BROKEN THINGS

42

They giggled breathlessly, back to the wall, the light breeze drying their sweat leaving a cool sensation spreading through their skin.

Rahul glanced at his partner. Sachin was covering his mouth with his fist, shaking his head at their stupidity. They had gotten into an argument over who should get to finish the last of the homebaked cookies gifted by a fan Sachin trusted and ... they were chocolate chip. It meant war. A full fledged tag session on the worn down rooftop of the hotel only for it to be snatched away by a gutsy crow. He had looked over to tease, to perhaps playfully blame him for the lost cookie. But he found himself enraptured. Sachin's face was flushed and he could see the pink of an exertion in the soft lights of the roof, his curly hair ruffling in the air, eyes shining oh so beautifully. He looked stunning. But it wasn't just that was it? That joy, that sparkle of brilliance always twinkling in his eye, there was a presence that Sachin had. Some gentleness that felt ancient in its wisdom, a caress to Rahul's ever anxious soul.

"Careful," Sachin murmured, looking up with a teasing smile, "If you keep looking at me like that, I might fall in love. Again," he pushed himself to side lean, with affection in his eyes belying the appraising smirk.

"Would you?" Rahul asked unable to help himself, "You told me you couldn't help falling for me. But if you could help it, if you had to choose me. Would you?"

Sachin leaned closer to him, until their faces were but a breath away, eyes flickering down to Rahul's lips not so subtly, before capturing him with an intense gaze, "Everyday. I would choose to love you everyday,".

With that he leaned closer until their lips were nearly brushing.

"Sachin," Rahul breathed out, he so wanted to close that little distance, "We are in public,"

Sachin shifted a little away. They were both shy of nature, never had they had to remind each other to keep the public displays of affection under wraps. But Rahul couldn't help but want to throw caution to the wind for the moment. This had been the perfect day. Their perfect day. Waking up to Sachin beside him, knowing they had all the day for them and only them. They hadn't even had to do much to keep themselves entertainec, keep each other entertained. Something about them made it just that easy to simply exist when with each other. The morning coffee, the movie that Rahul had fallen asleep in, the book he had excitedly described to Sachin, their little carrom battle, this moment beneath the starry sky... it had all been so perfect. And now he just wanted.. he wanted to express, to pour everything he had to the man who had made it so.

Sachin's eyes searched his face for a second. He must have seen something that he liked. Because he gave a lopsided smile.

"There's no one around. A quick kiss can't hurt," he whispered before reaching out and grabbing the back of Rahul's neck and pulling him in.

And Rahul had sunk willingly. 

Gladly.

A quick little kiss wouldn't hurt.

******

Sachin stared at the photo, with shaking hands and trembling heart. It was clear. Clicked from not just some phone. But a professional camera. By a professional. Because there was no mistaking that it was them, their side profiles highlighting clearly in the ample lighting there had been there. Mid kiss. This... it was professional work. A stalker's work.

"This... there had been no one- is this what he was using to-"

Rahul took the phone back shaking his head, "The story is just starting Sachin. I hadn't been so pathetic back then remember. This would have shaken me. But it wasn't enough blackmail. It was no where near enough control over me. If it had been just this, I would've-would've sorted it out with you, to make our relationship public before anyone else could. Greg knew that. He was a genius like that, always knowing what to do to get what he wants," he scoffed and kept the phone on the table, "And I ofcourse was the perfect fucking tool to do that, he didn't want us out of the team. He wanted us in control of him. His perfect little puppets so he could play God,"

He tapped the phone, "This wasn't enough but it was the key wasn't it? What could get into my mind better than some unknown threatening your career, your life? And who else would I trust more than anyone else than the supposedly helpful and worried coach who had just accidentally caught a photographer sneaking pictures of me in my private space?"

Rahul laughed cynically and shook his head, "Oh that bastard was clever. He wanted this team. And he knew how to get it. And what better than to get in through the weak link. Me,".