Rating:

Not Rated

Archive Warning:

No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories:

Gen, M/M

Fandoms:

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

Relationship:

Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov

Characters:

Ilya Rozanov, Hayden Pike, Shane Hollander

Additional Tags:

POV Ilya Rozanov, Misunderstandings, Angst with a Happy Ending, Implied/Referenced Homophobia, Relationship Reveal, Hayden Pike Finds Out About Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov, Ilya Rozanov Needs A Hug, Protective Ilya Rozanov, Hayden Pike seems evil at first but he is actually a good guy okay, Everybody is just very stupid but they are trying their best, Minor Violence, kind of crack treated seriously, But like really seriously

Language:

English

Series:

Part 2 of World's worst ally

Stats:

Published: 2026-03-28 Words: 6,608 Chapters: 1/1

When the World Falls Apart

Summary

Ilya had always known his relationship with Hollander wouldn’t end well. 

But even though he had been bracing himself for years, Ilya hadn’t been ready for when it all blew up in his face. 

And he certainly hadn’t been ready for Shane’s best friend to be the detonator.

OR: Ilya is shocked and terrified when Hayden Pike walks in on him and Shane and reacts with violence. It’s not as bad as it seems.

---

Ily's POV of World's Worst Ally (you do not need to read that first, but this will be angstier if you don’t)

Notes

Finally finished Ilya's POV of World's Worst Ally! I decided not to include it in the Hayden Pike Allying Too Close to the Sun series and make it a separate series since this is a very different vibe (much angstier; Ilya is really going through it). Hopefully fans of the series still like this one! And to any new readers, welcome! You do not have to read the fic this is based on, but this will be less angsty if you do.

Ilya had always known his relationship with Hollander wouldn’t end well. 

At the beginning, that was part of the appeal. The thrill of the secrecy, the stolen moments, the quick fucks. Ilya never felt more alive than when he was living dangerously. 

But it wasn’t supposed to become a thing. It was supposed to be casual, like his many other hookups. Something that nobody would ever know about, and could be dismissed as simply another salacious rumor if someone did try to bring it to light.

But then Ilya got addicted. He was addicted to the way Shane looked, the way he moved, the way he felt. The risk only became greater with every meet up, but so did his desire. Lust, and maybe something more that he wasn’t ready to name, clouded his judgment. He knew that he was risking everything; his home, his family, his career, his love. He was being reckless but he had never needed anything like he needed Shane. 

And eventually he started to feel untouchable. They had managed to keep their secret so long that it seemed like maybe the universe was on his side for once. 

He should have known better.

So even though he had been bracing himself for years, he hadn’t been ready for when it all blew up in his face. 

And he certainly hadn’t been ready for Shane’s best friend to be the detonator.

~~~

Lily: you are going to suck my cock after I win game?

Jane: I told you to stop texting me before games

Jane: What about if I win?

Jane: *when I win

Lily: will not win

Lily: but do not worry can still suck my cock if you win

Jane: Oh I can?

Jane: How is that a prize for me? 

Lily: because you love to suck cock

Lily: you are cocksucker

Jane: Fuck off

Jane: What is wrong with you?

Lily: is wrong to speak truth now?

Lily: you say you are not cocksucker?

Jane: Shut up

Jane: Maybe I just won’t come over after the game.

Jane: Asshole 

Lily: i am not worried

Lily: you will come over 

Lily: and come

Lily: ;)

Lily: cannot help you are cocksucker

Lily: it is good thing

Lily: you will come over

Lily: ??

Ilya growled under his breath, shoving his phone in his locker when Shane stopped responding. Ilya was not supposed to be the one who begged. He did not need to beg. 

But he still felt a pang in his chest at the thought of not seeing Shane after the game. He wasn’t worried, not really. He knew Shane loved the sex as much as him and cherished what little time they had together. And he had come over even after Ilya had said far worse. No doubt Shane was just getting ready for the game, maybe giving a speech to his team the way Ilya should be. 

It didn’t matter now. Shane would either come to his place afterwards, or he wouldn’t. At least he could see him on the ice. 

Ilya tamped down the giddy feeling he had at the thought of competing with Shane. Competing with Shane was maybe his favorite thing in the world.

Besides fucking him of course.

He stood up and got his team's attention, rallying the troops against Montreal.

They had a game to win.

~~~

They did not win. 

The whole team was in a pissy mood. They only lost by one point, but that only seemed to make everyone more sour. There was nothing worse than losing a home game, especially to Montreal.

But Ilya couldn’t bring himself to feel that same misery. Playing with Shane was electric. There was nobody who could push Ilya like Shane, nobody who could meet him at his level. There was no better feeling than playing a game with him. 

Besides being alone with him.

Fuck, that was some sappy shit. 

Try as he might, Ilya couldn’t help it. He was excited to see Shane. Even a loss couldn’t stop that.

Ilya checked his phone. Still no response from Jane. He frowned. 

Shane was just messing with him. He knew that Shane would come by later. He knew Shane wouldn't go out with his team to celebrate. He knew Shane would hang back in the visitors's locker room first, waiting until he was sure that was nobody around to see him sneak off to Ilya’s. 

But he didn't know how long he would take. Probably hours. And Shane probably wouldn’t even text to confirm he was coming over until he was already on his way. Just to make Ilya suffer. Just because Ilya was desperate for him and Shane knew it. 

Ilya was snapped out of his thoughts of Shane when Marlow asked if he was joining the team to go out and drink away their sorrows. Win or lose, somehow going to the bar was always the outcome. It used to be something he looked forward to, but he had been going out less and less. Even when beautiful women were dancing on him, all he could think about was a certain boring hockey player with freckles.

No one on the team was surprised when Ilya declined, although a few made comments about him being pussy-whipped. It was pretty much an open secret that Ilya was in some sort of committed relationship and he was happy to let them think that. Even if it wasn’t quite as true as he maybe would have liked. Even if it probably never could be true as he would have liked.

Ilya took a long shower, just to have an excuse to stay behind until after all of his team had left. He didn't feel like having to listen to his teammates bitch and moan about Shane Hollander when all he wanted was to hear Shane Hollander bitching and moaning at him.

Only after the locker room had completely cleared out did he exit the shower and start getting dressed. He checked his phone again. Still no response.

Ilya logically knew it would only be a couple hours before he would see Shane. He had already gone weeks without seeing him; what was a few hours more?

But that was the issue. It had already been weeks and he felt like there were ants crawling under his skin. He was buzzing with anticipation and every second without seeing Shane felt like a second wasted.

And Shane was so close; in the same building, likely still in the visitors’ locker room. It felt so silly, going home just to wait for him when what he wanted was almost in his grasp. He could just walk over there, check to make sure no one else was around. He knew how to be sneaky; he had been doing it for years. He would be in and out, just quickly dropping by to give Shane a reminder of what he would be missing if he didn't come by.

Shane would no doubt be furious with him for being so reckless. But that’s what Shane got for refusing to answer his texts. Not to mention, Ilya loved making Shane mad. Shane would probably punch him if he said it, but he loved his angry kitten look.

On second thought, maybe he should tell Shane he loves to make him mad, just to see that look.

Mind made up, Ilya shoved away the rest of his gear and headed to the visitors’ locker room. He checked to make sure the coast was clear every time he entered a new hallway. He felt a shiver go down his spine at the thrill of it all. A predator hunting its prey.

Ilya silently entered the locker room. Sure enough, Shane was sat alone in the middle of the room, looking down at his phone. Ilya wondered what he was doing. Was he reading through their texts; debating if he should respond or if it would be more fun to keep Ilya waiting? Did he spend every spare moment thinking of Ilya, the way Ilya did about him?

Ilya cleared his throat, smirking when Shane jumped with a curse. Shane fumbled with his phone, clearly trying to hide his screen, and Ilya felt assured it was his texts he was looking at. 

Shane looked surprised to see him, before his face morphed into his signature angry kitten look. Ilya wasn’t sure if he was more fond or turned on. He wasn’t sure which was worse. 

God, Ilya was obsessed with him. He stalked forward, ready to finally stake his claim. 

“Rozanov, what the fuck?” 

Ilya grinned in reply, crowding up into Shane’s space. “You shouldn’t even be here. What are you doing?”

“To see you, obviously,” it teetered on the edge of too vulnerable, and Ilya needed to remind Shane that he knew he wasn’t the only one desperate here, “Little cocksucker.”

Ilya knew it would infuriate Shane: Ilya being so reckless and coming to the locker room; calling him little; calling him cocksucker.

Sure enough, “Fuck off, Rozanov. Stop calling me that,” Shane rolled his eyes but Ilya could see the blush rising up his neck to his cheeks. He knew Shane’s body as well as his own. Knew how to rile him up. 

“But you like to get on your knees and suck cock, no? That makes you cocksucker.” As much as Shane protested, even now, Ilya could see the hunger in his eyes. He wondered if Shane had felt the same desperation as he had been feeling for weeks.

Ilya lifted his arm to Shane’s shoulder, applying just the slightest bit of pressure. A suggestion to get down on his knees, the way he was always so willing to. Would he do it in the locker room? Did the thought of doing it somewhere new and vulnerable make Shane as excited as it made Ilya? Had he spent the past week aching, desperation building at the thought of tonight until common sense fled, the way Ilya had?

Ilya was thrown into a locker before he could find out. His head hit the locker and for a second there was nothing but ringing. He could just barely make out the sound of shouting in the background, but couldn't comprehend what was being said.

The world snapped back into focus when a punch landed on his cheekbone. He pulled up his arms, instinctually readying himself for a fight, before seeing who had hit him.

Hayden Pike.

Ilya had never thought a day would come where he feared Pike; Ilya could play better than him, he could chirp better, he could fight better. Ilya simply could not fathom a world where he perceived Hayden Pike as any sort of threat. But in this moment, he was frozen with a type of terror he had never felt before. 

He had been so stupid coming to the locker room. Ignoring the rules Shane had carefully laid out for him, the effort he had put in to keeping their secret for years. He had become so caught up in the thought of Shane that he forgot about the risk. He became selfish. He allowed himself to forget that he did not get good things. 

Hayden hit him a second, third time, but Ilya barely felt it, too consumed by the terror of the far worse pain he would be facing soon. 

Because now somebody knew. Somebody who was so disgusted by him being queer that his immediate response was violence. Somebody who would no doubt escalate this. He would never be able to go home, back to Russia. He hated it there but he didn’t want that choice stolen from him. He would never again be able to visit his mother’s grave because as soon as Hayden Pike revealed his secret, he would be labeled a criminal by his home country. The final nail in the coffin of his past life. 

And what about the NHL; his team? Would he even be allowed to play hockey again? Would his teammates stand by him or turn away in disgust? Would he still be their captain or was their respect for him conditional? Would the league protect him, or would he be forced back to Russia? 

If he were forced back to Russia and his sexuality was revealed, it would basically be a death sentence. Yet, in that moment, his most terrifying thought was of Shane. Because he would certainly lose Shane after this.

Shane would never forgive him. How could he? Shane had trusted him to keep their secret, but Ilya got cocky, the way he always did. He shirked his responsibilities in the pursuit of hedonistic pleasure and now Shane was just another casualty. 

If Shane lost hockey, Ilya wasn’t sure he would be able to recover. Ilya loved to compete and he loved to be the best. And hockey just happened to be what he was the best at. But Shane lived and breathed hockey; it was in his bones. It was what he had dedicated his entire life to. If the league and his team turned on him, Ilya feared he’d be left a husk of the man he once was. 

Even if he didn’t lose hockey, he had certainly just lost his best friend. One of his only friends. One of the few people Shane had confessed to Ilya he wished he could share this secret with. Someone he thought would support him but his fears kept him from taking the risk, terrified by the prospect of losing someone he loved because of who he loved. 

And now his fear had been realized, all because of Ilya. Shane would never forgive Ilya for this. Ilya would never forgive himself for this. 

For a moment, he wished he had been braver, that he had told Shane just how deep his feelings ran. Maybe then Shane would know that Ilya would always regret breaking his trust, but he would never regret their time together. Maybe it would have brought Shane comfort in the dark times soon to come.

Or maybe Ilya was just being selfish again.

Pike punched Ilya a fourth time and Ilya felt a cool acceptance wash over him. He was glad he was being made to suffer for his follie. He only wished it could have been Shane dishing out the karmic violence, if only so he could feel his touch one last time. 

Shane evidently didn’t feel the same desire to watch Ilya suffer, because he was screaming and pulling Pike off of Ilya. 

Ilya watched their interaction in a daze. He wondered distantly if it was shock or a head injury. He couldn't focus enough to recognize the difference.

Ilya hoped, perhaps delusionally, that maybe Hayden’s issue was only with him. Maybe it had nothing to do with their sexuality, and only Shane’s abysmal taste in men. Pike had never hidden his disdain for Ilya (Ilya had been happy to return the favor). If that was the case, then surely Pike would be willing to keep this secret, to protect his best friend. Surely he would realize that Shane had done nothing wrong and could lose everything if Pike didn’t keep his mouth shut. Surely his hatred for Ilya wouldn't outweigh his love for Shane. Right?

The ringing in his ears finally started to die down and Ilya tuned into Shane and Hayden's heated conversation.

“You can’t possibly expect me to just stand by and let him get away with that… that disgusting behavior!” Hayden shouted, and Ilya saw the way Shane immediately paled and breathed in sharply.

Icy rage burned through his veins. 

Disgusting. 

Ilya didn't care if Pike called him disgusting; he was used to it. His family thought he was selfish, the league thought he was an asshole, the media thought he was a womanizer. The world was constantly disgusted with him and he had learned long ago he was better off encouraging that image. He couldn't be hurt by anyone's disgust when he invited it.

But what Ilya had with Shane—the only private thing he had, not shaped by the opinions of the world and defiant to the expectations of others—was not disgusting. Ilya wasn't an idiot; he knew many people would be disgusted, openly and vocally, if their secret ever came out. So disgusted he could lose his career, his fans, even his freedom. But Ilya still knew what they had was something pure. Shane was something pure. It was why Ilya couldn’t let him go, even knowing the risks. 

Shane was not disgusting and he did not deserve to ever feel disgusting. Ilya knew the shame that gnawed away at Shane, that had kept him in denial about his own sexuality internally and externally for years. He knew how Shane had been placed on a pedastal his entire life, how he kept himself chained there, and was desperately afraid one wrong move would send him tumbling down. He knew how lucky he was that Shane decided Ilya was worth the risk; that perfect, golden boy Shane Hollander was willing to put his spotless reputation on the line just for stolen moments with Ilya. He knew how even if he took the risk, Shane was terrified of anyone finding out their secret; terrified that his image as the perfect son, the perfect friend, the perfect player he had spent his whole life curating would crumble.

Most of all, Ilya knew how broken Shane would be by hearing his best friend call what they had disgusting. Call what Shane was disgusting. He had seen Shane work himself into a panic attack imagining this very scenario. And Ilya had calmed him down, assuring him that would not happen. Ilya had convinced himself that would not happen.

After a lifetime of tragedy, how could Ilya still be so naive?

Ilya probably should have been begging on his knees for Hayden to keep this secret. Or maybe trying to convince him that he misunderstood what he saw, that it was simply banter between rivals. Say Shane had nothing to do with it. Offer him money. Appeal to his humanity and remind him of what awaited him in Russia if the world found out. Anything to appease Pike. But he was so blinded by rage in that moment at the thought of how Shane must be feeling, that he found himself throwing Hayden to the floor before he was even consciously aware of what he was doing.

This was not like the fights he had on the ice. Those fights were all adrenaline and posturing and witty chirps. Those fights were fun; even the ones he had been in with Pike. 

This fight with Pike was not fun. This fight was like the fights he would get in when he was thirteen and the grief of his mother’s death was still a raw and aching wound. He always felt so angry; at the world, at his mother, at his father, at himself. The rage always simmered beneath the surface, and as soon as someone ignited it with a cruel remark or sideways look, the fury would burst out of him through his fists and his shouts. It never helped, except to leave his knuckles bloody and body tender. At least that pain could distract from the inner turmoil he was plagued by. But it was never about making things better. It was only about releasing his rage. The desperate hope that maybe if he inflicted pain on somebody else, he wouldn't have to feel so much of it himself.

It never worked. But right now, Ilya could feel nothing but his desire to inflict his pain on Hayden Pike. 

His vision was red; he wasn’t even sure where he was hitting, just that he was using all of his strength to make it hurt. He couldn't remember the last time he fought like this. Bar fights and brawls on the ice were always reined in to avoid any lasting damage that could affect his playing. Or god forbid, land him in jail. He always held back, more for his own sake than anyone else's.

He was not holding back now.

The thing was, Ilya had never liked Hayden Pike. He had always resented the casual affection Pike could show Shane, on and off the ice. They could share a hotel room, laugh together on the ice, celebrate their wins together, go out together in public, and nobody would bat an eye. Every time Pike so much as brushed past Shane, jealously curdled in Ilya’s stomach, sour and shameful. But, even still, he had never hated Pike. Even through his resentment, Ilya was grateful that Pike was there for Shane in a way that Ilya never could be. 

But at this moment, Ilya hated Pike with his whole being. His hatred burned bright, eclipsing any rationality. Hayden Pike was one of the few people who Shane trusted and instead of cherishing that trust as the gift it was, he was throwing it back in his face. Ilya knew that Shane had held Pike’s children, had befriended his wife, had led him to two stanley cups. And that ceased to matter in the face of Shane’s sexuality? And he dared to say Ilya and Shane were the disgusting ones.

Ilya felt blood splatter and bone breaking when he punched Pike’s nose. He hoped it never healed correctly and Pike would have to remember this moment every time he looked in the mirror. He hoped it haunted him. Ilya needed Pike to feel the terror he was making Ilya and Shane feel. If Pike was going to ruin his life, and worse, ruin Shane’s life, then by god, Ilya would make sure he would have a painful time doing it. If Ilya was going down, he was going down swinging.

Ilya felt somebody grab his elbow when he brought his arm back to swing again, and it was only the register of Shane’s frantic voice that kept him from spinning around and snapping like a feral dog.

Ilya turned back and saw Shane, trembling and pale, tears welling up in his eyes. “Please, Ilya, please, stop. I can’t- you can’t- please,” he gasped out. Ilya could see he was working himself into a panic attack.

Ilya itched to turn back around and give into the familiar violence and rage. He wanted so badly to make Pike hurt. But that paled in comparison to his need to soothe Shane. Right now, Shane didn’t need his rage, he needed his comfort. He needed Ilya.

Ilya dropped his arms, resolving to stand. His focus was solely attuned to Shane, and that’s why he didn’t notice Pike regaining his bearings and striking until he was already falling to the floor.

Pike aimed right for his ribs, the same ribs that had been aching all night. Ilya crumpled with a groan, falling to his side and instinctively curling in pain. 

Pike straddled Ilya, preparing to strike again. Maybe this was what Ilya deserved. He was too weak to resist Shane. And now he was too weak to protect him. He selfishly wished Pike would aim for the head, knock him out so he could escape this nightmare.

Pike didn’t knock him out. Pike didn’t even get the chance to hit Ilya again because he was suddenly being thrown off of Ilya. 

Ilya watched in shock as Shane stood in front of him, panting heavily. He had one hand reaching back toward Ilya, giving him reassurance that he was there, while his other arm was held up as if warding Pike off. Ilya wished to reach out, grab his hand and return the comfort, but he couldn't bring himself to. His body felt heavy and everything hurt. Shane was so clearly protecting Ilya and Ilya could feel his heart crumbling. Ilya couldn’t remember the last time someone had protected him off the ice instead of the other way around (was it his mother?), and it was when he didn’t even deserve it. He should be the one protecting Shane; he’s the one who got them in this mess, after all. Instead, he was curled up on the ground, hugging his ribs and cowering away from fucking Hayden Pike. 

“Hayden, I don’t know what has gotten into you, but it’s time for you to leave," Shane said, his voice shaking in a way Ilya wasn't sure he had ever heard before.

“Are you defending Rozanov? From me?” Pike had the audacity to sound shocked.

“Well, you’re the one who just attacked someone unprovoked so what am I supposed to do?” Shane snapped back. 

Pike gaped at Shane and god Ilya wanted to punch that look off of his face. At least he could take some comfort in the blood gushing out of his nose.

“Unprovoked? You seriously thought I would just stand back and let someone talk like that? To you? Do you even know me, man?”

Ilya couldn’t help but wonder what was going through Pike’s mind. Did he genuinely believe he was protecting Shane from Ilya’s homosexual wiles? Maybe they could work with that. Shane would no doubt still be hurt that Pike was so disgusted by gay people, but perhaps there was some hope that Shane’s secret was still safe. 

“I’m starting to feel like I don’t know you at all,” Shane responded, which probably wasn’t the best strategy if they wanted to try to get Pike on Shane's side, but Ilya didn't blame him. As much as he had always disliked Pike, he never would have expected this reaction.

But when Pike responded, “Is that why you didn’t tell me? You didn’t trust how I would react?” Ilya had to scratch his theory. Pike was acting like he had already known about them. But why react so violently now? And why be upset that Shane kept this a secret if this was his reaction?

“I was obviously correct that I couldn’t trust you.” At least one of the participants in this conversation was making sense.

Hayden threw his hands up, tugging at his hair, apparently unaware or unbothered he was agitating what looked like a head wound. “Oh my god, dude. I do not understand you at all. I have been trying for months now to show you I am supportive. I made our teammates stop the homophobic comments. I invited you to a gay bar. I put rainbow tape on my stick. I even made a post for pride month and showed it to you. Now I defend you and you still are acting like you can’t trust me. What else could I possibly do to support you?”

“Months?” Shane asked at the same time Ilya asked, “Defend him?”

Ilya felt a bit like his head was underwater and he always struggled with English when he was in a high pressure environment, but he didn’t think those were the reasons for his confusion. No, he was pretty sure Pike was trying to say that he… supported gay people? And that he was defending Shane from Ilya? But that didn’t make sense. Ilya felt an ache blooming in his head, the terror and confusion battling in his mind as he struggled to comprehend what the fuck was going on.  

“Yes, months! I know you are gay, dude,” what the fuck? “We share a hotel room and you are not as slick as you think you are.” Shane was one of the worst liars Ilya knew so he wasn’t all that surprised Shane had been caught by someone close to him (he was honestly surprised it hadn't happened sooner), but that information still did not compute. None of Pike’s actions or words were making sense.

Pike turned to Ilya, “And yes, defend him. I come in here to you calling Shane a cocksucker, waiting until he’s alone so you can corner him. Looking like you’re going to pound on him.” 

Ilya paused and rewound, replaying the events of the past few minutes in his head from Pike’s point of view. The insults and manhandling were basically foreplay to Ilya and Shane, but how would it look to an outsider? Really thinking about it, Pike would probably be punched if he ever called his wife a cocksucker. To a boring, vanilla straight man like Hayden Pike who probably only heard words like cocksucker when it was being flung as an insult on the ice, their interaction must have looked bad. Like, really bad.

“You really think I’m going to let some bigoted piece of shit talk to you like that? All I want is you to understand that I will love you no matter who you love. Your friends, your family, your fans will love you. And I will personally come for anyone who makes you feel differently. Especially fucking Rozanov.”

Wow. 

Pike wasn’t being homophobic toward Shane. 

He was being an ally toward Shane.

All of the tension and adrenaline rushed out of Ilya. He hadn't even realized he had barely breathed throughout their entire conversation until he took in a gulp of fresh air, and then let all of his fear release in one big exhale. And then the exhale turned into laughter. Relief and increduality coursed through him and he smiled for the first time in what felt like hours but was no doubt minutes.

“Shane, you did not tell me worst player on team is also dumbest.” Ilya pulled himself off the ground, finally feeling his strength returning now that he wasn't so scared.

Finally giving into the urge to be close to Shane.

Ilya put his hand on Shane's shoulder, and he wasn't sure if it was more to support Shane or himself. He spat out on a wad of blood that had collected in his mouth, mostly just to piss off Pike, and laughed when he remembered the irony of Pike's statement. “Or maybe he is not so dumb. Pike is right, I was going to pound you.” He licked the blood off his teeth, just to draw Pike's attention to his smug grin. This was the familiar territory he was happy to return to.

Pike stepped forward growling, “You motherfucker,” because he was apparently incapable of coming up with any good threats.

Shane threw up his arm, once again warding Pike off, while simultaneously elbowing Ilya. It was barely a nudge. Despite his protests, Ilya knew Shane appreciated the close proximity. “Ilya, stop, you are not helping.”

Ilya grinned again, thrilled at the psyhchic damage he was about to do to Hayden Pike. Shane could lecture him later, Ilya deserved to have some fun now. “What? Pound is English expression for have sex, yes?”

Revenge had never tasted so sweet.

Hayden immediately paled and stumbled backwards. “I- oh my god, I am going to be sick.” Obviously proclaiming nausea wasn't the best reaction to finding out your best friend was sleeping with a man, but Ilya felt assured that Pike had established Ilya's gender wasn't the issue here. Probably just everything else about him.

Ilya did feel a bit guilty at Shane's reaction. Shane was staring at the ground, and his breathing was ragged. It looked like the panic attack was returning. “Oh god, this is a nightmare. This can’t be happening. Oh fuck.”

Ilya pulled Shane in closer, wrapping his arm around his waist and nuzzling his nose into his neck (Ilya ignored the thrill he felt at getting to do this in front of somebody else; now was not the time). “Shh, it is okay, moya lyubov. Pike is stupid and piece of shit, but he is not, what he call, bigoted piece of shit. He will not tell," Ilya assured Shane. He hoped the glare he sent towards Hayden conveyed that this was a threat, not a request.

Hayden scrambled to his feet with an obvious wince of pain, but powered through. “Of course not! Dude, I would never do that to you. I don’t care that you are gay. I would never out you. I mean, okay, I maybe implied something to Jackie… but she would never tell anyone. I am happy for you. You deserve to be your true self. I just… Ilya? Rozanov? Since when do you not hate the guy?”

“Since always, I guess.” Christ, Ilya should not be so affected by those words.

“Always? So this is serious? Is- is he Boston Lily?” Maybe Pike wasn't quite as stupid as Ilya thought.

Shane hesitantly nodded back and Ilya used all of his self-restraint to stop himself from grabbing Shane's jaw and kissing him. He knew he shouldn't start something he would definitely want to finish while blood was still actively dripping down his face.

Pike ran his hand over his face with a groan. “Well, I guess I understand why you didn’t tell me. This is a lot to take in. But you have to know I will support you no matter what. I mean, how did you think I would react-” Hayden cut himself off with a gasp. “Oh my god, you thought I was attacking Rozanov because he is gay! You thought I was hate crime-ing him!”

Shane nodded again, and Ilya was relieved to see he was finally calming down. “I mean, you came in and beat the shit out of my boyfriend,” Ilya would not admit under pain of death the way he perked up like a dog hearing the word 'treat' at that word, “and then called him disgusting. So it seemed like a logical conclusion.”

“No! It- He had you cornered you and was calling you a cocksucker! How was I supposed to know that was some sort of foreplay? What is wrong with gay people? I mean- obviously nothing is wrong with gay people," watching Hayden scramble to be a good gay ally was extremely entertaing, "I’m just… I thought he was the one being homophobic, that’s what was disgusting. But now I know it’s not disgusting. Well, it is still a little disgusting, but that’s just because it’s Rozanov, not because he’s a man. I… should probably stop talking. The point is I thought I was defending you!”

Ilya rolled his eyes. He was tired of hearing about how Pike thought he was protecting Shane from Ilya. As if that would ever be necessary. “Yes, yes, you are very brave knight in shiny army,” he paused and smirked. There was no way he was letting Pike get the last word. “I still beat you in fight, though.”

Hayden glared. “You did not! I had you pinned down.”

“Only because you fight dirty," Ilya responded. He knew Pike never would have been able to pin him down if he hadn't attacked from behind and then aimed for his already injured ribs.

“Oh yeah, because everyone knows Ilya Rozanov never fights dirty," Pike said, rolling his eyes.

Ilya prepared to retort that he didn't need to fight dirty to beat Pike in a fight, but shut his mouth at Shane's tired voice. "Guys, please."

Shane had finally calmed down, but now he just looked exhausted, which was unsurprising after the events that had just transpired. Ilya squeezed his arm tighter around Shane, hoping to reassure him. Ilya could laugh now, but he knew it would probably be awhile until Shane could. He had gone from thinking his friend was a violent homophobe to learning he was actually an overly enthusiastic ally, all in a matter of minutes. The oscillating emotions was enough to cause whiplash. Ilya was honestly proud Shane was still standing.

Clearly Hayden also realized the impact this incident had on Shane. “Man, can I hug you?” he asked. Shane looked surprised, as if he still couldn't believe his best friend would be so supportive after finding out his secret, but nodded nonetheless. Hayden rushed forward to hug Shane, which also put him in contact with Ilya. Hayden got a group hug or no hug. No chance was Ilya letting Shane go.

“I’m so sorry how this went down. But I’ll always support you, okay? Even if you have terrible taste in men.” Ilya found he didn't mind the insult. This was the type of chirping he enjoyed.

Ilya stayed quiet for a moment, letting Shane soak in the comfort he certainly desperately needed. Still, there was something he had been wondering, and he couldn't help but ask, “So, not to ruin moment, but why are you here?” Ilya had felt so certain they were alone when he came to bother Shane.

Hayden jumped upright, away from Shane. “Fuck! I was supposed to get my wallet. I left it in my locker. The guys are probably all wondering where I am. And Jackie is going to be so pissed when she finds out I broke my nose again and it wasn’t even on the ice.”

“Do you need ride to doctor? I hit very hard.” Ilya offered. It wasn’t even intended as a chirp. He could feel his split knuckles throbbing and a twinge in his shoulder. With his anger gone, he couldn't help but be worried by the damage he could've caused while blinded by rage, now that he knew Hayden didn't necessarily deserve it.

Hayden rolled his eyes, but Ilya could see his mouth twitch, almost smiling. “No, that’s alright. You didn’t even hit me that hard.” They both knew that was a lie, but Ilya would let him keep his dignity (whatever remained of it, at least). “We only have one day left in Boston; you two should spend it together. I’ll contact the team and let them know something came up and I won’t be able to make it. They’re probably all too drunk to care at this point. I’ll fix up my nose and I’ll make an excuse for you in the morning so you have longer together.”

Ilya was shocked. Shane's best friend not being actively homophobic was one thing, but going out of his way to support their relationship was better than Ilya could have dreamed of.

Shane clearly felt the same. "You'd really do that for us?”

"Of course, Shane. It's the least I can do after tonight. I can't say I necessarily understand this relationship, but I just want you to be happy. And I've seen how you look when you are texting Boston Lily. As sickening as it is to admit, Rozanov clearly makes you happy, so I'll support you two however I can." Ilya thought back to all the times his teammates and Svetlana had mocked the lovesick look on his face when he texted Jane. He couldn't help but feel proud thinking it was the same for Shane when he texted him.

“Thanks, Hayden."

“But as soon as we are out of Boston, you are telling me everything.” Ilya thought about what he and Shane would (hopefully) be getting up to later that night and grinned. He was fairly certain Hayden would regret asking if Shane actually told him everything.

~~~

Later that night, after Shane had wrapped his wounds and they had fucked out their remaining adrenaline, as Shane curled into his side, fast asleep, Ilya laid awake. He thought back on the events of the day. Of the way Pike had thrown him. Of how he had fought Ilya even though he no doubt knew that Ilya was stronger than him—Hayden was stupid, but he wasn't that stupid. But he fought anyway. All because he (admittedly in hindsight, pretty reasonably) thought Ilya was being homophobic toward Shane.

Ilya was consumed by a whole new terror.

Fuck. Was he actually going to have to respect Hayden Pike now?