Summary:

Shane doesn’t respond right away, he just looks at him for a moment longer, before he nods back, mouth curving into a faint smile. A sad smile that Ilya didn’t expect. He breaks the eye contract, turning his face to the side as he starts blinking hard, like he’s trying to force something back. And oh. Ilya’s chest constricts sharply when he realises what the other’s doing. Shane is doing it again. Hiding his feelings before they can spill over. Stopping himself from crying. It’s an odd habit Ilya has noticed from the very beginning, the fact that Shane never truly lets his tears fall. Doesn’t matter how heavy the shine around his eyes becomes, they’re always swallowed back inside. ___________ Wherein Ilya comforts Shane after stupidly proposing the idea to marry Svetlana for a citizenship.