Heart, Body & Soul (MxM)

Chapter Thirty-Six

‘I didn't like the idea of you using dating apps to get laid.’

Riyaan smiles. Is that when Kris was teasing him, asking Ivan for opinions of Riyaan joining a dating app?

What a liar! Didn’t he say something like Riyaan can kiss whoever he wants?

‘That was all Kris,’ he says shyly. Does Ivan still really think he was that desperate? But he also likes that Ivan was thinking of him even before everything started.

‘As if you wouldn't have gone through with it.’

‘Probably not.’

‘Why not? You were single.’

‘I just…didn't want to.’

‘I was pretty sure you would.’

‘Is that why you offered yourself?’

‘Wanted to keep you to myself till I figured out what to do with you.’

Riyaan pretends to glower at him. ‘You should know, I am quite possessive too. So if someone kisses you again while going out shopping…I will …’

‘You will what…?’ Ivan finally opens his eyes. The amusement in his face is apparent. Riyaan wants to be angry for the teasing but it's been a while he has seen his face of Ivan. All he wants is to kiss it.

***

There's two things that he most dislikes about thinking of going back from the trip. One is his work and the other is Ivan's ex.

There's no way he is living in that place with Jai being in the same place. And there's less chances that that guy is leaving anytime soon. Chances of Ivan staying in Riyaan's cheap bed, his wanting Ivan to and his landlord not objecting strictly — are quite low too. And he gets tired of even beginning to think about it.

He just…doesn't like the idea of Ivan staying at his place with his ex, even though in separate far-away rooms. What if Jai tries to convince Ivan about how they are now perfect for each other? About their adventures, travels and how much they could do it again?

‘Hey,’ Ivan's sudden voice startles him.

‘Did I scare you?’ Ivan asks softly, pulling him towards himself.

‘Maybe, a little.’ He tries to smile.

‘Sorry. What were we thinking?’

‘Things ….’

‘Tell me.’

But he is not sure if trying to clear doubts about Jai again is a good idea.

‘You remember that day, you were out with your friends, with Jai?’

‘Yes?’

‘Kris mentioned to the group that you blocked him, some messy reunion…what kind of reunion?’

‘Jai…he was just going on and on about our past. I asked him not to. It wasn't a messy reunion, we almost had an argument. Kris probably doesn't know. And then Jai kept sending me drunk texts. And I was already stressed, you called me cruel and everything.’

‘You should've come to me that night.’

‘I can be dumb.’

‘I don't…,’ he starts. Maybe he can almost tell Ivan everything and Ivan will assure him. But he is also not sure if they need to talk about everything yet.

‘What’s bothering you?’

‘A lot of things…’

‘We can talk about it when we get back home.’