Chapter Text
Shane and Ilya had been retired for a few months now.
They were still settling into new routines, but they were quickly adjusting and enjoying this new stage of life. They missed the schedules, the travel, the hotel rooms, and the constant pull of obligation. It had taken time to let go of all that noise, but life had softened into a newfound peace. They had both known it was time to leave the ice; their bodies simply couldn’t keep up the way they used to.
One change was slower mornings.
Although Shane was usually still up before sunrise, his body hadn’t quite caught up to the lack of structure yet; he wasn't certain it ever would, so more often than not, he found himself needing to burn off his restless energy. Sometimes it was a run, and other times he worked out in their home gym. Old habits die hard.
He’d slip out of bed without waking Ilya. When he came back, Ilya was usually still asleep, stretched across the bed and curled loosely around Shane’s pillow, holding onto whatever warmth he could find. Shane couldn't help but feel his chest soften at the sight of it.
Shane would shower, change into something comfy, and then return to bed, sliding onto his husband and wrapping his arms around him. That was usually enough to wake him; he’d slowly and reluctantly open his eyes and let out a low sound of protest that always softened into recognition, followed by the sleepiest of smiles.
It still hardly felt real that he got to spend the rest of his life with this gorgeous man.
Sunday mornings were different. Shane fought the urge to move at all, content just to soak in the feel of his husband beside him. They would spend the morning hours lying in bed, tangled up in each other, usually after some very soft morning sex. The world stayed deliberately out of reach. It had quickly become their favorite day of the week.
Today was no different, except Shane seemed a little distant, clearly holding onto thoughts he’d carried with him all week. Ilya had noticed the way he drifted lately, that cute, faraway look he got whenever his mind was somewhere else.
“What's on your mind malysh?” he asked quietly, fingers moving through Shane’s hair with a slow ease. “You have been lost in it for days.”
He stayed where he was, resting his cheek against Ilya’s chest and listening to his steady heartbeat. When he finally lifted his head, he did it slowly and hesitantly, not quite matching the relaxed mood of their morning.
“I’ve been thinking,” he said carefully, holding Ilya’s gaze a little longer than usual. He hesitated, unsure if his thoughts would sound right out loud. “About… maybe it’s time we started thinking about expanding our family.”
Ilya didn’t move at first.
Shane swallowed and looked down at his thumb, which was gently picking at the edge of the blanket between them.
“We have time now. We’re retired, and…” He took a quick, shallow breath. “We both want kids. I just keep thinking about how we could actually make it happen, and whether you’re… ready for that, the same way I am.”
There was a pause.
Ilya didn’t respond right away.
After a few seconds, Shane looked up again, uncertainty flickering in his expression as he held eye contact, his lips worrying between his teeth.
Ilya brought a hand up to his cheek, using his thumb to free Shane’s lip. Then he shifted gently onto his side and pulled Shane closer, until they were chest to chest, still tangled together.
“Hey,” he said softly. His thumb traced a slow line over Shane’s shoulder, trying to ease the tension he felt building there.
“You’re overthinking this,” Ilya murmured, his voice still thick with sleep, gentle and quietly understanding. He had seen Shane do this many times before and never loved him any less for it. His hand stayed on him, firm and warm.
“I am not surprised by what you are saying,” he added. “I’m only surprised you think I haven’t already been thinking the same thing.”
Shane looked at him closely now, like he was making sure he heard it properly. “Really?” he uttered, a small smile growing.
“I have,” he said simply. “For a while now. We're on the same page solnyshko.” His thumb brushed gently across Shane's cheek. “I love you. Of course I want to build a family with you.”
They sat with it for a moment, neither of them speaking, letting the thought settle between them.
Ilya watched emotion gather in Shane's beautiful brown eyes until they glistened, and his own chest tightened in response. Small smiles started to pull at their lips.
“There are a lot of options,” Shane said quietly. “Many paths we could take. I’ve... done some research.”
A soft laugh escaped Ilya.
“Of course you have,” he said, a full smile now taking over his expression, “That is very you.”
Shane ducked his head, looking almost embarrassed.
“I have no research,” Ilya admitted. “But... I have been thinking about something.”
Shane looked back up, “What?”
Ilya was quiet for a second, searching for the right words before he finally said it.
“I keep coming back to fostering.”
The word settled gently between them.
“There are a lot of kids out there that need help. We already know how to show up when things are not simple, we have lived like that before.”
His eyes stayed on Shane’s, steady, with a small exhale leaving his nose.
“And maybe because I know what it is like when childhood asks too much of you.”
Shane's expression softened immediately.
“I would not wish that on anyone,” he paused, taking a breath, feeling his own eyes filling with emotion now.
“But if we could give a child a place where they did not have to carry so much...”
He looked at Shane with quiet certainty.
“I think that would be a life worth building.”
Shane didn't trust himself to speak. Instead, he leaned forward and kissed him.