Chapter Text
Russian is a really difficult language to learn. And Shane knew that going into this. He just didn’t expect it to be this difficult. He’s doing fine, he’s several years into teaching himself now and probably better than most novices if he’s being honest. But, Shane Hollander can’t help but want to be the best at pretty much anything and everything he does. He’s very proud of his Duolingo streak, thank you very much. Wanting to speak with Ilya in his native language is a great motivator.
But, there’s something about reading from a physical book that he feels may help the information stick a little better. He’d order a book online, but the Centaurs leave for a road trip tomorrow and he wants to read it on the plane. Plus, he likes supporting book stores.
He first ran a couple of errands, and got a smoothie. Then he makes his way over to the bookstore. The little bell on the door jingles overhead as he opens it.
“Hello, welcome in. Let me know if you need help finding anything.” A kind voice greets Shane from behind the check-out counter. She’s young, probably around his own age. And very pretty, with long, wavy light brown hair, blue eyes, and a beautiful bright smile.
He shoots her a polite “thank you” and a nod and heads in the direction of the language books.
A few minutes later, he’s somewhat agonizing over which book to buy. Should he get the one about advanced conversational phrases? Or one to help with his reading in Russian? There were several options in the foreign language section he was standing in the middle of.
Out of the corner of his eye, he can see that someone else is standing in the aisle with him. He just glances quickly and sees it’s the young woman who works here, putting away some books in another section. She smiles softly when she sees him looking, and her gaze lingers.
Shane quickly looks away and gets back to his books.
Finally, he decides on buying both books, figuring they’ll both be useful in different ways. He brings them up to the counter and takes his wallet out of his pocket.
“Wow, Russian. I hear it’s a tough language to learn.” The young woman says.
“Yeah, tell me about it. Definitely hasn’t been easy.”
“You must be pretty smart though. These aren’t beginner books.”
“I’ve been trying to learn for a few years now actually.” Shane isn’t usually a fan of small talk with strangers but she seems friendly enough. He hands her his credit card.
“Well, looks and brains is a combination that can be hard to come by. What else do you like to do when you aren’t teaching yourself difficult languages?”
Oh. This was not the direction he was expecting this conversation to go in. Figures, Ilya always says Shane is terrible at picking up when someone is hitting on him. His husband might be right.
“Uh, mostly hockey.” He’s trying to keep this brief, so he can get out of here before having to awkwardly shut her down. She hands him his credit card back, and the way she lets her hand linger over his does not go unnoticed.
“Wow, a triple threat. Looks, brains, and an athlete. When you’re not hitting the books or on the ice, do you ever go out for drinks?”
“Yeah sometimes, after games. With the team, and my husband. He’s Russian actually, hence why I’m learning the language.” He points to his wedding ring on his left hand just to drive the point home. As much as he hates awkward interactions like this, he loves calling Ilya his husband more. He gives her a small, sympathetic smile.
The young woman- who Shane is just now realizing has been wearing a name tag on her cream cardigan this whole time, “Brooke” goes through a couple of different emotions on her face. First, surprise. Then, a bit of disappointment. And finally, she lands on a soft smile.
“Oh! That’s nice! My bad, I’m sorry. I swear I don’t usually hit on the customers. I’m so embarrassed. Well, your husband is a lucky guy.”
“Hey, no worries. And trust me, I’m the lucky one.”
Brooke doesn’t see how that could be possible, this guy is teaching himself RUSSIAN for his husband. But she figures the guy must be worth the effort. Life is so unfair.
“Well, have a good day. And come back with your husband! I promise I won’t ask either of you out again.” Brooke knows she kind of rambling now, but that’s what she does when she’s nervous. She can feel the intense blush on her cheeks.
“Thanks, I will. Have a good one.” And with that, he leaves. And Brooke is left to replay the interaction in her mind.
Shane can’t wait to get home to Ilya. He’s gonna show him his new reading material and tell him how he got to tell a stranger he was married to a man. Something he never thought he’d be able to do at one point.
He walks through the front door and is immediately greeted by Anya running up to him and circling his feet. The excited wiggles are taking over her little body.
“Anya! Hi sweet girl, I wasn’t gone long. What did you and your Papa get up to?”
“Nothing much, a walk, and waiting for you to return from worlds longest errand run.” Ilya’s voice grows closer as he comes up to Shane.
“Babe, I was gone barely even an hour. We used to go weeks without seeing each other.”
Shane’s got a goofy grin on his face as he wraps his arms around Ilya’s shoulders. He in turn places his hands on Shane’s waist.
“Yes and I am trying to make up for lost time. An hour is too long now that we are married. I missed you.”
Shane loves days like this. Where Ilya is all clingy and lovey. Not wanting to be apart for even a minute. He gives him a tight hug, running a hand through the curls he loves so much.
“Missed you too, you big baby.” He gives him a kiss on the lips before gently removing himself from his grip.
Ilya notices the bag from the book store that Shane places on the coffee table as they walk into the living room.
“More boring hockey books for the plane, Hollander? Some things never change.” Ilya teases.
“Actually, no. Take a look.” Shane replies as he plops down onto the couch.
Ilya takes out the books from the bag and his breath hitches slightly. He obviously knows Shane has been learning Russian since they made their relationship official, but sometimes it still touches his heart in a big way. He smiles fondly at his sweet husband.
“Ah, still need books I see.” He can’t help but tease.
“You would not need books to learn Russian if you listened to your big, sexy Russian teacher who is right here.” Ilya continues.
“Ilya, every time you try to help me you tell me whatever I say is “good enough” then we end up in bed.” Shane blushes slightly.
“I cannot help it. You sound very sexy when you speak Russian.” Ilya comes to sit right next to his husband and kisses the side of his neck.
“Well, I would like to speak it correctly and hopefully these books will help. Also, the checkout girl at the bookstore was very impressed with my selections.” Shane knows this is going to stir up Ilya’s possessive side, and he can’t wait.
“Oh really…what did she say?” Ilya is trying and failing to sound unaffected. He of course knows Shane is his, and also gay. But, there’s a part of him that hates when other people perceive him in that way.
“She asked me out to drinks actually.” Shane says as causally as he can. He’s having too much fun with this.
“And what did you say?”
“I’m meeting her later tonight actually. She seems really cool.” He knows he’s taking it a bit far now.
“What?” Ilya is dumbfounded.
“Ilya, I’m kidding, obviously. I really told her that I only go out to drinks with my beautiful husband who I am madly in love with.”
Shane shifts so he’s straddling Ilya’s lap and their foreheads are pressed together. Shane presses small kisses on Ilya’s face.
“She must have been disappointed. Good. You are mine.” Ilya bites and kisses Shane’s neck to prove his point, and possessively grips Shane’s hips.
“Yours. Always have been.” The statement has weight to it that both of them are all too familiar with.
Then they’re kissing, crashing together like it’s the first time. Shane’s got one hand in Ilya’s curls, the other clutching his T-shirt. Ilya’s holding Shane’s waist like he never wants to let go. And luckily, he doesn’t have to.