hr au where shane continues to date rose landry, eventually proposing because “it’s the right thing to do”
the tabloids go crazy over this celebrity marriage ,, (after all, who wouldn’t get excited over the two hottest people on the planet earth getting married to become some sort of superhuman power couple??) EVERYTHING is recorded and posted. looking for a wedding dress? rose had to fake try on multiple dresses just to fluke the paparazzi. holding hands and looking for a venue? stealing secret kisses whilst cake tasting? the world knows.
and unfortunately, so does ilya rozanov. he’s had to physically remove all television devices, all sources of social media from his home. the temptation to tune into what his shane is doing now is too strong. (except he’s not “his” shane anymore, is he?) his teammates try to talk to him ab the new “golden boy of hockey” drama and ilya just walks away. he’s never been in a worse mood, never been more aggressive on the ice. (and believe me, certain people have noticed an uptick in his anger alongside the decrease in montreal jane)
a few times, ilya has actually checked his phone, just staring at his conversations with “jane”.
“I should be who you’re engaged to.”
a few times after that, he’s seen a few little typing bubbles pop up from the phone on the other side. nothing ever comes through.
the wedding eventually rolls around. a big, public event. anyone who’s anyone who even just knows someone is invited. unfortunately, ilya registers as nobody.
the wedding is live-streamed (bless her, yuna will NEVER miss a marketing opportunity), and ilya watches from home. alone. nobody’s heard from him in a few days.
nobody gets to see his teary-eyed reaction when he sees shane in his wedding suit for the first time.
nobody gets to see how his hands shake when the couple exchanges rings.
nobody gets to hear how his voice quivers, whispering his own vows to shane, speaking over rose landry’s.
nobody gets to read the letters upon letters of explanation or apology that he’s written to his love, knowing full well he’ll never send them.
it’s all too little, way too late