The Quiet Game – Chapter Four & Five – Duochanfan

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28 Minutes

Chapter Four

The light flashed brightly in his bedroom. The wrist band on his arm, buzzing and vibrating, woke Shane up from a dead sleep. He groaned as he looked at the video feed from his door. “Fuck,” he said aloud. His parents were standing outside the door. He glanced at the time, eight in the morning. He was usually up by six, but he was having a lie-in. It had been a long time since he’d last been able to, a day when he didn’t think he had anything to do. He got up, glancing at his hearing aids and sighing as he put them on. His mom always expected him to use them, even when he really didn’t want to. His dad didn’t care, happy to speak or use ASL.

Shane yawned as the lights flashed again, and he could hear the dull ringing of his doorbell. He quickly changed into something his mom would approve of. He went to the door and opened it. He smiled at his parents. His dad was quick to hug him before moving aside for his mom to do the same.

Yuna hugged her son, running her hand over his head. Shane knew exactly what she was doing, making sure he was wearing his hearing aids.

“Mom,” Shane said, taking a step back, “Stop that, I’m wearing them.”

“I’m just making sure, there’s no point in letting them go to waste,” she told him, holding her hands up slightly.

“Sometimes I don’t always want to wear them,” he told her, finally closing the door to his apartment.

“We know,” David said, “And sorry for stopping by like this,” he added, “Your mother wanted to talk to you about a few things.”

Shane nodded as he glanced at his Mom, “So, why come this early? You could have come later on.”

“We thought we would have breakfast with you,” Yuna said as she headed toward the kitchen to see what he son had in stock and what she could make for them all.

“Mom,” Shane sighed as he watched her, “You really didn’t need to come all this way for breakfast, it’s only eight, you could have called, and we could have met up for lunch instead. It’s a two-hour journey,” he pointed out.

Yuna turned to look at him, “I know, but I miss having you close by. I always feel like we’ve not been able to see you much recently.”

“I’ve got a lot of things going on. I’m trying to…” he trailed off, not sure if he wanted to pretend today that everything was right in his world. It really wasn’t. He’d talked to Farrah about trying to move as soon as his contract was up at the end of the year. He was so close to being able to choose somewhere he wanted to go. Montreal was nice, a lot of those around him he loved and adored. But there were a lot that he wanted nothing to do with.

“What’s going on?” she asked, turning to face him.

“Let’s have breakfast, something quick,” he said as he walked past her, set up the rice maker on the counter, grabbed the eggs, and began to prep them for some rolled omelets. He had planned to have them this morning with some peppers, a little cheese, and onion as well. “Tamagoyaki okay?” he asked his parents. “Peppers, cheese, onion, anything else you want?” he asked.

“Bacon bits added,” David smiled at his son.

“Sure, Dad, Mom?” he asked as he looked at her. She was already getting the vegetables out and washed, ready to prep them to be added.

“The same as your dad,” she nodded, as she began to finely dice the vegetables to be added.

Shane smiled and began to beat the eggs, adding a little seasoning before he got out the pan and heated it. He cooked as his mom moved around him to get drinks as soon as she was done with the vegetables. His dad was getting cutlery and plates out for them. Soon enough, they were seated at the breakfast bar in his kitchen.

“Itadakimasu,” the three said before starting to eat.

“So,” Yuna began, “What’s going on?” she asked again, looking at her son.

“Could we eat breakfast first?” Shane asked, rolling his eyes.

“I think it would be best to just say what’s going on and then we can brainstorm over breakfast and figure things out,” Yuna said, as David patted her arm to get her to back down.

Shane sighed, eating a little more of his food before answering. “I want out of Montreal,” he told her.

Yuna took a sharp gasp, “But they drafted you? I thought you wanted to retire there?” She frowned, putting her chopsticks down.

“So did I, but I’d prefer to be on a team with a coach that will actually be a coach to me and not an ableist, racist bastard,” he deadpanned as he looked at her, “Eat, Mom,” he added, gesturing to her food with his free hand.

Yuna pursed her lips but nodded and began to eat again. “Is this Theriualt?” she asked.

“It’s always him; some of the others aren’t too bad, but they’re basically the same. Only management and coaches know I’m deaf. I don’t wear my best hearing aids when out on the ice. So I rely more on them being able to communicate with me. Theriualt doesn’t. He turns his head, making it practically impossible to see what he’s saying. He stopped using a board to show us as well. So if it wasn’t for Hayden, I wouldn’t have a clue as to what was going on in the plays he wanted us to do or practice. I’m sick of fighting it all the time, Mom. I want out, and I know where I want to go. I’ve been talking with Farrah about it. She’s going to start making a bit of noise about a high-profile player that wants to move.”

“Are you sure you want to do this? It might not be the best idea for you. You’re the captain of your team,” she reminded him.

“I’m captain in name only, theriualt has nerfed everything I should be doing to the minimum. He doesn’t want someone like me representing the team at all,” he replied, dipping some of his tamagoyaki in the soy sauce dish he had put out. His dad preferred ketchup, while he and his mom preferred soy sauce to dip in.

“What do you mean by that?” David asked, frowning as he looked at his only child.

Shane leaned back a little, “Theriualt says I’m a diversity hire, and I can agree with that. Because of the things that have been said. To a lot of those in management, I’m not the best player, but I’m the most public one, so of course, they say I’m the best. I know I’m damn good, Mom, you don’t have to say anyhting about that. My stats speak for themselves. But I know I’m not really wanted there, even though some of the team don’t want me there. They think I’m too boring since I don’t like going out that much. Considering the places they go, it would be torture for me to go to them all the time like they want.” He tried to explain what he felt was going on in the Voyageurs organisation.

“So where are you thinking?” Yuna asked him, nodding her head, and wondering just what she needed to do to change the Voyageurs around enough that her son might stay with them.

“You’re not going to like it at all,” Shane said, as he looked at his Mom.

“Who, Shane?” she asked again, a steely tone in her voice.

“Boston,” he answered, “They have a good team, and I know you’re going to bring up Rozanov, but he’s not as bad as most say he is. He acts up for the camera since it’s expected of him. He’s a damn good captain too, and I don’t mind not having the captaincy, or even the A.”

“Shane,” Yuna’s eyes went wide at the words, “You can’t really mean going to them?” she questioned, glancing at David, looking for support.

“Is this what you really want, though?” David asked him.

“Yeah, Dad,” Shane nodded, “I know it’s Boston, I know their team, I’ve studied them, and I know Rozanov and Marlow both keep a tight ship. They don’t allow any player to be sexist, racist, or homophobic at all. The two and their management shut it down. St Simon talks about it during some of the All Star games, how they control the room. And I know that I could tell them that I’m deaf and it would be more accepted there than it would be in Montreal.”

“But Rozanov is an asshole, you know this,” Yuna protested.

“Not as much as one as people are led to believe,” he said again, “Look, Mom, this is what I want. I’m trying for it when my contract is up. I’ll tell you now, if the team finds out, how they treat me is going to tank. They are… fickle. The only ones that aren’t that bad are JJ and Hayden, Hayden especially. All three of us try to shut shit down in the locker room, but Coach isn’t on our side about it. I know JJ, Hayden, and I all want out. JJ because of the racial abuse he is suffering there. Hayden, because he won’t stay without me and JJ, and me because of all that I’ve already said,” he told her, “So yeah, I’m sure this is what I want, Dad, Mom,” he finished, going back to his food.

“No,” Yuna said, shaking her head, “You can’t leave Montreal for Boston. The Bears have a very… distinct reputation, it will put a strain on your brand deals.”

“Then, I’m going to cut back on most of them until I move. No renewing anything until I get the move I want. Farrah is making noise, so I know that something will hopefully be in the works for me to go to Boston soon. They’ll have to make some room in their cap. But I know at least two players are retiring at the end of the year, so they should have some space left over for me,” Shane said, he’d been looking into it for a while, he wanted to be closer to Ilya as well, and playing with him, instead of against him, would be a dream for the both of them. Ilya knew he wasn’t happy with Montreal, but he’d not really said anything much about where he would be going after his contract was over.

“I’m not sure it’s a good idea,” she said once more.

“It’s my life and career, Mom, you may not think it’s a good idea, but for me, it’s going to be the best one I get,” Shane argued back. It was going to take time for his mom to be on board with what he wanted. Even if she knew about Ilay, she would still be against it. She was loyal to Montreal, was a big fan of theirs, and he knew he wasn’t going to change her mind about them overnight.

David looked between mother and son and bit back his own sigh. He had been waiting for this; he could see that his son wasn’t happy at Montreal, and the comment the GM had made when Shane had signed for them, he’d had to bite his tongue most of the night for it. And every other little racial remark that the man had made about Shane and his wife. The old urge he ahd to punch someone from his days at McGill was coming right back. “Okay, let’s put this aside and just eat breakfast. We have other things to talk about,” he said, stopping them from continuing.

Shane nodded, but it took a little longer for Yuna to do the same. The topic was changed, and Yuna began to go over one of the brands that had reached out to her to become a partner with Shane.

XxXxX

Shane sighed as his parents finally left. He knew his mom was going to have a few more words with him about his wanting to move to Boston. He had Hayden on side, and the man was looking at moving that way as well. JJ was thinking about anywhere but Montreal. Though he’d been in contact with Carter Vaughan in New York for safe teams that JJ would be able to head to. Vayghan was the one to go to if you needed to know anything about that. The man kept his ear to the ground all the time. He was a gossip and always knew more than anyone should.

Shane headed for the living room, wanting to take his aides off, but he’d gotten a message from Farrah an hour ago to call him when he had a chance. He set up the video call on his laptop and waited for her to be able to join him.

“Shane,” Farrah smiled at him, as she appeared on the screen, her hands were in front of her, using ASL at the same time. She was another person who had taken the time to learn, when he had first gone to her as a possible agent, and she had learned he was deaf. She had started taking lessons and talking and signing at the same time, to keep up with her learning. Shane had been thankful that she kept it up, even when he had his hearing aids in.

“Please, tell me something good?” he asked, almost begging as he looked at her.

“I’ve put out feelers for a few teams, with main focus on Boston, as you asked. Boston might be a place to offer for you. Brooklyn has also said they were interested as well. So we’ll keep that in reserve just in case,” she said as she glanced at her notes. “Remember, you can’t say anything to anyone that you’re contemplating this. Boston and Brooklyn don’t know who you are. If people found out you were wanting a new team, it would be a blood bath. You’re at the top at the moment, jointly with Rozanov. Hunter is just behind the two of you. His year hasn’t started off well either,” she pointed out.

Shane nodded, “I know. Montreal is going to start trying to pressure me about resigning with them. I really don’t want that at all.”

“I know, and for now I’m keeping them at bay. They are offering a lot, but I know money isn’t what you want; it’s a good locker room,” she nodded, “I’ll keep you informed on how things are going on my end. But so far, positive possibilities.”

“Thanks, Farrah, and be warned, my Mom has just found out what I want to do. She might try to contact you about it. To talk to you about talking me out of it.”

“I work for you, not your mother. I’ll handle it,” Farrah sighed. “I’ll talk to you again soon, Shane,” she finished.

“Thanks, and bye,” Shane nodded, glad that it was only a quick update. Shane sighed in relief as he reached up and took off his hearing aids. The world is going silent around him. He closed his eyes and relaxed on the couch for a bit. He felt his wristband vibrating. A message appeared on it as he held it up to his face. Once again, he was happy with how tech had evolved over the last few years. Able to know when someone was at his door, alarms and alerts on his wristband. 

Lily

I’m bored, entertain me.

Jane

Not a chance. I’ve had to deal with a nosy mother all morning. She doesn’t like what I want to do next and is making it known. Dad’s fine with everything and is the main peacekeeper.

Lily

Oh, not good?

Jane

More like Mom’s annoyed with my feelings toward Montreal. She’s a very big Voyageurs fan. She wants to get me to try to change things there. It’s not going to work; if it hasn’t in the last three years, it’s never going to.

Lily

Okay. Want to call? Or happy for text?

Jane

Happy with text, just took out my hearing aids, and I really don’t want to wear them anymore.

Lily

FaceTime, I can sign instead of talk.

Jane

Thanks, and I’ll take you up on that call in a bit. I’m going to shower, I didn’t get a chance this morning, since they came before I had even gotten up.

Lily

Think naughty thoughts of me Moya Lyubov.

Jane

On your knees, in front of me, water pouring down.

Lily

That and more.

Jane

I’ll be thinking of it and call when done.

Lily

As will I.

Shane smiled as he read the message. A light blush on his cheeks as he got up to get his shower. He really hated it when his parents surprised him like this. He had his day all planned out, and now that was out the window and ruined. He showered quickly, before joining Ilya on a vid call. Talking and quickly moving on to something a little more pleasurable.

‘I wish you were here.’ Shane signed after he had cleaned up a second time that day.

‘I do too.’ Ilya replied. ‘Marlow is about to arrive. We have plans to go out tonight. He is bored, and I am entertainment.’

Shane laughed, ‘Wonder how many people you will have slept with according to the tabloids?’

‘Fifty.’ Ilya grinned at him, ‘But only you know you’re the only one for me. No one else.’

‘I know. I love you, Ilya.’ Shane signed, saying aloud, “I love you.”

‘Love you, always.’ Ilya replied with a soft smile on his face.

Shane smiled as the call ended and he got up to figure out what he was going to have for dinner.

Chapter Five

December 2016

Marlow watched his captain closely. The man had just gone flying into the boards after the two rookies had collided with him, and had been checked over by the Medic, James, before being sent to the bench to sit out the rest of practice. Marlow skated over, seeing that he was on a video call, and using sign language, he stopped, frowning. Wondering when his captain had picked that language up. Ilya waved and smiled as he ended the call. He looked up, frowning as he saw Marlow watching him.

“Marly,” Ilya said, a hint of caution in his voice as he looked at his alternate captain.

“Rozy, you okay?” he asked, meaning the hit first.

“Yes, fine, strong Russian, not go down easy,” Ilya said, waving a hand, “Just off ice for rest of day and to go home and rest.”

“Hey, worry about you, idiot,” Marlow grinned at him and then asked, “So what’s with the sign language call?” he asked.

“Was talking with someone who is deaf and uses ASL,” he answered quickly. His eyes were darting around to make sure no one overheard them.

“Really? I didn’t know you knew sign language,” Marlow smiled at him, “It’s a good skill to have.”

“It is,” Ilya nodded, “I learn for… Jane,” he said, knowing that Shane had told him that he should tell Marlow and Svetlana about him, and their relationship.

“Is Jane… deaf?” he asked quickly, leaning on the boards so he could talk with Ilya without anyone overhearing as they went through drills.

Ilya nodded, “There is more, but can not tell you here,” he stated, “Will another time, when at home.”

Marlow nodded, “How about dinner, tonight, watch a game, order pizza?” he suggested, “I ain’t doing anything, Steph is away for the week with her sister.”

“Okay,” he nodded, “But no telling anyone. This between you and me,” he said, giving Marlow a look.

“Between you and me,” he agreed easily as Coach LeClaire called for him, “Get home, and I’ll see you later, after practice. I’ll grab the pizza on the way.”

“Okay, see you then,” he said, as Marlow went back out on the ice.

LeClaire walked over, “Right, Rozanov, you’re to go home, rest up for today, so you can play tomorrow. You’ll check in with James two hours before the game. We’re up against the Admirals.”

Ilya nodded as he got up, “I know, we will win against the old fossil,” he joked as he began to head toward the locker room to shower and change.

XxXxX

Marlow rang the doorbell and waited for his captain to answer. “Hey, Rozy,” he greeted as the man opened the door and let him inside. “Got the good pizza,” he grinned as he walked past, carrying two boxes of pizza.

Ilya grinned as he smelled the meat feast one going past. “Good,” he said, closing the door behind Marlow as he toed off his shoes.

Ilya led the way into the living room. He had already gotten a couple of beers out for them to drink. And plates for the pizza. Ilya hated spills. The first of the Fast and Furious movies was on the screen, cued up to start. Marlow put down the pizzas on the coffee table, grabbed a plate, and loaded it up with a slice.

“So, Rozy, sign language?” he asked, settled back against the couch and watched as his Captain stood there for a second.

“Jane is deaf, has been since childhood,” Ilya told him, sitting down and grabbing his own plate and slice. “But, Hanes isn’t a woman,” he admited slowly, watching Marlow’s reaction out of the corner of his eye.

Marlow paused for a second as he took that in, “Cool,” he nodded, “So Jane is a dude. Not what I expected, but whatever.”

“Yes,” Ilya nodded, relaxing back fully as he put the movie on, letting it play in the background. He wasn’t fully relaxed as he still had more to tell Marlow.

“Are you happy with him?” he asked his captain and friend.

Ilya smiled softly. “Very. He captivated me the first time we met. They are beautiful, beautiful freckles, cute and also… boring too. I like him very much, I love him,” he gushed softly as he thought of all the things that had captivated him when it came to Shane.

Marlow listened to him, smiling at how smitten his captain was for this ‘Jane’ guy. “So, when am I going to meet your very mysterious ‘Jane’?” he asked, reaching for a second slice and taking a bite.

Ilya smirked at the questions, looking at Marlow, he replied, “You have already met him.”

Marlow froze, sliced halfway to his mouth for a second bite. He turned his head to look at Ilya, seeing the smirk. “What the fuck?!” he exclaimed, dropping his slice onto the plate. “How the hell have I already met them? That… I would know if I met your boyfriend… wouldn’t I?” he asked, eyes wide as he waited for Ilya to say something. To explain what he had meant by that little statement.

“Jane is another hockey player,” he began, taking a bite and turning to look at Marlow for a second.

Marlow pondered that for a moment. “But I don’t know of any deaf player. There hasn’t been one in the league since the 90s.”

“No one really knows. They don’t explicitly tell anyone. But if you pay attention, you will notice,” he answered him. 

Marlow thought deeply for a moment, “No, I got nothing,” he stated, “Who the hell could be deaf in the NHL?”

“Shane… Hollander,” Ilya finally told him.

Marlow blinked, trying to take in the words that his friend had just said, “Hollander?!” he gasped out, eyes wide as they locked on Ilya’s.

“Da,” he nodded firmly. “Shane is deaf, has been since he was a child,” he answered him. “I learned ASL for him.”

“He’s really deaf and your boyfriend?” he asked him.

Ilya nodded, “Yes,” he smiled, “We have been something since before Rookie season. We were seventeen when we first met, Marly. Just seventeen. And I was gone, the moment I saw him I couldn’t remember any word of English until he began to walk away, and I spoke to get him to turn around and look at me once more. He did, and he laughed when I told him he wouldn’t be so nice when I beat him,” he smirked.

“But he’s deaf, wouldn’t he have heard you?” Marlow asked.

“He has hearing aids. They help a lot; he can hear us talking when he has them in. On ice, he has an inner ear one now. To help hear bells, whistles, and the refs. Used to rely on Pike for that before one became available that was powerful enough to be able to help him hear. He wears them, has longer hair to hide them, and he wore a cute beanie over his ears to hide them.”

Marlow listened as Ilya began to tell him about Shane, how things had gone, and what had changed more recently, clarifying their relationship to each other. The movie played in the background, and the pizza was demolished along with the beer.

“You are so gone on him,” Marlow said, shaking his head, “How the hell didn’t we see this?” he asked.

“Because no one would think that with our rivalry, and with the media painting us as hating each other, that we could be anything more than that. No one wants to see anything more except the fanfic fans,” Ilya snorted.

Marlow laughed at that, they’d all had a good laugh over some of the stories that some of the fans had made about them in the past. “So, what’s the plan for you two?” he asked him, “Are you going to keep the long-distance thing going?”

“We don’t know yet. We’re going to talk about that in the summer. We’re both able to go UFA at the end of this season, since it’s our seventh season. But it’s finding a team that is looking for people like us, and with the way our contracts are, it’s going to be hard to find a team that can have both,” he sighed, “it is something to talk about later, I might do one more year with Boston, and then look. Shane might look, he is not happy at Montreal. I don’t know his plans; he hasn’t said anything about it yet.”

Marlow frowned, “That’s fucked,” he muttered.

“Da,” Ilay sighed, “But it is what we have so far, but we talk more another time.”

“Right,” he nodded, “Hey, Rozy,” he began, “Thanks for trusting me, and telling me. I think I might find some classes on ASL, too. It’ll be a good skill to have,” he added.

Ilya smiled, “Shane will be happy to know,” he told him, “Only few know ASL in league. Shane is isolated from it.”

“Yeah,” Marlow nodded a few times, “I’ll learn, maybe get someone at the rink to learn as well. Make sure that if something happens, he’ll have someone who can speak to him?” he suggested.

Ilya’s smile took over his face, “Da. I was thinking same. Montreal know, management, medics, coaches. But none speak ASL. They don’t know Pike knows ASL, too. Learned for Shane. Pike family learning. Pike’s wife, and kids.”

“That’s cool,” he smiled. “Glad he has someone at his back for that.”

“Da, it good,” Ilya agreed.

Marlow asked him a few more questions before they changed the topic and watched the film, while eating slices of pizza.

XxXxX

Shane looked at the Admirals. They had started a road trip with Boston two weeks ago, losing there, they had won three out of the seven games they were playing. They had just lost the eighth one to Montreal. Shane turned to Hayden as he came over for his fist bump as they headed off the ice. Shane sighed as he entered the locker room. Even though he had already taken out the inner ear aid that he wore, he could still feel the sound vibrating through him at the noise his team was making after the game.

‘They want to go out to a bar tonight.’ Hayden signed as he got close after they had showered.

Shane shook his head. ‘Just want to go home without my aids in for a bit. Tired.’

Hayden nodded, ‘They’ll ask, so be prepared.’

Shane nodded and began to get dressed, putting his hearing aids in as soon as he had dried his hair enough for his liking. The noise of the locker room was loud, and he wrinkled his nose at it. He hated wearing them in the locker room. Everything sounded wrong, different than when he was outside of it. Shane heard the guys starting to talk about a restaurant and bar that they wanted to head to.

“Hey, Cap, you coming?” Comeau asked as he walked over, putting an arm around Shane’s shoulders as though that would help his captain decide to join them.

“No, I’ll think I’ll skip out,” Shane said, shaking his head and dislodging the arm.

“Come on, Cap, you haven’t been out with us in a long time!” Drapeau added.

Shane turned as he put on his shirt and began to button it up, “Guys, I-“

“Come on!” Mitty added.

“Join us for once,” Laine added.

The rest of the team, apart from Hayden, all began to try to coax their captain into joining them later.

Shane sighed, “Fine, fine, I’ll come out for a bit, but guys, I’m not going to be out late at all,” he reminded them all, rolling his eyes as they cheered and began to get dressed to leave the stadium.

XxXxX

Shane wasn’t happy as he walked into the dimly lit restaurant and bar. There was so much noise, and it was setting him on edge. He wished again he had been able to just say no to his team. But they were right, he didn’t hang out often with them, but that was more because they always liked loud clubs most of the time, very rarely did they do anything that Shane felt like he could attend without wanting to disappear into a quiet corner.

“Cap!” JJ called out, waving his hand over to him.

Shane made his way through the small crowd that was gathered around. “JJ,” he greeted him.

“You’re not going to believe this,” he said a little quieter as he glanced around, “But some of the cast from the X-Squad are here; they’ve been filming nearby.”

Shane snorted, “Nice,” he said, not really interested. Yeah, he was a bit of a fan of Rose Landry; she was a good actress, but her characters often got in trouble and were kidnapped. Reminded Shane of a cartoon character with the way it happened, Daphne from Scooby Doo.

“It really is, and we’re mingling,” he grinned, “I tried talking to her, but she was a little shy, I think.”

Shane rolled his eyes, “Leave the movie star alone,” he warned, “she might just want to be a face in the crowd.”

“Maybe,” JJ said, frowning slightly at that.

Hayden walked over with Jackie. “We were able to get a babysitter at the last minute,” he said. Jackie had a soft drink in hand, and Hayden had followed suit.

“Good,” Shane smiled as he went to get a drink, ending up with a soda as well, since he really didn’t like drinking much. He mingled a little with his team. The music was loud enough that it was beginning to really irritate him. 

JJ once more tried to get him set up with one of the women who was hanging around, talking with JJ. Shane bit back the snappish answer he wanted to give and ducked away. He moved around and darted into a booth that he thought was empty. He reached up, about to take his hearing aids off for a moment, to get a little peace, when a voice stopped him.

“Please take these fries from me,” the voice was female.

Shane looked up, fighting the fact that he wanted to jaw drop at the fact that Rose Landry was sitting across from him. He put his hands down, “Erm, hi,” he said, blinking a few times. Ilya wasn’t going to believe this.

“I know you,” she smiled at him.

“And I know you,” he replied in turn.

“Well. Is it okay to call you Shane instead of Hollander?” she asked him, continuing to smile at him.

“Sure, and Rose okay, or do you prefer Miss Landry?” he asked after answering.

“Please, Rose, anytime they say that, I think I’m in trouble,” she cringed before laughing.

Shane laughed with her, “In trouble a lot when you were a kid?” he could help but ask.

“Oh yeah,” she nodded, “My brothers will tell you that I was always in trouble for something.”

Shane smiled and nodded. The music went louder for a few moments, but it hurt, and Shane reached for his hearing aids and took them off. Pulling out his phone when he saw Rose’s wide eyes. Bringing up a notes app he kept on hand, just in case. He began to type.

I’m deaf, have been since childhood. Not many know, only one teammate and his wife know, along with parents and two other players on a different team. And now you.

Shane looked at her and slid the phone over so she could read it. Rose took it, blinking a few times as she finished reading. Typing quickly, she pushed it back.

Really? 

Shane smiled and nodded. She took the phone back for a few moments, typing into the app.

I have to admit, I never would have guessed if you hadn’t taken off your hearing aids. They’re not small enough to really hide, but your hair does a pretty good job of hiding them. So why don’t people know?

She finished typing and handed it over to Shane. Shane nodded and began to type a reply. He hated speaking when he didn’t have his hearing aids in; he could, but he often chose not to.

I just don’t. My parents were not happy about my being deaf,  of course. They didn’t blame me at all for it; it was an illness that caused profound hearing loss. If it were total, then hearing aids wouldn’t work. It took about a year for me to get fitted for some. The rest of my family knows, and they don’t treat me well because of it. Think I’m mentally impaired and can’t do anything for myself. Don’t talk to them much. Those I tell often change their behavior. So I don’t. Hayden knows and has learned ASL, so we can talk. Management and such know, of course, but they don’t use ASL; they rely on my wearing hearing aids and lip reading. Which I’m not that good at.

Shane finished and passed it over for her to read. Rose took it, going over it, before replying.

Wow. Shity on your family side of things. And good for Hayden to learn. Think I might look into it. I know it could be something that can help when I meet fans. It’ll save on the typing. And I kind of feel like I’m back in school and trying to sneak notes to my friends in class.

Rose grinned as she handed it back over. Shane laughed as he read it, and the two continued to talk with the notes app for a few moments before Shane felt it was fine to put his hearing aids in again.

Two hours later. Shane left the bar and saw Rose to a waiting Uber. He grinned as he headed home. Calling Ilya as he went.

“You’ll never guess who I ran into tonight,” Shane teased him, buckling himself into his jeep.

“And who would you be meeting?” Ilya asked.

“Rose Landry,” he grinned, “I met her tonight. She was in the bar. We talked. She’s kinda nice. I think you’d like her,” he told him.

“Rose fucking Landry? You met her?” Ilya exclmained down the phone as Shane pulled out of the parking lot.

“Yeah, I did. She’s awesome, like I said, I think you’d get along great with her. I told her that I’m with someone, that we’re serious,” he added, sounding a little shy. “She kinda ended up learning I’m deaf. Since I had to take my aids out for a bit. The music went really fucking loud.”

“You meet kidnap queen Rose Landry, how the fuck,” Ilya huffed, “You tell me all about it tomorrow? It is late.”

“I will, and night, Ilya, I have her number; she’s always up for having more friends,” Shane told him. “Oh, and she said to be warned, the paparazzi may try to spin things. They’ve had her in seven different love affairs in the last six months.”

“Yes, with a co-star who is gay, and a triad,” Ilya snorted, “I’ll look forward to gossip rags.”

Shane laughed, “Yeah, she said as much. Don’t know if we were seen, but even if, know it’s just that.”

“I know, I trust you,” Ilya said, “And you can introduce me to Rose Landry, Svetlana will be jealous,” he said, and Shane could hear the grin in his voice.

“I will,” Shane promised, “When I can.”

					

													

										

				

				
				The Quiet Game – Chapter Two – Duochanfan
				
				
							

									

										

				

				
				The Quiet Game – Chapter Nine to Eleven – Duochanfan
				
				
							

									

										

				

				
				The Quiet Game – Chapter Six – Eight – Duochanfan
				
				
							

									

										

				

				
				The Quiet Game – Chapter Three – Duochanfan
				
				
							

									

										

				

				
				The Quiet Game – Chapter One – Duochanfan
				
				
							

									

										

				

				
				Project File: The Quiet Game – Duochanfan