One of Shane and Ilya's big relationship milestones is not having sex for two nights in a row.
This is going to be an very unpopular opinion, but I stand by it đ€
They're out, they're on the same team, they're not bound to one night meet ups, they're seeing each other all of the time, they're still getting frisky more nights than not
But one night they're both exhausted and just shower then get in bed. Cuddles and kisses yes of course, but no sex.
The wake up and have some more cuddles and kisses. Shane suggested a nice run before breakfast because the weather is really nice. So they go out, run, stop and climb on some rocks for fun, have a playful race back home. Then breakfast together on the couch, just chatting.
And the rest of the day is like that. They discuss getting some new patio furniture. Ilya wants a hot tub. Has practice been going well? That one rookie has been playing with more enthusiasm. Maybe he has a girlfriend now? Let's plan a trip for Mom and Dad's wedding anniversary - we can all go.
Dinner is eaten outside in the sunshine. The evening concludes with a long jog and a movie neither are entirely invested in but it's fun to make jokes about it. Then they shower and climb into bed. They fall asleep mid cuddle and conversation about game schedules.
When Shane wakes up in the morning, he is still in Ilya's arms.
"Ilya. We didn't have sex."
"Last night? Guess we forgot."
"... Or all day yesterday."
Of course they then pounce on each other and overcompensate for the past 36 hours.
Shane, however, begins to worry. Why didn't they have sex? Does Ilya not want him physically anymore? Does he not want Ilya? Is this what happens when you're with someone for so long?
Ilya is mostly confused with himself. What has he ever not wanted to fuck? Why didn't he initiate anything? Did he miss Shane's signals of interest that are usually so obvious?
But together, the conclude that they neither didn't want to have sex not wanted to have sex and missed the other's signs. They were just enjoying each other without sex. Like couples do. They can be intimate and show love without sex because they aren't hiding. They all of each other. They're entirely in this together. No disappearing for weeks or months. The other will always be right there regardless what they do or don't do.
The maybe they start having an occasional planned "celibate period" as a way to reinvigorated their sex lives and roleplay when they couldn't see each other daily.
The Centaurs are confused because Shane and Ilya will randomly act like forbidden lovers, sneaking looks and being coy with touches. Sometimes they are cute and playful about this, sometimes they act more like caged dogs, desperate to devour each other. This will go on for no more than two days, and then they are back to their to normal lovey dovey horny PDA selves.