Summary:

When Ilya had asked about making the reservation, Shane had insisted it was fine, because why wouldn’t it be? They’ve been together for years, and now Shane can finally hold Ilya’s hand in public. He doesn’t have to think of some convoluted excuse if they get caught together, because the world knows now. They don’t have to keep lying and sneaking around. No more late night rendezvous, no more deleting selfies from their text threads, no more acting like Ilya’s just a friend. They can lay it all on the line now. They can be themselves, out and proud and… And that’s a lot. And Shane feels guilty about feeling that way. They’ve waited for this moment, planned for it, and now he’s going against all the habits he’s built, he’s ruffling the feathers of his life, going against the grain so to speak. He shouldn’t think anything of it – he’s sure Ilya doesn’t. But his brain won’t stop working overtime. --- OR, Shane and Ilya go out publicly for the first time since being outed. Shane has a hard time with it.