Chapter Text
2013
*BEEP BEEP BEEP*
Ilya felt the vibrations of his cell phone as his alarm buzzed. Looking at the phone, sure enough, it was 5am - fuck, why did he stay up so late?
Ilya rolled over to a beautiful goddess lying next to him as she moaned "Ugh, what time is it?"
He leaned down and kissed Svetlana's forehead "It's early. I'm showering now, and my car will be here soon. Stay here and sleep as late as you want, just make sure to lock up" He knew they shouldn't have partied so late but when Svetlana made it clear she wanted to sleep with him before he left, Ilya couldn't say no. After all, who knew when he would get laid again?
Rushing to get the last of his essentials packed before his car to the airport showed up, Ilya thought "How am I going to be gone for over a year?", but he couldn't worry about it anymore. If something got missed, Svetlana would take care of it. He was thankful to have her in his life, she was a friend, companion, and occasional lover; but she was also like family in a weird way. Ilya knew he could always count on her, which helped his anxiety about being away for so long.
An hour later Ilya walked into the St. Petersburg airport trying to be positive about playing in America. "Think of this as an adventure " is what Svetlana had said. Ilya knew the truth, he was running.
Russia had been "loaning" players out to other countries for short-term contracts to help build "good faith" and "positive relationships" for a few years now. Historically Russian tried to limit the number of athletes leaving to play abroad but the government found a way to financially benefit from these deals by getting a chunk of the athletes sign on bonus. So now Ilya was on his way to play for the Montreal Metros.
2 weeks prior:
When Ilya was approached about going to play for Canada, he initially said no and didn't think about it anymore. However, a few days later one of his favorite coaches, Maxim, pulled him aside and dropped a bomb on him.
"Ilya, I love you like a son and hate to see you go but you need to take this opportunity and run. There is a reason they approached you first, I gave them your name"
Ilya was angry and started to ask why, when Maxim cut him off "I don't want to see what happened to my daughter also happen to you"
Ilya was confused and then worry started to creep in.
There had been rumors about Russia investigating and cracking down on gay allegations especially in athletes. Because you couldn't be an elite, masculine athlete and be gay, right?
Maxim and his family had been living in Estonia since the soviet collapse. It was well-known information that he was practically forced back to Russia to coach.
Initially, Maxim's whole family ( his wife and 2 daughters) also came, with the oldest daughter being in her early 20s and having been very vocal about being gay.
Russia is not safe for queer people, so the government gave Maxim a choice- they would let his daughter leave Russia immediately or she could stay, but would be put on trial and more than likely go to prison.
Maxim's whole family practically fled in the middle of the night without him. He told them to leave and to keep his daughter safe.
"I don't want to know your personal life, but I've heard people talk. Please, I'm begging you, take this opportunity. I can only protect you for so long"
With that, Maxim wrapped him in a hug, that felt comforting and foreign at the same time
The coach added "Russia isn't for you, it's time you choose happiness, go find your sunshine"
Ilya had never seen emotions on Maxim's face, but as he turned to walk away, he could see his tear-rimmed eyes begging him to leave.
As Ilya was leaving the practice rink he sent Svetlana a text.
Ilya
Meet at my apartment in an hour
Svetlana
Ok. Are you alright?
Ilya
No, I'll explain when we get there.
Also, stop and get a bottle of the good vodka on your way. Make it the good stuff!
Svetlana
Shit. I'll be there soon
45 minutes later Svetlana bursts through his apartment door wielding the vodka.
She looked at Ilya right as he finished off the bottle of vodka he already had.
"Why did I have to stop if you already had some here?" Svetlana asked in a frustrated tone.
"I knew I didn't have enough to get drunk and that's exactly where I want to be" Ilya said as he reached for 2 glasses, pouring some in each.
Ilya looked as calm as ever leaning against his kitchen counter; wearing casual athletic pants and nothing else; but she knew better.
Svetlana took a glass and instead of sipping the vodka like Ilya was, she downed it as a shot.
"Ilya what the hell is going on?"
"Come, sit" Ilya motioned to her as he headed to his living room.
Ilya took a long, slow breath and relayed this stunning information to Svetlana.
Unfortunately, she looked at Ilya with a blank stare as she poured herself another glass of vodka.
"You should take this opportunity. Think of it as an adventure " she said with a forced smile.
"What the hell are you talking about? You can't be serious?!" Ilya was getting frustrated at this point.
Svetlana sighed "Lyubimyy, I hoped I wouldn't have to tell you this, I wanted you to go play for Canada without knowing. My father got information that they are starting formal investigations into alleged gay athletes. Papa really likes you, so he left some official documents out, knowing I would see them, i think he wanted me to warn you. Russia is not safe"
And there it was.
Ilya wasn't gay, he was bisexual but that doesn't matter in Russia. He had only been with 2 men, and 1 time had been on an international trip. How could they know?
"But I'm not...."Ilya started to say, but Svetlana cut him off
"I love you- but I know. You think I don't notice you checking out the guys in the clubs and dancing with them or the way you look at the hot bartenders that flirt with you?" She chuckled saying the last part
Ilya felt like he couldn't breathe and swallowed hard.
"I guess I have no choice then"