although i absolutely adore both writing and reading angsty fic about miscommunications born of insecurity, i think canonically neither ilya nor shane is an insecure person. they're actually both very confident, sometimes cocky, and i don't think there are signs that's an act!
shane's problem isn't insecurity, it's shame. he doesn't think he's not good enough, he thinks there is something wrong with him that he has to keep secret at all costs lest everyone find out and punish him for it
ilya's problem isn't insecurity, it's self-hatred. he doesn't think he's not good enough, he thinks there is a deep well of badness inside himself that will ultimately destroy him and the people he loves
what i'm saying is that there are a lot of different ways to feel terrible about yourself and we should branch out!
