Rating:

Teen And Up Audiences

Archive Warning:

No Archive Warnings Apply

Category:

M/M

Fandoms:

Heated Rivalry (TV), Game Changers Series - Rachel Reid

Relationship:

Kip Grady/Scott Hunter

Characters:

Scott Hunter (Game Changers), Kip Grady, Elena Rygg

Additional Tags:

Coming Out, Social Media, Domestic Fluff, Mild Hurt/Comfort, Canon - Game Changers Series & Heated Rivalry (TV) Combination

Language:

English

Series:

Part 7 of who are we to fight the alchemy?

Stats:

Published: 2026-01-29 Words: 3,422 Chapters: 2/2

he's mine and it's headline news

Summary

@puckit_podcast: Scott Hunter wins the Stanley Cup AND Smoothie Guy‘s heart! What a night!! #loveislove
Want the lore? Go back to listen to episode #124 where Carter Vaughn tells us the story of how these two met and watch our @kingfisher_nyc mocktail tutorial starring @kipgrady!

-
Kip takes care of Scott and Scott takes care of Kip, because that's the deal.

Chapter 1

@puckit_podcast: Scott Hunter wins the Stanley Cup AND Smoothie Guy‘s heart! What a night!! #loveislove

Want the lore? Go back to listen to episode #124 where Carter Vaughn tells us the story of how these two met and watch our @kingfisher_nyc mocktail tutorial starring @kipgrady!

5 minutes ago

sharksfan56: wait a minute…..

lennycgl: I thought I’d seen this guy before!

clary_bell: they’re adorable omggg

foxywaves47: were they already together back then?? I have so many questions!

brennandoyle: [this comment has been removed]

puckit_podcast: Everyone is entitled to their opinion, however any hate speech or other abusive language will be deleted. Keep it civil! (even if you’re not an Admirals fan)

---

Kip wakes to the sound of the shower running and fumbles for his phone in the darkness. 0:43 AM. He rolls out of bed as quietly as he can – the bed in Scott’s guest room, that is.

Scott had to stay after the game and do approximately fifteen hours of interviews; a fate from which Kip was only narrowly rescued because the other players’ families snatched him up and escorted him out of the arena like a team of highly trained bodyguards. He didn’t even manage to say a proper goodbye to Scott, but the smile on his face was still huge when Kip yelled “I’ll see you at home” back at him while being whisked away.

Elena – who is genuinely the smartest person Kip has ever met, thank God – got on the subway with him afterwards and made herself at home in Scott’s apartment, because “you do not wanna be alone in about one or two hours, trust me”.

And she was right. Once the adrenaline high wore off, Kip’s chest started feeling tight, the filtered air in the penthouse suddenly hot and sticky. His head started pounding and his thoughts racing; he suddenly thought of a million things he needed to do. Call Scott’s PR team, cancel his shift at the Kingfisher for tomorrow, call Scott – no, he couldn’t call Scott, of course – maybe look at online reactions to the night just to make sure everything was okay (“absolutely fucking not, my friend” and then Elena confiscated his phone), maybe deep-clean the apartment for absolutely no reason??

And even though Kip knew Scott was going to be absolutely fine, celebrating the Stanley Cup win and his very personal win with his friends on the team, he worried about him.

So, yes, thank God for a best friend who knows exactly what kind of babysitting is required to ward off a panic attack. (The worst he did was impulse-buy an air fryer online before Elena took his phone. But honestly, who doesn’t have an air fryer? It was long overdue anyway.)

After greasy pizzas and bad reality television that Kip only watched with 20% of his attention, he had set up the guest room for Elena and then crawled right into bed with her, feeling about six years old, safe and warm and cared for. Crisis thoroughly averted.

Now, Kip quickly slips out of the room and hears the shower shut off, so he lets himself into the bathroom.

Scott’s surprised shout would be funny under different circumstances, but the way he rushes at Kip and crushes him into a hug, still all wet and wearing only a towel wrapped around his hips, has an edge of desperation to it.

“You weren’t in bed,” Scott whispers, his face pressed into the side of Kip’s neck. “I didn’t - you weren’t –”

“I’m here, I’m right here sweetheart.” Kip kisses his hair and strokes his hands down his back. Scott is actually shaking. He curses himself; he shouldn’t have fallen asleep. “Elena is staying over, I was sleeping in the guest room.”

“Oh. Oh, okay.” Scott breathes out a sigh of relief and Kip kisses his temple and his cheek, everywhere he can reach.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t wanna scare you.”

“I thought maybe – it was too much? I don’t know, I don’t know. You wouldn’t just leave. I’m just – my head’s all over the place, I’m sorry. I don’t – I think I don’t feel so good.”

He’s rambling, slurring his words a little, and Kip isn’t sure how much of that is from being drunk, exhausted, or just his own adrenaline crash hitting him after a long day and a longer night.

And Kip wants to tell him – it’s not too much. You’re never too much for me. You were larger than life out there tonight and you let me be part of it. I’m so proud of you and I love you so much that I don’t know how my heart can even contain it some days. I love you when you’re strong and I love you when you’re soft and I love that you’re not afraid to say you need me. If you call, I will always come. If you need to lean on me, I will always hold us steady.

But all of that seems like kind of a lot for one in the morning and a Scott who can barely keep his eyes open or string a sentence together.

“Carbs,” Kip decides instead and Scott nods into his shoulder. “Hydrate. Bed. Maybe not in that order.”

Scott sways against him and Kip grabs another towel to at least dry off his hair a little bit. Scott is heavy and pliant in his arms, letting Kip rub him down as well as he can while Scott is still clinging to him like an octopus.

“Get into bed, baby,” Kip whispers into his hair. “I’ll bring you some food. We ordered Tony’s earlier, I got you one of those pasta things you like.”

“You’re an angel,” Scott sighs, “you’re the best.”

By the time Kip comes back with an electrolyte drink and heated-up pasta, Scott already looks half-asleep, but pulls him back into his arms as soon as he sets down the food.

“Are you okay?” Scott asks quietly.

“Yeah. Yeah, I – I freaked out a little bit, earlier, but Elena was here. I’m – I’m so happy, Scott, I really am. I hope you know that.”

“Good. That’s good. I’m – ugh. Sorry. I don’t know what’s going on and I don’t wanna dump it on you, I’m just kind of –” He shrugs, looking a little helpless and Kip hands him the warm bowl of food.

“Don’t you dare be sorry for anything.” Kip squeezes his hand and swallows down the sappy monologue that is still trying to fight its way out of him. “I’m just glad we’re panicking in shifts, it’s all very efficient.”

They sit up against the headboard together, Kip snuggled into Scott’s side, being fed exactly one very polite forkful of pasta before Scott all but shovels his meal into his mouth in record time.

After finishing most of his drink as well, he sinks down under the covers, finally allowing exhaustion to take over. Kip smiles when Scott rolls over to put his back to him and reaches behind himself with a little grabby hands gesture. He scoots in close until Scott’s back is pressed to his chest and wraps his arm around him, his hand settling over Scott’s stomach. It gives them both comfort – Kip feels calm, knowing he can make sure Scott is fed and held and loved.

“This wasn’t the plan, you know,” Scott says drowsily. “I was gonna – gonna come in and –” He yawns, already well on his way to sleep but determined as anything to finish his sentence. “Was gonna blow your mind.”

“You already more than did that today, sweetheart,” Kip whispers and presses a kiss to the back of his neck. Scott’s hair, still damp and smelling like shampoo, tickles his nose. He feels so strongly at home that it almost takes his breath away.

“Not with my dick though.” Scott, on the other hand, is clearly thinking about other things.

“No, that might have been a bit much in front of everyone.”

Scott makes a noise that Kip has never once heard before in all their time together and is not entirely sure how to interpret. Which is interesting, but definitely not a mystery that will be solved tonight. “Now get some sleep, you can blow my mind tomorrow.”

“Mhmm blow you,” Scott mumbles and, about ten seconds later, starts snoring.

Chapter 2

Chapter Notes

Excerpt from “Puck It! – Sam & Jack Talk Hockey, episode #201: Stanley Cup debrief, our trade predictions for next season and a visit from the Admirals’ lucky charm!”

Sam: I don’t even know where to start. History has been made last week, in more ways than one.

Jack: Congratulations to the Admirals on their win, the amazing game they played in the Stanley Cup final, and honestly, for the entire past season. To Scott Hunter for leading them to their victory –

Sam: And to Kip, proving once more that he really is the team’s good luck charm!

Jack: I’m sure everyone wants a piece of him right now, but – we saw him first, we knew him first, and he is here with us today!

Sam: Hi Kip!

Kip: Hi guys.

Jack: First of all, everyone keeps calling you the Smoothie Guy, but you haven’t worked in that job for years. Does it bother you?

Kip: Oh, uh…no, that’s fine actually. It’s what the team and, I guess, the internet first came to know me as, so I don’t mind.

Sam: It has nostalgic value at this point.

Kip: It does.

Sam: So what are you doing these days? Other than kissing Scott Hunter on national television?

Kip: [laughs] That could be a full-time job, I imagine. But, uh, no. I’m about to finish my Masters for my art degree and I still work nights as a bartender for now.

Jack: Art degree, wow! So you’ve got a completely different background than the guys on the team? Were you a hockey fan before?

Kip: I mean, I used to watch with my dad sometimes. He’s a big Admirals fan. But I wasn’t super interested. I didn’t recognize Scott when he first came into the smoothie shop. Uhm. Another customer pointed it out, actually. And then I was like, okay, now that I feel like I kinda know this guy, maybe I’ll pay a bit more attention. And I got really into it, and got a lot more involved with the team, as you already know.

Jack: Yeah, we remember that one, Carter Vaughn really knows how to tell a good story.

Sam: So, at the time….

Kip: I know what your question is and I hope you understand I’m not here to give you an inside scoop into Scott Hunter’s love life. Uhm.

Sam: Yeah, of course. I can imagine it’s been intense.

Kip: People feel very entitled to ask all kinds of things and say all kinds of things, for some reason? It’s a bit overwhelming. But, anyway – when Carter told you that story, Scott and I were just friends. We’ve been officially together since Christmas that year. And that’s all anyone really needs to know.

Jack: That’s completely fair.

Sam: I do have one question though, about your big moment after the game…

Kip: Yeah, that wasn’t planned [laughs]. There was a plan, but that was not it.

Jack: Well, winning the Stanley Cup could make anyone a little impulsive.

Kip: Impulsive, maybe, but mostly just happy. I know that win means the absolute world to Scott. And then you wanna share that with the person you love, I – I was glad I got to be there and share that moment with him.

Sam: Aw.

Kip: And afterwards, we both maybe panicked a little for a minute, but you know. It’s been one big adrenaline high for the past week. We’re both very happy. I’m incredibly proud of Scott.

Jack: Has it affected your day-to-day life, at work, at school?

Kip: School, not so much. Honestly, art school people don’t really care if your boyfriend is a famous athlete or not. Like, some of them may have heard about the whole thing, but through like, queer social media, and not for hockey reasons. Work has been interesting…it’s been a good week for the Kingfisher, very profitable.

Sam: So people have been coming in to see you?

Kip: Yeah, to show their support, to, I don’t know, satisfy their curiosity a little bit, I guess? We got some of that after we first did the mocktails video with you guys, too. It’s been really nice and positive, mostly. There have been some less than friendly encounters, but I try not to – you know. I try not to let that get to me.

Jack: Like people coming into your place of work and harassing you?

Kip: I mean, kind of. I don’t wanna – I don’t want this to be a thing. It’s mostly been love.

Sam: Yeah, that’s not okay though.

Kip: Well, let’s just say some hockey fans aren’t the most open or tolerant people, no offense. That entire world is…it can genuinely feel like travelling back in time, and not in a fun way. If anything, I think that makes it even more important for people to take a stand like Scott is doing now, and to hopefully make things better and safer for other queer players going forward. Did I mention I’m insanely proud of him? [laughs]

Jack: So what’s next for you two, what’s the plan for the summer?

Sam: Remote island with no phone signal?

Kip: Yes please! It’s been a little crazy and Scott doesn’t get a lot of time off for summer, I have some projects to finish at school…so we haven’t actually managed to make plans yet, but remote something sounds good.

Jack: That is probably a wise choice. Thank you so much for being here and we wish you and Scott all the best.

Kip: Thank you.

---

Kip is as offline as he has never been in his entire life and it is peaceful. His Instagram account is temporarily in the hands of Scott’s PR team and the only thing he uses his phone for is texting, calling, the occasional bit of online shopping, and schoolwork.

If people are saying weird shit online, he does not read it. If there is any discourse or controversy happening about Scott or their relationship, he does not hear about it. Work at the Kingfisher has been a bit wild for the past few days, but he’s surrounded by his community and his friends there and feels as safe as he possibly could.

Until a bunch of tourists from Florida end up in the bar that apparently have a bone to pick with the Admirals over their home team’s loss. While most other hockey fans manage to work through big feelings like that by having a beer, shouting at the television, and then forgetting about it, these guys decide to get piss drunk and take their anger out on Kip six months after the fact.

“What’s wrong?” is the first thing Scott asks when Kip finally comes home that night, probably still looking like he’s seen a ghost. Kip walks over to him and folds himself into Scott’s waiting arms, tucking his head under Scott’s chin.

“Hey, hey, you’re okay,” Scott soothes him, hugging him so tightly like he knows will calm Kip down. “You’re okay, baby. What happened?”

“It’s stupid,” Kip mutters into Scott’s hoodie, breathing in the smell of home. “Just some guys at the bar, it’s so stupid.”

“It’s not,” Scott says and rubs his hands over Kip’s shoulders. “Do you wanna tell me?”

Kip does not. He wants a little late-night snack and a melatonin gummy and to be held while he falls asleep, in that order. Scott very unsuccessfully tries to keep his worry from showing on his face and provides.

---

The next morning, Kip wakes up to the smell of strong coffee and the luxurious sensation of Scott getting back into bed with him. He burrows in close, using Scott’s body as a shield against the light that is coming in through the window. They have nowhere to be this morning and Kip is glad for it.

He dozes for a while, lulled back into a light sleep by the gentle way Scott is petting his hair, stroking big hands over his shoulders.

Finally, the mug of coffee that is waiting on his bedside table becomes too tempting and he blinks bleary eyes up at Scott.

“Good morning,” Scott says quietly and tilts Kip’s head up for a little forehead kiss. “Let me know when you’re awake enough to look at our calendar with me.”

“I’m definitely not awake enough to know whether I’m meant to be turned on by that or not.”

“You’re always meant to be turned on.”

Kip pushes himself up into just enough of a seated position to be able to drink his coffee without any accidents and squints at Scott.

“You’re plotting. I can see your brain planning something.”

“Yes!” Scott confirms excitedly and, a moment later, whips his phone into Kip’s face. “So you know how we thought we didn’t have time for a trip this summer?”

Kip looks at all the colorful little rectangles filling the screen. Honestly, it is reason enough to be turned on: Scott asked to add Kip’s calendar to his own a while ago and he actually looks at it. He takes Kip’s schedule into account when he plans things for them. He adds an extra order of healthy snacks to their grocery delivery when Kip has a deadline looming. Maria nearly burst into tears when Kip told her about it. (To be fair, one guy she dated once kept forgetting her birthday as well as her last name, so the bar is admittedly kind of low.)

“After your last assignment is due Thursday and I have that ESPN thing, I technically have a long weekend. If I move the interview on Monday to the end of the week and cancel that gala thing on Tuesday…”

“…and I trade my weekend shifts with Kyle, which he’ll love because tips are better…” Kip can see it happening already. A beautiful, gloriously blank calendar space for almost a whole week.

“Exactly. That’s what I was thinking. And –” Scott swipes out of the calendar app and pulls up a website with photos of a charming little wooden cabin by a lake. It radiates cottagecore even off a phone screen.

“This is upstate, so it’s not gonna be a big trip or anything, just getting out of the city for a bit.”

“Yes,” Kip immediately says, “yes to all of that. That’s perfect.” He does not have the mental bandwidth to deal with travel or people. Just getting into the car and going somewhere quiet sounds amazing.

He is about to give Scott a little demonstration of just how good he thinks that idea is, when something occurs to him.

“You’re not – this isn’t because of last night, is it?” Kip asks and Scott takes a deep breath. “Because we can’t – I know hiding from the world a little bit is probably a good thing right now, but you can’t – you can’t protect me from all that. And you don’t need to. I knew what I was getting into.”

He does know, he knows now, and that’s the thing. Kip was maybe a little naive, back when they first met, about the realities of their relationship being public. He’s had time to prepare for it now and has a much better understanding of the world he’s stepped into, but how prepared can you ever really be for something as unpredictable and volatile as public opinion?

“I know. This isn’t that, it just feels dumb missing the whole summer because of scheduling conflicts. The timing is just a bonus.” Scott sighs and wraps an arm around Kip’s shoulders, pulling him in close. “I’ll always want to protect you. You shouldn’t have to suffer because of who I am, because of what my job is. And I know, realistically, I can’t. But it’s – maybe just let me try sometimes. You take care of me, I take care of you. That’s the deal, isn’t it?”

That is indeed the deal. Kip puts his coffee aside and climbs right into Scott’s lap, taking his face into both hands and kissing him like they have all the time in the world. Like they’re already on vacation.

“So take care of me,” he whispers against his lips.

And once again, Scott provides.

Chapter End Notes

Title from My Regards by Maisie Peters (which isnt’t out yet but I watched the snippets on her Instagram like 20 times)