In Montreal in November 2018, Ilya welcomes Shane’s best friend Hayden Pike and Hayden’s wife Jackie to Shane’s house for dinner. Ilya needles Hayden with flirtatious jokes, while Jackie tries to be friendly and keep things polite. Shane warns Ilya to behave because the night matters to Shane.

Shane and Ilya serve coq au vin, but conversation turns tense: Hayden openly insults Ilya and questions what Shane sees in him, while Jackie asks how Shane and Ilya first “felt sparks.” They admit it started when they were eighteen in a hotel gym on draft night, which shocks Hayden. As the evening drags on, Ilya reflects that their time together is rare now that Ilya plays in Ottawa, and he resents spending one of their short visits on this forced “bonding” night.

When Shane takes Jackie on a house tour, Hayden confronts Ilya alone, accusing him of using Shane and doubting Ilya’s sexuality. The argument escalates into shoving, and Shane catches them. Shane explodes at both men, admitting how terrified and isolated he has felt for years hiding his attraction and relationship with his rival, and how important tonight was supposed to be for easing that loneliness.

Hayden’s anger collapses into hurt; he says Shane could have told him sooner and apologizes for making the night about himself. Shane explains that it took years for them to understand their feelings and for Shane to accept he is gay, but that he did eventually tell Hayden. Hayden reluctantly concedes that if Shane loves Ilya, Ilya must have good in him. Shane ends the conflict by ordering dessert and saying they will tell them about the Irina Foundation.

After the guests leave, Shane and Ilya argue again: Shane is furious that they still have to hide and that Ilya’s antagonizing makes it harder for others to understand their relationship. Ilya apologizes and admits his bad behavior masked how much he loved simply being at home with Shane. They reconcile, and Ilya promises he will tell the world immediately if Shane wants; Shane admits fear about the consequences but believes they will face it together.

They have sex as a reaffirmation of devotion and trust, choosing to go without a condom at Shane’s request. Later in bed, they focus on what comes next: in two weeks, after their teams play, they plan to hold their press conference. Shane says he is ready, and Ilya agrees.