A/N: We've been getting way too much Hulrat content since the Asia Cup and I'm all for it. But I've missed my ShubRat moments on and off field pls and I'm so so glad they got to bat together against Ban.
Also also this is kind of a continuation of the "When Did They Grow Up".
Since the beginning of the World Cup campaign, Ash regretted ever calling his teammates, no, his family, colleagues. He realized it wasn't fair to take out his anger like that especially when he's played with Ro, Vi and Jaddu for over a decade, especially when he and Virat will be playing their second WC together at home. So he did the only thing he thought was right, he went to Mahi bhai and vented who listened patiently to his side of the story, was he upset with Ash? Absolutely. But he understood his point of view too.
Ash did go sit his 3 brothers down after their second match and explained to them how angry he was at them for not fighting for his inclusion in the WTC playing 11, he was angry at how Jinks made a comeback out of the blue and was a sure shot into the squad while he had toiled it out the entire cycle yet was asked to warm the benches. Talked of wanting to retire. The boys looked so guilty and apologized profusely and told Ash they never wanted to make him feel worthless in the squad and maybe they should have fought harder. But all was forgiven and things were fine between them.
Mahi bhai was so so proud of how the 4 of them had dealt with it. He was still getting used to the fact that his kids now had kids of their own in the team and they're bound to spend more time with them. And that's how he was the first to notice Rah's spoilt mood while Virat was off consoling Shubman who'd just come back recovering from dengue. He sat next to Rah silently and they both watched as Vi just held an upset Shub and spoke calmingly,
"It's okay kiddo. You didn't cost us the match. You're still weak."
"But I got out so stupidly."
"And so did I. But Ro managed, and Rahul and Shrey were able to finish it off. You'll do well in the next match Shubh. I know for sure."
Shubman just tightened his arms around Virat and sat there for a few minutes soaking in the warmth as Virat's palms ran up and down the lanky kid's back.
On the other side of the room, Ro was being pestered by Ishan and Jaddu and instead of being annoyed like he would have been before, Ro just grabbed Ishan into a headlock and laughed with Jaddu as suddenly the tables seemed to have turned on Ishan.
Pissed off, Rah looked at his Mahi bhai, eyes full of pain and anger, Mahi bhai consolingly put his own comforting arm around Rah and answered his unasked question,
"They're not replacing you Rah."
"Yeah? Virat has barely spent any time with me since Shubman came back. Look at them bhai, just look at his eyes, I've never seen him this soft with anyone. And Ro? Had it been me or Harry annoying him the way Ishan was, he'd have asked us to kindly leave him alone and would have walked away."
And then to make matters worse, when the boys were down in the ground and Virat was trying to tell Anushka to go back to the hotel on the phone and Rah was talking to Vi, Shubman and Ishan, again, came from behind and Rah watched in disdain as the kid whispered something to Virat as he threw his head back laughing at whatever was whispered in his ear, Ishan went running behind Virat when he walked away.
Pouting he looked at Mahi bhai who just blinked his eyes assuring he wasn't being replaced. Again. Come their next match against Bangladesh, Rah heard Shubman telling Virat,
"Aaj century banegi kya?"
"Hatt Shubi. Ro se pakka banegi."
"Ro bhai! Virat bhaiyaa said you're scoring a century today."
