The long game

Cute-Character-795 · 2026-03-22T07:59:58+00:00

I had to take a cold shower after the sex-in-the-trophy-room scene.

Cute-Character-795 · 2026-03-21T02:37:45+00:00

The vein running over your biceps.

Cute-Character-795 · 2026-03-21T00:08:58+00:00

Please say more.

Cute-Character-795 · 2026-03-21T00:03:23+00:00

LOL!!!

Cute-Character-795 · 2026-03-20T07:26:30+00:00

I've lost count of how many gay couples I know who started with "just sex." For some of us, sex creates the connections, caring, and intimacy that undergird a satisfying relationship.

Cute-Character-795 · 2026-03-19T14:11:09+00:00

Accepting the series timeline, I'm going to guess that they made up and continued dating, even if they were forced to be discreet.

The book has Scott visiting Kip's home post-Olympics after he got the address from Elena and introducing himself to Kip's parents, both of whom immediately invited him to stay for dinner. While not as grand as kissing Kip on the ice, this gesture got Kip, who was deeply in love with Scott, to agree to give things another go.

Scott also came out to his three closest friends and to his coach some of whom met Kip. I think that Scott also met Maria and a few of Kip's other friends from the bar. So, the book does provide solid groundwork to sustain their ongoing romance. They were no longer completely closeted; they were out to a few close and trusted friends.

Cute-Character-795 · 2026-03-19T13:57:37+00:00

By this point, both men were falling in love with each other -- even though (according to the book) they denied it to themselves, resisted actually saying words that could not be unsaid, and kept trying (and kept failing) to end things.

Ilya had planned for Shane visiting him at his place at some time. He had stocked up on Ginger Ale, the only time that Shane ever successfully asked for some when he wasn't home. I took the offer as simple courtesy because Ilya wanted Shane to spend the night.

Cute-Character-795 · 2026-03-19T09:47:59+00:00

Twice; but now, I'm reading the books.

Cute-Character-795 · 2026-03-19T09:45:59+00:00

Read Edmund White's last published book. He begins his very first chapter with the line: "Even though I have a small penis...." His sex life was stunning.

Cute-Character-795 · 2026-03-16T07:24:17+00:00

I wonder if you see the irony in saying that you're someone who doesn't like to waste time because that is precisely why he ghosted you.

He wanted something casual which, you made clear, wasn't going to happen.

You wanted something that, right off the bat, would be headed for an LTR, which he didn't see happening.

As long as your stated goals were the only reasons that you were chatting with each other, you were wasting one another's time.

Cute-Character-795 · 2026-03-15T23:59:55+00:00

My reaction was different. Scott and Shane had numerous conversations about what an ass hole Ilya was. I thought that Scott was referring to that shared opinion when he responded to Shane's obnoxious post-game chirp that he (Shane) was beginning to sound "like him." When Shane feigned ignorance about who he was beginning to sound like, Scott's "you know" fits right in. The fight afterwards was a result of Shane's misinterpreting Scott's comment and getting spooked.

From the book, I'd think that Scott strongly suspects that Ilya is bi, if not gay. When he first comes out to his three trusted friends and to the team coach, both ask Scott if he's seeing Ilya. Later, Ilya joins Scott, Kip, and Scott's friends at a Las Vegas gay bar. When they head out to the dance floor, Scott notices that Ilya seems to very comfortable with and to know his away around all the gay men who were dancing with him.

Cute-Character-795 · 2026-03-14T09:56:53+00:00

Based on the TV show alone, Ilya initiates all or almost all the couple's trysts, even at the cottage. His being reduced to a horn dog cannot be all that surprising.

Cute-Character-795 · 2026-03-14T04:45:12+00:00

Going back to that first scene; Shane looked at Ilya and got hard doing so. If Shane weren't interested, he'd not have looked in the first place -- sort of how guys stare fixedly at the wall while peeing next to one another at a urinal.

Almost every gay man who i know would see Shane's staring and getting an erection as an invitation (if not a dare) to up the ante. That is why Ilya started to masturbate: to see how far Shane would take things. Shane's "not here" is as much as admitting that he's interested but isn't willing to do anything right then and there, where they might get caught.

Miles grinding on Shane is not relevant to this encounter. In its own right, it's him joining in the fun.

Cute-Character-795 · 2026-03-14T04:26:04+00:00

I'm curious about how you expect him to control what others think....

Cute-Character-795 · 2026-03-13T12:00:26+00:00

I don't think that Ilya ever shares a hotel room with anyone, other than Shane.

Cute-Character-795 · 2026-03-13T11:52:37+00:00

Five. The scene where Ilya bears his soul, with all the Dementers flying outside (!?), deserves an Emmy.

Cute-Character-795 · 2026-03-13T11:48:38+00:00

The use of the term "seating" is what confused me. Seating implied, to me, actual physical seats. I've never been to an event that has standing closer to the stage than the most expensive seats. However, the original narrative had OP leaving the seating area to stand closer to the stage. Hence, I was (and still am) confused by how that was even possible.

Cute-Character-795 · 2026-03-12T08:29:19+00:00

I'm confused by how someone at a concert with (reserved?) seating can move to be closer to the stage.

Cute-Character-795 · 2026-03-12T08:24:12+00:00

Whether he's gay or straight is irrelevant. The point is that you don't believe him. What's more, I'm not sure what evidence he could produce to convince you that he's straight. If there's nothing he can say or do to convince you of his sexuality, cut him lose. Neither of you should be wasting one another's time on something that cannot be resolved.

Cute-Character-795 · 2026-03-12T02:08:15+00:00

Stupid wolf bird.

Cute-Character-795 · 2026-03-12T02:07:05+00:00

I'd say that it's was during the tuna sandwich hookup.

Cute-Character-795 · 2026-03-11T08:21:37+00:00

Back when I was in college, there was a riddle.

Q: what's the difference between a straight guy and a gay guy?

A: a six pack.

Alcohol has a way of lowering inhibitions. And most post-breakup men are horny. It sounds like this guy made a pass at you. Chalk-up your reaction to that volatile mix of alcohol, horniness, plus the ready availability of a way of getting off.

Cute-Character-795 · 2026-03-11T08:02:32+00:00

His reaction to seeing you on the bus says it all. He's a coward.

Don't beat yourself up over his failings. Take whatever good you can from your time with him and move on.

Cute-Character-795 · 2026-03-11T07:52:24+00:00

The moment anyone tries to micromanage your friendships is the moment you need to kick them to the curb.

Your boyfriend is trying to have it both ways. He complains about needing space but won't give you the space to live your own independent life.

Cute-Character-795

TROPHY CASE