silent - hollanov - @hollanovmicrofic - word count: 369 - click here for my hollanov microfic archive on ao3
It took him about ten minutes to realize that they’d been sitting in silence. That even though Shane had been enjoying the quiet, his body buzzing with a ridiculously happy feeling at the way his toes tapped firmly on Ilyas as they sat, feet-to-feet, on opposite ends of the couch, Ilya was probably ridiculously bored just sitting here scrolling on his phone.
Shane swallowed, struggling to think of what to say. “Um. It rained today.”
Light eyes twitched up from Ilya’s phone screen. “Yes. I was there,” Ilya nodded, lips curling upward as he rolled his eyes almost fondly.
He swallowed, flushing. Fuck. He’d never been good at this. But shit, Ilya was looking back at his phone, and oh god, he must be so fucking bored. Shane had to decide what to talk about, fast.
“Uh. We can have hot dogs. For dinner later. I asked the lady at the store which kind was best, since…you know…I don’t usually eat them.” He said this fact like a peace offering, trying to prove that even though he sucked at talking, he did desperately want Ilya to have fun while he was here.
Again, Ilya looked up at him with amusement in his eyes. “Okay,” he murmured. But…he didn’t seem annoyed or upset to be here.
It didn’t make sense.
And–fuck. Ilya looked back at his phone again.
“D’you want to–” Shane began, shifting uncomfortably, no clue where he was going with his offer but so damn nervous about Ilya’s attention slipping away.
“Shane.” Ilya put his phone down on his chest and looked at him, this time like he was looking through him, into the most vulnerable recesses of his soul. “Is okay. You do not have to…entertain me. I am here to be with you, yes? Is okay to just be quiet for a little. I am happy to just be here and relax, like you said. You do not have to…pretend for me.”
Relief, sweet and all-consuming, flooded Shane. Unable to stop the small smile that bullied its way onto his face, he nodded, looking to where their feet touched. “Okay,” he murmured, reaching back to his own phone.
He’d never felt more relaxed in his life.
