Shane notices that Ilya always has to be doing something. At first, he thinks its sweet, attentive.
"Is your blanket warm enough? I'll go get another one."
"I will carry plates, go sit."
"Practice is optional for players, Shane, not captain."
And, look, Shane isn't one to lay about. He's up for morning runs, he attends almost every optional practice, he's meticulous about his work out routines. He's a top athlete and so is Ilya, they both work incredibly hard to stay at the top. Still, Shane doesn't have a problem with a lazy afternoon reading in bed, or a free weekend spent at his cottage, or a summer relaxing.
He notices that sometimes Ilya will startle, just a little bit, if Shane walks into the room when he's laying on the couch, scrolling through his phone. If Shane makes even the slightest request, Ilya is jumping to get it done there and then. He's the first one at practice and the last one to leave.
He will take naps with Shane, but he's always up before Shane, working out in the gym, doing their monthly calendar, adding things Shane likes to their shopping list that he wouldn't add, etc.
"Just sit with me," Shane catches Ilya's arm on his latest trip to the kitchen."
"I know, I will," Ilya covers his hand. "I just want to wipe down counters before your parents get here."
"They won't care," Shane scrunches up his face. "They won't even notice. Come sit down."
"Okay," Ilya says, but looks a little torn. "We are suppose to be hosting, not lazing around."
"Ilya," Shane sat up more. "You cleaned the whole house like twice today. I cooked. We aren't lazing around."
"Yes, I know, but..."
"Ilya, you aren't lazy," Shane said directly. He doesn't know exactly why that word seems difficult for Ilya, but he has his suspicions. "And even if you were lazy sometimes, I wouldn't care. I would like it, probably."
Ilya softened. "I know. I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry," Shane tugs him and Ilya finally lets himself be pulled into Shane's lap. "Just come be lazy with me."
"Hm," Ilya adjusts himself to better snuggle into his boyfriend. "That does not sound so bad."
