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“Love you,” yelled Shane as he and Ilya closed their car doors.
Shane started the engine to his landrover, but instead of putting it into gear and leaving, he released the breath he’d been holding and closed his eyes. Today had been one of the best-worst days of his life. He and Ilya finally admitted how they felt about one another, and while that had been scary, it paled in comparison to his dad catching him kissing Ilya and coming out to his parents.
Even though it wasn’t how he planned it, he was glad that his parents knew, and that they’d had a chance to meet Ilya as his boyfriend, rather than as a partner in the charity they were putting together. Had it really been just a couple of days ago that he was thinking of ways he could introduce Ilya to his parents?
Ilya looked over at Shane and gave him a minute to process everything that had taken place that afternoon. While he wanted to give Shane space, he couldn’t stop himself from reaching out and cupping that back of Shane’s head in a show of support. They sat like that in silence for a couple of minutes before Shane leaned into Ilya’s touch then opened his eyes, nodded once as if to say, “okay”, and put the Land Rover in gear.
“What a day, huh?” Ilya said gently, caressing the back of Shane’s head with his thumb.
“Yeah, thank you for coming with me. I know it was awkward and my mom can be a little intense, but I’m really glad you were there.”
“It was awkward, but you were very brave and I can see how much your parents love you.”
“My mom was so confused. She’d bought into our rivalry on the ice for so long, it was a complete shock when I said that I loved you.”
“Yes, your mom is very loyal. I like that. I think she and I will get along very well. I like your dad too, he has good taste in vodka. He might not be that boring even if he reads the New Yorker.” Ilya hesitated before he asked, “Do you think they are disappointed that you didn’t find a nice man in Montreal?”
“They are going to love you just like I love you,” said Shane as he reached over to grab Ilya’s hand.
Ilya couldn’t reply without choking up, so he just placed his other hand on top of Shane’s. He didn’t know how he was lucky enough to call this amazing man next to him, his.They drove in silence for a few minutes with Shane’s hand between Ilya’s.
Ilya stared out the car window lost in thought watching the scenery pass by. He was still in awe that his arch rival Shane Hollander, is now his boyfriend, and they were planning a future together. He hadn’t known what to expect when he accepted Shane’s invitation to his cottage, but he hadn’t expected this. Ilya felt like his heart was going to explode from his chest.
“I can’t believe your mom asked if you let me win,” laughed Ilya.
“As if I would ever do that,” chirped Shane.
Ilya smirked, “She is where you get your planning from, yes?”
“Yeah. she’s always got a plan. I think it was her way of keeping me from spiraling. Whenever I started to freak out, she would come up with a plan so I had something to focus on.”
“You are so lucky to have her. She is a strong woman. I wish my mom would’ve been as strong as Yuna,” Ilya said quietly.
Shane cupped the back of Ilya’s head, “You know that she’s proud of you right? She may not be here, but I think she is watching over you. I think she is where you get your strength from.”
Ilya smiled, “Thank you for saying that.”
“Hey, when we get back to the cottage, what do you think about relaxing by the fire pit?” Shane asked, moving his hand from the back of Ilya’s head and resting it on his thigh. He couldn’t seem to stop touching him.
“Yes, that sounds nice,” responded Ilya, cupping the back of Shane’s head again. “I like sitting by the fire with my head in your lap. You make a nice pillow,” he teased.
Shane smiled, “What if I wanted to use your lap as a pillow this time?”
Ilay looked over at Shane as if he was deciding, then brushed his fingers over Shane’s freckles. “Okay, but you cannot start any funny business. We are just going to sit by the fire and watch the flames.”
“You think you’re that irresistible?” quipped Shane. “I’ll have you know I can keep my hands to myself.”
“Ah, okay. We will see, but I think you will not be able to control yourself,” Ilya challenged as he raised Shane’s hand to his lips and kissed his knuckles.
Shane laughed and said “If anyone is going to have a hard time controlling themselves it’s you.”
“I seem to remember several times over the years, when as soon as we were behind closed doors you tried to, how do you say, climb me like a tree?”
“I don’t remember ever hearing you complain,” challenged Shane.
“Or how about all those times you got to your knees before we even made it to the bed, or,”
“Shut up!” Shane grabbed Ilya’s chin. “You are such an asshole.”
“Yes, but I am your ‘asshole’. Now take me to the cottage and we will sit by the fire, after I have had my way with you.”