As he stood there, the doorframe supporting most of his weight, with Ilya in
his arms, Dany felt for the first time in a while that maybe everything
would work out. Simon was happy, and maybe Simon had been right. �Dany?�
Ilya�s voice, mumbled into his shoulder. �Hm?�
�Why...why now? After I...well, I was trying to make things easier for you.�
Dany sighed and began to understand. �Easier how?�
�Not complicated. Where you didn�t have to deal with me.�
�Things were complicated anyway, Kovy. My feelings were there anyway, there
was nothing you could do about that. And who says I don�t want to deal
with them?�
�I don�t know.�
�Because I do.�
Ilya raised his head, and Dany was somewhat surprised to see his red eyes. He
didn�t think he�d seen him cry before. �Really?�
Dany reached out and brushed away a tear with his thumb. �Really.�
�I just...I do not want for either of us to be hurt,� Ilya said, fixing his
gaze on the ground again.
�Sometimes...it�s just a risk you have to take. There is no point to life
without risk, anyway. Look at what we do for a living.�
�That is different. I am fine with the pain of hockey, is just physical. I
am...not so good at dealing with other kind.�
�Then I won�t give you any reason to,� Dany said steadily.
�Can you promise that?�
Ilya knew the answer to that question already, and wasn�t sure why he�d
asked. Dany just sighed and pulled him even closer, if that was
possible. �I wish that I could promise you. But I can only try.�
Ilya stayed quiet for a moment, trying to control his emotions and stop the
damn tears. It didn�t work too well, so finally he just said, �I...I love
you Dany.�
�I love you too, Ilya, and that I can promise.� And they hugged again until
Dany finally whispered. �You better get home. It�s kind of late.�
�Do I have to?�
�No. But you have Igor, you know.�
�Oh. Yeah.�
�I�ll call you in the morning.� He dropped his arm from around Ilya�s waist,
and the Russian stepped back, feeling immediately empty without the
contact.
�You could come over? At like 10? I�ll make breakfast.�
Dany�s grin was infectious, and Ilya couldn�t help his small smile in
reply. �Yeah. Yeah, ok. I�ll see you, then.�
*
*
*
Sarah Stefan had a feeling that she'd had just been witness to something
rather significant, more so than just a kiss under the mistletoe at
Christmas. And it wasn�t just the fact that Dany hadn�t actually let go
of Ilya yet. It was her husband�s satisfied grin, it was the way the two
Flyers were looking at each other, Gagne more with enthusiasm, Williams
with relief. And it was the way Ilya's friend, the Hurricanes defensive
prospect, was shaking his head, an unreadable expression there.
�This better work out,� the Russian whispered, and Sarah sat back.
�I have a feeling I missed something.�
Knyazev laughed. �Oh, you missed a lot. Most of it...worth missing.�
�So I just caught the important part?�
�That�s right.� Igor shook his head. "This has been...long time coming."
Sarah nodded at Ilya. "He's going to stop sleeping with my husband, then?"
she asked lightly.
Igor's mouth dropped open in surprise. "He was...with Patrik?"
She smiled wryly. "I suppose I prefer him to most of Pat's teammates."
Igor raised his eyebrows, regarding her. "You're awfully calm."
"Well, sometimes you can put up with a whole lot for love."
�Yes...� Igor agreed, not able to look away from Dany, still leaning against
the doorframe, still holding Ilya against him, whispering in his ear.
Igor felt a little worry develop, because if Ilya got hurt again Igor was
not going to be responsible for his own actions. But when they parted,
Ilya was smiling. �And you can give up a lot to make sure the people you
love are happiest".
The redhead tilted her head, studying the young Russian. "It was very nice to
meet you, Igor."
He shook himself out of his thoughts. "Yes, you too."
She patted his hand as Ilya approached them and Knyazev stood up. "Ready to
go, Koval?"
Ilya couldn't help his smile. "Ready."
*
*
*
�Thank you for coming,� Dany said, reaching for Simon�s hand. The Flyer
rolled his eyes and pulled him into a hug instead.
�It was good to see you again.�
�Yeah...hey, you guys want to get together again the 5th? For lunch, or
something, before we beat you?�
�Yeah, sure,� Justin answered. �Though I wouldn�t get your hopes up about
winning. It was nice to meet you.�
�Yeah,� Dany answered sincerely, �you too. Merry Christmas.�
He watched the two of them pull out of the driveway and disappear into the
darkness down the street. Igor stepped past him next, and their eyes
locked, and Dany was slightly shocked to see that Knyazev�s face was
emotionless, his eyes hard. But he didn�t show it, just acknowledged
Igor�s silent warning. So the guy was overprotective. Nothing wrong with
that.
It was cold, and Dany turned to at least step inside the doorway, but he
nearly ran into Ilya, who smiled shyly. �Dobrey nochi, Dany,� he said
softly. Dany leaned forward impulsively and kissed him softly.
�Good night,� he murmured, as Ilya stepped past him to join Igor.
Which left only Patrik and Sarah, standing with their coats. �Thanks, Dany.�
�Thank you for coming, I'm sorry for...not really hosting."
�It was no problem,� Patrik answered with a sly smile. �Merry Christmas, I
will see you on Thursday.�
�Bye.� The Stefans left. Dany closed the door firmly and collapsed on his
couch, running his fingers through his hair and wondering how things had
gotten so uncomplicated.
Continued inpart 14