Cannot even describe the importance of Shane being the one to break the ice in the car on the way to the cottage. Responding to Ilya's joke about "relaxing" with an earnest admittance that he does just want to relax with him. It marks the moment that whatever wall was standing between them already began to crumble. Ilya's initial fear is so evident that after Shane admits the real reason he's glad to have Ilya with him is not for some secret sex-apade for them to bone for two weeks straight, but rather because he enjoys his company and doing nothing with him is all Shane had wanted. I am also obsessed with how we can see Ilya assessing the vibe, working up the courage to thank Shane for inviting him.
In that one "I'd like to relax with you, for once," Shane broke through to Ilya almost immediately, allowing him to feel safe enough to show genuine gratitude for inviting him to the cottage, for swooping him away from his family, away from Russia. The energy immediately shifts afterwards. Also! In the book, Shane initiates the hand holding, but I love the way they did it in the show. Ilya is a physical touch person! He loves it, he cannot get enough of it, he initiates it whenever he can! Shane is also nervous in his response, his admittance that he's glad Ilya is here and that he has been looking forward to it. Ilya grabbing his hand and Shane immediately leaning into it, almost relieved, feels so in character for them!
