Chapter Text
Shane walks out of the master bathroom with only a towel
“Did you even sleep last night” Shane asks
“Not much” Ilya mumbles
“What's wrong?” Shane asks as he discards his towel and begins getting dressed
“Do you know about the Russian in Minnesota?”
“Kaprizov? What about him?” Shane asks.
Ilya turns the laptop around to show Shane a picture of Kaprizov “Look familiar?”
Shane shakes his head and shrugs his shoulders “Look hard Hollander”
Shane's eyes go back and forth between the computer screen and Ilya. When the realization sets in “Okay so he could be your stunt double”
“I think he's my half brother”
“What?”
“I've recently been having a lot of flashbacks to my childhood. Right around my 6th birthday in June my parents started having fights… Something about cheating. They really started resurfacing during recent therapy situations…some kind of modern therapy exercise Galina is trying” Ilya says, Shane notices the exhaustion in his voice and it makes Shane realize Ilya is dead serious about this so he joins Ilya on the bed.
“Ok, is there something else that made you think this?”
“I asked Svetlana to get into some Russian media interviews. There was one where he mentioned he doesn't know his real dad, but that his father who he has the last name of had raised him as his own.”
“Okay, so what are you planning?”
“I want to meet him” Ilya says softly
“And what form a relationship with someone 50% your Dad?” Shane asks confusedly
“I don't know. It would just be nice to have some family”
“Do you think your brother would be of any help” Shane asks rubbing Ilya's shoulder Ilya shoots Shane a look that says more than words could ever say “Right, sorry” Shane responds
“If my father did cheat…” Ilya sighs “I'm not surprised my Mom stayed with him. My brother and I were young. We wouldn't have understood. He would've abused his power. Make sure he ends up with full custody.” Ilya chokes down a sob “I hate my father so much Shane”
“I know” Shane nods. “Which is why I think you should really think about if you want to meet him. Your full brother has already caused you a lot of hell, if he really is your half brother from your father…”
“Shane” Ilya says, voice cracking from the exhaustion of an all nighter. “I have nothing more to lose, but if he's not like my father I have a chance to gain a real family member. Your family has been amazing to me, but…”
“Blood is thicker than Ice”
Ilya carved the slightest grin at Shane “So fucking corny”
“Shut up, asshole” Shane laughs “Would you like me to come with you, for support”
Ilya looks almost offended at the question “Of course I would Hollander, what the hell would make you otherwise?”
“I just…” Shane swallows I know how Russia can be with ‘us’ and I didn’t want to ruin your chance at getting to know an actual family member
“Shane” Ilya says softly “If Kirill is my brother, and wants to be a part of my life, he has to accept that you are my husband. That is…” Ilya trails off “non negotiable” Shane's eyes go wide “Holy shit”
Ilya laughs “I may have tried to cram English lessons to make myself fall asleep last night”
Shane kisses him on the forehead. “Practice is optional today. Get some sleep. I'll tell Wiebe Anya threw up all over the living room last night”
Ilya gives a mocking huff “Shane!” He shouts with heavy eyes “Why would you say such an awful thing!” Shane rolls his eyes as he slides off the bed “I have to finish getting ready. Do you want some melatonin?”
“No, I just need to shut my brain off for a bit” Ilya says pulling the covers up over his chest and turning over on his side. “Have fun at practice” he mutters as Shane walks out.
A few months later Ilya has a big manila folder in the mail, he has since been staring at it for over an hour when Shane walks in “That the DNA test?” He asks
“No I had nude photos of us blown up” Ilya says making Shane laugh softly “What are you going to do with it?”
“Kirills coming in town in a few weeks. I'm going to meet with him at Monks they have a green light night the night before, I've already checked with Kirill”
Ilya stands up and looks out the window at the snow falling. The snow had already covered the grass and the streets. It will be tomorrow before the latter is cleared up.
Ilya sees a younger him and his Mom building snowmen, making snow angels. Laughing, and having a genuinely good time. He always has loved the snow.
“If it is what I think it is” Ilya begins “What do I tell him about my father.” He sighs “That he was a good man. That he cared about his kids?” Ilya turns back towards Shane “Or that he was abusive and I basically spent the final years of his life estranged from him while my drug addict brother took care and blew through the money I gave him”
Shane walks over and rubs Ilya's shoulders “What's this really about Ilya”
“I've done some deeper digging.” He begins “He has a great family. Loving. Everything a family should be” Ilya shakes his head “Who am I to play God and ruin that by dragging him into my fucked up family life”
Shane, for once, realizes Ilya was being rhetorical and doesn't answer the question, he and Ilya just sit on the couch call Anya over and snuggle up together as the snow continues to fall outside.
“Whatever you think is best” Shane says softly “Whatever you choose, you have my full support”