Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

The first thing Shane noticed when he woke up was the weight on top of his body, all warm and heavy and comfortable like a weighted blanket. The second thing Shane noticed was the soft press of kisses along his chest. The weight blanketing him shifted as the kisses traveled higher up his body and he let out a soft sigh, his eyes still closed and mind barely conscious. When his eyes finally fluttered open, he was met with the sight of Ilya’s smiling face, his arms crossed over Shane’s chest and chin resting atop them. Shane pouted a little when he saw how awake Ilya looked already.

“Aw,” Ilya murmured, his thumb brushing along Shane’s chin. “What’s that look for?”

Shane ran his hands through Ilya’s messy hair. “I wanted to see you when you woke up. Your sleepy face and your voice, I was excited for it. How long have you been awake?”

“Not long. Maybe ten minutes.” Ilya grinned and tilted his head to the side a little. “And I’m sorry. But, we will have many more mornings, da?”

Shane nodded, a matching grin taking over his face as he pulled gently at Ilya’s hair, urging him up. Ilya responded immediately and pressed their lips together. His tongue came out to push into Shane’s mouth and Shane hummed as he noticed Ilya tasted like mint. He pulled back to look at him.

“Did you brush your teeth already?”

“Mhm. I was afraid you wouldn’t kiss me when you woke up.”

“Normally, I’d care, but I don’t think anything could have stopped me from kissing you this morning.” Shane pulled him in for another one.

Ilya tilted his head to deepen the kiss as he brought his hand down to graze along Shane’s thigh. He wrapped his fingers around Shane’s leg and pulled it up around his waist. Shane moaned as their clothed cocks brushed against each other. Warm fingers pressed hard against Shane’s jaw as Ilya pushed his chin up and started peppering kisses along his neck. Shane groaned as he pulled at Ilya’s hair and he turned his head just slightly so he could take Ilya’s thumb into his mouth. He sucked hard on Ilya’s thumb as Ilya moaned against his neck, the vibrations of it tickling Shane’s skin.

A moment later, Ilya pulled away from Shane’s neck, his eyebrows pinched and lips pursed. “Fuck, Shane. You really love that, don’t you?” He pushed on Shane’s tongue with his thumb, breathing hard through his nose as Shane continued to suck.

“Mmm, that’s why it was so good last night, huh? You love having me in your mouth.” Ilya’s eyes were blown out as he watched Shane.

Shane moaned around Ilya’s thumb and bucked his hips up, chasing friction for his growing erection. He pulled back from Ilya’s hand, a trail of spit falling to his chin.

“It was good?” Shane asked, his words laced with false naivety. He knew very well how good it was because Ilya had told him as much while Shane’s mouth was full of his cock, but he wanted to hear it again.

Ilya’s eyes looked mischievous as he smirked. “You know it was good. But I can tell you again if you want, Mr. People Pleaser.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means—“ Ilya grinned as he dipped down and attached his lips to Shane’s neck again. “That you, Shane Hollander, like being told what a good boy you are.”

A hot flush spread across Shane’s body as Ilya landed perfectly on the target Shane had been aiming for. It warmed his heart just as much as it turned him on to know that Ilya could read him so easily. Ilya nipped lightly at Shane’s neck as he brought a hand between the two of them to palm at Shane’s clothed cock.

“You know what I was thinking about when your dick was in my mouth?” Shane asked. Ilya sucked at the crook of Shane’s neck and hummed against his skin, encouraging him to continue. “I was thinking about you fucking my face.”

Ilya groaned and squeezed harder at Shane’s cock before lifting his face again. “Oh yeah? You want to get on your knees for me, Hollander? Let me take whatever I want?”

“Oh, fuck, Ilya,” Shane’s words were hushed as he pulled Ilya back in for a kiss. “Fuck, yes.”

They kissed for a moment before the shrill sound of music filled the room and startled them apart. Ilya groaned as he leant over to grab his phone and turn off the offending alarm.

“Fuck, why did I agree to do the brunch shift?” He scowled at his phone as he tossed it back on the nightstand. Ilya leant back down and started kissing along Shane’s jaw. “I’m calling in sick. I have more important things to do.”

Shane laughed. “It’s okay. I have work this morning, too.”

“Then we both call out, obviously.”

Shane looked up at Ilya’s face and seriously considered it for a moment as the thought of leaving Ilya’s warmth and spending the day without him sounded awful. But, he had a full list of clients lined up and it would be a pain in the ass for both him and Naomi if he didn’t show up. He pushed at Ilya’s chest, urging him to move back so he could get out of bed. Shane stood at the side of the bed and watched as Ilya flopped back down with a pout.

“I’m going to win the lottery so we can spend our lives in bed,” Ilya murmured.

“Yeah, okay,” Shane laughed and gave Ilya another quick kiss. “You do that.”

He put his clothes back on and made his way to the foot of the stairs.

“Wait—” Ilya climbed off the bed and made his way over to Shane before pulling him into a deep kiss. Shane sighed against Ilya’s mouth as he buried his hands in his hair. Ilya pulled back and rested his forehead against Shane’s. “Will you sleep here again tonight?”

Ilya sounded hesitant when he asked, like he didn’t think Shane would actually come back, and it pulled at Shane’s heart painfully. He put one hand on Ilya’s cheek and let the other rest against Ilya’s chest before giving him another quick kiss.

“Of course,” Shane whispered against Ilya’s lips.

A flash of relief crossed Ilya’s face before he pulled Shane in for a hug and pressed his face into his neck, just like he had the night before. Shane brought his arms up to hold Ilya as he nuzzled his face into Ilya’s hair.

“I love you, Ilya.” Shane rubbed his hand up and down Ilya’s back as he spoke softly. “I’m not gonna run away again.”

“I love you, too,” Ilya murmured against Shane’s skin just before pulling back to look at him with wet eyes. “I’m sorry, I’m being a baby.”

Shane shook his head. “No, hey. Don’t apologize, I understand.”

Ilya leant forward to kiss Shane again, but the sound of his alarm going off again made them both jump.

“Ugh,” Ilya groaned, his head falling back.

“Okay,” Shane laughed as he let go of Ilya and climbed a few steps. “I’m going before you sucker me back into bed with those ridiculous eyes.”

Ilya grinned up at him and Shane gave him one last smile in return before he turned and climbed up the stairs, feeling lighter than he had in a really long time.

Shane made his way up the steps to the front door with an excited urgency, desperate to get home to Ilya after a long, distracted work shift. Work had never been so difficult for him to get through before. When he was with Ethan, work had become somewhat of an escape, a way to busy himself and keep his mind from fixating on his relationship. Today had been the exact opposite. It had taken a herculean effort to get himself to focus on his clients, he lost track of how many times his eyes darted to the large clock on the gym wall to see how much longer he had in his shift, and his hand itched at his side all day, tapping impatiently at his phone inside his pocket and trying to hold back from obsessively checking if Ilya had texted him again.

As much as it proved to be a distraction, he could not have been happier. It felt so good to have a relationship that made him feel loved and excited again, to have a man that was so wonderful he literally couldn’t keep his mind off of him for a second. Shane grinned as he made his way in the front door and kicked his shoes off. Everyone was in the living room hanging out when he walked in and they all greeted him as he dropped his bag on the ground behind the couch.

“Shane! You’re just in time, we’re discussing game night details,” Harris said from his spot on the lounge chair in the corner.

“Oh, yeah?” Shane didn’t care about game night. He wanted to see Ilya and as he took in the rest of the room, he was disappointed to see he wasn’t there.

Rose was sitting on one end of the couch, script in hand as she studied it closely, and J.J. was on the other end, eyes focused on his video game. Svetlana was stretched out between them, her head in Rose’s lap and her feet in J.J.’s. Troy was sprawled across the rug on his stomach, game controller in hand, grumbling as J.J. beat him at the game they were playing.

Harris was still talking about game night and Svetlana was saying something in response, but Shane wasn’t listening to them. He was about to make his way to Ilya’s room, but stopped when he saw the basement door opening. Ilya walked out of his room and Shane’s breath caught in his throat.

It was silly, really. Ilya was letting out a yawn and wearing his usual lounge clothes. Nothing Shane hadn’t seen hundreds of times before. But, last night with Ilya had been a revelation. And that revelation followed by eight hours at work without him had Shane feeling like one of those dogs that freaked out when their person came back in from taking the trash out.

Ilya gave Shane a hesitant smile as he moved to stand in front of him and Shane understood. They hadn’t discussed how to navigate their fledging relationship in front of everyone yet.

“Hi,” he said softly, his hand flexing at his side, begging him to reach out to Ilya. “Have you told anyone yet?”

Ilya shook his head. “I wasn’t sure what you wanted, if you wanted everyone to know yet, or—”

Shane didn’t let him finish. He reached out to take Ilya’s face in his hands and pulled him in for a kiss. Ilya grunted in surprise as they made contact and brought his hands up to wrap around Shane’s waist. Distantly, Shane registered the sudden silence. Harris had stopped talking and he couldn't hear the sound of the television anymore, but he didn’t care. There were a few small gasps, but Shane ignored them as Ilya pulled him in tighter. They broke apart eventually and rested their foreheads together for a moment before turning to face everyone. Everyone was staring at them, eyes flitting between each other occasionally as if to check if anyone else knew.

“Fucking finally!” J.J. was the one who broke the silence first, to the surprise of absolutely no one. He grinned as he stood up and walked around the couch to throw his arms around Shane and Ilya. “I love you both, but you idiots have been so annoying.”

J.J. squeezed them both tighter and Ilya grinned up at him as Shane ducked his head, a small smile on his face.

“Ilyusha,” Svetlana said quietly, her eyes soft as she reached out for him. “When did this happen?”

Ilya took her hand in his and held it tightly. “Just last night.”

Shane’s heart warmed as he watched Svetlana smile up at Ilya. He smiled back at her and they exchanged one of their silent looks where it felt like the two of them knew exactly what the other was thinking. They’d been best friends since they were kids and shared a bond that neither Shane nor any of their other friends could understand. He could only imagine how it felt for Svetlana to see Ilya so happy. She pressed a kiss to Ilya’s hand and he leant forward to press one to her forehead.

Rose caught Shane’s eye and gave him a smile. “I’m very proud of you, babe.”

“Yeah, took you long enough, though,” Troy added. Shane frowned and Troy gave him an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry,” he said earnestly. “It’s just— we’ve all been kind of dancing around this for so long.”

Shane’s mind caught on the last part of Troy’s words and he worried his lip between his teeth. He never asked Ilya how long he had been in love with him and now he was kind of afraid to. How long was so long? Had it been the whole time he was with Ethan? Even before that?

Shane remembered how he had felt just a week or so ago when he realized he had feelings for Ilya and was terrified that the development of that unrequited love would break him. He couldn't even fathom Ilya having to go through that for any significant amount of time.

A heavy anger washed over him suddenly, toward himself for not being able to see, toward Ethan for wasting so much of his time, and toward everyone in the house that knew and didn’t tell him. “Why the fuck didn’t you guys tell me, then? I know everyone knew but me. Must’ve been a real laugh for you all.”

“Hey,” Troy said, putting his hands up in surrender. “Don’t look at us. Your man is the one who told us not to say anything.”

Shane turned toward Ilya to find him watching him already, eyes apologetic and mouth turned down. He reached out to grab Shane’s hand and started rubbing circles into it with his thumb. “Sweetheart, no one was laughing at you, okay? It wasn’t like that.”

“Okay.” Shane nodded and turned his hand over so he could lace their fingers together. “But, Troy said it’s been a long time. Why didn’t you ever tell me?”

J.J. dropped his arms from them and moved back to his seat as Ilya pulled Shane in a little closer. “Later, please? When we’re alone.”

Shane nodded and Ilya gave him a small smile before pressing a quick kiss to his lips.

“Ugh, you guys are so cute,” Harris said. “But seriously, can we please talk about game night?”

Shane laughed along with everyone else as they all indulged Harris and started discussing which evening would work best for another game night. Svetlana moved so she was perched in Rose’s lap and patted the couch cushion where she had been sitting, motioning for them to take a seat. Ilya climbed over the back of the couch, plopped down, and let Svetlana put her legs in his lap as Shane walked around and took the last spot left, right between J.J. and Ilya.

Everything was back to normal in just a few moments, Harris talking excitedly about game night, J.J. and Troy arguing over their video game, and Ilya absentmindedly slinging an arm over Shane’s shoulders while he chatted with Svetlana. It wasn’t what he’d been expecting when he got home, but it was really nice nonetheless.

Hours later, after game night plans had been ironed out and dinner had been made and eaten, Shane was propped up on his elbow, lying on his side as he studied Ilya’s profile. Ilya was lying on his back opposite Shane, staring up at the ceiling and looking very much like he was avoiding having this conversation.

“Ilya,” Shane said softly as he reached out to put his hand on Ilya’s bicep. “Will you tell me, please? How long?”

“Shane—” Ilya let out a long sigh and rubbed his hand over his face.

“Was it before Ethan?” Shane was afraid of the answer. He and Ethan had been together for a little over a year and the enormity of that time felt impossible to him.

Ilya’s jaw tensed at the mention of Ethan’s name, his eyes closed as he sighed again, a beat passed, and then he nodded.

Shane felt his eyes water as he squeezed gently on Ilya’s arm. “Ilya—” he whispered. “I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It wouldn’t have mattered. We were just friends. You didn’t feel anything for me yet.”

“But, the way I feel about you now. It’s so strong. It must’ve always been there. If I had known to look for it, maybe I would’ve realized sooner.” Maybe I wouldn’t have hurt you, he thinks. Maybe there would’ve been no Ethan. Maybe I wouldn’t have wasted so much time.

“I only realized a little bit before Ethan.” Ilya turned to look at him finally, a sad smile on his face. “I already had a crush on you for months, but one day we were ordering pizza and someone asked what I wanted on mine because there’s so many of us and no one ever remembers what anyone else wants, you know? But, before I could even answer, you told them I like pineapple and sausage.”

Ilya mirrored Shane’s position. “Do you remember what you said?”

“No, I’m sorry.” Shane shook his head and smiled, he couldn’t remember the exact memory Ilya was referring to, but it was sweet listening to him talk about it so fondly.

“Is okay. It was just a random Tuesday.” Ilya put his hand over Shane’s. “Anyway, you told everyone, ‘He likes the way the salty mixes with the sweet, it makes sense, even if it is disgusting.’” Ilya grinned. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget those words. Was nothing special, but it meant a lot to me. You didn’t even see the way I was looking at you after.” His eyes softened as he spoke. “You were busy talking to someone, I can’t remember who, and I was just watching you. Admiring those beautiful freckles while my whole world changed because I realized I was in love with you.”

Shane’s breath caught as he heard the reverence in Ilya’s voice. He reached a hand up to run his fingers through Ilya’s hair before resting it on the side of his face, thumbing gently at his cheek.

“That was just a few months before your first date with Ethan,” Ilya said sadly. “You were so happy with him in the beginning, I never would’ve messed that up for you.”

Shane relaxed his arm as he laid his head down on the pillow and sighed. He had been really happy with Ethan in those first few months and the truth was, as much as he loved Ilya now, he had no idea what he would’ve done if Ilya had told him back then.

“What about when things started to get bad? Everyone hated Ethan, you all told me I could do better constantly. You’d think everyone would be jumping at the chance to set us up instead.”

“It would not have mattered because you are so stubborn, moya lyubov.” Ilya laughed and leant down to kiss Shane’s forehead. “Every time we told you Ethan was terrible, you would insist we just didn’t know him like you did.”

Shane huffed and Ilya kissed him again, this time on the lips, before pulling back to rest on his elbow again.

“But the main reason was that I wanted you to realize on your own. I think maybe I was afraid of rejection or something, but I just didn’t want to put the idea in your head. I know that sounds stupid probably because I went and had sex with you anyway. I am sorry, I should’ve never pushed your boundaries like that.”

“Ilya, it takes two, you know? And anyway, I didn’t care. I wanted to do it.”

“Yeah, but I’m still sorry. And I’m sorry for how I acted after the last time.”

“You have nothing to apologize for.”

“I think I do. I thought I could do it, you know? Have just your body. I have wanted you for so long and there’s always been this ache inside me—“ Ilya put his hand on his throat, pressing his fingers in gently. “Choking me. Some days I felt like I couldn’t breath, it was so strong. And I thought, having you in any way would ease it, but—“

Shane reached out, took the hand Ilya had wrapped around his throat, pressed a kiss to it, and then cradled it in his own.

“I mean— you know, obviously it didn’t work. But, I should have never been cold to you after, I should have never let it hurt our friendship. That’s a terrible thing to do to someone just because you can’t have them. I’m sorry.”

“Baby—“ Shane whispered as he scooted over to wrap his arms around Ilya’s waist. Ilya dropped his arm and relaxed on his back, bringing his arm up around Shane’s shoulders as he pressed into Ilya’s side. “You didn’t do anything wrong, okay? And it’s like you said last night, it doesn’t matter anymore.”

“Mhm and are you going to take that advice, too?”

“I’m trying. But, it’s hard.”

“Shane—”

“I can’t help but think about all the time I wasted while you were hurting.”

“Eh,” Ilya says, voice light. “It was just a year. We’ll have lots more.”

Shane sighed. “Yeah.”

He really wished he could let it go that easily, but Shane was sure everything swirling around in his brain would be eating at him for a while. The guilt he felt over how long Ilya had loved him and the way he had been flippant with his feelings during their initial tryst and the embarrassment and anger he felt about his entire relationship with Ethan. It wasn’t going to be easy not to stew in that regret, but at the very least, he could stop bothering Ilya with it and enjoy the time they spent together.

Shane’s eyes fell shut as Ilya ran his hands through his hair, humming contentedly at the nice feeling of Ilya’s fingers massaging his scalp.

“Do you want to watch a movie or something?”

“We never finished Drive.”

“Da, I don’t want to watch that one though.”

Shane lifted his head a little and looked at Ilya sheepishly. “I didn’t ruin that movie for you, did I?”

“Ah, no.” Ilya smiled at Shane, gave him a quick kiss, and then leant over to grab the remote. “I just thought something lighthearted would be better.”

The screen flashed bright blue after Ilya made his selection and Shane let out a small laugh when he saw that Ilya had chosen Ponyo. It didn’t really get more lighthearted than that.

“I don’t think I’ve watched this movie since high school.”

“Me and Sveta watch it at least once a month. It’s one of our favorites.”

The thought of Ilya and Svetlana obsessively watching Ponyo together made perfect sense to Shane and he smiled at how cute it was as he nuzzled more into Ilya’s side. He watched the fish on the screen swim around in the water as his eyes started to droop before he finally fell asleep.

When he opened his eyes again, the screen showed a little boy in a raincoat running through a storm. Shane blinked a few times and then looked up at Ilya. “Sorry. I didn’t realize how tired I was.”

“Is okay,” Ilya said, his hand rubbing up and down Shane’s back. “I like watching you sleep.”

“Creep,” Shane said, a playful smile on his face.

“Shane, this is okay, right? Us?”

Shane tilted his head, his face scrunching up in confusion. “What do you mean?”

Ilya smiled and pressed a thumb to the crease between Shane’s eyes. “You look so fucking cute like that. With your pretty freckles. Is not fair.” Shane blushed and caught Ilya’s hand in his own as he waited for him to continue. “I mean, us being a couple so soon after Ethan.”

Shane hadn’t really thought about it at all. He knew it wasn’t the norm to jump from one relationship to the next like he had, but he didn’t really give a fuck. Their situation wasn’t exactly normal and he knew how he felt about Ilya. It was probably too soon to say anything out loud, but he was pretty sure Ilya was it for him and he didn’t see any point in waiting to grab onto the rest of his forever based on some unwritten social norm he didn’t care about.

“Of course it’s okay,” He reassured Ilya as he squeezed his hand.

“Good. Because I want to get this right. I have to get it right— for you.”

Shane swallowed and pressed his lips to Ilya’s chest. He wanted to tell Ilya that he didn’t have to worry, that he didn’t have to try so hard, that he was perfect. But, he knew there was no use arguing with him. And anyway, he understood where Ilya was coming from. He felt the exact same way. He rested his head back on Ilya’s chest and they held each other silently as they watched the rest of the movie.

“Can I take you on a date?” Ilya asked as the credits started rolling.

“A date?”

“Da, is when two people who like each other go out and do something together.”

Shane rolled his eyes and pinched Ilya’s side. “I know what a date is, idiot. You want to take me on one?”

“We have done everything out of order. Like, why do we know what each other’s come tastes like, but we still haven’t been out on a date?”

Ilya sounded so serious and Shane couldn’t help but laugh as he tucked his face into his neck. He planted a few kisses there as he ran a hand along Ilya’s side. “Okay.”

“Really?”

“Of course,” Shane said, looking at Ilya again. “I want to do everything with you.”

Ilya’s eyes grew impossibly warm as a slow smile spread across his face. He pulled Shane in and peppered kisses all over his face before landing on his lips, stealing the laugh Shane was letting out.

“You’re so sweet,” Shane murmured against Ilya’s mouth.

“I just want to give you everything, Shane,” he whispered. “You deserve everything.”

Shane’s eyes were wet as he gave Ilya a deep kiss, pulling away with a soft sigh after a moment and letting his lips rest against the corner of the beautiful smile Ilya was giving him. “So do you, Ilya. You have to let me give it back to you.”

Ilya mirrored Shane’s wet eyes as he nodded and Shane tucked back into Ilya’s side, his arms pressing tighter as he held him close.

“Babe, I’m pretty sure you already tried that combo.”

Shane stopped midway through buttoning his shirt and turned to look at himself in the mirror on the back of his bedroom door. He groaned when he realized Rose was right and he had already tried and voted down this shirt and shorts combination twenty minutes ago. Turning back to his bed, he sighed and ran a hand over his face before taking his button up off and tossing it on the bed atop the pile of clothes he had strewn everywhere.

“Why are you so nervous about this? Ilya has wanted this for over a year. You could wear a potato sack and he’d still cry about it,” Rose said from her spot on the free side of his bed, the one that wasn't currently being overtaken by clothing.

“I want everything to be perfect for him, you know? I want to look nice for him.” Shane sighed and grabbed a cream colored cotton button up from his closet.

He slipped it on and went to check himself in the mirror. It looked good, kind of sheer and not too thick, which was perfect for the summer, and the sleeves were a little tight, making his biceps stand out nicely.

“Sveta and I are gonna have so much fun teasing you guys.” Rose snickered as Shane dug through his dresser for shorts to go with the shirt he had picked.

“If you’re not gonna be helpful, you can just go bother her instead.”

“I can’t. She’s in the basement right now, probably having this exact same conversation with Ilya.”

Svetlana walked in right as Rose finished talking and Shane laughed. “Wow. Speak of the devil.”

Rose made a grabby hand gesture at Svetlana and then pulled her onto her lap once Svetlana moved close enough.

“Excuse you, my girlfriend is an angel.” Rose kissed Svetlana’s shoulder and Shane rolled his eyes.

“What if I had been naked?” Shane asked Svetlana.

She waved him off as she turned to lie between Rose’s legs, her back to Rose’s chest. “I have seen your dick before. It’s fine.”

Shane groaned and started picking through the clothes on the bed, still looking for the right shorts.

Rose’s arms circled around Svetlana’s waist as she tucked her chin over Svetlana’s shoulder. “I thought you were helping Ilya get ready?”

“I was. But he was too nervous and he said I was making it worse so he kicked me out.”

“Wait, what? He’s nervous, too?” Shane asked.

“Of course he is. He’s been waiting for this for a very long time.”

Shane looked down as a little pang of guilt hit his chest. He looked up again as Svetlana got off the bed and approached him with a sad smile.

“You can’t change what’s already happened, Shanya. All you can do is love him now.”

“I do. I will. Sveta, I— I won’t hurt him.”

She smiled and put a hand on his cheek. “I know. I have seen the way you look at him. The way you take care of him. There is no one better for my Ilyusha. I am very happy for you both.”

Shane pulled her in for a hug and squeezed her tightly. Svetlana was the most important person in Ilya’s life, she was his whole family and her blessing meant more than anything in the world to him.

“Thank you,” he murmured, his face pressed against her curls.

She pulled back, still smiling at him, and nodded before taking her spot between Rose’s legs again.

“Now, will someone please help match a pair of shorts to this shirt?” He gestured to the mess of his room in exasperation.

“Where are the green ones?” Svetlana asked.

Shane went to his dresser and pulled out a pair of emerald green shorts from the back of one of the drawers. Rose had gotten them for him a few summers ago, but he’d only worn them a few times.

“These?”

“Da. Perfect.”

He took off the navy blue shorts he was wearing and slipped the green ones on. They were about an inch or so shorter than the other ones and much tighter around the ass and thighs. Shane made a face as he went to look in the mirror.

“Are you sure these aren’t too small?”

He watched Svetlana’s reflection in the mirror as she shook her head and smirked. “No, no. They are perfect. Ilyusha will thank me later.”

Shane blushed and studied his outfit again. It did look really good on him, accentuating all his best attributes perfectly. He grabbed his wallet and phone before pocketing them and hung his sunglasses from the top of his shirt.

“Alright, I think this is good. I’m gonna go wait in the living room. Are you two coming or are you just gonna keep cuddling in my bed?”

Svetlana held her hand up. “Ah, wait. He told me to tell you to wait in here because he wants to pick you up at your door like a proper date.”

“Pick me up at my bedroom door?” Shane laughed lightly.

“God, that is so cute,” Rose said.

“Just indulge him, Shanya. He’s been thinking about romancing you forever.”

Shane’s heart twinged again.

The door shook as a knock sounded from the other side and Rose let out a tiny squeal. Shane blushed again and shot her a look before opening it. All at once, Shane was glad Ilya wanted to meet at the door because it was very sweet and the reveal of Ilya’s outfit made his breath catch.

Ilya was wearing a pair of washed out jean shorts that were ripped at the bottom and stopped a few inches above his knees. The little shredded tendrils hanging from the bottom of them drew Shane’s eyes to Ilya’s thick, sun-kissed thighs. The shirt Ilya was wearing was cut off, too. The arms were gone, making it more of a tank top and the bottom half was cropped off. It stopped just above the waistband of Ilya’s shorts and if he moved just slightly, Shane could catch a flash of stomach and that soft hair below his belly button that he loved to press his tongue against.

He finished it off with a pair of sunglasses, currently resting in his hair, and some old Adidas shoes. It was a normal summer outfit, but it was relaxed and sexy in a way that only Ilya could make look effortless. Especially after Sevtlana had already revealed he’d been freaking out like Shane was.

Shane’s eyes became fixated on the way Ilya’s top stretched out from the size of his pecs for a moment before he heard Ilya laugh.

“My eyes are up here, Hollander.”

Shane rolled his eyes fondly as a grin took over his face. “Hi, baby.”

“Baby.” Rose snickered and Svetlana giggled along with her as Shane put his hand behind his back to flip them off.

Shane ignored them as he took in the matching grin Ilya was giving him, all teeth and dimples and bright blue eyes, just like Shane loved.

“You look beautiful. Ready to go?” Ilya held his hand out and Shane took it, lacing their fingers together.

“Have fun kiddos!” Rose said cheekily.

“Make sure you’re home by curfew,” Svetlana added.

Both Shane and Ilya flipped them off this time before they made their way downstairs, stopping in the entryway for Shane to put his shoes on and then making their way out the door.

“Stop trying to guess.”

The sound of Ilya’s voice pulled Shane’s attention from the window where he had been diligently watching the buildings and neighborhoods they passed through, trying to figure out where Ilya might be taking him. Shane smiled sheepishly as Ilya brought their intertwined hands up and kissed the back of his hand.

“It will be fun, I promise.”

“I know. I trust you.”

They sat in a comfortable silence for a few more minutes, nothing but the soft sound of the driver’s music and the other cars wooshing by outside. When they finally came to a stop, they said their gratitudes to the driver and climbed out of the car. Shane looked up at the building they were at as Ilya made his way around the car to take his hand again. It took him a moment, but eventually he recognized it from a team outing Hayden had planned for all the guys last season.

“Are we playing mini golf?” Shane asked excitedly.

“Is good, da?” Ilya grinned and pulled him along to the door. “It took me forever to figure out what we should do, but I think I did okay.”

Shane couldn’t agree more. Mini golf was silly and competitive in a fun way if you wanted it to be and he couldn’t think of anything more fitting for the two of them.

He stopped to pull Ilya into a kiss. “You did perfect, actually.”

Ilya smiled into the kiss before continuing inside, pulling Shane along with him. They went up to the counter to pay and then the woman behind the desk gave them scorecards and pencils and directed them where to exit out onto the course. When they got outside, there were barrels of little golf clubs of varying lengths and colors to choose from.

“What color are you picking?” Ilya asked as he moved over to the barrels holding the taller clubs.

Shane walked over and looked at the rainbow of options before finally settling on a bright blue one. Ilya gave Shane a smile like he already knew which one he was going to choose before pulling a yellow stick from the barrel and leading them to the first hole.

“You’ve been here before?” Ilya asked.

“Once with the guys from the team. Hayden planned it.”

“Hayden, your boring straight coworker?”

Shane laughed. “Hey, he can be fun sometimes.”

“Hm. Still straight though.”

“Yeah well, nobody’s perfect.”

They came up to the first hole and Ilya stepped back, gesturing for Shane to go ahead of him.

“Okay, Mr. Athlete, let’s see what you can do.”

“Oh, I’m gonna beat your ass.”

Ilya’s eyebrows shot up as he smirked. “Oh, really? And here I thought you preferred it the other way around.”

“Shut up,” Shane laughed.

The first few holes were always easy, so Shane got his ball in with one hit on almost all of them. It took him three tries on the fifth hole, but it took Ilya four, so he wasn’t too upset about it. On the sixth hole, he sat his ball down on the ground and leant over to take his shot, but faltered and knocked it in the opposite direction when Ilya came up behind and smacked his ass. He turned around and swatted at Ilya’s shoulder while Ilya laughed.

“Quit cheating,” Shane tried to chastise him, but it came out weak as he laughed along with him.

Ilya smirked, dropped his club, and pulled Shane into his arms. Shane’s own club fell to the ground with Ilya’s as he brought his hands up to rest on Ilya’s biceps. They kissed for a few moments, Shane moaning around Ilya’s tongue as he pushed it into Shane’s mouth.

Ilya pulled back and grinned. “We should make a bet.”

“But you’re losing.”

“Da, which is why I need to be properly motivated.”

Shane rolled his eyes. “Okay, what do you want?”

“If I win,” Ilya said, voice dropping low as he brought his mouth to Shane’s ear. “I get to do whatever I want to you when we get home tonight.”

Shane shuddered and gripped Ilya’s arms tighter. “And if I win?”

“I don’t know, you’ll have to choose.” Ilya pulled back and tapped lightly on Shane’s cheek. “Think about it.”

Shane’s body flushed as Ilya walked over to place his golf ball down and take his shot. He didn’t have to think about what he wanted at all because he knew the moment Ilya chose his prize that he was going to throw the game.

Ilya had lost track of their scores at some point so Shane had suggested they wait until dinner and reveal their scorecards then. Shane had found it too hard to pretend to miss shots without Ilya noticing, so instead, he just started writing really high numbers in all the boxes as they went along. Ilya would know what he’d done when they showed their cards, but that was part of the fun. He couldn’t wait to see the look on his face.

They went to a diner after and when the waitress came to take their orders, Ilya sped through asking for his bacon cheeseburger and Coke. Shane knew he just wanted to get to the scorecards and he had to bite his lip to keep from laughing at his eagerness. When the waitress turned to Shane, he took his time ordering his mushroom burger and iced tea, grinning as he heard Ilya’s foot tap impatiently on the linoleum under the table.

Shane thanked the waitress as she walked away and then grabbed his water to take a sip, pointedly ignoring the look Ilya was giving him. A beat or two passed before Ilya lost all his patience and groaned as he pulled his scorecard out.

“Oh my god, Hollander. C’mon, let’s see it.” Ilya sat his scorecard in front of Shane. “I was doing really well there at the end, I think I got you.”

Ilya’s eyes sparkled eagerly as Shane pulled his scorecard out of his pocket. Shane actually had been keeping the real score in his head and he knew Ilya had lost by six, but he would never tell him that. The scorecard barely got halfway across the table before Ilya was grabbing it and turning it over. Shane didn’t even bother pretending to check Ilya’s as he watched his face. A slow grin spread across his lips as he realized what Shane had done and Shane had to swallow hard at the dark look Ilya gave him when he finally looked up.

“We need to go home right now.”

Shane laughed and shook his head. “No way, I’m hungry.”

“Yeah, me too.”

“Well then, it’s a good thing you ordered a burger.”

“I don’t want a burger.”

Shane shrugged as he took another sip of his water and chewed on the straw, grinning around the plastic as Ilya watched him. Their drinks came eventually and Shane took the lemon wedge from his iced tea, squeezed the juice into his drink, and then plopped the rind into the cup before stirring it around. He looked up at Ilya as he brought his thumb to his mouth to lick up a drop of lemon juice that had dripped onto his hand.

“I hate you.” Ilya huffed, his breath coming out hard through his nose as he crossed his arms.

“You’re not gonna be saying that later.”

“Yeah and you won’t be saying anything because your mouth will be too full.”

Shane’s pulse spiked as he grinned. “You promise?”

Their food came a few minutes later, but they didn’t stay very long. Ilya was too eager and after eating all his fries, Shane could only finish half his burger. And to be honest, the waiting was getting to him, too.

Everyone was in the living room hanging out when they got back to the house and, of course, there was a barrage of questions. Shane tried to answer some of them while Ilya was busy putting their leftovers in the refrigerator, but Ilya was too fast and a moment later, he was being dragged down to the basement.

Ilya had Shane pressed against the wall the second they reached the foot of the stairs, his hands roaming everywhere. He pressed his hands against Shane’s throat, palmed at his chest and shoulders, and caressed down the sides of Shane's stomach before reaching around and finally settling on Shane’s ass. Shane pulled Ilya in for a kiss as Ilya grabbed tightly onto the meat of his ass, groaning as Shane brought one leg up to wrap around Ilya’s hip. Ilya grabbed Shane’s other leg and pulled him all the way up until his legs were wrapped around Ilya’s waist.

“Fuck,” Shane moaned as his head fell back against the wall. “It’s so hot how easily you can do that.”

Ilya hummed in agreement and attached his mouth to Shane’s neck. “These fucking shorts.” He murmured against Shane’s skin as he fingered the hem.

“Sveta picked them out. She said you’d thank her later.”

“Oh, I definitely will.” Ilya sucked hard at Shane’s throat, making him moan again.

“What do you want to do with me, Ilya?” Shane asked breathlessly. “Tell me, I’ll do anything.”

Ilya let out a low growl and nipped at Shane’s neck. “God, you are so eager to turn your brain off and let me make all your decisions for you.”

“Please.” Shane mewled softly, heat flooding his belly and going straight to his already half hard cock.

“Okay, sweetheart,” Ilya whispered as he set Shane back down. He moved over to the nightstand to get out a condom and a bottle of lube before returning to the foot of the bed. He motioned for Shane to join him and put the items down. “Take your clothes off and get on your knees.”

Shane undressed at the same time as Ilya did and left his clothes discarded atop Ilya’s own before kneeling at his feet. He darted his tongue out to wet his lips as he came face to face with Ilya’s hard cock.

Ilya gripped his cock and stroked it a few times. “Do you remember what you told me you wanted the other day?”

A fuzziness settled over Shane’s mind as he caught on to what Ilya was preparing to do and his heart thumped as he realized Ilya was using his prize to give Shane what he had been wanting.

He nodded. “I wanted you to fuck my face.”

“And do you still want that?”

“Fuck, yes. Please.” Shane’s mouth watered as his whole body flushed.

“Give me your hand.”

Shane held his hand out and Ilya poured some lube onto his fingers before depositing the bottle back on the bed.

“I want you to get yourself ready for me while I fuck your face, okay?”

Shane shuddered as he nodded. He had thought Ilya was going to finish in his mouth and he mourned the loss a little, but he certainly wasn’t complaining about this new development.

“Your other hand,” Ilya said. Shane put his hand in Ilya’s and Ilya placed it on his hip. “Leave this hand here. Tap me if you want me to stop.”

Ilya smiled gently at him as he nodded and titled his chin up in anticipation.

“You start first, then I’ll give you what you want.”

Shane swallowed hard as he spread his legs out a little more and brought his fingers around to his hole. He pressed gently around the outside for a moment and then pushed in with two fingers, his brow furrowing at the intrusion and his mouth falling open with a sigh.

“Fuck, Hollander,” Ilya groaned as he pushed his thumb into Shane’s mouth.

The pace of Shane’s fingers was slow as he fucked himself on them and sucked at Ilya’s thumb eagerly. Ilya pulled his hand out after a moment, took his cock in his hand, and brought it up to Shane’s mouth. Instead of pushing in right away, he dragged the tip along Shane’s lips, wetting them with precome. Shane let out a loud moan when he felt how wet Ilya was already, the fact that he had him like that going right to his own hardening cock.

Ilya’s thumb pushed hard at Shane’s jaw. “Open your mouth.”

Shane took a deep breath to steady himself as he let his mouth fall open for Ilya. He breathed in deeply, trying to calm himself from the heat of it all. Every time he was with Ilya, he was so turned on, he felt like he was going to black out and he always thought it couldn’t possibly get better than that moment. And then the next time would come and it would be. He wondered if it would always be like this, like he was on the edge of an inferno that he would happily walk into. Looking up at Ilya, at his blown out pupils and bewitched expression, Shane was sure it would be.

“Da, you like that, Shane? Don’t worry, I’ll give you all of it.”

Ilya pushed the tip of his cock against Shane’s waiting tongue and fed it to Shane slowly, little by little until Shane’s mouth was full and Ilya’s cock was pressed against the back of his throat. Shane moaned at the fullness, the sound sending vibrations up Ilya’s cock and making him groan. Ilya buried his hands in Shane’s hair, gripped tightly at the strands, and then pulled out about half way before pushing back in. The slide of Ilya’s cock on his tongue was so good and he began sucking at it, doing anything he could to encourage Ilya to take him harder.

“Mm, fuck. Such a good mouth on you.”

Shane fucked his fingers harder into himself as Ilya started to pick up his speed. The sound in the room was filthy and wet as Ilya fucked Shane’s mouth earnestly, precome and saliva building up until it was too much and came spilling out onto Shane’s chin when Ilya would pull back. He moaned and pressed his fingers into Ilya’s hip as his brain went fuzzy again.

He pushed his tongue up into the underside of Ilya’s cock as Ilya pushed in, wanting to feel that delicious vein again. Ilya groaned and tugged at his hair more and picked up his pace again, fucking into Shane harder. The fullness in his mouth felt impossible and Shane felt his eyes water at the sensation, a few tears slipping out.

Ilya brushed away a tear from Shane’s cheek. “Poor baby. Is it too much? Should I stop?” Ilya’s tone was playful as he teased Shane, but Shane could hear the slight sincerity laced within.

Shane shook his head, afraid Ilya would actually pull out and flushed again when Ilya laughed.

“Don’t worry.” Ilya stroked Shane’s hair gently. “You’re being such a good boy. I’ll give you what you want.”

Ilya kept his pace up and Shane moaned again, his eyes falling shut. His jaw was getting sore and the ache felt so good. He wanted to stroke his cock, but Ilya had already given him instructions for his hands and he wasn’t about to not follow through with them. Instead, he pressed harder into his ass, crooking his fingers until he finally brushed against his prostate.

Shane clenched around himself as he fucked down onto his own hand, his body burning at the fullness of Ilya in his mouth and his own fingers in his ass.

A few minutes later and Ilya was pulling out of him, an obscene trail of spit following him and connecting them until it broke and fell against Shane’s chin. Shane panted heavily, trying to catch his breath while Ilya slipped the condom on and slicked himself up. When Ilya was satisfied with the wetness of his dick, he pulled Shane up by his arms and pulled him in for a kiss. They kissed deeply for a bit until Ilya brought his hand around to tease his finger around Shane’s hole.

Ilya pulled his mouth back, breath coming out hot against Shane’s lips. “How should I take you, Shane?” He trailed his lips along Shane’s jaw. “You want me to bend you over the bed? Or fuck you on your back?” He reached Shane’s ear and nibbled at it as his finger pushed inside him.

“It’s—“ Shane tried to speak but his voice was ragged and low and he had to lean forward to press his forehead against Ilya’s shoulder and catch his breath. “It’s your prize. You pick.”

Ilya let out a small growl and then moved to pull Shane up by his thighs again. Shane’s legs wrapped around Ilya instinctively and his arms gripped tight on Ilya’s shoulders for balance. Ilya held Shane tightly with one hand as he guided his cock to Shane’s entrance with his other. Shane sunk down on Ilya’s cock slowly, a heavy sigh falling from his lips that Ilya greedily stole from him with a kiss.

They turned slightly as Ilya moved to sit at the end of the bed. The weight of them together made them plop onto the mattress hard and forced Ilya’s cock further inside Shane, making him cry out.

“Oh, fuck. Ilya, please.”

Ilya leant back slightly, one hand braced on the mattress and the other on Shane’s hip as he smirked up at him.

“Are your knees too sore from the ground or do you think you could do the work this time?”

Shane groaned, took a beat to collect himself, and then looked down at Ilya with a grin, his hands coming up to grip Ilya’s shoulders. “You better be careful what you wish for.”

Shane honestly didn’t think he would’ve been able to muster up the energy if Ilya hadn’t challenged him first, but a moment later, he was lifting himself up just to slam back down on Ilya’s cock, making both of them groan loudly. He held tightly to Ilya’s chest as he repeated the action again and started in on a brutal pace. Shane buried his hands in Ilya’s curls before pulling back gently so Ilya was looking up at him, eyes dazed and mouth open. He would never get tired of seeing him like that, all flushed and sweaty and mind dizzy with lust. Ilya always looked beautiful, but that look was something special and Shane felt breathless knowing he was the cause of it.

The room was silent save for the sound of skin beating against skin and their loud breaths falling into each other’s mouths as they panted against one another. Shane kissed Ilya hard and deep for a moment and then pushed at his chest until Ilya rested all the way back against the bed, his hands coming up to grip Shane’s hips. Shane leant backwards, his own hands reaching behind him to grip Ilya’s thighs for balance as he kept fucking himself on Ilya’s cock.

“Oh my god, Shane,” Ilya murmured, his eyebrows pinched. “Fucking look at you.”

Shane’s fingers dug harder into the meat of Ilya’s thighs as he came down hard and Ilya’s cock brushed against his prostate. “Ilya, fuck. I’m fucking close. I’m so close.”

“Let go, Shane.” Ilya brought a hand up to stroke Shane's cock. “I want to see you mark up my chest again. It was so hot last time. C’mon.”

Ilya’s hand sped up on Shane’s cock and it only took a few more moments before Shane was coming all over Ilya’s stomach, making a mess of his belly button and the soft hair below it. Shane kept riding Ilya earnestly, trying to coax him to the edge with him. Ilya brought a hand up to stop Shane and Shane looked down at him curiously.

“Do you want it in your mouth, sweetheart?”

Ilya had barely finished his question before Shane was climbing off of him and kneeling between his legs. The condom was peeled off and discarded on the floor a moment before Ilya was pushing back into Shane’s mouth just in time to give him a few shallow thrusts before flooding his mouth. Shane moaned loudly as he swallowed all of it and sucked Ilya’s cock back down, chasing after every drop.

After Shane let Ilya’s soft cock fall from his mouth, Ilya flopped back on the bed, his chest heaving as Shane joined him. They sat there for a minute or two as they tried to catch their breath before Ilya laughed and turned to him.

“I can’t believe you let me win.”

“Are you complaining?”

“Of course not.” Ilya leant over, gave Shane a quick kiss, and then got up from the bed. “But we are going back again and playing for real one day.”

“Okay,” Shane said, an amused smile on his face. He was more than happy to beat Ilya again, especially if he got to gloat about the next time.

Ilya reached his hands out for Shane and Shane took them, letting Ilya pull him to his feet. He tugged Shane along to the bathroom and flicked the light on as they got inside the small space.

“You aren’t seriously suggesting we both try to shower in here?” Shane eyed the tiny shower stall skeptically.

“Maybe if you didn’t work out so much,” Ilya joked, squeezing at Shane’s pecs.

Shane poked Ilya in the bicep and laughed. “Oh, because you’re so small.”

Ilya grinned and moved to turn the water on, pulling Shane under the spray after it got hot a few moments later. It was cramped, but still manageable once they pressed close together and Shane wasn’t going to complain with the way Ilya was doting on him. He washed his hair and rinsed it out before doing his body next and Shane sighed softly as Ilya’s hands kneaded into his skin gently.

“Which shampoo?” Shane asked when he went to return the favor.

“The one on the right.”

Shane poured a small bit into his hands before working it into Ilya’s curls, smiling as he elicited a sigh from him. “What’s the other shampoo for?”

“Is for curly hair.” Ilya left his eyes closed as Shane guided his head back and rinsed his hair out under the spray. “Sveta bought it for me, but I haven’t tried it yet. I like the smell of my usual one too much.”

Shane inhaled in the familiar scent of coconut that he could always faintly smell on Ilya and hummed in agreement. “It smells nice.”

Ten minutes later, with the bathroom all done, they were crawling into Ilya’s bed together, hair slightly damp and skin warm. They turned on their sides to face each other and tangled their legs together.

“We need to get you a toothbrush to keep down here,” Ilya said, referring to the fact that Shane had just finger brushed his teeth in the bathroom. He could’ve easily gone upstairs to brush his teeth, but he didn’t want to leave Ilya’s side just yet, even if it would’ve only taken a few minutes.

“Or—“ Shane chewed his lip nervously for a moment. “I could just bring my regular one down here.”

Shane’s chest warmed as realization dawned on Ilya’s face and he gave him a smile, all big and bright and beautiful.

The look in Ilya’s eyes took Shane’s breath away and made his heart pound and he understood it perfectly. It said, yes, please move into my room and into my bed and into my heart and never ever leave. I’ll carve out a place for you in my chest and you can live there forever and I’ll keep you safe and loved because you’re everything to me.

Shane tried with everything in him to return that look back to Ilya as he reached between them to take his hand. He brought it to his mouth and pressed a kiss to Ilya’s fingers.

“I love you, Ilya,” Shane whispered into the space between them, the words coming out soft and reverent, like a promise.

Ilya’s eyes were wet as he scooted over and curled into Shane’s side, tucking his head under Shane’s chin. Shane wrapped his arms around Ilya and they stayed like that until they fell asleep.

“Pardon,” J.J. murmured as he leant over Shane to place a tray of elotes in the middle of the dinner table.

Harris came out from the kitchen holding two bowls and when he set them down next to the tray of toppings, Shane saw that they were green and red salsas.

“I love Taco Tuesday so much,” Harris said as he took his seat, his hands tapping on the table excitedly.

Shane grabbed two corn tortillas from the dish in the middle of the table and began assembling his tacos as everyone else started chatting and making their plates.

“This smells so good.” Troy put a spoonful of chopped steak onto each of his tortillas. “Although, sometimes I do like it when we have the crunchy nacho ones.”

“Da,” Ilya mumbled, his mouth full of corn. “Those are so good.”

“Excusez-moi?” J.J. exclaimed. “These are street tacos, you idiots. If you want Taco Bell, then go to fucking Taco Bell.”

Shane laughed and grabbed a lime before squeezing it over his tacos. He sat the rind on the edge of his plate and took a bite of his first taco as Ilya turned to face him.

“What time are we going tomorrow?”

“Just before noon,” Shane answered, his hand coming up to cover his mouth. “So we can go to lunch after, remember?”

Ilya nodded before taking another bite of his elote and Shane smiled fondly as he reached up to brush a bit of cheese from the corner of his mouth.

“What’s tomorrow?” Rose asked.

“Our second date.” Ilya grinned as he looked over at Shane, making Shane laugh.

A few nights ago, they had been lying in bed in a post orgasm haze and Shane brought up the possibility of going without condoms. He couldn’t get his mind to stop fixating on the idea of feeling all of Ilya during sex and so, even though it was probably too soon, he had asked Ilya what he thought. They talked a little about how long it had been since they’d been with someone else and what they felt comfortable with and ultimately decided to go to the clinic together to get tested. Ilya had been referring to it as their second date ever since.

“Cute,” Harris said, taking a bite of his taco. “And where are we going this time?”

Shane blushed, which he felt a little silly about because everyone in the house was a sexually active adult and they had conversations like this all the time. But, telling them that he and Ilya were going to get tested felt the same as telling them that he was actively thinking about Ilya coming in his ass and that was a level of openness that Shane just hadn’t quite reached yet.

“We’re going to the clinic to get tested,” Ilya said happily as he finished his elote and started making a taco.

Well, it’s a good thing Ilya didn’t share his same hesitations.

“Wow,” Troy said. “How romantic.”

“Safe sex is always romantic, babe.” Harris smiled.

“It’s very sweet, Ilyusha,” Svetlana chimed in.

“I guess everything would feel like a big enough deal to be a date when you’ve waited for it for so long,” J.J. said as he took a drink of his beer.

Now it was Ilya’s turn to blush. Shane reached over to put his hand on Ilya’s thigh under the table and squeezed gently. Ilya looked up at him and Shane gave him a small smile as Ilya put his hand on top of his own.

“Shane,” Rose said, swirling her wine around in her glass. “Were you serious about moving into Ilya’s room?”

“Yeah, of course.” Shane looked at her curiously. “Why?”

“So obviously we have to put it to a vote, but Miles needs a new place to stay and I wanted to offer him your room. Sveta already said it’s okay, but how does everyone else feel?”

“Of course that’s fine, we all love Miles,” Harris said as everyone at the table nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, Miles is hot,” J.J. said.

“J.J., if you fuck one of my friends again, you better make sure it doesn’t end up messy like last time.”

“That was not my fault!”

Rose gave him a look and J.J. threw his hands up.

“All of your friends are catty theater gays and I’m the one being accused of starting drama?” J.J. scoffed.

Shane laughed as he finished his tacos and grabbed an elote from the tray. It was difficult to eat it with one hand, but he wouldn’t have let go of Ilya for the world, so he made it work. He ate his corn, listened to Rose and J.J. continue to debate, and rubbed circles into Ilya’s hand with his thumb, his chest feeling warm and full from the perfect evening.

Shane thought he was being quiet enough as he made his way over to his dresser, now resting against Ilya’s own in the basement, but when he heard a grumble and rustle of bed sheets, he sighed and turned back toward the bed.

“Sorry,” he murmured quietly.

“Is okay,” Ilya said, his eyes half open as he tried to wake up. “I will have to get used to you getting up in the morning to run in the dark.”

“It’s not dark out, Ilya.” Shane gave him an amused smile.

“Only because it’s summer. You give it a few months and you’ll be waking up before the chickens to run in the dark and cold like a crazy person.”

Shane laughed. “Do you want to come with me?”

Ilya groaned and nestled further into the blankets so Shane turned slightly, giving Ilya a view of his ass, currently covered in nothing but a pair of small black briefs. He held Ilya’s gaze as he slowly pulled his running shorts on, pushing his ass out just slightly as he brought them all the way up. Shane saw Ilya’s eyes following his movements and he grinned as he bent over and pulled his socks on. Ilya groaned again and then kicked the blankets off before getting out of bed.

“You do not play fair, Hollander.”

Shane laughed and slipped his tank top on as Ilya approached him, his arms outstretched like he wanted to pull Shane in, but Shane put his hand against Ilya’s chest to stop him.

“Nope. Go get ready for our run. You can have me after.”

Ilya’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “Mmm, when we’re all sweaty?”

“Exactly,” Shane smirked, smacked Ilya on the ass, and then made his way up the stairs so he could wait for Ilya in the living room.

Ilya was sitting on the top step of the porch when Shane finally arrived back at the house, panting as he bent over and rested his hands against his knees. Annoyingly, Ilya wasn’t even breathing hard like Shane was. He looked like he’d been sitting there a while, even though Shane knew he had only been trailing about half a minute behind him, and if it weren’t for his flushed face and sweat soaked skin, Shane wouldn’t have been able to tell that he’d just gone on a run.

“I told you I was faster.” Ilya smirked down at him.

Shane still couldn’t breath right so he flipped him off as he climbed the stairs. Ilya stood up to meet him, pulling him into his arms as Shane reached the top. He ran a hand through Shane’s soaked hair and chuckled lightly.

“Poor baby.”

“Fuck off,” Shane mumbled weakly as he pressed his forehead against Ilya’s shoulder.

“I think you are too exhausted to make good on your promise.” Ilya ran his hands along Shane’s sides and Shane shivered.

Shane’s breath finally evened out as he lifted his head up. “I’m good. C’mon.”

Ilya was crowded up against Shane’s back, nipping at his exposed shoulder as Shane let them into the house. They stumbled in together and only made it as far as the living room before Ilya pushed Shane against the wall and kissed him. Ilya tilted his head slightly to deepen the kiss as Shane ran his fingers through Ilya’s curls. After a moment, Shane grabbed Ilya’s shirt, flipped their positions, and ducked his head down to press his mouth against Ilya’s sweaty neck. He inhaled deeply as he dragged his tongue across Ilya’s skin, moaning as Ilya reached behind him to grab at his ass.

“Oh, wow. Guys, really?”

The sound of Rose’s voice startled Shane and he pulled away from Ilya quickly to find her standing at the edge of the kitchen, a laundry basket in her arms. She looked amused as she shook her head and Shane smiled at her sheepishly.

“I’m happy for you, babe, really. But house rules, c’mon.”

Rose was referring to the house rules for sexual partners, but Shane never had Ethan over for that stuff, so he hadn’t really thought about them in a while.

“Wait, it’s been too long. We should have a meeting and go over them again.” Rose dropped her laundry basket on the dining room table and walked over to the mantle in the living room.

“Rose—”

Rose picked up the cowbell on the mantle and shook it before Shane could finish his sentence. A few minutes later and everyone was shuffling into the living room because of course everyone was home at the same time for once.

Shane looked over to see Ilya trying to stifle his laughter and he swatted at his arm. “I’m glad you’re finding this so funny.”

“What’s going on?” J.J. asked as he slouched across the armchair in the corner. His voice sounded sleepy still and Shane felt bad because he’d probably only been asleep for a few hours.

Harris took a spot on the couch, turned sideways so he could see everyone in the room. Troy plopped down between his legs and sat back against his chest as Svetlana took the other end of the couch, her elbow resting on the arm and her legs tucked up under her.

“Yeah, it’s almost eight in the morning. What is so important?” Troy added.

“Okay, first of all. I know you were all awake and getting ready for work, so don’t give me that. Except you, J.J., I’m sorry. This won’t take long, you can go back to sleep after.”

“And again, what is this exactly?” J.J. replied.

“Well, we have a new couple in the house, so I just think we should go over the house rules again.”

“Rose, this is super unnecessary,” Shane said.

“It’s not just you guys, Sveta and I walked in on J.J. and a woman a few weeks ago.”

“I told you, we were just kissing.” J.J. groaned and let his head fall back against his chair.

“Mhm. Kissing with your wandering hands,” Svetlana said.

J.J. glared at her as Troy and Ilya laughed.

“Anyway,” Rose said. “Rule Number One, guys.”

“No fucking in communal spaces.” Harris held his finger up jokingly like he was giving a lecture.

“Exactly. For example, like the laundry room during a party.” Rose gave Shane and Ilya a pointed look.

Shane blushed and Ilya grinned as everyone but J.J. snickered at them.

“Do you all know about it?” Shane asked, heat pricking the back of his neck in embarrassment.

“Well, you know Svetlana told me,” Rose said.

“And I was in the dining room when they were discussing it,” Harris added.

“And if my boyfriend knows, then I know.” Troy shrugged.

Shane sighed at their utter inability to not share everything with everyone the second they found out about something.

“Oh, so we’re just gonna leave J.J. out, is that it?” J.J. huffed.

Everyone was silent for a moment, looking at Shane as if they suddenly needed permission to air his business out. He sighed again as he looked at J.J.

“Ilya blew me in the laundry room during the party a few weeks ago.”

J.J. processed Shane’s words for a beat and then grinned. “You mean the same party your boyfriend was at?”

“Ex-boyfriend,” Ilya corrected him, a slight growl to his voice.

“Damn, Hollander. I didn’t think you had it in you.”

Shane flipped J.J. off as he laughed at him.

“Next rule,” Rose chimed in, trying to steer the conversation back.

“Volume,” Svetlana said.

Rose pointed at her and smiled. “Exactly, gorgeous. Please be mindful of your volume. Shane, I’m especially looking at you.”

Shane didn’t think it was possible to be any more embarrassed than he already was, but he flushed so hot again, he was sure he looked like a tomato. Ilya was holding a hand over his mouth next to him, trying not to laugh.

“Rose, come on.” Shane pressed his hand to the bridge of his nose and sighed.

“I’m serious, babe. The basement is not as secluded as you seem to think it is.”

“Okay, fuck. Noted. Can we be done with this now? Or are you actually trying to see if I die of embarrassment?”

“There’s one more rule,” Ilya murmured.

Shane glared at him and Ilya gave him a sheepish smile before kissing his cheek in a silent apology.

“Yes, but as you all know, it’s more of an extension of rule one. Please don’t fuck in the shower unless you absolutely know no one is gonna be home. There are far too many of us in this house to be hogging up the bathroom for that long.”

Everyone dispersed after Rose finally finished. Shane groaned as he pressed his forehead against Ilya’s shoulder. Ilya rubbed at Shane’s shoulders and then wrapped his arms around him.

“Is nothing to be embarrassed about, Shane,” Ilya whispered, his mouth pressed against Shane’s ear.

“Speak for yourself. You didn’t just get outed as the world’s loudest moaner.” Shane’s words were muffled as he spoke them against Ilya’s shoulder.

“Well, you weren’t exactly outed. It sounds like everyone has already heard.”

“Oh my god,” Shane groaned, pushing against Ilya's chest.

Ilya laughed lightly and gave him a quick kiss. “Don’t worry about it. Is very hot.”

“Really?”

“Da. I love hearing how good I make you feel.”

Shane grinned and pulled Ilya in for another kiss.

Shane felt like he was going to die. Somewhere in the far depths of his awareness he knew how dramatic that thought was, but his mind couldn’t really tell the difference between the brink of death and the brink of orgasm as Ilya pulled his fingers out of him just before he was about let go for what felt like the hundredth time.

“Ilya—” he muttered. “I can’t.”

Those words had fallen from his lips numerous times in the last hour and each time, Ilya would tut at Shane, give him a big grin, wait for him to catch his breath, and then push his fingers right back in. Just like Shane wanted. They had a safe word now, upon Ilya’s insistence, and Shane was very excited about it. Baby’s first safe word, he had thought to himself. He chose 'pineapple' because he thought it would be cute after the story Ilya told him and Ilya got all mushy about it, so of course, he had to kiss him all over his face until he couldn’t stop laughing.

Shane had never been able to explore his submissiveness with a partner before Ilya, so picking a safe word felt like a big deal to him, silly as it sounds. Ilya was the first person he’d been with that he trusted enough to share that part of himself with. And the ease at which Ilya fell into his own role when he was with Shane left him breathless. Sometimes it felt like Ilya knew what he was thinking, the way he gave Shane exactly what he wanted.

So, that’s how he found himself writhing on their bed, his body burning, tears leaking slowly from his eyes, and cock painfully hard and neglected as Ilya used his fingers to push him to that sweet precipice again, only to pull back right as Shane was about to fall.

When they had gotten their results back from the clinic a few hours ago, Shane never could’ve predicted this was where the afternoon was headed, but he was pleased with it all the same. Ilya had sucked him off until he came right when they had started and then wrapped his hand around Shane’s spent cock as he pressed slick fingers inside him and slowly but surely got Shane hard again.

A slight crook of Ilya’s fingers and they were pressed up against Shane’s overworked prostate, making Shane cry out again and push his ass back on Ilya’s hand. Shane couldn't believe how much his mind still craved more. About an hour in and his cock was like a live wire, his hole was sore, and he wanted to come so badly, but he also never wanted it to end.

“You are doing so well, moya lyubov.” Ilya planted a wet kiss on Shane’s shaky thigh as he pulled his fingers out and pushed them back in swiftly. “Should we add another?”

Ilya pulled his two fingers out before bringing a third up to tease at Shane’s hole and Shane jolted at the touch, his hole sensitive and overworked. Shane mumbled something unintelligible as he tried to breath through the sensation. He had never been electrocuted before, but he was sure this wasn’t far off.

“What was that?” Ilya rubbed his fingers softly around the rim of Shane’s hole. “I couldn’t hear you.”

“Please,” Shane murmured, his arms covering his face as if hiding away would make the sensation more bearable.

Ilya pushed three fingers inside Shane, making his mouth fall open with a silent yell as more tears fell from his eyes. When Ilya began fucking into Shane with his fingers, Shane dropped his arms to the bed and fisted the bankets in his hands.

“Fuck, Ilya. It’s so much. It’s too much.”

“Is it? Because you are taking them so well.” Ilya leant over Shane, ignoring his cock as he kissed across Shane’s stomach.

Shane mewled at the praise and pushed down harder on Ilya’s fingers as he brought his hands up to grip Ilya’s curls.

“I’m close again,” Shane whispered.

“Oh, I know.”

Shane felt heat flood his groin as that familiar wave of release promised to take him under. He was right there at the edge and his body pulled taut as the anticipation built only to come crashing back down as Ilya pulled his fingers out again.

“Fucking fuck,” Shane groaned and beat his fist against the mattress.

Ilya leant over Shane’s face and kissed away the tears seeping from each of his eyes. He brought his mouth down to Shane’s own and gave him a sweet, chaste kiss before pulling back to rest their foreheads together.

“You can take one more, da? One more and then you will come for me.”

Shane couldn’t do more than pout and nod at Ilya eagerly, the prospect of finally getting to come clouding his mind. He bit into his lip hard as Ilya lined three fingers up again and threw his head back as Ilya pushed them into him. Ilya leant forward to take Shane’s cock into his mouth as he fucked Shane with his fingers and Shane let out a loud moan as his hips bucked up slightly into Ilya’s mouth. Ilya brought a hand up to hold Shane’s hips down as he laughed around Shane’s cock, the vibrations like sparks along Shane’s oversensitive skin. It only took a few more strokes of Ilya’s fingers before Shane was finally, finally able to let go. He let out a long, relieved sigh as he spilled into Ilya’s mouth.

By the time Shane caught his breath again, Ilya had pulled off of him and was kneeling between Shane’s legs, stroking his own hard cock. Shane darted his tongue out to wet his lips as he watched him and made a motion for Ilya to come to him so he could help get him off. Ilya shook his head and stayed put, making Shane pout and tilt his head in confusion.

“We went to the clinic for a reason, didn’t we? There was something you really wanted, right?”

Shane’s breath caught as he realized what Ilya was suggesting and he felt heat pool in his belly again at the idea of it. He couldn’t fathom taking Ilya’s cock after all that, but at the same time, he couldn’t imagine not taking it. His legs fell open wider on instinct and Ilya grinned down at him.

Ilya’s free hand grazed down the soft skin of Shane’s inner thigh as he watched him. “Do you think you can handle it?”

“I can—“ Shane’s words choked off with a moan as Ilya took his cock in hand and thumbed at his slit. His brow furrowed and he let out a huff. “I can handle it. Please.”

“Please, what?”

Shane’s face scrunched up, a crease forming between his eyebrows and lips pursed as he whined. “Ilya, c’mon.”

“Oh, but you have been such a good boy all day,” Ilya said, voice low. “Don’t stop now, beautiful. Use your words. Please what?”

“Please—” Shane whimpered, his words stuttering as Ilya stroked his cock. “Please fuck me.”

Ilya hummed, pleased with Shane’s answer, and pulled Shane closer to him by the thighs. Shane wrapped his legs around Ilya’s waist, heart thudding as he waited to feel that delicious burn again. He swallowed hard as Ilya lined himself up and slowly pressed his way into Shane’s hole one more time.

Shane sighed at the feeling of Ilya entering him without a condom. It wasn’t so different as to be a revelation or anything, but it did feel so much better. It was mostly the idea of it in his mind. To think that he and Ilya were pressed together, skin to skin, in absolutely every way possible. His pulse raced at the intimacy of it all.

“Ah, fuck, Shane.” Ilya grunted as he bottomed out. “You take it so well.”

Ilya’s words sent a fresh wave of heat crackling along Shane’s body and Shane reached up, beckoning for Ilya to lean down so he could touch him. Ilya obeyed, putting one arm on the side of Shane’s head and using the other to push at Shane’s thigh, spreading him open wider. Shane wrapped his hands around Ilya’s neck and pulled him in for a kiss, moaning into his mouth as Ilya started moving, his hips finding a steady pace.

The burn was unbelievable as it sent fire shooting up Shane’s spine and he moaned as he pushed down on Ilya’s cock with his ass, desperately searching for more.

“Harder.”

“Da?” Ilya studied Shane’s face. “Is not too much?”

“Please,” Shane whined, his feet digging into Ilya’s ass to pull him in more. “I want to feel you all day at work tomorrow.”

Ilya grunted, buried his face in Shane’s neck, and started laying into him with a ruthless pace. A loud moan fell from Shane’s lips as Ilya reached between them to stroke Shane’s cock, which he could hardly believe was actually hard again.

“Shh, don’t forget rule number two.” Ilya grinned against Shane’s neck.

“Fuck, Ilya.” Shane’s head fell back as he moaned again. “I don’t fucking care. Let them hear me.”

Ilya laughed against Shane’s skin and picked up his pace on Shane’s cock as he fucked into him. Minutes later and Shane was crying out, another loud moan falling from his lips as he came all over Ilya’s hand and his own stomach.

“Oh, fuck, Shane,” Ilya grunted and thrust into Shane a few more times before emptying himself inside him.

The pace of Ilya’s thrusts inside Shane and his strokes along his cock slowed, but he did not let up until both of them were soft again. Shane was full on shaking now as the sensations overwhelmed him and fresh tears rolled down his cheeks. He was about to muster up the energy to ask Ilya to stop, but Ilya was already removing his hand before he got the chance. Ilya pulled out gently, kissing the pout from Shane’s face as he lay down next to him.

“Shane,” Ilya said softly after a moment. “How are you feeling? Are you okay?”

Shane tried to find his words, but his brain was clouded. He felt good and sated and properly fucked out. But he also felt like an exposed nerve, like if even the slightest breeze caressed his body, it would send a jolt across his skin that would finally do him in. It wasn’t a bad feeling, but it was overwhelming and he needed a moment to come back to himself.

“Sweetheart?” Ilya sounded more concerned now.

“I’m good. I’m really good.” Shane let his eyes fall shut and sighed softly. “I just need a minute. I don’t think I can be touched right now.”

“Okay. Thank you for letting me know.”

Shane nodded. “Can we just lie here together for a little while?”

“Of course, moya lyubov.” Ilya’s words were so gentle, Shane felt like he could cry again.

He moved his arm out between them, searching for Ilya’s. “Will you hold my hand? I think I can handle that at least.”

Shane felt Ilya thread their fingers together and press a kiss to the back of his hand. He was pretty sure he said something, too, but Shane was already so far away, floating on the edge of sleep. It only took a few moments for Shane’s breathing to even out and his grip on Ilya’s hand to loosen as he succumbed.

“Ethan is such a fucking idiot.”

Shane looked up from his book to find Ilya resting on his side, head propped up on his elbow and eyes watching him.

“I mean, yes. But why are you saying that right now?”

“Because you look very sexy in your reading glasses.” Ilya had a soft smile on his face as he spoke. “It would always drive me crazy when you’d read in the living room. Sitting in your little arm chair, looking like that.”

Shane ducked his head as his cheeks warmed. It was a wonder that Ilya was able to make him blush from such an innocent confession after everything they’d done that afternoon. Ilya laughed lightly at his reaction and then laid his head back down as Shane went back to reading. He got through about half a chapter before Ilya sat back up on his elbow again.

“Can I ask you a sex question?”

“Yes?”

“Did you ever do anything like what we do with anyone else?”

Shane’s brow furrowed for a moment before he realized what Ilya was referring to. He sat his book and glasses down on the nightstand before mirroring Ilya’s position, his elbow tucked under his arm.

“Uh, no. I’ve never felt comfortable enough with anyone else.”

Their hands met in the middle of the bed as Ilya’s eyes went soft.

“Why do you ask?”

“You and Ethan were together so long, I didn’t know if—“

“Oh, no. God, no. I would’ve never tried anything like that with him. Sex with Ethan was—“ Shane sighed. “It was terrible.”

“It was like what he said when he was here about you being—“ Ilya stopped, his face hesitant. Shane could tell he didn’t want to repeat the awful things Ethan had said and he appreciated that.

“Yeah. Said he stopped caring a long time ago, but that I was um—“ Shane paused, a lump forming in his throat as tears gathered in his eyes. He hadn’t really stopped to think about his conversation with Ethan. The way it had made him feel so violated and worthless. He swallowed around the lump in his throat and took a deep breath. “A good fuck or whatever.” He shrugged.

Shane moved to rest on his back as he stared up at the ceiling. “I used to fake it in bed and then go to the bathroom to get off,” he said quietly. “He didn’t even care enough to notice.”

“What the fuck?” Ilya’s words were laced with anger and Shane knew it wasn’t at him, but he still winced at the tone.

Ilya moved closer to Shane, brought a hand up to cup his cheek, and kissed him gently. He pulled back to look at him for a moment and then kissed him again. And again. Shane sighed against Ilya’s mouth as he pulled away.

“Shane,” Ilya whispered. “You are never going to feel like that again, okay?”

Shane nodded, at a loss for words. He moved forward to press his face into Ilya’s neck and took a deep breath as he tried to grapple with the enormity of what he was feeling.

“I love you, Ilya,” he murmured against Ilya’s skin.

“I love you, too.”

“Dinner is soon. We should head upstairs, see if Troy and Harris need help.”

Shane hummed in agreement, but stayed where he was with his head on Ilya's chest and his eyes shut as Ilya ran his fingers through his hair. “What are they making?”

“Some food Troy loves that Harris’s mother makes when they visit during Christmas.”

The mention of Harris’s mom reminded Shane that he still hadn’t given his parents an answer about visiting them and the date was right around the corner. As embarrassingly lovesick as it was, the thought of leaving Ilya for that long made his stomach twist up in knots. He’d only just gotten him and he wasn’t ready to find out what it was like to miss him. Even if it was only for a few days.

“Do you want to come to my parents’ lake house with me?” Shane blurted the question out without thinking. “Sorry, I don’t know if that’s weird or if it’s too soon, but we always go to the lake house for about a week at the end of July and I’d love it if you’d come.”

“You want me to meet your parents?”

“Ilya, you’ve already met them.” Shane sat up, an amused smile on his face, and Ilya followed.

“I have met them as your roommate,” Ilya said, hesitation in his voice. “Not as the guy that’s fucking you.”

Shane laughed. “Well, I was gonna introduce you as my boyfriend, but I guess that works, too.”

“Boyfriend?”

“Yes, of course,” Shane said, his heart thumping as he watched Ilya’s eyes soften. “Is that okay?”

“Da,” Ilya grinned. “I am very happy to not be your mistress anymore.”

Shane swatted at Ilya’s arm and laughed again. “Shut up.”

Ilya pulled Shane in to kiss the smile off his lips and they made out for a little while, all plans of helping Troy and Harris with dinner long forgotten.

The sky was dark pink as nighttime slowly crept in, promising another perfect summer evening. Shane made his way out onto the back porch, sat on the top step, and called his mother as he watched the sun set over the city.

“Shane! Hi, honey.”

“Hi, mom.” Shane smiled as the familiar warmth that only ever found him by the sound of Yuna’s voice filled his chest.

“How are you? It’s been a minute since we talked.” Her voice wasn’t accusatory, just matter of fact, maybe twinged with a little sadness and Shane understood. He hated going too long without speaking to her, too.

“I know, I’m really sorry. I’ve had a lot going on.”

“Is something wrong? Are you okay?”

“No, no. Nothing’s wrong. The opposite actually. I’m good, I’m really, really good.”

“You sound happy. That’s lovely to hear. Did something happen?”

“Well, Ethan and I broke up.”

“Oh, well that’ll do it.”

“Oh my god, mom. What if I was like, heartbroken about it or something?”

“Well, are you? You don’t sound heartbroken.”

“No, he was terrible. And yes, I know the whole world was telling me that a long time ago. Sometimes a guy just has to realize things on his own, you know?”

“Alright, honey. Well, I’m proud of you for choosing yourself. He never deserved you.”

“Thanks, mom. So, um, there’s more actually. Would it be okay if I brought someone with me to the lake next week? I know it’s last minute, but I kinda already asked him so you have to say yes, sorry.”

Yuna laughed lightly. “Who is it?”

“Do you remember Ilya?”

“The handsome charmer. How could I forget?”

“Yeah, that sounds about right.” Shane said, an amused smile on his face. “He’s my boyfriend.”

“Is that why you sound so happy?” Yuna asked in that knowing tone that moms used when they wanted to remind you how easy they could read you.

Shane blushed. “Yeah, I— I’ve never been so happy in my life.”

“Oh, honey,” Yuna said softly. “That’s wonderful. Of course you can bring him with you. We’d love to meet him as your boyfriend. When did this happen?”

“Um—“ Shane absolutely hated lying to his mother. It was one of the worst parts of being in the closet for the better part of his youth and the guilt of it always left a sour taste in mouth. But, he couldn’t imagine telling her he’d cheated either. He supposed he could just say after Ethan, it was technically the truth, but it still felt dishonest. He sighed and looked up at the sky as a bird flew by. “Kind of around the same time as I left Ethan. It’s a long story, I can tell you when I see you next week.”

“Alright. We’re so excited to see you. I haven’t hugged you since Christmas.” The sadness in her voice made Shane’s chest hurt.

“I know. I’m sorry. I’m never gonna let that much time pass again, okay? I promise.”

“It’s okay, honey,” Yuna said, her voice warm. “It’s not all on you. We all get busy sometimes.”

He had been a bit busy, but that was only half of it. The truth was that Ethan never wanted to come with him and he couldn’t stand the disappointed look on his mother’s face every time he had to come up with some excuse for his boyfriend not to be there with him. Again, he hated lying to her. And he wasn’t great at it. Even when she didn’t know the full truth, she still knew something was up. Lectures and looks of disapproval from his friends were annoying at worst, but from his mom? Unbearable.

The sound of the neighbor’s back gate scraping the ground pulled his attention and he looked to see her making her way into her backyard with her massive Saint Bernard. The dog chased after a squirrel on the opposite side of the yard and Shane smiled as he remembered the other thing he’d wanted to ask his mom about.

“Also, can we bring a dog?”

“You got a dog?”

“Not yet, but I’m getting her soon. She’s a gift for Ilya. He’s amazing with dogs, mom. You should see him, it’s so sweet.”

“Well, I guess I will next week, right?”

“So, I can bring her?”

“Of course! Your dad is gonna be so excited. Oh, speak of the devil. Just a second, I’m talking to Shane.” His mom’s voice was a little muffled and Shane could just barely make out the sound of his dad saying something to her. “Dad says he loves you and he can’t wait to see you. We’re gonna be late for our reservation, honey. Sorry, I gotta go.”

“That’s alright. I love you guys, I’ll see you next Friday. Have fun at dinner.”

“We love you, too. Goodnight.”

After the call ended, Shane put his phone back in his pocket, leant back on his hands, and enjoyed the rest of the sunset.

The little bell above the door to the dog rescue jingled as Shane made his way inside, his body jittery with excitement. He had been back to the rescue a couple times with Ilya. The last time they came, he had taken one look at Ilya’s heartbroken face when they had to put Anya back in her kennel and decided he was never gonna let that look cross his face again.

“Shane!” Madison’s cheery face greeted him at the front desk. “Today’s the day! Are you excited?”

“Very. Thank you so much for helping me with this.”

“Of course! Don’t tell the others, but Ilya is my favorite volunteer. He and Anya deserve each other. Gosh, I wish I could see his face when you bring her home.”

Shane smiled as Madison typed something on the computer and printed it out. “I’m sure someone in the house will be filming. I’ll make sure to show you the video next time we come in.”

“Please do.” Madison sat the paper on the counter in front of him. “I know we went over all of this already over the phone, but just verify the information one last time and then plop your signature down there at the bottom.”

Shane looked over the information, signed the paper, and then got his card out to pay the adoption fee. “Do I just go get her or do I wait here for someone else?”

“Oh, she’s right here, sweetie. I knew you were coming in so I had someone bring her up to wait here with me. She’s just been sleeping at my feet like a little angel.” Madison got up and rolled her chair back. “Anya, come on, it’s time to go home.”

Shane walked around the counter to the little metal gate on the side and grinned when Anya’s adorable little brown and white head popped out from under the desk. Madison slipped a cheap, temporary leash around her neck and gave the other end to Shane before opening the gate. His heart warmed when Anya perked up upon seeing him. She trotted around excitedly at his legs and looked up at him, her tongue sticking out.

“Hi, pretty girl.” He knelt down to greet her and she put her front paws on his knees to lick his face. “Are you ready to go home to your papa?”

Shane stood back up and made his way to the door, Anya following happily alongside him.

“Thank you again, Madison.”

“You’re very welcome, Shane. Have fun at the lake, I’ll see you next week!”

He gave her a small wave and then turned to lead Anya out onto the sidewalk and toward her forever home.

Shane got a text from Rose on the way home letting him know it was safe to just walk in because Ilya wasn’t home, which confused him, but he decided to wait and ask in person because he was only a few blocks away.

“It’s not my fault!” Harris exclaimed the second Shane walked into the living room. “Oh my god, look at her!”

Harris crouched down to Anya’s level and she jumped up to greet him. Shane reached down and removed the leash from her neck before tossing it on a side table.

“What’s not your fault?” Shane asked.

Everyone was in the living room, which Shane expected because he knew they all wanted to see Ilya’s reaction. He kind of wished he could’ve kept it a secret, but he couldn’t bring a dog into their home without putting it to a vote first.

“It’s really not his fault,” Rose said from her spot at the dining room table. Svetlana was sitting across from her, their fingers tangled together. “He was just being more Harrisy than usual and Ilya started to notice.”

“I’m sorry, okay? You guys know I grew up with dogs and I’ve missed living with one, so I got a little antsy waiting for you to get back.”

Anya hopped down from Harris’s legs and trotted over to Troy, who was sitting on the ground in front of the arm chair. Troy looked hesitant at first, but he let a reluctant smile cross his face as Anya gnawed playfully at his hand. He turned his hand to scratch her chin.

“Yeah,” J.J. said as he patted at his legs for Anya to come and smiled when she ran up to him. He mussed up her ears while she licked his face. “Then it was just one terrible lie after another.”

Rose sighed as she turned in her chair. “So anyway, I lied and told him I needed an onion for dinner. He went up to that deli on the corner to get it, so he should be back soon.”

Svetlana walked over to the couch and plopped down next to J.J., drawing Anya’s attention. She pulled Anya up onto her lap and ran her hands down her back. “She’s so cute, Shanya. I can’t believe I’m being replaced as the house’s best gift giver. I never thought anything would beat Renaissance tickets.”

“Whoa,” J.J.’s hands came up. “She is adorable, but let’s not get crazy.”

“You guys are so weird about Beyoncé,” Troy said.

“Oh my god, ignore him,” Harris bemoaned. “He doesn’t understand.” He walked over to where Svetlana was sitting and scratched Anya’s head. “Although, I do have to agree with Svetlana. Look at her little face.”

Shane’s pulse spiked when he heard the doorknob rattle. “Hold her there for a second, please. I want to talk to him first.”

He moved to the entryway and smiled as Ilya came inside holding a small shopping bag and kicked his slides off. Ilya looked at him curiously and Shane pulled him in for a quick kiss, making sure to angle his body so he was blocking Ilya’s view of the living room.

“Hi, baby.” Shane brought his hands up to rest on Ilya’s neck. “So, I have a surprise for you. It’s a late birthday present.”

Ilya tilted his head, his brow pinched in confusion. “But you did get me a present.”

“No, I didn’t.” Shane mirrored Ilya’s questioning face.

“Da, you made me dinner, remember?”

Shane smiled softly as he thought about the effort he’d put into making dinner perfect for Ilya that night. He hadn’t really thought anything about it at the time because making dinner for family dinners and birthday dinners was a regular occurrence for Shane. But he could understand it now from Ilya’s perspective, what that must’ve meant to him at the time given how he felt about Shane.

“Okay, well this is better. I promise.”

He turned around and shook his head fondly. Everyone was standing up, excitedly waiting to see Ilya’s reaction. Svetlana had come around the couch with Anya in her hands and when she sat her on the ground, she went running up to Shane. Shane stepped aside just before Anya reached him and let her crash into Ilya’s legs instead.

“Oh my god,” Ilya whispered as he dropped to the floor and scooped Anya into his arms.

The smile that took over Shane’s face as he watched the two of them was so big it almost hurt. Everyone behind him was talking, but he couldn’t register what they were saying, his entire focus was on Ilya and Anya. Ilya stood up with Anya still in his arms, her little paws resting on his shoulders.

“Is she staying with us? Forever?” Ilya asked, like he couldn’t believe it was real.

“Yes. Forever.” Shane ran his fingers through Anya’s fur. “Are you so happy to see your papa, Anya?” He leant down and looked her in the eyes. “He’s the best at loving people. Trust me, I know. You’re gonna have the best life.”

“Shane, I—” Ilya had tears in his eyes when Shane looked back up at him.

“Oh,” Shane said softly and pulled both of them in his arms. “C’mere, baby.”

Shane looked over Ilya’s head to see everyone leaving the room to give them some privacy. Svetlana lingered last and Shane’s heart thumped when he noticed her watery eyes. He gave them an amused smile as he watched as Rose had to physically pull her away from the living room.

“This is too much,” Ilya mumbled.

“Nonsense.” Shane pressed a kiss to his temple. “Not for you.”

“What about when I have to work? I don’t want her to be alone for too long.”

“I’ll help. We’ll make a schedule. And Madison said she could come with us on volunteer days. Also, she’s pretty much already charmed everyone in the house, so I’m sure we’ll never need a dog sitter.”

Ilya pulled back a little to look at Shane and Shane wiped his cheeks with his thumb before giving him a quick kiss.

“What about our trip?”

“She’s coming with us. Don’t worry, okay? I’ve thought of everything.” Shane smiled. “I didn’t get any supplies or toys or anything like that yet, though. I wanted you to be there for that, so you could get the things you preferred.”

Ilya’s eyes lit up. “Can we go now?”

“Yeah,” Shane smiled at his enthusiasm. “Let’s go.”

When they moved to leave Ilya stumbled over the little shopping bag he’d abandoned in favor of Anya earlier and he shook his head. “Rose didn’t even need that onion, did she?”

Shane laughed. “Nope.”

Shane had lost track of the number of perfect moments he’d had since Ilya had told him he loved him and each one felt more impossibly wonderful than the last, but he was pretty sure this one right here was among the top. His dad was currently on his stomach in the living room playing tug of war with Anya, who was hopelessly obsessed with David the second they arrived at the lake house. Shane was sitting on a bar stool at the kitchen island, a fond smile on his face as he watched Ilya wash dishes while his mother dried them.

“Thank you again for letting us have Anya here,” Ilya said, handing Yuna a clean plate. “I’m sorry if she’s getting dog hair all over your carpet.”

Yuna looked over at him and took the plate. “Oh, nonsense. She’s a sweetheart. And that’s what vacuums are for.”

“Mrs. Hollander—”

“Yuna.”

“Yuna,” Ilya corrected himself as he finished the last dish. “I just want you to know that I love your son very much. I know he’s been through a lot with—” Ilya trailed off, he didn’t like bringing up Ethan anymore than Shane did. Shane was pretty sure Ilya thought he was talking quietly enough for him not to hear, but every word was clear as day and he held his breath as he listened. “I am not like that. I will take care of him like he deserves.”

Yuna finished drying the last plate and then turned to take Ilya into her arms. Shane couldn’t hear what she was saying as they hugged, but the sight of his mom embracing the man he loved flooded his mind with an entire vision of what his future could look like and it was so overwhelming, he had to turn away from them.

Mornings waking up to Ilya’s gorgeous face, endless perfect summer vacations just like this one, Christmases with the four of them sitting around a fireplace while Anya gnawed on her new toys, and a wedding. A wedding that was probably insane to be thinking about so soon, but the love he had for Ilya sat so strong and steady in his chest and it grew and grew every day, so he couldn’t help but let his mind wander there.

“Well,” Yuna said, pulling Shane out of his daze as she moved across the kitchen and leant against the island next to him. “Did you bring your handsome boyfriend with you just so he could do chores while you watched?”

Shane put his hands up defensively. “Hey! I tried to get to the sink first, but he rushed in front of me.” Shane turned to glare at Ilya. “Show off.”

Ilya snickered as he made his way out of the kitchen, stopping to stick his tongue out at Shane behind Yuna’s back. Shane’s glare persisted until he saw Ilya join David on the carpet to play with Anya and his eyes softened, a warm smile finding his face.

Yuna followed his gaze and watched the scene in the living room for a moment before turning back to Shane.

“I have never seen you so happy before.”

Shane felt his eyes water. His mom’s opinion was the most important one in his life and, although there was never any doubt in Shane that she would approve of Ilya, seeing her embrace him so readily and lovingly meant the world to him.

“I’m really glad you both like him. I—” Shane took a deep breath as he looked over at Ilya again. He was on his back holding Anya up in the air as David laughed at the two of them. “I think he’s it for me, mom.” Shane looked back at his mom. “No, I know he is.”

“Oh, honey.” Yuna put her hands on his face and smiled at him. “You know, the way he is with you. It’s so—” She brushed her thumb across Shane’s cheek. “Well, he’s everything I’ve ever dreamt of for my boy.”

Shane got off his stool as Yuna pulled him in for a hug. He buried his face in her hair and didn’t even care as the tears finally escaped from his eyes. “I love you, mom.”

“I love you, too.”

She squeezed him gently for a moment, pulled back to smile at him, and then wiped his tears away. Shane took a deep breath and then followed his mom into the living room to join everyone in playing with Anya.

“Go get it, girl!” Shane threw Anya’s ball across the grass of the bank next to the lake and watched as she ran after it, picked it up with her mouth, and then plopped down in the shade under a big tree.

He walked back down to the end of the dock where Ilya was lying down on a towel, his legs bent up, feet planted against the wood, and arms tucked under his head. His eyes were closed as he soaked up the warmth of the late morning sun and Shane had to stop and admire him for a second.

Ilya’s hair was still damp from the lake, he had a relaxed smile on his face, and the way his arms were bent up under his head made his biceps flex nicely. Shane’s eyes fixated on the hair of Ilya’s armpit for a moment before traveling down his chest, his summer tan even more golden after all their time spent outside the last few days. There were still a few water drops decorating Ilya’s skin and his eyes followed one hungrily as it rolled into Ilya’s belly button when he inhaled.

“What are you staring at?” Ilya asked around a smirk without even opening his eyes.

“Mmm, some hot guy.”

“Really?” Ilya opened his eyes and looked around. “Where?”

Shane laughed as he stepped over Ilya with one leg before kneeling down on top of him, his hands coming up to rest on Ilya’s chest. Ilya grinned up at him and wrapped his hands around Shane’s thighs. The sun caught Ilya’s eyes just right and showed off a hint of pretty green behind the oceany blue of his irises.

“You’re so beautiful,” Shane murmured as he leant forward and pressed his lips to Ilya’s chest.

Ilya sighed and ran his fingers through Shane’s hair. “You are going to get me too worked up.”

“Well, that is the goal.” Shane grinned as he moved up to take Ilya’s nipple in his mouth.

Shane worked Ilya’s nipple over with his tongue for a bit and then moved to do the same to the other one as he brought his hand up to palm at Ilya’s cock over his swim shorts.

“Fuck, Shane.” Ilya grunted. “What about Anya?”

He looked over to see Anya on her back under the tree, already fast asleep. Her leg was kicking out at the side like she was chasing something in her dreams. Shane laughed.

“She’s fine.”

“But your parents—”

“They went into town. It’s like a two hour drive. We have time.”

Shane nipped at Ilya’s neck as he pulled him out of his shorts and grinned when Ilya threw his head back with another groan.

“You love this, don’t you, Hollander?”

“Love what?”

“Being outside. Like, being near people.”

“It’s a private lake, Ilya. The other houses are all the way on the other side.”

“Yeah, but still.” Ilya smirked. “Is that why you got so hard for me at the party?”

“Fuck off,” Shane said, but his words were weak as he blushed. Ilya was right, but he wasn’t about to admit it.

Shane started stroking Ilya and he quickly dropped his teasing. He worked his hand along Ilya’s cock for a bit as he kissed along his jaw and swallowed his sighs. He brought his hand up after a moment and held it in front of Ilya.

“Spit.”

Ilya obeyed and Shane brought his hand back to Ilya’s cock, the spit mixing with Ilya’s wetness and helping his hand glide a little better. It wasn’t as good as lube, but it was really fucking hot. Shane stroked Ilya for a few more minutes before he got his own hard cock out and pressed against Ilya. He brought his hand up and spit in it himself this time and then took both of their cocks in his hand.

“Fuck, Shane.” Ilya groaned again and pulled Shane into a kiss.

It was sloppy and full of teeth because they were panting too much and eventually they just gave up, their foreheads pressed together as they breathed into each other’s mouths. Ilya pushed his hips up on a particularly hard stroke and Shane moaned as he pushed back down against him. Shane worked his hand over them quickly, trying to bring both of them to edge. He knew he was close and he was trying to get Ilya to meet him because he wanted so badly to come at the same time.

“C’mon, Rozanov. I want you to come with me.” Shane kissed him again and then pulled back to watch his face.

Ilya’s lips were pursed, his brow furrowed, and his cheeks flushed. His eyes were bright as he looked up at Shane, his chest heaving. Shane couldn’t wait any longer, he pumped his hand up and down their cocks a few more times and then came, a loud moan falling right into Ilya’s mouth as Shane kissed him. A few more strokes and then Ilya was groaning as he pushed up into Shane’s hand and came along with him. It wasn’t exactly at the same time, but it was close enough. Shane sat up and flushed at the sight of their come mixed together in a mess on Ilya’s stomach.

“Fuck, that was so hot.”

Shane tucked them both back into their shorts and then leant down to kiss Ilya again.

“If we’re gonna stay out here, we’re gonna need to put more sunscreen on.”

“I think you’ve covered me in enough white stuff for one day, no?” Ilya grinned as he pushed his hips up to press their stomachs together, squishing their mess between them.

“Ew, fuck,” Shane sat up again and swatted at Ilya’s arm. “That’s so nasty.”

Ilya laughed at him and his smile was so bright and open, especially out in the sun, that Shane couldn’t possibly stay annoyed at him. He laughed along with Ilya and ran his finger through the pool of come on his chest before wiping it on Ilya's cheek. Ilya’s eyebrows shot up in playful surprise before his eyes darkened mischievously. Shane swallowed hard and a moment later Ilya had them flipped around so Shane was on his back with Ilya pressed against him. He squirmed at the wet feeling between their bellies.

“Are you going to clean it off for me?” Ilya asked, his face close to Shane’s.

Shane sat there for a moment and stared at him, a challenge in his eyes, but Ilya wasn’t giving up. Eventually, he gave in, rolled his eyes fondly, and turned Ilya’s face to lick the small streak of come off his cheek.

Ilya hummed in satisfaction and leant down to kiss Shane. It started out playful and sweet, but after a moment, Ilya turned his head to deepen it as he pushed his tongue into Shane’s mouth. Ilya’s hand came up to grip Shane’s chin and Shane sighed into Ilya’s mouth as he buried his fingers in his curls.

They pulled apart, but stayed close enough that Shane could feel Ilya’s breath against his lips. Shane looked up at Ilya and felt a lump in his throat as he took in the look in Ilya’s eyes. He wasn’t sure he’d ever get used to being on the receiving end of such an unadulterated gaze and he didn’t ever want to. The way Ilya looked at him warmed him from the inside out, it made him feel safe and seen in a way he didn’t even know was possible. Shane took a deep breath to steady himself as he tightened his fingers in Ilya’s hair.

“Will you say it again, please?”

Ilya smiled at him softly and brushed his thumb across Shane’s cheek.

“Ya tebya lyublyu.”

Shane let the words wash over him as Ilya laid his head down on his chest. He brought his arms up to hold Ilya close to him, his hands pressed against Ilya’s shoulders, which were warm to the touch from the heat of the sun. Shane sighed softly and pressed his nose into Ilya's hair.

“I love you, too, Ilya.”