Chapter Text
She sat by the table, plate in front of her full of pasta made by her Papa. Who was sitting on the floor, thousand yards stare, eyes fixed on wall, mumbling - hopefully - empty threats addressed to man sitting next to her.
The thing is, she did not try to hide. Her relationship with Arthur Pike may be relatively fresh, but come on, they made heart eyes towards each other for years. All it took for them to become official was Ruby, Arthur's sister threatening to disown him if he did not ask Alina out to be his date for Jade's wedding.
You've got to love meddling older siblings who push you in the right direction even when you didn't ask them to.
So half a year ago she was asked out for a coffee date with her then best friend, month after that they were best friends with benefits coming together for lovely ceremony, after the wedding they decided to stop being stubborn and admit they were in love for probably half of the time they had known each other.
They didn't hide it.
They just... did not tell anybody other than Jade and Ruby.
They acted like normal couple, at least by their standards, neither one of them comfortable with overdone PDA, softness and affection reserved for quiet of their apartments. Soon one apartment, as they planned to move together to nice place in the outskirts of Ottawa as Arthur planned to change his university to be closer to her.
But now sitting in her fathers' house, both of them in some degree shocked she thought maybe her and Arthur should have announced something, at least prepare their parents that someday they would accidantaly see them both naked in particular situation when they came into her room without knocking to check on her after coming back early from vacation?
Well, if they knew they would probably knock. And called 10 minutes before they would be actually back.
But that was all thinking about what if. Her current situation was Papa on the floor using Scott the Dog, 5 year old golden retriever as an emotional support animal, Dad red on the face, blushing every time he caught eye contact with her or her boyfriend, and Arthur looking as if he wanted the gate of hell to open and swallow him whole.
"Okay, I understand the situation is not ideal." She started. This earned a weak laugh out of her Dad and boyfriend. Papa just mumbled that he knew how to efficiently hide the body. She decided to ignore it for now.
"I am sorry you found out about Me and Art that way."
"You mean seeing our daughter... with my best friend's son's... in the..." Shane looked shellshocked and a bit sick "You are just a baby." He mumbled as if a women sitting in front of him was not 22 year old professional hockey player.
"Dad, I am an adult. You have to know it."
"No"
Oh, her Papa finally shook out of his catatonic state. She was not sure yet if it was good or bad development.
"You are not an adult. You are a fetus. Barely born. Prematurely. Definitely not old enough for my least favourite Pike."
That made Shane raise his eyes from examining patern of wood on a table.
"I thought that place was reserved for Hayden." His eyes got gleam of amusement to them now.
"They can share." Papa's voice was grim as if someone died. What a drama queen.
"Okay, maybe everybody should take some deep breaths" she looked to her left where Arthur had been seating. "It also goes for you Love." She knew how anxious her boyfriend could get, it was something he bonded over with Shane ever since he was old enough to properly start processing his feelings. Which was overall longer than she had been part of their family.
Alina was adopted by the pair 14 years ago, 8 year old daughter of Russian immigrants who could not yet speak a word in English when her family of 3 suddenly became just her. Fortunately at the same time newly retired WAG Ilya Rozanov-Hollander and legendary veteran player Shane Hollander-Rozanov became eligible foster parents candidates.
But Arthur had Shane as a role model and favourite Uncle for last 23 years. Ever since he was born Uncle Shane was there, in the background, understanding him better than anyone in his family. Arthur loved them, of course, but they were loud and open and bright in a way he could never fit in, with his quietness and obsessions about every subject that grabbed his interest.
Thought that this man who made sure he had always had someone in his corner would hate him was almost unbearable. But even more unbearable would be spending his life not by the side of Alina Hollander.
So he was anxious, scarred and had trouble with schooling his breath. But he also had never been so sure that he was where he was ment to be.
Guided by breaths of girl sitting next to him he managed to calm down and look at his Uncle.
"I am sorry you found out that way. But I can assure you that I love your daughter and I want to spent a life by her side."
Alina felt tears in her eyes at that. She knew, of course, that they were something more than any relationship she had before, all fleeting feelings not replaced by solid rock of safety and love for man.
Shane seemed at loss for how to react. His mouth opened and closed few times, expression landing on soft confusion.
"Okay" he looked up "that... yeah, that is good. Good for you buddy. And you too Al. To be honest we should have told you earlier we would be back from New York day before we planed. Yes, that is on us."
Ilya looked up, expression unreadable.
"You picked Pike. Out of any boy, girl, non binary pal you chose kid of my arch enemy."
There it was.
"Papa, you had a sleepover with Uncle Hayden two weeks ago."
Ilya blushed, looking away.
"It was only for Jackie and kids."
Shane raised his brow, looking tired of his husband bullshit.
"Ilya, you known damn well she and Amber were with me that evening so you could have house for yourself to play Mario carts as loud as you wanted. And so we did not need to look at cheese monstrosities you eat during your boys night."
Ilya did not have any answer to that. He just looked away, hands digging further into Scott the Dog fur.
"It's the principle." He murmured to himself.
The silence stretched and became almost unbearable.
"Well, dads, dogs are fed, plants watered, i think we should get going." She started getting up.
Her dad looked at her with kind eyes, getting up to prepare tupperware with extra pasta made half an hour ago by stress cooking Ilya, while she and Arthur struggled to get themselves presentable. And the room. And the accessories. She would be worried she had traumatised her father's, but she had heard enough of war stories of them being walked on by different members of her parents vast circle of friends, some overheard when they thought she was out of earshot, some told as precursory tale during many safe sex talks she had with her many Aunts. Alina knew her dads were freaks.
While her Dad came to kitchen, Arthur followed him to have much needed and painfully awkward private conversation.
She stayed in living room, looking at the backyard where two other dogs of her parents played, Anya the Third and Buck.
It is important to note dogs were always part of her life. Various ones she met throughout her life gave her a lots of memories and experiences. And Arthur was in the mix, impossible to extract.
Ilya had his own silent moments of reminiscing. Call him sentimental, but his mind tended to drift towards nicer subjects in times of crisis.
First and original Anya lived to perfect age of 12 years, living happy life of pampered puppy. Alina was 14 when they had to say goodbye to amazing member of their family. Everybody was devastated, but sourounded by her loved one's their Anya left peacefully and without pain. Buck was already with them then. He was supposed to be temporary fostered while her Uncles Harris and Troy looked for new family for small terrier.
But as Anya's health deteriorated, they decided to keep little rascal who was blind and did not let that fact stop him from being absolute chaos. He was sweet with elderly fmdog and they could see she loved his company, even if she did not run around with him as he chased toys with keepers built into them.
He was kind of dog who thrived when he had company, so two years after Anya passed they adopted another misfit from Drover Orchards. Rescue from a car accident, a few months old puppy who lost his front paw. And Ilya in his infinite wisdom decided to call poor creature Scott. Because they both were slow and required mobility aids. It was the time when Scott had to use crutches after his final knee surgery and hip replacement.
Kip thought it was hilarious. Scott the Human looked murderous, at least until pawless puppy decided his heated pad for bad knee and hip was the best place to nap. After that it became running joke that he became godfather of Scott the Dog.
And Anya the Third was brought by Arthur four years after their first one passed. Small and desperate, hungry both for food and for affection started living with them during Alina's final year of high school.
Arthur found the dog on his way to his parents from Montreal. One of Ilya's grudges against Pike was that after he retired he signed 3 year contract with Centaurs, Montreal getting rid of old vets in order to rebuild their whole team on new talents.
Arthur was already in college, being one year older than Alina. He wanted to become veterinarian, choosing Montreal, wanting to start living independently, while still being within driving distance from his family.
And one of this drives resulted in acquiring dog, left tied to the tree by the road.
Arthur remembered Anya well. He would be glued to the dog each time he visited his parent's friends. And later when he was living in Ottawa he was quite regular in Hollander-Rozanovs house, always eager to play with young girl who just like him did not talk much, was quiet and kind. For different reasons, but connection was formed almost immediately.
He could not keep the dog. His class schedule was hectic, and even if he managed his timetable of working in clinic and studying his landlord had strict no animals rule.
And his sister was allergic, so leaving poor girl with his parents was impossible as long as Amber lived with them full time.
So he drove her where he thought she would have best life.
Ilya had looked like he was struck by lightning when he opened the door to his adopted nephew holding starved dog.
She was almost perfec coppy of the pup who was his light in darkest moments, when everything was dull and the only thing keeping him going was the fact he had his girl to take care off.
Later he had Shane with him. But progress he made because of Anya? Immeasurable.
So when he saw the scared dog tahing a form of whisper from the past, he shut down. Grief he long thought was gone came back with full force. What did not help was that little thing was terrified of him. But who the dog absolutely imprinted on?
Alina and Arthur.
It was as if she read their thoughts. They got up? She was already by one of her humans side. Bad day? There she was offering tail wags and never ending cuddles.
But problem was that they both would stop being regular inhabitants of the Hollander-Rozanov household soon.
Arthur came whenever he could but it was still rare occasions. Alina was one leg on ring, contract with Ottawa woman's team, ink still fresh, being displayed by the fireplace.
And Ilya still could not look at the poor dog. He knew it was irrational. Young pup did not even meet her deceased original. It was not as if she tried to take over her place inside his heart.
It took one of the bad days and storm.
Depression was a bitch. Always waiting, never leaving for good. Shane was away with team, taking over the mantle of head coach of Centaurs after Wiebe retired. Well, it was less of a retirement, more of deciding he would like to stay in Ottawa more and become strategy consultant. He may be past 70, but he would go insane without having any contact with sport that he loved.
But it ment Shane was again on the road for several weeks a year. Alina was an adult, so the problem of raising kid alone was no longer problem. He loved hosting WAGs party. Even though he in theory was no longer one, he was never removed from the group chat. But he felt like Scott Hunter of WHAGB society. Treated like an elder, legend and being chirped the fuck out of by young players and their partners for being a fossil. He was not even 50, god damn it!
But it was one of the nights when team was on road in between cities and did not play. He was alone, and weather made his joints scream as they usually did when it was supposed to rain.
To his surprise somebody knocked onto his door.
Ah, Tiny Pike, only he used the same knock as his favourite cartoon character from when he was 5 years old at 20.
He adored the kid.
He just couldn't get himself to rise from his couch. It was as if his mind was buried under static. He thinks he managed to shout to kid to let himself in.
That was when the sound of thunder rumbled. Oh. He knew now why little Pike came to his old boring uncle.
He knew that sometimes the quietest Pike kid could not handle his extroverted, chaotic wonder of family, and he liked to be comforted by quietness Hollanders house gave. At first he was sure it was because of Shane, his godfather being his role model and probably top 3 favourite human being, but after some time he noticed Arthur appeared by his door even when he knew Shane was on the road.
When Arthur was a boy who could not drive yet, he had no reservations to tell his parent that he needed some alone time at his uncles' home.
Now that he was a little bit bigger he still had no reservations, he just did not need to wait for world slowest hockey player to get up, grab the car keys and drive 10 mph under limit after texting Ilya that they were on their way. He could do that all by himself, boring safe driving and all.
(He was forbidden from teaching Arthur and Amber the fun way of driving, ever since 12 year old Jade told her parents how fun it was to spin and drift at the empty parking spot. They were not happy to hear that, but they got even more upset when Ruby felt the need to clarify Ilya occupied passenger seat, while she and her sister took turns at making maneuvers.
So Arthur turning into 90 years old each time he turned on the engine of his car was to be blained on Shane and Pike being the ones to teach him. Poor kid never got the chance to known better ways.)
Arthur needed that comfort especially when weather would turn violent. He knew the kid was afraid of thunderstorms. That was the reason why he always had preferred brand of noice canceling headphones and weighted blanket kept safe inside one of wardrobes for situations like this.
The problem with his particular case, he thought sitting on couch in front of turned off TV, was that he usually texted him that he was coming.
He was one of the contacts he allowed to go through DND.
He made his hand move towards his phone. It seemed like the battery run out.
Not good, he didn't know how long he sit like that. How long since his phone died. He hoped Shane did not try to contact him. Would Alina worry? Was he supposed to call her today or tomorrow?
Hell he could not really tell whitch day it was.
On days like that he moved through his days like zombie. Sleep, wake up, feed the dogs. Eat.( Try to eat. Settle on water.) Walk the dogs. Wash yourself. Sit on the couch. Repeat.
In between some of this steps he should have charged his phone.
He felt that he finally found the energy to force himself to get up and find a cord of charger. He noticed Arthur already let himself in, took of his shoes and stood as if previous rumble of thunder turned him to stone. That was not good, Ilya thought to himself. He didn't even greet Nameless Dog that he adored so much.
"Hey Tiny Pike."
God, his voice sounded awfully, as if he didn't use it for a week. And he did use it at least twice, he remembered that some days ago he visited Yuna and David to check up on them and watch Centaurs game in Toronto.
"Hey Uncle Ilya".
Arthur couldn't look him in the eyes, which was fine. As long as he heard what he said to him and was responsive everything was manageable. And even if it all went down he would still help Jackie's kid.
"Come in malysh." He let his Russian affectionate nickname slip, he did not feel like using it much these days, all of the tiny bugs running around some years ago now scattered all across the world. But sometimes he was reminded that all this little children were still there, some buried deeper than other, but still present.
Arthur took a step further, allowing himself to seek comfort, leaning on older man's shoulder. Another thunder cut through silence. Arthur flinched a bit, and then he heard most pitiful, terrified whine in history of all whines.
Under couch, in the corner of his house further from any window layed Nameless Dog.
She was Nameless Dog even after almost a year of living with Shane and him. They (mostly Shane) tried few names, but neither stuck. So whenever they talked about her, it was just "she did that" " take her out" "did the Dog get along with Scott".
So.
Nameless Dog, normally would be all over Arthur by now. But instead she was curled into tight ball, right under the couch. She never was most visible when Ilya was alone in home. She came out of her bed in living room to eat or play with other dogs, but did not seak the only human's attention. And he did not go out of himself to give it.
Arthur was still affected by weather. Ilya knew the drill by now. Headphones? On. Blanket? Put out of wardrobe, Art knows best how to cover himself. Snacks and drinks on the table.
His phone got enough power to be turned back on. He sent quick note to Pikes to let them know Arthur got to him safely. He also sent short message to family group chat: 'Little Pike in. I'm fine. Manageable.' Their code for when he did not have enough energy to give full status, but wanted to let them know he was alive and relatively okay.
His mind finally let him get in control. Fog was almost lifted, static pushed to the background and at last his movement was fluid, not as if he was moving through pool filled with molasses.
Okay, Tiny Pike was taken care off. But he still could not stop thinking about whimpering coming from under the couch.
He considered his options.
His mind went to the last dog who was scared of storms.
His Anya.
His heart squized inside his chest. But with each stronger wail of wind outside and storm raging on, the sounds of distress grew. And he was many things awfull things his opponents said, but he for sure was not going to leave distressed animat to its own devices, whether he liked said animal or not.
He leaned back on the couch for a moment. Then Ilya took can of coke from the table, pack of gummy worms from human treat cupboard and a packet of dried turkey pieces all of their pets adored.
After gathering his supplies he lowered himself to the floor, made himself comfortable and started talking. Mix of mindless rumbling in Russian, sweet nothings in English, some French phrases he was absolutely butchering with atrocious accent, but they made Shane smile in the way that made his heart beat faster, even after all of the years of being married to him.
He did not know how long he sat there, talking to no-one in particular. Ilya did not look at the direction of scared pet. At some moment Arthur lowered himself to the ground, headphones still on, curling into himself by Ilya's side.
Maybe that was it, Arthur choosing closeness of Ilya, clearly showing that man's presence brought him comfort - what made possible what would soon happen.
Dog made her way towards him under the couch, closer to his thigh, not quite touching, but obviously seeking connection. Ilya made himself move extra slow, pulling pieces of meat from the package and extending hand towards terrified dog.
She did not flinch as she usually does. Instead she took the treat, and basically pushed her small head into his palm. Ilya froze, but quickly started scratching her behind ear.
"There you go, good girl." He said calmly, continuing mumbling incoherent stories, swimming through topics.
"Can you tell me about your wedding again? And how Uncle Shane proposed"
Ilya did not expect to hear Arthur's voice this early. Or at all today, really. But there he was, still trembling slightly, but headphones folded on his lap, eyes fixed on the dog still hiding under couch.
"What for Tiny Pike? Got your eye on somebody, somebody who makes you want to hear stories of great romance?"
Arthur blushed furiously. Ah. Jackpot. He would not torture him further, but for sure would take a note to observe how situation unfolds.
But he told him what boy asked for - now that he was old enough with details they had previously hidden from children. His depression. Theats of homophobia in league. All Montreal bulshit. But other than that he told stories of the bigest (only) love he had ever experienced. Of sweet, stolen moments. Of quiet mornings, safe evenings. Playful times on dock, crazy wine nights with Arthur's parents, how fun it was to take care of him and his siblings.
He did not notice, but as he spoke, he fully relaxed his shoulders. He no longer posed any threat to dog hidden from storm and a person haunted by ghosts of the past.
She came out and planted herself directly on his legs.
"There you go Anya."
He did not notice what he had said until Arthur inhaled sharply, as if he was trying to mask a choke.
Anya.
She lift her head at that. First time she reacted to some form of addressing her.
"You are Anya, aren't you? Just not that Anya. I get that. That Anya lived through a lifetime worth two at least. And you just started living yours, didn't you?" He whispered, tears starting to blur his vision. "You are Anya the Third. Noble name for noble and graceful doggy princess." He pet her, fur soft and unmatted, head rest safely on his lap while he lived through his realisation.
"You think you are okay with another Anya?" Arthur asked softly.
Ilya thought for a moment.
"She is not another Anya. She is just Anya. And nothing else."
~~~
Ilya stopped his thoughts when he heard scratching at backdoor. Dogs wanted to go back, sit with their owners who just came back from New York retreat.
He stood up before his daughter could, hands untangling from Scott the Dog's fur. Ilya let the dogs inside and turned around to face his daughter.
"He was always the one, wasn't he?" He asked, small smile tugging his lips.
"Yeah, I guess he was" she did not look at him.
"You know you wound me, making me forever connected to Hayden Pike as his in law?" She snorted at that.
Who was he kidding. Ilya loved Hayden like an annoying brother he could not push away. He grew on him like mould on cheese. There was their bickering, but it was their love language that they perfected over the years. Each milestone in their life Hayden and Jackie were there. And vice versa.
"You know I would accept your choices no matter what. Even though it will be hard" he stopped to make sure his daughter knew he was teasing instead of being really upset "I will need to live with that. Maybe bleach my eyeballs. Burn an effigy or two. Egg Pike's house."
He came to her and hugged her tigh.
"When did you grow up, huh? I thought I told you it is not as fun as it sounds."
She smiled against his arm.
"I don't know Papa. But I like where I am now. And i think I am ready for next chapters."
"Of course you are зайчик. You do you and all the rest will work out. You have good person by your side." He turned his eyes towards kitchen. He could not hear what two man were talking about. But he saw slight terror on Arthur's eyes and steel glint and seriousness in Shane's expression. Ah, so shovel talk was covered then.
Good. Shane was the scary one anyway. He could be fun Uncle.
Or father in law.
Shane held stern expression few seconds longer, but finally dropped it in favour of a soft smile, he drew Arthur into warm hug both men sagged into.
Yes, they were fine.
At least they did not drive away leaving them to panick.
Oh, he has to call David to ask how to burn away sight of your child in compromising position from one's mind. Maybe he really did need that bleach