Summary:

It takes some time for Shane to notice. With three kids, they are busy, so it’s not surprising when Shane doesn’t observe at first. Shane and Ilya are both forty-five years old, and they have such full lives that sometimes time feels like a cruel joke. They’re busy, and always on the go, and blindingly happy. Shane tells himself this is why it takes him so long to realize. That lately, Ilya’s gone quieter during their evening nighttime routine before bed. When they shower and brush their teeth, Shane meticulously flossing between each molar while Ilya sort of haphazardly takes care of his own business, that Ilya doesn’t joke or laugh as much as usual. When they shower, he lets Shane get out first every time, and spends a little extra moment to himself. That he doesn’t lean in to let Shane card his hands through his hair anymore, and he used to love the feeling of that. -- or, a study of aging beside the person you love, via hollanov--