"You're my equal. You're my partner. You're my best friend," shane sniffed. "And somehow, you're the only person I wanna talk to, even if it is to bitch about you."
Shane shows up at Ilya's house a little after the club showdown, tears in his eyes, tremor in his hands.
Ilya is confused. He is also elated. He is trying not to let either emotions show.
"Why are you here?"
Shane blinks, a tear falls down his cheek.
"I was in my room,"
"I want you," he said, barely a whisper, "I need you."
And then, the final nail on the coffin.
"I love you," Ilya squinted his eyes shut, hoping his lids would stop the tears from escaping. "so much, and I don't know what to do about it."
Ilya: I don't think anyone will ever truly be in love with me.
Shane: Are you sure?
Ilya: yes.
Shane, aggressively pointing at himself: Are you fucking sure?!
Ilya: good job
Luca: thanks dad.
[...]
Luca: Why is everyone staring at me?
Hayes, amused: you just called Roz dad.
Luca: What? No I didn't! I said MAN
Ilya: Do u see me as a father figure Haas?
Luca: No! If anything I see you as a bother figure cuz ur always bothering me!
Luca: i think Shane is a little upset with you.
Ilya: what?
Luca: he told me to give you this note.
Ilya, reading the note out loud: "My beautiful ilya, i hope this message finds you before i do-"
Shane: *carrying all the groceries on both arms*
Ilya: *reaches his hand out to help*
Shane: *transfers everything to one arm to hold Ilya's hand*
Ilya: that's not what i- okay.