Summary:

"Why are you not scared?"

"I am scared," Ilya admits. "I just am tired. Of hiding me. Of hiding you. Of hiding how much I love you. I want to go to the rink— how do you say it? Authenti."

"Authentically," Shane supplies, automatically.

"Yes. Authentically. I want to go to the rink authentically, as me," Ilya confirms.

Ilya looks at Shane, pauses until Shane meets his eyes. "I want to say: I, Ilya Rozanov, love a man, and that man's name is Shane Hollander."

 

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Or, sometimes it takes a little more time, and some courage, to be with the one you love.