Chapter Text
Ryan never wanted to be the flamboyant captain to the United States to a gold medal. He never wanted to be the most hated man in Ottawa, but at least they considered him a man. He wanted to blend in, to go unnoticed. He just wanted to play in the NHL. And then, he scored his first ever NHL goal on the same night Alex Ovechkin tied Wayne Gretzky’s record. It was like publicity followed him.
He couldn’t keep his darkest secret if this kept happening.
But, God, this was his dream come true. He was making his family proud. He was the guy the Capitals wanted to play physically, to become a mini-Tom Wilson. They saw him as a strong young talent and wanted to make him part of their future. Ryan couldn’t imagine anything better. He could, however, let the thoughts of what would happen if anyone found out he wasn’t born a man haunt him at night.
When he was looking for living arrangements for his first full season in DC, he struggled to find anywhere that felt like it fit, but he didn’t want to be the rookie that relied on the team to house him or put anyone out by rooming with them. He was sitting in the gym down the street from his parent’s house when he got a phone call. Luckily, he was in between sets and quickly answered the call.
“Leonard.”
“I that really how you answer all your phone calls,” Dubie asked, his Quebecois accent curling around the laugh in his throat. Ryan blushed.
“Sorry, I’m at the gym. Didn’t check who it was when I picked up,” Ryan responded, embarrassment coating the words. So much for appearing like a grown man with his life put together.
“You’re good, kiddo,” Ryan cringed at the nickname, "But I heard that you were looking for a place to stay. Maddie and I would gladly let you haunt the third floor once again. You’re still technically a rookie, bud.”
Ryan contemplated the offer, thinking back on the trouble he’d been having apartment hunting in the District. “You know what, Dubie, I think I will take you up on that offer. I’m ready to get back to DC.”
Ryan could hear him talking to someone on the other end, presumably Maddie. “Alright, kiddo. Maddie and I will get the third floor ready for you. When can we expect you back here?”
Without giving it much thought, Ryan replied with “Whenever you’ll have me.”
Dubie laughed but made an affirming noise. “How about you get packed up over the next two days and drive on down on Friday?”
“I will see your Friday afternoon, Dubie. Give Maddie my love.”
It wasn’t ideal to live with a teammate while hiding his secret, but Ran had managed it at the end of last season. He could keep things close to his chest. He could do it. He had to or everything that he’d worked for his entire life would come crumbling down.