Work Text:
It's noon, in the middle of a busy sidewalk in New York City. The camera tracks two guys walking and laughing together. One of them is of East Asian descent, with brown eyes and black hair, wearing a toque with the some kind of mythical creature logo on it. He's holding the hand of the man behind him, dragging him along. The other man has piercing blue eyes and golden curls – messed up by an incoming gush of wind. The two of them shiver and quicken their pace. The camera gets closer.
INTERVIEWER: Excuse me, sorry, are you two a couple?
The two of them stop, startled. The man in front narrows his eyes warily, looking back to his – presumably – partner.
MAN 1: ...And if we are?
MAN 2: This is social media thing?
INTERVIEWER: Yes! We do content on Instagram, Tiktok, of us talking to couples we meet on the street on New York City, it's called Meet Cutes NYC. We can show you some videos if you'd like.
MAN 2: Oh, I think I've seen this before. Let's do this for a bit, Shane.
The two men look visibly more relaxed. The blond man tugs on his partner's hand, stepping closer to the camera. The black-haired man considers before decidedly positioning himself beside the blond. The two of them keeps holding hand.
MAN 1: You want to? Okay. And yes, we are a couple.
INTERVIEWER: Would you mind telling me the quick story of how you first met?
MAN 1: Wow, okay. Um, so, we're both athletes and we first met on our Junior Championship's finals. My team was playing against his team—
MAN 2: —Team Canada (pointing his partner). Russia (pointing to himself).
MAN 1: Yes. Basically I saw him standing alone, smoking, and came up to him to introduce myself. I'd recognized him from watching recordings of his past competitions and he was a great player so I thought, no harm in making connection, you know?
MAN 2: (smirking) He is my fan since day 1.
MAN 1: Shut up. You knew me too, asshole.
MAN 2: Yes, yes I do. This boring, polite Canadian boy nagged me not to smoke when we had just met. He was so adorable and awkward, I wanted to mess with him.
MAN 1: He was so rude to me. Looking me up and down and staring at me.
MAN 2: I was, what you say– enthralled. You looked pretty.
The Asian man rolls his eyes, but smiles fondly.
INTERVIEWER: And how long ago was this?
MAN 2: 2008.
INTERVIEWER: So, 15 years ago. And how did you go from being opponents to getting together?
MAN 2: Ooh, now that's difficult to answer.
MAN 1: (chuckles) It's honestly the hardest question you could've given us. But the short answer is, after that we went on to get drafted to the league, and we were rivals for a long time. We played the same position, drafted the same year, played on rival teams. It was a huge deal, they pitted us all the time. But besides that we were also, (blushes) um... hooking up on-and-off since our rookie year.
MAN 2: I make first move on him. I was his gay awakening.
MAN 1: No he's not.
MAN 2: Sure, keep lying to yourself, sweetheart.
INTERVIEWER: Sounds like that's a journey. So you've been together for 15 years?
MAN 2: Was love at first sight for me, but it was complicated.
MAN 1: We were casual for a long time. We've been seriously committed for 6 years, and this summer will be our second marriage anniversary.
The blond man grins, and shows off his gold wedding band.
INTERVIEWER: Congratulations, guys! Six years in, what's your favorite thing about him?
The two of them looks at each other.
MAN 1: Honestly, everything. He's confident and capable and driven. I love how in tune he is with me. I can be a hard person to get along with, I like my routine and I'm very particular, but he accepts all of that. He takes so much care of me and he sacrifices a lot to be with me. And no offense to every athlete out there– but he is the one person who can keep up with me and challenge me, without him I woudn't be the player I am today.
MAN 2: Ah, you have competence kink.
MAN 1: Shut up.
INTERVIEWER: And, what's your favorite thing about him?
MAN 2: Same for me, everything. He is very competitive, has to be best in everything. He is second best hockey player of our generation too so that's very sexy—
MAN 1: —No I am the best, baby, you know it. Look at the stats.
MAN 2: That's lie, liar, but see? Very sexy man. (His expression turns somber) He makes me feel loved everyday. Gives me a home, show that I belong. He never gives up on me or let me give up on myself. I struggle with mental health, and he puts up with me even on worst days. Sacrifice a lot for me too.
MAN 1: Sorry, we're sappy.
MAN 2: We're allowed to be, sweetheart.
INTERVIEWER: You both are so sweet.
MAN 2: (smirking) Thank you.
INTERVIEWER: And, what are you guys most looking forward to in the future?
MAN 1: Well since last season we got to play together on the same team—
MAN 2: Sure we do.
MAN 1: —so.. hopefully we've still got many good years ahead of us. I want us to stay healthy and keep playing for a long time. I'm greedy, I want to win more Cups with him.
MAN 2: I am working on my citizenship also, looking forward to being boring, Canadian boy. Besides that I just want to be with him everyday, two of us, playing with our daughter Anya—
MAN 1: Anya is our dog, by the way.
MAN 2: —and doing everything together.
MAN 1: Yes, we were in the closet and had to do long distance for a long time. It was the hardest thing I've done in my life. Now all we want to do is be together everyday (smiles fondly). Oh, and we're working to expand our charities this year, so hopefully that goes well.
INTERVIEWER: Wow, lots of exciting things. Best of luck for that, you guys. Lastly, what advice do you have for young couples who are just starting their relationship and wanna make it to six years together?
MAN 1: Just.. please communicate. We've wasted so many good years because we don't know how to communicate our feelings and be honest with ourselves. And don't let fear control how you live your life.
MAN 2: (shrugs) It's never an easy road, and maybe there are things to sacrifice, but everything is worth it if it is the right person.
INTERVIEWER: Awesome. And what are your names?
MAN 1: I'm Shane, and—
MAN 2: Ilya.
INTERVIEWER: And what sports and league are you guys playing in?
The two of them looked at each other for a beat and looked at the camera with strange, somewhat reserved expression.
MAN 2: ...It's ice hockey. We play in MLH, for Ottawa Centaurs.
MAN 1: Go Cens (weakly raising his fist).
INTERVIEWER: Thank you so much, you guys. I'll let you two to it.
MAN 2: Okey.
MAN 1: Thanks, man. Have a good day.
The two men continue on their way, hands once again clasped, braving the wind. As soon as they turn around, they look up and point to something. The curly-haired man bursts out laughing. Their chatter can be heard faintly on the video. The camera pans to the direction they point and briefly shows a huge Rolex LED advertisement with ice hockey athlete Shane Hollander in it.