We donāt talk about this enough. With all the big romantic gestures in The Long Game, this, to me, is one of the most romantic moments.
We know Ilya isnāt a fan of Shaneās restrictive diet. He teases him about it, but Ilya is an expert ragebaiter who knows how to tease the people he cares about when they feel safe and in ways that never really hurt.
Shane is āfranticā in this scene. Ilya has the perfect opening to say something about his diet, and he doesnāt take it. He sees that Shane is panicking, steps in and fixes it. He was looking at that menu thinking about Shane and Shaneās fuckass diet that Ilya doesnāt even like. But he knows this is important to Shane. He knows Shane is already nervous about being on a date with Ilya in public and being with another queer couple. So he meets Shaneās needs without Shane ever having to ask, and he does it quietly, without drawing any attention, so that Shane can save face.
Of course heās gonna tease him about it a little bit later because thatās what they do. But he only does that AFTER Shaneās had a chance to catch his breath and feel safe again.
To be loved is to be known indeed.
