Chapter Text
Ilya was acting weird and that was scary to think about for Shane because since they made it official a couple of years ago, his husband was so open with everything. He always tried to tell Shane exactly what he was thinking and Shane appreciated that style of communication so he didn't have to read between any lines. Ilya was honest sometimes to a fault, like did he really have to tell Shane exactly how disgusting he found his food? Or go into detail at inappropriate times about how much he wanted to bend Shane over and "destroy his ass" (during practice or even games!!!)?
Regardless, Shane loved that Ilya was an open book...normally. Lately he has been causing a pit to form and take residence in Shane's stomach at how secretive he's been. Hiding his phone screen while he's texting and walking out of the room to answer calls so Shane can't hear and being dodgy about where he's been. This was so unlike his husband that Shane was trying his best to ignore it but the festering worry was taking root now.
Ilya couldn't be stepping out on him, right? No, Shane refused to even go there, cutting off the thought before he could start to feel nauseous about it.
Shane shook his head, trying to focus on finishing dinner instead of spiraling. Ilya was going to be home soon from the store since Shane had sent him out to grab some sodas for them while he cooked. He wanted to surprise Ilya with one of his favorite foods and something not on Shane's approved diet list: chicken parmigiana.
Just as he was plating dinner Shane heard the front door open. "Sweetheart, I am back!" Ilya called out to him.
"Perfect timing, dinner is ready!" Shane replied, giddy to see Ilya's reaction.
"Wait, what do I smell? This is not the aroma of bird food..." Ilya entered the kitchen, his eyes lighting up as they landed on the plates on the island. "What have you done with my husband?"
Shane laughed and pecked Ilya on the cheek, wrapping his arms around his neck. "I wanted to make something you like for once, and yes I'll eat it with you." Ilya smiled brightly and captured Shane's lips, kissing him hungrily.
"Thank you, Моя любовь. You are so sweet to me." Ilya murmured, running his hands down Shane's sides. "Let's eat so I have time for dessert later, yes?" Ilya gave him a wink, grabbing his ass and making Shane squeal.
"Behave!" Shane admonished, jokingly. Ilya smirked at him and took a seat at the island. "Wait, where are the sodas?"
Ilya froze in his seat, face going blank. The pit in Shane's stomach from earlier suddenly cracked back open. He forgot to get the sodas? Where was he?
Ilya kept his eyes glued to his plate, starting to stiffly cut his chicken. "Oh, sorry Моя любовь, they were all out."
Shane stared at his husband, still standing next to him. "They...were all out of soda? At the grocery store?"
"Yes. Crazy sale yesterday I think, and all were out."
Shane swallowed, feeling ice cold inside. He was lying, wasn't he? What was he lying about? Did he even go to the store at all?
"Where did you go?" Shane heard himself ask.
Ilya looked at him now in surprise. "What are you talking about? I went to the store." Ilya couldn't even maintain eye contact with him, looking down again to avoid Shane's gaze.
Shane felt completely sick and his mind was racing. He couldn't understand why he was lying but knew if he was then this couldn't be good.
"I don't know why you're lying to me, Ilya, but you better tell me now." Shane's voice wobbled a bit at the end but he set his jaw and tried to remain calm.
Ilya looked a bit panicked now and seemed like he was warring with himself. "Shane please trust me, sweetheart." Ilya pleaded, standing up grabbing for Shane's hands.
Shane pulled his hands away and stepped back. "You know I've always trusted you, but why are you trying to give me reasons to doubt you? You've been weird for days, hiding things from me. And now you won't tell me where you were when you're supposed to be at the store? Help me understand, Ilya." Shane crossed his arms and stared him down, feeling tears prick at his eyes.
Ilya's eyes were wide and unblinking. "I know. I know I've been weird but Shane please just...I just...I need..." Ilya huffed in frustration and ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know what to say right now."
"You don't know what to say?!" Shane asked angrily. The pit in his stomach had heated into anger. Why is not just telling him where he was? "I'm not asking complicated questions here, Ilya."
"I know! I'm sorry, Shane please-" Ilya was frozen in place now and stammering.
"Where were you? What is going on?" Shane asked for a final time.
Ilya took a deep breath and looked into Shane's eyes. "I will explain. Let me go get something and I will explain, please Shane." Ilya held his breath and waited and Shane just nodded his head, confused.
Ilya exhaled in relief. "I will be right back. Don't move, please." Ilya stared at him a beat longer as if he was afraid Shane would bolt before walking quickly out of the kitchen and up the stairs, presumably to their bedroom.
Shane took a deep breath himself and shook out his hands, trying to soothe himself. Okay, this was good Ilya was talking to him and he was going to get some answers.
Shane turned his head as a phone buzzed twice. It was Ilya's, still sitting by his plate. Shane peeked at the phone, a message lighting up the lockscreen and suddenly it felt like the blood was draining out of his body.
Shane's vision blurred and he felt dizzy and nauseous, feeling the world tilt underneath him. Panic was clawing it's way up his throat and restricting him as fat tears rolled down his cheeks. He couldn't do this. He had to get out of here. He could hear Ilya close the door to the bedroom upstairs and start walking down the stairs and he decided to just run. He couldn't face him.
Shane bolted all the way to the front door, grabbed his keys off the hook, and slammed the front door shut on this way out. The message on Ilya's phone was burning his vision, stuck behind his eyelids even as he sobbed harder than he ever has before.
Sasha: It was good to see you again <3