Summary:

Shane picks up on the third ring.

“What?”

Ilya closes his eyes, humiliation twisting his gut. Still, though, it’s nice to hear his voice. His shoulders sag a little. “Hollander?”

“I don’t–” Shane sighs, long and heavy. “Why are you calling?”

Why is he calling? Ilya couldn’t answer. Not in any way that makes sense, anyway.

Voice wobbling, Ilya says, “I am sorry.” He inhales, breath hitching horribly. “Was mistake.”

On the other line, Shane goes quiet. Then, shuffling around, he says, “What’s going on, Rozanov?”

Or: Ilya calls Shane in the middle of the night, and against his better judgment, Shane comes to find him.