Chapter Text
Shane slammed his phone into his cup holder as sobs wracked his body. He hunched over the steering wheel, glad he pulled over before Ilya called. He felt like he couldn't get a deep breath into his lungs and panic was clawing it's way up his throat at the thought of what this all means for his marriage.
Ilya was with Sasha. Behind his back.
Why did he do it? He wasn't even gone that long, was that enough time to hook up? He guessed it was but it still didn't feel right. Why was he even in Canada much less Ottawa? Did he come here just for Ilya? Oh God, Ilya was leaving him--
Shane felt bile hit the back of his throat and he opened the door just in time to start heaving the contents of his stomach onto the side of the road. He was an absolute mess and needed to pull himself together. His phone was buzzing nonstop, Ilya calling him back over and over. He climbed back in the car and silenced his phone but decided to open his messages just to torture himself further.
Ilya: Shane answer your phone!!!
Ilya: I did not sleep with Sasha, you know i would not do this
Ilya: it is not what you think shane, answer the phone and come back
Ilya: Я здесь схожу с ума, пожалуйста, ответьте на звонок! (I am losing my fucking mind here, please answer the phone!)
Shane could tell Ilya was panicking as he started losing his English but he was focused on one thing. He didn't sleep with Sasha? Then why did he see him? Regardless it did give him a little relief to know that.
Shane couldn't bare to answer his calls but decided he needed to turn around and stop running. As angry and upset as he is right now, the pit in his stomach is not going to go away without answers from his husband.
Shane took the ten minute drive home to calm his breathing and try to clear his head. It wasn't easy while Ilya was still blowing up his phone every 30 seconds but finally he was pulling into their driveway.
Shane took another deep breath and steeled himself before walking back through their front door. He immediately locked eyes with a frantic Ilya, pacing a hole into the floor. Ilya stopped in his tracks, staring wide eyed at him. His hair was messy and sticking up from him running a stressed hand through it and his eyes were bloodshot and wet with tears. He looked completely wrecked and even though Shane was angry and confused it still hurt him to see his husband like this.
"Shane." Ilya choked out his name like a prayer and tripped over to him, falling to his knees in relief. Shane's heart broke to hear Ilya sob as he grabbed his legs, holding on like he was scared he'd dissappear in his arms.
"Shane please, don't go please I am sorry, I can explain!" Ilya cried, head buried against Shane's hip.
Shane felt his own tears slide down his cheeks and he crouched down in Ilya's hold and lifted his head to look at him.
"You need to explain now Ilya. You're breaking my heart." Shane said through quick breaths. Ilya's face crumpled further and he quickly grabbed at this pocket and pulled out a box. He opened it and Shane saw a beautiful silver ring, embellished with intricate designs and what looked like a family crest at the center.
"I wanted to give you this. It was my mother's-" Ilya broke off into hiccups from sobbing so hard and had to pause and gather himself. "It was still in Russia with Alexei. He said I could have it if I paid him off but I couldn't go back and get it myself and the only person who could bring it to me was fucking Sasha."
Shane exhaled a breath he'd been holding and rubbed at Ilya's shaking back. They were both kneeling on the ground holding each other now.
"So you picked it up from him today?"
"Yes. I'm so sorry Shane, I should have thought of another way or just told you. I just wanted it to be a surprise for our anniversary next week and I am such an idiot for hurting you instead." Ilya collapsed into Shane again, tears pouring down his face.
Shane felt so stupid but he supposed it did look really bad with how much Ilya had been lying to him.
"Shh it's okay. I'm sorry I didn't trust you more and that I ran. I just couldn't take the thought that you might have- it doesn't matter. It's okay, Ilya." Shane kissed Ilya's wet cheeks, wiping his face clean.
Ilya didn't look convinced that all was okay. "No Shane I am so stupid. I thought I lost you. When you left I felt so Испугался, что хотел умереть."
Shane held him tightly as he rambled more in Russian. He couldn't understand him but he knew it was a lot of self loathing talk and he couldn't stand it.
"Come on, let's move to the couch." Shane said, pulling Ilya up with him. He followed him, sniffling and holding onto Shane for dear life.
They both settled onto the couch and Shane grabbed the ring box from Ilya's hand.
"This is really beautiful."
Ilya had his arms around Shane and kissed the top of his head where is was tucked under his jaw. "It is an heirloom from my mother's side of the family. I want you to have it because you are my family now. I thought it was lost but my brother was just hiding it and waiting to use it as a bargaining chip with me I suppose."
Shane moved back and tilted his head up, bringing his lips to Ilya's. Ilya melted into him, kissing him back slowly but desperately.
"I love it. Thank you."
"I am sorry, sweetheart. I did not mean to upset you. And I am sorry for seeing Sasha."
Shane gave him a small smile and kissed him again. "It's okay. I should've given you time to explain."
Ilya relaxed more against him, finally letting himself relax. They fell into each other again, kissing frantically and passionately. Ilya pulled him onto his lap and ran his hands up and down his body. Shane moaned into his mouth and set the ring box into the coffee table before reconnecting their lips, tongues exploring the other's mouths.
"Let's go upstairs so I can show you exactly how sorry I am, Моя любовь." Ilya groaned while standing lifting Shane straight off the couch. Shane giggled and wrapped his legs and arms around his husband.
"That sounds good to me." Shane replied and let himself be whisked away.
THE END