Articulate Love

We don’t talk about this enough. With all the big romantic gestures in The Long Game, this, to me, is one of the most romantic moments.

We know Ilya isn’t a fan of Shane’s restrictive diet. He teases him about it, but Ilya is an expert ragebaiter who knows how to tease the people he cares about when they feel safe and in ways that never really hurt.

Shane is “frantic” in this scene. Ilya has the perfect opening to say something about his diet, and he doesn’t take it. He sees that Shane is panicking, steps in and fixes it. He was looking at that menu thinking about Shane and Shane’s fuckass diet that Ilya doesn’t even like. But he knows this is important to Shane. He knows Shane is already nervous about being on a date with Ilya in public and being with another queer couple. So he meets Shane’s needs without Shane ever having to ask, and he does it quietly, without drawing any attention, so that Shane can save face.

Of course he’s gonna tease him about it a little bit later because that’s what they do. But he only does that AFTER Shane’s had a chance to catch his breath and feel safe again.

I had you. No, you didn't. Oh, yeah. I had you big time. You had nothing. Come on, I saw you jiggle the handle.

Obsessed with scully's apartment♡

The Centaurs show up for practice and see Shane and Ilya having a very heated argument in their car. It’s getting close to start time and they’re considering drawing straws on who has to go out there and tell them they’re going to be late. Finally Troy goes and knocks on the window. Shane starts to say, “Sorry we’ll be right in,” but Ilya cuts him off with, “If cavemen and astronauts got into a fight who would win?” Troy stares blankly then goes, “Is that what you’ve been arguing about this whole time? It’s been like 20 minutes.” Shane meekly goes, “It actually started last night…” Troy is quiet for a beat and then says, “Do the astronauts have weapons?”