Shane and the Russian Foreign Exchange Student

by dinovshi

Summary:

Shane Hollander’s overbearing parents have one request for him - bring a date to every social event.

Or Hollanov fake dating college au.

Notes:

I’m a senior in college and I still don’t know what I’m talking about.

Chapter 1: Shane needs a date

Shane Hollander’s overbearing parents have one request for him - bring a date to every social event. They didn’t care if it was a girl or guy as long as Shane had someone to bring along to the boring mixers his parents never turned down. Shane usually brought Rose Landry, his close friend from college, but she was out of town. She was practically always out of town, chasing new adventures to become the next best thing. Shane was happy for her, of course, but he needed some support that was not from his parents. He felt weird asking another guy he was friends with to come with, it was too formal for the guys he knew and he never wanted to push anything on them. So here he was, days before the next event, without a date. He had only gone to one without a date once and his parents had freaked out. Shane was never sure why it mattered but he has his suspicions. For one, his parents knew he struggled socially. Bringing someone along would encourage him to be more outgoing and mingle - like they so badly wanted. Rose was exceptional at this and he missed her dearly, pulling out his phone to text her, maybe even beg her to come.

Shane: Are you sure you’re not gonna be here Saturday night??

Rose: I’m in LA girl, it’s not happening

Shane: I’m going to show up with no date and be awkward and stupid and a loser

Rose: You are none of those things, let me see if I can find someone for you.

Rose: Oh my God, do you remember Ilya Rozanov from freshman year?

Shane: The Russian foreign exchange student? What about him?

Rose: I heard he transferred back this year and he is buff!

Shane: Okay? What about my date to the mixer?

Rose: Ask him! Free drinks and hot people, I think he would love it.

Shane: These hot people are going to be my parents' age.

Rose: So free drinks, I’ll give you his number.

Shane: It won’t be weird? Asking some guy I’ve met maybe twice to be my date?

Rose: It’s better than asking Hayden. Just have some fun for once, you need it.

Rose was right. Shane had been way too focused on college right now. He was a junior premed student and there was certainly no time for fun. These mixers allowed Shane to build connections for potential medical schools and letters of recommendation but it was in no way enjoyable. It took additional time away from studying and seeing the people he actually enjoyed hanging out with. Shane really missed Rose right now. She had sent him Ilya Rozanov’s number next to a winky face. He sighed deeply before clicking onto it to start a message. Here goes nothing.

Shane: Hi, it’s Shane Hollander. I got your number from Rose Landry. Would you want to go to a mixer with me, Saturday? Free drinks and all that fun stuff. My parents want me to bring someone.

Ilya: You are very formal. Is date?

Shane: Friendly date? I don’t know, we can go as friends to please my parents.

Ilya: I can be fake boyfriend. Make parents happy and have good alcohol for future, yes?

Shane: We can just go as friends, my parents are cool with that. Just friends.

Ilya: Fake is more fun. Text me the address.

What the fuck? Shane had asked him to go as a friend and he had automatically changed it to dating. Not even a real date for that matter. A lie that he now had to construct to convince his parents. And to make matters worse, Shane barely knew Ilya Rozanov. He knew he liked to party. He knew he slept around a lot. He knew that he was studying a business course. Practically, nothing in common with Shane, and this was supposed to be his new boyfriend. He was not missing Rose Landry anymore. She was going to be dead to him.

Since he had no other option, Shane had to go with Ilya Rozanov.

Shane: We need a story to tell people and my parents.

Ilya: College students, meet at party, fall in love?

Shane: No one would believe I go to parties.

Ilya: My fake boyfriend is boring?

Shane groaned at the message. He knew he wasn’t very exciting as a person but to be called boring already by a guy who didn’t even know him was embarrassing.

Shane: Well you aren’t boring, so can we make this work?

Ilya: For boyfriend, I can make this work.

Shane blushed at the absence of the word fake. He remembers Ilya being a little shorter than him and he had this charming smile but that was almost two years ago. He wasn’t even sure if he’d be recognizable anymore. Rose had said he was buff now. What if Shane went to this mixer and couldn’t even recognize the guy he went with?

Shane: Can you send me an updated picture of you? I can make it my lock screen or something. More convincing.

Ilya: [attached image]

The image was sinful. Shane’s mouth had gaped open, a loud gasp followed it, and he had thrown his phone to the other side of his bed in utter shock. It was a shirtless mirror selfie. Shane honestly didn’t even know if he had anything on below his waist, the picture was cut off around the belly button. To say he was buff was an understatement. Ilya Rozanov was a God. His skin was golden and had a glowing shimmer that reflected from the dingy bathroom light. His free arm was flexed, showing his incredible biceps and the beautiful veins that cascaded down. Shane was ashamed that he was a little too focused on the veins and muscles and the fact that he could be a perfect model for his anatomy class. He could see every ripple and divet in llya’s chest and he secretly wished he could follow them with his fingers. His stomach was just as impressive as the rest of him. Shane felt guilty for even looking at this picture. There was no way he could have this as his lockscreen and be normal about it.

Shane: I cannot use that picture.

Ilya: Use for what? To jerk off?

Shane: Oh my god, no. My lock screen

Ilya: Is good picture, no?

Shane: You’re practically naked.

Ilya: Boyfriends send each other shirtless pictures. Send me one.

Shane was so confused. Why was Ilya so willing to be his fake boyfriend and make things so difficult for him. His heart hadn’t stopped racing from the picture and now he had to take his own. For his fake boyfriend who was the most gorgeous person he had ever seen. Shane was glad that he had at least taken to working out within the last few years. He found it incredibly relaxing to run or lift weights while listening to one of his many lectures. Although he didn’t look like Ilya, his progress was impressive and he was pretty proud of how he looked. Shane was still mentally preparing for his shirtless picture when his phone chimed.

Ilya: You don’t have to be shirtless. Shirt on is okay.

It was like he had been reading his mind. Ilya knew he was nervous without Shane even doing anything and Shane hated how it made his stomach flutter.

Shane: No. We should be matching.

Shane walked over to his bathroom, quickly moving things around on the sink to make it look as neat as possible. He even went out of his way to wipe the mirror down to prevent any streaking in his picture. His shirt was off and he was just staring through his phone’s screen. Shane had never taken a picture like this before. It was completely innocent but it felt weird. He wasn’t sure how to pose, maybe he should copy Ilya. Shane decided to mimic Ilya’s picture and essentially mirror it so when they were side by side, they would be flexing different arms, forming some weird couple picture. He made sure to send the picture quickly so that he couldn’t dwell on it anymore.

Ilya: My boyfriend is hot.

Shane: Fake boyfriend.

Ilya: What if your parents read our texts? I call you boyfriend.

Shane: Unlikely, but sure.

Ilya: See you Saturday, hot boyfriend.

This was not happening. Shane had started some weird business with Ilya and now he had a fake boyfriend and his mind was racing. His parents didn’t even know he had a boyfriend and he did not want to hard launch it at this event. His parents knew all his friends too and they would likely be quizzed and interrogated about Shane’s love life given the chance. Shane couldn’t just date Ilya for his parents sake. He had to fake date him publicly too.

Chapter 2: Shane has a date

Summary:

Shane and Ilya did not have a story for their new relationship and the event was tomorrow. He also needed to somehow convince all his friends that he just started dating the sexiest guy on campus. Rose was probably the only person who would know the truth of the situation and she wasn’t even here.

Notes:

Promise it will pick up the pace a little! It’s too easy to write about Shane’s anxiety autism situation he got going on… he is me.

Shane and Ilya did not have a story for their new relationship and the event was tomorrow. He also needed to somehow convince all his friends that he just started dating the sexiest guy on campus. Rose was probably the only person who would know the truth of the situation and she wasn’t even here.

Shane: Rose. I have another emergency.

Rose: Oh boy. Did he agree to be your date?

Shane: Yes but he wants me to be his fake boyfriend?? I said friends but he said fake dating would be fun. WHO SAYS THAT?

Rose: Okay calm down. This could be fun, Shane gets to play boyfriend and make his parents happy.

Shane: I have another problem

Shane: He is gorgeous

Shane: He is out of my league

Rose: First of all, you’re sexy too! You should wear your glasses to the mixer, really put that out there. Second, it’s not real! Don’t think too much about it, baby.

Shane: Come back soon :’(

Rose: Definitely. I need to meet your new man.

Shane had the sudden urge to block Rose’s number. He should’ve done it days ago, before she mentioned the name Ilya Rozanov. It was the only thing he could think about now. Forget his studies, he had a new boyfriend. A very fake but very sexy boyfriend. They hadn’t even gone into any specifics and all Shane had was the shirtless picture that he now had to stare at every time he turned on his phone.

Shane: Hey, I probably have to tell some friends about us too. Make it realistic.

Ilya: You’re not all boring then, you have friends?

Shane: Ha ha. Besides Rose, there are some and my parents know them.

Ilya: Is okay with me. I have not been dating in long time.

Shane: No offense but I know you date around.

Ilya: No, I sleep around. Big difference. You are first at this college to date me.

Shane was shocked. He thought Ilya had dated at least four people from his biochemistry class. Maybe the term date is loose and they don’t want to be known for anything else. Still, Shane was now going to be the first person Ilya Rozanov had chosen to date. He really hoped rumors would not spread too quickly, he needed some time to mourn his quiet time in the dining hall that will now undoubtedly be ruined by pestering girls who want Ilya too.

Shane: No pressure then.

Ilya: Is great accomplishment.

Shane: Why did you suggest to fake date me?

The question came abruptly and Shane did not really mean to ask it now but it had been weighing on him. It was unclear to him whether Ilya was making some huge joke out of him and was going to spread this around. He was popular, athletic, and hot. People would love to listen to his Russian accent any time, especially if he was denouncing a nerd like Shane Hollander.

Ilya: A secret can be fun. Free drinks are fun. My semester has been boring.

Shane: So it’s all a game to you?

Ilya: Fun game, yes? I can make you enjoy it too.

Shane didn’t know what he meant by that. He also didn’t know how to feel about being some play thing for Ilya. He was sort of using Ilya too, for his own advantages. It was a form of messed up compliance that they both had to deal with.

Shane: I’m going to tell my parents tonight.

Shane: About us.

Ilya: What are their names? I will meet them tomorrow. I’ll make a good impression.

Shane: Yuna and David Hollander.

It was nerve wracking to even mention a friend to his parents but now Shane had to bring up the fact that he had gotten a new boyfriend and try to hide that it was fake. He had never been a good liar and his mother was probably the most perceptive person ever. It was not a good mix.

He sat down at their family table, pulling out the chair softly to avoid scraping the wooden floors. His dad was talking about some work thing and his mother was already analyzing the look on Shane’s face. Shit. Her mouth curved into a small smile as she watched Shane flush.

“Mom. Dad.” Shane started, stuttering a little. “I have something to tell you.”

Yuna Hollander nodded, encouraging him to continue and essentially telling her husband to be quiet.

“Um, so tomorrow. I’m bringing someone with me.” Shane said, maybe a little too quiet.

“No Rose?” Yuna asked, surprised that Shane had been able to find anyone else who would agree to go.

“No. It’s a guy.” Shane tried to smile to be somewhat convincing. That he was happy he found someone. Instead, it came out nervous and muddled, much like him. His parents had known he was gay, probably before he even had. They were supportive in every way but Shane had never introduced a guy to them in a romantic setting before. It was uncharted territory for all of them. “I guess he’s my boyfriend but his name is Ilya.”

“Wow. A boyfriend.” David Hollander smiled, looking at Yuna for support. “That’s great Shane.”

“Yes, it is.” Yuna grinned widely. “I’m excited to meet him. Our Shane’s first boyfriend.”

Okay now Shane was embarrassed that Ilya was going to be his first boyfriend. He had some girlfriends before he was sure about his sexuality but nothing serious ever happened. Ilya was going to be his first boyfriend and it wasn’t even real.

“It’s still kind of new.” Shane flushed, he didn’t know if he was blushing because he was lying or because Ilya was going to meet his parents. “So don’t be too harsh on him, please?”

Yuna shook her head, brushing off Shane’s comment dismissively. “We’ll behave but I can’t promise anything after we've had a few drinks.”

Shane smiled to himself. The alcohol would probably help diffuse the situation. He wasn’t a big drinker himself but he felt different when he had a few drinks. His mind was more clear and he could act somewhat normal. Maybe this fake dating thing could work.

Notes:

Next chapter will be at the mixer!!

Follow holaunoz on Twitter for updates and to be mutuals :)

Notes:

Idk if this will be slow burn or angsty or happy yet so please put me in a good mood for their relationship…

Follow me at holaunoz on Twitter for future updates!! Also be my mutual :)