Shane can't help the smile when he reads the message on his phone. He leans against the kitchen island with his hip, while Ilya is putting away the last few pieces from the dishwasher.
"Hm?" Shane looks up, Ilya is studying him.
"Another message from Rose?" Ilya says in a way that Shane realises is meant to sound uninterested, before turning to put a stack of plates where they belong.
"All her messages so far have been about how things are going with you." He says with fond exasperation. They've had this topic twice already.
Ilya closes the dishwasher and mirrors Shanes lean against it, crossing his arms. Shrugs.
"Tell her amazing. I am the best at sex and you can't get enough of me. And that she can talk to you in october."
Shane snorts and shakes his head. I did tell her the first bit. He doesn't add that.
"It wasn’t Rose. It was my dad."
Ilya stands up straighter instantly, arms uncrossing.
"What, no joke how he can't be funny because he's boring?" Shane doesn't fight his smile.
"I like your farther, he drinks good vodka. What did he say?" The serious tone of his voice makes Shane move closer, wrapping his arms around Ilya's middle and squeeze him a little with his next words.
"He said he thinks my boyfriend is a good egg."
Ilya pulls his head back, to look at Shane better in surprise. There's a hestitant smile but he's also frowning.
The smile on Shane's face grows wide and soft. He nods. "Mhmm."
"Yes." Shane leans in for a short kiss. Just a peck. Then two more because Ilya has this proud little smile on his face now.
"So, they don't hate me for you."
It's said as a statement, but Shane answers it anyway, to make sure Ilya hears it.
"They don't hate you for me." With a single nod.
The following kisses are hindered by the wide grin on Ilya's face.
Ilya googles the saying later in bed, with a sleeping Shane beside and half on top of him. The warm feeling that spreads through him when he reads the words makes him press closer to Shane and too giddy to sleep for a while. Repeating the explanation he found in his head on a loop. Shane's dad thinks he's a thoroughly good, kind, and reliable person.