Summary:

Ilya notices something is wrong the second Shane steps inside his condo. It's not so much the fact that he doesn't return Ilya's greeting. Or how he avoids his eyes while stepping inside, already busy taking off his jacket. It's the lack of a smile on his face. The dark circles underneath his eyes. His bottom lip bitten raw. They have been together long enough for Ilya to know everything there is to know about Shane. Even now, almost 7 years after they first started this 'thing' between them, he still learns new details. But if there is one thing Ilya understands all too well, it's that something isn't right when Shane grows quiet. Or, Shane breaks down after a rough couple of months and Ilya is there to pick up the pieces