He can't help but blush at the 'does it still work' mention. Great, now he's going to think about Dolemeck naked and he's not sure his healing factor can keep up with that level of blushing, embarrassment and utter flailing.

Ilya's arms shift so he can bury his head more comfortably into the crook of Dolemeck's neck. He feels so safe like this, so warm. It's been so long since anyone did anything but tell him to move on. SHIELD never had much sympathy; they always acted as if they were ready for him to snap. This is what's been missing from his life, this kind of love, this type of moment.

"I know this place is wonderful. I already feel better having you. I just - I want my family back. I don't know what the future will be for me anymore. I used to think that I'd go back to Ayon Island and live there, but there isn't anything or anyone there for me now. The polar station's closed and so many people have left the island that my old town isn't even inhabited anymore. And then I feel guilty for complaining about any of that when I'm here and everything is so good and I have you, and you mean so much to me. I don't understand why I can't just be happy with all the good things in my life."

Oh, wow, that was a lot of emotional gibberish. Did he really just spew all that out? Did any of it make sense? He wasn't even sure why he let himself say it, just that he felt like he could, like Dolemeck equaled safety.

"You are different. You're special to me. I've never connected to anyone like this." It's a little scary, but it feels too right to pull away from.