Summary:

“We knew when his words came in that he’d–” Yuna’s voice cracked around the idea, that specific word escaping her. “That he won’t have to know what it feels like to lose his soulmate.”

Because Shane was always going to go first. How must it have felt, to look upon her son and see those words, and know with complete certainty he would go first? Maybe it was better, having as vague of a word as Ilya did on his chest. At least he couldn’t think about it, couldn’t imagine scenarios in which it could be said. 

“I assume,” Yuna said, pausing to take a deep breath as though to steel herself, “he said yours last night.”

Ilya nodded, admitting what he didn’t dare say out loud. 

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AU where the last words you ever hear from your soulmate are tattooed on your chest. Ilya and Shane still argue over the party, Ilya still already chose Shane, and everything goes so much worse after Shane leaves.