Chapter Text
Harris made some last minute adjustments to his tripod, making sure to get the angle right, then clapped his hands in satisfaction.
“Okay. Perfect!”
“Can I come back now?” Troy half-yelled from 12 feet away, where he was being a very good test subject.
“Not yet! Let me get your response first! Actually, come closer! Pretend you’re really walking on the ice for warm-ups.”
A smile tugged at Troy’s lips. “I am really walking on the ice for warm-ups.”
“You know what I mean! Okay, I’m hitting record.”
From behind the tripod, Harris called out, “Troy! Welcome back! Who’s going to score the first goal of the season?”
Before Troy could answer, a booming Russian accent resounded through the hallway of the arena.
“Harris! You cannot start without me! I am the captain! I must introduce the video!” Ilya exclaimed dramatically.
“Ilya! Hold on.” Harris stopped recording, and Troy shuffled past his captain towards his boyfriend, hovering closely behind him to “look at the monitor”. When he tucked his chin over Harris’ shoulder, that was where Harris drew the line. “No, no, no. You can’t be cute right now. I have to record this before your game tonight. I’m not missing anyone just because you’re being all cuddly.”
“Fine.” Troy sighed, burying his face further into Harris’ neck in a flagrant disregard for his own words. He pulled him in close by the waist so Harris’ back was flush against him for a tender hug. “I’ll leave you alone.”
“Love you.” Harris kissed him on the cheek. “Now get back over there.”
***
Harris excelled at his job, and tonight, he was especially proud of himself. And Troy, of course. And all of the Centaurs. But still. Harris had perfectly timed the release of his first Question of the Day video. During the games, Harris always had to work. With so many games in a season, he had to made content in real time. The fans wanted to know what was happening AS it was happening.
Which meant that when the first goal of the Centaurs’ season was scored, Harris had already completed 90% of the video. He posted the footage within a half hour of the first goal, and the fans were already engaging with it like crazy.
With Troy passed out next to him after a thoroughly pleasing night of celebrating the Centaurs’ win, Harris watched it one more time.
***
Ilya Rozanov holds up a paper sign to the camera reading: “QUESTION OF THE DAY”
ILYA
Hello, Centaurs fans! This is your Captain Ilya Rozanov, best player in the NHL, here to introduce our new series: the question of the day. Harris, what is your question for me?
HARRIS
Who’s going to score the first goal of the season?
ILYA
Me. Obviously.
Cut.
The rest of the players shuffle out from the locker room onto the ice, carefully walking on their skates and shouting their answers.
HARRIS
Guys! Who’s going to score the first goal of the season?
TROY
Um, probably Shane.
Cut.
DYKSTRA
Probably Roz or Hollander.
HARRIS (off camera)
Pick one!
ILYA (off camera)
Pick me!
DYKSTRA
Hollander.
Cut.
HARRIS
Bood! Who do you think is going to score the first goal of the season?!
BOOD
Me! Or Hollander. Definitely not Roz.
Cut.
Shane hurries past, focused on the ice.
HARRIS
Shane! Who’s going to score the first goal of the season?
Shane’s eyes dart around awkwardly.
SHANE
Uh, a Centaur!
ILYA (off camera)
So fucking boring—
Cut.
The kids shuffle by together, all yelling at once.
CHOUINARD
Barrett!
YOUNG
Ilya!
LAPOINTE
Hollander!
Cut.
LUCA
First goal of the season? Um. Rozanov.
Cut.
WYATT
You know what? I’ve got Haasy. I think the kid’s got it in him.
Cut.
Smash footage of the game as Ilya Rozanov makes a last minute pass to Luca Haas, who drills it into the net.
Text surges across the video: LET’S GO LUCA!