Chapter Text
Shane and Ilya are absolutely no secret to the world anymore. Everyone knows that they are in a committed relationship. Everyone knows they are married.
Hayden fucking Pike made sure of that. Even though Pike is not particularly Ilya’s favourite person in the world, and Ilya would’ve preferred to come out on his own terms, a part of him will always be thankful to Pike for just calling it out to the world. No excuses, no bullshit, just a passionate kiss that revealed their secret to everyone.
Thousands of people speculate every day about how long the world's most famous relationship has been going on, since it was never really addressed. No one actually knew how far back their first real encounter went.
It seems obvious to most people that Hollander and Rozanov have been in a relationship for around two, three or four years; rarely does anyone dare to think that a longer timeline for their relationship could be an option.
Ilya is skating across the ice during an early morning practice at the Ottawa Centaurs ice rink. Soon, he makes his way to Wyatt, who’s comfortably chilling out in front of the goal, having stopped possibly every single shot that was aimed at him today so far.
Ilya takes a stop next to the goal and leans against the post during a short break, while most players are sipping water.
“The weather is pretty shit today. I actually wanted to go on a bike ride. Maybe to the lake, but I think I have to cancel those plans.” Wyatt casually starts a conversation with Ilya.
He’s a simple guy. Usually, even in the depths of a very stressful game, Wyatt finds a way to mention the weather. It might even be his favourite topic.
Ilya chuckles. “You will have to find something else to do this afternoon. We don’t have practice tomorrow, so you’ve got a whole day of shitty weather and doing nothing waiting for you.”
Wyatt lets out a disappointed sigh.
“Damn, I really wanted to do something. Well, I’m really looking forward to the Olympics this year, even if I can’t play. I’m excited for you to finally be able to play on the Canadian team. I’ll be rooting for you and Holly.”
Ilya grins. He’s very much looking forward to this year‘s Olympics. He and Shane playing on the same team during the season is already the best thing that could’ve ever happened to him. But having the opportunity to play with his husband in an Olympic game – possibly, hopefully fighting for a gold medal – and most importantly (expectantly) winning a gold medal, sounds like an absolute dream come true.
Wyatt catches the fond look in Ilya’s eyes, and while his interpretation does go in the right direction, it still is not quite accurate to what Ilya is actually feeling.
“First Olympics married to Hollander, huh? Must be exciting. I can imagine you’re looking forward to that.”
Ilya raises a brow at his goalie.
“Well, yes, we have been to Sochi Olympics in 2014, but that was a rough patch in our relationship, and we weren’t on the same team. So I am looking forward to playing together.”
Wyatt throws a confused look at Ilya.
“Wait, what do you mean by 'rough patch'? You mean with your rivalry,… or?”
Ilya shakes his head, not yet understanding the gravity of the situation.
“No, no, I mean with our relationship. Well, I wouldn’t really call it a relationship back then, but it was hard because it was in Russia, and you know, Russia. So I am happy it will not be there this year.”
Wyatt’s mouth drops open.
“Your relationship?! As in romance?! What in the world? In 2014?! Are you fucking with me?”
Only then does Ilya actually tear his eyes away from his drinking teammates to face Wyatt’s shocked expression, and he realises he’s never actually told anyone – except Shane’s parents – how long ago he and Shane have been in a relationship. Well, at least the word that Shane hates: lovers.
“Oh yes, as I said, it wasn’t really a relationship yet, but you know.”
Ilya worries about Wyatt’s mouth possibly drying out due to how long it stays open, unmoved. It takes the other man a few long moments to find his next words.
“'You know?' No, I do not know! Two thousand and fourteen?!”
Ilya’s fond expression turns into a smug, crooked grin.
Wyatt digs deeper. “You were fucking in 2014, and you hooked up at the Olympics in Russia?”
Ilya calmly shakes his head.
“Oh no, no, we didn’t hook up in Russia. It wouldn’t have been possible. Too dangerous. As I said, it was a rough patch in our relationship. Well, not really a relationship. We actually started in rookie year. More accurately, the summer bef-“
“Excuse me?! The summer before your rookie year? You’re fucking with me, right? That’s like over a fucking decade, dude.”
“Well, yes, but we only really got together in like 2017.”
“You’ve been in a committed relationship since 2017. You know that you’re making everyone believe you’ve been together for like one, two or three years. What the fuck.”
Ilya shrugs.
“No, I never said that.”
He pushes away to the boards, leaving an absolutely shocked Wyatt in his wake. Safe to say he won’t be stopping any more goals for the rest of the practice.
Ilya winks at Shane while he grabs his own bottle. Shane throws him a quizzical look.
“What’s Wyatt so shocked about? How did you traumatise that poor man?”
Ilya squirts some water into his mouth.
“You always assume worst. I told him we’ve been fucking since the summer before rookie year.”
Shane glares at Ilya, eyes slightly widening in surprise.
“Ilya, are you serious?”
“Yes, he asked. He thought we’d been together for like two or three years.”
A sign of realisation flashes across Shane’s eyes.
“I guess we’ve never really said anything about our timeline, have we?”
Ilya shrugs once again.
“We just let assume. I don’t give a fuck. I’ll tell whoever asks, but if they don’t ask, I can’t help them.”