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Shane’s back is pressed against the wall, Ilya’s hands firm on his hips, lips tracing over his neck in slow, teasing lines. Heat pools between them, private and urgent. Shane shivers, pressed impossibly close, lost in the moment.
Then the door swings open.
“Shane, honey! Quick thing—”
Shane freezes mid-breath, eyes wide, as Ilya stiffens behind him. They scramble instinctively, Shane twisting, Ilya pressing him against his chest to cover him, tangled and flustered, trying to salvage what privacy they can.
“Mom—!” Shane gasps, cheeks burning.
Yuna doesn’t even pause. Heels clicking like a metronome, tablet in hand, she strides in, completely unbothered by the chaos. “Shane! The skincare brand wants you for Valentine’s Day. They need a yes today. Half a day, perfect exposure. You’d be amazing!”
Shane twists more, trying to hide behind Ilya. “I… I already said no! Mom, we’re busy!”
Yuna waves him off, ignoring the panic in his voice. “Busy is fine, honey. But this is serious! This is huge exposure! If we don’t confirm today, they’ll move on to someone else. Timing is everything, Shane!”
“I… I can’t do more right now…” Shane murmurs, voice tight, leaning into Ilya instinctively.
“Shane, listen!” Yuna steps closer, relentless, voice sharp but sugary. “You’re at a point where every opportunity matters! Half a day won’t kill you. Besides you already have the charity shoot and the shoe campaign next week, you can manage this!”
Shane swallows, eyes darting to Ilya, helpless. “I just want a break for a week mom”
Yuna ignores him completely, leaning on the tablet like it’s her authority. “Shane, sweetie, if you don’t do this, someone else will. You know how fast it moves. You don’t want to look back and think, ‘I should’ve said yes.’ ”
Shane shivers, heart hammering, trying to find words. “Mom… please…I just want to spend this week with Ilya"
Ilya shifts behind him, steady, protective, hands resting possessively on Shane’s hips. Calm and commanding, but not aggressive yet. Shane feels it instantly—a solid wall keeping him safe from Yuna’s push, a tether grounding him in the chaos.
Yuna taps the tablet again, impatient. “Shane, are you even listening? Half a day! That’s all I’m asking!”
Shane bites his lip, voice breaking. “Mom… I… I can’t…”
Ilya exhales slowly, hand tightening on Shane’s hip just enough to let him know he’s not alone. “That’s enough.”
Yuna freezes for a fraction of a second, then frowns. “I’m his mother! I know what’s best for him. Half a day won’t hurt him! He’s capable!”
Shane’s stomach twists, voice small. “Mom… please…”
Ilya leans slightly forward, tilting Shane’s head to look at him. “Shane doesn’t have to justify himself. No means no. You can push, you can argue, but it doesn’t change that. Not today.”
Yuna’s jaw tightens. “But he’s at a point where every opportunity matters! Half a day isn’t going to break him! He’ll regret passing it up! Shane, you know I’m right!”
Shane buries his face further into Ilya’s chest, trembling slightly. “Mom… I… I just… I don’t want to…”
Ilya shifts, hand brushing Shane’s cheek, tilting his chin so he can see him clearly. “You don’t get to ignore him. He’s saying no. He’s telling you this is too much right now. Protecting him means respecting that. Not arguing. Not nagging.”
Yuna mutters, tapping her tablet nervously. “I’m his mother… I just want him to succeed… I’m trying to help him—”
“And you’re forgetting he’s human,” Ilya interrupts, calm, eyes locking on hers. “Right now, the best way to help him is to respect him. He said no. That’s it. Any more push, and you cross a line.”
Yuna bites her lip, pacing slightly, muttering under her breath. “But he could do it, it’s an easy shoot"
Shane shivers, clinging tighter to Ilya. “Mom stop… please…not this time okay”
Ilya steps subtly closer, tilting Shane fully behind him. His presence is calm but commanding, impossible to ignore. “I told you and his father I would protect Shane, that means from anything that hurt him. He said no. That’s the final answer.”
Yuna freezes, finally really looking at Shane, then at Ilya. Her shoulders slump slightly, frustration still in her eyes, but something softens. She exhales slowly. “…Okay. You’re right.”
Shane lifts his head slightly, voice quiet and relieved. “It’s okay, Mom. I know you just want to help me. Sometimes I just need a break too."
Ilya presses a soft kiss to Shane’s hair.
Yuna hesitates, then takes a small step forward, voice quieter, more genuine. "It’s not okay Shane. I… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to push so hard. You deserve a break.”
Shane exhales shakily, leaning fully into Ilya, feeling safe at last. “Thanks…”
Ilya wraps him a little tighter, thumb brushing his cheek.
Yuna finally nods, letting them be. The room is quiet, Shane protected and warm, Ilya standing like a wall between him and the world, and for the first time, Yuna truly seems to understand.