Chapter Twenty-Five

In his hotel room, Shane is visited by J.J., who brings coffee and probes Shane’s shaken reaction to Ottawa’s in-flight emergency. Unable to reveal the truth, Shane lets J.J. believe he has an unrequited crush on Ilya. J.J. offers support and jokes about the impossibility of dating a rival, leaving Shane both guilty and newly determined to build a life with Ilya.

Later, Ilya returns home exhausted and finds Shane already at his house. Their reunion is urgent and emotional, and Shane leads Ilya into a living room filled with electric candles. Remembering an old joke about proposing by candlelight, Ilya watches as Shane drops to one knee and proposes with a simple ring. After a stunned pause, Ilya accepts.

They improvise the ring’s fit by placing it on Ilya’s chain, next to his mother’s crucifix. Overcome with relief and love, they share an intimate celebration, grounding themselves after the brush with mortality.

Afterward, Shane proposes a summer timeline for coming out publicly and getting married. Ilya agrees, prioritizing telling people together on their own terms. They consider hiding in plain sight until then—using J.J.’s mistaken belief as cover—and discuss Ilya possibly coming out as bi, deciding to wait for summer.

They end the night quietly, savoring the engagement and planning time together, with Ilya deciding to skip practice to remain with Shane.