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Shane had just assumed Ilya was jet lagged and adjusting back to being home. They had been away for sixteen days. He didn’t think anything of it when Ilya had gone to bed early, didn’t think anything of it when Ilya had slept in a bit later than usual. They had just gotten home and were adjusting to a seven hour time difference. That was what made Shane feel absolutely terrible that following night though. He should’ve seen the signs. He should’ve asked if Ilya was okay. Fuck, it could’ve been another depressive episode, and Shane hadn’t even bothered to ask if he was okay!
The fever had started late that night. Ilya had developed chills, and had stolen most of the blankets. Shane got cold easily, and had spent most of the night tossing and turning because he still hadn’t washed the extra blankets and comforters yet. He wasn’t the happiest camper the next morning. He was dry and curt with Ilya that morning, and when Shane thought back to it, he felt terrible. Shane hadn’t realized Ilya was sick until that afternoon when he’d found Ilya leaning over the kitchen sink, panting and shakey and sweaty.
Fast forward another day and Shane had been up since three am. He’d been switching out wet wash cloths, checking temperatures, and monitoring the sweaty, tired Russian, no matter how much he begged Shane not to. It was in his nature. He was a worrier.
”Ilya, stop. Stop fussing, please, let me see the number.” Shane pressed, brows furrowed as he tried to see the thermometer that Ilya had hidden under his back as soon as it beeped. It was like watching a baby. If that baby was 6 foot, and 200 pounds.
”No. I am fine! Stupid thermometer is lying!” Ilya coughed. His throat was painfully dry and his lips were chapped and swollen and pink. He still refused to use lip balm, no matter how hard Shane and Svetlana tried.
Shane felt his belly tighten just a bit. He had to leave in fifteen minutes if he wanted to catch his ride. “Please Ilya. Just let me see. I-I need to see.” He practically begged, running a hand through his already messy hair.
Ilya stopped a second. Then two. He took a breath and pulled the thermometer out from underneath his back, and handed it to Shane like a berated child, because technically, he was one. Shane had been scolding him all morning about his health. But Ilya definitely deserved it.
”Fuck. 102.6. Maybe I shouldn’t go to the meeting? Ilya, your fever is high, and I don’t know if I’ll be home by tomorrow.” Shane sighed, and sat on the edge of the bed. He knew the fever was hitting Ilya hard. It had started developing the night before last, but Shane had just assumed it was because of jet lag. Turned out it wasn’t.
”No. No, Shane. This meeting is important for hockey! You must, Shane.” Ilya grabbed Shane’s hand and squeezed. He wouldn’t let his husband miss out on an important meeting just because he was under the weather. It physically hurt Ilya to think that Shane would be gone, but he knew it was for a good cause. Their future, their (potential) kids’ future, as well as aspiring hockey kids. It was important, and Ilya wouldn’t let Shane miss it. Even if that meant feeling absolutely miserable all by hisself for a day or two.
”You are going. End of discussion. Pack bag, and get in car of Uber. I am just twenty-four hour drive away.”
The time didn’t make Shane feel any better.
Shane bit his lip, and sighed again. He nodded and stood to grab his duffel bag that had been packed in advance, and grabbed his phone. He felt his stomach continue to tighten and coil, feeling the his choice wasn’t a good one. “Promise you’ll call if anything happens? Anything Ilya. I mean it. If you start to feel worse or-or you just miss me, call.”
Ilya squeezed Shane’s hand tighter and nodded, because he was planning on doing that anyway. “Do not worry, malysh. Now, go.” Ilya kissed Shane’s knuckles, and smiled weakly. It would be okay. They both knew that, Shane just refused to admit it.
That was why as soon as he got into his uber, he’d texted his mom to check up on Ilya in the morning. She didn’t have yoga on Fridays, and she normally did a grocery trip then anyway. It would put Shane at ease, and that would benefit everyone.