His Addictive ARCHNEMESIS ~ Ishman

Ch: 6 ~ Teasing The Tease

The next day at practice, Ishan couldn't help but notice something off about Shubman. Usually, Shubman was brimming with energy, always pushing himself and showing off like he had something to prove. But today? He looked pale. His usual cocky swagger was replaced with something.. unusually quit, and every move he made seemed slower, like the weight of the world was on his shoulders.

Ishan watched from a distance as Shubman bent over, hands on his knees, breathing hard after just a few sprints. Is he sick? Ishan wondered, and for some reason- not worried though, he cleared the fact to himself.

"Shubman," the coach barked, watching the captain huffing after another lap, "what's with you today? You're slacking."

"I'm fine, Coach. Just...just need a minute," Shubman replied, wiping the sweat off his forehead, though the exhaustion in his voice was hard to miss.

Ishan furrowed his brow, then impulsively grabbed a bottle of water from the cooler. He usually avoided doing anything that could remotely be considered helpful when it came to Shubman, but today... something was different. "Don't read into it," he told himself again, as he jogged over to where Shubman was practically doubled over.

"Here," Ishan said, holding the water bottle out in front of Shubman's face.

Shubman blinked a few times, still catching his breath, before looking up at Ishan with surprise. "Water? from you ? Woah, am I hallucinating or did you suddenly become caring ?"

"Don't push your luck," Ishan shot back, rolling his eyes. "You look like you're about to pass out. I'm doing this for the team. If you die, we will be sort of a member, can't mess with the head count when we have match around the corner"

Shubman snorted, taking the water bottle and twisting the cap open, "First the water, now you're concerned about my well-being? What's next, you gonna tuck me in and read me a bedtime story?" Shubman asked Shyly giving heart eyes look to ishan..

Ishan scoffed, crossing his arms. "Oh, please. Don't flatter yourself. Like I said, this is purely for the team."

"Uh-huh." Shubman took a long drink, then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "You know, if you keep being this caring Ishan, people might start talking, you know- you being all kuchy - kuchy with me."

Ishan rolled his eyes again, shaking his head. "eww man- you are so pathetically cringe."

Shubman's signature smirk returned as he handed the empty bottle back. "Careful, or you'll kiss me again. And who knows what might come next. If you're not careful, you might get addicted to this charm."

Ishan scoffed rolling his eyes, and snapped showing middle finger to Shubman, "Keep dreaming, Captain. I don't make the same mistake twice."

Shubman chuckled, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth. "That's funny, because yesterday didn't look like a mistake to me. You seemed pretty into it."

Ishan let out a frustrated sigh. "Ugh, you're impossible. Just focus on not dying out here today, alright?"

"Ah, look at you, being all protective," Shubman teased, nudging Ishan with his shoulder.

Ishan glared at him, refusing to let Shubman get the upper hand. "If you weren't so busy being an insufferable jerk, maybe I wouldn't have to babysit you."

Shubman grinned. "Keep this up, and people are gonna start thinking you're sweet on me."

"Keep dreaming," Ishan muttered under his breath before turning on his heel and walking away, trying to ignore the fluttering feeling in his stomach.