THEM 'Ishman'

Can I marry him, dada? (6)

Shubman's breath came in ragged gasps, his heart drumming so fiercely it felt like it might burst right through his chest. 

His arms curved protectively around Vayu, drawing him impossibly close, as if he could fold every fear, every shadow, away with a single, desperate hug.

Vayu clung to both of them, to Shubman and to Ishan, his tiny fists anchoring him to their warmth. 

One little hand fisted tightly in Shubman's tee, feeling the wild, frantic rhythm of Shubman's heart, while the other hand curled loosely into Ishan's tee, as if part of him wasn't quite ready to let Ishan go.

Shubman's heartbeat thundered on, so loud and fast that even Ishan could hear it, could almost feel its tremor against his own chest. 

Shubman buried his face deeper into Vayu's soft curls, tears spilling freely, rolling down his cheeks like a quiet river finally surrendering to the vastness of the ocean. 

Shubman, too, was surrendering, letting go, and yet holding on all at once.

Then, slowly, he pulled back just enough to look at Vayu. 

And there he was, Vayu, with a smile stretched wide across his little face, blissfully unaware of the storm Shubman had just weathered, of the love and fear and relief crashing like waves behind Shubman's wet lashes.

Vayu's big doe eyes blinked up at him, damp lashes catching the light, but there was nothing there except pure delight, no blame, no fear. 

"Shuuby!" He squeaked again, his voice small yet certain, the syllables as soft as a whispered promise. 

He had no idea of the danger he'd been in, no idea of the jagged pain Shubman had just stumbled through, the terror of losing his Vayu, his whole world, only to find him again, safe and smiling, making Shubman feel as though the entire universe had fallen, trembling, at his feet.

Without meaning to, Shubman snatched Vayu from Ishan's arms. 

It wasn't a choice, but a fierce, unthinking surge of emotion that swallowed everything else. 

The moment Vayu settled into his hold, the overwhelming relief crashed over him so violently that Shubman's legs began to shake, knees threatening to buckle under the weight of love and fear all tangled together.

Before he could sink to the ground with Vayu in his arms, Ishan moved, not because he'd predicted it, but because something in him simply knew. 

His hands shot out, steady and sure, catching Vayu and holding him close.

Ishan pulled Vayu into the curve of his chest, protective and gentle all at once, as though shielding him not only from the world but from the storm still raging inside Shubman.

And Shubman fell, fell hard onto his knees, the weight of everything crushing him down until he had no strength left to fight it. 

He was crying so badly now, breath hitching and chest heaving. 

Sensing and understanding that raw, aching longing, Ishan gently set Vayu down, placing him close to Shubman.

The moment Vayu's tiny feet touched the ground, Shubman collapsed forward, clutching those little legs as if they were the only thing anchoring him to the earth. 

His tears seemed to have legs of their own, running wild and unstoppable in every direction, falling hot and fast, soaking into Vayu's clothes, the floor, everywhere.

Shubman bowed his head low, pressing it against Vayu's feet, words tumbling out in broken, tear-choked whispers. 

"Sorry, baby... Shuuby is so bad..." His voice cracked again and again, each word wrapped in pain, each syllable trembling with guilt.