Chapter Text
“You already know what I’m going to ask.”
Svetlana stated bluntly in Russian, looking over at Ilya sitting across from her. He was back in Boston for the first time in a while and had invited her out to dinner. They hadn’t seen each other nearly as much since he joined the Centaurs. It was no one’s fault, really. But they also made an effort not to drift apart, texting and calling every so often.
Svetlana now twisted her glass in her hand, wine swimming back and forth slowly. The restaurant was nice. Discrete, thankfully. (One too many times had she been caught leaving a bar or club or restaurant with Ilya and circled the internet as his “secret girlfriend” until the tabloids calmed down.) Dim, low lighting and fanciful music played softly in the background. It would’ve been romantic if it were anyone else. She gazed up from her glass to see a staring Ilya, leaning just a bit closer than he had been a moment ago.
“Sveta.” Ilya’s voice was stern, a bit strained in the way it always was when Svetlana broached this topic. Ilya didn’t scare her, though.
She’d seen him at his highest and lowest. Celebrated his biggest wins and hugged him as he sobbed. She always perfectly matched him, his eagerness, sarcasm, and all. She knew when to push and when to leave it alone. And this? There was no way she would leave this alone.
“What? Are you going to keep him locked away forever, Ilyusha?” She sat her glass on the table, raising an eyebrow and questioning him. The mention of the pronoun, even in Russian, caused Ilya to look around them. Even after noticing that everyone around was far more interested in their topics of conversation, he still lowered his voice.
“You know it’s hard, our relationship. And—“ he looked over his shoulder once more, “Jane tends to be a bit anxious about who knows. You think it’s the best idea for him to meet his boyfriend’s ex-fuck buddy?”
“Oh, you wound me, Ilyusha. Is that all I am?” she switched to English, faux hurt lacing her voice and a grin spread across her face. He rolled his eyes but he smiled too.
The two knew exactly how to make the other laugh and cry in a way no one else did. Ilya was a friend who happened to be a good lay. Nothing more. When she needed something good and fun and simple with no strings, she knew who to call.
Their friendship was stronger than anything on the Earth. But that’s all it ever was, friendship. Svetlana wondered if Shane would understand that. Or would he really think she was just a friend-with-benefits he would mistake as trying to take Ilya away?
“Would he hate me?” she asked, a little worry spilled into her voice that she had tried to mask.
“He couldn’t, even if he tried. It’s sad, really. Not a hateful bone in his body. Couldn’t even pretend to hate me.” Ilya laughed.
“Be serious, idiot!”
“I am! Look, I’ll talk to him. Next time we are all in Ottawa. We’ll meet up and have dinner and sing songs and whatever cheesy shit you wanna do.”
“Oh, fuck you, Ilya.”
“Aw, sorry. I can’t anymore, I have a beautiful man waiting for me in Canada.”
“I have no clue how you managed to get him. He’s gorgeous and kind and nothing like you.”
“I know.”
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
A text chimed Svetlana’s phone a few weeks later.
Svetlana smiled to herself as she set her phone down on the dresser. A free trip to Ottawa and she gets to meet the precious Jane? This was bound to be fun.
She twisted the idea around in her mind as she began to pack a few days later. As she slid pairs of shoes into her bag, she thought of what Ilya said.
”we’re having some of his boring friends over for dinner”
Who could be there? Who knew about the two other than Svetlana herself? Maybe Shane’s best friend? He was pretty close with some of the guys on the Metros, from what she’s heard in interviews. Shane didn’t have many friends outside of hockey, according to Ilya.
Who was Svetlana going to meet here?
Whoever it was, she was going to make sure she looked damn good when she met them. She pulled a few dresses out of her closet at the idea, searching for her favorite.
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
The flight to Ottawa was tranquil. Svetlana gazed out the window silently for most of it, watching as the clouds passed her by. Opposite of Ilya, she enjoys plane rides, and since her job flew her out often, she got to do it just as much as him.
She tried to do some work on her computer, slow airplane Wi-Fi making it just that much more tedious. However, she was quickly sidetracked by that same idea floating in her head: Who of Shane’s friends would be there?
This, obviously, led her to opening her phone to Shane Hollander’s Instagram page. Unfortunately, it was very bare. Not in a literal sense, it had frequent posts of sponsorships, camp news, scenic landscapes, etcétera. But bare in personality. Nothing really shined through, nothing told you anything you wouldn’t already know.
He seemed to be the exact opposite of Ilya or anyone he’d ever slept with. This only intrigued Svetlana even more.
Her eyes wandered down as she scrolled through the posts. A specific comment under his sponsored Rolex post reminded Svetlana of someone she hadn’t thought about in months.
Rose Landry.
Shane’s gorgeous actress ex-girlfriend.
She knew little about her, admittedly. She only briefly talked to Ilya about the two and that was before she’d found out about Jane’s true identity. Perhaps her and Shane were still friends? Sveltana clicked on the profile that commented.
Her profile was a stark contrast to Shane’s. Way more expressive and an outright manifestation of her personality, rather than hiding it. She had various posts from her previous projects, behind the scenes images, and pictures of herself. She was always with someone. Her friends, her costars, Shane. While it was at a slow pace recently, Shane was a common feature among her posts. It seems they hang out every few months.
Svetlana began to scroll aimlessly through her posts, hesitating every time her thumb hovered over a particularly captivating photo. It was as if she was made for the camera. Which made sense, seeing as she was drawn to the acting industry.
Her most recent post piqued Svetlana’s interest the most. The cover photo was a city skyline, a relatively indistinct one at that. The caption was what made it interesting.
rosebouqetlandry: can’t seem to stay away from canada 💗
Rose was definitely in Canada. Interesting. According to her posts, she wasn’t working on any projects as of current. If Rose Landry was coming to this dinner, it would certainly make this night all the more fun for Svetlana.
Rose was beautiful, naturally. Svetlana wasn't insane for noticing that. Just as Ilya has secrets that Svetlana would keep for him in Russia, Svetlana kept similar things between the two. More than once had the two shared a night with a girl they both liked. She never felt a need to put a label on her attraction. She liked who she liked and that often included both men and women. And right now, Rose seemed like someone she would really like.
But she was getting ahead of herself. She doesn’t even know if Rose is going to be there. She hasn’t even met Shane yet.
She set her phone down and looked out the window to the clouds once again. This would be a long weekend.
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
Ilya met Svetlana at the airport, in a noticeably plain and practical car. As she got in, a smirk split her face in two. Ilya looked over at her, taking his sunglasses off.
“What?”
“God, you’re whipped. What happened to the Aston Martin?” she giggled.
“Shut the fuck up. I sold it when I moved.”
“Aw, I worked so hard to get you that.”
“No you didn’t. You got paid twice as much as I paid for that shit.”
“Yeah, I did.”
They rode semi-quietly, faint music playing in the background as Svetlana admired the rolling landscape. After a while, she broke the silence.
“Ilyusha? You said some of Shane’s ‘boring friends’ would be here, yes?”
“That is what I said.”
“Who all is going to be there? Who all knows?”
“...Not many people. You are only person I have told.” There is a beat of silence before Ilya speaks again that makes Svetlana’s heart ache. “Hayden Pike knows. Metros’ worst player? Despite my arguments, he knows. He is Shane’s best friend, other than me, of course.”
“You exaggerate. Pike is nothing special but he is not bad.”
“Exaggerate. Yeah, sure.”
“Anyone else? Will it just be me and the Metro?”
“No. I would not torture you like that. His wife, Jackie, will be there too. She’s nice. Oh…and Rose.”
He said the name as if it were an afterthought. It was anything but to Svetlana.
“Rose? Like…Rose Landry?”
“Is there another Rose I don’t know about?”
“I just didn’t expect for Shane’s ex to come.”
“Yes, well…they’re close friends.”
Svetlana looked over and noticed how Ilya’s grip ever so slightly tightened on the steering wheel. He avoided her gaze, looking out the windshield.
“Ilya, are you jealous of Rose Landry?”
“What? No. That’s stupid.”
“I can’t blame you. She is pretty.”
“Shut up.”
Svetlana laughed, turning to look back out the window. She couldn’t quite place why she was so excited to see the actress, but she couldn’t help but covet it. It had been so long since she felt like this.
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
Svetlana took a deep breath before she knocked on the door. Ilya’s Ottawa residence hadn’t been too far from her hotel, which she was grateful for. She had been equally grateful that Shane had offered to pay for the hotel and the Uber to the home. It gave her a good impression of the control Shane liked to have, inside and outside of hockey.
She was clad in a sleek, long sleeved black dress that hung off the shoulders. Wrapped around her was one of her many long fur coats that had seen many days and many nights with Ilya. In her hands she carried her small purse and a bottle of wine. A housewarming gift, despite Ilya having moved months prior. She had never been here so it felt customary.
The house in itself wasn’t too opulent, a certain change from Ilya’s Boston penthouse. It was closer into the suburbs but still private enough. Still felt very “Rozanov”.
As the door opened Svetlana was met by the familiar Russian. He was much more put together than at the airport. His curls are properly done, clad in a low cut silk shirt, and black slacks. They both smile when they see each other and Ilya pulls her into a hug.
When they finally broke apart, she kissed him on the cheek and handed the bottle over to Ilya.
“For my Ilyusha. A housewarming gift.”
“A bit late, you think?”
“Well, someone wouldn’t invite me until I wore him down, so…”
Ilya smiled, taking her hand and bringing her into the house. He led her to the living room, where Hayden Pike and his wife are sitting on the couch. No Rose. Svetlana smiled and waved at the two.
“Pike, Jackie. This is Svetlana Vetrova. She is childhood best friend from Russia.” Svetlana reached a hand out, shaking Jackie’s and receiving a hesitant handshake from Hayden.
“Sveta, this is boring Hayden Pike and his amazing wife Jackie.”
Hayden rolled his eyes before smiling at Svetlana. Jackie simply giggled, standing up and embracing Svetlana in a hug.
“It is so nice to meet you. Ilya’s mentioned you before but you are beyond imagination.”
“Thank you so much.” Svetlana grinned, sitting down next Jackie as Ilya walked away, assumingly to go to Shane. Shane, who Svetlana has yet to meet but is determined to very, very soon. He took her coat with him, probably to put away.
“So, how did you and Ilya meet?” Jackie asked, looking over at her. Hayden seems a bit more reserved, simply glancing at Svetlana.
“We met very young, back in Russia. Our fathers knew each other so we became close. I was one of the first to know about Ilyusha. I came to the USA before him, though. My father was a hockey player, you may know him, Sergei Vetrov–”
“You’re Vetrov’s daughter? Holy shit, no wonder you two are so close.” Hayden interrupted, which earned a glare from his wife. Svetlana merely giggled, used to it by now.
“Yes, yes. Well, we traveled to the US a lot because of this. It’s part of the reason my English is a bit better than Ilyusha’s. Though, Russia isn’t the best place to be, no matter how much I love it. So, once I was old enough I moved to Boston. I would see Ilyusha often and we have stayed friends since.”
Stayed friends was the smallest possible way to describe their relationship but it was good enough for this. Shane would know the whole truth, though. He’d have to.
She’d wondered if Ilya had already told him. She never asked. She hoped he hadn’t. It would make meeting him a little less awkward. But on the other hand, she really hoped he did. It would take the pressure off her shoulders and the current knot out of her stomach.
Svetlana chatted with the Pikes for a little while longer until they were interrupted by a knock at the door. Ilya came out of the woodworks in order to answer the door and Svetlana took that as her chance to try and find Shane. She followed where Ilya had come from, leading her to the kitchen where Shane was in the process of closing the oven. The sound of her heels clicking against the floor caused him to jump, quickly turning around.
He was much more gorgeous in person. Svetlana often teased Ilya for picking the pretty boy of the MHL but she honestly couldn’t blame him. He wasn’t quite as dressed up as Ilya, in a t-shirt and jeans, but he also wasn’t an overdramatic Slavic man. Svetlana smiled, walking closer and leaning against the counter in a cat-like manner.
“So, you’re the infamous Jane?” Her accent wrapped around the words as drawed them out. She could see as the gears slowly turned in Shane’s head, coming together to realize who exactly she was. He smiled hesitantly and stepped towards her.
“Yeah. You must be Svetlana.” He reached out a hand but Svetlana pushed it away and went in to hug him. He stiffened before wrapping his hands around her cautiously.
She took a step back and admired him, head to toe. This was the man Ilya had fallen in love with, sickeningly so. She had never seen Ilya so enamored by anyone. As much as this was an introduction it was also an investigation.
“Ilya has told me so much about you. It’s nice to meet you.” He stammers a bit, clearly a bit nervous.
“Same to you. Ilya may have told you but I’ve admired you for a while. On the ice, of course. You’re an incredible player.”
“Uh, yeah. Ilya told me you’re well versed in hockey. Do you go to his games?”
“No, not anymore. He got tired of me lecturing him about his mistakes on the ice.”
He chuckled, loosening a bit.
“What has Ilyusha told you about me?” Her curiosity got the better of her. Though, she remained calm and composed, as if she couldn’t care less about whatever the answer may be. She absolutely could.
“He told me about your relationship. That you were…close in Boston.”
“Close?”
“Yeah, close.”
Just as Svetlana was about to speak again, Ilya entered the kitchen and wrapped his arms around Shane.
“I hope she is not scaring you.” He muttered, close to Shane’s ear. Shane’s hands hovered over Ilya’s but didn’t push him off. He smiled softly.
“Fuck off, Ilyusha. I was just asking him what he knew of me.”
“Yes, I told him we used to fuck. What is saying? You beat around bush too much.”
Svetlana noticed Shane’s eyes flickering a bit at Ilya’s crudeness.
“You do not need to worry about me, Shane. Ilya is simply a friend. Let me guess, he told you about his stupid plan to marry me?”
Shane nodded, a breath of air puffing out of his nose in amusement.
“Yes, yes, make fun of dumb stupid Ilya. Is dinner ready yet, moya lyubov?”
“Yeah, I just took the bread out of the oven.”
“Then let’s eat. I am starving.” Ilya places a kiss on Shane’s cheek, whispering something Svetlana couldn’t quite catch into his ear.
Svetlana smiled as she watched Ilya and Shane work together to plate dinner. Seeing her best friend so domesticated brought a smile to her face. He allowed himself to melt into someone in a way he almost never did.
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
The knock at the door that Svetlana used to find Shane was, expectedly, Rose. Seated at the table, she sat next to Svetlana with Jackie and Hayden across from them and Shane and Ilya at the head of the table.
They all make idle conversation, Hayden throwing jabs at Ilya and Ilya making some comment about the Metros. Jackie and Rose were constantly trying to make them talk about anything but hockey. Svetlana would chime in every once in a while, often arguing with Ilya about something in the way they always did.
The dinner overall was fun, friendly. However, Svetlana couldn’t tell you more than one topic that was talked about. Her focus kept drifting to the redhead sat beside her. She was electric, energy radiating off of her. You couldn’t help but smile in her presence.
Svetlana was fucked.
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
After dinner finished, the group chatted a bit longer before the Pikes left to relieve their babysitter. It was just Rose, Shane, and Svetlana as Ilya slinked away to get Svetlana’s coat before her ride got there. Svetlana watched Rose carefully as she spoke with Shane. She was effortlessly funny and had a charm about her. She was almost caught in a trance, snapping out of it when Rose called her name.
“What about you, Svetlana?” Both of them looked toward her. Svetlana allowed herself to savor, for just a moment, the way Rose’s lips wrapped around her name. She sat up straight, crossing her legs.
“Sorry, what?”
“Do you come to Canada often?”
“Not often. Sometimes for work. Sometimes for hockey. It's very nice here.”
“Right? I was just telling Shane, I wish I could come up here more often. My projects recently have been keeping me in America.”
“Have you ever been to Boston?” Svetlana couldn’t help herself.
“Once or twice but never long enough to enjoy it, y’know? That’s how it is with a lot of places for me. I’ve been to Europe a few times but all of those times probably amount to no more than three days.” She laughed after that. A beautiful, warm laugh. One you couldn’t help but join her in.
“Next time you’re in Boston, for more than a few hours, maybe I could show you around. Maybe Europe too, if you happen to land in Russia.”
“Yeah, that sounds fun! I need to talk to someone who knows about these idiots.” They both laughed.
When Svetlana opened her eyes again, Ilya had entered the room and was holding her coat out to her. She took it and checked her phone, seeing that her ride was almost there.
“Ah, I must go. Thank you for having me. It was nice meeting you Jane, Rose.” She lip perked up at the mention of Rose’s name in a way she hoped was just obvious enough. She hugged Shane and Rose before grabbing Ilya’s hand. “Walk me out, Ilyusha?”
He nodded, grabbing her hand as she turned and waved to the two once again. Once they were outside, there was subtle silence between the two. Svetlana felt Ilya’s glare on her which caused her to look up.
“What?” Svetlana asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Never in my life have you not had an opinion. How was it? How was he?”
She giggled, rolling her eyes. “You are so inpatient, Ilyusha. Are we not going out soon? I will tell you then.”
“You are so difficult.”
“That’s why you love me. It seems only me and your Canadian can handle you.”
He smirked at the mention of Shane. Svetlana shoved his shoulder playfully and laughed.
“Ugh, you are so gross when you’re in love!”
The two joke for a bit longer before Svetlana’s Uber finally showed up. Ilya walked her to the car, opening the door for her. Svetlana hugged Ilya, kissing him on the cheek before getting in the car.
“See you later, Sveta.”
“Good night, Ilyusha.”
As Svetlana rode to the hotel, she only had one thing–one person–on her mind. And even as she got undressed and showered in her hotel room, that person remained on her mind. And as she laid her head on the pillow and began to drift to sleep, her dreams were filled with red curls and warm laughter.
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·