I keep thinking I'd kind of like to read/write something where Shane tries to push himself to come out for Ilya (or maybe someone else) even though he's not ready, but then I think that maybe it would be tough to make that in-character.
#heated rivalry#i don't know...could i see shane actually choosing to come out for someone else's sake even though he's not ready himself?#possibly? or at least trying to even if he eventually is like...nope can't do it#(i mean i guess in the books he does kind of come out for ilya? but i think it's framed like he's actually fine with it as long as it makes#ilya happy and suddenly nothing else matters anymore)#i do think it would be interesting to explore as a sort of 'maybe love can't completely override fear' kind of thing#if it's for someone else: he goes through with it and then regrets it#if it's for ilya: ilya actually manages to realise he's really struggling with it#and they compromise by telling a close circle of people who can be trusted with their secret
