Chapter Text
Ilya was truly a joy to talk to, despite how often he’d insult Scott, he was just truly a nice guy, completely different to his on-ice persona. Scott still didn’t really believe Kip when he talked about Ilya being a nice guy.
Any time Ilya came to New York he always made an effort to see Kip and visit his “new favourite bar,” even after he transferred to Ottawa. When the news that Ilya was transferring to fuckass Ottawa it was all anyone would talk about, there were so many theories as to why he’d transferred, but Kip and Scott had a decent clue about why. While he never outright said why, it was obvious he wanted to be closer to Shane Hollander, but obviously he couldn’t just transfer to Montreal.
Kip still hadn’t had the opportunity to properly meet Shane Hollander, it was almost like he was a mythical creature, someone you only see on a blue moon on the 24th day of the month. Though granted, according to Ilya, Shane was more of a homebody, and didn’t like going out drinking. And then Kip was told something he really, really didn’t need to know, and he was frankly scarred for life.
Ilya had become the highlight of the Kingfisher every time he visited, to the point Kyle would ask when the next home game with Ottawa was. Eventually they’d started tuning into Ottawa’s other games, cheering them on, though they usually lost. When he’d mentioned that to Ilya, after a game against the admirals, the guy had smiled and ducked his head.
“Aw, are you blushing?” Scott teased one night. Ilya’s head had shot up and his face was stony.
“No,” He shook his head adamantly, “I do not blush, Russians do not blush.”
Everyone laughed at him, amused by his antics. It was his go to, saying that Russians don’t do this or don’t do that. Kip remembered one time when Shane had been ill during the season and Ilya had driven from Ottawa to Montreal to see him. Kip had asked him if he wasn’t concerned about getting ill and he’d said “Russians do not get sick.”
At one point, Scott had started messaging Shane, just to complain about how much Ilya had been texting Kip. At first Shane had been awkward, but eventually he warmed up to Scott, and even participated in his own chirping towards Ilya.
They had a strange relationship, those two, where they’d constantly insult each other, and when he’d brought it up to Scott he joked that it must be their own twisted foreplay.
-
The next time the all stars rolled around, it was in LA, and Scott had decided that Kip was coming along, and that he’d be paying for everything, which Kip had adamantly protested at first, insisting that he paid for some of it. But eventually they reached a compromise where Scott would pay for his flights, but Kip would pay for their dinners and drinks.
Of course he was also excited, since he’d get to see Ilya again, they hadn’t had an opportunity to gossip for a while. Since the last time they were supposed to gossip, Shane had been in Ottawa for a game, and they never missed any opportunity to fuck, according to Ilya. This friendship with Ilya had morphed into Kip suddenly knowing too much about Ilya and Shane’s sex life. Kip didn’t think he knew anyone more horny than Ilya Rozanov at this point.
This all stars game somehow had Shane and Ilya against Scott, there hadn’t really been any clear guidance on what exactly the theme was for this game. But Scott had already declared that he was going to lose.
Once again Kip had watched from quite the distance, though this time he didn’t have David or Yuna Hollander to keep him company, since LA was just a bit too far for their liking. But just as Scott had predicted, his team lost, and Shane and Ilya’s team had won.
“You were still amazing out there, babe,” Kip had said to Scott as they got ready for the after party, in their hotel room.
“You’re only saying that because you’re my boyfriend,” Scott had said, playfully.
“Well yes, that’s what boyfriends are for, to boost egos,” Kip had smiled. If they were a bit late to the party, no one said anything, well Ilya had teased Scott.
“Are you late because Mr. Dinosaur here has to stop every few seconds cause his back hurts?” Ilya had chirped.
“Fuck off Rozanov,” Scott had responded.
“It’s nice to see you too, Ilya,” Kip had said.
It was the same crew as usual, since they were some of the few players that weren’t actively homophobic to Scott, and could put up with Ilya. Though that might be a stretch, given the way one of Shane Hollander’s Montreal teammates had kept shooting daggers at Ilya every time he spoke.
It didn’t take long before most of the group were comfortably buzzed, well all of them except Shane Hollander, who’d been sipping a ginger ale.
“Hollander, you are sooooooo boring,” Ilya drawled, leaning over the table towards him. “All you drink is ginger ale.”
“Fuck off, Rozanov,” Pike had piped up. “Though, I do kinda agree, Shane, buddy, you need to loosen up a bit.”
“Yes, Capitaine, I will go get you a beer,” his other Montreal teammate Boiziau had said.
Kip had been doing his homework, and had been learning the names and faces of more players, so that he wasn’t completely lost during conversations. Which bode well for him tonight as he was able to participate in conversations with the other men.
“This is getting boring, Hollander, we’re all drunk and you’re still sober,” Carter had whined, “I don’t think you’ve even taken a sip of your beer.”
“Why don’t we play a drinking game then?” Kip suggested, feeling slightly proud of himself when everyone else agreed to it.
“If we play a drinking game, it should be shots,” Ilya said, “I’ll go and buy a bottle, and ask for shot glasses,” He walked off to the bar, and Boiziau had followed him, offering some assistance with bringing back the drinks.
“What game would we play then?” Pike asked, and Kip had no clue. They started listing off games they knew when inspiration struck Kip, it was so high school, but given how much he knew about Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, it was perfect.
“I know it’s so high school, and so cheesy, but what about Never have I ever?” He suggested out loud.
“I don’t know, as much as I love you Shane, you don’t lead the most exciting life, the most exciting it got was with Boston Lily,” Pike had laughed.
“It could be fun,” Scott backed him up, “Hollander could surprise us.” He winked at Shane, then squeezed Kip’s shoulder.
“What are we doing?” Boiziau asked as he returned with a tray of shot glasses.
“Never have I ever,” Carter responded, “it was Kip’s idea.”
“I like that idea,” Ilya said as he sidled back to the table, “You are full of great ideas Kip, my best friend.” He leaned over and playfully kissed the side of Kip’s head. It was a habit he seemed to have, where he liked to kiss people’s heads, the first time he’d done it to Kip he’d been quite surprised to say the least. “So aim is to get Hollander drunk?”
“Thats the idea,” Scott laughed. Ilya made himself busy pouring everyone shots of tequila.
“Okay, I’ll start,” Carter said, “Never have I ever done an ad for rolex.”
“Fuck off,” Shane said as he took a shot, “Are you all just gonna target me specifically?” He looked around the group of men, and rolled his eyes as they all nodded.
“Never have I ever fumbled Rose Landry,” Boiziau laughed as Shane took yet another shot.
“Never have I ever thrown a punch on the ice,” Scott said, laughing as all of them, but Kip, took a shot.
“Never have I ever kissed someone on the ice,” Pike said. Of course Kip and Scott had to take a shot.
“Ilya you’re only supposed to take a shot if you’ve done it,” Kip said.
“I kissed Hollander,” Kip noticed Shane freeze for a moment, “on side of head, during our first all stars game on the same team.”
“I meant on the lips,” Pike grumbled.
“You did not specify,” Ilya snarked at him. “Okay, never have I ever, is hard to think of something I’ve never done–”
“You can say something you have done, just means you have to take a shot,” Carter explained.
“Ah, okay, never have I ever had a fight with Scott Hunter,” He grinned as he took a shot, and winked at Shane who also took a shot.”
“Ok, before I start, how NSFW are we willing to go?” Kip asked, a plan formulating in his head.
“You can say whatever you want, just remember the aim of the game, get Shane drunk, and unfortunately my friend has barely dated anyone,” Pike lamented, elbowing Shane in the ribs as he awkwardly stood there.
“Okay, well, never have I ever been blown while on the phone,” Ilya had told him that story, he didn’t want to hear it, but he was quite enjoying this targeted campaign against Shane Hollander. Ilya had a bewildered smile on his face as his eyes flicked between Kip and Shane.
“Oh come on, surely no one–” Carter was cut off by Shane taking a shot. “Jesus, Hollander, didn’t know you had it in you.”
“Shane, what the fuck, when did that happen,” Pike spluttered, then his face turned red, realisation dawning on his face. “Oh my god, that time I called you, about Amber.”
Shane awkwardly smiled at Pike, “Sorry,” he meekly said.
“Ok, never have I ever disappeared after a game to hook up with someone instead of celebrating with the team,” Boiziau said, pointedly staring at Shane again, and there was definitely a story behind that look. Shane took a shot, so did Ilya, so did Scott, and so did Pike.
“Dickhead’s,” Shane muttered, his face was flushed a tinge of pink. “Okay, I guess it’s my turn, um, never have I ever confused a loon call for a wolf howling,” oddly specific, but Kip didn’t even know what a loon was, and based on the other’s faces most of them didn’t understand. Except Ilya, who was hesitantly taking a shot.
“I feel like there’s a story there I wanna know,” Pike said, looking between Shane and Ilya.
“Later,” was all Shane said.
The game kept going until Shane had started swaying on his feet, Kip did feel bad, turns out Shane Hollander was freaky as fuck. But they’d gotten what they wanted, Shane Hollander drunk off his ass.
He kept breaking out into giggles, whispering loudly into people’s ears, and whining to Pike about being tired.
“I think is time for bed, Hollander,” Ilya teased, with his usual easy smile.
“Am not tired, ‘m a big boy now,” Shane slurred, eyes half shut.
“Sure buddy, let’s get you to bed,” Pike said, “J.J can you help me get him up to his room.”
“Noooo, I want Ilya–” Pike slammed a hand over Shane’s mouth.
“LILIA isn’t here, Shane, remember, we’re in LA,” Pike loudly said, emphasising the name. Kip looked over at Ilya, he had a complex look on his face.
As they left, Kip leaned over to Ilya, “You okay?”
Ilya shrugged, “I’ll tell you later.”
“God, I was not expecting Shane fucking Hollander to be that much of a freak,” Carter breathed out a laugh, “It’s always the quiet ones, I guess.”
“How am I supposed to unlearn all of this,” Scott groaned, “It feels like it was yesterday that Hollander was a baby faced rookie.”
“Well, of course, when you are so old 100 years ago feels like an hour ago,” Ilya snarked, it didn’t seem as playful as it usually did.
“Maybe we all better head to bed, gosh I’m tired,” Kip quickly said, defusing the situation before Ilya and Scott started brawling. “Let’s grab breakfast in the morning, Ilya, if you’re not hungover.”
“Okay,” Ilya relaxed his face, nodding.
-
“Hayden Pike,” Kip started, as he was unbuttoning his shirt, both he and Scott were far too tired for anything more, “I take it Ilya’s not a big fan of him.”
“The feeling would be mutual, Roz is constantly antagonizing other people,” Scott responded, as he stepped out of his trousers. “Pike is Hollander’s closest friend, I imagine it’s something to do with that.”
“Probably, it must be hard for them, being unable to publicly be together, I hated it,” Kip mused, that period of time where Scott was still in the closet, and still completely terrified about being outed, it was hard, Kip really struggled being unable to tell his friends, his dad, the whole world.
“Not to dismiss what we went through, but it must be even harder for them, and it would be almost impossible for them to actually come out while they’re still active.”
“How so?”
“They’ve been pitted as rivals their entire careers, and even though Roz has moved to Ottawa, it still hangs over their heads,” Scott started, “If they were to come out, or be outed, people would question them, they’d be accused of throwing games in each other's favour, arguably it’ll be even worse if Ottawa wins against Montreal at any point.”
“That’s quite sad, and not really a life worth living.”
“It isn’t, even with the foundation they’re starting they’ll still be seen as rivals, honestly I doubt they’d even be able to come out even after they retire.”
Kip mulled over Scott’s words, it was hard enough as it is for Scott to come out, he still gets called all kinds of nasty homophobic comments, from both the fans and players alike, and the league didn’t do much. Whenever Scott had made a complaint he’d just been told that the player would receive a warning, yet it still persisted.
“I asked Ilya to grab breakfast with me tomorrow, so I’ll talk to him then, maybe you could talk to Hollander as well? Really reaffirm that he isn’t alone,” Kip suggested getting into their hotel bed.
“Maybe, though the kid’s never been good at talking, he’s always been so awkward, and he’s a terrible liar,” Scott chuckled, as if he was reminiscing on something.
-
There was a cute brunch place near the hotel that had amazing reviews, so Kip was eager to try it, and it was the perfect place to talk to Ilya, since it would be loud and busy anyway.
Kip got there a few minutes before he’d told Ilya to meet him, but he’d already said that he’d be a tiny bit late, since he got caught up. Which was always code for he was fucking. Kip ordered himself a berry smoothie while he waited.
Ilya rocked up 20 minutes late, sunglasses and a cap on, and Kip guessed that he was either hungover or trying to seem inconspicuous, but he had too much of a domineering aura to do that. He sauntered over to their table and sat opposite Kip.
“Sorry for tardiness, I was, uh, busy,” He explained, with a suggestive tone.
“No worries, have a look at the menu and then we can order, I didn’t want to order any food before you got here since I didn’t want to be eating while you’re still waiting.”
“Is all good, ooh, smoked salmon,” Ilya definitely reminded Kip of a bear, and seemed to also have a diet of one as he ordered himself a salmon bagel and pancakes with berries. Kip ordered another smoothie and his own stack of pancakes with bananas and blueberries, he didn’t quite have the same appetite as any of these hockey players, over the years he’s learnt to make more food just so Scott could have a larger portion.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Kip asked, gently, he’d learnt that there were certain topics that you had to approach with care when it comes to Ilya Rozanov, he was easily spooked. “About last night, something seemed to upset you.”
Ilya’s previously cocky demeanour just completely deflated, he looked down, “Pike found out about us, recently,” He started, “He’s okay with Shane being you know,” he gestured towards Kip, “but he didn’t like that it’s me.”
“I mean, no offence, but you do make it difficult for people to like you,” Kip said softly, “Scott only tolerates you because we’re friends, but he’s still not completely sold on the idea of you.”
Ilya smiled slightly, “True, everyone thinks I am an asshole, but Pike seems to really hate it. But it’s also that I’m jealous, jealous that Pike can be close to Shane all the time, but I can only be close in private.”
“It must suck, huh, I do get what you mean,” Kip stopped for a moment, “When I first started seeing Scott he was so far into the closet that he couldn’t even look at me in public. It hurt and it sucked, I couldn’t even tell my friends or my dad about him, because I couldn’t out him like that.”
“Is harder for us to tell people, you took a guess, but you are not stupid like hockey players, all of them have hit their heads too much. Only people who know about us are Shane’s parents, you and Hunter, Rose Landry, but she is Shane’s version of you, and Pike.”
“Rose Landry the actress?”
“Yes, Shane is part of her harem of gay best friends, he is meeting her today for lunch.”
“So, other than me, do you not have anyone to talk to?” Kip queried, a wave of dread washing over him, suddenly feeling guilty for not putting in as much effort to talk to Ilya.
“I have David and Yuna, they’re great to talk to, but I can’t talk about the more intimate stuff with them, it’s weird, no? I have friend from home but we never really talked feelings like that, and I haven’t seen her since I moved.”
“So it’s just me,” Kip confirmed, reaching a hand out to cover Ilya’s. “I’m sure Scott would also be willing to talk, if you lay off the dinosaur jokes for a bit.
“He said something quite insightful, about why it’d be harder for the two of you, he’s more empathetic than you think. Since you guys play on opposite teams your integrity would come into question, and people would question whether you let each other win.”
“Yuna did ask that,” he let out a bitter laugh, “It was one of her first questions about us, other than how long this has been going on, which depends if you count it with or without feelings.
“There is also other reason, Russia. I am still Russian, I still have passport, I am still citizen, if I come out something will happen, and I don’t want to find out. I was going to move to a Canadian team anyway, get Canadian citizenship, so Shane suggested Ottawa, such a shit team but it’s close to him, and his parents are nearby.”
Kip had honestly forgotten that Ilya was still a Russian citizen, and the fact that Russia is violently homophobic. “So you wouldn’t be able to go back, once you come out?” he murmured softly.
“There’s not much left for me there, but it’s still home,” Ilya’s eyes looked watery and his mouth twisted, as though he was in pain. “I almost ended things with Shane, because of this fear. I was going to end things, but he had to get injured, he was so cute, high on drugs, then your famous kiss happened, it gave me hope.”
Kip could feel himself start to tear up, he did get emotional quite easily, and this was the first time Ilya was actually telling Kip all of this. And sue him, it was just an incredibly sad situation all around.
“Why are you crying? Is my sad life not yours, you have dilf boyfriend and you come from accepting country,” Ilya teased, halfheartedly, which really got the floodworks going.
“It’s just sad, and I feel honoured that you’re telling me this, and I can’t help it. Shared queer joy and shared queer sadness,” Kip said as a few tears escaped. “Ilya, anytime that you need to talk, just call or text me and while I can’t promise to pick up everytime, but I’ll always be there to listen. And maybe try calling your friend, from home.”
Ilya nodded, he had the sort of smile that suggested he was holding back tears. “Ugh, you’re ruining my reputation, someones probably taking picture of me about to cry and it is going viral already,” He complained, but Kip knew Ilya enough to know that that was his way of saying thanks.
-
It would take another few years before Kip had the opportunity to properly talk to Shane Hollander. Scott had decided to volunteer at the hockey camps Shane and Ilya run, and Kip had decided to come with him for a week, just to watch and explore Ottawa.
Seeing Scott helping the kids, and messing around with them had made Kip feel so many things, they’d talked about adopting kids, and had decided to wait until after Scott retires, so that he could be the stay at home dad.
He hadn’t even noticed Shane Hollander coming to sit down next time until he cleared his throat. “Cute aren’t they,” Kip almost jumped out of his seat, “Ilya’s really good with children, isn’t he?”
Kip looked over to where Ilya was messing about with a group of kids, didn’t seem like it was hockey related. “They seem to like him,” Kip couldn’t think of much else to say.
“I don’t think we’ve ever properly talked,” Shane stated.
“Is this your way of starting a conversation then?”
“Just wanted to talk to my fiance’s supposed gay best friend,” Shane snickered.
“Did he really say that?” Kip laughed, like a full bellied laugh.
“Not sure how I should feel about that, since I thought surely I should be his gay best friend, but he’s chosen you,” Shane said. He was staring at Ilya who was now skating around the group of kids in circles, making sure they couldn’t escape, “His methods are weird, but the kids enjoy it, so who am I to stop them.”
“I think Ilya’s just an odd guy in general,” Kip chuckled.
“Tell me about it, I remember once how he’d challenged a group of kids to a swimming race, promising them candy if they won, guess who had to pay for said candy,” Shane joked. “That was just after I figured out that I was gay, and figured out that I was irrevocably in love with him.”
“So it’s a fond memory?”
“Well it was probably the first time I let myself indulge a little,” He sighed wistfully. “I’m glad he has you as a friend.”
“He’s a fun guy to talk to, and I appreciate how much he’s stood up for Scott, even if he’s constantly making fun of him,” Kip said. They continued to watch their respective partners for a bit longer.
“He does that, but he’s a huge softie. Even when he’s making fun of Hayden he’ll still drop everything to look after his kids, god he loves those kids. Do you and Hunter ever plan on adopting?”
Kip turned to look at Shane, “We’ve talked about it, yeah, Scott’s said he wants to retire first, then adopt.”
“So he’ll be a stay at home dad?” Shane teased, “He’s retiring soon isn’t he? Does he plan on working at all after that?”
“I don’t know, he’ll probably still do these summer camps, maybe he’ll go into some of the behind the scenes work,” They really hadn’t discussed this, “Or he’ll just live off of the money he’s accumulated over the years, it’s more than enough for us, and he doesn’t have many hobbies outside hockey.”
“God, I wish that was true for Ilya, he’s sold two, but his collection of egregious sportscars pissed me off, they’re such a waste, especially when you live in Canada,” Shane complained, rolling his eyes as he spotted Ilya trapping the kids in between two goals, “Sorry just one second, I need to ask my fiance what he’s doing.”
Shane stood up and walked around to the entrance to the ice, “Ilya!” He called out, “What’s going on?”
“Is a penalty box for bad behaviour, smart, yes?” Ilya smiled gleefully at Shane, even from where Kip was sitting he could see the hearts in Ilya’s eyes. God were they disgustingly in love.
“Let them out, please,” Shane asked, exasperated. Kip wouldn’t doubt that this was only the tip of the iceberg. Shane turned back around, and walked back to sit next to Kip again.
“You’ve really got him wrapped round your finger,” Kip commented.
“Yeah, well he knows that if he doesn’t behave then he won’t get what he wants later,” Shane muttered, seemingly unaware of what he’s just said.
“So you use sex to get him to behave?”
“Even that doesn’t work sometimes, sorry if I’m saying too much, I’m just used to talking to Rose,” Shane had a somewhat smug look on his face.
“Ilya’s told me worse,” Kip laughed, prompting Shane to laugh along with him. “But what about you and Ilya, do you plan on kids?”
“I mean, look at him,” Shane nodded towards his fiance, “we’ve already agreed to wait a few years, he’s planning on retiring sooner than me, so he’d also be a stay at home dad. We’re planning on adoption, but Ilya’s still convinced that if he tries hard enough he’ll get me pregnant.”
Kip couldn’t help the loud, incredulous, laugh he let out, it took him at least five minutes before he was able to calm down, “Sorry, it’s just such a funny thing to say,” He was trying to hold back tears at this point.”
“That’s Ilya for you,” Shane said, fondness dripping in his voice. “Ilya actually asked me to talk to you, he wants to know if you and your fossil of a boyfriend would be willing to come to his house and have dinner with us?”
“Did he ask you to say that?”
“No,” Shane said with the widest grin on his face.