A Web of Love and Deceit

Small world

1 year later

Ram lay still, heart thudding in the silence of the early morning, Shiva nestled against his chest, their breathing syncing in the quiet intimacy they now shared. It was Ram's 22nd birthday, but this day felt like so much more. The gift Shiva had given him wasn't just their first night together; it was the culmination of their journey—one that had taken time, patience, and countless conversations. It was real, far from the rushed passion of BL dramas they'd both secretly watched. They had taken their time, gone on dates, held hands, and grown comfortable with each other in ways neither of them had ever experienced before.

Ram gently nudged Shiva awake, his heart swelling as he gazed down at him. Shiva blinked, his sleepy eyes locking onto Ram's, and in that moment, Ram felt as though he was falling in love with him all over again. "Are you okay?" Ram whispered, his voice filled with concern. "Does it still hurt?"

Shiva shifted slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You know," he began, his voice hoarse from the night before, "I always thought those BLs exaggerated things. The way they made it seem like it was so easy—like the first time for a bottom would just be... smooth. But man," he chuckled softly, "it's nothing like that. It hurt—a lot. But," Shiva's eyes sparkled as he gave Ram a playful wink, "it's a good kind of pain, you know?"

Ram's heart swelled with tenderness and admiration for the man in his arms. He cupped Shiva's face gently, running his thumb over his cheek, overwhelmed by the depth of their connection. They had navigated every step together—uncertain, raw, and honest—and now they were here, holding each other, knowing that this night wasn't just a moment in time but the start of something so much deeper.

Ram sighed, his hand tracing slow, soothing circles on Shiva's back as he spoke. "You know what I hate most about those BLs?" he muttered, his voice thoughtful.

Shiva shifted slightly, his head lifting from Ram's chest to meet his gaze. "What is it?"

"It's the way they assign these ridiculous roles—calling one partner the 'wife' or 'mama' and making it seem like the relationship has to follow the same old, tired tropes of dominance and submission," Ram explained, frustration creeping into his tone. "The top is always portrayed as this ruthless, dominant guy, and the softer male is somehow supposed to 'save' him with his gentleness. It's such a load of bullshit."

Shiva listened intently, his brows furrowed. Ram continued, his words gaining momentum. "I mean, look at the world right now—women are out there smashing the patriarchy, fighting for equality. And here we are, in a same-gender relationship, where there's no 'dominant' gender, right? But even in BL dramas, they still try to shove those useless stereotypes down our throats."

Ram paused, his voice softening as he looked down at Shiva. "The best part about loving you—about this—is the equality I feel with you. There's no forced role, no one trying to fit into some made-up mold. We're just... us. And that's what I'm fed up with—those dramas, they miss that. They're stuck in the past."

Shiva's eyes softened, and he reached up to gently touch Ram's face. "You're right," he whispered, a small smile curving his lips. "And that's why I love us. We're different, and we're not trying to be anything but who we are. Trust me even Aadhi will be having same opinion about those stereotyoes. he always hate those you know."

Ram chuckled softly, his smile widening. "You know, even Shivada has kind of figured out I'm into guys."

Shiva froze, his body tensing as he immediately turned to face Ram. "What? When? How?"

"Hey, relax," Ram said, reaching out to calm him. "She doesn't know it's you. The last time we visited her, I just casually told her that I'm into guys now. And you know what she did? She just smiled, patted me on the back, and said, 'Poor boy.' Later, she told me she's happy for whoever I choose, whether it's a man or a woman."