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It started with a small comment, " What, you can't do math?" from Ilya, it was meant as a teasing moment but Shane didnt see it like that.
He had always been insecure about being dyslexic and with Ilya pointing it out plainly, Shane felt more embarrassed than normal about it because he wanted to impress Ilya. Maybe not with his grilling burgers skills but just in general after making the effort of inviting Ilya to his cottage, his sanctuary away from the stresses of hockey and the lack of a private life because of his love of the sport.
Because of his autism, Shane was more focused on going word for word on the recipe, it did say the recipe was for 8 people but in hindsight, he could have cut it in half like Ilya suggested.
So yes when Ilya sarcastically asked if he couldn't do maths, Shane was unable to take it as a joke and more of a personal attack.
While Shane was grilling the burgers, Ilya got to work setting the table out on the decking, making sure to give Shane the correct cutlery, because apparently "It matters what you use when eating, otherwise it feels wrong".
Ilya just chalked it up to another one of Shane's unique quirks.
It did get Ilya to thinking about Shane's reaction to his joke, he had hugged Shane from behind and felt him tense, it had not been the first time he had felt him do that but in a different situation, however he remembered that it had also been revolving around numbers and letter. Shane and Ilya had gotten into a teasing argument about Shane's insane hockey IQ when it came to statistics.
Once the burgers were cooked they set everything on the table and plated up in silence. This would be there first proper sit down dinner together at Shane's cottage, so both were nervous about if it would be awkward but thankfully it wasnt. Conversation flowed easily between the two until Ilya brought up the topic of Shane's maths problem, Ilya didnt see it as a problem but could tell from how Shane had tensed that it clearly was for him.
"So.....why have math problem? The burgers are good but I can't eat 4 burgers myself, even if I am sexy, athletic russian hockey player."
Shane remained quiet for a moment, processing what Ilya had said. He had braced himself for the topic to come up one day, maybe not the first sit down dinner they had together so Shane was a little thrown off.
When Ilya noticed Shane's lack of response he began to wonder if he had worded it wrong, English was a stupid language anyway, not his fault. After another moment he noticed Shane was beginning to talk again, although he could pick up on his nervousness from a mile away.
"I'm......um.....I have this thing called dyslexia.....do you know what that is? I dont know what the word is in Russian obviously but....yeah".
It took Ilya a bit to process the word, dyslexia was a thing in Russia for sure but not a majorly explored topic in general in Russia, mainly just for educational institutions. So yes, Ilya knew of the word but not properly. The look of delayed confusion on his face must have made it a little clearer to Shane that he wasnt completely certain if he was getting the right translation.
" I basically struggle with reading, writing and spelling, but obviously I have difficulties with numbers and stuff, thats my dyscalculia, the numbers problems. But that doesnt stop me at hockey obviously." Shane explained slowly.
"Okay....um your problem with numbers doesnt stop hockey IQ obviously, very sexy brain". Ilya teased back to Shane.
Obviously Shane loves hockey, borderline obsession if he was being honest but regardless of the numbers involved in the statistics Shane was much more focused on remembering them than actually understanding them. If anything, his focus was more leaning towards beating all these statistics over the course of his career.
Noticing Shane's anxious thoughts spiraling in real time was a little confronting to Ilya but he was willing to push those anxieties away for Shane, they were at the cottage to relax and that is what they were going to do. So instead of leading into a more prolonged silence Ilya decided to change topics.
" So Mr High Hockey IQ, tell me more of family, your mum is Yuna and dad is called David, yes?"
Shane was a little thrown off because Ilya knew his parents names but then remembered they had been on the same hockey circuit for a long time, nearly a decade so it shouldn't be a surprise that Ilya knew of their names.
"Yes, that is the correct names, but can we not talk about our families please, um are you finished your food?". Shane quickly diverted.
Its not that he did not want to talk about his family with Ilya, he was just getting tired, after having fun as soon as Ilya got to the cottage and the long drive Shane was wanting to take a nap. Summers off were made for lazy times, naps included, even though Shane was still strict with his diet but less so with his sleeping schedule.
" Yes Hollander, I am done eating but not done with the questions." Ilya sarcastically replied.
They cleared their plates away and then went to relax in the half made bed, leaving the conversation to be continued later on.