After the mission, Ruturaj lay in the dimly lit room of the safe house, his wound freshly dressed and being monitored by the doctor. The faint hum of medical equipment filled the air, but it was the thick, tense silence between him and Shivam that weighed the heaviest.
Shivam hovered at his bedside, refusing to sit down. His eyes, red-rimmed from worry, stayed glued to Ruturaj’s pale face.
"You should rest," Ruturaj whispered, his voice hoarse.
"And you shouldn’t have jumped in front of a bullet for me," Shivam shot back, his voice tight with emotion.
Ruturaj tried to shift, wincing as pain flared in his side. Shivam instantly leaned in, gently brushing his fingers across Ruturaj’s forehead. “Why, Rutu?” he asked softly. “Why would you risk your life like that?”
“I had to,” Ruturaj replied, his breath shallow. “You’ve saved me too many times, Shivam. I couldn’t just stand there and watch you get shot.”
Shivam let out a shaky breath and dropped to sit on the edge of the bed. “But you almost died, damn it!” His voice cracked, and he clenched his fists. “What would I have done if I lost you?”
“You didn’t,” Ruturaj said, squeezing his hand weakly. “I’m right here. And I’d do it again, Shivam. Every time.”
Shivam swallowed hard. “I don’t want to be your reason for dying, Rutu. I want to be your reason for living.”
Ruturaj gave him a small smile. “You already are.”
Shivam leaned forward, resting his forehead gently against Ruturaj’s. “I love you,” he whispered. “I love you so damn much.”
Ruturaj’s eyes fluttered shut at the warmth of the words. “I love you too, Shivam.”
Their lips met in a tender kiss, slow and deep, a silent exchange of everything they couldn’t quite put into words. When they pulled apart, Ruturaj let out a soft sigh. Shivam's hand found its way under the blanket, resting gently against his bare side, careful not to aggravate the wound.
"Are you okay with this?" Shivam asked, searching Ruturaj's face.
Ruturaj nodded, pulling Shivam closer. “Just... stay with me.”
Shivam crawled into bed beside him, mindful of his injuries, and wrapped an arm around his waist. “Always.”
He kissed along Ruturaj’s jawline, down to his neck, his lips soft and reverent. Ruturaj gasped, his fingers tangling in Shivam’s hair. “Don’t stop,” he murmured.
“I wasn’t planning to,” Shivam replied with a gentle smirk, his voice low and teasing.
Their bodies moved together slowly, exploring and holding, not out of urgency but from the need to be close—to feel alive. Ruturaj’s breath hitched as Shivam’s fingers brushed over sensitive skin, leaving trails of heat in their wake.
“You’re trembling,” Shivam whispered, concerned.
“I’m not scared,” Ruturaj murmured, “just overwhelmed. I thought I wouldn’t make it back to you.”
Shivam kissed his chest gently. “You’re here now. And I’m not letting you go.”
Ruturaj pulled him close again, capturing his lips in a kiss that deepened with every second. Their emotions spilled over, raw and unfiltered, in the space between words and breaths.
Later, when they lay tangled together beneath the sheets, their heartbeats slowly syncing, Ruturaj rested his head against Shivam’s shoulder.
“Promise me something,” Ruturaj said sleepily.
“Anything.”
“Don’t shut me out next time. If you're scared, angry—whatever—just talk to me.”
Shivam kissed his hair. “I promise. And you promise me you’ll never do something reckless like that again.”
“I’ll try,” Ruturaj whispered with a small chuckle. “No guarantees, though.”
Shivam rolled his eyes fondly. “Stubborn idiot.”
“You love this stubborn idiot.”
“I do,” Shivam whispered, brushing a kiss on his temple. “So much.”
As the night deepened, the doctor quietly stepped out, leaving them alone in the dim light. Shivam pulled the blanket higher over Ruturaj and held him close, their legs tangled together.
Outside, the city buzzed in the distance, but inside the room, everything was still.
By morning, the first rays of sunlight crept through the blinds. Ruturaj stirred and blinked slowly, greeted by Shivam’s soft smile.
“Good morning,” Shivam said, voice thick with sleep.
“Morning,” Ruturaj rasped, reaching up to cup his cheek. “Still here?”
“Always,” Shivam replied, kissing his palm.
When it was time to leave, Shivam helped him dress, careful with each movement. Ruturaj leaned on him as they stepped out of the safe house, the world waiting beyond the threshold.
The road ahead was uncertain. But as long as they had each other, they knew they could face anything.
Hand in hand, they walked into the light.
-
YOU ARE READING
TWISTED FATE ( Under Editing )
Romance"Is love greater than anything? I don't believe so. I think it is a weakness that crushes your goals." - Mahindra Singh Dhoni "You are the knife I twist inside myself-that, my dear, is love." - Ravindra Jadeja Kohli "Those who think love conquers th...
