Ayaan's hands still hovered near his face, fingers twitching as he tried to process the fact that Rudra had just—yes, just—agreed that they were officially boyfriends. His cheeks burned, his heart raced, and yet, a tiny, delighted laugh slipped out.
Rudra, standing there, hands still at his sides, felt like his entire body was betraying him. His face was on fire, ears tingling, pulse hammering. He wanted to scold himself for letting Ayaan see this side, but… he couldn't. Not tonight.
"You're… ridiculously cute when you're red," Rudra muttered, voice low, rough, almost a growl—but it carried a warmth that made Ayaan melt.
Ayaan froze, then let out a little squeak, stepping back—except the kitchen was small, and he accidentally bumped into Rudra's chest. Both of them flinched, startled, before realizing they were still inches apart.
"You—ugh! I mean… stop teasing me!" Ayaan stammered, fumbling with his hands, face crimson.
Rudra's lips twitched into a faint smile—one he barely recognized on himself. "I'm not teasing," he said, voice soft, but there was an unmistakable edge of amusement.
"Oh really?" Ayaan whispered, narrowing his eyes, still flustered. "Because it feels like you are!"
Before Rudra could respond, Ayaan tried to step past him, but his foot caught on the rug. Rudra's reflexes kicked in—he caught him, their bodies colliding.
Ayaan gasped, caught off guard, and blushed even harder. Rudra's chest rose and fell rapidly; the contact made every nerve in his body buzz with a warmth he couldn't suppress.
"You… are impossible," Rudra muttered, though the faint smile tugging at his lips betrayed him.
"I—I'm officially impossible!" Ayaan said, dramatically pointing at himself, then nearly tripped again, forcing Rudra to grab him once more.
They froze for a heartbeat, staring at each other, faces inches apart, breaths mingling. The quiet hum of the apartment made every sound—their racing hearts, shallow breaths—feel magnified.
Then, impulsively, Rudra leaned down slightly and brushed another soft, deliberate kiss on Ayaan's cheek, right below the corner of his mouth.
Ayaan froze again, eyes wide, and let out a little squeak. "…R-Rudra…"
Rudra's lips twitched. "…Yes. I love you," he murmured, low and unguarded, as if saying it out loud made it more real than any text or whisper ever could.
Ayaan, completely flustered, wrapped his arms around himself for warmth, though not breaking eye contact. "…I love you too," he whispered, voice barely audible, tremulous, and completely sincere.
For the first time that night, they both laughed—a soft, awkward, breathless laugh, mixing relief, embarrassment, and happiness. The kitchen, with its faint smell of burnt vegetables and lingering winter chill, had never felt warmer.
And in that messy, flustered, intimate chaos, Rudra and Ayaan realized—they were officially, entirely, and utterly each other's.
To be continued.....