3 Hearts, 1 Home

2. Diwali Night

It wasn't long before their first Diwali in the new apartment arrived. The apartment was now fully unpacked. They had decorated the space with a careful blend of Arjun's minimalist preferences, Karan's bold artistic flair, and Dev's warm, homey touches.

As dusk fell on the night of Diwali, the air outside was alive with excitement. Crackling fireworks burst in the sky, and the scent of marigolds and incense filled the streets. Inside, the three of them prepared for their evening celebration.

Karan stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the embroidered collar of his deep purple sherwani. The gold-threaded patterns shimmered under the lights, and he looked every bit the vibrant artist he was. "How do I look?" he asked, spinning around theatrically. Arjun, dressed in a pale blue kurta, glanced up from where he was adjusting the cuffs of his sleeves, his eyes warm as they swept over Karan.

"You look... extra," Arjun teased, though his lips curved into a fond smile. "Couldn't tone it down for once?"

"Where's the fun in that?" Karan grinned, brushing a hand through his perfectly styled hair. "Besides, someone has to keep you two from looking too serious."

Dev emerged from the bedroom, his simple ivory dhoti perfectly draped, highlighting the elegant lines of his body. His eyes softened when they landed on Arjun and Karan. He didn't need to say much—his presence alone spoke volumes. Though quieter than the other two, Dev's nurturing nature shone through in moments like these, where he took in the warmth of their connection.

"Arjun looks perfect as always," Dev added quietly, giving Arjun a shy smile.

Arjun smiled back, stepping toward Dev and placing a soft kiss on his forehead. Dev closed his eyes for a moment, leaning into the touch, before Karan stepped forward, wrapping his arms around both men.

"Don't leave me out of this love fest," Karan said, his voice playful but tinged with affection.

The three of them stood there in an intimate embrace, the sounds of fireworks echoing in the background as their arms tangled together.

Karan was the first to pull back. "Time to light some firecrackers baby." He winked at Dev and Arjun and ran outside. Arjun who still had his hand wrapped around Dev's waist looked at him as they both chuckled and walked out hand in hand following Karan.

---

Later that evening, after they had lit the diyas around the balcony, their home bathed in the soft glow of the flickering oil lamps, and they lit a whole lot of fire crackers on the terrace, they returned inside.

They sat together on the couch, Karan resting his head on Arjun's lap while Dev sat beside them, his fingers absently tracing patterns on Arjun's arm. Karan's eyes gleamed with mischief as he turned slightly to gaze up at Arjun. "You know," he said softly, "we don't need fireworks outside to feel this kind of heat."

Arjun raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Is that so?"

Karan stretched lazily, reaching for Dev's hand and tugging him closer. "I'm just saying," Karan continued, "we could have our own celebration. Something a little more... private."

Dev's cheeks flushed slightly, but he smiled, his quiet nature never shying away from the intimacy they shared. Arjun's gaze flicked between the two of them, and in that moment, something passed between the three—a familiar spark, a desire that simmered beneath their everyday interactions.

Without a word, Arjun's hand slid from Karan's back to his neck, his thumb brushing against his skin as he pulled him up for a slow, lingering kiss. Karan responded eagerly, his body pressing against Arjun's, and Dev, watching with a soft smile, leaned in, capturing Arjun's free hand in his own before leaning forward to kiss the side of Karan's neck.

The world outside faded—the noise of the city, the fireworks, the festivities. In the privacy of their home, the three of them created their own rhythm, their own celebration. Their love was shared equally, hands wandering, mouths exploring, as they moved in sync with one another, each touch, each kiss filled with passion and care.

Karan, always the playful one, tugged at the hem of Dev's shirt, pulling him closer. "Don't think you can sit out."

Dev chuckled softly, his lips brushing against Karan's jaw. "I wouldn't dream of it."

In the golden glow of the lamps, they became lost in each other, their touches intimate, their breaths shared, until the outside world ceased to exist, and all that remained was the overwhelming love they had for one another.