Summary:

"We're setting you up with a billet situation," Fletcher continued. "It's pretty common for first-year players, especially international guys. Gives you a chance to settle in, learn the city, have someone looking out for you."

"Okay," Ilya said slowly, not entirely sure what a billet was, but not wanting to admit his ignorance.

 He could guess from the context – he’d heard of rookies being assigned to live with older single players, veterans who could show them the ropes. Maybe that was what Fletcher meant. Connors maybe, he was probably a handful of years older than Ilya. Or perhaps Becker. Ilya just hoped it was someone who–

"You'll be staying with Nikolai Petrov and his family."

The words hit Ilya like a punch to the gut. For a moment, he forgot how to breathe.

"Petrov?" he managed, his voice coming out strangled.
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The Bears decide that Ilya should be set up with a billet for his first season. The idea of spending a year living with a man that Ilya is sure hates him is completely terrifying. And yet, it ends up being the best thing to ever happen to him.