#kuny

Hockey was love, and hockey was exhausting. Arthur stretched his neck with a grimace; that stubborn crick had been hanging around for two days and showed no sign of leaving. He had been kicking himself for leaving his neck pillow at home all week. Despite not setting foot in a game in twenty years, he felt as if he had played three full periods on extended shifts.

A quick glance in the rearview mirror showed that he was not alone—not a peep had escaped his players in more than an hour, save for the occasional snuffle or snore or sleepy protest when the bus hit a pothole. It was fully night outside the windows, but the highway lights were just bright enough to make out their shapes. After so long, he knew his team from shadows alone.

Nado, passed out on Kuny’s shoulder as the taller man’s headphones began to slide off his ears while he dozed. Kasey, stretched out with his sneakers dangling over the edge, his single seat a gift from O’Hara. Finn himself, crammed in next to his boys until they were hardly more than a blob of heavy coats and too-long winning streak hair.

Cap and Loops had curled up in the middle of the bus—after seven years, Arthur had never seen the captain sit anywhere but the middle of the action—with Loops just barely visible against the window. Across from them, Talker and Pots were loud even in sleep, their snores harmonizing until Dumo (also in his own seat upon a stern request) gave them a light kick and both fell silent.

They entered a tunnel and the night grew darker. Arthur gave up his mental checklist of players and checked his watch, feeling his heart pang at the numbers blinking back at him. They had planned on being back home hours ago, but traffic was traffic and Molly had been nothing but understanding when he called to break the news of their delay. It still stung to not be home to put the kids to bed for the third night in a row.

Part of the Cubs’ huddle made an incoherent noise and he heard Finn murmur something in a sleep-thick accent, followed by a bit of shuffling; a glance back showed Knut readjusting to lay across their laps and Tremzy’s hand rubbing his back.

Arthur smiled to himself—he had never been overly fussed with team relationships of any kind as long as they didn’t affect the game. Happy players made better, safer, smarter choices on the ice. Hell, players showing off for their partners put an extra bit of effort in, even if the rate of eye rolls at O’Hara’s cocky grin had increased exponentially over the past few months. Not to mention the captain opening up to the world, something Arthur had been waiting to see.

“Coach?”

He startled, searching for the voice in the dark until someone waved from the nearest blanket nest. “Hey, Halla, you okay?”

“Juu,” came the sleepy mumble. “How long left?”

“ ‘Bout an hour,” Arthur answered quietly. “We were going to do a rest stop a few minutes ago, but everyone’s out pretty hard.”

Olli hummed, then burrowed back into his blanket. It only took a half minute before Arthur heard his breathing even out.

Maybe it was why he didn’t blame himself when his heart seized up as he caught sight of Jackson, shaking hands with that kind smile of his and getting ever closer. But he wanted to be good. He wanted to be good for Jackson. He wanted to be kind and happy for him. The crowd was still roaring, and some of the Canadians were doing a bad job at wiping the smiles off of their faces at the sound.

Evgeni was still breathing hard, sweat stinging his eyes. It made him look down, blink briefly, and when he looked up again, it was at Jackson and pale blue.

“Kuns,” Jackson began softly, and Evgeni grabbed his hand, more squeezed it than shook it, and pushed away, head ducked once again.

His flight was tomorrow evening. He was supposed to be going home, supposed to be spending time with his parents, his sister. He wanted to. He didn’t get to see them nearly enough, especially not Ksenia, who usually spent her summers traveling, while Evgeni finally stopped traveling. He missed her.

He was half-heartedly throwing his clothes into his suitcase when the knock on his door came. He just stood for a moment, holding a shirt that he was pretty sure was Jackson’s, and closed his eyes. He needed to be alone right now, probably. He felt on edge and mean. He’d all but snapped at Vlad, his roommate, earlier. He was supposed to be going home, to his family he missed terribly, and so why did absolutely all of him want it to be Jackson on the other side of that door, offering to take him back to Gryffindor and their snug apartment?

A second knock, followed by a soft and familiar, “Kuns?”

A third knock. “I know you’re in there, I ran into Vlad in the lobby.”

Evgeni grit his teeth and yanked the door open.

“Should be celebrate,” Evgeni said, and decided he wasn’t going to be able to make Jackson leave, so he turned back to his suitcase.

“I…yeah,” Jackson said. Jackson entered the room almost timidly, leaning back against the door when it fell shut. “What about you? I saw Pavel and some of the others in the lobby—”

“Sad drinking,” Evgeni said. “Head hurts already. Don’t need.”

“Right,” Jackson said. “But, like…you shouldn’t be alone. I mean, unless you want…do you want me to leave?”

“Nado, should be with teammates,” Evgeni said as he tossed his dirty socks in with his clean ones. “I’m not fun. Not right now.”

He didn’t ever want to be anything other than good good good for Jackson, and the frustration eating at him was a snarling bite in each of his words.

“Kuns,” Jackson sighed, hand slapping against his thigh in the way it did when he was annoyed. “You can’t—you can’t be mad at me.”

“Not mad,” Evgeni balled up another t-shirt. “Sad for me. What you want, Nado? I smile at you, so happy, thanks for loss?”

“No,” Jackson fired back, and his lips, already thin, were pressed even thinner. “No, just—but—you barely even looked at me.” 

Evgeni tried to ignore the pang in his chest. He knew that.

Jackson’s next words came out even softer. “You won’t even look at me now.”

Jackson let the flap of his suitcase whip closed and turned sharply on Jackson.

“Okay. I’m look now,” Evgeni said, crossing his arms. “What?”

Jackson had half of one expression on his face, and half of another. They were blended and dropped too quickly for Evgeni to really be able to make sense of either of them.

“Stop,” Jackson said, and reached forward to tug at Evgeni’s crossed arms. “Stop, just—Kuns, come on. I hate this.”

“No bossy, not right now,” Evgeni was surprised to find his voice hoarse, throat thick. “Just sad, you not help.”

“Yes, I do,” Jackson said firmly, because of course he knew that. Of course he just had to look at Evgeni like that, like—like—

“Fuck the gold, fuck the silver,” Jackson said, and Evgeni finally gave in and dropped his arms.

“You win gold,” Evgeni said. He felt miserable. “Not let me make a bad night, Jackson. You come on.” Evgeni nodded towards the door. “Go. Celebrate.”

Jackson shook his head. “I can’t. Not with you all alone up here. Come on, let’s go to dinner, yeah?”

Evgeni shook his head, and placed his hand on Jackson’s which was holding his arm still. “No.”

“Why not?” Jackson pushed a little closer.

“Because deserve to be with team,” Evgeni felt some of his frustration crumble, just a little. A riverbank only beginning to taste water. He pressed a warm palm to Jackson’s cheek, thumb rubbing over his scar. “Okay? I’m know how to lose. Do it many times.”

Jackson’s face showed that he knew he should go. He should be with his teammates. They were probably already at wherever they were celebrating. It was just like Jackson to stay behind to check on Evgeni.

“Wish I smile, say something in the line,” Evgeni admitted. “Bad teammate. I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry,” Jackson sighed, leaning into Evgeni’s palm. “I shouldn’t have made you feel like you couldn’t be upset.”

“You don’t,” Evgeni said and, heart beating faster as it always did when they kissed—it wasn’t so regular yet that it didn’t still feel new each time—he pressed his lips to the corner of Jackson’s mouth quickly.

“Come back after,” Evgeni said. “I don’t care if you wake me up.”

Jackson bit his lip for a moment, and then pressed up on his toes and kissed Evgeni full on the mouth. He looked flushed with it, even just the sparse moment of it, and he reached out to touch the heavy golden pendants Evgeni wore around his neck.

“Okay,” Jackson smiled. “Okay. See you later, then. Yeah?”

Evgeni gave him a playful shove towards the door, kissed-smile on his own mouth. “Go. I want sleep.”

An embarrassed flush spread over Jackson’s face even as he tried to laugh it off. “What? No I’m not,” he scoffed, crossing his arms. All Pascal did was raise an eyebrow, a grin still annoyingly visible through the beard. “I’m not,” Jackson added, smiling a little despite himself.

Pascal gave a noncommittal hum, turning his gaze to the makeshift set in front of them. “What are your holiday plans?” he asked, seemingly changing the subject. “Going anywhere?”

“Yep,” Jackson said, some of the color leaving his cheeks and his shoulders relaxing. “Canada-bound tomorrow.” Though you’d never know it looking at his and Evgeni’s apartment—not a suitcase in sight. Jackson wasn’t even 100% sure he’d checked into his flight yet.

“Home sweet home,” Pascal said, and Jackson just blinked at him for a moment because what came to mind when he heard home wasn’t his parents’ place in Victoria. It was the couch that was just barely large enough for Evgeni’s never-ending legs when he sprawled out next to Jackson during a movie. It was the fridge full of protein shakes and takeout containers. It was his rarely made bed next door to Evgeni’s neatly made one, used less and less often as the weeks went on and Jackson lost motivation to leave Evgeni’s room after a hookup.

“Mm,” Jackson finally said in vague agreement, eyes wandering to Kuny’s broad back for a moment. He saw Sergei, dressed as Frosty, say something to Evgeni that made him throw his head back and laugh that deep, rumbling laugh that made Jackson’s heart flip.

“Of course, Gryffindor is also nice this time of year.” His eyes met Pascal’s, who was already looking at him with a disconcertingly knowing grin. “A beautiful city to spend Christmas in with loved ones, non?”

Jackson narrowed his eyes. “What are you saying, Santa?”

Pascal shrugged. “Nothing, nothing at all,” he said, feigning innocence. “Just that, if you were to spend your week off here, that wouldn’t be so bad. Kuny isn’t going back to Russia until summer, right?”

“Right,” Jackson said slowly, ignoring the way his heart leapt at the idea. “But I already have plans.”

“Well,” Pascal said, giving another shrug, “I’m sure your parents would understand if you didn’t want to fly all the way there with a case of the flu.”

“I don’t have the—”

“Dumo Claus! We need you on set!” Marlene called with a wave. Sirius and Logan were already squeezed together in the back of the sleigh.

“Ouais, alright!” Pascal called back. He gave Jackson a wink over the brim of his half-moon glasses before heading off in their direction.

Jackson spent the rest of the shoot trying to ignore the temptation to fake an illness, cancel his flight, and spend the entire break with Evgeni. But now that Pascal had suggested it, it was impossible to forget. It was as though hearing it out loud gave Jackson’s heart some tacit permission to feel how much he wanted it, and now his desire was blooming in his chest, growing stronger by the minute.

He looked down at his phone and opened the airline’s app; his plane was already delayed by an hour. Taking it as a sign, he clicked the phone off and shoved it back into his pocket, ignoring the ‘check into flight’ option on the screen.

He wished his teammates happy holidays as costumes were shed and everyone grabbed their things to leave. Soon enough, he found himself standing next to Evgeni, who was back in his Lions hoodie and a pair of dark-wash jeans that were secretly Jackson’s favorite on him, hugging his strong thighs just enough to make Jackson want to peel them off.

“Good job today,” Evegeni said, sending Jackson a lopsided grin as he bent to pick up his duffel bag.

Jackson raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

Evgeni laughed at that, shaking his head without a moment’s hesitation. “No. Your acting is shit.”

Jackson punched his shoulder. “Your acting is shit,” he said, smiling. “At least our hockey is good.”

Evgeni hummed, waiting for Jackson to fish his car keys out of his coat before falling into step beside him as they headed for the arena’s parking garage. Jackson would drive home alone to scrounge some leftovers and pack while Evgeni went out with a few of the boys for a late dinner, then they’d say goodbye in the morning before Jackson drove to the airport. That was the plan. Had been the plan.

“Miss hockey when we on break, you know?” Evgeni mused aloud. He was walking so close to Jackson that their shoulders were almost brushing as they moved. Then he shot Jackson a sidelong glance and a smile that was a little bit sad. “Miss you, too, a bit.”

The plan was set. It was a fine plan.

Jackson’s heart sped up. “A bit?”

Evgeni’s smile turned wry. “A lot.”

Screw the plan.

They reached Jackson’s car, both of them lingering by the driver’s side door. Evgeni blew out a breath, a puff of white visible in the cold air between them. “Hey, look,” he said, looking off to the side where the garage opened to the outside world. “Snow.”

Jackson watched, too, as the white flakes fell steadily from the blue-black evening sky, just starting to thinly coat the street. “Kuns,” he heard himself say.

Evgeni turned back to look at him. The tip of his nose was just a little pink, though he always insisted that as a Russian native, he was impervious to the cold. The urge to kiss it welled up in Jackson like a tidal wave. He shoved his hands into his coat pockets instead.

When he didn’t say anything for a moment, Evgeni tilted his head. “Okay?”

“Yeah. I just…” Jackson met Evgeni’s eyes, a smile forming automatically. “I don’t—I’m not going to Canada for Christmas.”

Evgeni looked at him with confusion written on his face. “No?”

“No.” Jackson’s throat felt dry all of a sudden. “My family will see me in the summer, it’s fine. I want to stay here. With you. Like…together.” He scrubbed a hand over his red face. “Okay, say something, or I’m just going to keep embarrassing myself.”

When he looked back up, Evgeni was beaming. “Yes?” he said, stepping in close and bringing a hand up to Jackson’s cheek. Jackson could feel the heat radiating off his body, could hear that his breathing had sped up. “You want?”

Jackson leaned into the touch. “I really do. Do you?”

Evgeni spared a quick glance around the garage, then leaned down and kissed him hard. “So much,” he murmured, still smiling at Jackson like they’d just won another championship. “You want from now on, yes? To be boyfriends?”

“Yeah,” Jackson laughed, pulling him into a hug. “Thanks for saying it. Apparently my confessions are shit, like my acting.”

Evgeni pressed a kiss to his temple before they broke apart. “Not that bad, maybe,” he teased, “But worse than your hockey for sure.”

________________________________

Having a significant other during Valentine’s Day was a completely new experience. Past Valentine’s were spent either alone or at the bar. Jackson never really looked forward to it before but this year. This year was different. 

This was his and Zhenya’s first Valentine’s day as a couple, and he wanted to make it special. So Jackson started his planning a month in advance.

Jackson knew he couldn’t cook so he started his preparation by asking around for a good Russian restaurant to order food from. Sergei recommended one to him, right outside of Gryffindor that made really good traditional Russian food. He probably ordered too much, but he wanted Zhenya to have a lot of options. Pelmeni, Pirozhki, Beef Stroganoff and so many more. They’d have enough leftovers to feed them for the rest of the week at the very least.

He set it up to have it delivered early on in the day. With Valentine’s Day being on a Sunday this year, they didn’t have practice or any games either. He always woke up before Zhenya, who tended to be a deep sleeper. 

After turning his alarm off before it could wake the other man, Jackson rolled towards his boyfriend, quietly watching him sleep for a couple minutes. He used to think it was creepy when other people talked about their significant others sleeping. Now though, he understands. Zhenya’s face was so soft, so calm when he slept. He didn’t snore, he did more of a soft snuffle. He slept on his side, facing Jackson most of the time with an arm wrapped around him. 

That was the hardest part of getting up this morning. Getting out of the bed without waking Zhenya. Jackson carefully tried to roll to the edge of the bed, but a large hand quickly pulled him back into the middle. He let out a soft sigh, pressing a kiss to his jaw before carefully maneuvering out of the larger man’s arms. Hopefully he’d stay asleep long enough for him to at least get everything set up.

Checking the time as he walked into the kitchen, Jackson clapped his hands together, “Alright, let’s get started.” He murmured to himself. It was around 10am and he was hoping to have at least an hour or two to set up. He had hid a bouquet of flowers under the sink for the center of the table, and some cutesy Valentine’s decorations. Looking over the various items, Jackson found himself getting nervous. Had he gone too far? Was this too much? 

Jackson wasn’t often seen as a romantic person, he didn’t see himself as it either. But he wanted to be. For Zhenya. He deserved the cutesy shit and the romance. He deserved the entire world and if that meant Jackson buying out Party City of all of their Valentine’s Day decorations, then that is what he was going to do. 

The food was delivered around an hour into his decorating. As soon as he received the text, Jackson quickly swung the door open before they could knock or ring the doorbell. The delivery person actually had to help him carry it to the kitchen. 

After thanking and tipping them profusely, Jackson started setting everything out on the counters and the tables. He finished the entire set-up around twelve, sitting at the table with a sigh of relief. He did it. When he bought everything, he was worried it would be too cheesy but it actually turned it pretty well. Not too over the top.

Jackson quickly went and cleaned himself up, fixing his hair and brushing his teeth before deciding it was time to wake Zhenya.

Crawling back into the bed, Jackson started pressing soft kisses over his boyfriend’s face, “Zhenya. Baby. Babe.” He mumbled against the soft skin of his jaw. He could feel his cheeks move up into a smile as he began to wake up.

“Котенок. Hello. I’m wake.” Zhenya grumbled, pulling Jackson to his chest.

Jackson gently traced over his face, a smile on his face that was only for Zhenya, “Morning, Zhenya. I have a surprise...when you decide to wake up.”

A brown eye peeked out at him, like freshly melted chocolate against the white pillowcase, “Surprise? For me?” He asked.

He let out a chuckle, giving Zhenya a gentle kiss, “Yeah, babe. For you. But you gotta get up.” Jackson said as he sat up, trying to pull Zhenya with him. 

Zhenya pulled him into his lap with a smile, his hair slightly ruffled, “What if I want you as my surprise? Good idea, yeah?” He murmured, large palms resting on narrow hips.

A flush spread across Jackson’s cheeks as he rested his arms on Zhenya’s shoulders, “Maybe later? My surprise first though. Please.” 

With a dramatic sigh, Zhenya nodded, “Alright. Your surprise first.” He agreed, tapping Jackson’s hip till he climbed off. Jackson couldn’t help but watch as he climbed out of bed, the blankets and sheets falling away to show strong legs and muscled back. If it wasn’t all set-up downstairs, he would pull Zhenya right back into the bed.

Zhenya pulled on a pair of joggers and a t-shirt before glancing back at Jackson, “Surprise now?” He said excitedly, reaching a hand out to his boyfriend.

Intertwining their fingers together, Jackson led the way downstairs. His heart pounded nervously in his chest as he pushed open the kitchen door, “Happy Valentine’s day, babe.” Jackson murmured, pulling him all the way into the room.

All of the planning, getting up early and setting up was so worth it to see the look of shock on Zhenya’s face. He was frozen in the doorway, his hand still clutching at Jackson’s as he looked around the room, “I-I.. You do this.. For me?” He whispered, eyes shining with unshed tears as he turned to Jackson.

Jackson squeezed his hand, a small smile spreading on his face, “I’d do anything for you, Zhenya.”

He barely finished the sentence before Zhenya pulled him in for a kiss, his hands gently caressing Jackson’s face, “Котенок. Thank you.” He mumbled into the kiss. No one had ever done this for him. Zhenya was never really with anyone for this long. Except for Jackson.

Pulling away, Jackson smiled, “C’mon, let’s eat, Zhenya. I got your favorites.” He grabbed plates out of the cabinet, handing one to his boyfriend, “I also ordered some that just sounded good.”

Zhenya wiped at his cheeks as he took the plate, “You got from good restaurant too.” He said with a smile, filling his plate.

“Yeah, I asked Sergei. I wanted to make sure I got the good stuff.” Jackson said, taking a little of everything. They both sat at the table, eating happily.

Jackson bit his lip as pulled out a small box from his pocket, “One last surprise.” He murmured, pushing the box across the table. 

Eyes widening, Zhenya looked up at Jackson, “No, Jackson. Too much. You give me so much already.” As he watched Zhenya take the box slowly, Jackson was already shaking his head.

“Never enough, Zhenya. Never.” 

Zhenya let out a shaky breath as he opened the box. Inside was a simple black leather bracelet, held together by a silver clasp. Picking it up with gentle fingers, he noticed the engraving. 

Понял тебя.

I got you.

The tears were already falling down Zhenya’s cheeks when he looked up to Jackson, who was smiling softly, eyes already wet with unshed tears, “I know we’re not out yet and it might be awhile before we can be. Which is fine! I just.. I just wanted you to know. I love you so much and you’re it for me. Always.”

Jackson didn’t know what response he was expecting. A kiss maybe? More tears? Zhenya did neither. He ran out of the room. He left. Jackson was frozen for a minute and was about to yell out for him when Zhenya ran back in, out of breath. A box clutched in his own hands.

“W-we’re on the same.. What is the word? Brainwaves?”

Jackson’s eyes never left the box, “Wavelength. The same wavelength.”

Quietly stepping forward, Zhenya handed him the box. Inside was a silver chain, similar to the ones that constantly hung from Zhenya’s neck. The charm had a triangle which Jackson recognized as the flag of Magnitogorsk, and on the back.

I got you.

Logan blushed as the team all whooped, Walker messing up Logan’s hair while at least five people gave him a gentle tap on the shoulder.

Pascal cleared his throat and everyone turned to look at him once more. “In recognition of this truly amazing achievement, we have a little something for you Tremz.”

Logan felt his eyes widen as he shook his head. “Non, no, you guys didn’t have to do that, really.”

“Hush.” Kuny said and Logan shut his mouth, laughing through his nose, his cheeks blazing.

“James?” Sirius yelled, and James burst through the door to the locker room, a massive box wrapped in the gaudiest bow Logan had ever seen tied nicely on the top.

Logan looked at it suspiciously. “Did you all really go out and find a luminous pink bow?”

“Actually, Kasey just happened to have it.” Leo said in a deadpan voice and Logan turned to look at Kasey who just shrugged.

“I save wrapping paper. Also, Natalie’s mom likes things that are really bright.” His face shadowed a minute as he got lost in a memory. “Like really bright.”

Logan laughed and pulled the bow open, ripping open the box to find… Another box.

Logan laughed, covering his face in his hands. “Wow, we’re really doing this?”

Sirius sat down in front of him, smiling a smile so wide, the media would have an absolute field day if they ever saw it. “Oh, we’re doing this.”

Logan braced himself and opened the next box to find a parcel wrapped in newspaper. Followed by another layer… and another.

“Oh my god guys, you’re so freaking extra.” He groaned, slumping back against the wall. Finn kissed his cheek and pulled him upright.

“Come on Lo, you’re nearly there.” He said, smirking and Logan grinned, ripping open the last set of paper to find a scarlet jumper inside.

“Oh, merci, thanks guys.” He said as he pulled it out, the soft fabric unfolding as it was lifted.

“Turn it around!” Olli called and Logan flipped it so the front was facing him, white bold lettering stark against the chest.

World’s okayest MVP

Logan burst out laughing, pulling it on over his head.

“Mon dieu, this is not what I expected, but it’s amazing, I love it.”

“And we really mean it.” James said sincerely, hand over his heart. Marlene slipped in the door behind him, camera in hand.

“Oh Logan, fab you have it on and all! Can we take a quick picture for social media?”

Logan nodded and smiled, the entire team piling around him. It ended up with everyone in a tangled mess, James and Talker both sitting on Kasey’s lap, Finn and Nado lying on their sides on the floor, propping their heads on their elbow, Logan squished right in the centre.

“Ready?” Marlene called and everyone pasted their camera-worthy smiles, collapsing in a laughing heap as soon as Marlene gave them the thumbs up.

“Alright,” Moody shouted, his tone gruff but his eyes sparkling. “That’s enough messing around. Let’s get to work before we lose our chance at another one of those cups, yeah?”