Chapter Text
Contrary to popular belief, Hayden did not have a problem with Shane and Rozanov’s relationship. His personal feelings for the second aside, he could clearly tell that Shane was happier and healthier since he was able to share his relationship and, consequently, a huge part of his identity with the world. Or was forced to do so. Something that Hayden has continuously apologized for, by the way.
However, that does not equate to believing Rozanov was good enough for his friend. I mean, that was the entire point of best friends, right? To protect each other from potential heartbreak in the shape of an, admittedly unfairly attractive, Russian monster, who he did not thrust with his best friend's sensitive heart. That was the thing most people did not understand about Shane. His cold and calculating exterior, combined with the precision with which he would destroy an opponent on the ice, led most to believe he was incapable of feeling deeply. That was generally the impression in the Montreal locker room. Through their time playing together, he had heard multiple mean-spirited nicknames directed at his friend disguised as the typical hockey brother jokes, but the one that seemed to get under Shane’s skin the most was “Ice Princess”. Homophobic and sexist implications aside, Hayden understood why that bothered him so much. It was fundamentally untrue. And yet, how most of the world perceived Shane. They didn’t see how he patiently introduced Jackie to the other WAGs on the team when Hayden started dating her. Or how he always could tell exactly when Arthur needed the TV volume to be turned down or his sisters to go play in another room. So yeah, sue him, Hayden is worried his pure-hearted little brother is going to get crushed by the biggest man-whore in North America.
So when Shane asked him and JJ to visit him at the cottage for an entire weekend, just the three of them, he was ecstatic. Not only did he get to spend some alone time with his boys, but he had a Rozanov free weekend to politely pry, and try to assess exactly how much damage was already done - and if his friend could still be saved.
Hayden and JJ made the drive up from Montreal together.
“How are you feeling about this weekend?” His friend asked.
“I’m really looking forward to it.” Hayden answered honestly. “I feel like we’ve had no time with Shane without you-know-who glued to his side.”
JJ gave a weak laugh and shifted in his seat uncomfortably.
“What?” Hayden pried.
“I don’t know, man.” JJ sighed.“I feel really guilty about the way things shook out in Montreal. We failed in protecting Shane when the locker room turned against him. Fuck, I even turned against him.” JJ frowned, looking embarrassed. “Honestly, Shane is so much better than me for even giving us this second chance. I just want to be a good friend and get to know him again. For real this time. Without this huge secret between us.” JJ waived his arms, frustrated with himself. “Plus, I don’t know, man. I’ve been asking some of my friends from Boston and-“
“I swear to god if you’re about to give me the Rozanov is not as bad as he seems speech fucking save it.” Hayden interrupted. “Also, you should feel guilty for being a complete weirdo in that last game. As if Shane would ever slip on purpose.” Hayden huffed.
“And I feel really shitty about it, ok?!” JJ raised his voice. “But I’m not the one still actively shitting on his relationship, Hayden. I’m trying! I’m doing everything I can to support him. And you are the one still holding a weird grudge against your best friend's fucking husband.”
Hayden let out a bitter laugh and rolled his eyes. He couldn’t believe he was being labelled as the bad guy in this situation. Throughout Shane’s entire carreer he was the only one standing by his side. He was the one who stood up for him in the Montreal locker room. And he was the only one not letting his husband’s charms cloud his judgment. He was the only one still holding a defensive position and protecting Shane’s heart.
“Look, I’m sorry, ok?” JJ let out after a minute of awkward silence. “I want this weekend to be good. Really good. I want our friendship to go back to the way it used to be. Fuck, you guys are my best friends in the entire world. I don’t give a shit about any of those other Montreal fuckers. But if you keep shitting on Rozanov, dude… Shane is going to keep pushing us away.”
Hayden turned his friend's words over in his head. He understood where he was coming from, he really did. But if they learnt anything from this situation, wasn’t it to be honest with each other?
——-
They arrived at the “cottage”, as Shane referred to his lakefront mansion, as the sun was setting. Shane came to the front door right when the car pulled up to the driveway, as the gracious host he was.
They walked up to him, holding their bags with matching smiles on their faces.
“Hi guys! I’m so glad you guys made the drive up!” Shane said, clapping each of them on the shoulder and giving them a quick hug. “You guys can drop your bags in the two guest rooms downstairs.”
Just then, heavy footsteps had all three men turning towards the staircase where Rozanov was running down, with his weird mutt following along with her tongue out, nudging his leg whenever she thought he was going too slow.
“Ugh! Are you kidding me! I thought this was a boys weekend, dude!” Hayden couldn’t help complaining.
JJ gave him a hard stare. Shane looked away quickly, frowning towards the floor, in a way that reminded Hayden of how he would react when one of their teammates made a particularly offensive joke.
Rozanov just extended him that annoying grin. The bane of his existence.
“Don’t worry your tiny little brain, Pike, I am on my way out the door," He walked over to Shane and wrapped his arms around his waist. Shane seemed to immediately melt into it, burying himself in the Russian’s chest.
“Bye, moya lyubov.” He whispered into Shane’s hair before kissing his temple. Then both his cheeks. Finally, reaching his mouth where he lingered, licking into the other boy's mouth like they were being separated for a year, and not a weekend.
When they came up for air (perhaps at the encouragement of Hayden’s pointed cough), Shane pushed their foreheads together. “I’ll miss you.” He said in a small voice.
And here’s the thing, superficially, Hayden knows this is a huge deal for Shane. Being able to love his partner in front of his friends. To show affection in a way he’s witnessed everyone else do throughout his life. But the dopey smile on Rozanov’s face had the power to enrage him in a way that immediately overshadowed every other positive feeling.
“Ok bye! You can leave now!” Hayden interrupted.
Shane glared at him, before turning back into his husband’s arms. 'Я не хочу, чтобы ты уходил. Я не хочу спать одна, пожалуйста.” (I don’’t want you to go. I don’t want to sleep alone, please).
Hayden did not understand a single word of the clumsy Russian that came out of his friend's mouth but he did see the way Rozanov’s eyes soften before he tucked a strand of Shane’s hair behind his ear and leaned in to give his husband another, thankfully quicker, kiss.
“You guys will have so much fun this weekend. And I’ll be a couple of houses away, at the Hollander’s so feel free to call or text if you need anything.” Rozanov said, turning to the two other boys during the second part. “I love you so much.” He said back to his husband. “I want you to have fun with your friends.”
Shane gave him another quick kiss before hugging him tight. Rozanov gave the two of them a final wave before bending down to pet his dog, who was lying on the front entrance, seemingly bored by this whole interaction.
“Bye my sweet girl, Anya.” He cooed. “Please take good care of your daddy for me. “ He leaned down and laid a series of kisses on her fur..
Anya barked contently before turning to watch one of her dads walk out the door, not before blowing Shane an obnoxious amount of kisses.
Shane laid his hand on the dog’s head, petting it softly before turning around to his friends. “If you guys want to drop off your stuff in your room, I can light the fireplace outside, and maybe we can catch-up for a bit?’
“Sounds perfect, mon ami.” JJ exclaimed before Hayden could make things any more awkward.