush? Such a good dad!” he cooed and pinched both our cheeks.
“Ilya. I will make you sleep on the couch tonight. And no, I am not doing a background check. Just thought I saw him. Maybe at a camp, or in an interview. I don't know.”
Luca perked up at that. He played hockey? He certainly seemed quite knowledgeable when they talked briefly earlier. “He plays?”
“I don't know. I’m looking but there's no account for his name and I don't see his name on a Preseason Camp list anywhere.”
“Try Angel Diaz instead.” Shane and Ilya looked at him. Fuckfuckfuckingsonofabitch. “He told me it's what everyone calls him.”
Ilya laughed. Fuck him. Shane only gave him a face that Luca couldn't decipher. He typed in his name on Instagram and sure enough there he was.
They both leaned over to look at Shane's laptop as he pulled up his most recent posts.
“Well, he certainly plays hockey.” Ilya shifts closer, squishing Luca into Shane more. Shane pulls up the list for the Centaurs Pre-Season camps starting next week instead of previous ones and quickly scrolls through the list of players. Sure enough, Ángel (Valentino) Diaz is on the list for Left wing.
“‘Valentino Diaz. Nineteen years old. Played Hockey in Spain since he was a baby, then moved to France at 16 to continue. Moved recently to Canada to get a chance at going pro.’ That’s what Coach Wiebe has down for his notes.” Shane mused, pulling up his stats.
“Looks like you're going to see your Angel more often.” Ilya teased and went back to the TV. “Shane, put the computer down and watch with us.”
Shane looked like he wanted to protest but one look at Ilya's face had him sighing. They could think about those green eyes another day.