Work Text:
One: Scott Hunter
When Shane skated over to Scott Hunter after the New York vs Montreal game in the late fall of 2013 for a light-hearted chirp, he had not expected to drop gloves.
Maybe it was that it even felt out of character to himself that Shane, after he had showered and changed, remorsefully shuffled through the hotel hallways until he reached Hunter's room. He knocked hesitantly.
Shortly after, the door swung open.
„Ah, you’re not my dinner. Hollander, what do you want?“
„I...I kinda want to apologize for today.“
Scott mustered him a moment.
„Do you want to come in?“
The offer surprised Shane, but he nodded and Scott stepped aside to let him in. Just as he was about to close the door, a service worker arrived to bring the ordered dinner. Scott accepted it thankfully, while the hotel employee looked over his shoulder and spotted Shane, who had sat down on the edge of the bed.
„That’s all, thanks again“, Scott said, making it clear to the man outside his hotel room door that he could leave now.
„Of course, Mr. Hunter, Sir“, he stammered, turned on his heel, and disappeared. Scott closed the door.
„Do you want some pizza, rook? I ordered three because I couldn't decide… and maybe I also wanted to wallow in self-pity a little bit after our loss against you.“
„Sure, thank you, Mr. Hunter.“
„Scott, please. I feel very old when someone calls me ‚Mr. Hunter‘. I’m only three years older than you, you know. Even though you apparently seem to think I’m fourty-five.“, Scott said and grinned at Shane sheepishly.
A blush of embarrassment crept into Shane's face. Scott sat down on the sofa and Shane followed. They sat in silence a few moments.
„So, I got a tuna, pepperoni and veggie pizza.“, Scott offered.
„Mr. Hu-uh, Scott. I’m really sorry about today. It was not cool of me to attack you like that.“
„Rook, listen. It’s all friendly banter, it’s fine. I was pissed that we lost and not on my best behaviour myself, hm?“, Scott said and handed Shane a slice of pizza on a napkin. „But I can’t help to think that I… uhm, struck a nerve, in a way?“
Shane bit into the pizza to buy himself more time before he had to answer.
„Yeah, kinda. It’s just...that I…“, he trailed off.
„Look, you don’t owe me an explanation.“
Shane nodded.
„I know. But you’re right. You struck a nerve. I think I’m...I think I’m like you. In a certain way“, he tried. Scott bit off a piece of his pizza slice and looked at him, obviously thinking about what he’d just heard and trying to piece the meaning behind it together. Suddenly, it seemed like he’d figured it out.
„Oh.“
„Yeah, oh.“
„So...you’re...gay?“
Shane nodded, again.
„I mean, I’m pretty sure. I’ve tried with women and it just… didn’t feel right, I guess.“
Scott nodded. For a moment, they sat there in silence. Only the traffic outside the windows, footsteps in the hallway, and the hum of a lamp could be heard.
„Have you… tried… with men?“, Scott asked cautiously.
Shane felt himself growing hot. Scott looked at him curiously. Wait a minute… Scott was out. And as far as Shane knew, he wasn’t dating anyone right now. Oh god, was Scott flirting with him right now? Was this an advance? Did he want to make Shane understand that Shane with him…
„Rook, are you ok? You don’t have to tell me. Sorry, I was just curious. Might’ve crossed a line.“
Shane let out a nervous laugh.
„Sorry, It’s all good. I thought you were… suggesting something there.“
„Hm? Oh. OH! No, no“, Scott waved his arms around in front of his chest, and a piece of pepperoni fell from his pizza onto the couch. „I would never.“
„Never?“, Shane asked, trying to make light of the situation with humor.
„Stop it!“, he said, but he was smiling.
„Haha, sorry.“.
Scott suggested watching a movie while eating, so he turned on the television. As they sat, they talked mostly about hockey, but here and there the topic of their sexuality came up again.
„Is your Team good about it?“, Shane asked.
„Yeah, they mostly are. I mean, most of the guys. I think there is one, maybe two who just don’t comment on anything and leave me be. But the rest ask about my dating life like they ask the other about their girlfriends. I’m lucky like that.“
„God, I envy you…“
On the screen, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone danced across the asphalt.
„You don’t think the Metros would be ok with you being gay?“
„I don’t know. I have friends on the team and I think they’d be okay. But the rest… homophobic slurs and behaviour in general is not rare in our locker room.“
„Sorry about that.“
„Yeah.“
When the pizza was finished and Shane noticed how late it had gotten, he stood up quickly and apologized several times to Scott for taking up so much of his time. Scott just laughed as he brought him to the door. Shane opened it and stood in the hallway for a short moment.
„Well, I am sorry and...thank you.“
„It’s fine, don’t worry. I invited you in, remember?“
Shane nodded. They stood awkwardly for a few seconds before Scott extended his arms and pulled Shane into a friendly hug.
„If you need anything, let me know.“
Shane nodded and they let go.
„Good night“, he said, turning on his heels and walking slowly down the hallway to his room. They had not noticed that a hotel employee was also in the hallway, silently snapping pictures that hit social media a few minutes later with a caption suggesting that they had been doing more than just talking and hanging out.
@kev_on123
I think another hockey player just joined the queer roster
[picture of a dimly lit hotel hallway. Shane Hollander and Scott Hunter can be identified clearly and seen in an embrace in front of a hotel room. The door is open. The rest of the hallway is empty.]
↳ @huntanov_lover Sneaky pic of my favs just dropped. I KNEW THE RUMORS WERE TRUEEEE. This is the best day of my life!!!11!!!!
↳ @Lily81 @huntanov_lover if this is best day of your life your existence must be profoundly tragic
↳ ↳ @huntanov_lover @Lily81 bitch rude
↳ @maria_pucky66 WTF is this except a violation of privacy, I’m reporting you @kev_on123
↳ @kev_on123 @maria_pucky66 I mean do your worst bitch but the pic is already out there
@bayleyIsNotHere Did anyone else see the pic of Shane Hollander and Scott Hunter in that hotel??? 😮
↳ @Lily81 unfortunately
↳ @dancingbee What pic, bayley??
↳ @bayleyIsNotHere this one!!! /profile/kev_on123/img23847292/??eueez3/
↳ @dannydevoto ugh and another fag spawned, they should keep these mfs out of hockey srlsy, they piss me off
↳ @greggyhound14 second that
↳ @bayleyIsNotHere @dannydevoto @gregghound14 stfu you assholes, I’m blocking you
↳ @Lily81 @dannydevoto Bold words for someone using profile picture that looks like thumb with receeding hairline. Focus on your own limp game before commenting on actual pros, asshole
↳ ↳ @hockeybladebabe yeah stfu those are the best players in the league you're talking about
@huntanov_truth this is the best day of my life… @huntanov_lover have you seen this???
↳ @huntanov_lover YESSSSS FUCK I’VE BEEN SCREAMING FOR THE LAST TEN MINUTES
@shanes_vibe HUHH??? In front of his hotel room? That is NOT a platonic "bro" hug, I am crying 😭
↳ @detective_fandom The timestamp on the original photo is 1:45 AM. Like. Two in the morning. You do not visit your "good friend" at his hotel at 2 AM just to give him a wholesome hug goodbye, do you????? DO YOU?????
↳ @Lily81 2 AM is prime time for Scott Hunter to have existential crisis and need someone to explain basic words to him. Stop making it weird.
↳ @detective_fandom @Lily81 why do you hate that poor man so much
@daily_chaos My 2013 bingo card did not include "Shane Hollander getting caught in 4K lurking outside a hotel room like a romance novel hero" but here we are, I guess
↳ @hunter_hollander_daily I’VE BEEN SAYING THEY WERE REAL FOR MONTHS AND YOU ALL CALLED ME MAD. I'M VIBRATING WITH GLEE.
↳ @Lily81 go vibrate somewhere else
@popculture_now Spotted: Scott Hunter and Shane Hollander getting incredibly cozy outside Scott’s hotel room last night. Thoughts? 👀 (📸: kev_on123 on twitter)
↳ @damian_chaos_gremlin @popculture_now how about you don’t share that pic you assholes, it was clearly not taken with their agreement
↳ @scotty_fanpage Y'all need to calm down, can two men not hug goodbye without the internet writing a whole romance novel about it? 🙄
↳ @hockeybladebabe Not if one of em is gay apparently
↳ @PrivacyforShane LEAVE MY BOY ALONE DAFUQ
@meme_lord11 Me trying to explain the lore of Scott and Shane’s hotel hug to my mom at breakfast tomorrow
[foto of someone in front of a wall with 50 pictures of Shane and Scott, red string attached and linking some of the pictures]
@just_here_for_drama Me watching everyone lose their minds over a 3-second embrace between two men who probably just had a business meeting… chill tf out
↳ @Lily81 @scotty_fanpage You call that a hug? Hunter grips him like that because he is so old he cannot stand on his own
↳ @scotty_fanpage @Lily81 I’m blocking you, don’t come for Scotty!
Unknown Number
You are dead man walking, Scott Hunter
Me (Scott Hunter)
Who is this and how did you get this number?
Nevermind
I’m reporting you to the police
When Shane got back to his own hotel room, he got undressed quickly and fell onto the bed. His phone had died, so he plugged it in, turned around and entered a rough sleep.
When he woke the next day and his phone had turned on again, he had more messages from Lily than usual. Sure, Rozanov liked to double text, this was nothing new. But Shane had 15 new messages on the screen. Huh. He wondered what could have provoked this before he opened the notifications.
Lily
01:50
Didn’t think you were into older men
Or dinosaurs for that matter
You’re both boring so you have that in common at least
02:85
washe goo d to yu
hollaaannnddnnneerrrr
fuck
fuuu c
03:14
djhfjhkdkekfkhewlgirgjpw
sorrrrrrrry marl y tookn phone
03:42
Он старый. (he is old)
Я уже это говорил. (i said that already)
Бля. (fuck)
04:22
h hh
godood
ngiht
Me (Shane)
Are you okay
Rozanov didn't text back all day. It was nothing new for him to leave Shane hanging, but this time it bugged Shane more than usual. After all, Rozanov had sent him so many messages—he’d clearly been trying to reach him. Almost... desperate. Shane barely dared to even entertain the thought that Rozanov could be desperate when it came to him. He shoved the thought, and any emotions clinging to it, far, far away, trying hard not to think about the fact that they would be facing off on the ice in two days.
After the game, Rozanov came to Shane’s room as usual. The Raiders had won, but Rozanov still looked annoyed as he closed the door behind him. They stared at each other for a few moments before Shane was on him, burying his hands in his curls and kissing him ferociously.
Rozanov grabbed Shane by the waist—a bit too hard, which made Shane flinch—but Rozanov kept going, walking him back to the bed and licking hungrily and aggressively into his mouth. When Shane fell onto the bed, he got a moment to breathe and watch Rozanov undress.
He threw his clothes carelessly onto the floor and climbed onto the bed.
“Take this off,” he grunted, pulling at Shane’s shirt.
Shane scooted off the bed, stripped out of his clothes, folded them neatly, and placed them on a chair before returning to bed and climbing over Rozanov, who tugged at him impatiently.
“You miss me?” Shane asked playfully, but Rozanov just frowned instead of chirping back as usual. He kissed him again—even hungrier this time—pulling Shane close, and Shane went willingly. Rozanov was warm, insanely attractive, and incredibly skilled with his hands, and—
“Fuck, get off me.”
Shane pulled back in surprise and stared at Rozanov for a second before sliding off him and landing on the bed beside him.
“Something wrong?” he asked, searching Rozanov’s face for an answer. Maybe he didn’t do it for him anymore? Shane sheepishly looked down. Rozanov was rock-hard, so that couldn’t be it.
“Fuck!” Rozanov said again, pressing the heels of his hands against his eyes. "Just a sec, I need to get something out of my head."
"Are you ok?"
Rozanov nodded.
Shane lay beside him feeling helpless, wondering if there was anything helpful he could say, even though he had no idea what was going on.
“You know, we don’t have to—” Shane started, but Rozanov cut him off.
“I know!” he almost shouted, before breathing in and out slowly. “Sorry, I think is gone now” he muttered. “I want. You still want?”
Shane nodded.
With that, Rozanov was on him again, kissing him senseless, his big hands roaming over Shane’s body. Rozanov pushed Shane’s jaw up with one hand, exposing his neck, licking and kissing down to his collarbone, twisting his nipples, biting his earlobe… Shane was in heaven. He didn’t know how Rozanov did it, and he didn’t care; every time they got together, Shane felt like he was floating, and his head finally went quiet for a while.
Rozanov grabbed his pecs, massaging them almost as if they were tits, then ducked his head down and wasted no time taking Shane’s cock into his mouth. He licked and sucked at the tip, swirling his tongue, and Shane squirmed, trying to muffle his moans with his hand. Rozanov slapped it away, releasing his cock with a wet pop.
“Did he not allow you to be loud? I want to hear you, Hollander.”
Shane wanted to say something back because he didn’t understand, but Rozanov was on him again, licking long, wet strips up and down his cock. Suddenly, Shane's mouth couldn't form any words—only obscene sounds.
Finally, Rozanov took him fully into his mouth, hollowing his cheeks and sucking like his life depended on it. Shane almost screamed as the pleasure overwhelmed him. He buried his hands in Rozanov’s curly hair, holding on tight.
“Fuck, Rozanov,” Shane breathed out.
Rozanov bobbed his head in an unforgiving rhythm, and Shane knew he couldn’t last much longer. He tried to pull Rozanov off, but Rozanov just wagged his index finger “no.” Shane lurched forward as he came down Rozanov’s throat, shouting his name. The world whited out for a few moments, and then he felt Rozanov’s warm body on his again, his wet, plush lips pressing against his own, kissing him. He tasted like salt, sweat, and absolute perfection. Shane wanted more.
“I... need you... inside me,” he breathed against Rozanov’s lips. Rozanov grunted before rolling off Shane to grab the lube and a condom.
Shane heard the pop of the lube bottle opening, and felt Rozanov pushing one of his legs back, and then—Shane moaned loudly around the intrusion of Rozanov’s finger. He pushed in a little deeper, crooking it, and Shane saw stars. Another finger followed with a slight burning sensation, and Rozanov kissed Shane hungrily as he scissored his fingers inside him, working him open.
Shane was already hard again. His back arched off the bed as Rozanov pushed in a third finger.
“Come on!” he cried, and Rozanov understood.
He withdrew his fingers, fumbled with the condom for a moment, lubed himself up, and pushed the head of his cock inside Shane. They both moaned in unison.
Shane looked wrecked—he was sure of it. His hair was slick with sweat, sticking to his forehead, and his face and chest were burning, which meant he was flushed all over. But… Rozanov is looking at me as if I'm a prize, isn't he? Shane thought suddenly.
All those thoughts washed away as Rozanov pushed deeper and deeper, bottoming out inside him before starting a relentless rhythm.
“Ты так красиво выглядишь сейчас. Никто не должен видеть тебя таким. Только я. Только я и больше никто. Особенно не этот старик.” (“You look so beautiful like this. No one should get to see you like this. Only me. Just me. Nobody else. Especially not that old man.”)
“What are you—fuck—ah—saying!” Shane gritted out between thrusts, but Rozanov didn’t answer, continuing to speak in Russian.
“Ты только мой.” (“You are only mine.”)
Rozanov fucked into him hard with every word, and Shane was on the verge of breaking again. He slung an arm over his eyes, but Rozanov pushed it away.
“Я хочу видеть тебя. Только мне можно видеть тебя таким, пообещай мне.” (“I want to see you. Only I get to see you like this—promise me.”)
Rozanov hooked one of Shane’s ankles over his shoulder, speeding up his thrusts while stroking Shane’s cock at the same time. Shane was intensely overstimulated in the best way possible as he finally gave in, coming in hot flashes that coated his stomach. Rozanov followed him over the edge a few seconds later, burying himself deep inside Shane.
Afterward, they lay together on the bed for a few quiet minutes.
“You know I don’t speak Russian. If you want me to do something, you need to tell me in English.”
Rozanov huffed out a small laugh. “Sorry. Got carried away.”
And because he couldn’t help himself, he added: “So, you and Scott Hunter, huh?”
“What?”
“I saw picture online of you. Hugging. In hotel?” Rozanov said, attempting to sound nonchalant with a shrug.
“Ah, yeah. I visited him after the game. To apologize.”
Rozanov raised an eyebrow at that. “Ah. How?”
“What do you mean, how? We talked, ate and watched TV.”
“Shared a blanket, hm? All cozy."
"Shut up, Rozanov."
"Why?", and, because he needed to know, Rozanov added: "Got on your knees for him, Hollander?”
Shane glared at him furiously.
“What the fuck are you talking about!”
Rozanov just shrugged, got off the bed, and began dressing himself. Shane was boiling inside.
“Fuck you,” he hissed.
Rozanov walked to the door, cracked it open to make sure the hallway was clear, and left Shane’s room without saying another word. The door clicked shut softly behind him. Shane buried his furious face into his pillow and screamed into it before finally falling into a restless sleep.
Two: Harris Drover
The Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa was buzzing for the Centaurs’ 2014 Pride Night Event. Fans were slowly filling the arena, which was bathed in rainbow colors by the flooding lights on the ceiling. The Montreal Metros were already on the ice for warm-ups, wearing specifically designed jerseys for the event.
Shane, standing near the sideline, had just finished taping his stick with rainbow tape as a man approached him. His blonde hair was sticking out from a beanie decorated with pride pins, his green eyes shining. He was slightly shorter than Shane and had a stocky build. He smiled at Shane and Shane thought he had never seen such a happy man.
"Hello Shane Hollander", he extended his hand, "I’m Harris Drover, I manage the social media for the Ottawa Centaurs."
Shane shook his hand.
"Nice to meet you."
"You too, I’m a big fan, you know?"
"That’s nice", Shane said somewhat awkwardly, but Harris just continued to beam at him.
"I have a favor to ask actually. Would you mind signing some sticks for the auction tonight? The money goes to the You Can Play initiative and I’m sure having your signature will help with the amount we raise."
Shane smiled bashfully.
"Sure, I’m happy to help."
"Cool. Would you mind meeting after the game? I’ll give you my business card, here", he handed Shane a small cardboard card, "just text me when you’re done."
Shane nodded. The man, Harris, winked at him, spun on his heel, and cheerfully strolled off with a bounce in his step.
Hayden skated over to Shane.
"What was that all about?"
"Uhm, he’s with the Centaurs, wanted my signature on some sticks for the auction."
"Huh.", Hayden said, and Shane noticed that there was something else behind it.
"Say it."
"Nothing!", Hayden said innocently and threw his arms in the air, "it... just seemed like he was... flirting with you? Maybe?", he said, getting quieter toward the end of the sentence. Shane blushed bright red immediately.
"You think?", he said, suddenly nervous.
"I don’t know, dude! Could be!"
Shane stared at the ice and chewed on his lip. Had he just been flirted with for the first time, in public, and he hadn't even realized it?
After the game, Shane showered quickly, got dressed, took out his phone and contacted Harris. He was tired and wanted to go back to the hotel, so it was an objective for him to get the signing of the hockey sticks over with quickly.
Me (Shane)
Hello Harris, this is Shane Hollander
Harris Drover (Cens Social Media)
Hey Shane, thanks so much for reaching out!
How about you’ll come to my office and we’ll get started on those signatures?
Third floor, Room 308
See you soon! :)
Me (Shane)
Alright, see you soon
He wanted Shane to come to his office. Would they be alone there? Was that another flirt that had just flown over Shane’s head? He swallowed hard before he made his way to the third floor, knocking on the milky glass door next to the "Harris Drover, Social Media" sign on the wall.
"Come in!", someone, presumably Harris, shouted from inside. Shane opened the door. Harris was sitting at his desk in front of a monitor, seemingly cutting videos of today’s game for social media. He turned to Shane and beamed at him.
"So glad you’re here, Shane. The sticks are over there in the box. Just sign as many as you like."
"Okay."
Shane closed the door behind him and stepped over to the box Harris had just pointed to. Hockey sticks in various sizes and from different brands lay inside, all already wrapped in Pride Tape. Next to the box lay several permanent markers in various neon colors. Shane picked up the bright green one and one of the hockey sticks and signed it. He had gotten to the fourth one when Harris spoke to him again.
"So, how did you like the Pride Night Event?"
"Good", said Shane and shrugged his shoulders.
"We’re always looking for ways to improve, so any feedback is appreciated. Especially from the great Shane Hollander.", said Harris with a wink. Shane felt his cheeks turn red.
"It was great, really. No ideas for improvement from me."
"Okay, well, if you think of anything in the future, you have my number, you can text me anytime."
Shane nodded stoically and signed a few more of the hockey sticks.
When he was done, Shane placed the marker neatly next to the box again and turned to Harris.
"Alright...I guess I’m done."
Harris looked up from his computer screen.
"Great, thanks so much for this!"
"No worries", Shane said, pulled on his jacket and turned to leave.
"Well, I guess this is goodbye?"
"Actually", Harris said with a smile, "do you have plans tonight?"
Oh.
OH!
Now, that had to be a flirt, right? Shane was so proud of himself that he had recognized it this time. He cleared his throat since it had suddenly gone dry.
"Uh, are you...asking me out? Like on a date?"
Suddenly, the smile vanished from Harris’ face and his cheeks turned a deep red.
"NO! Oh my god, no! I mean not no- I mean, oh god I am sorry. Let me start over. This just startled me a little. I was gonna ask you if you’d like to come to the auction, maybe hand out a few sticks to the winning bidders as a special treat. We could really use the publicity. I know it is a lot to ask."
Now it was Shane’s turn to flush deep red.
"I’m sorry, I just- I think I misinterpreted and god I am sorry if this offended you or-", but Harris cut him off:
"No, don’t worry. I’m gay as hell and you’re very attractive, so, this does not offend me. But I know you’re straight, so. I would not cross that line."
Shane let his shoulders slump and took a deep breath in and out. He didn't know what came over him when he suddenly said, barely audibly:
"I’m not though. Straight, I mean."
But Harris had heard it.
"Oh. Uhm. Is this your way of telling me to ask you out?"
Shane shook his head.
"No. Sorry. There kind of is someone, actually, so…"
"Ah, that’s fine. I’m happy for you. Okay, how about we shove all of this out the way and start again. Shane Hollander, would you like to come to the auction tonight? With a friend?"
Harris smiled at him warmly again. Why not, actually?, Shane thought.
"You know what, yes, I’m in."
Harris clapped his hands together with excitement.
@NHL_News Spotted: Shane Hollander is participating in the auction organized by the Ottawa Cenaturs, with all proceeds going entirely to the 'You Can Play' initiative. He is auctioning off hockey sticks signed by him. That is allyship!🏳️🌈
↳ @GayHockeyIsTheBestHockey "Allyship", huh?
↳ @HollanderSupremacy1 HE IS THE BEST ON AND OFF THE ICE!!!! MY MAN HOLLANDER!!!
↳ @detective_fandom Ok, something is going on. WHY IS HE AFFILIATED WITH SO MUCH GAY STUFF NOWADAYS? (i mean i stan but you know)
↳ @dancingbee THEY LEFT OUT THE BEST PART HE IS THERE WITH A VERY CUTE MAN I THINK IT COULD BE DATE 👀
↳ @hunter_hollander_daily IS IT HUNTER????????????????????
↳ ↳ @huntanov_lover NO HIS MAN IS PROBABLY WAITING FOR HIM AT HOME AND THIS IS JUST A FRIEND
↳ @shippingthroughthefandoms LOOK AT THEEEEM https://i.pinimg.com/736x/d9/0b/5f/d90b5f5a40b02b14e120e4572829cde7.jpg
↳ @dancingbee well that "friend" is getting pretty handsy as I can see from the videos, touching his knee, leaning in to whisper in his ear...
↳↳ @Lily81Oh wow, leaning in because IT IS LOUD BANQUET HALL YOU ABSOLUTE DONT-KNOW-BALL CLOWN. Should he use semaphore flags to communicate?
↳ ↳ @huntanov_lover ugh not you again 🙄
@BayleyIsNotHere that man next to Shane Hollander at the auction is really really cute!!! OMG they look good together
↳ @Lily81 Hollander could do better with his eyes closed. Not that he is looking. Which he isn't.
↳↳ @Lily81 Also his tie doesn't match pocket square. Tragic. Someone tell his stylist to get eyes.
↳ @dancingbee IM SHIPPING IT
↳ @Lily81 I hope your ship ends up like the titanic
↳ ↳ @dancingbee what did I do to you :(
↳ @maria_pucky66 HELLO WHY DID YOU GUYS FAIL TO MENTION THAT MY ALL TIME CRUSH ROSE LANDRY WAS ALSO THERE MY BABYYYYY
Lily
Looking good
I want to put that tie around your wrists and fuck you
Shane (me)
Jesus Christ
Hello to you too
Lily
You really suck at sexting
Who was the babysitter you dragged along
Shane (me)
You jealous?
Lily
Oh yes, Hollander, I am. I threw phone into sea and canceled all my plans to cry
Am In phsyical schock, call amubalance
Heartbreak of not hearing you make agonizing small talk for good cause killed me
Shane (me)
You're such an asshole
Lily
So what, you like it
Shane (me)
Maybe I'm tired of assholes. The guy last night bought me a drink and didn't mock my outfit once.
Rozanov didn't answer after that.
Shane (me)
Hey Harris, I had a great time last night.
Thank you for inviting me.
And thank you for all the encouring words afterwards.
It’s nice to know people are in my corner.
Harris Drover (Cens Social Media)
Heeey buddy!
You’re very welcome.
I figured you don’t have that many queer friends?
You can text or call me anytime
Shane (me)
Thank you, really
The game against Boston a week later was brutal, to say the least. At one point, Shane had been battling against Cliff Marlow for the puck when his skate caught an edge and he slammed face first into the boards. He groaned before opening his eyes again, seeing a figure looming over him. He expected to be laughed at or made fun of but instead, Rozanov bend over, offering his gloved hand and – when Shane took it – hauled him to his feet.
"You are hurt?“
Shane frowned and shook his head.
"I’m fine.“
Rozanov kept his eyes locked on Shane’s just a moment longer.
„Good“, he murmured and skated away, leaving Shane standing next to the boards, but feeling like he had been knocked off his feet once more because-
„What the hell did he want?“, Shane heard Hayden say who had skated over to him.
„Asked me if I was okay.“
„Huh, is that his new warfare tactic?“
Shane just shrugged and they both skated back to their positions.
After the game, Shane and Rozanov had been requested for press. Montreal had lost and it seemed like the reporters blamed Shane as the captain solely for that.
"You seemed visibly frustrated on the bench after the second goal. Did that emotion get in the way of your game tonight?"
"Shane, you’re wearing the 'C' on your chest, but tonight the team looked completely uninspired out there. As the leader of this room, how much of this loss sits directly on your shoulders?"
"If you walk into that locker room right now, what could you possibly say to the guys after a performance like that?"
Shane tried to be calm and collected as usual but it stung that they had it out for him. He was thinking about a professional answer that wouldn’t give away too much of his feelings when Rozanov came over.
„Leave him alone.“
Shane as well as the reporters in front of him, snapped their heads and looked at Rozanov.
„What are you-“, he started, but Rozanov cut him off, adressing the media.
"Every time Montreal loses, you try to pin whole city's depression on one guy. I was on the ice against him all night. He was hardest working player on that rink—on either team. If you can't see that, you shouldn't be covering this sport. Ask him a real question about the game or let him go.“
With that, he turned on the spot and left without saying another word.
Shane just stood there, looking at the doorway Rozanov had just exited.
Later, in the hotel, Shane managed to sneak away as usual and come up to Rozanov’s room. The russian opened the door, gestured at him to come in, closed it and turned to Shane.
„You are okay?“
„Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?“
„Good.“
With that, Rozanov closed the distance between them, put a hand on Shane’s jaw and pushed up so that they were looking at each other and then he kissed him. Shane was prepared to be devoured. Instead, the kiss was soft and slow, nearly unbearbly so. Shane protested with a whine and tried to kiss Rozanov harder but he backed away.
„What are you doing?“
„I could ask you the same thing, Rozanov, what are you doing? What is this?“
„I thought is what you want?“
„What do you mean?“
„Me not being asshole?“
Shane frowned before it dawned on him.
„Is that what you were doing today?“
Rozanov let go of him and simply nodded.
„That was just chirping, you know? Everything was fine. Just...be you.“
"Ah, so nice guy didn't do it for you, after all?", Rozanov asked with a grin, raising one eyebrow. "Значит, всё-таки я? Мудак?" (So it is still me then? The asshole?")
Shane ignored his comments and pulled him down into a hungry kiss.
"But don't ever 'protect' me from the media again, ok? I can fight for myself."
"Oh I know so."
Shane kissed him again, shoving his tongue into Rozanov's mouth wildly.
That seemed to ignite the fire inside Rozanov and he put his hands under Shane’s thighs, hauled him up, threw him on the bed and fucked him into the mattress as if his life depended on him.
Three: Troy Barrett
During the summer, Shane went to Toronto, to train together with other top-tier NHL starts at a high-performance facility, especially designed for their needs. Of course, it had been his mother's idea but he had not been opposed to it. He was probably the best player in the NHL right now but he knew that he could always learn from others as well.
One wednesday, after a particularly hard training session, Shane was standing outside the rink, leaning over the boards, going through his performance on the ice in his head, when someone approached him.
"Shane Hollander? I wanted to introduce myself properly. Troy Barrett."
Shane turned and is eyes landed on the man beside him.
He had a narrow face with a razor-sharp, chiseled jawline, high, striking cheekbones, and dark stubble. His intense, fiery ice-blue were set on Shane, building a stark contrast to his jet-black hair. They shook hands.
"How's the ankle?", Shane said.
Troy furrowed his brows at that before he answered.
"How do you know? This was not in the news."
"You were favoring it on your second shift in the third," Shane said smoothly. "You were around a second late taking the turn off the boards."
Troy grinned at him.
"Guess now I know firsthand how you're so good. Man, you're perceptive as fuck."
Shane just shrugged.
Before they could continue talking, a young woman appraoched them. Her clothes suggested that she worked at the rink.
"Hello, Mr. Hollander and Mr. Barrett. My name's Amy. I'm the social media manager around here. Would you mind me taking a foto of you and sharing it online?"
@TOHockeyCampOfficial "Train with the best, learn from the best" is this year's official motto of our 2014 summer camp for top-tier hockey players! And it seems these two have already started trading tipps and tricks! 🥅 🧊
↳ @huntanov_truth excuse me Shane Hollander, why are you not hanging out with the love of your life???
↳ @detective_fandom I'm sorry but I have to say it again, ottawa's own Shane Hollander is collecting hot gay man like I am collecting crystals which means all day everyday and NOBODY THINKS THAT'S SUSPICIOUS??? JUST ME??? ok well
↳ @barretts_biscuit I just fell to my knees in a BeaverTails
↳ @hockey_shitposts two brosss leaning on hockey rink 0 inches apart cause they’re definitely just two players who happen to be at the same camp and nothing eeeeelse 👀
@puck_edits_ae [Video Edit] 15-second slow-mo zoom into their shoulders resting near each other set to Taylor Swift’s "You are in love"
↳ @dancingbee OH I AM LIVING FOR THIS YES GIVE ME ALL THE EDITS
↳ @BayleyIsNotHere Taylor Swift AND Hockey???? I HAVE FOUND MY PEOPLE
@skating_art_db couldn't sleep so I digital painted the photo. study of body language, light through the glass, etc. hope u guys like it ❤️ (attached: insanely detailed 4K oil painting render)
↳ @hollanders_freckles excuse me the louvre called they want their artwork back
↳ @Lily8: Terrible art. Hollander’s jersey doesn't hang like that over his shoulders, he wears smaller pad setup on his upper body. Also Barrett’s muscles are much smaller in real life. Waste of paint.
↳ ↳ @detective_fandom WTF is wrong with you bitch this is amazing??? do better or shut your mouth
↳ @GayHockeyIsTheBestHockey fake marriage AU where they have to pretend to be scouting prospects together for PR but secretly they're looking at house listings on Zillow
@hollander_archive UPDATE: The fan artist who drew them within 45 minutes of the photo dropping was just blocked by Ilya Rozanov, lol???
↳ @Lily81: Good. Rozanov actually respects game and doesn't want to see stupid teenage girl fan art of two average players holding hands at camp. Maybe you all should go outside and play actual hockey instead of making fanfics
↳ @hollander_truth: why are you defending rozanov so hard lily81 do u want him to notice u
↳ @Lily81 Shut up
↳↳ @skate_or_die: lily81 why are you under EVERY post about Hollander all the time 😭 go log off bro
↳ @hockeyMyHeart isn't Roz literally in russia right now, in training camp as well? wtf is he doing online blocking randos for
Lily
how is your summer
Shane (me)
Good
Just finished up at the Toronto camp today
Body feels fine, skating feels fast. How’s friendly Russia?
Lily
Russia is fine. Good ice. No media.
Shane (me)
Cool
Lily
I saw picture.
Shane (me)
What picture?
Lily
The one where you are leaning over boards with Barrett like two old grandmothers gossiping at market
Shane (me)
Oh. That.
Yeah, their social media person approached us and took it
Lily
your posture was terrible by the way
Also
If you need someone to explain neutral zone traps to you in Toronto, you can call me
You do not need to stand 3 inches away from a man who uses 2-in-1 shampoo and cannot score on a breakaway
Shane (me)
Asshole
Wait
…are you jealous?
Lily
No
Just am disgusted by your lack of standards
Do 50 core reps and fix your back
Goodnight
Shane (me)
Sure
Just to be clear
You don't get to be jealous, you know
Not with your track record
A little later, Rozanov texted again.
Lily
Also I think he is bottom too so it will not work
Shane (me)
What is your fucking problem Rozanov
Lily
My problem is that I have to state the obvious because you are blind
Shane (me)
Sure
You know
If you wanted to talk about my sex life, you could’ve just asked instead of bending over backwards like this
Lily
You are not that interesting, Hollander
Don't flatter urself
Shane (me)
Yeah, clearly
You seem super indifferent right now
Goodnight, Rozanov
Try not to dream about my posture
Lily
Just don't do it
Shane (me)
Leave me alone
Harris Drover (Cens Social Media)
Hey buddy,
is there any way you could get me Troy Barrett's phone number?
Strictly for professional purposes, of course.
Four: Luca Haas
For their 2016 community event "Learn to Play" - a huge initiative where top prospects and stars give free, fully-fitted hockey gear to kids from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds - the NHL decided to pair experienced players with rookies. Shane had gotten an e-mail a few days beforehand that he would be paired with Luca Haas, a name he had never heard before. So in typical Shane-fashion, he had googled him so he would at least know some basics and their meeting would not be awkward. But they only got to introduce themselves briefly to each other before the event started.
A cameracrew was following them around, making sure to get the best shots. It was not that Shane was already used to this but he had gotten his fair share of media exposure over the years and knew how to deal with the attention. Luca Haas, on the other hand, seemed to trip over his english everytime someone asked him a question and seemingly freezed up when the camera was pointed at him. Shane tried his best to step in as best as he could and "rescue" the poor guy.
On the other hand, Luca was great with the kids. He was an attentive listener, signed everything and took his time to talk to them about hockey.
After a few hours it was time to take a break. Their assigned coffee shop close to the community rink was rather quiet which was a nice change.
Shane had decided to get coffee for him and Luca and as he came back, he found Luca hunched over a table, scribbling something into a notebook.
"Here," Shane said, setting a coffee down in front of the kid.
Luca practically jumped out of his chair. He stood up so fast his knee knocked the table, almost sending the coffee cup flying.
"Mr. Hollander! What—I mean, Thank you so much," Luca stammered in his swiss-accented english.
He gave a sudden, formal half-bow that was so earnest it made Shane almost spit out his drink.
"And thank you for-with the media. I was... I froze. I am so sorry. You had to save me, Mr. Hollander."
"That’s fine, really. Come, sit down", Shane said gently as he pulled out the chair across from him.
Luca sat, though he looked ready to spring back to attention at a second's notice.
"By the way, it’s Shane," Shane corrected gently. "We're in the same league now."
Luca nodded shily and Shane looked down, just noticing the open pages of the notebook between them.
"You draw?"
Luca hummed.
"It helps... calm my mind. After games."
Shane took another look and froze. On the paper, in black and white and looking as real as possible, was Shane himself. A portait of him mid-stride, his eyes intensly focused, stick in hand.
"Wow“, he breathed.
Luca slammed the sketchbook closed so fast the pages whipped up a tiny breeze.
"I am sorry!" Luca squeaked, his voice cracking slightly as he shoved the book flat against his chest, blushing so hard it almost reached the tips of his ears. "I am so sorry, that is—I know it is creepy! I was watching game tape from your series last spring and I—the lighting was very dramatic, and I just—I am so sorry, Mr. Holl-Shane, I will erase it!"
"Luca," Shane said calmly.
"I didn't mean any disrespect, I swear! I just—"
"Luca. Stop."
Luca clamped his mouth shut, sitting frozen, looking up at Shane like a kid waiting to be sent to the penalty box.
"It's fine," Shane simply said and shrugged.
Luca blinked. "What?"
He pointed at the book. "They’re very good. I’m flattered. No worries."
After they had gotten that out of the way, they talked about hockey mostly which seemed to ease Luca's mind a lot. He seemed to almost come out of their conversation thinking they were equals. Maybe that was why he had the guts to ask Shane for a photo.
@LucaHaasOfficial It was an honor to meet you @ShaneHollanderHockeyPlayer24! A day I will never forget! 🇨🇭 🤝 🇨🇦
@Lily81 your espresso choice is embarrassing
↳ @sens_fanatic_252525 did Luca Haas kick your dog or something??? leave my baby alone 😠
↳ @Lily81 SHOULD BE IN THE GYM WORKING, NOT TAKING CUTEY PHOTOS WITH PROSPECTS IN TORONTO. THIS LEAGUE IS SOFT.
@BayleyIsNotHere who is this sweet angel and why did Shane Hollander adopt him in a Starbucks???
↳ @bruins_fan4EVER I know a boy-scout PR trap when I see one. Hollander probably bought the kid's coffee, gave him a lecture about eating veggies, and drove him home before 9 PM. Y'all are overreacting.
↳ @Lily81 true. also is child abuse to ship him with actual baby, stop
↳ ↳ @BayleyIsNotHere srsly Lily what is your problem 🙄
↳ ↳ @sens_fanatic_252525 @Lily81 you know he's 19 and not 12????? right????
@Lily81 Some players spend their off-season in the gym lifting 400lbs and eating raw chicken. Others sit in cute cafes having their chairs held by Shane Hollander. We will see who gets hit harder in pre-season.
↳ @Lily81 Also Haas is not even that tall in person. The chair makes him look bigger. It is optical illusion.
↳ @Lily81 Also truth is Hollander’s smile in that photo is 100% NOT REAL. I know what his real smile looks like and that is NOT IT.
↳ @puck_brain_rot lily honey... did shane break your heart in high school? why are you so obsessed with him? you've commented 14 times on this single tweet 💀
↳ ↳ @Lily81 I am NOT obsessed. I am fan of REAL hockey, not soft, performative coffee dates. If Haas wants to survive in the NHL he should be studying tape, not sipping oat milk lattes with a man who has weakest backhand in NHL
↳ ↳ @dancingbee lily babe how do you know what his real smile looks like?? WHO ARE YOU???
@BayleyIsNotHere @Lily81 sounds like a jealous ex to me, y'all. stalking Shane Hollander is not cool, babe
↳ ↳ @Lily81 I DONT STALK! THAT IS LIE LIAR SAID THAT. I HAVE EYES. I WATCH GAMES. When Hollander scores a lucky goal in overtime, his smile goes all the way to his eyes and his stupid teeth show. In this coffee photo his eyes are dead. It is a corporate PR smile. Anyone with brain can see this.
↳ ↳ @dancingbee "his stupid teeth show" 😭😭😭 lily you are literally describing how a human being smiles when they are happy, why are you inspecting his teeth frame-by-frame???
↳ ↳ @puck_brain_rot Wait wait wait. "Weakest backhand in the NHL"??? Shane Hollander literally scored off a backhand top-shelf against Boston two months ago???
↳ ↳ @Lily81 THAT WAS LUCKY BOUNCE. His blade angle was totally wrong, any decent goalie saves that 9 times out of 10. His backhand is weak, his left-side defense is lazy, and he drops his shoulder before he shoots. He is predictable.
↳ ↳ @bruins_tape_study Hold on. Dropping the shoulder before shooting is a hyper-specific mechanic issue that literally only pro video coaches and guys who play against him every week notice... Lily are you an NHL scout?? 🤨
↳ ↳ @Lily81 I am NOT scout. I am just someone who actually pays attention instead of drooling over a man holding a coffee cup.
↳ ↳ @puck_brain_rot YOOOOOO CALM DOWN
@Lily81 You are all idiots who know nothing about hockey, I am blocking all of you
↳ @puck_brain_rot block us all you want lily, you’re still the one who wrote a 500-word dissertation on Shane Hollander’s shoulder drop mechanics on main 💁♀️
↳ @sens_fanatic_252525 YES PLEASE BLOCK ME
@IlyaRozanov81 Some people in this league talk too much to media and spend too much time in cafes. Focus on training.
↳ @puck_brain_rot WAIT. WHAT. ROZANOV??? OUT OF NOWHERE WITH THE STEEL CHAIR?????
↳ ↳ @dancingbee NO WAY, Roz was literally just sitting in his apartment scrolling through Twitter, saw Luca’s cafe photo with Shane, and felt the sudden urge to SUB-TWEET THEM???
↳ ↳ @bruins_tape_study Ilya Rozanov tweeting unprovoked shade at Shane Hollander taking a rookie out for coffee is the most classic Rozanov behavior ever. The man cannot stand seeing Hollander look happy for five minutes 💀
↳ ↳ @BayleyIsNotHere Rozanov was 100% reading the @Lily81 fight and got so mad he forgot to keep his mouth shut on his main account. HE IS SO JEALOUS IT'S CRAZY.
[ This Tweet has been deleted by the author. ]
↳ @dancingbee too late Rozy-baby, I have screenshots
Lily
You know that color of shirt makes you look washed out right
Just saying
Shane (me)
Ugh wtf are you even talking about
Lily
Stupid photo came on my feed
Of you and rookie
The algorithm is terrible
Also I am in gym
Working
Not sitting in coffee shop holding chairs for children
Shane (me)
First off, he has a name
Also he’s nineteen, Rozanov
He was nervous
I was being nice
Lily
You look like his mother
Or father
Oh is it daddy kink?
Is that what this is?
Shane (me)
I mentor a kid for two hours and your brain immediately jumps to that?
You need to lay off Twitter and go hit a bag or something
Lily
Fuck off, Hollander
I am putting phone on Do Not Disturb
Shane (me)
YOU TEXTED ME ASSHOLE
Shane (me)
Are we still on for after the game?
Lily
2112
When Shane knocked on Rozanov's hotel room door after the Montreal vs Boston, he felt tired but also giddy with anticipation. The door swung open and Shane slipped inside. Rozanov closed the door and Shane sat on the edge of the bed. He mustered Rozanov. He was wearing a shirt that seemed a little to small. It seemed familiar but Shane could not quite place it.
"Like what you see, Hollander?", Rozanov asked with a grin, seemingly being aware of Shane's staring.
"Your shirt is a bit small, don't you think?"
"Ah, this old rag", Roznaov waved a hand, "Yes, is small. I wore it when I was...what, 19? Does not fit my body that good anymore. I've become bigger...and older."
"Okay?"
Rozanov stalked towards him.
"So, what do you want to do, Hollander? Or do I call you Sir now?"
Shane furrowed his eyebrows.
"What has gotten into you again, Rozanov?"
"Nothing. Just trying to respect my elders."
Shane scoffed.
"I am barely a month older than you."
Rozanov hummed and pushed Shane down onto the bed, hovering over him. He bent down, brushing their nose together slightly before kissing him soft and wet. He hesitantly licked into Shane's mouth who opened willingly. Shane's hands found Rozanov's curls and pulled, coaxing a moan out of the russian. A hand came up to cup Shane's jaw, another roamed beneath his shirt. They were kissing for quite some time and Shane was starting to get impatient. He tried to find Rozanov's leg to hump against but suddenly, Rozanov pulled back.
"What are you doing? Get back here!", Shane said with a frustrated whine while pulling of his shirt.
"Oh, should I undress too?"
"Of course? Why are you acting as if we've never done this before?"
Rozanov didn't answer.
When their clothes had taken their place on the floor, Shane sat up and pulled Rozanov towards him so that he collapsed on top of Shane. Their lips met again, Shane desperately burying his hands in Rozanov's curls again and wrapping a leg around his body, pulling him close. Rozanov moaned at Shane's eagerness and grinned into their messy kiss. His hand found Shane's ass and squeezed tightly to the point it almost hurt but Shane loved it.
"Do you want me to top tonight, Daddy?", Rozanov murmured against Shane's mouth and when the words registered, Shane went still before suddenly pulling back.
"What the fuck! WHAT THE FUCK ROZANOV", he said loudly and tried to wiggle away from Rozanov but he held him tightly in his arms.
"Thought was your kink, hm? Younger men and so on."
Shane stilled.
"Oh my god is this still because of Luca Haas?"
Rozanov just looked at him and said nothing.
"Is that why you wore that shirt? To seem younger?"
Still, nothing from the other man.
"You are unbelievable, Rozanov, let me go!"
Finally, Rozanov let Shane wiggle his way out of his arms.
Shane sat on the edge of the bed, staring at his feet. He closed his eyes for a moment to collect himself.
"Will you tell me what is going on?"
He looked back at Rozanov who had buried half his face in a pillow, his curls falling wildly around his forehead.
"Nothing."
"Nothing, huh? Is that why you act insane everytime I'm seen with another gay man?"
Rozanov buried his whole face in the pillow and mumbled something. Shane sighed.
"I am really trying to understand you, Rozanov. Because if I didn't know better I'd say you're jealous."
Rozanov shook his head violently against the pillow before he looked at Shane again.
"And for the record, you don't get to be jealous. We never said we were exclusive or anything.", Shane added.
Rozanov closed his eyes.
"Can we stop talking now? I am sorry about before. Will you let me fuck you?"
Shane's answer came in the form of throwing himself on Rozanov again.
Rozanov caught his hand, pressing a hot, open-mouthed kiss to the center of Shane’s palm. The gesture was so unexpected and so tender, it made Shane’s breath catch. He watched, Rozanov’s gaze never leaving his, as thr russian turned his head, his tongue darting out to taste the sensitive skin where Shane's fingers joined. A jolt of pleasure shot straight to Shane’s groin.
Rozanov's hands were on him then, mapping his chest and stomach. His touch was firm, leaving trails of fire in its wake.
“You have no idea,” he murmured, lips brushing against Shane’s collarbone. “No fucking idea how much..."
He didn’t finish the thought, instead sealing his mouth over the pulse point in Shane’s neck, sucking hard enough to leave a mark. Shane’s head fell back against the duvet, a choked moan tearing from his throat. His fingers grabbed at Rozanov’s back, trying to pull him even closer, even deeper.
“Get on your stomach,” Rozanov ordered, his voice rough.
Shane’s body reacted before his mind could catch up and he rolled over, burying his face in the pillow that smelled of Rozanov's hair. He heard the tear of a foil packet, a slicking sound, and he had to bite down on the pillowcase to keep from begging Rozanov to hurry up.
Then, Rozanov's finger started slowly circling Shane's entrance, massaging softly before he pressed a finger in. SHane jolted at the sensation. Rozanov slowly pushed his finger in and out and when he was sure that Shane could take more, a second finger followed. Shane moaned at the burning feeling when Rozanov started to scissor his fingers, working Shane open for a few minutes. Shane's throbbing dick rubbed against the soft fabric of the duvet and he felt like he was ready to explode as Rozanov crooked the fingers and hit Shane's prostate. A loud, guttaral moan escaped Shane's throat and he just knew Rozanov was smikring behind him.
"I'm ready, please, I can't wait any longer", Shane pressed out through gritted teeth and Rozanov withdrew his fingers. Shane heard another rustling sound and then, Rozanov was over him again, the blunt pressure of his cock against Shane’s entrance. He didn’t push in immediately, just held there, letting the anticipation build to an almost unbearable peak.
“Look at me,” he said, his voice softer now.
Shane turned his head, cheek pillowed on his arms, and met Rozanov’s gaze.
The hunger was still there, but now it was mixed with something else—awe, almost. And in that moment, as Rozanov finally, slowly pushed into him, Shane saw stars once more, pushing himself back against Rozanov. The familair burn was sharp, an exquisite pain that bled into pleasure as Rozanov filled him, inch by agonizing inch before setting an unforgiving rhythm, fucking in and out of Shane relentlessly.
Shane lost all sense of time, of self. There was only the drag of Rozanov’s warm body against his, the harsh sounds of their breathing, the litany of Russian curses and English praise that spilled from Rozanov’s lips.
"Fuck, Hollander. Что ты только со мной делаешь?!" ("What are you doing to me?")
"Roza-ah-nov, hmm, I can't-ah- I'm gonna-ah"
Shane felt surrounded, almost possessed, and when Rozanov’s hand wrapped around his cock, stroking him in time with his thrusts, any remaining sense of time and place shattered into a brilliant, white-hot explosion of release. He felt Rozanov follow him over the edge a moment later, a deep, guttural cry muffled against the skin of Shane’s back.
They lay tangled together in the aftermath, the only sounds their slowing heartbeats.
Rozanov slowly started stroking Shane's hair which was so tender that it was almost unbearable. Shane leaned into the touch, closing his eyes. This is not what they did. This was what couples did and they were not a couple, right? But Shane knew deep down that is what he wanted. That Rozanov had told him he wanted to be exclusive. That they could be together, somehow. But it was probably not what Rozanov wanted.
Shane was almost asleep when Rozanov whispered:
"When do I get to have you for as long as I want?"
Without thinking, Shane answered, not more than a mumble:
"Come visit me in the summer."
Rozanov kissed him softly again and then Shane fell asleep, tangled together with the man he was undeniably in love with.
Five: Ilya Rozanov
@IlyaRozanov81 Ты всё ещё будешь хотеть меня завтра? Пожалуйста, скажи, что я тебе всё ещё нужен. Ты нужен мне настолько, что это просто смешно ("Will you still want me tomorrow? please tell me you still want me. I need you so much it's ridiculous")
[This tweet has been deleted by Tweet Author]
Shane (me)
Will you come?
Visit me, I mean
It had taken every ounce of Shane's courage to text Rozanov and he had hit send before he could overthink it too much. He stared at the screen as texting bubbles appeared, disappeared and appeared again. He prepared himself for a mocking answer, for sarcastic remarks and realistically, for the very possible scenario that Rozanov would say no and things would never be the same again.
Instead, what came through was just a three letter word, making Shane's heart flutter and his stomach flip.
Lily
Yes
@IlyaRozanov81 Я приду к тебе, где бы ты ни был, мой любимый (I will come to you whereever you are my beloved)
[This tweet has been deleted by Tweet Author]
@dancingbee Guys, don't freak out okay. But I just saw Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov in a book store in Ottawa. I have a million questions but I'm trying to stay calm... I have evidence, of course since you're all always like "pic or it didn't happen...", here you go:
↳ @BayleyIsNotHere Bee why are you in Ottawa of all places?
↳ @dancingbee I told you I'm visiting Chris?? My boyfriend??
↳ @hollanov_truther I AM SORRY CAN WE GET BACK TO THE MAIN EVENT WHO THE FUCK CARES ABOUT SOME GUY NAMED CHRIS RIGHT NOW
↳ @PuckMetrics_Steve Guys, it’s not that crazy. Ottawa is a major travel hub. They probably just bumped into each other while picking up reading material for team flights. Rivals talk off the ice all the time.
↳ @hollanov_truther Steve, they are standing in the Romance / Fiction aisle, shut the fuck up.
↳ @BostonFan77 Fake photo. Clearly Photoshopped. Hollander would never set foot in a bookstore. He illiterate.
↳ @NancyBirdy22 Chris (Bee's boyfriend) watching Bee ignore him for 3 hours to stalk two multi-millionaire hockey players hiding in a Graphic Novel aisle: 👁️👄👁️
↳ @PrivacyforShane I am once again asking you guys to leave my man alone
@rozanov_apologist HAVE YOU GUYS SEEN THE HOLLANOV PIC look at Ilya's posture. that is the posture of a man who was woken up at 8 AM, dragged into a public establishment against his will, and forced to listen to Shane explain the narrative structure of a 600-page historical fiction book. HE IS MADLY IN LOVE, I can't-
@puck_princess @dancingbee can we get an update on Chris? Is he ok? Did he get to finish his coffee or did you drag him down the aisle to spy on two gay hockey icons?
↳ @BayleyIsNotHere Update on Bee's boyfriend Chris: He currently has his head in his hands at a Panera Bread while Bee drafts a 2,000-word Tumblr post on her phone. Pray for Chris. (she send me a pic)
↳ @Chris_Support_Group Imagine taking your girlfriend to Ottawa for a nice weekend getaway and she accidentally uncovers a multi-year NHL conspiracy in a local bookstore
↳ @puck_brain_rot ACCIDENTALLY???? Rozanov is wearing his own merch. he is not being subtle, he wants us to see
@ShippingThroughTheFandoms GUYS. GUYS. @Lily81 HAS NOT TWEETED IN HOURS. Normally if Shane breathes on television, Lily81 tweets 14 hate posts, two death threats, and a paragraph analyzing his hair. WHY IS LILY QUIET. WHERE IS LILY.
↳ @hollanov_truther LILY IS CURRENTLY STANDING IN AN OTTAWA BOOKSTORE HOLDING SHANE'S OAT MILK LATTE, THAT'S WHY.
@shanes_left_skate TELL ME THESE MEN ARE IN LOVE! IF NOT I’M DIGGING MY OWN GRAVE. YOU ALL ARE INVITED TO THE FUNERAL
@Lily81 Everyone stop tagging me, I am alive. So what? Rozanov is in bookstore. He is very smart. Maybe Hollander was lost and needed someone to show him how to read without pictures. I was busy working out and not looking at phone. I do not care. Stop messaging me.
↳ @hollanov_truther YOU HAVE CARED EVERYTIME HOLLANDER WAS SEEN OUT AND ABOUT WITH A MAN BUT IT IS DIFFERENT WHEN IT'S ROZANOV????
↳ ↳ @Lily81 Rozanov is very talented and hot, maybe will rub off on Hollander, yes?
"Did I tell you that Harris and Troy started dating?", Shane asked as he was putting away the dishes.
"Troy like Troy Barrett?", Ilya said.
Shane nodded.
"And that is ok with you?"
Shane stopped what he was doing and looked at his boyfriend.
"Why would it not be ok with me?", he asked.
Ilya shrugged and suddenly seemed very interested in the crumbs on the counter, nervously pushing them around.
Shane walked around the kitchen island and stood next to him.
"Talk to me."
"Is just very lesbian of you."
"What?"
"Shane, you are very not gay for such a super gay man."
"I am regular gay! Also, this does not explain anything!"
Ilya turned to him and put his hands on Shane's waist.
"In lesbian community often it happens that your exes start dating. Is cliche but also a bit true. And that is what happened here, yes?"
Shane stared at him, eyes focused on Ilya's own, brows furrowed, looking very confused. It took a few more moments for the penny to drop.
"Oh my god, Ilya!", Shane finally said, pushing back from his boyfriend and rubbing his temples.
"Is fine, Shane, I was not saint before either."
"Yeah, no, I know. But I never...nothing ever happened with any of them, you know that, right?"
Ilya shrugged again and looked a bit ashamed.
"I mean, now I know", he said, avoiding Shane's gaze.
Shane stepped forward and took Ilya into his arms.
"There was never anyone else for me. It was always you."
"Same", Ilya answered and kissed Shane deeply.
@IlyaRozanov81 Я мечтал просыпаться рядом с тобой, но реальность намного лучше. Я тебя люблю. Hello internet, we are boyfriends now. only one dick forever. ✊😔
("I have dreamed of waking up next to you everyday but reality is so much better. I love you.") #HardLaunch
@IlyaRozanov81 You can stop shipping him with other people now, he is mine. only shipping with me, thank you.
↳ @hollanov_brainrot WHAT WHAT WHAT WHAT WHAT WHAT WHAT WHAT WHAT WHAT
↳ @dancingbee "my boyfriend" I AM SCREAMING. HE DIDN'T EVEN USE A VAGUE CAPTION. HE SAID BOYFRIEND. HE USED THE WORD BOYFRIEND💀💀💀
↳ @hollanov_truther I BEEN SAYING IT FOR THREE YEARS. THEY TOLD ME I WAS CRAZY. THEY TOLD ME THE BOOKSTORE WAS JUST TWO GUYS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO READ ON THE PLANE. WHO IS CRAZY NOW???? WHO IS CRAZY NOW????
↳ @bostonbitch12 there is no way this is real someone hacked his account right? right????
↳ @puck_gossip_girl Can we talk about the shirt Shane is wearing??? That is NOT Shane’s shirt. Roz wore that at a press conference last month. THAT IS ROZANOV'S SHIRT. HE IS WEARING HIS BOYFRIEND’S CLOTHES. IM DYING
↳ @shanehollanderhockeyplayer24 that is not the caption we agreed on. Delete this.
↳ ↳ @IlyaRozanov81 @shanehollanderhockeyplayer24 make me 😏
↳ @CliffMarlowOfficial I’ve been sharing a locker room with this man for years and I found out on twitter. Unbelievable. Roz, call me back, asshole.
@BayleyIsNotHere HOLLANOV HARD LAUNCH!!!! I’M GOING TO CHEW THROUGH A DRYWALL PANEL. I AM GOING TO SWALLOW A DOUBLE-A BATTERY. I AM NOT BUILT TO SURVIVE THIS LEVEL OF CANON-NESS.
@shane_defense_attorney EVERYONE SHUT UP SHANE COMMENTED "DELETE THIS" 12 MINUTES AGO WHICH MEANS HE IS ALIVE AND IN THE ROOM WITH HIM. THEY ARE IN THE SAME ROOM. THEY ARE PROBABLY FIGHTING. THEY ARE PROBABLY KISSING. I AM THROWING UP
@GayHockeyIsTheBestHockey DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT SHANE HOLLANDER spent a decade giving interviews talking about how Rozanov is an annoying piece of work while secretly letting him hit from the back??? DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE DISCONNECT????
↳ @hollanov_truther Gurl I'm going back through every post-game handshake line from the last five years to see which ones involved Ilya holding Shane’s hand for 0.4 seconds longer than necessary. Expect a 40-page PDF by morning
↳ @PrivacyforShane Can you guys stop talking about what they do in bed thanks
@fantasy_hockey_goddess Bro I don't care if they're dating, is Shane playing on Tuesday in the charity match or is he out with "emotional damage" from Ilya posting his face on the main???? I HAVE 50 BUCKS ON THIS GAME
@hothead_mike So you're telling me when Ilya took that 2-minute minor for roughing Shane in the 2nd period last month... that was FOREPLAY??? HELP
@leafs_fan_forever I spent 4 years arguing with my girlfriend that they hated each other. She just walked into the living room, handed me a printout of Ilya’s Instagram post and walked out without saying a word. I have never been so humbled in my life, guys
@puck_edits_official: (Video: A slow-mo compilation of Shane hitting Ilya into the boards, transitioning instantly to their hardlaunch selfie with a bass-boosted romantic song)
@nhl_updates_daily
BREAKING: Ilya Rozanov appears to have just hard-launched his relationship with Shane Hollander on Twitter. More details to follow.
[@Lily81 has deactivated their account.]