Chapter Text
“Shanebug, come on sweetheart it’s just for a few hours.” Yuna Hollander half begs the small boy who’s attached himself to her collar where her calming scent is strongest. He sniffles trying to bury his face even further but to no avail as the loud noises of children playing still overwhelm his every sense. The nursery teacher smiles with an empathetic look that says this isn’t the first meltdown of today and likely won’t be the last that she’s had to deal with.
“малыш, Slow down!” Yuna hears from behind where she’s crouched on the floor wrapped around her 4-year-old son Shane, a small boy with blonde curls and startling blue eyes almost bumps into them before coming to a quick halt realising the distressed pair. “Привет, я Илья!” He practically screams whilst bouncing on his heels. Irina quickly appears to his side placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Ilyusha, we need to use English remember?” She says gently whilst pushing a curl behind his ear. She glances at the scene her sons interrupted before her apologetic scent starts to bloom.
“Sorry… he’s a little scared, first day nerves.” Yuna half lies. Shane has always been a koala baby as her and David joked. However, as her son grew they’ve started to notice other little oddities like issues with loud noises and food textures— nothing they’re hugely worried about and they couldn’t possibly love their son anymore. ‘Hello, I’m Ilya— I’m scared too!” The other little boy says which makes both women quietly chuckle because he sure doesn’t seem it. He practically exudes excitement.
Slowly, Shane tilts his head to the side still imbedded under Yuna’s jaw and looks at Ilya for the first time with tear-filled eyes. Just as Irina’s about to steer her son away from bothering this family anymore, Shane finally speaks for the first time. “Shane…” he sniffles slightly, tightening his grip on his mother, who looks shocked. “Hmm?” Ilya hums a confused note; English isn’t his first language, but he’s getting better the longer they’ve been in Canada— he’s definitely not heard this word before.
“I’m Shane.” He whispers again, seemingly understanding the boy’s confusion. Ilya’s face instantly fills with a gleaming grin as soon as he understands. A child’s loud shriek rings out behind where the teachers still stood by the door, startling Shane, who covers his ears with both hands with a shaky, gasping breath. Ilya’s smile turns to a frown as he looks towards the noise and back to a shaking Shane. Yuna runs a soothing hand down his back. “You want… hmm?” Ilya whispers shouts, forgetting the word for quiet. He places a finger in front of his mouth, trying to sign the word. Shane slowly nods with big eyes. “Quiet, it’s loud.” He mutters with hands still over his ears. Ilya nods aggressively like a child on a mission, whilst peering through the door.
“I know where quiet, you come?” He says, reaching out a tiny hand in offering. Shane stares at it for a moment whilst Yuna holds her breath again. Slowly, Shane lowers his hands from his head and takes hold of Ilya’s. The boys slowly step away from their parents and through the door and make their way to a small reading nook in the corner, still hand in hand.
“Oh my… he’s never optionally gone anywhere without one of us before.” Yuna sighs, still watching her boy who’s now sitting on the floor and nodding along to whatever the other boy’s whispering to him. She turns to look at the mother of the boy who seems to have a sparkling look in her own eyes. “Ilyusha hasn’t had a chance to make any friends here yet. He’s been very excited for today.” She says very quietly before glancing at Yuna who smiles back at her in turn. They both watch as Ilya gently hands Shane a toy which finally elicits a small smile from him.
“Did you move here recently?” Yuna asks carefully. She can tell the family is Russian and the boy’s mother is an omega. She knows a fair amount about the oppressive laws in action against Omegas there that have caused many to have to seek refuge in other countries. Irina nods with a small nervous smile on her face before turning back to Yuna. “About a year ago, but it took a while for us too… get settled. I’m Irina.” Clearly withholding the unfortunate details from this kind stranger, she changes the subject to introductions. “I’m Yuna. My partner, David, will be very excited that Shane’s made a friend too. We were worried we’d have to homeschool… he doesn’t usually do too well in social settings.” On cue, they turn back to the boys as they hear a loud shriek again. Shane’s posture tightens and his hands twitch around the toy he’s still holding. The women hold their breath as they watch Ilya slowly place down his toy and slowly lift his hands too Shane’s ears like he did earlier. Shane places his own toy down before lifting his shaky hands over Ilya’s ears. “Oh, that’s really cute…” Irina swoons with a hand over her mouth. Yuna feels the slight sting of tears in her eyes and clears her throat. “I’d love to get your number and plan play dates if you’re up to it,” she says still staring at the boys who are still sat holding each other’s ears whilst smiling.
“I would like that,” Irina smiles, knowing her son will be non-stop chattering about his new friend later.
"Say bye, Bug!" Yuna says taking her son's hand, Shane suddenly shy after spending a whole day playing steps behind Yuna's arm slightly and waves. "Bye, Ilya." he quietly murmurs with pink cheeks and a small smile, Ilya grins and waves aggressively.
"Will you come... next day?" Ilya asks with bright eyes, taking Irina's hand hoping this won't be the last time he gets to see his first Canadian friend. Shane looks up to his mum hopefully, Yuna nods at him with a small emotional smile. "I'll be here tomorrow," he says looking back at Ilya again, whose grin brightens in excitement.
"Bye Shanya!" he shouts as Irina slowly guides him away, slightly shocked at the Russian nickname. "Mama, can we stay here with Shane?" he asks as she starts buckling him into the car, with watery eyes she looks up at her boy. She was so scared when they escaped to Canada that Ilya wouldn't understand why they was leaving without his father, scared that he wouldn't like it and would ask to go back. "Of course, малыш. We can stay in Canada."