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They say Russians have their souls open. But this is not true about Ilya.
A bunch of years spent in the closet, desperate tossing between "no one should know the real me" and "fuck it all!". And then Shane showed up. And a new meaning has enlightened his life after hockey.
"Hey, it's okay," Ilya comforts him with all tenderness, not being shy of the adult views of Shane's parents, "you're safe here, your family is here..."
Shane lifts his face from the table and answers through a soft sob:
"Not only mine. Ours."
Ilya smiles and kisses his vulnerable crybaby. He would definitely have time to tease Shane about this scene, but not now. At this very moment, he is obliged to surround his beloved with much-needed care.
When Shane calms down, Ilya apologizes and says that he will come out to breathe. So that Shane could once again calmly discuss everything with Yuna and David.
Once in the fresh air, Ilya inhales it with a full chest. Well, it had to happen sometime. And it's probably even better that Shane's parents found out first. Ilya grins: a couple of hours ago, Shane was wildly worried that he had fucked up so specifically in front of his family and disappointed them. But everything worked out.
She would have loved you.
He remembers telling Shane that about his mom. Sometimes, he misses her so much. He doesn't really expect others to understand, but his mother... she would definitely understand and accept him. He suddenly imagines how he could introduce them, how Irina would hug Shane, and then invite him to the big table and start fattening her newly acquired Canadian son, not wanting to hear anything about any damn diets.
It could have been, but... alas.
Ilya doesn't even realize that he's crying a tiny tear.
"Fucking bitch..." Rozanov swears at himself in Russian. "You're a fucking wimp!"
A soft female cough is heard behind his back. Ilya turns around.
Yuna.
She smiles affably and says:
"Can I stand here with you?"
"Yes," Ilya quickly wipes his cheek with the palm of his hand, "sure."
Yuna stands next to him and gives him a kind but slightly embarrassed smile again.
"So it's you. Ilya."
"Yeah... are you disappointed? Just honestly?"
"No," Yuna puts her beautiful long hair behind her shoulders and shakes her head, "rather surprised. But... not really."
"Hmm, that's intriguing. "Not really... can you give me a little more detail about it?"
She giggles, and Ilya gets her mood, so he chuckles too.
"Actually, I had some thoughts about the two of you. But I've never expressed them. You see," Yuna stands closer here and turns around so that she can see Ilya's eyes, "my son is not a very simple boy. You really get what I mean, don't you?"
Ilya nods. He's okay with that.
"So," Yuna continues, "sometimes he can get lost in his own thoughts. Or he doesn't react immediately. If that happens, just let him take his time. He'll come back."
"Okay."
"I know my son, Ilya. Shane is monogamous. If he loves you, it's for lifetime. For God's sake... don't break his heart."
Ilya smiles kindly and winks at Yuna with both eyes:
"You don't have to worry about that. I'm the same. If I really fall in love, it's forever. So you'll have to put up with me for a long time, Mrs. Hollander."
"Yuna."
"Okay. Yuna."
They are silent for a while. Then Yuna turns to him:
"Ilya... Shane told me you don't have a mom?"
"I don't."
Yuna stares at him and then opens her arms:
"Then can I hug my Russian son?"
This is probably one of the moments in Ilya's life when, after all, his soul opens its door. Ilya stares being completely perplexed for a couple of seconds, and then spreads his arms in response, allowing himself to be hugged and hugging back.
"My Canadian—Asian mom," he whispers affectionately through another soft sob into her hair, which barely flutters in the wind.
Yuna strokes his curls with one hand and pats his sturdy back with the other:
"I know how stubborn and independent you, boys, like to be. But if you ever need maternal advice, I'm there for you, Ilya. Please don't be shy."
"Thank you," Ilya moves his chin, "thank you for understanding and accepting us."
Yuna nods. She doesn't let go of him until Ilya does it first. She strokes his head once more and says:
"You're a good boy, Ilya. And you swear in a very funny way in Russian."
They both laugh. Then they nod to each other and return to the house. Shane is waiting for them on the porch. Yuna winks at Ilya when he immediately hugs her boy.
"Is everything okay?" Ilya asks.
"Yes," Shane smiles shyly.
Ilya closes his eyes and wraps his beloved in hugs.
"So, boys, after hugs and kisses - please, come back to the table."
"Mom..!" Shane shyly nuzzles Ilya's shoulder.
"What? Mom knows what she's saying."
Ilya squints in her direction and whispers in Russian, "Spasibo."
Yuna smiles and leaves them alone.