Well, of course he was dirty and needed to shower, but why now? We finish off the last scene with Shane dried and dressed in his civs. Another thing to notice is that his hair looks fluffy and not matted down like if it had dried with sweat in it.

Why is this important? Because it hints that Shane has already showered.

We know for a fact that Shane finished his section of the CCM ad first and that he was already dried and in his civs while Ilya was still on the ice.

We also know from later episodes and scenes that Shane has a thing about being clean so it's doubtful that Shane put on fresh clothes without showering first. So then why is he in the shower when Ilya is finally done and how was it so perfectly timed?

(And even if he didn't shower first that meant he was so keyed up to see Ilya on ice again that he rushed to get back out to see him shoot the rest of the ad and even though he could go to his hotel after and shower there he still choose to do it at the rink).

I think Shane did already shower once, and like we see him waiting to get dressed later in this scene I think he also went to shower again when he noticed Ilya was finished with his section of the scene.

Personally I don't think at this point Shane realizes what he is doing. I think this is all subconscious. He doesn't want his time with Ilya to be over yet so his brain is suddenly like, now would be a great time for another shower, we still feel gross shower shower shower.

I am sure that Ilya recognizes this on some level and the fact that when they both look at each other neither of them is shocked in any way. Though I'd love if Ilya's face wasn't blurry here so we could see his reaction.

I wonder if this is just a framing choice or is deliberate but we can't see either of Ilya's first reactions to Shane here (Shower & Locker room). I wonder if this is a way to obfuscate Ilya's feelings from the viewers to mimic Shane's lack of knowledge of them as well.

Another thing to notice is Shane's position in the shower room.

Shane is almost directly at the front of the shower room and on the entrance side.

Now there isn't really an expectation of privacy in a locker room shower but Shane's placement, when paired with the fact that he didn't need to be here at this point in time to Ilya would probably scream of being extremely forward while at this point Shane doesn't realize all the unconscious signals he is sending.

And if you didn't notice once again it is Shane making the unspoken first move.

Ilya would have definitely noticed all this and choosing a shower head only a few down from Shane instead of on the opposite wall (so there's no chance of looking at each other) is his confirmation of Shane's "request".

13.48 - 14.56 Down the Rabbit Hole

In this section we see the first prolonged instant of Hudson William's superb facial acting. In the next one minute we see Shane go through a form of the five stages of grief that doesn't feel rushed or exaggerated. It fits the character perfectly. I will call it the seven stages of gay panic. And I will never forgive anyone who says Hudson Williams isn't a good actor. Also throughout this section we once again get music that starts of sounding lightly curious and suddenly becomes more intense the moment Ilya starts touching himself. For Ilya's side of this scene I'll put my analysis in Italics.

Interest - It hasn't fully clicked here yet but for some reason he can't look away, and at this point he doesn't really think of it as "wrong".

Side note: Shane’s glances here are so unsubtle I think this is the first time he has ever found a man sexually attractive in this environment (locker rooms). There is no way behavior like this wouldn’t be noticed and I don’t think Shane realizes Ilya is also interested until Ilya starts stroking it.

Unlike Shane when Ilya first walks in him he allows him self to look unabashedly at Shane. But it also doesn't read nearly as sexually charged as Shane glances. It almost feels like Ilya's staring could be easily played of as nothing while Shane's is so obviously sexual in nature.

This could be because of a number of things. Such as being more okay with his attraction to men, Ilya has an easier time masking it. Since he would know his own tells well enough to account for them.

It could also be about confidence. Since Ilya doesn't show any anxiety here we aren't left wondering why the character is nervous.

It also could be a product of Ilya doing so openly where it feels like Shane is "sneaking" glances.

There is also the bisexual factor here. I think the characters are written well in the sense anyone watching this, with a functioning gaydar, without knowing what this show is about can easily clock Shane. But like in real life with many bisexuals that is a harder thing to do with Ilya. (Probably why bisexuals get overlooking a lot when statistically there are way more of them than other LBGT+ groups.)

Social Norm Realization - I shouldn't be looking.

I want to point out how closed off Shane's posture is to Ilya here. Yes it is normal for your arms to pull in like this when washing the opposite sides of your body (left arm washes right side, right arm washes left side.) But even still Ilya's posture is far more open. Ilya is also doing a lot of unnecessary turning.

Ilya is peacocking here. Showing off his assets for Shane to fully devour. And his fidgeting would catch Shane's eye more than his just standing still.

A lot of what I think is going through Ilya's head here is just about how to attract Shane's attention. At this point I think he is very zoned-in on what he wants since by this point he is sure of their mutual interest.

I think Ilya at times like these displays what I would call, "Shark Behavior" in that he is only thinking about this second and the one right after it. The extreme opposite of Shane who is thinking 20 steps ahead.

This isn't to say Ilya isn't thoughtful or can't plan. Clearly he can (the CCM Ad set up shows us this). But once he is assured in his course of action and/or is in the middle of it we don't see much display of nerves.

Self Realization - But I want to look, I want him to want me to look and I want to be looked at in turn.

Intermission: Being Seen - For anyone who hasn't figured it out or seen it yet that little look down and then eyebrow raise here is Ilya acknowledging that Shane is hard here.

Embarrassment - It isn't until Ilya points it out that Shane realizes he is hard and he automatically says, "fuck off" and turns away. This reads far more of embarrassment than of anger

I think Ilya only plans the actively jerking off in this moment. Right after Shane has told him to "Fuck off." Shane has basically said, "I'm not making the first move." We also know speaking about feelings and such isn't something Ilya enjoys or is very good at so his best option here is to make his intentions extremely clear in a physical way. He also has to do so in a way that doesn't invade of Shane's physical space. And he has already tried just putting his body on display and drawing attention by turning. So the obvious choice, since he is also hard by this point is to draw Shane's attention downwards.

I think part of this is also his way of saying, "See, me too. You're not alone in this."

Intermission: Being Seen Pt 2 - Now I've seen most people say pretty much "lol the boi is horny" but I think this is actually much more important than that. Place yourself in Shane's shoes, you're a closeted 18-19 (?) year old boy who has just had a full blown sexual awakening. The worst part? You're naked and the person who made you realize this about yourself is basically right next to you and has seen you get hard. The embarrassment and shame you would feel in that moment would be immense.

If Ilya would have done nothing here Shane would spend the rest of his life paranoid Ilya would out him and would do everything in his power to push down his sexuality until he was so far in the closet he would marry the first woman he got along with.

The only thing that stopped this from happening was Ilya reciprocating Shane's interest in such an unambiguous way. Ilya stays calm, turns to Shane head one and starts touching himself without a lick of shame. And his lack of shame is what makes this whole thing okay to Shane. "If someone like Ilya Rozanov can look at me with lust, can get off on the sight of me, maybe my feelings aren't so wrong."

Whether consciously or not Ilya being so brazen here gives Shane permission to start accepting himself and his desires.

Something to note is that when Ilya firsts starts jerking off his body is facing the wall and not Shane yet. It isn't until Shane starts blatantly staring again that Ilya turns to give him a better view.

Once again despite how overt his actions are Ilya still keeps a sense of plausible deniability.

He jerked off while we were both in the showers is a way different thing than he jerked off while looking at me in the showers. At least of locker room purposes. One can be shrugged off as weird/gross and the other is definitely gay.

For Ilya's part I think this brazenness is partially fueled by something he says in scene 10, "-we had same secret-". The moment Shane calls him out on this Ilya could throw Shane being hard back in his face. And between them Ilya is known as a ladies man so would be more believed.

There is also the European factor of that. The whole "Gay or European" joke. Ilya can get away with a lot more flamboyant behavior just because he is European. Where Ilya can kiss a man on the cheek (in public not even on the ice) and no one would question it, Shane can't do the same.

Shock/Anger - This is a little harder to see in just this gif, but when set in the rest of this scene the first few seconds of this gif clearly read as "What the fuck?!" He is shocked by what Ilya is doing, angry that he is being confronted like this. But he's also angry at himself, angry that he wants to keep looking and angry at his body for betraying him.

Intermission: Positioning - The way Ilya is positioning his left hand through this section of the scene is so unnatural for this situation which is why it caught my eye. This is a conscious choice and there is something awkward and vulnerable about it. He isn't posturing in an aggressive way here. His arm is a gentle Question Mark on this whole situation. It reads as, "I want you, and I want this to happen, but if you don't want this all you have to do is tell me." I also think it's important to note that while Ilya is being extremely forward in this moment he also doesn't physically approach Shane. He is showing his interest but giving Shane every possibility to stop this.

Surrender - This is the moment Shane breaks. He allows his eyes to deliberately trail down Ilya's body, this is the moment he knows he can no longer go back from. He can't pretend his reaction was a fluke, he can't pretend that watching Ilya in this moment is the hottest thing he's ever seen. But at the same time he knows what this says about him. This thing he has been hiding from for as long as he can remember is shoved in his face in a way he can no longer escape. He still isn't relaxed but at this point he is giving himself permission to look. Shane feels like he shouldn't be doing this but Ilya has given him permission to watch him, to allow Shane to feel the full force of lust for the first time.

Acceptance - This is the final stage. Shane has accepted how he feels and the situation but with that acceptance comes awareness. Suddenly he has to deal with the logistics of what is happening. You can see the moment of realization of their surroundings and he is quick to say, "Not here." Those two words say so much, "I see you, I want you, I want this, but we can't do this here. This isn't a safe place for this."

Last thing about this scene is the respect for the boundary Shane has just put up. Ilya could have easily pushed here, if Ilya walked over to Shane, Shane would have folded. Shane probably wouldn't have been too upset about it afterward but after a few more strokes Ilya turns and stops.

I also wonder how much of Ilya/Shane stopping here is rooted in their shared orgasm delay kink.

Saw this mentioned in a post by @infernaleikon But I thought it was worth mentioning but Shane mouths Fuck here (at least thats what it looks like). Just wanted to point it out because it is one of the little things that make the show and character's feel real, there are a bunch of these little things that make it so much more than surface level acting.

14.56 - 15.57 Second Thoughts? I Think Not!

This section opens up with Shane dressed, except for his shoes, sitting on a bench and staring up at the lockers in front of him.

Little easier egg in him putting on his left shoe first like he did in the draft night scene.

What's important to note is that he has the shoe set up to be put on but isn't doing so until the moment Ilya walks around the corner of the lockers. Shane had no intention of leaving the locker room without getting the chance to talk to Ilya.

I wish we had a better view on Ilya's face when he rounds the corner to see Shane still there. I'm sure he hoped Shane would still be there but I can also see him thinking Shane would have run away.

Shane pulls his second shoe out of the locker and fumbles it, letting us in on just how nervous he is. Shane is trying so hard to act like nothing just happened.

Also note Shane is in fact not wearing Reeboks here. Which is really interesting because if this wasn’t just a wardrobe mistake it would indicate this is a silent act of rebellion on Shane’s part.

I am sure that Shane is thinking to himself that he’s only staying around to make sure they both agree nothing happened but I also think he would know he was lying to himself.

Part of the reason Ilya is so sure Shane doesn't actually want to act like nothing happened is the fact that Shane is still around. I wouldn't be surprised to find out Ilya purposefully took enough time after Shane left the shower to give Shane the option to retreat.

Ilya calling Shane out here makes it so Shane can't just act like nothing happened. Ilya isn't going to let him take half measures here. He isn't going to allow Shane to sit around waiting for him only to act like nothing happened. If Shane had left Ilya would probably never have brought it up again.

Shane could also have easily said something after Ilya says, "Well, you are a really bad liar." But instead there is a whole five seconds of Ilya silently watching Shane before he approaches. He gives Shane the time here to protest further and when Shane doesn't than he approaches.

Now a note on the framing of this shot. The lockers on either side of the characters funnel our view towards them, we get metaphorical tunnel vision and the viewer's eyes are directed, like Shane's attention, on Ilya.

Now a lot of this scene of Ilya's part is very straight forward emotion wise, yes there is likely a bit of nerves but this is something he is used to and comfortable with. Knowing Shane is also just as interested and invested make any possible worry about how this interaction will go almost non-existent.

Ilya also is starting to see that Shane prefers to interact with his desires only after being "pursued." Despite many of his actions Shane doesn't want to be seen as the one to "start" things. It might be internalized homophobia in that he feels less gay if he isn't the one to initiate things.

I've seen a lot of people say Shane gave Ilya his number without any hesitation but I don't think that's true. Saying that makes it seem like he had no choice or time to think about it. That it was purely a reaction. But in truth there is 7 seconds between Ilya asking the question and Shane answering.

In those seven seconds Shane slowly sits up and looks up at Ilya for a few moments before answering. He knew fully what he was being asked and what the outcome of answering was. He could have easily kept his mouth shut or left but he didn't.

Yes he made a token protest at the start of this scene but he was always going to end up with Ilya tonight at this point.

At this point in his life Shane probably wouldn't be comfortable enough with himself and his newly discovered sexuality to be the one to initiate a hook up but he did stick around to give Ilya the chance to do it for them. (Another point to my Shane actually always starts it theory).

Ilya rolling over his towel here isn't an idle fidget but a silent statement. The action perfectly directs Shane's attention and makes it clear what coming to Shane's room would mean. They aren't going to just talk or watch a game. He is warning Shane in advance that agreeing to meet comes with expectations.

Once again Shane takes a moment to think through his next statement, "I might open."

The "I might open." "I might knock." line could also be a hint at their future respective roles in bed (which I would think is funny).

The look on Shane's face here says, "Oh my god, why did I do that, I can't believe I did that, I can't believe this is happening."

Also another thing, like Ilya's eyebrow raised in the shower, Shane looking to the right and quickly looking away right at the end of this gif (which is also the end of the scene) is Shane looking over at Ilya. Ilya who is now back at his locker and about to get dressed and has just likely dropped his towel.

We get the start of the song Sea Lion Woman - Fiest which I will talk about in my next post. 

Master List

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Discussion: Autism

Discussion: Russia

Discussion: Disordered Eating

Discussion: Bottoming

Y/n let out a tired groan, stretching with the note in her hand. She set it to the side and rolled over on his side of the bed, burying her face into his pillow. The bed was filled with the faint scent of his cologne. He didn't need to sleep, but he always made a point of laying in bed with her. She could wake up without him, but still tell he's been there.

After a few minutes she convened herself to get out of bed. She pulled the covers back, walking around the room wearing nothing but Emmett's blue hoodie. She shuffled to the bathroom that was connected to their bedroom and flicked the light on.

Y/n turned the knob on the shower, letting the water heat up as she pulled the oversized hoodie over her head and dropped it on the tile floor. She stepped into the shower letting the hot water run down her body.

When Emmett returned home, he silently crept upstairs, moving with his usual vampire grace. He paused outside the bathroom door, inhaling deeply - y/n’s shampoo mixed with her natural scent hit his nose. A small smirk played on his lips hearing the shower run. Without knocking, he pushed the door open and stepped inside, his eyes immediately drawn to y/n’s naked form under the spray of water. He quickly shed his clothes, stepping into the shower behind her. His large hands found her waist, pulling her back against his chest as he nuzzled into her neck.

“Morning” He mumbled against her neck, his arms wrapping around her waist possessively. His large hands splayed over her stomach protectively. She was curvy, but he also knew she was tiny compared to him, she barely reached his shoulders. He kissed her neck softly, his eyes watching the soap suds slide down her curves.

“mm, good morning to you too” she smiled softly, turning her head to the side, nuzzling her nose against his broad chest.

Emmett hummed contentedly, his hands slowly sliding up her sides, his thumbs brushing under her breasts. He loved her curves, loved the way she fit against him. “You're up early” he murmured as his lips continued to place soft kisses along her neck and shoulder, his hands slowly caressing her body.

“can't sleep without you” she replied.

Emmett smirked at her words. No one had ever said something like that to him before. It was simple, honest, and it meant everything coming from her. He pulled her tighter against him. His mind flashed back to countless nights where she'd curl up against him, throwing her leg over his hips and using his chest as a pillow. He knew she was a cuddler - needed physical contact to sleep peacefully.

His hands slid down her stomach, one hand resting over her belly while the other moved lower. His fingers found her center slowly rubbing circles against her clit making her moan softly as she leaned into his touch. He kissed her neck gently. He felt her body respond to his touch, her breath hitching slightly as he continued to tease her with gentle circles. He loved how she reacted to him, how her body molded against his. He could feel her getting wetter with each passing second, her moans growing softer but more frequent.

Y/n reached behind her, her hand cupping the back of his neck. She leaned her head to the side in silent submission. “Emmett” she moaned softly, digging her nails into his hard skin.

He loved hearing her say his name, especially when she was like this - soft, needy, and completely focused on him. He pushed his fingers deeper, curling them slightly to hit that spot inside of her that made her whimper.

“God, you're so cute when you're sleepy and wet” he groaned against her neck, his fingers moving faster as he rubbed her clit with his thumb. He loved teasing her like this, loved seeing her like this - vulnerable and trusting in his arms. She let out a soft cry as he increased the pace, her legs shaking slightly. He could feel her getting closer, her inner walls clenching around his fingers. He added a third finger, stretching her gently as he kissed and sucked on her neck, marking her skin. Emmett groaned deeply as she arched into him, his cock throbbing urgently against her ass. The feeling of her pulling his hair sent a sharp jolt of pleasure straight to his dick. He curled his fingers deeper inside her, rubbing that sensitive spot relentlessly as his thumb pressed hard on her clit.

"Fuck, just like that. So perfect." He murmured against her neck, his tongue tracing a line from her shoulder to her ear. The way she was tugging on his hair was destroying his composure.

Y/n moaned louder, wrapping her hand around his wrist as he fingers continued to pump inside her. Emmett's eyes rolled back slightly at the sensation of her hand wrapping around his wrist, urging him deeper. “Goddamn” he growled softly, his fingers moving faster and harder inside her. He could feel her inner walls fluttering around him, signaling her impending orgasm.

“fuck, Emmett,” she gasped, rutting her hips against his hands as the knot in her stomach threatened to snap. “I need you inside me”

Emmett's breath hitched at her words, his cock throbbing painfully against her ass. He loved how she begged for him, how desperate she sounded. “cum on my fingers first” he groaned.

“Dammit, Emmett” she said as he let out a frustrated wimper, her head falling back in place against his shoulder as her hand gripped his wrist tighter.

Emmett chuckled darkly, his fingers moving like lightning inside her as his thumb pressed down hard on her clit. “You always get so fucking impatient when you're close,” he teased, his voice low and rough with desire. “Just let go, baby”

“Look how pretty you get when you're needy like this,” he growled against her neck, catching her earlobe between his teeth as he worked his fingers faster, harder. He could feel her inner walls clenching around him, tightening as she got closer.

She let out a low cry, her inner walls tightening almost painfully around his fingers. He loved this part - where she was so close she got almost angry and needy. “Dammit, Emmett” she panted again, her hips moving in sync with his fingers, chasing her release.

Emmett couldn't take it anymore. He leaned down and bit her shoulder hard as he curled his fingers inside her, hitting that perfect spot over and over. “Come on my fucking fingers, baby,” he growled, his own release building rapidly at the sight of her desperate need.

As soon as the words left his mouth, she shattered. Her back arched beautifully, pressing her breasts against his arm as she cried out his name. Her inner walls clamped down so tightly on his fingers he could barely move them, waves of pleasure rolling through her body. “Emmett!”

He groaned deeply at her scream, his fingers still buried deep inside her as she pulsed around them. He slowly pulled them out, bringing them to his mouth and sucking her taste off them with a satisfied smirk. “There's my good girl” he praised, his voice hoarse with desire.

Emmett couldn't wait another second. He spun her around, pushing her back against the shower wall and lifting her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and he quickly lined himself up with her entrance. He thrust inside her hard and deep. “Fuck!”

“Emmett!” she cried out, gripping his hair in her fists.

Emmett's eyes rolled back at the feeling of being inside her again. He started moving immediately, his hips slamming against hers as he fucked her hard against the shower wall. Water cascaded over them both as he pounded into her over and over, his cock throbbing inside her tight heat. He leaned down and captured her lips in a bruising kiss, swallowing her moans as he continued his brutal pace. One hand gripped her hip hard enough to leave bruises while the other snaked up to wrap around her throat, squeezing gently as he fucked her.

Y/n’s eyes rolled back in pleasure at the feeling of his massive hand around her throat. She couldn't ignore the submissive feelings she felt knowing her throat completely disappeared behind his massive palm. He was strong - stronger than most vampires, yet she trusted him completely and allowed herself to get lost in pleasure every time.

Emmett could feel her getting weaker in his arms, her body responding to his dominance. He squeezed her throat a little harder, not cutting off her air but sending a thrill of submission through her. “Look at me” he growled, his eyes burning into hers as he continued to fuck her relentlessly.

She gasped, staring into his eyes. His bright gold eyes now full blown black from the pleasure. Her nails raked down his large back as he moans came out in puffs.

Emmett's grip on her throat tightened slightly, his cock swelling inside her as he watched her eyes flutter with pleasure and submission. “That’s it,” he growled, his voice thick with lust. “Take my cock like a good girl.”

“God, I'll never get over how fucking big you feel” she shudder softly.

He smirked darkly at her words, his hips picking up speed. “if your talkin' so well, I'm not fucking you properly” he grunted, slamming into her harder. His own release was building quickly, her tight walls squeezing him perfectly. She let out a desperate whimper.

“Oh no, is my baby getting sensitive?” Emmett teased, his hand squeezing her neck harder as he picked up speed. He was fucking her so hard the water was splashing everywhere, their wet bodies slapping together loudly. “You’re so fucking cute when you’re desperate.”

“Em,” she whimpered. “I need to cum”

Emmett's eyes flashed with possessive desire at her plea. He released her throat to wrap his arm around her waist, lifting her higher and changing the angle of his thrusts. His other hand moved between them to rub fast circles over her clit. “Then cum for me” he commanded roughly.

She let out a loud cry, her body convulsing as she came hard. Her inner walls tightened almost painfully around his length, drawing a deep groan from him. He dropped his forehead to hers, watching her. He watched her fall apart beautifully, her eyes rolling back, nails digging into his skin, and pussy strangling his cock. He loved seeing her like this - completely undone by him. He slowed his pace slightly, drawing out her orgasm as he chased his own release.

Y/n's hips spasmed, involuntarily thrusting against him. It made his balls tightened, and he knew he was close. He slammed into her one last time, holding himself deep as he came hard inside her. His growl echoed through the shower as he filled her up completely. He stayed buried inside her, kissing her softly now that their intensity had passed.

She whimpered softly, kissing him back gently and lazily. Emmett smiled against her lips, his cock still pulsing inside her as he softened slightly. He kept one arm wrapped around her waist, holding her up as he slowly pulled out, making sure she felt every inch of him leaving her.

“fuck, Emmett” she gasped at the sensitivity.

He set her back down on her feet, keeping a hand on her waist to steady her as she caught her breath. He grabbed a washcloth and began cleaning her up gently, his touch soothing compared to the rough fucking from before. “You did so well, Babe”

“God, you felt so good” y/n said softly, catching her breath.

Emmett smirked, kissing her on the forehead softly. “Always happy to please” He said as he finished cleaning her up then turned off the shower. He wrapped her in a fluffy towel before lifting her into his arms and carrying her to the bed. He laid her down gently and climbed in behind her, pulling her close and nuzzling into her neck.

“I technically didn't even get a shower” she mumbled.

He chuckled softly, his arms tightening around her. “I’ll give you a proper shower later,” he promised, pressing a kiss to her shoulder. “Right now, I just want to hold my girl who just got fucked senseless.”

“such a gentleman” she said sarcastically, rolling her eyes playfully.

Emmett grinned against her skin, his hand slowly drifting up to cup her breast possessively. “I have my moments,” he said, his voice dropping to a low rumble. “But right now, I’m just a man who just claimed his girl and wants to cuddle with her.”

“I can live with that” she smiled softly, nuzzling her body closer to his.