I think the sensory aspect of overeating could be a huge driving force for Shane unintentionally gaining. Once he finally cuts the diet and lets himself start eating, he realizes how nice being a little too full actually feels.
He’s warm and heavy, his head quiets down a bit and everything just feels slower. Lying back on the couch with a full stomach gives him that sensation of feeling weighed down in a really nice way he loves.
Add in gentle touches from Ilya, some low lighting, and one of their baking shows. Shane is in heaven. He’s breathing deeply, leaning into Ilya’s touch and making comments about which desserts look like ones he would want to try. (Ilya is of course taking note of those and finding places in Ottawa he can buy them)
So true! I could also really see that. It’s just a nice, heavy feeling, almost like a weighted blanket but the weighted blanket is just his stomach. Like I can imagine it would be really calming for him, especially if like, previously his thoughts around the performance diet were always moving so quickly in terms of what he could eat or couldn’t eat and when, and the portions, and ensuring he had food he could eat when he went out to eat or at his parents or whatever, and I imagine his meals weren’t always the most filling and often left him wanting more in a sensory way and not even in a hunger way per se. Just like in a satisfaction way. I’m struggling to find the words I’m looking for here but like, I could see the experience of being just a little too full being extra comforting cause he knows he can just take a deep breath and relax and be satisfied and his thoughts don’t have to be rushing around about if he’s going to get hungry or when he has to eat next to hit various macros appropriately, he’s just existing in the sensation of being undeniably full and the security of that allows his head to calm down a bit and his body to slow down in general, like you said, and it’s just so nice.
Maybe he’s laying back between Ilya’s legs and they’re both stretched out on the couch and Ilya’s just got his hand resting on Shane’s torso like he often does and he’s absentmindedly rubbing part of his belly with his thumb or gently stroking the side of his belly with his knuckles, not even necessarily on purpose, just casual closeness. It feels si good to be touched by Ilya at all in any way, and combined with it the weight of food in his tummy it’s so grounding and peaceful and he’s just full and sleepy and cozy in the best way. 10/10