Chapter Text
The day before their first official practice of the season, Ilya sat on the couch, petting Anya and scrolling aimlessly through his phone when Shane came into the room and sat next to him with a serious expression on his face.
"We need to talk about something."
"I did not do anything!" Ilya immediately exclaimed to which Shane rolled his eyes.
"I know that."
Ilya groaned. "Then why did you say it like that? Gave me a fucking heart attack, thought I was in trouble."
That made Shane smile a little bit. "No, not yet, at least. But I want to talk about tomorrow. And every other time we're at the rink, probably."
Ilya rolled his eyes. "Will be fine, Shane. They all like you, you know that."
"Yes, and I'm glad about that, but I actually wanted to talk about us. Or rather, the way we're behaving at practise and stuff."
Ilya narrowed his eyes at him. "What do you mean?"
"I want us to be professional at work" Shane blurted out nervously.
"I know that the others know that we're married but at the rink, we're still teammates and I don't want it to be weird between us and the rest of the guys and especially the coaches. And I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable in the locker room, you know? So maybe... I don't know, can we just set up some rules for the rink? Like, no weird touching or..."
"What? You're not serious. I can't touch my own husband now? Not at all you mean? They all know that we are married. I don't understand" Ilya replied
Shane huffed, annoyed at himself. "No...I'm not saying this right. I'm just... I'm maybe freaking out a little. I'm the new guy and I don't know all of the guys that well yet. So I just want to make sure that everyone is comfortable with having a queer couple in their locker room."
"I will not be comfortable if I can't touch my husband" Ilya exclaimed and Shane laughed a little.
"Okay, forget that I said that, that was a bit excessive. But maybe... can we just make sure that you're just doing the things you would also do with any of the other guys? Like an arm around a shoulder or stuff like that. Not any couple-related touches. And no kissing! I want us to be professional about this. At least at first, and maybe we can talk about it again in a few weeks. Please" he looked at Ilya pleadingly and Ilya sighed in defeat. He took Shane's hand in his own and kissed his knuckles.
"Okay, sure. As long as you remember that the Centaurs are not the Metros and they're good people, not like your old team. That's reasonable, I guess. I will miss you. But I can be professional. We should be professional anyways. I am the Captain after all."
Shane smiled. Reasonable was a word Ilya had recently discovered in a cross word puzzle and he liked to use it as often as he could. It was so cute.
"I know you can. And I'll be right next to you the entire time. Thank you for understanding."
"Wait. Can our stalls be next to each other? Because I already told them that they should do that, if it is possible" Ilya said.
"Really, Ilya? Oh my god" Shane let out a small, helpless laugh.
"Yes, we can be next to each other. I don't want you to forget about me completely. Just to treat me like a normal teammate when we're at the rink."
Ilya nodded. "I can do that. I wasn't planning on doing anything bad anyway. That's just for home. I don't share" he winked and Shane immediately blushed and the next second, Ilya pushed him backwards so that he was laying on the couch with Ilya on top of him.
"Will you relax now?" Ilya asked while tracing Shane's freckles with his thumb.
"I don't know" Shane mumbled. "You might need to help me with that."
Ilya grinned. "Good thing I was planning to do that anyway. Will make you forget about anything but me."
"Promises, Promises" Shane sighed and let out a laugh when Ilya tickled his side but immediately stopped when Ilya sank himself down and pressed their mouths together in a deep kiss.
*
The next day, even though they talked the night before, Ilya can tell that Shane was still nervous. He woke up way to early and went for a run with Anya while Ilya stayed in bed for another hour before he got up and started making breakfast.
When they got to the rink an hour later, Shane parked the car and shut the engine off and they just sat there in silence for a moment.
"Are you ready?" Ilya asked and Shane looked over at his relaxed smile.
He nodded. "I'm ready. Let's do this."
Ilya's smile widened and he leaned over to press a small kiss on Shane's lips. "I love you."
"Are you serious? Not even 5 minutes and you're already breaking the rules!" Shane exclaimed and Ilya snorted in response.
"Relax, Hollander. We're still in the car. Doesn't count. I need something to get me through practice. Is torture that I'll see you all the time but can't kiss you, you know."
Shane grunted. "I'm sure you'll manage. We're going to focus on hockey while we're here so that we can win the cup together."
"Is going to be easy. We have me, best hockey player in the league. And you, second best, of course."
Shane just smiled at him. "Of course. Come on, I don't want to be late."
He surprised Ilya by kissing him back quickly and mumbling "I love you too" but before Ilya could say anything, Shane was out of the car and grabbed their bags out of the trunk of their car.
"You're evil" Ilya beamed at him when he joined Shane and they made their way inside. "I love it."
Shane grinned at him but as soon as they stepped into the building, his face smoothed out and his professional mask was back in place.
*
The mood in the locker room was instantly a lot more positive and welcoming than Shane had experienced with Montreal in a long time. Maybe that had to do with the fact that his stall was right next to Ilya's, but the other guys were also greeting him very loudly and were chatting with each other happily and everyone seemed eager to get back on the ice and start skating again after the long summer break.
"Hey man" Evan Dykstra nodded at him from the stall on his other side. "Good to see you again. You ready for your first practice?"
"You too. Yeah, I've been looking forward to skating again" Shane replies and Dykstra nods in agreement.
"No pressure, but we're all looking forward to seeing you and Roz on the ice together. Still can't really believe that we've got both of you on the team, even with you standing right next to me" he laughed and Shane smiled.
"I know what you mean. I still can't believe it either on some days. But I'm hoping we can get Ottawa their first cup."
Dykstra smiles and nudged his padded shoulder. "That's the spirit, dude."
Shane sat down to tie his skates and Dykstra went back to dressing himself and a few minutes later, Coach Wiebe stepped into the room, followed by his assisstant coaches.
"Welcome back, everybody, good to see you again. And welcome to the new players, we're excited to have you on our team. Hope everyone had a nice summer but from now on we're focusing on hockey. I don't know about you but I think there's some space for some banners up there, don't you think?"
There were loud affirmations all around him and Shane looked around and smiled to himself. This group definitely seemed determined. He could work with that.
Wiebe goes on to explain the drills they were focusing on today and ended his monologue with "I know we didn't live up to our own expectations last season but that is over now. I want everyone to concentrate on the new season and to work hard on getting better. Keep your heads up and I believe we can really achieve something great this year. Let's get going."
Everyone hollered and shouted in agreement and they stood up to make their way towards the ice.
"All good?" Ilya asked Shane shortly before they stepped onto the ice. Shane just nodded and they got through their first practice together without any big messes. Shane didn't trip over his own feet and immediately showed how good of a skater he really was and how good of an asset he will be for the Centaurs in the upcoming season.
He was put on the second line with Haas and Young on his wings who appeared to be a little starstruck and intimidated to be on a line with him. He didn't really mind it, especially because once they were completely focused on playing hockey, they actually had good chemistry and Shane was very satisfied with them as his linemates.
*
After practice, Coach Wiebe asked him to stay back for a minute. Shane waited for him next to the bench, his thoughts spinning on what Wiebe would want to talk to him about. Maybe he had messed up in the puck handling drill?
Before his mind could spiral any further, Wiebe reappeared and said "sorry for making you wait. I just wanted to ask you how you're settling in. Is there anything I can do for you? Anything that's on your mind? I know this was only one practice but I like transparency with all my players so if there's anything you want to talk to me about, you absolutely can."
Warmth spreads through Shanes chest when he thought about how different the coaching staff here was in comparison to Montreal. Maybe this would really be something good here.
"No, thanks coach. Everythings's good."
Wiebe nodded with a smile. "Good to hear. But if there ever is anything, you can always come to me, alright? Door's always open."
Shane nodded again with a tight smile. "Thanks, Coach."
"Good job, today. You have great chemistry with Haas and Young, I'm excited to see how your line will work out in the future."
Shane smiled a little. "Me too, coach. They're very excited and work very hard."
Coach Wiebe gave him a knowing look and said "They were all excited to meet you. I think it'll take them a few weeks to get used to playing with Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov on one team. But I'm sure it's the same for you two. Which is totally okay. Take your time."
Shane tried to say something but he couldn't think of anything. Wiebe smiled. "Okay Hollander that's all for today, go hit the showers. See you tomorrow."
Shane exhaled slowly and makes his way back to the locker room.
As soon as he stepped back inside, everyone was beaming at him and clapping him on the shoulder.
"Let's go Hollzy! Fucking beauty on the ice!" Someone hollered and when Shane finally made his way to his locker, Ilya was sitting there and smiling happily at him.
Shane couldn't help but grin back.
"What?" He asked as Ilya just continued smiling.
"I'm very proud of you. Hollzy."
"Shut up."
"Hollander, I'm giving you compliment. You can't tell me to shut up."
Shane rolled his eyes. "I know I can be better."
Ilya just shrugged. "Is new team. Is normal. It will take some time to get used to everyone, find chemistry, yes? But you will be fine. I know it."
Shane nodded. "Yeah, I guess. Thanks."
Ilya beamed at him. "So, do you like 'Hollzy'? You never really had a nickname before, da?"
"Fuck off" Shane laughed.
It felt good, being back on the ice. But it was also weird not being on the same line with Hayden anymore. They were so in sync and always knew exactly where the other one was on the ice and exchanged passes without looking more often than not.
Shane would have to get used to not doing that anymore but Haas and Young were very good players. Sure they were young but they had a lot of potential, and being on a line with them could work out well for the team.
Ilya had been watching Shane closely during practice. Of course Shane did a very good job, he was Shane Hollander after all, but Ilya was still a little worried. He meant what he said to Shane about getting used to playing with new teammates but he could tell that that was not everything there was to it. Shane carried a little tension throughout the entire practice and he only seemed to relax a little when he was moving on the ice and forgot about everything else. Whenever a coach explained something or one of the guys said something to him, Shane's shoulders tightened a little and he put on his forced smile that was only ever for the media. Maybe Ilya needed to have another talk with him to get him to relax a little.
Ilya was on his way to hit the showers when he noticed Shane, still in his compression shirt and pants, sitting in his stall silently and doing something on his phone.
"What is wrong?" Ilya asked immediately, incredibly in tune with Shane's thoughts and emotions. It was kind of terrifying to be known so well by another person but Shane also loved it. Still, he knew he was just being stupid this time and just wanted to forget about it. He shook his head again.
"Nothing, it's fine. I'm being stupid."
"Come on Shane, better tell me now or I will annoy you until I know what it is and how I can make it better."
"There is nothing to make better, I promise. I was just stu-"
"Don't say stupid again. Nobody is allowed to say things like that to my husband, not even you. Now what?"
Shane sighed. "I was going to wait until the guys are done with their showers."
"What?" Ilya looked at him incredulously. "Why? Did you ever wait to shower in Montreal? Where did that come from?"
"Not really. Nobody ever said anything but there were some looks after I came out to them" Shane sighed.
"I just don't want to make anyone uncomfortable. Maybe having a married couple in the shower is a step too far? I don't know, that's why I said it's stupid."
"Okay, you're banned from saying this word. You are not stupid and what you say is also not stupid. You just worry. And I understand. But these guys are really cool with it, I promise. They're already used to showering with a gay guy and a bisexual one. What is one gay more?"
Shane huffed out a laugh and Ilya grinned at him. "Now come on, I can't believe you're still in your smelly practice clothes."
Shane made a face and moved to pull his shirt off. Ilya winked at him, stood up and said "I'll go first so I can warn the guys about all the eye candy they'll get to see."
"Where the hell did you learn that phrase?" Shane asked in exasperation but Ilya just laughed and left the room to finally take a shower.