Work Text:
Shane: Ilya?
Ilya: Yes, sweetheart?
Shane: Am I a bad friend?
Ilya: What do you mean?
Shane: Am I bad friend? To Hayden and JJ and the Centaurs?
Ilya: I really don’t know what you mean. But I don’t think so.
Shane: I lied to Hayden and JJ for years. And also to the Centaurs in a way. I hid who I really am. And I also am not good in initiating meet ups, texting or asking how people are.
Ilya: My Shanya. You are not a bad friend. You had to hide me and being gay for good reasons. And you have been yourself with them. Not all the way but you were still you. And in the end they understood why you did it. And that you are not good at initiating things is known by anyone. You are boring, Lyubimyy. But that doesn’t make you a bad friend. You are always there when your friends need you. You help Hayden and Jackie every time they need someone for the kids. You even ran the household when Hayden and the kids were sick and Jackie was taking care of her mother in the hospital. When JJ broke up with his girlfriend he spend one week over here drinking and whining und you have been there to listen to every story about his ex. And now with the Centaurs you do the same. Every time someone needs help you are there. And that makes you a really good friend.
Shane: But I feel like I’m a failure as a friend.
Ilya: Believe me. You are not. You can ask everyone and they will say the same. Even if you don’t initiate things or ask people how they are. You see when someone needs you and then you are there without hesitation. And I don’t even have to start with what a good friend you are to me. Even if you are my husband, you are still my best friend. I can always count on you and I have not once thought or felt like you could be a bad friend.
Shane (looking up from his curled up position on the couch): Really?
Ilya (opening his arms wide): Really. And now come here. I have to hold my best friend and tell him how much he is loved by everyone.