THE NEW SHADOW
THE NEW SHADOW
1. THE BIRTHDAY
Shane climbed the long flight of stairs with his breathing still uneven. He’d run harder than usual and sweat clung to the back of his shirt. He pulled out his keys while walking down the hallway, not really thinking about anything.
He reached the door. Slid the key in. Turned it. And stepped inside. Everything was dark. He frowned slightly and moved farther in. Then he noticed it. The smell of food.
The lights snapped on.
—Happy birthday!
Hollander jerked backward.
—What the fuck?
Balloons.
Colors.
The table already set.
Duna standing near the kitchen with a smile somewhere between emotional and way too proud of herself. David sat nearby, lifting his wine glass like he’d been celebrating for hours already. And there, right in the middle of all of it, was the love of his life. Calm. Looking at him like this whole thing was completely normal.
Shane’s eyes moved from one person to the next, still trying to catch up.
—How did you even get in here?
—That was me,” Duna said. I gave him the key.”
Shane slowly turned his head.
—You gave him… my key?
—Somebody had to do something,” she answered. You clearly weren’t going to plan anything yourself.”
David laughed immediately.
—He never does.
Hollander shook his head, still completely thrown off, then looked back at Ilya.
—Since when are you this close with my parents?
Ilya stepped toward him slowly. No rush.
—Since they decided to adopt me.
Duna glanced at him.
—Don’t exaggerate.
Ilya smiled faintly.
—Didn’t you call me “son” two days ago?
Duna hesitated just enough to make Shane laugh.
—…Yeah, okay. Maybe.
A short laugh escaped him, still disoriented from the whole thing. Ilya moved a little closer.
—You’re a mess.
—Shut up.
Ilya lifted his hand and touched his cheek without hesitation. Shane froze for half a second… then leaned in. The kiss was brief. But enough.
—Alright,” Duna interrupted. Are you gonna change or just stay sweaty like that all night?”
—I’ll be back. Need a quick shower.
He brushed past Ilya, their shoulders barely touching, then disappeared down the hallway toward the bathroom.
A few seconds later, the sound of the shower echoed faintly through the apartment. Duna was in the kitchen rinsing dishes while David stayed seated with his glass of wine. Ilya wandered closer to the table.
—Has Shane always been this organized?
David looked up and laughed instantly.
From the kitchen, Duna reacted too.
—Oh, you have no idea.
Ilya tilted his head slightly, curious.
David slowly shook his head, still smiling.
—Our son is… specific.
—that’s a very polite way to put it,” Duna added.
David raised a finger.
—No, really. He gets obsessive about certain details.
Ilya let out a quiet breath of amusement through his nose.
Yeah. That sounded exactly like Shane.
David took another sip of wine.
—but honestly… I think that’s part of why he got this far.”
His voice softened with pride.
—He’s always been focused. Organized.
Duna smiled while drying another plate.
—He really has been an exceptional kid.
Then she made a small amused face.
—Though I guess all parents say that about their children.
Ilya shook his head lightly.
—No… I think you’re right.
David lifted his eyebrows slightly.
—Yeah?
—that’s what I’ve seen from him.
The atmosphere settled comfortably for a moment. Then David suddenly laughed under his breath like he’d just remembered something.
—Should we tell him about the castle?
Duna turned immediately.
—Oh my God. Yes.
Ilya looked between them, confused.
David leaned an elbow against the table.
—When he was little, someone gave him one of those toy castles you build with colored pieces.”
Duna was already laughing to herself in the kitchen.
—He wouldn’t let anybody help him.
David shook his head again.
—Problem was, he wanted to organize every single piece by color before he started building it.
A short laugh escaped Ilya.
Yeah. Definitely Shane.
—and if one piece didn’t fit exactly where he wanted…”
—He’d get so frustrated,” Duna cut in.
David continued:
—the castle kept falling apart over and over because he spent more time organizing everything than actually building it.”
Duna set another dish on the rack and laughed again.
—He spent days trying to finish it.
—and did he?” Ilya asked.
David smiled proudly.
—Of course he did.
There was warmth in his voice now. Real warmth.
—that kid never knew how to quit.”
Duna looked over from the kitchen. Softer this time.
—He still doesn’t.
The room quieted naturally after that.
David lifted his glass slightly.
—Yeah… that’s Shane.”
Lower now. More thoughtful.
—He’s stubborn as hell. But when he loves something…”
His eyes drifted briefly toward Ilya.
—He doesn’t let go easily.
Ilya lowered his gaze slightly. And even though he didn’t say anything… something in his expression shifted. Softer. Closer. Like hearing people talk about Shane that way made him understand him a little more. And from the kitchen, Duna smiled quietly to herself. As if she had noticed it too.
A few minutes later, the shower stopped running. From the hallway came the sound of drawers opening. Then another one. And another. David glanced upward with amusement already written across his face.
—Here we go.
Duna laughed softly from the kitchen.
—He can’t find something.
Ilya turned his head slightly toward the hallway.
Another drawer opened harder this time.
—Where is the—?” Shane muttered from the bedroom.
David shook his head.
—He always does this.
—Because he moves things around and forgets where he left them,” Duna answered.
—I don’t move anything!” Shane yelled back immediately.
That made David burst out laughing.
Ilya looked down, smiling quietly to himself.
A few seconds later:
—Oh. Never mind. Found it.
David raised his glass.
—A miracle.
When Shane finally came back out, wearing clean clothes and his favorite T-shirt, the apartment already felt alive. Music playing softly somewhere. Duna finishing dinner. David halfway through eating already. And Ilya standing in the kitchen opening drawers like he knew exactly where everything belonged. Shane stopped and stared at him for a second.
—Since when do you know where I keep my stuff?
—Since you don’t know how to organize your kitchen.
David laughed so hard he almost choked.
—I like him,” he announced.
—David!” Duna scolded.
—What?
Shane walked past Ilya, leaned close to his ear, and muttered:
—Idiot.
They sat down together. Duna across from Shane. David beside her. Ilya next to Shane. Duna served food onto Shane’s plate without even asking first.
—Eat.
—I’m not starving.
—Eat anyway.
Ilya grabbed the wine bottle and poured carefully.
First Duna.
Then David.
Then Shane.
Finally himself.
Duna watched him for a second.
—Thank you… Ilya.”
There was the slightest hesitation before his name.
David broke the lull before it could settle.
—So how do birthdays work in Russia?
He shrugged lightly.
—Depends. Sometimes big. Sometimes nothing.
—not that different here,” David said, gesturing around the table.
—Hey,” Shane complained.
—it’s true,” Ilya added. “He never does anything.”
—Both of you shut up.
Duna stepped in again.
—and your family? Do they celebrate like this?”
Ilya looked down at the table for a moment. Then back at her.
—not really like this.
—Then we’ll have to do it again sometime.
Ilya smiled softly.
—I’d like that.
Hollander lowered his eyes to his plate and took a bite.
—it’s good.
Duna looked offended immediately.
—“Good”? It’s delicious, because I made it.
David laughed again.
—you’re in trouble now, son.
Ilya watched everything quietly. Relaxed. Comfortable. Like he’d somehow always belonged at that table. Shane noticed it immediately. And even though he said nothing… something shifted inside him. Satisfaction, maybe. But also, something smaller. Stranger. Like things were moving faster than he expected.
The mood softened even more after that. Easy conversations. Laughter. Wine. Nothing forced. Nothing heavy. And for a little while… everything felt simple. Normal. Like nothing else existed beyond that table.
Ding dong!
The sound of the doorbell cut straight through the moment. Shane lifted his head.
—Were you expecting someone?
Duna shook her head. David too. Ilya took another sip of wine.
Shane got up, walked toward the door, glanced through the peephole… and froze.
—Fuck.
He didn’t open it right away. Just stayed there staring through the peephole like he needed another second to process what he was seeing. Balloons. A cake. Hayden. Alone. His stomach twisted immediately.
—Fuck,” he muttered again.
Behind him, the table had gone quiet.
—Who is it?” David asked.
Shane didn’t answer.
He opened the door. And for a second… words completely failed him.
—I… uh…
Nothing. His brain blanked.
Hayden lifted the cake slightly with half a grin.
—Happy birthday.
Shane stared at him without fully reacting yet.
—…yeah.
Something awkward settled between them.
—Figured nobody would remember your birthday, weirdo,” Hayden added with a shrug. “So… I came.”
Shane blinked hard.
—Yeah, I… I didn’t know…
The sentence died halfway through. He had no idea how to finish it.
—Can I come in?
Shane wasn’t thinking anymore. Just reacting. He stepped aside automatically.
—…Yeah. Sure.
Hayden walked in. And the atmosphere shifted instantly. Not sharply. Subtly. But heavy enough to feel.
Duna stood almost immediately.
—Hayden,” she said warmly, walking toward him.
She hugged him.
David got up too.
—Thanks for coming, Hayden,” he said, squeezing his shoulder. “Seriously.”
—Of course. Didn’t want him spending the night alone.
David smiled.
—we appreciate it.”
—and your family?” Duna asked.
—Stayed home,” Hayden answered. “My wife’s with the kids. I just came by for a little while.”
—you did good,” David said.
Shane was still standing there. Still frozen. Like mentally he hadn’t caught up to the moment yet. Then Hayden looked around.
The table.
The wine glasses.
The balloons.
And finally… Ilya Rozanov.
He stopped there.
One second.
Two.
He obviously knew who he was, but for a moment he looked genuinely stunned.
—…Rozanov?
Not exactly a question. Not fully a statement either. The Russian didn’t move.
—Ilya Rozanov,” Hayden repeated slowly, like he was fitting pieces together in his head.
The room went quiet again. Ilya looked directly at him, completely unbothered.
—Yeah… you know who I am.
Not aggressive. Not friendly either. Just clear. Too clear. Shane swallowed hard.
—He’s… uh…
He started speaking… then stopped. No clue how to finish that sentence. And nobody rescued him.
Eventually they drifted back toward the table. Hayden sat down slowly, still observing everything around him. Measuring it. Duna immediately took control of the atmosphere again. Low music continued playing quietly somewhere in the background.
—Sit, please.
David poured more wine.
—There’s always too much food in this house.
—I can see that,” Hayden answered lightly.
Ilya already had the bottle in his hand. He poured Hayden a glass without asking. Natural. Too natural. Hayden noticed immediately.
—Looks like you know your way around here pretty well.
Ilya lifted his eyes.
—I’ve been here before.
—Right.
Hollander jumped in too fast. Too forced.
—we’re working together.
—Yeah?” Hayden said.
—Yeah,” Ilya added calmly. “Charity thing.”
Shane nodded immediately.
—Yeah, we had this idea and I’ll explain it later, it’s—
Too nervous. Too fast.
The conversation kept going after that. Technically. But there were pauses where there shouldn’t have been pauses. Looks lasting slightly too long. Answers that sounded a little too careful. Hayden barely talked. He watched. Too much. Then Ilya made a tiny gesture toward Shane. Almost invisible. Just a slight tilt of his head. Nothing more. But Shane understood immediately.
Ilya stood first.
—Excuse me.
No explanation. He just left.
The bathroom wasn’t visible from the table. That helped a little.
Shane tried to stay seated.
One second.
Two.
Couldn’t do it.
—I’m gonna… be right back.
Way too obvious. Way too quick.
Hayden saw it.
Didn’t say a word.
But he saw everything.
The bathroom door shut behind them. And the air changed immediately. Shane leaned back against the door and dragged both hands over his face.
—Fuck… I wanna die.
Ilya looked at him calmly. Almost too calm.
Then stepped closer.
—I’m not leaving.
Shane exhaled shakily.
—I’m not abandoning you, okay?
Shane looked up at him.
There was fear in his eyes. But something deeper too.
He stepped closer and grabbed Ilya’s face gently. The kiss came slowly. No urgency. No desperation. Like it was the only stable thing left in the middle of all this chaos.
Shane rested his forehead against him.
—What are we supposed to tell Hayden?
Ilya didn’t answer right away.
Just looked at him.
—the truth?
Shane pulled back immediately.
—Are you insane?
A nervous laugh escaped him.
—Oh my God…
He ran a hand through his damp hair.
—This is getting out of control.
His breathing slowed little by little.
—it makes me so fucking uncomfortable…”
Then he looked at him again.
—but with you… it feels lighter.”
Ilya said nothing.
He just looked at him. And somehow… that was enough.
When they came back out of the bathroom…
The atmosphere had changed. Not better. Not worse. Just… different. Hayden looked up. Saw them. Didn’t say anything. But the table didn’t feel the same anymore. Something in his expression had shifted—more attentive now. More grounded. More aware.
—Everything okay?
Shane answered way too fast.
—Yeah.
Ilya said nothing. He sat back down, picked up his wine glass like nothing had happened. But something had happened. And somehow… everybody knew it.
Dinner continued. Not perfectly. But still pleasant. Conversations slowly started flowing again, little by little, like everyone had silently agreed to let the earlier moment go.
David was the first one to completely break the tension.
—So how are the kids doing, Hayden?
Hayden leaned back in his chair with a small laugh.
—Good. Too good, honestly. They somehow have more energy every day.
Duna smiled immediately.
—Still in school?
—Yeah. Actually, this weekend we went camping.
David lifted his eyebrows.
—Oh really? How’d that go?
Hayden made a face like he was reliving the experience in real time.
—Fun… but I’m probably never doing it again.
Duna laughed softly.
—that bad?
—Not bad,” Hayden clarified. “The kids loved it. Jackie stayed home with the baby… but honestly? I’m not built for sleeping in a tent.
David burst out laughing.
—You missed comfort?
—a bed,” Hayden answered immediately. “A warm bed. A hot shower. Literally anything that doesn’t leave your back destroyed the next morning.”
Duna shook her head, amused.
—that’s age.
—No,” Hayden shot back. “That’s common sense.”
That earned another round of laughter around the table.
Shane stayed mostly quiet, listening while playing absently with his fork. Ilya too. Watching more than participating.
—but it was good,” Hayden added after a moment. “Sometimes you need to get away from everything for a bit… even if halfway through you wanna run home.”
Duna nodded while rearranging things on the table.
—you do. Especially for kids.
Then suddenly she paused.
—Wait…
Her tone turned suspicious.
—Does something smell burned?
David sniffed the air lightly. Ilya looked up too.
And a second later Duna’s eyes widened.
—Oh shit!
She jumped up from her chair.
—the cookies!
David immediately started laughing.
—I knew you left something in the oven.
—David!
She practically rushed toward the kitchen while everyone else started laughing too.
From the hallway Shane yelled:
—Mom!
—I’m coming!
Hayden stood almost at the same time.
—I’ll help you.
Duna was already opening drawers searching for oven mitts.
—No, no, it’s okay, don’t worry—
—you sure?” Hayden asked, stepping closer. “I can help.”
She finally found the gloves.
—Found them.
Hayden laughed softly.
—Living with a bunch of kids really trains you for this stuff.
That made David raise his wine glass.
—There’s a man prepared for survival right there.
—Exactly,” Hayden replied while opening the oven.
Duna looked at the tray and made a face.
—Well… they definitely could’ve turned out worse.
—you’re only saying that because you made them,” David muttered from the table.
—I can still hear you!
Ilya lowered his eyes slightly, smiling to himself while watching the whole thing unfold. And for a few seconds… everything felt ridiculously normal again.
Then suddenly Hayden turned slightly toward Ilya.
—and you? How’s training going?
Ilya looked up calmly.
—Good.
—Just “good”?” Hayden pushed. “I’ve always wondered… what actually makes you almost the best hockey player in the world?”
Ilya looked at him.
Then let out a short laugh.
—Almost?
David immediately looked up, already expecting trouble.
—I am the best,” Ilya said without hesitation.
Shane laughed quietly through his nose.
—Sure.
Hayden grinned.
—I don’t know… I’d probably say you’re second best.
Ilya raised one eyebrow.
—Oh yeah?
Hayden tilted his head toward Shane.
—After Hollander.
Shane looked up immediately.
—Hey—
But they were already laughing.
Ilya shook his head, amused.
—that’s not true.
—we can debate it anytime you want,” Hayden answered.
—Anytime,” Ilya shot back.
Duna lifted her glass.
—Okay, okay… this is already too much testosterone for one table.
Everyone looked at her.
—I don’t need World War Three starting in my dining room.
David laughed loudly.
—Too late for that.
Conversations kept moving around the table while Ilya quietly stood up.
Shane barely glanced up.
—Where are you going?
—I’ll be back.
He headed toward the kitchen trying to act normal. Opened the fridge carefully and took out the cake. So far, so good. The problem started after that.
One drawer.
Nothing.
Second drawer.
Nothing again.
—Where the fuck…?
Another drawer.
Silverware.
Another one.
Napkins.
—No fucking way…
From the table David was openly entertained now. Duna tried keeping Shane distracted.
—So what happened at practice this morning?
Shane started answering while Ilya kept searching.
—Duna… where are the candles?” he muttered under his breath.
Her eyes widened slightly.
She couldn’t answer directly. Shane was already looking back toward the table.
So she quickly tilted her head toward one of the lower drawers.
Ilya looked at her.
Completely missed the message.
She gestured again. More obvious this time.
He opened the wrong drawer anyway.
—What are you looking for?” Shane asked from the table.
—Nothing.
Way too fast.
David had to hide his laugh behind the wine glass.
Duna gestured again, practically pointing now.
Finally Ilya opened the right drawer.
Candles.
—Ah…” he muttered quietly.
David snorted softly.
—Whole secret operation going on over there.
Ilya ignored him and started looking for the lighter.
Again.
Nothing.
Another drawer.
Nothing.
—Oh my God…” he muttered in Russian this time.
That finally broke David completely.
Duna ended up pointing directly above the microwave.
There it was.
The lighter.
Ilya grabbed it looking mildly offended with himself.
—Finally.
Shane narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
—Okay… you people are definitely doing something weird.
—Nobody’s doing anything,” David answered way too quickly.
Which only made Shane more suspicious.
A minute later, the dining room lights went out.
Shane immediately looked up.
—Oh no…
Ilya appeared carrying the lit birthday cake in both hands. Clearly a little nervous.
And he started singing first.
Hayden, David, and Duna joined almost immediately.
—🎶 Happy birthday to you… 🎶
Shane covered his face with one hand.
—Oh my God…
Which only made them sing louder.
—I can’t with you people… this is so embarrassing.
Duna was laughing while all of them sang completely off-key.
When they finished, the cake sat in front of him glowing softly.
David lifted one eyebrow.
—Make a wish.
Shane rolled his eyes… but still closed them for a second. Then blew out the candles. The tiny flames disappeared beneath scattered applause and soft laughter. Ilya headed into the kitchen for plates while Shane started cutting the cake.
—Don’t make giant pieces,” Duna warned him.
—No promises.
David grabbed the first plate immediately. Took a bite.
—Oh wow… this is really good.
—it’s way too sweet,” Hayden said almost at the same time.
Duna looked personally offended.
—Too sweet?
Ilya tasted a little.
—No. It’s fine.
David pointed at Hayden with his fork.
—Exactly. You just don’t appreciate good things.
That made everybody laugh again.
After a while, Hayden set his wine glass down and glanced at the time.
—Well…
He stood up slowly.
—I should get going.
Duna stood too.
—Already?
—Yeah,” he answered. “Can’t leave Jackie alone with the kids for too long.”
David looked up.
—Makes sense.
He stepped closer and gave Hayden a pat on the shoulder.
—Thanks for coming, Hayden. Seriously.
—No, thank you guys.
Duna hugged him warmly.
—you’re always welcome here.
—Same to you,” he replied softly.
Then Hayden looked toward Ilya.
—Need a ride somewhere? Or should I drop you off?
Ilya hesitated for barely a second.
—No, it’s okay. I’m waiting for a friend to pick me up.
—Alright,” Hayden said without pushing further.
—Sounds good.
A small pause settled.
—See you around.
—Yeah.
That was it. No tension. No questions. No loaded looks. They said goodbye. The door closed. Hayden’s footsteps faded down the hallway. And the apartment fell quiet again.
Duna started gathering dishes from the table.
—Well… that was nice,” she said.
David grabbed his jacket.
—Yeah. Not bad for someone who supposedly never celebrates anything.
Shane rolled his eyes lightly.
—Alright, alright.
Duna stepped closer and fixed the collar of his shirt with that automatic mother gesture she’d probably been doing his entire life.
—Happy birthday, sweetheart.
She kissed his cheek. David did the same, quick and simple.
—Take care of yourself. We gotta get up early tomorrow.
—Yeah.
One last exchange of looks. Then they left.
The door closed again.
Shane locked it this time.
Stayed there for a second, leaning against it.
Finally exhaled.
—Finally…
Ilya was already sitting on the couch waiting for him. Calm. Relaxed. Like everything else tonight had only been background noise.
—Well,” he said quietly, “now we get dessert.”
Shane looked at him, exhausted but smiling openly now. No point hiding it anymore.
—Shut up… you seriously can’t be serious for five minutes, can you?
—not when I don’t have to be.”
Shane shook his head and walked toward him.
Then practically collapsed onto the couch, half on top of him.
—Shane…” Ilya murmured softly. “I missed you so much.”
A slow breath escaped him.
—Fuck… way too much.
He kissed one cheek.
Then the other.
Then finally his mouth.
Slowly.
No rush.
No hiding anymore.
Ilya looked at him calmly afterward.
—Shane… what did you do to me?
Shane frowned slightly, confused.
—What do you mean?
Ilya held his gaze.
—I can’t stop thinking about you. Not even for a minute.
Shane looked away briefly, hiding a small smile.
—I don’t think about you that much.
Ilya laughed quietly under his breath.
—I’d bet everything I own if I thought you were telling the truth.
Shane didn’t answer. Just looked at him. Then kissed him again. This one slower. Deeper. They stayed close afterward without saying much. They didn’t need to. Until Shane looked at him again.
—I honestly didn’t think you were capable of planning something like this for me…
Ilya shrugged slightly.
—Why not?
A faint hint of teasing in his voice.
—I took a flight, got ready, talked to your mom… done.
He said it simply. Like it hadn’t been a big deal at all.
—not exactly complicated. Besides, the gala’s in two days and we already agreed to go together. I just moved my trip up a little.”
Shane stared at him quietly for a moment. Took a breath.
—Nobody’s ever done something like this for me before. Like… a real surprise.”
His voice softened.
—My parents don’t count.
A tiny laugh escaped him.
—all of this just keeps making me think about us. About our future too.”
He looked back at him.
But Ilya stayed silent.
Shane laughed nervously under his breath.
—you’re making me a little crazy.”
He inhaled slowly.
Softer now:
—a little crazy about you.”
Then he stood up.
Pulled his shirt over his head and let it fall wherever it landed without folding it, without thinking.
His pants followed the same path—one leg hanging off the bed, the rest tossed over the couch.
The socks ended up somewhere random too.
Ilya watched him carefully. Noticing the difference immediately.
—you’re changing.”
Shane turned around.
—is that bad?
Ilya shook his head slowly.
—No.
A small pause settled between them.
—it’s just… different.”
They moved closer again.
No rush.
No pressure.
This time there was nobody else around.
Nothing left to hide.
And for the first time since walking into his apartment that night… Shane finally stopped thinking altogether.