“Just a ginger ale, please.”
The bartender gave Shane a slightly weird look, but obliged. Shane was so used to this by now that he barely noticed, taking his focus off the bartender to look around the ballroom.
As a Wayne Enterprises brand ambassador, Shane was often invited to dress up in his nicest, most uncomfortable suit and socialize with the most obnoxious of the wealthy crowd Wayne ran with. And unfortunately, Ilya had his own event to attend. So Shane was flying solo tonight.
Shane took the glass with a nod of thanks and headed into the hoard of people. The only benefit to these things is that rich people in Gotham, New Jersey didn’t pay much attention to Canadian hockey players. So Shane wasn’t approached by the normal suspects. Instead, a few girls hung around him, laughing obnoxiously at everything he said, which felt rather rude, and the odd middle aged man came to offer congratulations or advice. Shane forced himself to smile and nod through the ill-thought out advice.
Eventually, he ran into his least favourite type of person.
“Shane Hollander!” A man exclaimed. “Hockey’s golden boy!”
“Good evening.” Shane smiled politely, not bothering to ask for this man’s name.
“Quite the season, hey man? Gotta say, your choice to head out to Ottawa? Felt like career suicide at the time. But you’ve turned it around, hey lad?”
“That would be my husband’s doing, actually. As the captain of the Centaurs.”
“We don’t have to talk about that.” The man said quickly. “Less I know about the private lives of players the better.”
Shane blinked. “My private life being my husband whipping a team into shape who, until he joined, hadn’t been strong cup contenders in decades?”
“He meant the husband part.” A derisive voice sneered.
Shane turned. Damian Wayne was striding over, emerald green cape fluttering around his waist.
“Mr. Montcalm knows how my family views bigots and homophobes. If he is unable to keep his views to himself, I am happy to walk him out. Is there a problem here?”
“Not at all, Damian.” Montcalm said quickly.
Damian’s lip curled up. “What have you the impression I was addressing you?”
Montcalm balked and scurried off, muttering something surely unsavoury under his breath.
Shane and Damian watched the little man weave through the crowd and disappear from the ballroom.
“Damian Wayne.” Damian held out a hand to shake. “I’ve heard much about you from Luca.”
“I heard about you from Ilya.” Shane returned.
Damian tilted his head. “Ah, you refer to when he intruded on Luca and I during a private moment?”
“And then you threatened my relationship?” Shane rose an eyebrow.
Damian waved him off. “I suppose it does not matter now that you are out and public.”
“Guess not.” Shane huffed. “Where’s Luca?”
“He chooses not to come to such events. Plus, the fewer interactions with my father, the better.”
“Your dad doesn’t like that you’re dating a man?” Shane blinked.
“He does not know that I am dating anyone.” Damian pursed his lips. “We are not always on the best of terms.”
Shane didn’t stay much longer, excusing himself from whatever conversation he hadn’t been paying attention to. A car took him back to the hotel where he promptly called Ilya.
“Seems early to be back from a fancy gala.” Ilya teased. “You look very pretty, all dolled up for me.”
“I met Luca’s boyfriend.”
“Yeah. He shut down a homophobe. Apparently his dad doesn’t know him and Luca are together.”
“I thought most of the Wayne kids have dated in a gay way.” Ilya frowned.
“Yeah, I don’t know.” Shane shrugged off his suit jacket and hung it up. “I hope they’re okay. Damian made it sound like he doesn’t get along with Mr. Wayne.”
“Why?” Ilya asked eagerly.
“You didn’t ask!?” Ilya demanded.
“Shanya!” Ilya complained, flopping dramatically on the bed.
Shane laughed. “I’m sorry I’m not as nosy about strangers lives as you.”
“Maybe ask Luca? I don’t know. I’m going to bed. Tired.”
“I love you. I’ll ask Luca and report back.”
Shane laughed at this ridiculous man. “Night. Love you.”
As per usual, thanks to @its-cloudyhere
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