THEM 'Ishman'

Him and His

The rain outside had softened into a gentle drizzle, its rhythm slow and soothing, like a lullaby cradling the night in its arms. 

Now, beneath a mountain of soft blankets, they lay together. 

The bedside lamp cast a golden glow across the room, its dim light catching on the edges of their relaxed features. Shubman was sprawled on his back, his breath slow, his lips slightly parted, his entire being teetering on the fragile edge of sleep.

Ishan, however, had no such luck. 

His mind buzzed—half with thoughts, half with emotions too big for the night to contain. 

His fingers mindlessly traced circles on the fabric of Shubman's t-shirt. 

The warmth radiating from his boyfriend's body made Ishan feel like he was wrapped in the safest place on earth.

Shubman stirred slightly, letting out a soft sigh before instinctively pulling Ishan closer, his arm heavy around his waist, securing him in place without even waking.

Ishan huffed a quiet chuckle, pressing his forehead to Shubman's shoulder. Maybe sleep would find him after all.

After all, how could he stay restless when his whole world held him so close?

Ishan sighed softly, his fingers still tracing lazy patterns on Shubman's shirt, his mind refusing to settle. 

He had no idea why sleep felt so impossible tonight. 

Maybe it was the rain, maybe it was the way Shubman held him, or maybe it was just the way his thoughts always ran wild at night.

He frowned, shifting slightly, tucking his head against Shubman's neck as his thoughts spiraled into their usual overdramatic mess.

"What if Shubman gets tired of me?"
"What if I talk too much and he finds me annoying?"
"What if I'm not as cute as he makes me feel?"
"What if he wakes up one day and—"

A sudden kiss on his forehead cut off his train of thought.

Ishan blinked as Shubman's warm lips lingered against his skin before moving lower, placing another soft kiss on his cheek, and then another near his nose.

"I know that look, baby. What's that little brain of yours overthinking now?" Shubman murmured, his voice thick with sleep but laced with amusement. 

Ishan scrunched his nose, feeling caught. 

He hesitated before mumbling, "Nothing."

Shubman chuckled, turning slightly to cup Ishan's cheek, his thumb brushing over the soft skin.

 "Liar." He whispered, pressing a kiss to the corner of Ishan's lips.

Ishan melted instantly.

Shubman's lips trailed lower, pressing feather-light kisses along Ishan's jaw, his voice barely above a whisper. 

"You know I adore you, right?" Another kiss. 

"Like, absolutely, ridiculously, hopelessly adore you?" Another, this time on Ishan's lips, longer, softer.

Ishan's heart did a full somersault.

"You talk too much? Good, because I love your voice." Kiss. 

"You think you're annoying? Baby, I could listen to you all day and still not get enough." Kiss.

 "Not cute enough?" Shubman pulled back slightly, staring into Ishan's big, uncertain eyes with so much intensity that it made Ishan's stomach flip. 

"You are the cutest thing I've ever seen in my life. And I plan to keep you forever, so stop thinking nonsense."