68.
Aarav stepped into the room just as Shaurya ended a call.
"...No, I won't come."
A pause.
"I really can't do anything about that. Let Dad return first."
Another pause.
"Right. Just make sure Roy gets treated properly, or it'll be a huge loss for us."
Shaurya cut the call and finally turned. His expression softened the second he saw Aarav, but Aarav didn't give him room to escape.
"Why did you talk to Ravi like that?" he asked, arms folded.
Shaurya sighed. "Let's not talk about that right now. What about the kids?"
"Vayu was exhausted. He fell asleep, so I put Aarya to bed too. I'm just not sure if he ate."
"He did," Shaurya murmured, stepping closer and resting a hand on Aarav's arm. His fingers slid up, gently brushing through Aarav's hair. "It's good he's sleeping."
"Shaurya, I want to talk about it," Aarav said quietly.
"It's not that serious. You don't have to overthink everything."
"Of course it's serious." Aarav exhaled sharply, tone calm but firm. "I don't even know what you do anymore—the things you should be doing. But I do know why you're staying here."
Shaurya's brows pulled together. "Why?"
"Because you're tired. Just as tired as I am." Aarav took a step back, stopping Shaurya's hand from touching him again. "And it's fine—you're allowed to take a break. But if you're ignoring your duties just to stay with me, then I'm sorry, Shaurya... I don't want you here at all."
Shaurya didn't speak.
Aarav pushed a hand into his pocket, frustration peeking through. He hated raising his voice. He hated even more that Shaurya wasn't saying anything. "I'm not used to the way you talked earlier. I didn't like it. Not even a little."
Shaurya noticed the vein pulsing on Aarav's forehead—he knew that sign. Aarav was angry but holding himself together.
When Aarav turned to leave, Shaurya caught his wrist and pulled him back, pressing him gently against the wall. Aarav looked up, startled—not by fear, but by the sudden rage in Shaurya's eyes.
Shaurya didn't lash out. He didn't speak immediately. He simply cupped Aarav's face with both hands and pressed a slow, grounding kiss to his forehead before resting his own forehead against Aarav's.
His voice, when it came, was low—steady, cold, but not directed at Aarav.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "But I can't listen to this stupidity.
You're right—it wasn't a small thing. Vayu's life was at risk.
If anything had happened to him, I would've lost my mind.
" His fingers tightened slightly against Aarav's skin.
"He is the reason I'm still standing in front of you today. The only reason."
Aarav's breath hitched.
"I don't care if Veer is my brother," Shaurya continued, voice sharpening. "I don't care how important Ravi is to me. What Veer did today..." he exhaled through his nose, jaw tightening, "is nothing less than a sin."
"Those people stole six years of our life, Aarav. Six years when I should've been with you," Shaurya said quietly, his voice tight but steady. "And after everything they did... I can't even allow a shadow to come near you or our family."
Aarav swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. Gently, he placed his palm on Shaurya's chest. Shaurya's gaze softened the second their eyes met.
"I'll do whatever you want me to," Shaurya said softly. "I don't ever want to disappoint you. But... not today, okay?"
Aarav didn't argue. He just nodded. Aarav knew pushing him more would only reopen wounds; the fact that Shaurya talked about it at all was already a victory.
Aarav cleared his throat. "Well... will you move now? It's getting a little suffocating like this."
Shaurya stepped aside, and Aarav slipped past him quickly.
"Let me check on the kids again," Aarav said. Shaurya followed without a word.
They stood outside the room, watching their children sleep. Aarav smiled when he saw Vayu spread like a starfish, mouth open in a loud, dramatic sleep.
Shaurya walked inside quietly and crouched beside Aarya. He held her tiny hand and placed a gentle kiss on it.
"Mmm... your beard, Daddy..." Aarya mumbled in her sleep, scrunching her nose. Aarav covered his mouth to stop the laugh; Shaurya's shoulders shook with silent amusement.
"I love you," he whispered to her.
He stood, then shifted toward Vayu. The blanket was on the floor—of course. Shaurya picked it up and tucked it around their son, smoothing his hair before pressing a soft kiss on his forehead.
Aarav couldn't help smiling. There was something unbelievably tender about Shaurya when it came to kids.
"Let's have some more in the future," Shaurya said casually as he walked back out.
Aarav chuckled and shook his head. "We'll think about it. But don't forget—I was your baby first."
Shaurya raised an eyebrow, while Aarav winced at his own words. "Ew, that sounded cringe. Maybe gay people really are cringe."
Shaurya stared at him like he was the most ridiculous human alive. "I honestly don't know how someone can be this cute. It should be illegal."
"Shut up, bro."
"I'm not your bro," Shaurya said, almost offended.
"So what? You're not my husband. You're not even my boyfriend," Aarav teased with a shrug.
"That doesn't mean you get to call me that."
"Call you what? Bro?" Aarav tapped his chin dramatically. "Hmm... let's spice it up. How about Bhaiya? Shaurya Bhaiya. So adorable."
"Aarav," Shaurya warned.
"What, Bhaiya?" Aarav smirked, walking down the hall.
"Please stop."
"Nope."
"You won't stop?"
"No."
"Okay."
Shaurya lunged. Aarav squeaked, dodging him like a professional athlete and sprinting around the sofa. Shaurya chased him, but Aarav was too quick, snatching cushions and throwing them over his shoulder. One smacked Shaurya right in the face.
Aarav burst out laughing. "You're so slow!"
Shaurya shook his head, jumped over the arm of the sofa, and finally caught him. He wrapped his arms around Aarav—tight, unbreakable, triumphant.
Aarav was still laughing when Shaurya suddenly slapped his butt. Hard.
Aarav froze mid-giggle, eyes wide.
Shaurya smirked. He then squeezed Aarav's bum real hard.
"Shaurya". Aarav said.
"Call me Daddy".
"No, that's gross", Aarav said.
"Please", Shaurya squeezing hard. It gave chills to Aarav's body.
"Da-"
"What's up, guys?" Eve called out, stumbling in through the door. She'd clearly just come from the bar—her cheeks were flushed, her hair a little messy, and her smile too bright to be sober.
Shaurya groaned under his breath. "I don't like her at all," he muttered, rubbing his face as he finally loosened his grip on Aarav. Aarav bit down a laugh.
Aarav walked toward her. "You alright, Eve?"
He glanced back over his shoulder. "Shaurya, can you—"
But Shaurya had already vanished into the hallway before Aarav even finished the sentence.
Aarav rolled his eyes. "Useless man," he mumbled.
Meanwhile, Eve dropped dramatically onto the sofa, throwing her head back with a sigh. "Ravi... he is so fucking..."
Aarav blinked, suddenly confused. "Why are we talking about Ravi?"
Eve's eyes fluttered open and she grinned, dreamy and drunk.
"He's so fucking amazing," she declared, stretching the word amazing like it was some profound revelation.
Aarav raised a brow, letting her flop sideways on the cushions. "Oh?" was all he managed as she melted into the sofa like she had no bones left.