I do think Cliff was very proud of Ilya for pulling Shane motherfucking Hollander when he found out. I do also think we was very confused about Ilya suddenly having gone gay. He didn't have a problem with it, he just didn't see it coming, and he's not really sure how to act around him the first time they hang out together, just the two of them, after the leak.
He wants to show Ilya that he's good with him - that he can be his gay self around him - so the first time they meet up, Cliff suggests they go shopping. Ilya's a little confused. He and Cliff have never gone shopping together and, though it could be fun, he's not really feeling up for a full outing. Cliff then suggests brunch and, when Ilya shoots that down too, he asks if Ottawa has any gay bars they could go to. Although the idea of watching Cliff get hit on by guys all night is vaguely tempting, Ilya suggests they just meet at home and play some video games.
Cliff feels a little disappointed Ilya isn't ready to share his gay side with him but he gets it. He knows how the hockey culture is and maybe he just needs to show Ilya he's a proper ally and then he'll let himself be his gayest self.
Throughout their hang, he keeps trying to subtly show Ilya that he's safe around him. He talks about the latest season of Drag Race, he asks him who's his favourite Will and Grace character and says he likes Jack the most, he asks who his favourite pop diva is and tells him he thinks Beyoncé is rad. Ilya doesn't seem to take the hint though. Apparently he isn't watching the latest Drag Race season, he doesn't know who his favourite Will and Grace character is and he tells Cliff he already knows Ilya's more of a rap guy but Beyoncé's cool. He prefers Megan Thee Stallion, though.
When Ilya brings out a couple of beers for them, Cliff carefully tells Ilya that if he wants a White Claw or something instead, then that's okay. Apparently, that's Ilya's breaking point and he goes off like, "Cliff, I'm the same fucking person I was, okay? I still like the same stuff. The only thing I didn't share is that I also like fucking men. I drink beer. I drink vodka. Shane and I play video games, we watch hockey, we watch rugby, we work out together." Cliff is a little confused, "and then you fuck?" "Yes, Marley, and then we fuck. Do you have a problem with that?" And all Cliff can say is, "that sounds pretty awesome." And it really does. If what Ilya's saying is true, it sounds like being gay is just like having a best bro who also makes you cum. That sounds like a fucking dream, to be honest.