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It had been a shitstorm ending to the season, with the video leaking and forcing them to reveal their secret to the world, leaving their nerves raw and patience thin as they pulled into the driveway of the cottage for the summer. Shane was so ready to just be - be away from his shitty teammates and the comments they think he didn’t hear in the locker room, the pressure of being on all the time, trying to hide how scared and exposed he felt. He could just be present when he was here, be lazy and unguarded and press kisses to Ilya’s temple without having to second guess it. He needed that desperately, to just show the man he loved the affection he so badly wanted to give.
Shane unlocked the front door, pushing it open and walking inside to drop his bag near the entryway table. Ilya followed close behind him, unceremoniously flinging his jacket and shoes into the corner and running to collapse face first into the couch. Shane laughed. He knew Ilya needed these precious few weeks as much as he did.
“Why don’t you get settled, and I’ll run out to the store, get some groceries and things to get us through the day before we do a big shop later, hm?” Shane said to the blob that was now his fiance, buried underneath the throw blankets he pulled from the back of the couch.
“Hmmph,” came Ilya’s reply, muffled under all the layers, and he was already beginning to doze off into one of the many midday naps Shane knew he loved to take while here.
Shane smiled to himself, grabbed his reusable shopping bags from their spot on the hook by the door, and headed back out to the car.
The little grocery store in town was nothing like the big supermarket that was another 30 minutes away, but they had all of the essentials. It smelled faintly of citrus cleaner, like the floors had been freshly mopped, and the fluorescent lights shone dimly, cracked and faded with age. The cashiers were always friendly and there was always one or two teenagers working in the summer, their parents no doubt forcing them to get out and do something with their time, reluctantly stocking shelves and puttering around the store arranging items. Shane smiled, remembering the summer he was forced to do the same thing between hockey camps, his parents insisting it was good for his character development.
He browsed through the store, grabbing some fruit and veggies from the produce section before moving over to the little deli. He grabbed the ham he knew Ilya liked for sandwiches, and some chicken breast he could cook up for them later. The bakery was next, filling his nose with the smell of fresh bread, and he grabbed a loaf from the shelf. It was the off season, so he tried not to think about the extra calories. He smiled to himself as he grabbed pancake mix and syrup next, already planning to surprise Ilya tomorrow morning with breakfast in bed, and grabbed some orange juice and Ilya’s favorite coffee creamer.
As he finished up in the small pharmacy section, (how they were already out of lube he had no idea, it seemed they had it stashed everywhere but were somehow always out), he paused, seeing a small stand by the check out lanes. The sign said “Flower bouquets, $10” in bright, colorful letters next to bunches of bouquets, wrapped nearly in cellophane, small bits of twine tied around the stems. Shane smiled to himself, inhaling their sweet aroma, and grabbed one of the bouquets. Ilya was going to be so surprised.
Getting home, he opened the door and heard the soft notes of music coming from the bedroom. He smiled, recognizing the song, and Ilya’s voice as he sung along quietly. “Cause I make it so easy to fall in love…So come give me a call, and we’ll fall…”
Shane set the grocery bags down on the kitchen counter. He put away the items in the fridge and pantry and looked at the bouquet on the table. He gently picked it up and wandered over to the bedroom door.
Ilya was bent over, pulling things out of his suitcase and stacking them neatly into the dresser drawers. He looked up as Shane leaned against the door frame.
“Jesus, Hollander, you scared the shit out of me,” he gasped, laughing.
“Sorry,” Shane said, a smile creeping onto his face. “Didn’t mean to, but I wanted to surprise you.”
“Mmm surprise me with what,” Ilya smirked, sauntering over to put his hands on Shane’s shoulders.
“With these,” Shane said softly, pulling the bouquet from where he had hid them behind his back.
Ilya’s eyes widened as he looked down at the flowers, bursting with color and fragrance.
“Are these…?”
“Lillies,” Shane smiled.
Ilya looked up at him, awe written all over his face. He stared at Shane for a few moments.
“You’ve never gotten me flowers before,” Ilya whispered, eyes glassy and his cheeks flushed pink.
“You’re blushing,” Shane teased, leaning down to press a kiss to the flush on Ilya’s face.
“No I’m not- I- Russians do not- I am not blushing!” Ilya spluttered, his cheeks darkening into a deeper red, making his blue eyes sparkle even more.
Shane laughed. “You absolutely are. But it’s okay, it’s very cute,” he said.
“I am not cute,” Ilya said indignantly, “I am hot, sexy Russian fiance who does not blush!”
“Whatever you say,” Shane laughed, bringing his hands up to cradle Ilya’s face. “Do you like them?”
“Shane, I-“ Ilya started, eyes tearing up. “I love them. They are beautiful. And remind me of us,” he said, looking at Shane with so much love he felt like he would burst.
“Good,” Shane said, and pressed a kiss to his forehead. “I’ll buy you new ones each week, so you always have fresh ones.”
Somehow Ilya blushed even more, and grinned so widely Shane thought his face might crack. He took the flowers from Ilya’s hands and turned to go put them in a vase and find the perfect spot for them in the house.
“You’re still blushing, Roz!” he called back down the hallway.
Ilya’s feet smacked against the floor as he stomped after Shane, continuing to try and defend his Russian heritage. “I am not, Shane, you know Russians do not do this, if I was blushing that would mean I am not Russian, and I most definitely am, because I am big and sexy and have this voice you love so much and…”
Shane laughed, vowing to buy Ilya every bouquet on the damn planet for the rest of his life.