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Shane exhaled slowly as he tightened his grip on the steering wheel, his fingers aching from how long he’d been driving. The moving truck ahead of him rumbled down the quiet suburban street, the unfamiliar surroundings rolling past like a blur, Shane blinked as he tried to relax his tense muscles, he turned his head and looked, a faint smile in his tired face as he saw his daughter, Sunnie was curled up in her car seat in the back, had long dozen off after hours driving, her tiny head resting against the window, breath fogging up the glass in soft, rhythmic patterns that made Shane chucked low and endeared.
They had finally made it.
It wasn't just a new house, not just a new city. It was a clean slate, a new chance far away from all the problems, something Shane believed he’d never have after the long, exhausting mess that was the past year. The divorce, all the fights, slamming doors and screams that still resonated in his nightmares, the countless court dates, sleepless nights, staring at legal documents, trying to make sure every clause, every word, was right, so that in the end, Sunnie could stay with him.
And now here they were.
Shane parked in front of the modest townhouse, stepping out into the evening air. The street lights flickered as the sun dipped below the skyline. Ottawa was different from the suffocating high rise life he had left behind, it felt slower, steadier, Shane felt like that was a good thing.
He stretched, rolling out his stiff shoulders before opening the back door of the car. “Hey baby,” he murmured, brushing a few stray curls from his daughter’s face. “We’re here.”
Sunnie stirred, blinking slowly up at him, looking sleepy and disoriented. “Home?” she asked, her voice small and groggy.
Shane smiled , though his chest ached a little at the word. “Yeah, my little flower, home.”
A new start was all Shane wished for, a place he could raise his daughter peacefully, where Sunnie could be okay and safe, just the two of them. Tomorrow would bring another exhaustive day, unpacking their whole lives from boxes filled with memories, paperwork, and introductions to their new neighbors, but as Shane held his daughter in his arms and twisted the key of their new home, he had high hopes of a better life.
-
“Yes, mom. We’re okay, Sunnie is eating breakfast right now.
Shane balanced the phone between his shoulder and ear as he poured himself a cup of coffee. He almost rolled his eyes at his mother’s persistence, though the smile tugging at his lips gave him away. Across the kitchen table, Sunnie sat with bright, wide eyes, happily munching on a banana, her little legs swinging beneath the chair.
“I already did, mmh… No, I haven’t talked to the neighbours, we just moved yesterday!”
Shane knew his mom was still worried about them being so far away. She couldn't say it outloud, too worried it could trigger her son. It didn’t matter if Shane had already told her he was doing better than last year, she was still a mom.
“You should! bring some tteok and smile, a big smileee.” She spitted, in her usual fast and strong tone, Shane felt a pang of homesickness in his chest. It hadn't been more than a few days but he missed his mother after months leaning on her emotional support.
She stayed in silence for two seconds, and Shane, knowing her so well, took a sip of coffee, bracing for whatever she was about to say next.
“I’m going to our church tomorrow, auntie and I are praying you meet some cute guy this year.”
“Oh God– Mom!”
Shane pressed his fingers on his temple, pressing and containing a groan, Sunnie giggled at his reaction. “I’m perfectly fine right now, there’s so much I have to do, I’m starting at the new office tomorrow and your granddaughter is starting kindergarten too, I need to meet with her school director and settle some things.”
“My baby, she’s growing up so fast.” She cooed, Shane giggled, the warmth spreading across his chest as he took a look at Sunnie, she was already looking at him with that pretty and characteristic smile of hers, “Which means, you’re ready to date, it’s been a year!”
Shane groaned, rubbing his face. “Mom.”
“You think I don’t know how lonely it gets?” she said knowingly. “I was a single mom too, remember?”
He sighed, not because she was wrong, but because she was too right.
But before he could even try to change the subject, Sunnie perked up in her chair. “Are we meeting the neighbors today?” she asked, eyes full of excitement.
Shane paused, his mind racing. He hadn’t even considered it. There was so much left to unpack, so many boxes still cluttering the house, the list of things to do endless. Meeting the neighbors was hardly on his radar.
Shane hesitated for a second, but Sunnie already had that look in her eyes, that excitement filling her face, and he couldn’t say no to his baby, “Sure, flower.”
Truthfully, he didn’t want to push it off any longer. They were in a new town, a new life, and Sunnie deserved a chance to settle in just as much as he did. The thought of finding new connections, of feeling like they belonged somewhere, felt oddly comforting.
“You have no option now,” his mom laughed.
“Well, thanks a lot, mom.” Shane replied dryly, but he couldn’t hide the soft chuckle in his voice.
As he hung up the phone, he glanced at Sunnie, who was now gleefully bouncing in her seat, banana peel in hand like a trophy. Shane smiled , letting go of the worries that had been weighing on him all morning. Things were far from perfect, but in this moment, with her little face beaming back at him, everything felt right.
Later that afternoon, Shane stood in front of the house next door, in his hands, he held a neatly wrapped container of chocolate chip cookies –store bought, because his baking skills were non-existent–, and he wasn’t sure if his neighbours would be familiar with Japanese snacks. He figured cookies were a safe bet.
Sunnie stood beside him, rocking on her heels, her tiny fingers gripping his free hand. “Be nice, okay?”
“I am nice, daddy,” she said, tilting her head up at him, expression serious.
Shane smirked , “You sure are, flower.”
He took a breath and knocked on the door.
Shane heard a few steps before the door swung open to reveal a man that looked around his age, sharp features and big dark eyes that softened his features. His hair was blond and neatly styled, and he looked effortlessly put together in a way Shane could never manage, even on his best days.
“Hi?” The man blinked, then quickly smiled. “Oh– Hi! You must be our new neighbour, we saw you arrive.”
“Yeah, I just moved in yesterday.” Shane adjusted his grip on the container before offering it out. “I’m Shane. And this is my daughter, Sunnie.”
The man’s eyes lit up. “Oh, that’s great! I’m Hayden. My wife, Jackie, and I live here.” He accepted the cookies with a grateful nod before glancing down at Sunnie, an adorable smile tugging his lips. “Nice to meet you, Sunnie-ah, we actually have girls around your age, girls! " he called over his shoulder.
A few seconds later, a group of girls appeared, peeking out from behind Hayden’s legs with wide, curious eyes that they definitely got from their dad, chubby cheeks and messy hair, one of them dressed in a sponge bob t-shirt and tiny red sneakers.
Sunnie immediately perked up. “Hi! I like sponge bob.”
The little girl blinked at her, then looked up at his dad asking for permission to speak, “You can say hi, baby.”
“Hi”
Sunnie grinned, letting go of her dad’s hand. “Wanna be friends?”
Shane bit a laugh, Sunnie was incredibly extrovert and direct, he loved that aspect of her, no matter the situation, Shane hoped he could protect her bubbly personality.
“Okay!” She nodded, “I got sponge bob figurines, they were my dad’s, wanna see them?”
Hayden laughed, stepping aside. “Do you want to come in? Jackie’s in the kitchen, and we were just about to grab a snack.”
Shane hesitated only for a second before nodding. “Sure, that’d be great. Thanks.”
He hadn’t expected to spend hours at his neighbours’ house, but somehow, time had slipped away from him. Shane had initially intended to stay for a polite amount of time, but one cup of tea turned into two, and before he knew it, he was sitting at their kitchen table, unraveling bits and pieces of the year he had just survived.
Maybe it was Hayden’s kind eyes or the way he listened so attentively, nodding at the right moments, offering small words of comfort where needed, and in such a way that Shane knew it wasn’t coming from pity but something else, like admiration, which he deeply appreciated, Shane realized that hadn’t had a real adult conversation that wasn’t about work or custody lawyers in what felt like forever.
Jackie had taken the kids to the backyard, where they were now running around, giggling and completely in their own world. Just one look at the big smile on Sunnie’s face was enough to make Shane realize that she had already decided that Amber, as he learnt her name, was her new best friend, he mentally started to prepare for countless playdates in the future.
“Honestly,” Jackie started, refilling Shane’s mug with warm tea, “you’ve been through a lot, and you’re handling so much better than I could.”
Shane huffed out a laugh, staring down at the cup between his hands. “I don't know about that.”
Jackie tilted his head, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Trust me.”
Shane let that sink for a moment, it was a nice reassuring thought, one that wasn’t sure he fully believed yet.
“Oh, by the way,” Jackie added, perking up, “Amber goes to the same kindergarten Sunnie’s starting at.”
Shane blinked in surprise. “Wait, really?”
Hayden nodded. “Yeah! It’s a great school. The teachers are nice, and the kids seem happy there. You don’t have to worry.”
Some of the tension in Shane’s shoulders eased at that. He had researched the school, of course, but hearing it from someone firsthand made it feel more real and secure. Shane glanced toward the backyard, watching Sunnie’s laughter light up the evening air. She looked so at ease, so happy.
He wanted to keep her just like that, he owed her that happiness after all those years making her watch her parents fight over and over.
-
Ilya had been through enough first days to know exactly how they went.
Tears. Lots of them. Clingy arms wrapped around legs, tiny hands grasping at sleeves, wails of “Don’t leave me, Mommy!” echoing down the hall and the need of more than two teachers to drag some kids into their classrooms.
But he had a perfect system. A joke here, a distraction there, a well-placed sticker (kindergarteners were easier to win over than they thought) and sure enough, by the end of the day, all of his kids had settled in, including the ones who had spent the morning sniffling into their backpacks and refusing to speak to their friends.
Today, though, there was a new name added to his list of students, standing out even before the day properly began, Sunnie Hollander.
Ilya had done this enough times to know that new kids usually fell into one of two categories: the quiet, wide-eyed observers who clung to their backpacks like lifelines, or the confident ones who marched in like they already owned the place.
He had expected Sunnie to be in the first group. New kid, new school, new city, it was a lot for a five-year-old but by mid-morning, Ilya realized he had been completely wrong.
Sunnie wasn’t just adjusting, she was thriving.
That morning, Ilya stood at the front of the classroom, hands on his hips, watching as the last few parents waved their goodbyes and slipped out the door. Some kids were still wiping their eyes, others were fidgeting in their seats, but for the most part, things were settling down.
“Alright, everyone!” Ilya clapped his hands together. “Welcome to your first day of kindergarten! My name is Mr. Rozanov, and I am so excited to have you all here.”
A murmur of excitement rippled through the room.
Ilya grinned . “Let’s start by introducing ourselves! When I call your name, you can stand up, tell us your name, and maybe one fun fact about yourself.”
One by one, the kids took their turns. Some mumbled, some barely stood for a second before sitting back down, and some got really excited about their fun facts, then, Ilya glanced at his list.
“Sunnie Hollander?”
The little girl in question hopped off her seat with absolutely no hesitation.
“I’m Sunnie!” she announced brightly, hands on her hips. “And my fun fact is that my dad is the best cook in the world!”
Ilya raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh yeah? What’s his best dish?”
Sunnie pursed her lips in thought. “Hmm… He makes really good pancakes and his mac and cheese is soooo good. But I think my favorite is chicken!”
Ilya chuckles . “Wow, your dad sounds like a pro. Maybe he should be teaching me how to cook.”
Sunnie nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah! He says I’m his best taste tester, but I think he’s the best cook ever.”
A few of the kids murmured in agreement, clearly impressed, Ilya grinned. “Alright, Sunnie. Thank you for sharing.”
She gave a satisfied nod before plopping back into her seat, as if she had just won a debate. Yeah, Ilya thought, this kid is gonna be just fine.
By recess, she led a team of kids around, Ilya could see them run around the whole school laughing and screaming. By the afternoon, she had earned her first gold-star sticker for helping a classmate clean up spilled crayons.
Ilya had seen a lot of kids on their first days, but Sunnie? She was different.
She was bright and warm in the way kids naturally gravitated toward like a team followed their captain.
“How is your new kid?”
“Sunnie is doing great, I thought it’ll take time but she's already comfortable enough, I can see she’s being raised in a good home.”
Now, as he stood by the door during pickup, watching the kids spill out like excited puppies, he spotted Sunnie instantly. And, no surprise, she was already sprinting toward a familiar figure, Ilya followed the jumpy pigtails and tiny rushes steps till he saw her get raised from the floor.
Ilya’s gaze lifted.
Sunnie was in the arms of a man, sharp cute features, cheekbones sprinkled in freckles stealing the show, average height and dark hair, he was dressed formally and put together, wearing a gray suit like he had just left work in an office, and as Ilya walked towards him in his stained rainbow apron from the art class, he felt a bit underdress and embarrassed. Ilya stranded, watching Sunnie wrap her little arms around his neck like she hadn’t seen him in years.
Ilya Smirked. Cute.
“Look daddy, I got a star today!”
He let them have their moment before stepping forward, arms crossed in his usual relaxed stance, “she earned it fair and square,” Ilya said, nodding toward the golden sticker on Sunnie’s shirt.
The dad, Ilya guessed, looked up, and for a split second, Ilya caught something in his eyes. It took him a second to realize what it was, surprise.
Ilya was used to it. He was too tall, broad, and apparently intimidating when you first met him. He knew parents sometimes expected kindergarten teachers to be, well, smaller. But it only ever lasted a second because their kids would always talk about how amazing and sweet Mr. Rozanov was.
“Hi, you’re Sunnie’s dad?” Ilya asked , tilting his head.
The man blinked, snapping back. “Uh, yeah. Shane. Hollander.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Hollander”, Ilya grinned and held out a hand. “Ilya Rozanov. Sunnie’s teacher.”
Shane shook his hand, firm, steady, but just a little hesitant. Ilya had met plenty of parents like this, the ones who were still adjusting, still feeling out their place in this whole school thing. It was only normal since this was the first ever day of school for their kids, Ilya though, couldn’t help but think this particular father was adorable.
“She’s fun one,” Ilya continued, glancing at Sunnie, who was already trying to climb up her dad like a little monkey. “Super confident, not shy at all. Had the whole class following her around the whole day.”
Shane huffed out a laugh, something fond flickering across his face. “Yeah, that sounds like my little flower right here.”
Ilya smirked. “First days can be tough, but she handled it like a pro. No tears, no trouble. You’ve got pretty cool kid, Mr. Hollander.”
Something in Shane’s expression shifted at his words, his expression softened, little tension easing, warmth settling in as if those words were something he needed to hear.
He nodded. “Well, uh, thanks. For, you know… taking care of her.”
Ilya shrugged easily. “Of course. You’ll see, she’ll be running this place in a week.”
Shane chuckled, adjusting Sunnie as she finally perched on his back, tiny arms draped around his shoulders. Ilya watched as she whispered something to him, giggling into his ear, and for a moment, he just observed them, the way Shane leaned into her laugh, the way Sunnie practically glowed in his presence.
It was already clear how much this little girl was loved by her dad.
Ilya smiled.
“Well,” Shane said, shifting his grip on Sunnie, “we’ll see you tomorrow then.”
Ilya Smirked. “Looking forward to it, Mr. Hollander.”
And as Shane turned to leave, Ilya caught himself thinking, Huh, this year might be interesting.
-
A week later, food in the house was running low and Shane had to make the hard decision of taking a grocery shopping trip with Sunnie.
Which was… An adventure, he had learned it the hard way.
She had opinions, really strong ones, about what was necessary for them to buy. If Shane turned for a second, Sunnie would take out the carrots and fill the cart with snacks she magically got from somewhere, and somehow, she would manage to convince Shane to get at least one of them.
Today, Sunnie was in charge of the shopping list, she couldn’t read the words, at least not completely so whenever her dad read out loud something she didn’t like, Sunnie would dramatically sigh.
“Daddy, we don’t need more coffee, it tastes bad and bu.. butter?”
“Bitter, little flower.” Shane laughed, reaching for a bag of beans, “and yes, we do.”
“No, we don’t.”
“Yes, we do,”
Sunnie narrowed her eyes at him before scribbling something on the list, “Just cookies, you know we can’t survive just from cookies, right?” He snorted, raising an eyebrow.
But before Sunnie could argue back, something caught her attention. Her entire face lit up in recognition, her eyes going wide as she turned her tiny head to the next aisle.
And then—
“Mr. Rozanov!”
The scream was so loud Shane actually flinched.
His daughter, of course, couldn’t care less.
Sunnie was already bolting toward a very familiar, and extremely tall figure by the snack aisle, leaving Shane scrambling to push the cart after her in a hurry, biting his lower lips as he saw Ilya; he hadn’t been prepared for this.
It wasn’t fair, Shane had only seen him in his teacher mode, bottom-ups, rolled up sleeves, name tag clipped onto his chest and even like that, Shane had trouble focusing on his day after meeting him. But here, in the middle of the aisle, Ilya was standing in front of him in a cream colored knit sweater, casual black jeans and sneakers. He looked warm and effortlessly put together and fuck, he looked hot.
Shane wanted to throw himself into the nearest freezer section to cool down.
Ilya barely had a second to react before Sunnie flung herself at his legs, latching like a little koala.
“Sunnie? oh my God, you almost took me out,” Ilya laughed, catching his balance before crouching down to her level. “What are you doing here?”
“Shopping ugly coffee with my dad!” She spun around so fast that Shane nearly bumped her with the cart. “Look! there he is!”
Ilya followed her gaze, then blinked in recognition, a soft smile forming in his lips. “Hey Mr. Hollander.”
Shane exhaled a small laugh, rolling the cart closer, feeling his cheeks burn. “Hey, I’m sorry for the ambush.”
Ilya just laughed, completely unfazed. “Are you kidding? That was the best greeting I’ve ever gotten in a store.” He turned to Sunnie. “You’re lucky I didn’t have eggs in hands, or we’d both be covered in omelettes right now.”
Sunnie gasped, eyes wide. “That would be so funny.”
“Maybe for you.” Ilya teased , ruffling her hair. Then he glanced up at Shane, flashing an easy smile that sent something ridiculous through Shane’s chest, “Do you guys come here often?”
Shane tried to focus on his words instead of the way Ilya’s sweater draped over his broad fame. “Y– yeah, well, we do now. Sunnie takes her grocery duty very seriously.”
She nodded. “I have The List.”
Ilya’s eyebrows lifted. “The List? Is it top secret?”
“No,” Sunnie said, shaking her head. “But it’s very important. Daddy always tries to buy too much coffee, and I have to stop him.”
Ilya turned to Shane with a smirk, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “Ah. A coffee addict, huh?”
Shane let out a weak laugh, feeling his face heat up once again. “I—um. Yeah, I guess I am.”
God. He was embarrassing.
He needed to get a grip, he wasn’t a teenager to be blushing and stuttering talking to a man (a hot one though), Shane tried to give himself some credit.
But it was hard when Ilya was standing there, looking like that, talking like that calm, charming, effortlessly funny, just so at ease in every way Shane wasn’t. Meanwhile, Shane was actively reminding himself how to function like a normal human being.
By some unspoken agreement or maybe just because Sunnie had clung onto Ilya and refused to walk away from him they ended up continuing their shopping together, pushing their carts side by side as they made their way through the aisles.
He wasn’t exactly sure if Ilya was ok with it at first, Shane knew Sunnie could be clingy with the people she liked and felt comfortable with, she clearly liked her teacher, the first week it was all Sunnie talked about. However, he could only speak on behalf of his daughter, Shane didn't know if they were really disrupting Ilya’s free time until he saw him laughing and throwing jokes at Sunnie.
Looking absolutely calm around her.
Shane learned that Ilya had a strangely impressive knowledge of cereal brands and that he could hold a conversation about snacks with the same level of seriousness he would probably give a school meeting. Sunnie, of course, adored this, she had this amazed shine in her eyes, Shane felt like he was watching his little girl develop a crush on her teacher.
And Shane… well. Shane was afraid he was going into the same road.
Because Ilya was charming, funny, and entirely too easy to talk to.
Somewhere between debating yogurt flavors (he didn’t even like yogurt) and Shane trying very hard not to stare at the way Ilya sweater stretched across his chest, they ended up at the checkout together. And somehow, even after that, they ended up walking out of the store side by side, their carts rolling in sync.
Outside, Ilya turned to both of them with that smile, bright and warm and entirely unfair.
“This was the most fun I’ve had grocery shopping in a while,” he said. “Thanks for letting me tag along.”
Sunnie beamed. “You’re welcome, Mr. Rozanov!”
Shane swallowed , feeling ridiculously giddy for no reason. “Yeah. It was nice.”
Ilya gave them a little wave as he turned toward his car. “See you Monday?”
Shanenodded. “Yeah. See you Monday.”
Ilya flashed one last smile before heading off to his own car.
Shane stood there for a second, watching him go, until Sunnie tugged on his sleeve insistently.
“Daddy,” she whispered, eyes full of mischief. “You’re blushing.”
Shane groaned , steering the cart toward their car. “I am not.”
The rest of the weekend flew by. Shane had finally finished unboxing their whole lives, tossing out old, unwanted memories along with the last of the moving boxes.
On Sunday, they went to the park with the Pikes, Sunnie spending most of the time chasing Amber around the playground while Shane sat on the bench, chatting with Jackie and Hayden. Later, he spent a few hours on the phone with his mom.
Apparently, she had a lot to say, including the fact that she had seen Shane’s ex-wife at the mall on Friday.
Shane had brushed it off with a simple, uninterested hum, and that was it. After a year of fighting in court, he had zero energy left to waste on it. Instead, he changed the subject, shifting to something that actually mattered.
“Sunnie’s doing really well at school,” Shane said, phone in hand as he leaned back into the couch. "Ilya told me she was adjusting better than he expected, which is great, because you know how worried I was about her.”
There was a pause.
“Ilya?” his mom repeated. “Who’s Ilya?”
Before he could clarify, Sunnie perked up, turning her head at the mention of her teacher’s name, “Mr. Rozanov!” she chirped, immediately rushing to Shane’s side, bouncing with excitement.
“Yeah, Ilya is Sunnie’s teacher,” Shane said, already wary of where this was going.
“And we went shopping together, Grandma!” Sunnie blurted, trying to grab the phone from him.
Shane’s eyes widened slightly. “Sunnie, that’s not—”
But it was too late. He recognized the sound of his mom’s laughter before she even spoke.
“Ohhh,” she drawled, clearly entertained. “So you went shopping with Ilya?”
Sunnie beamed. “Yes! He was wearing a long sweater, and he had lots of good food in his cart ‘cause he’s really strong and healthy! And he’s funny, and he has pretty stickers in class, and—” she took a deep breath, “he made Daddy blush!”
Shane froze.
“Sunnie.”
His mom cackled.
Sunnie, completely unaware of the absolute destruction she had just caused, continued her detailed story while Shane sat there, pressing his palm over his face with a long, suffering groan. Once he composed himself a bit, Shane managed to wrestle his phone away from Sunnie, his mom still laughing.
“Mom, stop,” He groaned.
“I’m just saying,” She mused, but the tone of her voice showed how much she was enjoying this, maybe way too much. “I guess all that praying worked.”
“What praying? Mom, I swear, it’s not what you’re thinking.”
“Mmmmhmm.”
“There is nothing going on.”
“Of course, baby.” She was teasing him, Shane could hear it, “But even if nothing is going on right now, it could, and he's a teacher? That’s great! He’ll be good to Sunnie too.”
“We’re done here, I’m hanging up.”
His mom cackled again, and Shane knew she was smirking even though he couldn’t see her. He groaned, muttering something about how she and Sunnie were conspiring against him, before actually hanging up.
Sunnie, completely unfazed by his suffering, smiled up at him sweetly. “Can I have braids tomorrow?”
Shane sighed , rubbing his temple. “Yeah… Yeah, sure.”
That was a problem for future Shane.
-
Future Shane was suffering.
Braids, it turned out, were harder than they looked.
Shane had spent way too much time on YouTube that morning, watching a few tutorials on how to do simple braids, only to realize, midway through, that none of them were working on Sunnie’s thick hair. He had to redo them twice, hands cramping, before finally getting something that sort of looked okay.
Which meant they were now very late.
Sunnie, of course, was unbothered. She admired herself in the mirror, swishing her braids happily, while Shane frantically grabbed their bags and rushed them out the door.
By the time they reached the school, Shane was still catching his breath. He hurried out of the car, barely managing to unbuckle Sunnie before she ran ahead, thankfully slowing down as they neared the entrance.
And, as if the universe enjoyed mocking him, Ilya was standing right there, effortlessly calm and collected.
Shane, on the other hand, was frazzled.
His hair was a mess from running his hands through it. His shirt was slightly wrinkled from his rush out the door. And Sunnie, ever the little traitor, immediately ran to her teacher, proudly turning her head side to side to show off her hair.
“Mr. Rozanov, look! Daddy did my braids!”
Ilya blinked , then crouched slightly to take a look.
“Wow,” he said, sounding genuinely impressed. “Those are pretty nice. Your dad’s got skills.”
Shane, still catching up, let out a weak laugh. “Barely.”
“Rough morning?” Ilya asked, looking entertained.
Shane nodded, still a little breathless. “You could say that.”
Ilya gave him a smile, all easy warmth, like he had all the time in the world. “Well, you pulled it off. She looks great.”
Sunnie beamed, clearly proud of both her braids and her dad. “Daddy said he watched four videos!”
Ilya raised his eyebrows, amused. “Four? That’s dedication.”
Shane groaned , scrubbing a hand over his face. “More like desperation.”
“Well, for what it’s worth,” Ilya said, “they turned out really well. I mean it.”
And for some reason, that praise, simple and genuine made Shane’s heart skip just a little.
“Thanks,” he mumbled, tugging nervously at his sleeve.
Ilya glanced at his watch, then back at them. “I’ll take her from here. You’ve got work, right?”
Shane blinked , surprised. “Yeah. Thanks.”
“See you later?” Ilya asked.
“Yeah,” Shanes aid, trying not to sound too eager. “See you later.”
Ilya gave him that smile again, the one he had learned to identify, the unfair one, the one that had way too much power and Shane barely survived the walk back to his car without combusting.
After dropping Sunnie off successfully, his morning sped by in a blur of emails and back-to-back calls, and by the time Shane finally settled into a long meeting with his new team, he was already mentally scheduling his afternoon as every day, wrapping things up in time to pick Sunnie up from school, get some quick dinner on their way home, give her a bath, put her in bed.
Except the meeting kept dragging and dragging. More deliverables, more last-minute changes. And when his manager asked him to stay on for another hour to coordinate with another department, Shane’s stomach sank to the floor.
He glanced at the clock, realizing the time.
There was no way he’d make it to Sunnie’s school on time.
His heart started to race. He could technically ask one of the after-school aides to keep her in the waiting area, but the thought of Sunnie waiting by herself made him feel awful.
Shane excused himself for a second, muting the call and grabbing his phone, his thumb hovering over the contact list before he finally tapped the school’s number.
The secretary picked up quickly, her voice polite but distracted. “How can I help you?”
“Hi, uhm this is Shane Hollander, Sunnie Hollander’dad, she’s in first grade. I, uh, I’m running really late. I’m so sorry, is there someone who can wait with her until I get there?”
There was a pause, papers shuffling in the background. “Oh, no problem, Mr. Hollander. Sunnie’s already with Mr. Rozanov.”
Shane blinked . “Mr. Rozanov? Ilya, uh, her teacher?”
“Yes, he’s with her now. He said he’d keep her company until you arrived.”
“Oh.” Something in Shane’s chest softened instantly, but the guilt still lingered. “Okay, thank you so much. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
It took another half hour before Shane could finally excuse himself from the meeting and race to the school. He barely registered the drive, his mind spinning, his hands tight on the steering wheel.
When he finally burst through the school’s entrance, his steps were hurried, hair a mess from the number of times he’d raked his hands through it in frustration. His tie was slightly askew, his shirt rumpled from the long day. His eyes were tired, he felt it in his bones but his heart was thudding with urgency.
Rounding the corner toward Sunnie’s classroom, Shane slowed to a stop when he spotted them.
Ilya was sitting cross-legged on the floor next to Sunnie, their heads bent over a coloring book spread out between them. Sunnie’s feet kicked gently back and forth, her little fingers clutching a green crayon, while Ilya carefully filled in the sky with a soft blue.
Their voices were low, sweet, almost like the world outside didn’t exist.
“I think the turtle should be pink,” Sunnie said with conviction.
Ilya Grinned. “Bold choice. I like it.”
There was a softness to him, to the way he spoke to her, his usual bright energy tuned down to this quiet, warm calm just for her.
Shane’s breath caught.
Something about the image, the two of them like this, hit him square in the chest, stopping him in his tracks.
Like his whole, chaotic day had led him right here, to this moment.
He should have stepped forward. He should have said something. But instead, he just stood there, taking it in, something fluttering painfully and beautifully in his ribcage.
Sunnie was safe. Sunnie was happy. And Ilya was the reason why.
As if sensing him, Ilya finally looked up, his eyes crinkling when they met Shane’s.
“You made it,” Ilya said, like it was the easiest thing in the world.
Shane swallowed , stepping forward with a weak, apologetic smile. “Yeah. Sorry. That meeting ran way over.”
“No worries. We were just coloring.”
“Mr. Rozanov’s really good at it!” Sunnie chimed, proudly showing him the page they’d been working on.
Shane crouched to get to their level, his heart still not quite steady. “Wow, you two make a good team.”
Ilya glanced at him, smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Yeah, we do.”
He looked away quickly, flustered. “Thanks for, uh… staying with her. I really owe you.”
Ilya voice stayed soft, like he didn’t want to break the little bubble they’d made. “You don’t owe me anything.”
Shane helped Sunnie gather her things, still trying to calm the sudden swirl in his chest.
As they packed up, Ilya reached into the crayon box, pulling out the same blue crayon he’d been using.
“Hold on,” Ilya said, tearing out a blank sheet from the back of the coloring book. He crouched again, scribbling something quickly with the crayon before standing and holding the paper out to Shane.
His handwriting was a little crooked, thick blue letters scrawled across the page, but the message was simple, adorable.
Call me if you ever need help. — Ilya:)
His phone number was written underneath, a little smudge of blue crayon near the edge.
Shane stared at it, his heart betraying him with a sudden, reckless thud.
“This is so unprofessional,” Ilya added lightly, his smile crooked but his eyes warm like he was offering something more than just a favor. “But, you know. In case you’re ever in a pinch again.”
Shane’s lips parted, but the words tangled in his throat.
He wasn’t ready for this.
But God, he wanted to be.
He folded the paper carefully, tucking it into his pocket like it was something precious.
Like it meant something.
(It did.)
“Thanks,” Shane said, his voice a little too soft.
Ilya just smiled. “See you around, Shane.”
Shane watched him walk back into the classroom, his hand brushing over Sunnie’s masterpiece still spread out on the table, like he was going to keep coloring a little longer.
Shane didn't know what this was, what was happening between them, but as he walked Sunnie to the car, her tiny hand wrapped around his, he knew one thing for sure.
He’d be keeping that paper.
And he’d be calling.
Soon.
-
Shane knew it was a bold, reckless decision.
He’d told himself all afternoon he wouldn’t do it, that it wasn’t necessary, that it didn’t mean anything, but there he was, phone in hand, thumbs hesitating over the keyboard.
It wasn’t like he was trying to start anything. It wasn’t like he wanted to cross a line.
He just wanted to say thank you. That’s all.
Simple. Safe.
So he typed.
Hey, it’s Sunnie’s dad. Thanks for staying late today for her.
He read it twice.
It was short. Neutral. Nothing to overthink.
Shane sent it and tossed his phone onto the couch like it might burn him if he held it any longer. He hadn’t expected to feel so nervous. It was just… polite. A courtesy.
That was all.
But Ilya replied almost immediately.
Anytime. You’re both great company. :)
Shane’s lips twitched at the little smiley face, but he pushed it down. That was normal, right? Teachers were kind. Ilyawas kind.
He told himself it would end there.
But then, another text lit up his screen.
So… is it just braids you can do? Or should I be jealous of your ponytails too?
Shane groaned, dragging his hands over his face and through his hair, but the grin tugging at his mouth wouldn’t go away.
Why was he smiling like this?
Why did this feel like more than it was?
He sat back down, thumbs moving before he could talk himself out of it.
Took me a bunch of YouTube videos just to get those braids. Be grateful I didn’t send her to school with a bird’s nest.
The reply came in seconds.
Bird’s nest would’ve been a power move. I would’ve respected it.
Shane laughed , and it was soft and full and so much louder than it should’ve been in his quiet living room. He shook his head to himself, thumb biting into his lip, trying not to feel like a teenager again, but…it spiraled.
It was supposed to be a quick, thank-you text.
But somehow, it turned into a string of playful exchanges, from Ilya making the worst jokes imaginable to Shane pretending to be unimpressed, his cheeks warming anyway.
Sunnie was completely content, happily sprawled in front of the TV, while Shane barely noticed the time slipping away, curled up on the couch with his phone, grinning like an idiot.
You know, if you ever need backup on the hair front, I’m decent with ponytails. Can’t braid though.
Shane snorted .
Yeah? You take volunteer work? I can pay you in juice boxes.
Throw in some dinosaur stickers and we have a deal.
Shane’s head tipped back against the couch, a quiet, breathy laugh escaping him.
It had been a long time since he’d felt this light. Since someone had made him laugh this much. Since someone had made him feel like this.
He hadn’t expected this.
God, he wasn’t even looking for this.
In fact, he’d been so certain he wasn’t ready. For anyone. For anything.
But Ilya was easy to talk to.
Too easy.
He spread warmth in all the places Shane’s life had been cold for so long and maybe, just maybe, he could let himself have this.
Even if it was just this.
Even if it didn’t mean anything.
He kept telling himself that.
But when he finally crawled into bed that night, Shaneset his phone on the nightstand face-up, brightness turned all the way up, volume on.
Just in case Ilyatexted again
-
Shane’s day off was supposed to be peaceful.
Drop Sunnie off, get coffee, maybe catch up on the laundry piling in the corner of the house, nothing ambitious.
But instead, he was here, walking side by side with Hayden as they brought their kids to school, the morning air cool and crisp, the conversation anything but safe.
“Okay, but really,” Hayden pressed, nudging Shane’s shoulder. “You’ve been smiling at your phone a lot lately. Like, a lot.”
Shane groaned, already regretting telling him anything. “Don’t even start.”
“Oh, I’ve already started,” Hayden said with a grin. “It’s Ilya again, isn’t it?”
Shane sighed in defeat, not quite meeting his friend’s gaze. “It’s not like that. We’ve just been texting.”
“Just texting,” Hayden echoed, clearly unconvinced. “Uh-huh. Like, ‘just texting’ while giggling and blushing in front of me?”
“That happened one time.”
Hayden raised an eyebrow. “One time, huh? And how many times have you texted him since then?”
Shane pressed his lips into a thin line.
“Uh-huh,” Hayden sang, victorious.
They reached the school entrance, where the morning drop-off crowd was becoming less crowded. Sunnie and Amber ran ahead, racing toward their classrooms, leaving the two of them lingering by the door, not even saying goodbye, both parents sighed, they were kids.
That’s when Ilya appeared, casual as always in his soft sweater and perfectly rolled sleeves, chatting briefly with another parent before noticing them.
His smile brightened when he saw Shane.
Shane felt the immediate, ridiculous urge to fix his hair.
“Hey, you made it,” Ilya agreed, his eyes crinkling.
Shane nodded , hoping his heart wasn’t beating as loud as it felt. “Yeah. Day off.”
“Lucky,” Ilya said, slinging his lanyard over his shoulder. “Hope you get to relax.”
Before Shane could answer, Hayden spoke up, tone light but loaded with intentions.
“Ilya,” he said, “I’ve been meaning to say, Amber really loved your class last year.”
Ilya's smile softened. “Oh, I’m glad. She’s a great kid.”
“Yeah, she still talks about the sticker contests you used to do.”
Ilya chuckled , scratching the back of his neck. “Those were intense. Had to keep stakes high.”
Hayden’s grin sharpened, mischievous. “So you’re good with kids. And you’re funny….”
Shane immediately shot him a look, warning, pleading, anything to get him to stop. Ilya, though, just raised an amused eyebrow. “That’s quite the list.”
Hayden shrugged innocently. “Just good to know. Anyway, Shane and I are taking the kids out for a picnic this weekend. You should come.”
Shane’s eyes widened. “What?”
“Oh, c’mon,” Hayden waved him off. “The kids would love it. Right, Shane?”
His mouth opened, but no sound came out.
Ilya tilted his head, looking somewhere between surprised and charmed. “Yeah? You sure I wouldn’t be crashing family time?”
Hayden grinned. “Not at all. You’re basically family now, right?”
Shane gently stomped on Hayden’s foot.
“Ow,” he deadpanned, not even flinching.
Ilya bit back a laugh, clearly enjoying all of this. “Well, if you’re sure… I’d love to join.”
Hayden clapped his hands together. “Great! Shane will definitely send you the details.”
Ilya gaze flicked to Shane. “Looking forward to it.”
Shane, still recovering from the ambush, could only manage a weak, “Yeah… me too.”
As they parted ways, Hayden leaned in and whispered, “You’re welcome.”
Shane shot him a glare. “I hate you.”
“No, you don’t.”
“Okay, but I really wanted to keep it casual.”
Hayden grinned knowingly. “Yeah, sure. Casual. Totally. Nothing says ‘casual’ in the way he looks at you.”
Shane groaned , dragging a hand down his face. “I seriously hate you.”
Hayden just patted his back. “You’re blushing again.”
Shane’s groan deepened but later, when his phone buzzed with a message from Ilya.
“Can’t wait for the picnic. Let me know if I should bring anything.”
Shane was still smiling long after he put his phone down.
-
The weekend came faster than Shane expected.
Hayden had been in charge of most of the planning, location, snacks, the usual, and somehow, despite Shane’s protests that it was totally fine to keep things small, the picnic had turned into a whole afternoon event with more food than necessary.
It was warm out, the perfect kind of weekend sunshine, and the kids wasted no time running off to the park’s playground while Shane and Hayden spread out the blankets under the shade of a tree.
Shane was halfway through setting up when Ilya arrived, carrying a small cooler and, of course, a pack of dinosaur stickers tucked under one arm.
“Wow,” Ilya said, looking around. “This is… way more organized than I expected.”
“Thanks to Shane,” Hayden muttered, straightening a container of sandwiches. “He’s a control freak.”
“I’m here.” Shane protested.
Ilya grinned, crouching down to join them. “Well, I come bearing gifts,” he announced, cracking open the cooler to reveal a stash of juice boxes and a small, carefully packed fruit salad.
Shane’s lips twitched, trying not to smile too obviously. “Look at you, overachieving.”
“You said I’d get paid in juice boxes. I’m just investing in my future.”
Hayden, who had been suspiciously quiet, chimed in from behind the sandwich pile. “Future, huh? That’s a bold word choice, Ilya.”
Shane shot him a look.
Ilya just laughed, shaking his head and Shane’s heart did a thing but he absolutely ignored it, or at least tried.
The afternoon passed by, the kids played and giggled, their tiny footsteps thudding across the grass as they dragged each other from swings to slides to flower patches. Ilya and Jackie chased after them a few times, pretending to be dinosaurs while Amber and Sunnie squealed, barely able to outrun them.
Shane sat back, watching them, his chest soft and full in a way that surprised him.
At one point, Ilya dropped down onto the blanket beside him, breathless, the kids still laughing in the distance.
“You’re really good with them,” Shane said quietly.
Ilya shrugged , still catching his breath. “They’re easy to entertain.”
Shane’s gaze lingered on him, his lips parting, like he wanted to say something more but then Hayden returned, and the moment passed. They settled into a comfortable rhythm, the sun dipping low, the conversation lazy and light, Ilya sat close, their arms occasionally brushing, neither of them pulling away.
When Sunnie tired out, she plopped herself into Ilya lap without hesitation, holding out her sticker book like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Ilya didn't even blink. He helped her peel the stickers, his voice low and patient as they decorated a fresh page together.
Shane watched, somewhere between awe and disbelief, his heart threatening to slip right out of his chest.
Hayden caught his expression and smirked, leaning over just enough to murmur, “You’re so gone.”
Shane’s ears burned. “Shut up.”
Hayden’s grin only widened. “Can’t. It’s too fun.”
By the time they packed up, the kids were drowsy, clinging to their parents with sleepy, sun-kissed faces.
As they walked toward the parking lot, Ilya nudged Shane’s shoulder gently.
“Thanks for letting me come,” he said, his voice a little softer now, like he meant it more than he let on.
Shanesmiled, the kind that he didn’t bother hiding this time. “Anytime.”
Ilya raised his hand in a small wave, stepping backward toward his car. “See you Monday?”
Shanenodded. “Yeah. See you Monday.”
He watched Ilya leave, the weight of the day settling over him like something light and warm and terrifying all at once.
Hayden’s voice broke through his daze. “So… dinner next?”
Shane groaned. “Hayden, I swear—”
But the truth was, maybe…
Just maybe…
Dinner with Ilya didn't sound so bad.
-
A few weeks later, Shane stared at the sheet in his hands.
He’d made it through late-night fevers, colics, first teeth issues, potty training, and a very specific meltdown over the wrong color of socks. He could certainly handle a stupid shelf.
Or so he told himself.
The instructions laid out across the floor of Sunnie’s room looked like they’d been drawn by an alien. Shane kept flipping them back and forth, as if a different angle might unlock their secrets. Diagrams with no words, arrows pointing into empty space, smiling cartoon screwdrivers that felt like they were mocking him, he was on the verge of losing his mind.
A small pile of screws rattled every time he shifted. Wooden panels leaned against the wall. Sunnie’s pink backpack was abandoned in the corner, spilling out tiny hair clips and crayons that reminded him why he was doing this in the first place: to make her room feel like home.
Shane sat back on his heels, running a frustrated hand through his hair. He sighed, the kind of long, exhausted exhale that felt like it came from his soul.
The doorbell rang.
He nearly groaned, he didn’t want anyone to see him like this. But when he opened the door, Ilya was standing there with that maddeningly smug smile and a bright red toolbox swinging from his hand.
“Ilya? What are you doing here?”
“You said you were good,” Ilya agreed, leaning one shoulder against the doorframe, eyes flicking pointedly to the wood shavings stuck to Shane’s shirt. “But I had a feeling you were lying.”
Shane crossed his arms, defensiveness and embarrassment warring inside him. “I wasn’t lying. I just… haven’t figured out step three yet.”
Ilya raised a single eyebrow, slowly. “How many steps are there?”
Shane’s voice came out smaller than he wanted: “Seventeen.”
Ilya's laugh was warm and unguarded, pushing all the air out of Shane’s chest. “Yeah, you’re gonna need backup.”
Shane stepped aside, muttering under his breath, “I was perfectly capable.”
“Sure you were.”
Inside, the house was quiet except for the low hum of Sunnie’s favorite lullaby playing from a speaker. She was fast asleep on the couch, curled up on her side, clutching her stuffed fox with her mouth hanging slightly open. Her sticker book lay half-finished beside her. Ilya glanced over, and his entire expression softened in an instant, the kind of softness that made Shane’s stomach flip.
“She’s out?” Ilya asked, his voice hushed and reverent.
Shanenodded, feeling like his words might wake her. “Big day. She had her first day at the dance class Hayden suggested, it drained her out completely.”
A slow smile spread across Ilya's face. “We’ll keep it down then.”
They moved to Sunnie’s room, the air thick with the scent of new wood and fresh laundry. The floor was a chaotic sea of parts. Shane handed Ilya the instruction booklet, sheepish.
Ilya clicked his tongue in mock disapproval. “This poor thing’s been through hell.”
Shane tried to laugh it off, but he could feel his ears burning. They got to work on the floor, knees bumping, shoulders brushing whenever they leaned forward at the same time.
“Why are there six different kinds of screws?” Shane complained quietly, holding one up like it personally offended him. “Why can’t they just pick one?”
Ilya's eyes sparkled. “You’re holding that one upside down.”
Shane’s head snapped around. “No, I’m not…” He stopped, blinking at the screw. “Oh my god, I am.”
Ilya grin was wide and delighted, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “It’s okay. We’ll figure it out.”
They kept going, their movements falling into a surprisingly comfortable rhythm. Shane found himself anticipating Ilya gestures: the way Ilya would hand him a screw right when he needed it, or steady a plank without being asked. The world shrank to the two of them and the quiet clink of metal on wood.
Every time Ilya reached past him, his arm brushed Shane’s shoulder, sending warm little shocks down his spine. Every time their knees touched, Shane’s pulse spiked. He tried to ignore it, but it was impossible. Ilya's presence was easy, unassuming but also electric, like he belonged here in this mess of half-built furniture and scattered toys.
Half an hour in, Shane was struggling with a screw at an awkward angle, wrist bent, jaw clenched.
“Here,” Ilya said softly, sliding behind him, his chest brushing Shane’s back. “Let me help.”
Shane froze, breath caught in his throat. Ilya's hands came around him, warm and steady, guiding his fingers into the right position. Shane’s senses narrowed to the heat of Ilya's body, the faint scent of his cologne, the quiet rasp of his voice.
“You’re tense,” Ilya murmured, amused.
“You’re—” Shane swallowed, heart hammering. “You’re right behind me.”
Ilya's low chuckle was right at his ear. “That’s usually how helping works.”
Shane’s grip on the screwdriver faltered, his knuckles whitening. “Ilya…”
“Hmm?” Ilya's voice was a soft tease.
Shane turned his head just enough for their eyes to meet. Their faces were so close he could feel Ilya breath, see the quiet uncertainty in his eyes and something else, something that mirrored the storm churning inside Shane.
“I think I…” Shane’s voice broke.
Ilya searched his face for a second, his expression open and vulnerable, like he’d been waiting for this.
Then he leaned in slowly, hesitantly, giving Shane every chance to pull away. Shane’s heart seized in his chest but he didn’t move.
Their lips met, tentative and soft, a kiss that felt like exhaling after holding his breath for years. Shane’s hand came up, fingers trembling as they clutched at Ilya's sleeve, grounding himself in the warmth of him.
The kiss deepened with quiet urgency, both of them a little clumsy, a little breathless, like they were fumbling through something that mattered too much to get right on the first try.
When they parted, their foreheads bumped softly. Shane’s lungs stuttered. “I—I wasn’t expecting that,” he confessed, his voice small, eyes darting away like he was afraid of what he’d see.
Ilya's smile was so gentle it made Shane’s chest ache. “Me neither,” he said, voice low and sure. “We’ll figure it out.”
Shane laughed shakily, his head tipping forward to rest against Ilya's shoulder, breathing him in.
When he pulled back, Ilya was watching him like he was the most extraordinary thing he’d ever seen. “You’re really brave, you know,” Ilya said quietly, almost like he hadn’t meant to say it out loud.
Shaneblinked, heart flipping at the honesty in his voice.
“Letting someone in again. That’s not easy,” Ilya finished, voice hoarse.
Shane’s throat felt tight, but he managed a small, raw smile. “You make it… easier.”
Ilya brushed his knuckles down Shane’s arm before grabbing another screw, his hands steady even as his eyes lingered, warm and intent.
“We should finish this shelf,” Ilya said, voice playful but still soft around the edges.
“Yeah,” Shaneagreed, cheeks flushed, heart lighter than it had felt in a long time. “We should.”
This time they sat even closer, shoulders touching, arms brushing. When the last plank clicked into place, they shared a quiet look that felt like a secret.
Afterward, Ilya helped tuck Sunnie into bed, smoothing her hair back from her forehead with infinite care.
At the door, Ilya hesitated, his hand resting on Shane’s waist in a quiet, lingering touch.
“Text me when you need help with step eighteen,” he teased softly, eyes dancing.
Shanehuffed a quiet laugh, eyes bright. “There’s no step eighteen.”
Ilya leaned in, pressing a slow, deliberate kiss to Shane’s temple. “We’ll find one.”
He slipped out into the night, the door clicking gently behind him.
Shane stayed there, hand pressed to his chest, his heart fluttering wildly as he let himself smile wide, unguarded, and just a little bit in love.
-
The days became weeks and weeks became months.
And in the blink of an eye, summer was there.
Sometimes, Shane found it hard to explain how smooth the last three months had been. How easy it had felt, so much easier than it should’ve been.
He had spent the first weeks agonizing over how complicated it all was, at least in his head, he had started to date his daughter’s teacher, of all people. Shane spent days thinking and questioning how it could look to others, how it could possibly affect Sunnie. He worried, analyzed, second-guessed.
But at some point, it just… stopped feeling wrong.
Because Ilya wasn't just Sunnie’s teacher.
He was Ilya. And somewhere along the way, he had slipped so quietly into Shane and Sunnie’s life that he couldn’t imagine a version of it without him now.
They had been dating for two and a half months.
It still felt new in some ways, still thrilling, but it had settled into something warm and comfortable too.
A rhythm.
Ilya had slowly carved out a space in their home, as if he had always belonged there. He knew which of Sunnie’s cups she preferred for juice and where Shane kept the extra hair ties. He was there on lazy Sunday mornings, tangled in the couch blankets with Sunnie fast asleep on his chest while cartoons played in the background. He was there on Wednesday nights, when Shane worked late, always stepping in to help with dinner, homework, even bedtime.
Sometimes (more often now), Ilya would stay the night. Not always, but often enough that his spare toothbrush had its own spot by the sink.
On those mornings, Ilya would rise quietly, kiss Shane’s temple, and let him sleep a little longer while he dressed Sunnie and took her to school. It became a soft, unspoken agreement between them.
Sunnie, of course, was thrilled.
She would chatter excitedly the whole ride, swinging her legs in the backseat while Ilya parked in the teachers and staff lot behind the building, “a secret passage”, as Sunnie liked to call it.
Her eyes would sparkle every time, like she was seeing a new world, her fingers laced tightly in Ilya as they walked through the back hallways where no other students could go yet.
When they reached the teachers’ lounge, Sunnie would light up, settling comfortably at the little corner Ilya had quietly made hers: coloring books, snacks, a blanket folded just for her.
It became their thing.
Ilya would sip his coffee, Sunnie would draw her morning adventures, and when the bell rang, he’d walk her to class like it was the most natural thing in the world.
It felt… right.
And somehow, it had all happened so seamlessly.
One morning, as Shane finally caught up to the routine and started taking the mornings off from worrying, he found himself lingering in the doorway of Sunnie’s room, watching Ilyakneel to fix one of her braids.
She was mid-ramble about some dream she had last night, Ilya listened carefully, nodding along, occasionally tossing in a question or a silly comment that made her giggle.
It was such a simple, domestic moment.
It hit Shane squarely in the chest.
He leaned against the doorframe, quietly, just absorbing it, their soft laughter, Ilya patient hands, Sunnie’s joy.
He realized then that somewhere along the way, Ilya had stopped being a guest in their life. He was just… there now.
Part of them.
When Ilya noticed him, he smiled warmly, a little lopsided, like he knew Shane was standing there feeling entirely too much about it.
“Morning,” Ilya Said softly.
Shane hummed , his lips tugging into a small, crooked grin. “Morning.”
Sunnie beamed and twirled dramatically, proudly showing off her braids.
“Gorgeous,” Shanetold her.
“Ilya did it,” she said like she’d just been crowned queen.
Ilya shrugged modestly. “Learning from the best.”
Sunnie zipped past them toward the door, leaving Shane and Ilya lingering in the quiet that followed.
“Thanks,” Shane murmured, stepping closer, brushing his fingers lightly against Ilya's hand.
“You don’t have to thank me every time,” Ilya whispered, leaning in, pressing a kiss to Shane’s cheek. “I like this. I like… us.”
Shane’s stomach fluttered like it still did every time Ilya said things like that so easily.
“I like us too,” Shane whispered, a soft breath between them.
Shane realized how strange it was that something that had started within rushed school drop-offs had led to these mornings, shared routines, soft kisses in the hallway.
It wasn’t what he expected.
It was better.
However, classes were over.
And suddenly, the mornings felt too quiet.
Especially because Sunnie was leaving.
When Shane finalized the divorce and was granted full custody, they’d carefully, painfully mapped out the terms of visitation. Her mom could see her as long as Shanewas available and able to coordinate the trip, though it hadn’t happened yet, not until now. They had agreed a while back that Sunnie would spend the first week of summer break with her. Rose was already on her way to pick her up.
Shane knew it was fair. He wasn’t cruel.
They hadn’t worked out, but their daughter deserved both parents who loved her, regardless of their own wreckage.
Still, as he packed Sunnie’s small bag that morning, folding her favorite pajamas, tucking in the stuffed rabbit she never slept without, he felt a knot in his throat that wouldn’t untangle.
“You’re gonna have fun, right?” Shane asked , kneeling in front of her as she zipped up her little backpack.
She nodded, smiling softly, though her fingers twisted the strap of her bag.
“And you’ll call me?” he added, trying to sound lighter than he felt.
“Every day,” Sunnie promised, like she could hear the ache hiding in his voice.
Shane swallowed hard and pulled her in, hugging her tight. “Okay.”
It wasn’t okay. But it would be.
Shane knew this was part of the agreement.
He had promised himself that he wouldn’t make it harder than it needed to be.
Sunnie deserved to see her mom, and Rose had every right to spend time with her. Shane wasn't going to be that guy, the one who clings too tightly, who makes his child feel torn.
But still.
Watching Sunnie’s small suitcase sitting by the door felt like his chest was being slowly wrung out.
When the familiar car pulled up in front of the house, Shane was already leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed loosely over his chest, his weight sunk into one side. He watched as Sunnie caught sight of her dad through the window and bolted outside, her feet smacking against the pavement.
“Mommy!” she called, the excitement in her voice a little too sharp for the ache Shane was trying to push down.
Her mom scooped her up, spun her in a circle, both of them laughing, bright and loud.
Shane stayed at the threshold, watching quietly as the two of them talked, his heart pulled in two directions at once, relieved that Sunnie was happy, miserable that she was leaving.
Rose finally approached the door, Sunnie clinging to his side with one arm.
“So this is the new place,” she said as she approached, Sunnie still clutching her side. Her voice carried that same easy confidence, a half-smirk curling her lips. “I was picturing a cramped apartment, but… this is nice. Didn’t think you’d settle somewhere like this, seems too quiet for you.”
Shane’s lips twitched, polite but edged with finality. “Turns out I like quiet these days.”
“Oh, come on,” his ex teased, leaning lazily against the porch railing. Her eyes sparkled with something mischievous, like she was testing old lines. “You used to hate quiet. Always needed noise, always chasing something new. Remember those nights we’d drive into the city just for dessert?”
“That was a long time ago.”
“Yeah?” his ex drawled, eyes glinting with smug curiosity. “Well, maybe next time I’m in town, we could catch up. For old times’ sake.”
Shane’s mouth opened, disbelief making his chest tighten. He wasn’t tempted, he was just stunned that she could stand here, on his porch, acting like they could just slip back into the past as if nothing had changed.
But then, soft, assured footsteps crossed the threshold behind him. Ilya appeared in the doorway, wearing one of his typical sweaters, slightly tight around his biceps, sleeves shoved up to his elbows. His hair was still mussed from Sunnie’s little hands earlier. He looked perfectly at ease, eyes bright and calm.
Shane felt Ilya arm slip around his waist, firm and protective, the hand resting broad and sure against his hip. The warmth of his hold spread instantly through Shane’s chest.
His ex’s eyes flicked down to the hand, then to Ilya face and the smirk drained away as realization hit. His gaze darted between them, something wary creeping into her expression.
“Oh…” She said slowly, voice caught between surprise and awkward bravado. “And you are…?”
Ilya's smile was cool and confident as he pulled Shane subtly closer, voice smooth as water. “I’m Ilya. Shane’s boyfriend.”
Shane’s chest expanded with a rush of quiet pride. He shifted deliberately into Ilya hold, his own hand coming up to rest over Ilya forearm in a clear, unmistakable claim. “That’s right,” Shane added, his voice low but ringing with certainty. “My boyfriend.”
Ilya's eyes never wavered from the ex’s, his thumb sweeping slow circles against Shane’s side, unhurried, absolutely unapologetic. “Sunnie’s been amazing, by the way,” he continued evenly, nodding toward the little girl. “You’ve got a great kid.”
His ex hesitated, gaze bouncing helplessly between Ilya's unwavering stance. “Boyfriend, huh?” he muttered, voice thin as he tried to recover. “Well. You’ve… got good taste.”
“Yeah,” Shane replied softly, his eyes locked with Ilya, voice turning fierce and sure. “I do.”
A thick quiet settled over the porch, tense but not angry. Just a powerful sense of how far Shane had come, of what he had now. A few months ago, a moment like this would have gutted him. Now, he felt like he was standing on solid ground.
His ex cleared his throat, adjusting Sunnie on her hip. “I’ll text you when we get there. Thanks for being flexible about the pickup.”
“Of course,” Shane said. He stepped forward, pressing a lingering kiss to Sunnie’s hair, inhaling the scent of her shampoo. “Have the best time, okay? I’ll miss you like crazy.”
“I’ll tell you everything when I get back!” Sunnie beamed, eyes shining.
He let her go with a small, aching smile, watching until the car pulled out of the driveway and disappeared around the bend.
As silence settled, Ilya hand slid fully around Shane’s waist, holding him tight, thumb brushing gentle, slow circles into his side, like he had no intention of letting go.
“You okay?” Ilya asked, voice low and warm, confidence still wrapped around him like armor.
Shane leaned back into him, sighing shakily. “Yeah,” he breathed, voice steadier by the second. “I will be.”
“You know,” Ilya murmured, his lips grazing the shell of Shane’s ear, voice edged with playful heat, “watching you shut her down like that was… hot.”
Shane barked a surprised laugh, shoulders shaking as he pressed his forehead into Ilya's shoulder. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Mm,” Ilya hummed, his hand slipping lower around Shane’s hips, grip confident, anchoring him. “But you love it.”
Shane’s heart squeezed tight, his voice husky with something bright and fierce. “And I love you.”
Ilya breath hitched, just a little, but his eyes shone as he pulled Shaneflush against him. “Then come inside,” he said, voice low and dangerous, his smile slow and unstoppable. “Because we’ve got a week. Just us.”
Shane’s chest felt light, buoyed by adrenaline and something tender. He grabbed the front of Ilya sweater, tugging him inside with a determined grin, the door shutting firmly behind them.
Shane dragged his hands through Ilya nape, opening his lips as he blindly let him guide them to the sofa, the back of his thighs hitting the soft leather. Shane giggled as Ilya lowered his head, lips wet through his face, slowly going down to his neck, sucking on his sensitive skin.
He was so fucking beautiful, his soft hair, his big eyes, his sharp jawline, his pink and pretty lips. Shane couldn't help but run his thumb along his plump lower lip, biting his own.
Ilya smiled, taking his hand and kissing the tip of his fingers.
"What are you doing?" Shane asked , feeling his cheeks turn red.
"Looking at you," Ilya whispered, moving closer, his thigh sliding between his legs. "Kissing you, because I can.”
Shane’s breath hitched, goosebumps running through his skin, blood rushing south as he spread his legs for Ilya to lay between them. He let him run his hands under his shirt, up his ribs, and all the way down to the hem of his pants, playing with the buttons.
Shane let out a moan when Ilya pushed his shirt up and ran his tongue over his nipple, taking his sweet time to suck and bite and kiss, leaving a wet trail down his torso.
It was usually difficult to have this moments with him since Sunnie was always around but this time, it was only them, free of being as loud as they wanted.
"I really, really want you," Shane admitted, voice trembling as Ilya kept teasing him, his erection twitching in his pants.
"That's a good thing, yes?" Ilya chuckled , biting his skin gently before undoing the buttons of his jeans and pulling them down, along with his underwear.
"Yeah," Shane breathed, feeling exposed, his dick standing proudly in the air, already wet at the tip. "So you better give it to me."
"Mmmh, I should," Ilya winked, and Shane gasped when he licked a stripe down his cock, his toes curling when his lips closed around the head, sucking on it softly.
Shane's eyes fluttered closed as Ilya started bobbing his head, moaning around him and the vibration felt so good.
He didn't know if it was because it had been a while since the last time or because it was just the effect Ilya had on him but the way his lips closed around his girth, pink and shiny, his eyes rolling to the back of his head, it made Shane moan and pull his hair.
“Ilya— would you just fuck me?” He pleaded, whiny and almost desperate.
“As you want, I’m gonna make you a baby, give Sunnie a sibling.” Ilya said , voice raspy and eyes mischievous.
Warmth went through Shane’s body at the thought, it was so hot, and so sudden, that he almost came right there and then.
The thought of making a baby with Ilya was so exciting.
“yeah? Will you?”
Ilya nodded, “a baby with your eyes, and my nose, imagine how pretty, moya lyubov.”
He heard Ilya slipping out of his jeans, felt his fingers pressing against his hole, dry and burning.
Shane let out a moan when his fingertip slipped inside. It didn't hurt, not really, but the burn was there, and he welcomed it.
"I don't have any lube," Ilya mumbled. "But I'm sure I can find something."
"No, don't," Shane shook his head, "I like the pain, I want you to open me with your spit, please?"
"Are you sure, baby?"
"Yeah," Shane nodded, grabbing the back of his neck and pulling him down.
They kissed, Ilya's lips and chin were wet with his precum, and Shane sucked on his tongue, whining when he felt his finger going deeper.
Ilya opened him carefully, taking his time to stretch him, adding one, then two, and three fingers.
He didn't know what it was but Ilya's fingers felt bigger than usual, or maybe it was because it had been so long since the last time he got properly fucked, but he was loving it.
When Ilya took his fingers out, he didn't waste a second before lining himself up and pressing his tip against his entrance, slowly pushing it in.
Shane's hands flew to his shoulders, gripping them hard as he felt his dick filling him, stretching him, his legs trembling.
It was a mix of pleasure and pain, and the burn was strong, making his eyes water and his thighs tremble.
"Is this okay?" Ilya asked , voice tight, his eyebrows knitted together.
Shane nodded, "Yeah, yeah, just move."
Ilya didn't wait any longer before rocking his hips, his hands grabbing his ass cheeks, spreading them apart as he started pounding into him, his cock brushing against his walls, sending sparks up his spine.
It didn't take long for him to find his prostate, and when he did, Shane's vision went white, his mouth opening on a silent scream, nails digging into Ilya’s skin.
It was overwhelming, his entire body was buzzing, and the more he thrusted, the more his body felt like jelly.
He was melting under Ilya’s touch, and the way his hands were squeezing his hips, and his eyes were devouring his naked chest.
"Fuck, look at you," Ilya moaned, thrusting deeper.
"Yeah?"
"Mmmh, can't wait to knock you up, baby."
"Yeah, yeah, I want that, a baby with you," Shane moaned, feeling his orgasm coming.
His dick was aching, throbbing and begging for release.
"Ilya, I'm gonna come, please, touch me, touch me, touch me." He cried out.
Ilya smiled , and brought his hand down, his fist wrapping around his cock, moving fast and tight, and Shane saw stars.
He didn't have the time to warn Ilya, not even the time to take a breath, because his orgasm came suddenly, washing over him and making him feel like he was flying, and floating.
His entire body tensed and shuddered, and Ilya’s pace was frantic, erratic, and he was panting and moaning.
"Shit, baby," Ilya growled, and Shane knew what was about to happen, "I'm coming, fuck, I'm coming."
Shane wrapped his legs around his waist, feeling him spill inside him, his warm and thick cum filling him, and his dick was twitching and leaking, and his hands were everywhere.
Half an hour later, Shane found himself sprawled across Ilya's chest. His cheek was pressed over Ilya racing heart, their legs tangled together, one of Ilya hands resting protectively at the small of Shane’s back.
Ilya’s fingers traced slow circles over Shane’s spine, every pass soothing, grounding. His other hand slipped up to cup Shane’s jaw, thumb brushing tenderly along his cheekbone.
Shane’s eyes fluttered shut at the touch, the aftershocks of everything leaving his limbs loose and pliant. “You’re warm,” he murmured, voice still husky from having screamed and moaned.
“You’re perfect,” Ilya countered, his voice low but sure. He tipped Shane’s chin up to steal another slow, lingering kiss, no urgency left, just quiet worship.
Shane’s chest squeezed tight, an ache of relief and wonder. He shifted just enough to meet Ilya gaze, eyes glassy in the low light. “You really want that?” he asked, voice small but hopeful. “Another baby?”
Ilya smile is curved slow, bright, and a little mischievous even in his exhaustion. “With you? Yeah. I want everything with you.”
They stayed like that, hearing the ticking of the clock in the kitchen, the hum of the fridge, it filled the space between their heartbeats. Shane let himself sink into it all, the warmth of Ilya's body beneath him, the smell of his skin, the steady rise and fall of his chest.
For the first time in a long, long while, Shane felt safe enough to let his eyes close, drifting in and out of light sleep as Ilya's hands kept him close, kept him steady.
And when Ilya shifted to press a soft kiss to Shane’s hair, Shane smiled into his chest, his heart full.