Rating:

General Audiences

Archive Warning:

No Archive Warnings Apply

Category:

M/M

Fandoms:

Heated Rivalry (TV), Game Changers Series - Rachel Reid, The Shots You Take - Rachel Reid

Relationships:

Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov, Kip Grady/Scott Hunter, Adam Sheppard/Riley Tuck, Shane Hollander & Scott Hunter, Kip Grady & Ilya Rozanov

Characters:

Shane Hollander, Scott Hunter (Game Changers), Ilya Rozanov, Kip Grady, Riley Tuck, Adam Sheppard, Eric Bennett, Elena Rygg, Rose Landry, Carter Vaughn, George Grady, Basically everyone in Scott's inner circle gets a shout out, And a few who aren't

Additional Tags:

Autistic Shane Hollander, Kip Grady & Ilya Rozanov Friendship, Scott Hunter Knows About Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov, But wishes he didn't, Scott is Shane's mentor, The Admirals are awesome, The Metros not so much, Fuck the metros/voyageurs, I've finished The Long Game and I hate them

Language:

English

Series:

Part 6 of Troublemakers

Stats:

Published: 2026-01-25 Words: 5,219 Chapters: 1/1

In A Blue Moon

Summary

Scott hosts a party. He and Shane have a long overdue conversation.

(Aka, Scott knows. He just doesn't want to know.)

Notes

Here is the sixth story in my 'Troublemakers' series, aka, the story where Ilya and Kip become friends and make it everyone else's problem.

Enjoy.

The Kingfisher was full of noise and laughter, the small crowd mingling and chatting and enjoying their night.

From the bar, Scott Hunter smiled to himself.

He wasn’t exactly the most social person, but he had been the brainchild behind this particular night. Organising to rent out the bar for the evening to celebrate his birthday with his favourite people in the world.

Piled into the room were most of the Admirals Hockey team and their partners, several members of their social and supporting teams. Their coach, Harv Murdock, was also in attendance, keeping a watchful eye on them all, not that he would ruin his boys' fun if he could help it.

There were also Scott’s friends from outside of the Admirals world, including a few players from other teams who he had the honour to call friends.

Kip’s little core friendship group was, of course, there too. Elena, who still intimated Scott a little. Kyle and Maria and Shawn. Kip’s dad had unfortunately been working, but Scott knew he was planning to swing by after his shift. At least that was the lie they had told Kip. Scott had plans and he needed George’s help for them.

It was a weird mix of people but to Scott, it was the best group of people in the world. For a public figure, he had many people, both famous and normal around him but to him, they were his friends first and he would never, ever give any one of them up. Besides, it was amusing, watching everyone mingle.

It seemed, no matter how famous a person was, there was someone in the room that caused them to become tongue tied and nervous.

His best friend, Carter Vaughn had brought his girlfriend Gloria Grey, who was already a famous actress. Gloria had been in town for the last week, promoting a new movie and taking some down time to be with Vaughny. Scott liked her. She was smart and silly and talented and made his friend so happy. She had actually called Scott ahead of the party because one of her co-stars happened to also be in town and had nothing to do and she was wondering if she could bring them along.

And that was how famous actress and probable future academy award winner Rose Landry ended up at his party.

Scott hadn’t met Rose before, only knowing of her from Gloria, a few of her movies he had seen and a few months of rumours that she was dating Shane Hollander and he was surprised to learn she was a mad hockey fan and was even a little bit nervous of meeting Scott when Gloria introduced them, hesitantly inviting him and Kip to a red carpet premiere of her and Gloria’s new movie.

Not that she needed to be nervous. Like Gloria, she was a sweet and a very down to earth person. If Scott hadn’t known what he knew about Shane Hollander, he would have called the man an idiot for screwing up that relationship.

Scott had made a point after that of introducing her to Kip and his friends. He could already tell Kip would love her too. And her presence had definitely sent a few of Kip's friends into a silent frenzy. Shawn in particular, looked like he was about to burst.

Of course, Rose Landry wasn’t the only one causing a stir with her presence at the Kingfisher.

Scott had decided to invite his former mentor, Adam Sheppard to the party. He and Adam had recently reconnected after losing touch a few years prior when Adam retired with a career ending shoulder injury.

Scott would never be able to repay Adam for how the other man had looked out for him when he was a rookie. Unlike a lot of the rookies of his generation of players, Scott had come to the MLH without a solid support structure around him. Adam, a player in his prime at the time, had noticed Scott’s lack of family and had taken him under his wing, despite them being on opposing teams.

Over the years, they would take time to catch up in the off season, play together on the All Star’s Teams and Adam had made it clear he was always just a phone call away if Scott needed a friendly ear to listen to him.

By the time Adam retired, Scott had firmly solidified his position in the League and hadn’t really needed a mentor anymore but he had never forgotten the man’s kindness. And of course, how Adam was one of the first people to reach out to him after he had come out at the Stanley Cup.

Scott had never suspected that Adam, too, was gay, until the man had come out to him after they had reestablished their friendship. The man had a wife and kids when Scott first knew him but things had changed over the years and well, it seemed Scott and Kip’s actions had caused a shift in many people's lives.

Since that first call, Adam had become a firm friend, as had his boyfriend Riley Tuck, another former player who Scott and Kip had been introduced to shortly after everything had been revealed.

So it was a no-brainer to invite them to the party too.

Scott was just pleased they had decided to venture out of their small town in Nova Scotia to attend and it was amusing just how many of his teammates were now fawning over Adam. He was sure it was a common occurrence for the man now, since he had recently been inducted into the MHL Hall of Fame.

Scott was also fairly sure Mattie Jalo had been close to tears when Adam said hello to him.

Although the funniest interaction, Scott thought, had to be between Riley and Shane Hollander.

Shane, despite being a member of an opposing team, had also become a good friend recently so he had been invited too. Scott was just surprised he had attended in the end, given they were at a gay bar. And that he hadn’t seemed surprised by the presence of his ex at the party. Hell, Scott had seen Shane and Rose hug almost as soon as the man had arrived.

Scott had liked the kid from the start, when he was a nervous rookie trying to prove himself and had insisted on calling Scott ‘Mr. Hunter’. Shane hadn’t really needed the mentorship the way Scott had, but Scott had always tried to be there for him if he needed it, as a friendly face. In the same way Scott had been Adam’s rookie, he felt that Shane was his.

Shane too, had recently come out, although not to the public yet. Scott could still remember the call from the kid, when he had asked for Scott’s advice on how to tell his team mates. Scott had tried to put on a reassuring air for that call, even if he wasn’t as certain of Shane receiving as warm a reception from the Metros as Scott had received from the Admirals. Compared to some of the teams, the Metros were still a bit of a problem, some of their players taking their chirping during games too far. Scott had been on the receiving end of more than one homophobic slur from a Metro player, and he hoped that Shane wasn’t receiving any hostility or pushback.

Still, he was glad to see the kid relax a little at the party, away from the crowds and the paps and the pressure. Scott had made sure that his party would be a safe space for everyone, famous or not, to cut loose and be themselves.

Well Shane had been relaxed until Scott had introduced him to Adam. But it wasn’t Adam who Shane had fixated on.

Scott knew Shane would have been a kid back in Canada when Adam and Riley had been players together, but he hadn’t realised that Riley in particular had been one of Shane's favourite players.

Shane was a little odd at the best of times but the starstruck way he had looked at Riley when Scott had introduced them had been something else. For a public figure, it had almost been comical how quickly he had lost his composure, acting like a kid meeting his crush.

As Shane had blabbered at Riley, mentioning all the games he had played and all the records he had broken, Adam had grinned at Scott and quietly asked if he should be wary of Hollander trying to steal his boyfriend.

Scott wasn’t sure how Adam had picked up on Shane’s sexuality so quickly, but he was glad there was no heat to the comment. And even more glad that Adam had seemed pleased someone was acknowledging Riley’s former career.

Scott knew now, from reading Adam’s book, how the League had abandoned Riley. Mental Health, until recently, had been a taboo topic and Riley had been forced to suffer in silence for so long, until his only choice was to retire or destroy himself. And then, to add insult to injury, when Riley had finally made the difficult decision to walk away, the media had painted him as a quitter, as a waste. A ‘Could have been’.

Scott was just glad the narrative was now changing both around mental health and about Riley’s career and he was certain Adam was thrilled that a superstar player like Shane Hollander not only knew of Riley but was actually excited to meet him.

Of course, the excited talk with Riley had been cut short when Ilya Rozanov had arrived to intervene in the conversation in his usual annoying way.

Scott really did have a love/hate relationship with the guy.

Rozanov was a pain in the ass on the ice and off the ice, he could be just as annoying. Scott was trying to kid himself into thinking he had only invited Rozanov to the party because he was Kip’s friend, even though he knew deep down, that wasn’t exactly true.

Rozanov, despite being an asshole most of the time, did care. He had reached out several times over the years, when Scott had come out. When Scott’s game slipped or he got injured. It was usually disguised as insults, but Scott could read between the lines and see the man genuinely cared. And Scott, despite himself, kind of liked the guy for it.

And he had also become a secret informant of sorts for Scott.

Scott loved his boyfriend. But he also knew Kip was a stubborn son of a bitch sometimes. Their disputes about money was still an occasional sore spot for them both, Kip refusing to let Scott help fund his education and insisting on paying his own way, despite Scott being on a million dollar a year contract.

But their habits of hiding pain from each other was definitely something they still needed to work on. Since they both played contact sports, Scott with his hockey and Kip with his rugby, they were both used to pushing through injuries. They were also used to trying to protect each other from the worst of them, both too proud to admit when they were hurting.

Scott was very aware that someone on his team was ratting him out to Kip every time he took a bad hit on the ice. Even when Kip was busy with work and unable to watch Scott’s games, he always seemed to know as soon as they were together again, what injury Scott had gained and how to treat it. Not that Scott minded too much when Kip insisted on playing sexy nurse but it was the principle of the thing.

So Scott was grateful that Rozanov had decided to become his own informant for Kip’s games. It had all started with the Russian texting him one day out of the blue to tell him Kip had bruised his ribs during a training session and ordering him to take better care of his boyfriend. It had been so reminiscent of the Boston Game, when he had walked in on Kip and Rozanov talking and the Russian had dropped not so subtle hints that Kip was hurt.

Scott, as much as he hated that Rozanov was betraying Kip’s confidence, had been grateful. The information had allowed him to take care of his boyfriend and be a better partner. He was also fairly sure Kip knew Rozanov was reporting to Scott but plausible deniability was on their side and Kip couldn’t exactly talk when he was doing the same thing. So they both pretended that they didn’t have someone watching each other and Rozanov got to play at being a spy and drag Scott when he was bored.

But that wasn’t Rozanov’s goal in that moment, as he crashed the conversation between Shane and Riley, just as Shane began what sounded like a prepared speech about the Irina Foundation, the mental health charity which he and Rozanov had created.

Riley had looked a little overwhelmed at the info dump as Rozanov derailed Shane and managed to redirect the conversation, allowing the older man to escape back to his boyfriend’s side.

“Fuck.” Riley had muttered as he came over to Adam and Scott. “That kid’s intense.”

Adam had chuckled and wrapped an arm around Riley’s shoulder.

“He’s just excited to meet his hero.” The former player replied, grinning. Adam knew all about how to deal with excited fans but Riley was definitely out of practice on that one. “So how’d it feel to be ‘the’ Shane Hollander’s hockey crush Riles?”

“Shut up.” Riley had muttered, burying his face against Adam’s shoulder.

“It’s cute!” Adam argued back.

Scott had grinned and drifted away, giving the two a little privacy, or as much as they could get in a crowded bar.

He drifted through the crowd, stopping to talk with people. He received many ‘Happy Birthday’s’, many offers of drinks or pats on the back.

He had spent a bit of time talking with Eric Bennett, his other best friend on the team. Benny’s divorce had just been finalised and he knew the man wasn’t feeling so social so he was pleased that the other player had made the effort to attend the party, even if he was certain the man wouldn’t hang around for long.

He had waved off the offer to join Vaughny, Huff and Tommy for a round of shots. And he had happily tried the new drink Kyle had made for him, the Scott Hunter Cocktail, which apparently was going to be added to the Kingfisher’s menu.

Kip had even arrived at his side at one point, checking in on him to make sure he was having fun at his own party. The wicked grin on Kip’s face as he had whispered into Scott’s ear that he would receive his birthday present after the party ended hadn’t done anything to calm Scott down from the almost permanent state of arousal Kip’s presence always caused.

He had only just managed to bite back his own reply, a little quip about having a surprise for Kip too. The small box in his jacket pocket was evidence of that.

Instead, he had grinned and kissed his man before his attention had been pulled away as Murdock had called him over and Kip had left his side to go speak to someone else.

Finally, after spending a few hours speaking with just about everyone, Scott had settled in a corner by the bar and just gazed at the crowd of people, his people.

Some were seated at the bar or in the booths, some standing around the small table of party foods Scott had paid a caterer for. Some were on the tiny makeshift dancefloor.

A few people had already departed for the evening. Adam and Riley had left early, Adam saying something about finally finding Times Square, even as Riley rolled his eyes behind his back. Scott wasn’t too sad because he had already organised for him and Kip to meet the two for breakfast before they flew home.

Benny had also said his goodbyes and gone home, much to Scott’s not so secret worry. He loved the guy and didn’t like the idea of the man being alone so soon after his divorce, but Eric Bennett was an adult, and Scott couldn’t make him stay.

Murdock’s lovely wife had also left but her husband had stayed put, mostly to keep an eye on things. The Coach had already told everyone before the party began that if anyone fucked up tonight, he would be making them run suicides every days for a whole season which Scott had confirmed. He wasn’t risking his good standing with the Kingfisher because Tommy Anderson wanted to reenact that scene from Coyote Ugly.

Scott could see Vaughny with Gloria, gently swaying to the music. Huff and his wife were also dancing. By the bar, Murdock was deep in conversation with Rose Landry. Scott didn’t know what they were talking about but given Rose’s earlier reactions and Murdock’s stunned look, it was probably something hockey related.

Kip’s friends Maria and Shawn were talking with Maddie Jalo in one corner and at the other end of the bar, Scott could see Kip talking with Elena and Rozanov.

Scott tried not to feel nervous about that particular group. Elena still intimidated him a little despite being an amazing friend and with Rozanov being there, he was terrified of what they would get up to. If Elena and Rozanov ever decided to gang up on Scott, he would be in serious trouble.

Trying to ignore the slight stab of fear in his gut when he spied Rozanov’s wolf-like grin as the man said something which caused Kip and Elena to burst out laughing, Scott glanced around the room again, looking for something to distract himself.

Just about everyone was occupied, in their own little worlds. Scott knew he could join any of them and be welcomed. He was contemplating going over to join Murdock when he spied Shane sitting in a booth on his own, nursing a drink. But the kids focus wasn’t on the drink, or even glancing around the room like Scott had just been doing. Inside, his focus was fixed on a single point. Scott turned, trying to figure out what had caught the other man’s attention so completely.

Then he realised Shane had been looking at the same group Scott had so recently been contimplating. He was watching Kip, Elena and Rozanov.

No, that wasn’t correct. Scott could see that the man was looking in the direction of the group. But his gaze was definitely fixed on Rozanov.

Shit. Not this again.

To say Scott had been surprised when Shane had come out to him would be a lie. As much as Kip and his friends occasionally teased Scott about his defective Gaydar, he had clocked the kid almost the moment he had met him. He had also noticed the huge crush Shane had on Rozanov even in the very beginning.

Scott knew very well Rozanov's reputation. The man was notorious for being fast and loose and there were many stories of his wild nights with the ladies of Boston and the heartbreak he left in his wake. He also didn’t seem to mind going after his own gender, given the amount of times Scott had caught him flirting with Kip, even if Kip refused to see it. He wouldn’t put it past the Russian to try and drag a fellow hockey player into his bed, if he hadn’t already.

Shane on the other hand, was not the sort to play those games. He had always struck Scott as being the loyal until he died type. Which put him in a prime position for heartbreak.

Scott had already caught them once, a few years back when Rozanov had propositioned Shane during his first All Stars Game. It was ballsy of Rozanov to try, given that Shane had been sitting right next to Scott at the time.

Scott hadn’t wanted to get involved; he really hadn’t. Shane was an adult and could make his own choices but still, Scott wanted to protect him. Dropping the hint that he was next door had hopefully warned Shane off from stepping into the lion's den. Not that Scott was 100% sure he had succeeded. He had tried to ignore it but he was fairly certain he had heard some suspicious noises from the room next to his that night. He just hoped it was some random girl and not Shane.

Whatever it was, Scott had assumed Shane had a handle on it. He and Rozanov had started working together on a charity for crying out loud. They had both sunk millions of dollars into it. They would be foolish to mess around with each other and possibly ruin it all.

Then Scott spied something odd. Rozanov turned, toothy grin still plastered across his face. Then his eyes landed on Shane and Scott swore, they softened, the smirk becoming something more real. Not hungry like Scott would have expected but…. God, it reminded him sometimes of the looks Kip shot at him when he didn’t realise Scott was watching.

Shit, this infatuation went both ways.

Turning, Scott decided it was time to give Shane some company, if only to try and stop him getting any bad ideas.

“That better just be ginger ale.” He said as he approached, gesturing to the glass before Shane.

Shane jumped, taken unaware before glancing quickly down at the glass, as if to confirm what was inside it. Then he registerd the comment. A quick smile crossed his face as he remembered back at his first MLH awards, when he had taken home the Rookie of the Year award and Scott had greeted him with the exact same comment.

“Yeah. It is. Kip got it for me.” He said, raising the glass to take a quick sip.

Scott smiled at that. He knew Kip had made sure there were non-alcoholic alternatives at the party. Several of their guests were known teetotalers, Benny and Riley included and Kip had been determined that everyone was catered for. Scott knew Shane, although not abstaining from alcohol totally, preferred ginger ales to other drinks. But he didn't remember telling Kip that and he knew it wasn't a drink the Kingfisher usually had. Briefly, Scott wondered how his boyfriend had known to stock it. Then he brushed that thought aside. He was just glad everyone was happy.

“May I?” He asked, gesturing to the seat across from Shane.

Shane smiled and nodded, watching as Scott slipped into the booth and placed his own drink on the table.

“So.” Scott said, weighing up if he should just jump into the conversation he wanted to have or wait for Shane to talk. Scott knew he was an overly intense guy, but Hollander was definitely on the more timid side. It would probably be better if Scott just went for it.

‘How’s Montreal treating you?” He finally asked.

It was worded as a general question, but they could both read between the lines here. The question wasn’t really ‘How’s the city treating you?’ It was ‘How’s the team treating you since coming out to them?’

“Good. Everything's great.” Shane replied, too quickly for Scott’s liking. He ducked his head.

Scott had learnt a few of the kids' habits over the years. He had also learnt that Shane tended to avoid eye contact if he was uncomfortable. Or if he was lying. The way he stared at his drink, almost unwilling to look Scott in the face was telling.

Scott bit at his lip. He hated the idea that Shane’s team wasn’t taking care of him. Even if it was just passive homophobic comments, not targetted, no one deserved that. Shane was a good guy and a hell of a hockey player and even if he wasn’t, he still deserved respect.

“Well, if you ever feel the urge to get out of town for a bit and stretch your legs, you are always welcome here in New York. My spare room is always free and Kip and I would be more than happy to host you. You know, if you want a break from ‘everything’” He offered.

Slowly, Shane glanced up from his drink. There was a mixture of emotions there which Scott struggled to read but he was certain the man was grateful for the offer, even if he never claimed it.

“Thanks.” Shane muttered. “But I’m ok. I usually just stay with Hayden.”

“That’s Hayden Pike, right? Your teammate? Didn’t he just have another kid?” Scott asked. He tried to keep up with the gossip when he could and he swore he had heard somewhere that Pike had another baby in the off season. Or was that last year? Scott didn’t know and he doubted anyone else did either.

“Yeah. Amber. She’s so cute. Hayden asked me to be her godfather.” Shane replied, perking up a little at the thought. Scott nodded.

“Congrates to him. Little Miss Pike sounds like she has a very cool godfather.” He said, glad to shift the mood.

Shane smiled at that.

“Yeah, she’s great.” He replied, finally returning to his own drink.

“Are you flying out early tomorrow?” Scott asked. “If you have time, I am sure I can russle up some merch for her. Get her Hockey education started right. The onesies in our merch store are very cute.”

Shane laughed at that.

“I think Hayden would kill me if I brought his newborn daughter any Admirals merchandise.” He said, a wide grin on his face.

Scott shrugged at that.

“It was worth a shot.” He said, not even bothering to hide his own grin.

Still smiling, Shane relaxed a little.

“So…. Any guys caught your eye yet?” Scott asked. He wanted to test the waters a little.

Shane froze up again almost instantly. For a split second, his eyes flickered over Scott’s shoulder, towards where Rozanov was still standing. Scott, instead of trying to follow the gaze, glanced upwards. The jersey he had gifted to the bar after coming out was hanging above the booth, the protective glass more like a mirror in the dim lighting. In the reflection, Scott could see the rest of the bar. And more to the point, he had a clear view of Rozanov, still looking at Shane. (Who's to say Scott never learnt anything from all those murder documentaries and books? Although Kip would definitely laugh if he knew that was Scott's take away. Not, you know, the actual murders.)

Shit. This was worse than Scott had thought. Shane was definitely gone for Rozanov.

“Umm… No. No one.” Shane said hurriedly, forcing his gaze back down to the table. His tone was low, almost a whisper and Scott realised, even in this safe environment, the kid was absolutely terrified.

Scott had to fight back the sigh. It shouldn’t be like this for people like them. His plan to confront Shane about Rozanov died in the back of his mind. It was too much. Too much for a kid still terrified of the repercussions. Scott had been there only a short time ago and he knew how hard it was.

“That’s ok. You still have a lot of time left. As an old fuck who took way too long to figure that one out, trust me.” He said. Then, to lighten the mood, he added. “I can recommend some good local cafes. You never know, you might find yourself your own cute smoothie guy.”

Shane, to his credit, managed a small laugh at that.

“And if there is ever anyone, smoothie guy or something else, you know I have your back, right? I won’t judge.” Scott said. “Even if they are a complete asshole, if you like them and they are good to you, I am here for you both.”

Shane finally met Scott’s eyes and Scott could tell that they were finally on the same page. Shane knew that Scott knew of his maybe not so unrequited crush.

Shane nodded.

“Thanks.” Was all he said.

Scott let the silence linger for a moment, unsure where else to take this conversation. All that needed to be said had been said. Shane knew Scott was in his corner.

Then his attention was drawn to the door as it opened and George Grady stepped inside the bar. Scott couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across his face again.

“Excuse me for a moment.” He said. Shane glanced at the door, spying the new arrival before nodding and Scott rose, heading over to the older man.

“Hey Scotty!” George greeted on seeing him, holding out his arms for a hug. “Happy birthday!”

Scott loved how Kip’s dad had welcomed him into his family. He had never felt like an outsider around the man.

Allowing himself to hug the older man, he felt the moment George slipped something into his pocket. The spare keys to his apartment which Scott had given the man the day before when they had confirmed the plan.

“It’s all set up for you. Good luck Son.” The man muttered into Scott’s ear.

Scott grinned before releasing George.

“Now, I need to go and remind that boy of mine I exist and deserve a call sometimes.” George complained but he was grinning so Scott knew there was no heat to it. Kip called his dad several times a week when he wasn’t visiting him at his childhood home.

“He’s over there, getting himself into trouble.” Scott said, nodding his head in his boyfriend’s direction.

George let out a little huff.

“Who raised him? Cavemen?” He asked.

Scott grinned. He loved the casual banter between the two Grady men. Then he looked back at his boyfriend.

Kip was still by the bar with Elena but Scott couldn’t help but notice Rozanov had disappeared. He glanced over at the booth where Shane had been seated and realised that he too, had vanished.

Scott tried not to think of what that meant as he turned and followed George over to Kip and Elena. The kid had probably just decided to call it a night and go back to his hotel room. And Rozanov had probably decided the party was getting boring and went somewhere else to cause chaos.

After all, it was getting late. The moon had long since risen over the city. And it was a Blue Moon.

Coming up behind his boyfriend and wrapping his arms around his waist, Scott allowed himself to relax as Kip leant against him. He knew soon he would suggest to Kip they head out. Head to their home where Scott had carefully organised a very special surprise for his boyfriend.

Kip would probably think Scott was keen to get him home for a night of mind-blowing sex. Little did the man know, Scott intended to get on his knees for a very different reason.

The ring was still in his pocket. The flowers and candles set up by George as per their plan. He had George’s and Elena’s blessings. It was time to make this permanent.

And Scott was excited for it.