Chapter Text
Shane always remembers the first time he saw Ilya—not from the training camp roster or an ID photo, but the boy who smoking under the No-Smoking sign, away from the crowd. That face and that smile remain vividly clear in his mind. Whenever he recalls these memories, Shane feels he is still that 18-year-old boy in that winter, full of hope for the future and first time feeling Cupid.
He turned his face to look at the heavy snow outside, his wrinkled reflection faintly visible on the window. He smiled self-mockingly—time flies, and nothing can stop it.
On the TV, the playoff game was showing new faces—who knows how many generations of players had come and gone by now. There are lots photos around the house: some of him holding a trophy, some with teammates, but most were pictures with Ilya.
Yet now, in this spacious lakeside cabin, he was alone.
The door opened, and a tall man walked in, with a build similar to Ilya’s. He walked over and kissed Shane on the cheek. “Thinking about Ilya again? How many times a day do you have to think of him?”
“Your lips are cold, and your words are even colder.”
The man turned and went to the kitchen to put down the groceries he was carrying. “What, haven’t I satisfied you all these years? Why haven’t you forgotten him yet?”
Shane didn’t answer.
The man walked over, turned Shane’s face toward him, and kissed him deeply. “But what can I do? The one kissing you now is me.”
The man glanced at the photos filling the room. “I really shouldn’t spoil you so much. I’m throwing all these photos away today and replacing them with pictures of you and me. Whether you like it or not.”
With that, the man back to the kitchen to start preparing lunch. “Honestly, I don’t like this year’s theme. Wasn’t it better last year when you wore glasses and bikini? !What weird hobbies has Rose been filling your head with?”
“Aaaaaah!” Shane threw his head back and let out a loud cry. “I was just getting into the mood! Those wife-swapping short dramas are really popular lately. I just wanted to give it a try.”
Ilya laughed helplessly, finding Shane adorable even now. It had already been 40 years since they got together, and every anniversary, they had countless things to celebrate.
The anniversary of confessing their feelings, the first video call with glasses anniversary, the first lakeside cottage anniversary—every day in winter could be turned into something to commemorate.
After all, every day they spent together held special meaning.
Even now, as they snuggled on the couch, eating the lunch Ilya had prepared and watching the playoff game together.
Shane and Ilya both felt incredibly happy.