Chapter 13:

Jonny doesn't like to sleep alone. But he knows Kaner likes to wake up ridiculously early. Half way their summer vacation, he still gets out of bed at seven in the morning.

Its like the Vancouver Olympics all over again and he's sharing a bed with Sidney (they were letting Army room with them and they only had two beds. what else were they supposed to do?) rather than his lover.

Instead of waking up to the other side of his bed being empty and cold, he handcuffs Patrick to the metal loops of the headboard and cuddles next to him.

Kaner wakes up a little later than normal, eight forty-two. He let's himself stare at Jonny's gorgeous sleep face.

This is why he likes to get up earlier than his boyfriend. Allowing himself a few minutes to take in this sight, drilling it into his brain, before making coffee and catching up on the news.

Mentally sighing, Pat tries to use his right hand to rub his face, but he can't move it from underneath his pillow. So he lifts it and ...

Why is a blue, furry handcuff wrapped around his wrist?

"Jonny, what the -fuck-?" Kaner asks, gently shaking his lover awake.

One of Jonny's eyes open, he mumbles "sleep" before snuggling against the American, his side of the bed totally forgotten.

Patrick sighs, wrapping his arms around his captain's shoulders, "Could've just said something."

Toews makes an inaudible noise that was probably some form of protest.

Letting his eyes slip close, he kisses the top of his lover's head and tries to get in at least another hour of sleep.

...

James left to go home a week after they were kicked from the playoffs. Paulie was sad to see him go, but he knew the man needed his family.

So Paul went home and visited his folks. Catching up on everything he's missed while staying far away from sports as he can.

Unlike most people, Martin doesn't like to surround himself around sports twenty-four seven. Once his season is done, he's done with sports (except soccer, because who doesn't like soccer?).

Nealsy doesn't call him at all. Paulie considers whether or not he should text the Canadian, just to make sure if he's okay. But then he wonders if he's being ignored, or if James needs some space.

Whatever the reason, Paul doesn't want to ruin their relationship by pushing to hard.

...

Evgeni loved being in Russia. Pittsburgh is great and all, and his teammates are like family. But nothing can compare to being surrounded by true flesh and blood.

Of course, a trip back home means a trip filled with those annoying Russians that he sees all the time (they're not actually annoying, but they act as if they haven't seen Evgeni in years and won't leave him the fuck alone).

Aside from his family, spending time with Pavel Datsyuk and Sergei Gonchar is his favorite part of his vacation.

Then there's Alex he has to deal with.

He still loves Sanja in the same way he does Sergei. And he -wants- to go back to the way things were. But everytime Ovechkin checks his phone, a pleased smirk in his face, the way he walks with a pep in his step, makes his jealous side come out.

Whenever Sasha pulled him and Sanja into a strip club, the Cap didn't pay any attention to the gorgeous, naked girls dancing right in front of him. Last year, Ovie would take as many women as he could home with them. Fucking them so hard its a surprise they didn't break (Evgeni knows this because he's heard and partaken when it happened),

Alex just buried himself in his phone, staring blankly at the wall or the ground as he sipped his vodka and joined in on random conversations.

It makes Malkin start to wonder if his friend and Sidney have had sex yet. Surely they've exchanged hand jobs, maybe even blow jobs. But Sid doesn't seem like the kind of person who'd go all the way in such a sort amount of time (though it seems longer, they've only been together about three months, maybe a little more).

Then again, Alex does have a way of .. persuading people to do things they may or may not want to.

The thought of Ovechkin pressuring his captain into sex. Making him so whatever the Russian wants to keep his boyfriend there. It pisses Evgeni off. His blood boils when his mind floats to the idea, the image of Alex touching Sidney like that, probably leaving scratches and bruises on the Canadian's perfect body.

Malkin hadn't realized he had his fist clenched and glaring at Sanja until Pavel grabs his wrist.

"You okay Zhenya?" Datsyuk asks.

The Penguin relaxes slightly, "Yeah, I'm fine."

For the first time all night, Alex locks the screen of his phone and slips into his pocket, "You shouldn't lie to the man Zhenya."

Malkin snarls, "No one fucking asked you."

Ovechkin gives him a hurt look, he opens his mouth to speak, but Pavel puts up a hand.

"I don't know what the issue is between you two, nor do i want to. As you know, I don't get out much. So, I want the both of you to put your problems aside, act like best friends, pick one of these pretty girls and get laid. Okay?" Datsyuk orders.

Pavel doesn't usually come when they gather together. Hell, he doesn't even go out with Malkin that much. Datsyuk isn't that crazy, energetic hockey player that he once was. The only thing he really does, outside his profession, is try and make another baby (which isn't actually a bad thing).

"Yeah Sanja. I'm sure any of these girls would -love- to go home with you." Evgeni sneers.

Alex's eyes show his pity, "Zhenya, we have been friends for years. Now stop acting like a child and move on with your life."

Malkin stands up, wobbling slightly from the amount of alcohol he's consumed, "Fuck you. You have no idea what friendship is."

The Capital rolls his eyes, "Coming from the person who's always trying to steal what is mine."

Evgeni starts toward his (ex?)friend, but Sergei grabs his wrist and forces him back down.

"I am taking the both of you home. Once there, I want you to work out your problems and fix your shit." Gonchar orders.

Pavel and Nabokov stay with the other Russian NHLers who had politely minded their own business while Sergei drives with Malkin (becomes he's way to intoxicated to do it himself).

"I thought you and Nicky were together?" Gonchar asks as he drives.

Evgeni sighs, "I .. I don't know. I thought the same, but he hasn't tried to contact me and we never .. really classified what we are, or were."

Sergei gives him a look, "Okay, then why are you trying to ruin the one good thing Sanja has going for him?"

The Penguin doesn't respond.

"You two .. really need to stop acting like horny children with only one pretty girl on the playground." Sergei shakes his head as he pulls into Alex's driveway.

Evgeni gets out of the car before its stopped, zooming into the house.

Ovechkin stands in the middle of the living room, his eyes jerk to Evgeni as the door is slammed behind him.

"You seriously need to stop trying to get between us." Alex blurts out.

"Then you need to stop trying to get between his legs." Malkin growls.

Alex smirks, "Its not considered trying when I already have."

Evgeni takes a shot at his face, but his drunken state causes him to miss wildly and stumble.

"Zhenya, that's what happens when people date and fall in love. Its not a new concept."

"It is when you -force- him to have sex with you."

Ovechkin rolls his eyes, "If you must know, Sidney was the one who set it up."

Evgeni is shocked, "Bullshit."

Alex sighs, "I have no reason to lie to you."

The room starts to spin, so Malkin gently sits down on the couch, holding his head in his hands. Several moments later, the cushion sinks down next to him.

"Zhenya, I'm sorry. I know that you think you love Sidney, the same way you thought you loved Oksana," Alex says, "Even if you did end up together, it never would've worked out."

"H-How can you say that when you don't know?" Evgeni asks.

Ovechkin stays silent for a minute before replying, "I can't answer that. But you know deep down inside, you're feelings come from a sexual desire," he pauses, "Maybe .. Maybe you should try and work things out with Nicky. I know he cares about you .. and I'm sure you'd feel the same if you gave him a chance."

The Penguin doesn't respond, trying to slow his breathing, "Why did it have to be you? I mean ... I can't even look at you without .. thinking of you two being together. Of you .. hurting .. him."

"I don't know why he chose me, but I'm damn grateful for it. And I'd never ruin this chance to be with someone like him. Most importantly, I'd never hurt him in any way." Alex says, his voice soft.

"Its just ... its not fair." Evgeni chokes out.

Alex rubs large circles on his back, "You just ... have to let yourself find the right person."

Evgeni hasn't cried because of non hockey related reasons since before Juniors. He especially hasn't shed tears over a person.

He doesn't know what's wrong with him. Maybe he does have some feelings toward Nicky. He honestly thought they were legitimately together. Then the Swede just falls off the face of the Earth.

Evgeni had kept his emotions in order when he and Nicklas had been .. fooling around. Even when he saw Sidney and Alex together, he wasn't really even jealous.

"Can ... could you ever forgive me?" Malkin asks, his voice barely comprehend able through his sobs and slurred speech.

"I was never mad at you Zhenya." Ovechkin whispers, "If there was something I could do, trust me, I would in heart beat."

Evgeni leans against the Capital, silently letting out all his pent up frustrations. Alex murmurs kind, soothing words to him.

He doesn't remember falling asleep, but he wakes up in his own bed with large Russian nearly laying on top of him.

...

Sidney had flown to Canada. But he was only hiding inside his home. He's considering selling it because he has no use for it anymore.

He'd been waiting months to read Taylor's text, procrastinating until he knew he was totally alone.

Sitting cross legged on his bed in is house there's no one to interrupt him.

'Sid, I know this'll probably be the last time I'll talk to you for a while, so wanted to get some things off my chest,' the text reads, 'I've always suspected you were gay. And it doesn't make me think any different of you. You'll always be my awkward and dorky bro and I'll always love you. I am curious about who the guy was and if you have a boyfriend. He has to be super funny and awesome and hockey obsessed and completely gorgeous. Basically just a manlier version of you,' Sidney smiles to himself, 'I'm trying to say that you deserve the best and ONLY the best. I don't care how happy he makes you, I will never allow my big bro to be with some dickhead okay? And if anyone, and I mean ANYONE, gives you a hard time, I will beat his ass.' He chews his bottom lip, 'I know you're going through a hard time right now, and I know you miss me because I miss you too. Remember that I'll always be watching you on TV. I swear to never miss a game if you never miss one of mine.' He closes his blurry eyes for a second before continuing, 'i know you can't respond to this, my numbers going to be changed soon anyways. But I know I'll see you again, hopefully sooner rather than later. Just don't forget about your little sis, okay? -Love Taylor'

Sidney sets the phone down on the bed next to him. Pulling his knees up to his chest, his shoulders shake and his stomach clenches as he sobs uncontrollably. He's never felt so lonely, so abandoned, before. Its not Taylor's fault. He's grateful she even risked contacting him.

He cries for another ten minutes, staying curled up for over an hour. When his muscles start to ache, he unfolds himself.

Sid goes down stairs and numbly chews on apple slices. He isn't particularly hungry, but it's nearing ten p.m. and he will regret not eating later if he doesn't now.

He spends two hours blankly watching some horror movie (which was more disgusting and creepy than scary). Around midnight, there's a knock on his door.

Sidney doesn't move. No one he knows is going to bother him at this hour.

The knock happens again.

And again.

And again.

Then the person is spamming his doorbell.

Groaning loudly to himself, Sid forces himself off the coach and trudges over to the door.

He swings it open, his throat swells and it feels like he can't breath, let alone form words.

"Hi Sidney."