The weekend Shane spends in Boston gives he and Rozanov some time, for once, to do something other than have sex. He hadn’t considered the dreaded alternative: conversation about sex. Ilya just wants whatever he’s allowed. And also much more than that, probably. -- [or: instead of shane walking out post tuna melt, they decide to become exclusive instead.]

“Mic’ing us up? Did I hear that right?” Hunter questions. “Someone in PR thought it would be funny to hear the three of you during all of your games,” Coach LeClaire explains, “The idea got out and spread like wildfire.” “Huh,” Hunter responds. “It would be funny to hear me,” Ilya corrects, “I am funny. The other two are boring.” He hears Hollander huff out a laugh and bump shoulders with him as Hunter continues to ask questions. Casually glancing over to the other man, he sees a small smile playing at his lips. His eyes, though, there was a gleam that he hadn’t seen before. He wasn’t certain what it could mean, but it couldn’t be good for Ilya. - Or what if Shane had stayed with Ilya that night in Boston?

Ilya wants, immediately, to silence the call, fling his phone onto the floor, and go to bed. But he doesn’t. Can’t. It is three in-the-morning. Shane is calling him. He doesn’t like that combination. Dislikes it more than the idea of talking to Shane right now. Answering and bringing the phone to his ear, Ilya tries to decide what he’s expecting to hear. “Uhm, hello?” Feminine, soft-sounding, and concerned was not in any of the realms of possibilities he could’ve ever imagined. Or; An alternative ending to episode 4 featuring Rose being an amazing token hetero.

“You…wanted to see me?” He asks, barely resisting a wince at how awkwardly it comes out. “After yesterday-” He stops, swallows. Hollander makes a face–one of Ilya’s favorite faces, in fact–that says he’s a little embarrassed about what he’s about to say. Ilya feels his chest go a little tighter, wondering if Hollander has had time to reconsider, if he’d even planned to reach out after the game, apologize for spooking and running, ask to come ba- “Did something…happen yesterday?” Hollander asks. Ilya stares at him. (the accident that takes shane out for the season happens the day after the tuna meltdown) (...it also takes his memory of the tuna meltdown with it)

Ilya was used to hazing. He had been subjected to it, he had participated in it, and, as a captain, he had stood guard over the rookies and protected them from anything truly harmful. But if he had been asked, Ilya would have approved of this prank. He would have authorized it, given Cliff and Vicky his seal of approval, perhaps even helped orchestrate it. Any other day, Ilya might have been happy to play along. But, in perfect dramatic irony, it had not happened any other day. It had happened today. And, cherry on top, of course the rookie had to walk in when Shane was already freaking out about Ilya saying his name. +++ A prank-gone-wrong leads to the Boston Bears finding out about Shane and Ilya’s relationship in 2016. The day Ilya first invited Shane into his house. Right after they say each other’s names for the first time. Fuck his life, honestly.

Afterwards, Hollander lays his head on Ilya’s chest like he has every intention of staying there. Hope has Ilya’s heart beating in his throat. Hollander must hear the elevated pulse. “I told Hayden I might not be back until morning.” The way Hollander says it makes it sound like a challenge. Ilya doesn’t want to talk about Hayden Pike in his bed. He is also going slack with relief. Hollander is not trying to leave. Ilya can keep him for a little longer. *** OR: How to make tuna melts without meltdowns.

Post-tuna melt, Shane returns to the hotel room he shares with Hayden.