Purrfect Neighbour (ShubmanGillxIshanKishan)

14

"Where are you off to?"

As soon as Shubman stepped out of his apartment, he was greeted by Ishan coming out of his. It was Saturday morning, and Shubman was about to do what he did every Saturday morning. "I'm off to the barber."

"Oh." Ishan pursed his lips as he thought. "Why don't you let me do it?"

Shubman looked at him skeptically. "Do what?"

Ishan rolled his eyes. "Let me give you a shave. I can do that fancy line-up around your edges too."

"Uh-huh." Shubman didn’t look too convinced.

However, Ishan had already grabbed him by the arm and was leading him into his apartment. "Remember you got me that electric razor set at the mall when you replaced my sneakers?"

"Yeah?" Shubman was pushed down onto the couch by a pair of determined hands while Ishan headed off to his bedroom.

Ishan came back out a minute later holding a black bag that Shubman guessed contained the razor.

Shubman watched in amusement as Ishan ran around trying to set everything up. He grabbed a stool from the kitchen and placed it near a window where the natural light flooded in. He pulled the coffee table close to the chair so that he could place the black bag on it. Ishan was tapping his fingers against his chest as he looked around the room as if trying to remember if he had everything that was needed.

"Oh!" He held a finger up like an exclamation point. "I've got just the thing." He scampered back to his room.

Shubman chuckled softly to himself. Ishan was obviously quite excited to be performing this service for him. He could feel the enthusiasm pouring off him. Even though Shubman was meticulous about his appearance, he had made up his mind that even if Ishan did botch his beard a bit, he wouldn't say a thing about it. He got the feeling that Ishan liked doing things for people he cared about, and Shubman knew that Ishan cared about him, even if he never said it. The incident of Ishan shaking down his client in Thane came to mind. He didn't think that Ishan did it with the intent to harm Shubman’s reputation. What happened was that Shubman told Ishan about a problem, and he tried to fix it the best way he knew how. Even right now, Shubman wanted a haircut, and Ishan had a solution. He couldn’t help but wonder if Ishan’s resourcefulness was a result of how he grew up. He hardly talked about it, but from little tidbits, it seemed as if there wasn’t much brightness in his past.

Ishan came back out holding a burgundy cape, the type barbers use on their clients.

"Where did you get that?"

Ishan smiled at him. "You ask too many questions."

He looked so happy. Ishan most of the time seemed to be on edge about something. But now he looked completely relaxed and carefree.

Much to Ishan's surprise, Shubman grabbed his head between both hands and planted a hard kiss on his lips.

Ishan was stunned. "Wha…"

Shubman sat on the stool and grinned. "Come on, let's get to it. I don't have all day."

Ishan secured the cape around Shubman’s shoulders and then laid out the razor and attachments he wanted on the table.

Ishan picked up the instrument and slid on a comb, which gave a resounding snap when it clicked into place. He stood in front of Shubman as if examining his face. He leaned forward and planted a kiss right in the center of Shubman’s forehead. Shubman could feel the wet impression of the kiss on his skin when Ishan pulled away.

Ishan pushed a button up, and the razor buzzed to life.

About twenty minutes later, Shubman was holding a hand mirror, gazing at his reflection as he slowly turned his head from side to side. Ishan had done a pretty damn good job. His lines were straight, and his edges were crisp, just the way he liked them. Shubman smiled at him.