Night of 25TH

CHAP 72: Captain off Field

Past:

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After they both cleaned up, Shubman lay down in bed with her. He looked down at her and noticed she looked tired as her head rested on his biceps. He frowned, wondering if he had forced her into this. She looked up at him and kissed his cheek. "No, you didn't force me. I wanted to do it too." The frown on his forehead eased at her reassuring words. Intertwining their fingers, he kissed her hand gently. "I thank the stars I took that road on the night of the 25th. If I hadn't, you wouldn't be here in my arms, and just imagining that makes me feel weird."

She smiled at his words, her eyes softening as she nestled closer to him. "I can't imagine my life without you either," she murmured, her voice filled with affection.

He tightened his arm around her, pulling her even closer. "We were meant to find each other," he said softly. "Every decision, every turn we took led us to this moment."

She nodded, feeling the truth in his words. "It feels like fate," she agreed.

He frowned and gulped. "I always tell Mum you are my home away from home when I'm on tour, but knowing that I was the reason for this harsh fate... I can never forgive myself," he said, his voice calm but tired, not crying anymore, perhaps exhausted from it all.

She turned his face gently to look into his eyes. "I'm going to say this once and for all: you have to stop blaming yourself. What happened was written in destiny, and this is our fate. I believe a half moon is more beautiful than a full one. Our half journey is more beautiful than a lifetime," she said firmly, her eyes filled with conviction.

He looked at her, absorbing her words. "But—"

"No buts," she interrupted softly but firmly. "We've been given this time together, and that's what matters. We can't change the past, but we can cherish what we have now."

He broke into a smile when his eyes fell onto her wrist. Moving his hands toward it, he whispered, "My not-so-sharp mind never noticed this," he said, caressing the gulabi meenakari bracelet he had brought for her from Banaras.

Resting her chin on his chest, she muttered, her eyes shining, "It's your gift. How could I not wear it?"

He smiled but pouted slightly. "But don't you find it weird with casual clothes?"

She laughed softly, shaking her head. "Not at all. It's a part of you, and it makes even my casual outfits feel special."

His pout turned into a grin. "You always know how to make everything sound perfect."

She kissed his chest gently. "That's because everything is perfect with you."

His eyes further travelled down her chest, and trust me, he had those butterflies in his stomach when he saw their nickname chain resting on her glistening, sweat-kissed skin from their previous actions.

He couldn't resist the urge to pull her closer towards him, their chest skin colliding as he drew her into a passionate kiss. As he moved back, brushing his nose against hers, he couldn't help but chuckle.

"You know, you make me look like one of those cringe-lovesick puppies," he said teasingly, his eyes twinkling with affection.

She grinned, her fingers tracing patterns on his chest. "And what's wrong with that?" she asked playfully. "I happen to adore those lovesick puppies."

He laughed, his heart swelling with love for her. "Well, in that case, I'll happily play the part," he replied, pulling her into another tender kiss.

She noticed that she was lying to him and tried to get down, prompting him to whine, "What?"

He gave her a playful but stern look. "Will you stop with your insecurity? You barely weigh the same as a feather."

She blushed at his words, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and amusement. "Sorry," she murmured, nestling back into his embrace.

He chuckled softly, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "No need to apologize. Just know I love having you close to me, no matter your weight."

She buried her nose in his neck as he held her, inhaling his comforting scent. She moved it along his skin, feeling the warmth of his body, making him sigh contentedly. Her lips travelled to his, but before she could kiss him, she stopped, muttering against his lips, "Have I ever told you how good-looking and irresistible you are?"

He opened his eyes, meeting her gaze with a smirk. "Never," he replied, his hand caressing her lower spine, sending shivers down her spine.

"Are you sure?" she whispered in a husky voice as he leaned in closer, their lips brushing against each other's. His grip tightened on her hips as he teased, "If only you had time from roasting me."

She smirked, a mischievous glint dancing in her eyes as she playfully turned away from him, landing herself on her back. His eyes narrowed slightly in mock protest.

"You weren't supposed to do that," he said, narrowing his eyes. She chuckled and pulled him closer by the chain, saying, "Darling, off the field, I'm the captain."

He smirked. "So, captain, what's the plan?" he asked teasingly, his smirk mirroring hers.

"To keep you under my control," she replied, her voice heavy with desire.

His grin widened, a spark of challenge gleaming in his eyes. "And how exactly do you plan to do that?" he inquired, his tone suggestive.

She leaned in closer, her lips brushing against his ear as she whispered her response, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

His eyes widened at her words, excitement igniting within him. Without hesitation, he threw the covers off and scooped her up in bridal style, feeling her warmth against him as he carried her towards the bathroom.

With a grin, he promised, "Well then, Captain, let's see what escapades await us in the warmth of this bath."