I do really think that Ilya kind of has no idea how famous Shane is in Montreal until theyāre outed. Like, they go to visit the Pikes and decide to play tourist, so Shane kind of gives him the tour. He has a favourite bakery and a favourite cafe and he knows Ilya is gonna fucking love the orange julep.
And like, Ilya expected them to get stopped a little. He got recognized and stopped in Boston. But he wasnāt expecting to be recorded pretty much all day. Photos, video, the second anyone recognizes them - and everyone recognizes them - phones are out. Shane is repeatedly apologized to and told not to pay for a single thing all day. He leaves like a 300% tip on each of their purchases, but still. No one will let him pay for anything.
And everyone wants a picture. People are not shy about coming to him and asking for a picture or an autograph and Shane just - gives them whatever they want. Grown adults, teenagers, parents with small childrenā¦ Shane and Ilya take a photo with each of the business owners to hang on their wall. The owner of the cafe almost cries when she sees him and gives him a big hug. She doesnāt need to ask for his order; she remembers it and she gives him a special energy breakfast ball thing sheās been perfecting with him in mind.
The bakery made his favourite cookie in the approximate shape and size of a puck because they heard he was in town and hoped heād swing by.
āHollander, you own a bar here?ā
āUh, nope, they justā¦ changed it after I left. Used to be called Chez Serge. Hayden told me thereās a winebar called 2481 in the village now. Or maybe Saint Henri? I canāt remember.ā
Itās fucking insane. And Ilya knew it was insane, but thisā¦ this is actually fucking crazy.
The only place that isnāt quite so bad is Schwartzās. And after Ilya gets over the fact that Shane used to come here alone late sometimes (smoked meat sandwiches are NOT team dietician approved), he boggles over Shane having a casual chat with the guy making their sandwiches. Itās 11:30 at night. Thereās a photo of Shane and this guy on the wall, and Shaneās grinning widely with two thumbs up because he is a dork. āHey Ilya, cāmere I want you to meet someone.ā
They get bagels after. They just - drive to the bagel place that is open 24h, get a dozen, take yet another photo, and pick at them on the way back to Pikeās. Theyāre so fresh theyāre still steaming.
Ilya looks at Shane from across the console. Heās been doing this the whole time? Even with the added pressure of their whole thing before it was a thing? Christ. āIt was always like this?ā
Shane shrugs. āI mean, not always. This was pretty bad, but it was like this every year we made the playoffs. It was similar on years we didnāt do as well, just a little less, you know? I could at least go places without being stopped all the time. Iād still be filmed, but I think people were less proud to be seen with me? So less pictures with fans. But during the playoffs? Yeah, always like this. Why? It had to be similar for you in Boston.ā
āAh, no, Hollander. This is fucking crazy.ā
āYeah,ā Shane shrugs. āMetros fans are passionate. The worst were the game day look paps. I always failed miserably at those.ā
