Shubman couldn't help but smile as he walked into the cozy home,  soaking in every detail; the floral wallpaper, the white marbled floor, the yellow table lamps with carousels painted on them, the lace-bound curtains and the scent of the whole place which was so characteristically 'Ishan'.

He absently realised his clothes and shoes were drenched leaving a messy trail of water  and mud with every step he took on the clean floor. A part of him desperately hoped it wasn't symbolic of how he would later on create a mess of the beautiful home (family).

Ishan turned to him suddenly and sighed,

" First room to the left is the guestroom, take a hot shower, I'll get you some dry clothes..."

Shubman beamed like a little kid who'd been offered their favourite candy, and nodded while Ishan handed him a towel.

"And wipe that goofy grin off your face.."

The younger watched as Ishan retreated back to the kitchen counter. He noticed the slumped shoulders of the older, almost as though he was exhausted, with slow languid steps.

Shubman couldn't help but frown, Ishan had changed a lot over the years.

And he could only blame himself.

                       °°°°°°

Shubman walked out of the guestroom, dressed in warm pajamas and a towel draped over his shoulders while stray drops of water dripped from his dark hair and soaked into the white towel.

Ishan looked up from the counter and their eyes locked. And while Shubman held a smitten gaze, Ishan's eyes were pits of emotionless void.

The older gestured for the young cricketer to take a seat at the high-rise counter chair, which he promptly obeyed.

Ishan wordlessly passed him a cup of hot coffee, and Shubman, on the receiving end, intentionally brushed his hands over the older's in a dying, desperate attempt of physical contact.

Ishan, however flinched at the contact and Shubman felt a gloom of rejection and his heart dropped.

After a few more seconds of awkward silence, Ishan finally spoke,

"Shubman...Um-.."

The younger immediately perked up, wide eyes set on the beautiful man before him.

" I've been thinking... What happened between you and me, is done and over with.. there's no going back, or making up that can fix what's broken."

"But-" Shubman tried, crestfallen.

An indicative raised palm from Ishan shut him up.

"But..." the older continued, "You still do deserve a chance to be a father to Vihaan...or rather, Vihaan deserves to receive love from both his parents... So don't assume I'm doing this for you, but solely for the sake of my Vihu, I'll give you a prospect to right your wrong. However, this has nothing to do with you and I... We shall simply remain co-parents and nothing more."

Shubman felt his mouth run dry and the pain at the back of his throat was back, his eyes stung with unshed tears.

He swallowed steadily.

"Ishu... I- please... I missed you so much, don't push me away.."  he reached out for the older's hand over the island .

Ishan angrily snatched his hand away and closed his eyes,  he pinched the bridge of his nose trying to calm his anger.

He didn't want to do this...

He hadn't wanted to show this side to Shubman.

But he left him no choice.

"Shut up! Just... Stop! Haven't you done enough already?! I'm tired Shubman! Am I not a human being too? How much can a man possibly take before breaking down?" Ishan's tears fell involuntarily and he angrily wiped them with his hands, more mad at himself for crying over Shubman...once again.

" I can't do this anymore. Not with you... Don't mistake my kindness for love. You and I are impossible, Shub-" he whispered out the last sentence letting the sobs take over.

Shubman walked around the corner and pulled the crying man to his chest, he held him in his arms and brought a gentle hand to stroke over Ishan's long curls.

"Shhh... Okay, okay, I'm sorry... I won't bring this up again. Now please stop crying, love."

Ishan shut his eyes tight as he listened to the younger's beating heart; loud and fast. He tried not to dwell his thoughts on what this could mean. He'd lately been improving drastically at ignoring and running away from emotions and this was exactly what he was going to do.

A minute or two, or maybe ten, passed in silent embrace, but reality eventually dawned on them and the two broke away and Ishan sniffled and cleared his throat,

"You wanna see him?" his voice suddenly unsure and timid at the thought of the younger not being ready.

All thoughts of doubt and uncertainty immediately flew out his mind the moment he saw Shubman's face lit up, he nodded excitedly.

"He's asleep though" Ishan continued as they climbed up the stairs, "We're going to have to be really quite..."

"Okay.." Shubman whispered, even before entering the room making the older chuckle, while remnants of his tears still proved of his earlier breakdown.

They slowly creaked the door open and went inside where a chubby figure was sound asleep hugging a tiny pillow.

The moment Shubman's eyes landed on him, he knew he'd been proven wrong; he always thought Ishan would be the only man he'd ever lover, but right now, this very moment, he realised there was just enough space in his heart for a chubby little version of his Ishu.

Untill a few minutes ago it felt impossible to say he could love Ishan more than he already did, but now, as he watched the steady rise and fall of the sleeping munchkin's chest, his love for Ishan only grew a hundredfold.

Ishan had carried this angel of theirs all alone, had sacrificed everything and everyone he'd ever loved and known, he'd bore the late night pregnancy cravings alone, laboured alone, raised this beautiful boy all by himself. He must've been so worried and confused...

If Shubman were to repent for his shortcomings, it would take a lifetime, and he was willing to; as long as Ishan would let him.

A hand on his shoulder brought him out of his thoughts...

" You're crying..." Ishan handed him a tissue.

"Yeah..." Shubman laughed his tears away, "They're happy tears, Ishu.."

Ishan gave him a half hearted smile, Shubman couldn't fool him even if he tried.

They walked to the opposite sides of the bed, and sat with Vihaan sleeping between them.

Shubman slowly brought a gentle hand to the toddler's curly long locks, much like his Baba's, they felt soft beneath his fingertips making the younger smile fondly. He delicately leaned over and placed a loving kiss on the fat round cheeks.

Okay... Breathe, Shubman, he reminded himself. His heart felt like it would explode out of love.

Shubman was in love...in love.

The younger bombarded Ishan with a million questions, what was Vihu's first word? Had he taken his first steps yet? Did he watch cartoon? Which was his favourite toy?

And Ishan patiently responded to every doubt leaving no room for curiosity. Finally, the older yawned and looked at the time.

"Gosh! Shubman it's 4:00 am... Vihu's gonna be awake in a few hours, mind if I catch a few hours of sleep?"

"Sure, sure... Sleep, Ishu." Shubman himself laid down on the bed facing Vihu.

He watched contently as Ishan eventually drifted off to sleep, a protective arm over Vihu's small figure.

The younger laid awake the whole dawn, unable to find slumber with so much bliss and warmth in his heart.

As the sun rose and the birds chirped in tune to welcome a new day; a new beginning... Shubman looked over at the sleeping figures of his two loves and the way their skin glowed with the light rays that filtered in through the windows..

His heart was indeed full to the brim... infact it was overflowing.

No amount of luxury cars and diamond watches could ever come close to this...

And even though he reluctantly realised that he'd have to go back to the flashing cameras and millions of fans awaiting him; not that he was being ungrateful...

He was just sorry for himself.

Because right here, right now was true happiness for him.

And no one would understand...

He brought an arm around the two sleeping figures, pulling them closer to him...

This- this was home and now that he'd gotten a taste of it, he was never going to let it go...

A/N: Hey cuties!! Please do like and leave comments if you have the time💗 I love reading your opinions and it really inspires me to continue writing 🥹❤️‍🩹