The Quiet Game – Chapter Nine to Eleven – Duochanfan

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Chapter Nine

January 2017

Shane finished dressing and grabbed his case. Taking out his hearing aids one by one, he put them on, and the noise of the room made him wince as soon as it settled in his mind. He could now hear the teasing jabs aimed at him. The ones that mentioned Rose Landry hitting in a way that Shane hated. The two had become friends after that first meeting. Rose had taken to learning ASL as well, wanting to talk with him on his level. It was something that had made Shane smile, and Ilya reached out to Rose so they could practice with each other.

“Come on, I can’t believe Cap was able to bag and bang a movie star,” Comeau said, grinning as he looked at Shane.

“We’re not together,” Shane said once more, wondering how many comments just like that he had missed when he hadn’t had his hearing aids in.

“Yeah, right,” Drapeau snorted, “Come on, Cap, we all know that’s a lie, it’s not like you have anyone else in your life that you can bang like her. This is Rose Landry after all, she’s hot,” he smirked as he put his gear away.

“Rose and I are just friends, that’s all I want. I’m not interested in anything at the moment. I-” Shane began to defend himself yet again, he’d been doing it for the last two months, since the moment he and Rose had met, and the tabloids had taken their appearance together as fact that they were dating.

Papers ran it, online ones ran it, gossip rags, and even the news decided to broadcast something that was being denied by both of them. It didn’t matter what they said; they still ran it like they were together.

“Nah, you can deny it all you want,” Laine said, “We all know you’ve been banging her, you’re always on your phone, always smiling at something.”

“Not Rose that I’m smiling about,” Shane said as he packed up his gear, wanting to get out of there, sick of having to repeat the same thing over and over again. he got up, nodded at Hayden and headed out, “I’m not going to keep telling you that Rose and I aren’t together, because you don’t want to fucking listen. Rose is a friend, and a good one, better than any of you, since none of you can fucking listen to what I’m saying on a good day,” he snapped as he left the room and headed through the rink to the parking lot. He wanted to go home, talk with Ilya, and rest up before their game tomorrow.

Hayden and JJ shared a look before Hayden took off after their Captain. “Hey, Shane,” called out as he reached the parking lot.

Shane turned as he reached his jeep, “Yeah,” he nodded at his friend.

Hayden raised his hands to speak. ‘I know you’re pissed, and have every right to be. I’ve been trying to get them to stop since it started, but nothing is working. Even with you both denying things. How is Rozy taking things?’ he asked him, as he walked over and stood beside the jeep.

‘He’s finding it funny, he goes through everything and actually enjoys the rumors. Marly is doing the same, all joking, but it’s getting really fucking frustrating that no one is listening to us at all when we say we’re not together.’ Shane told him, shaking his head as he leaned against the jeep, his gear already stowed in the back.

‘Sounds like Rozy.” Hayden snorted. ‘I’ll try and get them to see it, but-‘ he stopped shaking his head.

‘Yeah, chances are they’re not going to pay attention to it at all. I know.’ Shane sighed heavily, ‘I just wish they would listen when I saw something. Have had enough of their more homophobic talks as well, considering.’

‘I know, we’ve been doing our best to can it, but it’s not happened at all.’ Hayden nodded, agreeing with him.

JJ finally walked over, “Hey,” he said as he joined them, his own gear slung over his shoulder, “Th rest are coming out,” he warned.

Shane sighed, “I think I want to be out of here before then. I’m going to talk with Lily,” he added.

“Do that, and tell them I said hi and we need to get together next time they’re in Montreal,” Hayden said about to leave.

“Lily?” JJ asked, “The girl you’ve been texting for years?” he asked as he looked at Shane and then Hayden, “You’ve met her?”

“Yeah,” Hayden said, biting his lip.

“This is why you’re not dating Rose? You are already dating someone, why didn’t you tell the team?” he frowned, “They would have backed down if that’s the case.”

“Because it’s a bit more complicated than that,” Shane said softly, “I… again, this isn’t something I can really talk about out here, not with people able to overhear.”

“Another dinner at Shane’s?” Hayden asked his friend.

“Sounds like it,” Shane snorted, “Come on over later, I’ll make dinner, and no it won’t be bird food before you ask. I’m not following the diet as much as they think I am. It was causing a few issues,” he added as he went to his jeep and opened it up, “I’ll see you both at mine,” he said glancing at Hayden as well. “If Jackie is fine with it.”

“Yeah, it’ll be fine when I tell her what’s going on,” Hayden told him, smiling. “You know she likes you more than me,” he grinned before heading to his own car.

JJ nodded, “Alright, Capetaine,” he said, “I’ll see you later.”

Shane nodded, got in his jeep, and headed home.

XxXxX

Shane finished the lasagna that he’d made and stuck it in the oven to finish cooking. He’d already gotten drinks and something a little stronger for JJ. He was going to tell him about Ilya, and he wasn’t expecting it to go well. It took Hayden a little more time to come to terms with it, but that was more because it was a change from how he thought of Ilya. Instead of bashing him over the head, he was going to have to change it to handing him a beer. Or rather, the good Russian Vodka, Ilya accepted no less than that. 

Shane cleaned up a bit more before the door rang, and he answered it. The flashing light blinked a few times along with the sound. He opened teh door and saw his two friends standing there. He smiled as he let them in, “Okay,” he said, “dinner is cooking, drinks are in the fridge, and I’ve got some beer as well for you both.”

“Thanks, Shane,” Hayden said, nodding as he walked inside, taking off his shoes and heading to the kitchen.

“Thanks,” JJ said, wondering just what he was going to be facing this time. Last time it was the knowledge that his friend was deaf and had been since before they had met, and he hadn’t even been able to tell. 

“It’s not… exactly something bad, it’s good,” Shane said, trying to put his friend at ease as he closed the door behind them and went ot meet with Hayden in the kitchen. “Now, up to you, dinner is finishing off, so I can say it now and we have dinner to process and ask questions or after?”

JJ looked between the two of them. “Now, please, get it over with, and find out just what is going on this time.”

Shane snorted, “Yeah, this is going to be a bit wild,” he told him, “And it starts before I even met you,” he said softly.

JJ frowned, “Before?” he asked, before looking at Hayden.

“Yeah, this was news to me too,” Hayden said, “I was told last year, when we were last in Boston, when Shane met up with Boston Lily.”

“Okay, lay it out,” he said as he looked back at Shane.

“So, Botson Lily, isn’t a Lily, isn’t a woman, it’s a man. Someone I’ve been seeing casually for years. We’ve only just made it official between us, near the beginning of November,” Shane said, sighing as he began to explain how things had gone from meeting up at the end of a shoot, and hooking up that first time, the ups and downs of their relationship, without mentioning a single name.

“So, who is it?” he finally asked, “You’ve told me about this guy you’ve fallen for, not said a name. How you meet when you can, talk all the time. He learned ASL for you. Who? And when do I get to meet him.”

“Ilya… Rozanov,” Shane finally answered, “I’ve been seeing Ilya for years, JJ, years.”

JJ sat there, eyes wide as a light flash, as the oven was done. Shane got up and headed to the kitchen to get it out. Leaving JJ with Hayden and letting them talk for a few minutes.

“You knew about this?” JJ asked him.

Hayden nodded, “Not for long, like November time,” he answered, rolling his beer in his hands, “I wasn’t sure about it when I first heard, I let Shane talk it out, tell me about the relationship, let him gush as much as he wanted. But I’ve heard them, when they’re together, see a few things when they could talk to each other and miss each other. Roxanov isn’t who we think he is.”

“I don’t see it,” he said, frowning.

“You won’t, not until the day you see them together. They’re good for each other. Shane… Shane’s had to hide his disability for most of his damn life because people get stupid about it; they believe that because he’s deaf, he can’t figure things out, he can’t do anything. I’ve seen it happen when people learn. And you’ve noticed the way Theriualt is always trying to fuck shit up for Shane, and that. He does that to try to find a reason to get rid of Shane. It’s why I tend to be in a place where I can tell Shane what’s going on. But with Rozy, he… he learned ASL, has known Shane is deaf since the CCM shoot they did before their rookie year. He’s different with Shane, really different. They still chirp at each other, but it’s playful, the annoying playful you do with someone you love. I’m like it with Jackie, we tease each other, but you know.”

JJ nodded, understanding, “Okay, so they are together, fully. It’s been a long time. What? Seven years, eight?”

“Something like that,” Hayden nodded, “and they’ve had to do it in secret for years, because of the way the rivalry is presented. Everyone thinks they hate each other, and they don’t.”

“But we know the fights,” he frowned.

“No, they’ve never fought each other on the ice. Not once,” Hayden reminded him, “I know we all believe that they must have by now, but no, they’ve never dropped gloves at each other,” he snorted, “You ask anyone, and they’d all say that they have.”

JJ thought a little more and then nodded slowly, “No, they have never fought. I thought for sure that they had.”

“Nope,” Hayden grinned as Shane called them for dinner, where JJ decided to ask as many questions as he could get away with.

XxXxX

Hayden met up with JJ a few days after the revelation. Wanting to know how he was doing. “So,” Hayden said as he looked at him, “How are you doing with it all?” he asked, sitting down at the bar in JJ’s kitchen.

“I am still trying to get over it,” he said, “I can see that Shane is happy though,” he added quietly. “He talks about Rozanov is a very distinct way, one that tells all he loves him deeply. I will not harm that.”

“I know. It’s dangerous for him, Rozy, that is,” Hayden said, “He’s Russian, and they aren’t too nice to those who are homosexual over there. And I can understand why the two of them are protesting it the way they are,” he added.

JJ nodded, “It’s crazy.”

“It really is,” Hayden said, bringing out his phone and making a video call.

“Who?”

“The only other person that can understand the crazy,” Hayden grinned as the call connected.

“Yo, Hayd,” came the booming voice of Cliff Marlow.

“We have someone new to be inducted into the Hollanov misery,” Hayden said.

Marlow laughed, “Who?” he asked.

“JJ,” Hayden said, as he turned the phone around so JJ was on screen as well.

“Welcome to the misery,” Marlow told him, “Rozy and Hollzy are… something.”

“I’ve not seen them together,” JJ told him.

“You’re lucky,” Marlow huffed, “I had the lovely pleasure of seeing Rozy all gooed up. Gushing after his talk with Hollzy, and going on about what they had just done…” he trailed off, rolling his eyes.

“That’s not too bad,” Hayden said, “I made the mistake of calling him when they met up when we passed each other in Nashville, I think they had a five-hour window, I forgot, called and ended up hearing them going at it.”

JJ blinked as he looked at Hayden. “No way, our Capatiane?”

Hayden nodded, “Yep,” he said, “The pain of knowing, you end up walking in on them, hearing them going at it, or having to listen to the gushing they do about each other now they know you’re safe and they can talk to you about it.”

“Listening to Rozy wax poetic about his beautiful Jane and her gorgeous freckles,” Marlow added.

“It’s sweet, really,” Hayden said, “but there are some things I could do without knowing about my best friend,” he added, “But yeah, Rozy is supposed to be talking about letting St Simon into the secret Hollanov group.”

Marlow nodded, “They’re good for each other,” he said, echoing what Hayden had said during the dinner.

“Yeah,” Hayden agreed as the two talked a little more about what they had seen about Shane and Ilya. Filling JJ in on a few more things that they did to help the two get some time together. Bringing JJ into the plan to help the two get as much time as possible together. And to help learn ASL as well.

XxXxX

Rose laughed, “I’m never going to get it,” she huffed after she finished.

“You will,” Shane told her. “You’re doing really well,” he added, encouraging her as she practiced her ASL.

“I’ve been learning daily for two months, and I still feel like I don’t know anything,” she sighed as she used ASL alongside her words.

Shane nodded, “It’s hard,” he said, doing the same as her, though he had to remind himself to speak as well as use ASL. He tended to use one or the other unless he was helping someone practice.

“Yeah,” she nodded as they worked a little more before Rose’s phone buzzed. “Ugh, I have to get back,” she said as she pulled it out to look at the message.

“Your schedule sucks,” Shane pointed out.

Rose smiled, “I know, night filming, have to love it,” she said as she got up.

Shane got up as well as they walked out of the late-night cafe where they had met. “It was nice getting to see you again,” he told her. They’d been able to meet up a few times since they had first met. It was nice to just be able to spend time with a friend who wasn’t all about hockey. Even spending time with his parents, who usually talked about either hockey or brand deals, though his dad did try to take the conversation elsewhere, his mom would usually bring it back in the end.

“Yeah, we have to do this again. I miss the days when I could just go to a cafe, be looking over a script, and no one would recognise me. It’s hard sometimes, being in the spotlight all the time, but I knew the moment I made my choice in career that this was what was going to happen if I made it,” she said, as they began to head out of the cafe into the cold January air of Montreal.

Shane nodded, “I hadn’t thought I would be as… known as I am. This is hockey, and most of the time, I could pass someone on the street, and they wouldn’t know, but here and in a few other places, I’m just as well known. It’s odd,” he told her as lights began to flash and the paparazzi got close.

“Ugh, one thing I hate about fame,” she whispered before three reporters surrounded them and began to shout questions at the two of them.

“Rose, Rose, how are you feeling being picutred and out with your new boyfriend?!” one shouted as he shoved a microphone into her face.

Rose turned to glare at him, “Shane Hollander is a good friend, there is nothing romantic going on between us. We’ve said this several times, and not one of you are listening, please get out the way as I have to get back now,” she said as she and Shane began to try and push their way through a few more people that were coming over to try and film them together.

“Please leave us alone, we’re friends going out for a coffee and catching up, that’s all that is going on,” Shane added as they pressed a little closer, getting into their personal space. Shane was on edge, but he managed to get Rose to the car that was waiting for her, and he headed to where he had parked. Some of them followed him, but he headed out and back home, a message waiting for him as he pulled into the underground parking at his apartment complex.

Lily

Ohh, Rose and Hollander are all snuggly in a cafe, why was I not invited?

Shane laughed before he replied.

Jane

She’s filming in Boston in a week, maybe you can meet her then, and we can really set the tabloids on fire; she’s up for it.

Lily

A woman after my own chaotic heart. And we do have plans.

Jane

I know. 

Lily

Yes, we talk, and practice. She is quick learner. She is fun.

Jane

Yeah, she is. I need to get inside. I have practice tomorrow, coach is throwing a fit since I’m not playing by his rules anymore.

Lily

Be careful. I love you.

Jane

I will, and I love you too.

Shane smiled as he tucked his phone away and headed to his apartment. He couldn’t wait for the All-Star weekend.

 

Chapter Ten

Ilya grinned as he looked over at Rose. The All-Star Weekend was nine days away, and Rose was in Boston for two days of filming before heading back to Montreal to finish up her current project.

“It’s nice to finally meet you face to face,” Rose grinned as she sipped her hot chocolate, “And for indulging my sweet tooth,” she added as she raised her drink a little and carried on sipping it.

“You are like me, like the sweet things in life,” Ilya grinned, “Like Jane.”

Rose laughed and nodded, “Yeah, Jane is very sweet,” she agreed easily, “They’ve got me out of the trailer several times. I think I would have gone mad if I had to talk about filming and the next project I need to look at for one more day.”

Ilya nodded, “It is hard work?” he asked her, “I am curious.”

“It can be. And then at times when you click with your co-stars, it can be a damn dream to work. Even with long hours, standing in the rain, or being whisked away by an evil villain that’s said the same monologue twenty times in a row. But it can be both hard work and draining as well, if you don’t. I’ve had to leave two projects because I couldn’t work with one or two people on the cast or crew,” she admited quietly.

Ilya nodded, spotting something out of the corner of his eyes, “Ahh, reporters nearby.”

Rose rolled her eyes as she leaned over the table a bit more, to everyone outside it would look like she was flirting.

Ilya grinned as he mathched her vibe, “We’re going to make my jane very jelous,” he told her.

“Your Jane, how about you, you were just as bad last time they caught us before I flew out.”

“Did take you to the airport like good partner,” Ilya pointed out to her, the two started laughing as they pretending to firly while all the time talking about the most mundane things going.

XxXxX

Ilya walked into the locker room after their last practice before the All Star weekend. He’d gotten there earliy, already grinning over the several news pieces that had come out about him and Rose. The three of them had gotten on a joint video call that morning to talk and laugh about it all.

Marlow walked into the locker room after him, the rest of the team nowhere in sight. “Are you three having fun?” he asked as he walked over to his cubby to get ready for a shower.

“Da,” he grinned, “Rose is a gremlin, and I love it,” he told him, still grinning. 

Marlow snorted, “I can see. The speculation in the comments is insane. One is saying that you are trying to steal her away. Another saying that she is playing you both against each other. And some, a small minority, are saying that she’s a beard for you both and you use her to send secret messages to each other.”

“Oh, that last one sounds good. We need to play that up more,” Ilya said gleefully, grabbing his phone to send a message to Rose and Shane about that last one.

Marlow snorted as the rest of the team entered. Everyone had seen the gossip rags, and the speculation that was going around. They’d tried to approach their captain about it, but Coach LeClaire had been able to keep them all on task for the first time in a long time. It might have been backed up because Marlow and Ilya were pushing each other to do better during drills.

“Rozy!” Connors called out as he walked over, “So, are you going to give us anything about the very lovely and sexy Rose Landry and just what the fuck is going on with Shane Hollander?” he asked as he and the others on the team waited for an answer.

Ilya looked up from his phone, “No, I’m not,” he grinned, “You can figure it all out.”

“Come on, Rozy!” St Simon said, “You have to give us something. We’re dying of thirst!”

“Is she going to come to the game tonight?” Connors asked, “Or has she gone from Boston already?”

Ilya smirked. She hadn’t left, her flight had been canceled, and filming back in Montreal had been delayed. “I don’t know,” he shrugged, already on the phone again, making a group chat with Rose and Shane. He had an idea, and he needed to see if the two of them were up for it.

XxXxX

Five hours later, Ilya was on the ice with the rest of the team and Detroit, doing their warm-ups. The announcers were on the ball as they said.

“Looks like Rozanov has a new fan in the stands today,” came the voice of one of them. On the jumbotron above them, the camera locked onto Rose Landry, wearing a Boston jersey. She waved at them all, blowing a kiss towards Ilya. He pretended to catch it and tucked it close to his heart.

“Well, looks like Rose Landry is here to support her partner,” the other said.

“But is she wearing Rozanov’s name?” the first questioned.

Rose nodded and turned around, pointing at the name on her jersey. She had a large smile on her face as the camera cut to Ilya down on the ice, grinning just as widely.

XxXxX

The game ended with Boston winning 4-2. Rose was guided down to where the team had left the locker room, but without the press around.

“Rose,” Ilya said as she jumped into his arms, very much like Svetlana would do. He laughed and spun her around, “Dear Rose, such a gremlin and troll, I love it. You are not my Jane, but you are still good.”

“I’m not, but she did ask me to do something,” she grinned as she reached up and kissed his cheek, “She wishes she could be the one to do it in person.”

Ilya smiled, and those around him recognised it as the smile he used when he was talking about his Jane. This confused those around them, leaving them wondering if Jane was Rose. And that Jane was a code name for Rose.

“I’m going to have to rush; they finally got me a flight, but it’s just after midnight. I need to get going,” Rose sighed heavily, hugging him tightly. “I’ll have to call you another time, see if we can meet up again.”

“Yes,” he nodded, “That would be very nice to do,” he smiled, kissing her cheek, “Pass that on to Jane for me,” he whispered into her ear.

Rose giggled and nodded, “I will,” she said, before she left.

“Cap,” Connors said, wide-eyed as Rose left.

“What?” he said as they headed to the locker room, “You said she might turn up to wear jersey, she did,” he grinned as he went inside. Marlow followed him, snorting as he shook his head.

XxXxX

Three days later, the Montreal Voyageurs were playing against LA at home. Rose was once more in the top box, watching the game. 

“Now isn’t this a turn out,” one of the announcers said.

“I’ll say, a few days ago, at a Boston Bears game, Rose Landry was in the box wearing a Rozanov jersey. Tongith we have Rose Landry in the crowd,” the other said.

Shane glanced up as the jumbotron focused on Rose and where she was sitting. She waved and just like she did at the Boston game, she blew a kiss toward Shane.

Shane grinned as he reached out and pretended to catch it, tucking it away, and then sending one back to Rose.

‘What is going on?’ Hayden sighed subtly toward Shane.

Shane grinned and answered aloud, “Rose and Lily are chaotic evil.”

Hayden huffed and nodded, ‘Okay.’

Shane smiled and then looked back at where Rose was, now showing off the fact she was wearing a Hollander jersey. He couldn’t hear what was going on, just that the noise was getting loud. He wodnered what the tabloids would be making of this, and his parents. They ahd already reached out about Rose before, but this was going to turn a number of heads considering what the three of them had up their sleves. They were called off the ice, with warm-ups over with. The game was about to begin.

XxXxX

Just like in Boston, Shane had asked someone to bring Rose down to the tunnels so he could see her. She was going to stay with him for the night, instead of traveling back to her hotel, where she was usually staying for filming. This was part because they are little gremlins and trolls, and part because it would be easier for her to leave with him than fight the crowds and press.

“Shane!” she yelled out, seeing him and running toward him, jumping into his arms. 

Shane laughed and twirled her around a few times before setting her down on her feet. The rest of his team watching with wide eyes and shocked expressions. They had all seen the news that she had been spotted with Ilya a few days before, blowing him kisses.

“Cap,” Comeau began.

Shane waved a dismisive hand toward him before turning his attention to Rose, “I’m so happy you were able to make it. I know filming has been a pain recently, with all the travel.”

“It has, but Boston had some very good sights,” she smirked a little as she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “Lily asked me to give you that,” she whispered as she was close to his ear.

Shane smiled fondly, “I miss them,” he murmured hugging her tightly.

“I know, they miss you just as much,” she smiled softly.

“Yeah,” he said, letting her go, “I need to get ready for the press, I’ve got Nina to take you to the family room. I’ll meet you there and then we’ll head to mine. It might take a bit, but I’ll try and speed through everything.”

Rose smiled, “Sure, I’ll wait, and thanks,” she winked as Nina appeared and led the way to the family room that was set aside for players partners to wait for them after games. Or just for a play for the players to lounge around.

Rose leaned in and kissed him on the cheek again before going. Shane smiled and watched her good, before turning to his team. “Why aren’t you in the showers? Get moving.”

“Come on Cap, are you really going to say that nothing is going on between you and the very beautiful Miss Landry?” Drapeau said with a look in his eyes that Shane really didn’t like.

“She is a good friend,” Shane said as he walked past them and into the locker room.

“Hollander, press, now,” Theriualt said as he walked over to them.

Shane huffed and nodded, moving quickly to put on his hearing aids. He hated going to the press without them. He would rather not have them in, but with the press, they sometimes talked over each other and trying to find just one to lip read was a headache worse than the one they caused when he had them in.

Shane went out, began answering the usual questions about the game. He was waiting for it and soon enough one finally asked.

“So, Shane we saw Rose Landry in the crowd today, what do you think is going on between your girlfriend and Rozanov. As she was seen at lunch with him and then at his game, wearing his jersey and even blowing kisses toward him,” one of the reporters asked.

Shane wanted to roll his eyes at them, “I’ll answer hockey questions only,” he said, giving them the standadard response he had for when they started prying into his private life.

“Shane, we all know that you and Rozanov are rivals, this could affect hockey and the way it’s played. I’m asking a question that people want an answer to.” They carried on digging.

Shane’s voice dropped, going cold, “What Rose does in her time is not for me to speculate or debate about. She is a strong, independent woman who can do what she wants. She’s friends with Rozanov, just like she’s my friend. I will never dictate who someone can be friends with,” he said, “Now, if you don’t have any more hockey questions about the great game that Montreal has just played, then I think we’re done here,” he said as he turned and headed back to the locker room without waiting to see if they had anything else.

Shane went inside and heard them all teasing and jeering about Rose again. He ignored them, taking off the hearing aids and enjoying the silence that came with it. He headed to the showers; everyone else was finished. He walked back into the locker room, and everyone was still there. He sighed, knowing what they wanted to do. He ignored it as he dressed, before putting his aids in again. He turned to the room as noise returned to his world.

“Cap, you need to ditch the bitch,” Comeau stated, “She’s not good for you if she’s cozying up with Rozanov.”

“Rose is my friend,” Shane stated, “I’m not going to ditch her just because she’s friends with someone else, who the fuck do you take me for? Comeau,” he snapped at him.

“Someone who’s playing second fiddle to a Bear,” Drapeau snapped back at him, moving to stand beside his friend.

Shane looked at the two of them and then the rest of the room. “And you all feel like because I have a friend, who’s friends with another player, is wrong?” he asked, as he got nods from several of them.

“Yeah,” one of the Rookies said.

“Right, then,” Shane said, hiding a smirk, “Comeau, you can’t see your sister, as she’s dating a player with the Admirals. Laine, you and your wife are no longer allowed to be near each other, as her brother playes for LA,” he said, beginning to go to each of the players, pointing out their conections to players on other teams. “Rule for one, rule for all,” he told them, “So, am I allowed to be friends with someone who has a friend on another team, or is it because you’re all fucking fucked in the head because it just happens to be Rozanov?” he stated as he finished.

“That isn’t-” Comeau began

“It’s what you implied, asshole,” Shane told him, looking at the team in turn. “You all made your mind up for me, and I’m not going to listen to you shits. Rose is a good friend, one who listens and talks to me, and pays attention. You fucks haven’t been able to do that once when it comes to me,” he snapped, “Now, shut the fuck up about things you don’t know. I’m going to get Rose, and I’m going home. I suggest you start thinking with your brains for once,” he said as he began to brush past them.

“You should do what they say,” Theriualt said as Shane began to walk past him.

Shane glared at him, “And I’m never doing what you say when it comes to my personal life and safety,” he hissed at him, “Listening to you almost got me killed.”

Shane walked out and let the door shut behind him. Hayden and JJ shared a look and glared at their coach.

“Get fucking dressed and get out of here!” Theriualt yelled out.

“What the hell did he mean by that?” Laine asked, frowning, none of the tema moving.

“Theriault did something and during the fire, because of it, Shane had trouble getting out,” Hayden said, “Theriault knew of it, and the hotel should ahve been made aware of it, but Theriault always makes sure that Shane doesn’t book himself in,” he added, “It’s why he always rooms with me even though he can have his own room.”

Hayden grabbed his gear and followed Shane out of the locker room, JJ doing the same seconds later as the rest of the team tried to learn what the hell had happened.

XxXxX

Shane walked into the living room, handing a hot chocolate to Rose as they both sat curled on the couch, a film on the TV, and Ilya on Skype as they watched the film together. It was something that Ilya and Shane had taken to doing over the last few months. A way to have a date, without actually being beside each other.

“How was the team?” Ilya asked, as Shane had refused to say anything during the first film they had watched together.

Shane shook his head, “I do-“

“Shane,” Ilya pressed, “You have been in a thinking mood since we started the call,” he told him, “What happened?”

“They tried to demand that I ditch Rose, and they were derogatory about it,” he finally said, “I told them if I can’t be friends with someone who is friends with another player, then they can’t either. Over half the team is friends with someone on another team, or their spouse has a friend who is on another team, or their brother is,” he snorted, “Then the bastard of a coach tried to tell me to listen to the team. I put a hornet’s nest on him by telling him that listening to him almost got me killed,” he sighed, leaning back against the couch as soon as he sat down.

“Bastard,” Rose hissed, as she’d been told what had happened. She’d been horrified that the accommodations that Shane needed weren’t given to him.

“S that’s what’s going on at the moment, it’s fucked up,” Shane muttered, “But I’m getting through it. From now on, I’m checking in myself. If Theriault tries to stop me, I’m going to be shouting that I’m deaf from the rooftops, and he knows it. He’s not happy with the threat hanging over him,” he smirked slightly.

“Okay,” Ilya nodded, “I love you,” he told him softly. Causing Rose to Aww at them.

“Now, we should have step four for our make the paps pay plan,” he grinned on screen.

Shane and Rose shared a look. Rose had a devilish grin on her face as she went, “What do you have in mind?” she asked.

Shane laughed as Ilya began to plot out a few more things they could do to troll everyone. They  ended the call hours later, with a promise to meet up for All-Star weekend. They would be flying out to Tampa the next day.

 

Chapter Eleven

Shane smiled as he saw Ilya at the bar. They would be playing together, and Shane couldn’t wait for it. He walked over, smiling even more as he sat down beside him, ordering a beer. It wans’t often he drank, but the All-Star weekend was one point that he enjoyed letting loose a little during the season. “Hey,” he said as he grinned over at him.

“I see Rose has been at your wardrobe,” Ilya grinned.

“Yep,” he laughed, nodding a few times. “The shopping trip was fucking torture,” he added, “Next time, do that yourself. I know you like shopping,” he added quietly.

“I do,” Ilya nodded, “I promised Rose we would go shopping in New York together when we have time.”

Shane nodded as someone came up behind them, arms draping over their shoulders. “Well, well,” Carter Vaughan said as he looked at the two of them, “Two people who are in a love triangle with one very lovely Rose Landry,” he said, “Any comments?”

Shane snorted, “She’s a friend.”

“What he said,” Ilya grinned, “She is a good friend, finally got Hollanders wardrobe up to date instead of vibing with the dads.”

“Asshole,” Shane huffed, but smiled as he drank his beer.

“Da, you know this,” Ilya grinned.

“Are we going to see our Captain and Alt have a fight without the ice?” he commented, grinning at the two of them.

“Leave the rooks alone, Carter,” Scott said as he walked over.

“Scott,” Shane said.

“Ah, I thought I could hear cracking. How are knees, Hunter?” Ilya asked, grinning at the man.

“Asshole,” Scott muttered.

“You should start club with Hollander,” Ilya told him, “He also think I am asshole, I just tell it like it is.”

“Yeah, like an asshole with no tact,” Shane snipped at him, trying not to laugh.

“Are we going to see Rose Landry?” Carter asked to change the subject before a fight could break out between the two rivals.

“No,” Shane said.

“She’s in LA, interview this weekend,” Ilya carried on.

“Said she might come back to Montreal after for a quick visit, she’s finished filming now, but she wants to see another game,” Shane smiled.

“Told her to come to the Boston and Montreal match, so she doesn’t have to split her time,” Ilya grinned as he watched Scott and Carter look between the two of them like they were at a tennis match.

“Are you both…” Carter trailed off.

“She is a good friend,” they said at the same time, shrugging when Carter and Scott went wide-eyed at them.

“Okay,” Carter said, nodding slowly, “I get it, butt my nose out. I’m just…”

“Curious, like rest of world,” Ilya huffed, “Everyone has an opinion on friendship, but none listen.”

“We’re really just friends, no matter what the press keeps saying. She’s a good friend, and we call and talk when we can. She visits and spends time with us. Drag some of us shopping.”

“Don’t worry, Hollnader, I’ll take her shopping in New York, show her sights back in Boston, nothing fun in Montreal,” Ilya grinned at him.

“Shut up,” Shane rolled his eyes, finishing his beer off, as Ilya did the same, “I’m going to head off for a bit, haven’t even settled in my room yet. Wanted to see who was here and drink,” he told them as he began to move away.

Ilay looked at Scott and Carter, “Well, you sitting and drinking with me?” he asked.

They sat down, and Ilya remained there for half an hour before he begged off to meet with Shane.

XxXxX

Shane looked at Ilya, the two were in Shane’s room, talking and relaxing after the skills competition. Someone was knocking on the door. “Who the fuck,” Ilya grumbled as they got off the bed.

‘I’ll try and get rid of them.’ He signed as he went to the door, forgetting to put his hearing aids in.

“Shane,” Scott greeted, “Thought we should get a head start on things for tomorrow’s game. You should call Rozanov here as well. Hope you don’t mind that I brought Carter along; he’s got a few good ideas.”

Shane blinked; he hadn’t been prepared for the barrage of words. Hadn’t been ready to lip-read at all, with the way that Scott had looked back at Carter, who was standing behind him. Shane flushed a little, “I…” he began.

Ilya got up, hearing Scott’s voice, and knowing that Shane hadn’t been able to understand what had been said.

“Rozanov?” Scott frowned, spotting the man coming up behind Shane.

Shane turned, hands raised. ‘I couldn’t hear him, he said something, but I don’t know what.’ He told him, frustrated at being caught without his hearing aids.

“Sign language?” Carter murmured, confused.

“Inside,” Ilya told the two. ‘It’s okay, Shane, put your aids in, we can explain to them, they are not going to be idiots about this.’

Shane nodded and walked into the room, Scott and Carter hesitating and walking in.

“You will listen, and listen well,” Ilya said, scowling at the two men. “He is trusting you.”

Carter and Scott shared a look as they walked into the room, with enough time that they saw Shane putting on hearing aids. “What?” Scott frowned, “They-” he cut himself off as Shane turned around.

“I couldn’t hear you before,” Shane told him as he gestured to the small seating area that was in his room.

They sat down as Ilya took to sitting on the bed beside Shane.

“So…” Scott said, “What’s going on?” he asked.

“Right, so I’m deaf,” Shane said, shrugging when he saw the horrified looks on their faces.

“When… when did this happen? I’ve not known you to have such a serious injury that could cause that,” Scott said, thinking it was more recent.

“Scott, I’ve been profoundly deaf since I was seven years old. I’ve been like this for my entire NHL career,” he told him, “I use aids most of the time, except on ice, though that’s more recently changed. I do have a hearing aid on, but only so I can hear the whistles and buzzers. There’s no point in having my usual hearing aids on, I just wouldn’t be able to use them with all the noise going on,” he said as he began to explain everything.

“All the time,” Scott said, “I just… I know we’ve had a deaf player before, but that was back in the 90s.”

“Yeah,” Shane nodded, “I know, it’s because of him that I decided to try.”

“Wow,” Carter said, “but that doesn’t explain Rozanov.” 

Ilya grinned, “I knew a long time ago. Before rookie.”

“What?!” the two exclaimed, sitting forward in shock.

Shane nodded, laughing, “He guessed when we were doing the CCM shoot together, didn’t know until recently, though, that he took to learning ASL, so we could talk,” he grinned at him, “The fucker surprised me with it last year.”

“Wow, chriping in a language you know.”

“It’s fun,” Ilya told them, “I also asked Pike to teach me the signals you need in the locker room.”

Shane stared at him, “You… did?” he asked, “I…” he trailed off.

“I wanted to make sure to be able to help, Pike taught me them all, I know them good now,” he told him, “So I can signal properly.”

“Thank you,” Shane smiled at him.

“People really don’t know that you’re deaf, isn’t that dangerous?” Carter asked him, frowning slightly.

“Remember the fire when we played you in New York?” Shane asked as both he and Ilya looked furious. “It took so long for me and Hayden to get out because he had to wake me up. Hotels have special accommodations for those who are deaf. Theriault refuses to let me tell anyone to get them.”

“You have them for here, right?” Scott asked, worriedly.

Shane nodded, “Yeah, I made sure to ask. I’ve got the vibrate write band which will vibrate a lot, it wakes you up. I have something similar to an alarm. Rozanov knows I’m deaf and checks on me occasionally as well,” he added, hoping that would give them a reason why he was there in the room.

“That’s… good,” Scott nodded, “This is… weird.”

“So, you two are… friends?” Carter asked, looking between the two of them, “And what about Rose Landry? I know what it’s like to date someone famous,” he said cryptically.

“Oh?” Shane and Ilya shared a look. “We’re not dating, she’s a good friend, and sick of the way the tabloids and gossip rags are acting. So… we kind of teamed up,” Shane began.

“It’s been fun, messing with people’s heads,” Ilya grinned, “Rose is gremlin, I love it,” he laughed.

“You would,” Shane rolled his eyes, “And we’re friends. Scott, Carter, you have to understand that I’ve known Rozanov since we were both seventeen. We’ve been matched against each other since we were fifteen, and shown tapes of the other to show what we would be up against in the International Prospect Cup.”

“Da, I was shown many, many tapes of Hollander. He was the one to beat,” Ilya nodded his head. “It was awkward,” he snorted.

“Yeah,” Shane grinned, “But anyway, as for Rose-“

“They should join in, it will be fun. Rose would enjoy,” Ilya grinned widely, going to the desk, “call Rose, she finished the interview by now,” he said, holding it out, though the man already knew the password to open it up and how to call her from his laptop.

“I don’t know if I should, I’m dating someone,” Carter reminded them.

“So… so am I,” Scott hesitated.

“Oh?” Carter said, eyes wide as he looked at his friend, “Scott? Why didn’t you say?”

“It’s… complicated,” he said.

‘Gay, boyfriend.’ Ilya moved his hands too quickly for the two Admirals to see it.

Shane’s eyes went wide, and while the two were looking at each other and not paying attention. ‘Would you trust them, let them know, so maybe… Scott can come out?’

Ilya looked at the two men and then nodded, “Da,” he said. Causing the two men to stop their staring contest and look at the Russian.

“What’s going on?” Scott asked, glad that something was distracting Carter from trying to figure out who he was seeing.

“We trust you, old man,” Ilya said as he walked back over fully. He’d left the laptop to one side as he had signed to Shane.

“Yeah, what we say here can’t be repeated to anyone. Only a few know what we’re about to say,” Shane added as he held out a hand to Ilya. Ilya took it, squeezing it gently as he was pulled to the bed and sat beside Shane.

“We are together,” Ilya told them, “We’ve been something to each other a long time. Before rookie.”

Shane nodded, smiling at Ilya. “I know, it might be a bit of a shock.”

“You did say that the two of you have known each other for a long time,” Carter snorted, “What does Rose Landry think o… the rumor that she’s a messenger between you two?”

“It’s a funny one,” Shane laughed, “She plays it up. She’s… a good friend, she knows about us. So does Hayden Pike, JJ Boiziau, Cliff Marlow,” he then looked at Ilya, “Did you get around to telling St Simon?” he asked.

“Da, he almost died laughing before realize was serious,” Ilya grinned.

Shane snorted, “So, St Simon knows, and you’re friend, Svetlana?” he asked, getting a nod.

“What about your parents?” Carter asked.

Shane shook his head, “No, they don’t. I just… never told them anything.”

Ilya was watching Scott, even as they talked about things a little more. The man had been quiet since the revelation. Carter had been the one asking all the questions and even joining Ilya in seeing if Gloria would like to play along with some of the crazy things that Shane, Ilya, and Rose were coming up with.

“She is good beard, yes?” he asked as he glanced at Shane.

“Yeah, Shane nodded, “She’s having a lot of fun messing with the reporters when it comes to the two of us.”

“I’m gay,” Scott said suddenly. “I’m gay, and I have someone who I really like, and I keep him secret, and it’s killing us.”

“Scott,” Carter said. “Fuck, man,” he said, seeing that Scott was bracing for something.

“I’m sorry, I just-“

“No, sorry,” Ilya told him, “Is safe space,” he declared. “Shane and I are together; it’s hard to hide all the time. But we know the risk of what we do and why we hide. Boyfriend is not player?” he asked Scott.

“No… no, he’s not. I met him recently, we’re dating, but I can tell he’s chaffing because I’m hiding things. In the closet, I told him right at the start, it would be like that for a while. Crowell is a homophobic asshole,” he added quietly at the end.

“Da, he is,” Ilya agreed.

Shane snorted, “He’d have an aneurysm if he knew that the three best players in the league were all queer.”

Ilya laughed, “Crowell going, I am dead, gay love has killed me!” he said dramatically as he flopped back on the bed.

Scott cracked a smile at that.

“We know what we’re facing, all three of us, but as your boyfriend isn’t really part of the hockey world, he wouldn’t understand it,” Shane then said, as he finished laughing at Ilya’s dramatics.

“Call him, we talk, explain it more,” Ilya told him, “Let him know that it is hard for you, more than he understands.”

Shane nodded again, “It’s hard for those outside of it to understand the type of pressure we’re under. It doesn’t help that a lot of the chirps on ice are slurs against race and sexuality. Most don’t even know that, or if they do, choose to ignore it. And then there is the locker rooms. There are so many people outside of it who won’t or can’t understand.”

Scott nodded, glancing at Carter.

“Is this why you hid?” Carter asked, sounding sad.

Scott nodded again, “Yeah, fuck Carter, I’ve been like this since I was a teen, after my parents died. I knew if I was out.”

“Career over, you alone,” Ilya nodded, “Da, I understand, we understand.”

Shane nodded, “Let’s talk with him, make him understand that at the moment, it’s not a good idea to come out too publicly. Yeah, it’s fucked up, but I think Ilya and I are getting sick of having to hide as well. There are players and staff who will accept, we’ve come out to those we trust. I know the rest of Montreal aren’t good. Boston?” he said, looking at Ilya.

“They are very accepting,” Ilya said, “Marlow’s sister is lesbian, Connors brother is trans,” he added, “They do not care.”

“What about the Admirals?”

“They’ll be fine, the one I would have worried about was traded a little while ago,” Carter was the one to answer, “Look, Scott, the Admirals will ahve your back, you know that. We’re family.”

Scott looked at him, “I… know.”

“Call boyfriend, want to see why he chose a dinosaur,” Ilya teased, causing Scott to growl.

“Ilya,” Shane huffed, rolling his eyes.

Scott hesitated for a moment and then called Kip. “Hey,” he said as soon as the line connected, “How are you?” The others listened to his side of the conversation before he said, “I’ve told some of the other players, one is my teammate, and the other two of the better playes in the league,” he added quietly, “They’d like to meet you, but it’ll have to be like this until another time. Is it okay to put you on svidcall?” he asked, waiting a second before the vidcall came through and he answered that and turned the phone so Kip could see the others in the room..”Carter, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov,” he said, turning it so Kip could see the others int he room.

“Hi,” came the strong but unsure voice of Kip Grady.

“Hi, I’m Shane,” Shane said, “It’s nice to meet you, wish it was face to face. Scott’s got one hell of a besotted look on his face.” Ilya grabbed the phone and turned it so that he could turn it to show Scott.

“He does!” Ilya laughed, “It’s cute.”

“Oh, he really did tell you,” Kip said, still surprised that Scott had done so, “I didn’t think he would ever want to do that.”

“I do, Kip,” Scott said, “Fuck do I. But you…”

“A homophobe runs the league,” Ilya stated, “Bad man that will cut people out of the game if they do things he doesn’t like. Saw it happen before.”

Shane and Scott both nodded, “Mathewson,” they said at the same time.

“Fuck, forgot about him,” Carter said, looking down.

“Who’s Mathewson?” Kip asked.

“A player, three years ago, people found out he was gay. Had partner. Crowell got him blacklisted, was dropped from his team, his teammates ignored him, and everything,” Ilya said, “He is not best player, but good, solid winger.”

Shane nodded, “Yeah, the thing is, you don’t know if they are or not with some of the ones that have left the league. I know a few have headed to other leagues in Europe. So it could be that. We don’t know, it’s one of the reasons we hide, even though it’s 2017, and we shouldn’t have to keep hiding anymore.”

“We need to play, coming out,” Ilya said, “Need to be strategic,” he added, looking at those in the room, “Shane and I are together, we have been something to each other for long time, a very long time. We’ve hidden it for years.”

“Meeting in hotel rooms when we play against each other, at All-Star, the Awards, anytime we get the chance to meet up, we do. The night of the fire in New York, I was actually going to be heading to meet with Ilya the next day, to stay with him in secret, locked in a hotel room, for a day or two, just so we could have time with each other,” Shane said as he reached out and took Ilya’s hand.

“So, coming out will happen?” Kip asked, “I wish I was there so I could-“

“I wish you was too,” Scott said, “Kip, I did warn you, that this might be a long term thing when I asked you. It’s hard to know we have something dangling over our heads as soon as we make a wrong move.”

“We need public on side with us,” Ilya said, “sympathy and such,” he added, “It work better.”

“You two wouldn’t be able to do it,” Carter said as he looked at Ilya and Shane, “The rivalry, the games against each other, everything will be called into questions from the moment they find out. That you both have been dating for a while…” he trailed off.

Shane and Ilya shared a look, “We’ve been something before our Rookie seasons,” Shane finally said, “It’s been a very long time for us. Since we were eighteen, we’re going to be twenty six soon enough. Near the end of the season.”

“Fucking hell, seven years?” Scott blinked at them.

“I can’t imagine spending that long hiding from people,” Kip said softly. “I hate lying to my friends.”

“Pick those that you trust, that you would trust with your very life and speak to them, bring them into the secret. Have them meet Scott, personally, and make sure they know that talking is a problem. Having some people you know in your corner, those important to you, is a good thing. We have some friends we trust to have our backs,” Ilya said as he looked at Scott and Carter.

“Good friends make things seem more bearable,” Shane added, “But we come up with a plan to come out, to make sure that Crowell can’t do anything to us like he has in the past, not without exposing him. Because the way the fans are now, there are a lot more open, and the outcry will not be what he expects. I think… I might be able to get my Mom to help with this type of thing,” he said, biting his lip.

“So we make a plan, we keep to it as best as we can, but have a backup plan?” Ilya suggested.

Carter nodded, “Yeah.”

“We protect each other,” Scott said, “I’m tired of hiding all the time.”

“Looking over your shoulder every day sucks,” Shane agreed.

Ilya and Scott nodded, “Then we plan on how to come out, and make sure we’re protected, “Ilya said as he looked at them.

“You’re three of the best,” Carter said, “Hopefully that will help.”

“Get pubic on side,” Scott added, “Shane and I have that down.”

“I will be problem,” Ilya said, “Dirty Russian,” he added, sighing, “There is not much I can do to change that.”

“We don’t,” Shane said, “We’ll think of something, but for now let’s try and plan how this can happen,” he said as the four of them, and Kip began to try and figure out a way to come out without Crowell ending their careers.