Shubman walked up the steps to Malini's apartment, his hands in his pockets, humming a tune under his breath. He had just wrapped up practice and was eager to see his girl.

But as he reached her door, he paused.

A faint, high-pitched yipping sound came from inside, followed by Malini's soft laughter. His brows furrowed in confusion. Had she gotten a dog? Why hadn't she told him?

Curious, he pushed the door open, grinning as he called out, "Hey, darling, I'm home—"

He stopped mid-step, his mouth parting in shock.

There, in the middle of the living room, sat Malini cross-legged on the floor, a tiny golden-furred puppy in her lap. 

The little guy was happily chewing on the string of her hoodie while she giggled, trying to pry it out of his tiny jaws.

"Rogers, no! That's my favourite hoodie!" she scolded playfully, her voice high and affectionate.

Shubman blinked. "Who the fuck is Rogers?"

Malini's head snapped up, her eyes wide, as if she had just been caught red-handed. "Shubman! I didn't hear you come in."

He stepped closer, pointing at the puppy. "I repeat—who the fuck is Rogers?"

Malini rolled her eyes and scooped the puppy up in her arms, standing up. "Meet Rogers, my baby."

"Baby?" he echoed, his gaze bouncing between her and the fluffy bundle in her arms. "You... got a puppy? And you didn't tell me?"

She pouted. "No, I didn't get him. Rogers has always been mine. My parents were just taking care of him because he had a few vet visits for his shots. They just dropped him off today."

Shubman exhaled dramatically. "So you've been hiding a dog from me this whole time?"

She giggled, stepping closer. "I wasn't hiding him, dumbass. He was just... temporarily staying with my parents."

He crossed his arms, pretending to be offended. "Wow. So I'm only now meeting your kid? What does that say about our relationship, Malini?"

Malini laughed, shifting Rogers in her arms before stepping forward and pressing a quick kiss to Shubman's cheek. 

"I was waiting for the right time," she teased.

Shubman, as much as he wanted to keep up the dramatic act, instantly melted at the kiss. 

He sighed, giving in, and reached out to scratch behind Rogers' ears. The puppy immediately wagged his tail, letting out a tiny, excited bark.

"Well, damn," Shubman muttered. "He's fucking adorable."

"Told you," Malini said smugly.

Shubman took Rogers from her arms and held him up, inspecting him like he was some rare artifact. "Alright, listen, little man," he said, eyes narrowing. "I'm the only man in her life, got it?"

Rogers yawned.

"See?" Malini smirked. "He doesn't give a shit about your threats, Gill."

Shubman scowled at the tiny fluffball before tucking him into his chest and grumbling, "Fine. I guess I can share you."

Malini just grinned, watching as Shubman—India's cricket golden boy—stood there, completely smitten with her tiny puppy.

"You're both my babies now," she teased.

Shubman scoffed. "That's a fucking reach, darling."

She winked. "You love me anyway."

He sighed, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Yeah, I do."

A few hours later, Malini and Shubman were sprawled across her couch, a half-empty pizza box on the coffee table, Rogers nestled between them, fast asleep. 

The tiny puppy had exhausted himself playing, and now he lay curled up against Shubman's thigh, his little chest rising and falling steadily.

Shubman absentmindedly ran his fingers through Malini's hair as she lay with her head in his lap, scrolling through her phone. 

Every now and then, he'd twirl a strand of her hair between his fingers, and Malini would hum contentedly.

"You're obsessed with my hair, aren't you?" she murmured, tilting her head to look up at him.

He smirked. "Maybe."

"Creep," she teased, poking his thigh.

"Shut up, darling," he chuckled, flicking her forehead.

She scrunched her nose at him before turning back to her phone. But a few minutes later, she put it down and looked up at him again, this time a little more serious.

"You really like Rogers, huh?" she asked softly.

Shubman looked down at the puppy, his fingers still trailing through Malini's waves. 

"Yeah, he's cute as fuck. Not gonna lie, I didn't think I'd get attached to a tiny furball this quickly."

Malini smiled. "I was a little nervous about introducing you two."

He raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

She shrugged, playing with the sleeve of her sweater. 

"I don't know. I guess I just... You're such a big part of my life now, and Rogers has been my baby for so long. It kinda felt like... introducing two worlds, you know?"

Shubman's expression softened. He leaned down, pressing a kiss to her temple. 

"Darling, you really think I wouldn't fall in love with anything that's yours?"

Malini's heart did a somersault. She bit her lip, suddenly feeling a warmth spread through her chest.

"I swear to fucking god, Shubman, sometimes you say the smoothest shit without even realizing it," she muttered, covering her face with her hands.

He laughed, pulling her hands away from her face. "What, you can dish out all that attitude, but the second I get a little sweet, you lose your mind?"

"Fuck off," she grumbled, her cheeks warm.

He grinned. "Nah, you love me too much for that."

She rolled her eyes, but there was no hiding the way her lips curled up.

Shubman suddenly reached over and grabbed Rogers, lifting him up so they were eye level. The puppy blinked sleepily.

"Alright, listen here, little guy," he said, voice serious. "Your mom is fucking crazy, but she's mine. So if you ever try to steal her from me, we're gonna have problems."

Rogers let out a tiny yawn and promptly fell back asleep.

Malini burst out laughing. "Oh my god, did you just threaten a puppy?"

"Had to establish dominance, babe," he smirked.

She shook her head, still laughing as she sat up and leaned against him. "You're ridiculous, Gill."

"And yet, you're head over heels for me," he murmured, tilting her chin up.

Her breath hitched as she stared into his dark eyes, their faces inches apart.

"Yeah," she whispered. "I am."

He smiled before pressing his lips against hers, slow and deep, as Rogers snuggled between them, their little family coming together in the soft glow of the living room.

soup rants!

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