To die would be an awfully big adventure.

And it seems like maybe, maybe, they might get just one more cup. It goes down to game seven, and Shane makes a spectacular no-look pass to Ilya that keeps them in the game, it’s all tied up when the quick, new, young left wing from Seattle tips one in at the buzzer.

And they’ve lost, and Shane will probably drive them both crazy for the rest of their lives occasionally going back to that game tape. And Ilya is knocking into him, disappointed but he knows this team (sans them) will be back there soon) and telling Shane it would have been almost greedy to have that last one, Shane has 6 after all. And telling Shane that he’ll make it up to him when they get to the hotel (they will make out and nip and fall into separate beds so they can stretch out and arrange ice bags as needed)

But as they watch the cup being passed around and the players’ families coming out to the ice, Ilya nudges Shane and they watch as a young D-man, he just finished his first full year in the MLH, wraps another young man in his arms and smacks a playful kiss on his cheek before turning his head and kissing him sweetly.

He’s just an average player - Shane thinks he could have a decent if not spectacular career if he keeps developing - and he kisses his partner right on the ice. The cameras don’t pause over the scene, no one on his team gives it a second look, it’s not even mentioned when Shane watches the game coverage.