Chapter Text
"The kids are out,” Hayden reports to Jackie, taking the last few steps down the stairwell and into the Pike living room to rejoin Jackie, Ilya, and Shane.
They gather around the living room table, Shane and Ilya sharing the couch while Jackie and Hayden sit catty-corner to them in a couple of chairs around the living room table.
“You guys are leaving tomorrow,” Jackie says factually. “Where are you going again?”
“Detroit,” Hayden replies.
“Well, there won’t be much to do in Detroit weather at this time of year. I guess you boys will be staying in?”
A loaded silence falls on the three men, one that’s brimming with the knowledge of what they’d planned to do when they’re in Detroit.
Jackie sips from her wine glass, carrying on casually. “Do you think any of your teammates suspect?”
Hayden and Shane go rigid where they sit.
Ilya, of course, stays casual as ever. “No, we are careful.”
Shane rolls his shoulders back. “Um, why are we talking about this?”
“Why not?” Jackie looks at each of them, waiting for a reaction. “It’s not a secret between us, obviously. I mean, we’re all adults here, right?”
Hayden gives a pointed look to Ilya, and Ilya sticks his tongue out at him.
Jackie continues. “In fact, we were sitting around this very table when we first talked about it. And agreed about it.”
“We didn’t really talk or agree about it,” Hayden disputes. “I just lost a bet.”
“A bet is an agreement,” Ilya retorts. “Also, that bet was for one night, and it’s been many nights.”
Hayden rolls his eyes, and the air between them goes stiff again.
“Well, Hayden and I talk about it all the time,” Jackie says.
“Not all the time.” Hayden counters, albeit whiny and defeated.
Shane glances at Hayden. “We talk about it all the time, too.”
The dead air intensifies, and Ilya breaks the silence.
“Well, I agree with Jackie, we should not be doing this if we can’t talk about it. Especially if we’re going to—.”
“Ilya!” Hayden and Shane scold in unison.
“What?” Jackie objects. “It’s not like Hayden didn’t tell me what your plans are.”
Shane bends his neck forward, rubbing his temples. And Hayden looks like he hasn’t taken a breath for about a full minute, gripping the arms of his chair.
Ilya would’ve never had a leg to stand on if he brought it up himself, so he’s glad Jackie did. He had to contain his excitement when Hayden brought up wanting to take his cock, simply replying, “I know, I’ll give it to you.” The truth was, Ilya had been considering it a long time, becoming almost preoccupied with the idea after exploring Hayden’s ass over the course of their encounters.
Hayden asked for it when he was fucked out and pliant, the only time he’s comfortable enough and open to share or ask for what he wants. Any other negotiating about what they might do together mostly goes through Jackie and Shane, separately. Hayden was so closed off to Ilya, clinging to Shane. Never able to reach Hayden the way he can when they’re tangled up in bed.
In another vein, bickering and banter had always been a part of their relationship, but lately, it’s been worse than ever. And they’ve worn a well-beaten path to a pattern that was too easy to slip into. Each physical step forward they make causes two emotional steps back.
Ilya is grateful to Jackie for trying to create a shift.
Shane speaks up again, intentionally preventing the conversation from moving forward.
“Look, we know you and Hayden talk about the gory details. But it’s fucking weird to be doing it as a casual conversation, during our, like, friend time? At your house? When your kids are sleeping upstairs?”
“Yeah,” Hayden adds. “It’s too much. And as far as the other stuff, it’s like playing hockey. I have to be in a certain headspace to do it.”
Ilya opens his mouth to make the obvious chirp, but Hayden disrupts him with a finger to his lips.
“Don’t even,” Hayden warns.
“That’s enough, Ilya,” Jackie sing-songs, but he can tell she’s serious, and he puts a lid on it.
Jackie continues. “Ok, I get it. But I think we should talk more as a group about it. We all know that’s the fun in it for me.”
No man speaks while she waits. “Well?”
“What exactly do you want to talk about?” Shane asks.
“I just want to know more about it, what you do,” she shrugs.
“You just said we talk all the time,” Hayden whines. “You know what goes on.”
“You talk about it to me, yes. The point is, I want us all to be a part of the conversation. And you tell me most of the important parts, but I only really get the gory details about Shane.”
Shane's cheeks darken, and Ilya interjects.
“It’s hard because Hayden is right, they both need to be out of their heads to even talk about it,” he shares. “That’s not true right now.”
Hayden squeezes his eyes shut. “God, I hate this.”
Ilya's mind spins with ideas about what he can do to settle Hayden without… doing what he might normally do to settle Hayden.
Ilya makes an attempt to comfort him. “It’s just us, Hayden.” He glares daggers at Shane to be the best friend he’s supposed to be and do the same. Ilya leans over from where he sits on the couch to place a hand on Hayden’s thigh, but he flinches at the touch.
Hayden snaps. “Oh, of course you don’t mind talking about this. You love embarrassing me.”
Ilya can’t help but give in to their natural habit. “That’s not me, you’re doing it all by yourself.”
“Shut up!” Hayden barks back.
Jackie disrupts their bickering. “God, do you guys argue like this when you’re…together?”
It’s quiet for a moment. “No,” the three men say in unison.
“See? That’s what I want to know. I mean, you two,” Jackie gestures toward Shane and Hayden. “Hayden tells me, and it makes perfect sense.”
Shane takes a soothing breath, fully diving into the conversation. “What does that mean?” he asks, a bit defensive.
Ilya swirls the wine in his glass, knowing he should not speak right now.
“C’mon,” Jackie laughs, “It means you guys have had crushes on each other forever!”
Shane and Hayden are indignant, loudly voicing their disapproval of her statement.
She points a stern ‘Mom finger’ at them, glancing at the stairs. “Oh, if you wake up a kid, none of this will even matter because I will kill you.”
She resumes her casual tone and turns her attention to Ilya. “I mean, I imagine that’s part of what you get out of this arrangement, right? Being able to see them?”
“Yes,” Ilya states, as neutrally as possible, carefully tiptoeing around three potential landmines. “They are good together.”
Despite Jackie’s plea to be more open, Ilya resists the urge to share about his current predilection for her husband’s ass.
“When this whole thing started,” Jackie says, “It was more about Shane and Hayden. But from the few details that I get, it sounds like a lot is happening between you two, too." She motions to Hayden and Ilya. “I want to know more about that, what you even like about it, considering you’ve been at each other’s throats worse than ever recently, if that’s even possible. You guys are not ok.”
“It’s not like that,” Hayden says.
“Not like what?” Jackie challenges him.“It was just going to be Shane blowing you with Ilya in the room, and then there were butt plugs and hickies, and now he’s gonna—” She fixes her eyes on Hayden. “I’m gonna say it.”
Ilya watches Hayden physically brace himself.
“Ilya’s gonna fuck you.” She laughs. “I think it might be good to re-establish what’s happening here, maybe be more transparent about it.”
Hayden stands up, fully prepared to throw a tantrum.
When he stands, Ilya’s eyes dart to his ass, and in a microsecond, he admires the curve of it in Hayden’s jeans.
Hayden halts his eruption. “What are you looking at?”
Ilya could’ve extinguished this whole thing by telling the truth.
I was checking out your ass.
But he doesn’t. He stands as well and grabs Hayden by the shoulder.
“Stop,” he says sternly.
“No, I have something to say here—”
“Hayden,” Ilya insists.
“What?” Hayden grumbles, beyond annoyed. They remain squared up, chest to chest.
Jackie pleads, exasperated. “Boys, please don’t do this.”
Ilya smirks at Hayden.
“Do you want me to fuck you this weekend?” he asks.
And this silence is somehow much louder than the rest because Holy shit, Ilya just said that.
Hayden sighs heavily.
“I think Jackie wants to hear the answer,” Ilya taunts.
“Oh yeah? Hayden argues. “And what about you?”
“What about me?”
“Why don’t you say something you like about doing this with me?” Hayden snarks. “I’m sure you can’t do it without making fun of me.”
Ilya deadpans. “I suggested the bet.”
“So what?” Hayden challenges.
“Correction,” Jackie interrupts, raising her index finger. “You were joking. I suggested making it serious.” She even sounds a little proud.
“This is true. But like you said, it started with just a blowjob from Shane. It’s … a lot more than that now.” He looks at Hayden. “Doesn’t that say something?”
“You’re avoiding. See, you can't say anything!” Hayden exclaims.
“I don’t want to embarrass you,” Ilya teases, a mocking lilt to his tone.
“Try me. I want to hear it,” Hayden demands, looking sure Ilya can’t come up with anything.
He looks over at Jackie before answering him.
“My favorite thing is watching you and Shane make out and rub your cocks together. The sounds you make, how worked up you get.”
Shane holds his face in his hands. Hayden turns red and gulps, still, keeping a brave front.
“Say something not about Shane,” he challenges.
Ilya takes a moment. It’s risky, but Hayden is not calming down the way he needs to.
“I like it when you can’t pretend you don’t want it anymore. It’s very sexy.” Shane lifts his head, struck by how easily Ilya can say the words. “When you fight it and fight it and fight it until you finally give in. When you give yourself to me.” Ilya pulls Hayden by one of his belt loops, pressing their bodies together. His breath has increased, but he doesn’t back down from Ilya. “And when we are in Detroit, we need to play hockey first, but I’ll be spending the whole game thinking, probably distracted, about what I want to do after. When I finally get to fuck your tight little ass.”
Ilya leans in and kisses that spot behind Hayden’s ear that makes him lose it, letting his teeth gently scrape over his skin, and he gasps, pressing his palms to Ilya’s chest to brace himself.
“Oh, he knows your special spot,” Jackie sings.
Now that Hayden has finally shut up and Ilya has his attention, he lets go of the belt loop but keeps a close distance.
Ilya asks again. “Do you want me to fuck you this weekend?”
“Yes,” Hayden replies with no hesitation. His lips are parted, eyes gazing at Ilya.
“Oh wow,” Jackie breathes.
“Is that too much?” Ilya asks Jackie.
“Nope,” She replies, pleased.
Hayden is beet red and obviously aroused as Ilya guides him to sit down.
He settles, nodding, and Jackie watches as Ilya rubs a hand up his thigh, and he doesn’t flinch this time.
Jackie and Shane exchange a look, and Shane chuckles to himself.
So this is what happens.
Ilya speaks to the group. “It is not just the three of us in this arrangement. It is four. So if Jackie asks questions and wants to know what goes on, that’s ok. Or we just shouldn’t do it.” He gives a pointed look to Shane. “Right, Shane?”
Shane acquiesces. “Right.”
Jackie looks sympathetically at a mortified Shane. “Are you freaking out, Shane?”
“No. I just ...” He trails off.
Hayden breaks in. “He’s not used to pleasing a woman.”
Ilya begins laughing, elbowing Hayden, “That was good.”
“God, what are you coming after me for?” Shane whines, and they find solace in the broken tension.
“Well, Shane?” Jackie summons, looking expectantly.
“What?”
“We’re sharing, and it’s your turn,” nodding toward him.
“Oh, I'm pretty sure it’s Hayden’s turn,” Shane deflects.
“Go,” Ilya directs, intent on moving the conversation forward.
Shane shuffles in his seat. “I uh, a few weeks ago, I was late getting to the hotel, stuck in traffic. I was stressed about it at first, and I worried it might be too awkward between them, but it turned out to be so hot.” He fixes his gaze on Ilya and Hayden. “When I was in the car, thinking about what you two were doing, wondering what I would walk in on?”
“See, I didn’t know that part,” Jackie says. “How late were you?”
He looks at Hayden and Ilya and shrugs. “Maybe half an hour.”
She nods, fixing her line of sight to Ilya and Hayden. “And what did you two do while he was gone?”
The two men exchange glances. “We fooled around, and I left a couple of hickies,” Ilya says.
“A couple?” Jackie exclaims. “His chest looked like he had been mauled by a fucking bear!”
“He only made two,” Hayden says, still nervous. “And around my hips. Shane did the rest when he got there.”
Jackie raises her eyebrows at Shane. “Really, Shane? You did all that?”
Shane nods. He and Hayden blush when they look at each other.
“Wow,” Jackie says, looking at Ilya, fascinated.
Ilya smiles slyly and shakes his head. “I have never seen Shane like that before. He was so wild. Was crazy.”
“It was so fucking hot,” Hayden mutters.
And the silence has gone from awkward to loud to horny. Jackie breaks it with an invitation.
“So, you’ll come to dinner? The Sunday you’re back?” a layer of heat settling on her gaze.
Ilya pipes in. “We can host, you’ll come to ours, the kids can play with the dog.”
“I told you, I’m hosting until the season is over. Then you boys can do it.”
Ilya nods in gratitude because Jackie is truly wonderful.
“The kids will be with their grandparents anyway,” she adds, unable to conceal the anticipation in her voice.
She stands from her seat. “Great! Well, I’m sorry I won’t see you out,” Jackie excuses herself. “I’m gonna check on the kids.”
“I just checked on them!” Hayden protests.
“Come up soon, and I’ll help you pack,” Jackie whispers to Hayden. “Can’t wait to hear about your trip!” She says to the group, kissing Hayden on the cheek and giving a squeeze to both Shane and Ilya's shoulders.
When they are alone, Ilya scans his eyes between the other two men, waiting to see who will speak up first.
“Well, it’s getting late,” Shane excuses, standing from the couch and making a beeline to the front door.
“Oh come on, she left us here so we can talk!” Ilya whines.
“See you guys tomorrow,” Hayden says as he stands from his seat, weaseling his way upstairs.
Ilya sighs. Well, the night wasn’t without progress at least.
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They lose the game and drown their sorrows in the hotel bar, because as Jackie predicted, it’s absolutely blizzarding outside.
They drink and mingle, wasting just enough time before they can reasonably get upstairs and get to their intentions without suspicion.
Bood approaches the cocktail table where Shane, Hayden, and Ilya stand and slaps their shoulders. “There’s the infamous threesome!”
Hayden attempts to disguise his discomfort with the innocent label. “Alright, I’m calling it, guys.”
Shane nods, taking a sip of his beer. “See you bright and early tomorrow.”
They’ve already agreed that Hayden will go up first to their extra hotel room and text the group chat when he’s ready, so Ilya and Shane hang around a bit longer, staying with the team until then.
Hayden: Make sure nobody is around.
Ilya and Shane exchange a look, positioning themselves at another table with a wall behind them.
Shane: Safe
A photo appears on the screen.
Hayden is posing, facing a full-length mirror, his tight body on display from the neck down. He’s wearing boxer briefs that are tighter and shorter than anything they’ve ever seen him wear. So short, in fact, they ride up around his hips, his erection straining in them.
“Oh, fuck,” Shane says aloud before he realizes it.
“You guys alright?” Wyatt approaches. “Why are you hushed over here like this?”
“Nothing, I just realized I,” Shane stammers. “I left my toothbrush at home.”
Wyatt half-chuckles with a gently confused look on his face. “Sorry, man,” he says, patting Shane on the shoulder and moving on.
“Smooth,” Ilya snarks. Shane elbows him.
This photo certainly piques Ilya’s interest, but he finds himself a bit frustrated, too. What is that? In the comfort of his home, with his spouse and closest friends, Hayden is clammed shut. But in another city, in a hotel with his teammates that can’t know a thing about what they’re doing, he’s brazen as all hell.
Ilya bemoans to Shane. “Why is he so brave like this now, but at home, we can’t even have a conversation?”
Shane offers a calm but impatient sigh. “I think you need to try talking to him.”
“I did! With you and Jackie and everything.” Ilya speaks softly, eyes scanning the room for anyone who might have them in their focus.
“No, I think talking, just the two of you, will help. Alone. No snide remarks, no making fun of him. Just talking to him. You clearly know how to make him comfortable, you just choose not to a lot of the time.”
Knowing Shane is right is making Ilya even more frustrated.
“You know, you were not very open or brave that night either,” Ilya accuses, even in his hushed tone.
“I know, but I’ve been thinking about it, and I can try. It’s the least I can do for Jackie”
“Since she’s letting us fuck her husband?”
“God, lower your voice,” Shane scolds. “She’s my friend. And, well—yeah,” he admits.
Ilya wonders if his frustration with what’s happening is more exasperation with himself.
“You know, it wouldn’t kill either of you to admit you like each other,” Shane says.
Ilya sighs. “Not now.” Though the crowd is dwindling, the remaining few players have gathered at a table a considerable distance away.
“Come on,” Shane says, “You like him, you care about him, it’s obvious. Give me something, say something you like about him out loud. ”
“I like that picture,” Ilya says.
“Ilya.” Shane narrows his eyes at him.
Ilya wouldn’t expect it if you’d asked him years ago, but he actually does like Hayden. So, he gives in to Shane, knowing he’s not getting out of this one.
“He’s loyal,” Ilya starts. “Mostly to you, and that’s important to me.”
“Loyal to us,” Shane corrects. “And that’s too easy.”
“Yes,” Ilya admits, tracing the tip of his finger around the rim of his glass before adding on. “He’s a good Dad.”
Ilya doesn’t mention the part about Hayden being a secret role model for how Ilya might want to be as a Father. And right now, he wouldn’t tell Shane (or a single soul) that.
“He is,” Shane agrees and waits for more.
“He is… more… in touch with his kids, I think, spends more time than most players we know.” Ilya swallows, feeling guilty for even comparing his teammates.
But Shane is beaming. Ilya can’t tell if it’s because Ilya is praising Hayden or because Hayden is being praised. Maybe both.
“And?”
Ilya scoffs, bothered by this ongoing task. “He is oblivious, but still very smart. And his heart is pure, always trying to do the right thing.”
“True,” Shane nods, eyes scanning over Ilya, reading him. “He can be funny, too,” he says with an expectant eyebrow raise.
Ilya only acknowledges this with a nod.
Hayden can be funny, even when he’s not trying. But he has this laugh, a kind of snort-laugh, that is often funnier than whatever he might be laughing at.
“He’s fun to make fun of,” Ilya offers out loud.
“Yeah, we all know, Ilya, but it’s getting old.”
Ilya laughs, looking into his glass. “Maybe for you.”
“Definitely for Hayden,” Shane says.
“I’m not sure about that,” Ilya says cheekily.
Of course, Ilya has always enjoyed how hot-headed Hayden is and getting under his skin, pissing him off for sport. But as time goes on, there is something Ilya likes even more about it. The flashes of performative anger from Hayden that barely conceal a more endearing fondness toward Ilya.
Ilya wonders if his own reactions to Hayden have changed or reveal anything to him, not that Hayden would notice.
Although, on second thought, maybe he would. Hayden is certainly more perceptive than he appears, even if he’s (ironically) not aware of it. In his sometimes blissfully oblivious way, he can know what someone is thinking or feeling or what they might need.
“Ok, just one more thing. Then I’ll lay off,” Shane says plainly.
Ilya thinks for a while, searching his mind for something that will placate Shane, but won’t make Ilya think too much about what this new shift with Hayden is. It makes for terrible foreplay.
The first thought Ilya stifles is how Hayden’s blue eyes actually sparkle sometimes. When he smiles, when he’s grimacing (specifically at Ilya), when he’s aroused.
Shane’s eyes were an endless night-sky darkness, immersive and beautiful; a gravitational pull that draws Ilya in, and makes him want to get lost.
Hayden’s eyes were infinite sparkling pools, encouraging Ilya to dive in and explore the depths beneath the glittering surface.
Shane’s voice shakes Ilya out of his daydream. “Say what you're thinking right now,” he prompts.
Ilya takes a sip of his beer. “Do you think his ass has gotten bigger?”
Shane scoffs. “I haven’t noticed.” He sighs and rolls his eyes in a way that lets Ilya know he’s (defeatedly) going to drop it.
“And I know it’s weird that he’s so confident when we’re away,” Shane bumps his shoulder against Ilya’s. “You remember what it’s like, keeping a secret. It’s sexy and makes you feel brave.”
“It makes you sexy and brave. I am always sexy and brave.”
Shane laughs. “I just mean you love hiding in plain sight, you get it.”
“I remember,” Ilya says, kissing Shane, recalling how sexy it was when they had to hide all while being so grateful they don’t have to anymore. And he can kiss him right here, in front of his whole team.
“Oh, he sent another one,” Shane reports, reaching for his phone.
“Hey,” Ilya places a hand on Shane’s. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” Shane smiles.
“I love doing this with you, but,” He groans and doubles over, resting his arms on the table. “There’s a lot I can’t talk about yet,” Ilya fesses up.
“That’s ok,” Shane soothes, sweeping a golden curl behind Ilya’s ear.
“But we come first,” Ilya finishes. “Always.”
“Us, always,” Shane whispers, pressing his lips to Ilya’s.
Shane opens the text thread, and while he and Ilya have made sure nobody can see their screen, they surely can’t hide the way their jaws drop.
Hayden is sitting on the floor with his back to the mirror, his knees bent under him, his ass propped up on his folded feet. The black fabric of his underwear is pulled so tight over his backside that they're almost see-through.
“Ok, maybe it’s gotten bigger,” Shane concedes.
“Jesus.” Ilya gawks, and uses two fingers to zoom in. “I think this means he’s ready.”
“Yeah,” Shane breathes. “What do I say?”
“Should we just go upstairs?” Ilya suggests.
Shane thinks for a moment, a devious smirk spreading across his face. “Maybe you could go for now.”
Ilya considers this. “It might be more suspicious if we go up separately.”
“I know,” Shane shrugs. “But,”
Ilya gets it, and he telepathically thanks Jackie for making Shane voice what he likes out loud.
“Anything off-limits?” Ilya asks.
“No,” Shane says plainly. “I just can’t wait to see what I walk in on when I get there.”
“Finish,” Shane says quietly to Ilya, pointing to his nearly empty pint glass. Then, he grabs the beer pitcher from the table and refills his own empty glass to the brim. “You go up,” he says, now loud enough for those around them to hear. “I’m just going to finish my beer.”
Ilya wraps an arm around Shane and whispers in his ear. “So sexy and brave,” he murmurs, kissing his cheek and heading towards the elevators.