Before Aarav could finish, Aveer's hand moved, firm, deliberate - curling around the back of his neck, their eyes locked . In one breath, the space between them disappeared .
Then Aveer pulled him closer to his lips.
The rain outside had quieted to a faint whisper, a rhythm that matched the uneven beats of their hearts.
The first touch of Aveer's lips was hesitant, as if asking permission from every scar between them.
Aarav froze for a heartbeat, then melted, the tension of four years collapsing in a single exhale. The world outside their small room blurred; the rain, the wind, the noise, all of it dissolved until only the warmth of that kiss remained.
It wasn't rushed. It wasn't hungry.
It was inevitable.
Aveer's fingers trembled where they brushed Aarav's jaw, tracing the outline of someone he'd spent years pretending not to miss.
Aarav responded in kind, his hand rising to Aveer's shoulder, holding him there, not to claim, but to keep from falling apart.
The kiss deepened, slow and searching. Every movement said what words never had the courage to -
I missed you.
I'm sorry.
I still care.
The air between them turned heavy with breath and warmth. When they finally broke apart, foreheads still touching, both were panting softly, their lips swollen, eyes glassy with something too big to name.
Aveer whispered, voice barely steady, "I tried to forget you, Aarav… but you never left."
Aarav smiled through the ache in his throat. "Then don't try anymore."
Aveer's laugh trembled somewhere between relief and disbelief. "You're impossible."
"Maybe," Aarav murmured, "but I'm yours."
They leaned in again, this time without hesitation. What followed was no longer about anger or regret; it was the slow, inevitable pull of two souls finding the home they'd lost years ago.
The storm raged outside, but inside their small room, a different kind of tempest brewed. Aveer and Aarav's lips moved against each other in a feverish dance, their kisses growing more urgent and demanding with each passing second. It was as if they were trying to make up for all the stolen moments, the unspoken longing that had festered between them for years.
Aarav's hands roamed over Aveer's back, his fingers kneading into the strong muscles he found there. He couldn't get enough of the feel of his skin, the heat of his body. In a rush of desperation, Aarav pulled back just enough to yank Aveer's shirt over his head, tossing it carelessly to the floor. He attacked Aveer's neck with fervent kisses, his teeth and tongue leaving a trail of red marks in their wake.
Aarav gasped at the sudden onslaught of sensation, his head falling back to give Aveer better access. His hands fisted in Aveer's hair, tugging lightly as he rocked his hips forward, seeking more friction against the growing bulge in his pants.
They kissed until they were both breathless, until the world outside faded away and there was nothing but the two of them, lost in each other's embrace.
Aarav suddenly gripped Aveer's hips, spinning him around and pinning him against the wall. He attacked his mouth with renewed hunger, his tongue delving deep as he ground his hardening length against Aveer's thigh.
"Bed," Aveer growled against his lips, his voice rough with need.
He scooped Aveer up and carried him over to the mattress, laying him down gently before covering his body with his own. He worked open the buttons of Aveer's shirt with deft fingers, pushing the fabric aside to reveal the expanse of his chest.
Aarav leaned down and trailed open-mouthed kisses across Aveer's pecs, swirling his tongue around one peaked nipple before moving on to explore the defined abs that he'd been admiring.
Aveer writhed beneath him, his hands fisting in Aarav's hair as he held him close. "Please," he whispered, his voice cracking with desire. "I need more."
Aveer looked up at him through hooded eyes, a wicked smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Patience," he murmured. "I want to savor every inch of you."
He continued his exploration of Aarav's body, his hands roaming over every curve and plane until he reached the waistband of his pants. With a flick of his fingers, he had them unbuttoned and was tugging them down over Aarav's hips.
Aveer paused for a moment, drinking in the sight of Aarav laid out before him, half-naked and flushed with arousal. He reached out and ran a finger along the length of Aarav's hard cock straining against his boxers, eliciting a shuddering moan from his lover.
Unable to resist any longer, Aveer leaned forward and nuzzled against Aarav's clothed erection, breathing in his scent. He mouthed at him through the fabric, his tongue laving the hard length until a damp spot formed.
Aveer pulled back just enough to peel off Aarav's boxers, tossing them aside before turning his attention to the swollen head of his cock. He swirled his tongue around it, lapping up the drops of pre-cum that had beaded at the tip.
"Look at me," Aveer commanded softly. "I want to see your face when I take you into my mouth."
Aarav's eyes fluttered open, dark with desire as they met Aveer's gaze. Then slowly, deliberately, Aveer wrapped his lips around the head of Aarav's cock and sucked.
Aarav arched off the bed with a sharp cry, his hands flying to Aveer's shoulders as he pushed himself deeper into his mouth. Aveer took him to the hilt, holding there for a moment before pulling back and swirling his tongue around the sensitive head.
He set a steady rhythm, bobbing his head as he took Aarav in and out of his mouth. His hands slid up to cup Aarav's balls, rolling them gently as he swallowed around his length.
Aveer could feel Aarav getting closer, his movements becoming more erratic as he neared his peak. He backed off just enough to keep him from going over, wanting to bring him down from the edge before sending him flying again.
He pulled off completely, kissing his way back up Aarav's body until he reached his mouth. He captured his lips in a searing kiss, pouring all of his love and desire into it.
When they finally broke apart, both panting and flushed, Aarav guided Aveer to lay back on the bed before straddling his hips.
He reached down between them, and starting to stroke in slow, teasing circles.
The feeling was almost too much for Aveer to bear, the hot slide of Aarav's skin against inside his own, the press of erection . He rolled his hips up to meet Aarav's strokes, chasing the pleasure that was building inside him.
Aarav leaned forward, changing the angle of his strokes as he bit at Aveer's neck. His hips rocked faster, chasing his own release as he felt the tension coiling in his belly.
"Come for me," Aveer growled against his skin, his hips moving faster . "I want to feel you come inside me."
Aveer's breath hitched as he felt his orgasm building, rushing up to consume him. He let out a choked cry as he spilled over Aarav's hand, his body shaking with the force of his release.
Aarav followed moments later, spilling himself inside Aveer's hole as he collapsed against him. They lay there for a long moment, chests heaving as they caught their breath.
Finally, Aveer pushed himself up on shaky arms and leaned down to press a gentle kiss to Aarav's lips. "That was...incredible," he breathed.
Aarav smiled up at him, reaching up to run a hand through his hair. "You're incredible," he murmured back. "I love you so much."
Aveer's heart stuttered in his chest at the words. "I love you too," he whispered back. "More than anything."
They stayed that way, wrapped in each other, breath to breath, until exhaustion pulled them under. Outside, the rain kept falling, but inside, everything had changed.
For the first time in years, they both slept without the weight of what-ifs pressing on their chests.
It was morning already, the rain had stopped.
The city was washed clean, draped in the pale hush of dawn. Inside the quiet room, the only sound was the soft rhythm of two breaths falling in sync.
Aveer stirred first. The faint light filtered through the curtains and spilled across Aarav's face, calm, peaceful, still half-asleep. His hair was a mess, one arm slung carelessly over Aveer's waist, as if even in sleep, he refused to let him go.
For a long while, Aveer just… looked.
At the boy who once broke him and somehow pieced him back together again. At the curve of a smile ghosting over Aarav's lips, like he was dreaming something beautiful.
He smiled to himself, small, unsteady, but real.
"Morning already?" Aarav's voice came, low and rough with sleep, eyes blinking open.
Aveer hummed in reply, pretending to look away, but Aarav caught the faint pink rising in his cheeks.
"Were you watching me sleep?" he teased, voice lazy, fond.
"Don't flatter yourself," Aveer muttered, though his lips betrayed him with a soft curve.
"You talk in your sleep too, you know. You kept saying my name."
Aarav grinned, inching closer until their foreheads brushed.
"Then it wasn't a dream," he whispered. "You're still here."
"I'm still here," Aveer said quietly. His fingers traced idle circles against Aarav's palm, a small, nervous habit he'd never lost. "But last night…" He hesitated, his voice faltering on the weight of it. "Do you… regret it?"
Aarav caught his hand before he could pull away, threading their fingers together. "How could I regret something I've wanted for years?" His voice was soft, but certain. "You think I'd let go now after finally having you back?"
Aveer's chest tightened, his eyes glimmering. "You're serious about this?"
Aarav smiled - not the teasing one he wore to hide, but the kind that came from somewhere deep, somewhere steady. "More serious than I've ever been about anything."
Aveer didn't respond at first. He only leaned in, resting his head against Aarav's shoulder, breathing him in, the warmth, the comfort, the quiet promise. "You scare me sometimes," he murmured.
"Why?" Aarav asked, stroking his hair gently.
"Because you make me want to believe again."
Aarav laughed softly, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "Then believe. Just this once."
They stayed like that, tangled in the sheets, the morning sunlight catching the edges of their faces. Every silence between them now felt full , not of distance, but of understanding.
Aveer lifted his gaze, his thumb brushing against Aarav's jaw. "If I ever push you away again… remind me of this. Of how it feels to finally stop fighting what we both knew all along."
"I will," Aarav said, eyes glinting with quiet conviction. "And if you ever try to leave again, I'll just follow you until you get tired of running."
Aveer chuckled, shaking his head. "You really are impossible."
"Maybe," Aarav said, leaning closer, "but I'm impossibly yours."
Their lips met again - soft this time, slow and sure - not out of desperation, but belonging.
Outside, the sun finally broke through the clouds, and for the first time in years, neither of them was afraid of what the light revealed.
At Mess*
The small mess hall buzzed with its usual morning chatter — clinking plates, the faint hiss of the kitchen, laughter echoing from one corner. But at one particular table, silence, hung like a stunned pause.
Aarav was sitting beside Aveer, not across, beside. Their plates were close, their shoulders brushing every now and then. It was subtle, but the world didn't need to see what was already glowing between them.
"Come on," Aarav said, holding a spoonful of poha towards Aveer, eyes gleaming mischievously.
"I can eat myself," Aveer muttered, his ears already turning red.
"Yeah? You also said you didn't talk in your sleep," Aarav teased, pushing the spoon closer. "Open your mouth before I shove it myself."
Aveer glared - but the corner of his mouth betrayed him with a reluctant smile. With a small sigh, he leaned forward and took the bite, avoiding eye contact like it would burn him alive.
Aarav grinned in victory. "See? Not so hard."
Across the table, "Arsh and Aman" stared, mid-chew, eyes wide.
"The same Aveer who once threw a pillow at Aarav for breathing too loud?" Arsh whispered.
"And the same Aarav who swore he'd never talk to him again?" Aman added, blinking twice. "Did the sun rise from the west today or something?"
Aveer, catching their expressions, smirked faintly. "You both look like you've seen a ghost." He stood, collecting his tray.
"Anyway, you've officially lost your dear friend. He's mine now."
Aarav almost choked on his tea, half embarrassed, half glowing.
Aveer brushed past him, murmuring just loud enough for Aarav to hear, "I'll be waiting outside. Don't take forever."
And just like that, he left, calm, composed, while Aarav sat there, grinning like a fool, his heart beating faster than ever.
Aman looked at Arsh.
Arsh sighed dramatically. "Well… there goes our drama for the semester."
Aarav just smiled, standing up with his plate. "Maybe," he said, glancing toward the door where Aveer had gone, "but I think I just found my peace."
Few minutes later*
I spotted him waiting under the neem tree outside the mess, pretending to scroll through his phone. But the way his thumb wasn't even moving , yeah, Aveer was nervous too.
When he saw me, he looked up, and that tiny smile, the one he always tried to hide, tugged at his lips. I felt my chest tighten. Damn, how could one smile make everything else fade away?
I walked closer, trying not to grin too much. "You didn't have to wait," I said, kicking a pebble, acting casual.
He shrugged. "I said I would."
Silence stretched between us, not awkward this time, just soft, full. Our arms brushed as we started walking side by side. Neither of us moved away.
For a second, my hand twitched, wanting to reach for his. I don't know what came over me, but I did it. I slipped my fingers between his, pretending it was nothing.
Aveer froze mid-step. I looked ahead, pretending I didn't notice the way his ears went red.
"Someone might see," he muttered under his breath, but he didn't pull away. His hand tightened around mine instead, just a little, like he was saying it's okay.
We walked like that, both of us too shy to meet each other's eyes, both smiling for no reason at all.
For once, we didn't need words.
For once, silence didn't hurt.
It just… felt right.
We were still walking…
Aarav's fingers locked with mine, tightly, like he was afraid I'd disappear if he let go.
The street was almost empty, lights flickering on the hostel walls, our breaths warm in the cold air.
For the first time in years, I wasn't scared of being seen like this.
But the universe had other plans.
"Aveer?"
I heard Shivi's voice before I saw her.
She and Reyansh turned the corner, holding cups of coffee, mid-conversation.
The moment her eyes fell on our joined hands… she froze.
Her smile slipped - just a little.
Not anger.
Not shock.
Just… a small heartbreak she didn't want anyone to notice.
Reyansh's eyes widened too, but he understood quicker.
His gaze flicked between me and Aarav, then softened.
I cleared my throat and pulled my hand back, but Aarav didn't let go.
He squeezed.
Firm.
Reassuring.
"Ave…?" Shivi whispered.
I swallowed. "Uh… this is… I mean…"
My chest tightened.
God, why am i feeling bad ?
Aarav slid a half-step closer, his shoulder brushing mine, grounding me.
I took a breath.
"Aarav is… my boyfriend."
The word tasted strange on my tongue.
New.
Shaky.
But real.
Shivi blinked slowly, then a tiny smile curved at the edge of her lips. "Oh."
Reyansh gave a short nod as if he expected this all along. "Makes sense."
Aarav lifted his free hand. "Hi."
Shivi returned the gesture with a small laugh. "Hi."
I hesitated before facing her properly.
"Shivi… I'm sorry."
My voice was small, sincere. "I got to know you were… looking forward to something. And I just - I didn't want to hurt you. But I always saw you as a friend."
She stared at me for a moment, eyes glistening but steady.
"It's okay," she said softly. "I think I knew. I was just… hoping you'd see me differently."
Then she shrugged lightly. "But I'm glad you're happy. Both of you."
Relief washed through my chest - gentle and warm.
Reyansh lightly tapped her arm. "Come on, we'll be late."
Then to me, he added, "Take care of each other, okay?"
Aarav squeezed my hand again. "We will."
Shivi gave one last smile - small, a little sad, but genuinely supportive - before walking away with Reyansh under the streetlight glow.
And when they were finally out of sight, Aarav whispered near my ear,
"Boyfriend, huh?"
I couldn't help the blush that crept up my neck.
"Shut up," I muttered.
But inside…
god, it felt right.
At Park*
The park was almost empty, washed clean by the evening rain.
Aveer walked beside Aarav with a cotton candy stick in his hand, its pink fluff glowing in the last light of dusk.
Aarav chuckled. "You actually bought that? You look like a kid who just won a prize."
Aveer shrugged, pretending not to care. "At least I know how to enjoy small things in life. Unlike someone who frowns at everything sweet."
"Sweet things are overrated," Aarav teased.
"Then don't eat," Aveer said, biting into the cotton candy, only for a bit of it to cling to the corner of his lips.
Aarav couldn't help but stare. He hesitated for a second, then reached forward without thinking. "You've got something… there."
Before Aveer could react, Aarav gently brushed his thumb across the corner of his lips, collecting the tiny piece of sugar and tasted it.
Aveer froze, eyes wide, heat rising up his neck.
Aarav smiled, playful yet quiet. "See? Maybe I do like sweet things after all."
Then Aveer looked away, hiding a small, helpless smile. "You're insufferable."
"Maybe," Aarav said softly, "but I make your life interesting."
Aveer sighed, shaking his head but unable to hide his grin. "Yeah… you do."
They sat on the swing together, sharing what was left of the cotton candy.
The air between them felt light, but charged - like the calm before a storm.
Aarav tore a small piece, playfully holding it in front of Aveer. "You look too serious," he teased. "Here, sweeten up a little."
Aveer rolled his eyes but leaned in anyway, taking the piece with a quiet hum.
Aarav chuckled softly. "Didn't know you could be this obedient."
"Shut up," Aveer muttered, though the faint blush on his cheeks betrayed him.
Aarav leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Or what? You'll stop me?"
Before Aveer could answer, Aarav tilted forward, meaning only to brush a kiss on his cheek, a teasing reward for all the tension between them.
But Aveer suddenly went still.
His gaze locked ahead, shoulders rigid.
Confused, Aarav followed his line of sight and his blood ran cold.
Just a few feet away, under the park's dim yellow light, stood Vishesh.
And beside him, his parents.
The cotton candy slipped from Aveer's hand and fell soundlessly to the ground, its sweetness dissolving in the damp grass.
Then Vishesh's voice sliced through the air, sharp and cold.
"What the fuck is going on here?"
Aarav and Aveer froze - caught between fear and disbelief, their world collapsing in one brutal heartbeat.
To be continued...