Dhiraj's heart felt at peace when he saw Nakul's twinkling eyes as the man kept staring at the vast ocean of stars in front of him. It wasn't just the stars, the moon and the night sky that left Nakul awestruck. The city lights too had left him admiring the breathtaking view. Sitting on the front side of the car, with burgers and coke, their 2nd "hangout" was pretty simple.
Dhiraj was proceeding according to his plan. He wanted Nakul to have all sorts of experiences. And when Nakul kept mentioning the passing lights and the night sky during their previous date, he just knew what he had to do next.
So he planned to meet in the late evening. Wearing a casual brown baggy sweater that complimented his complexion and sleeves rolled up with hair down, he established a laid back and chill sort of vibe. That was Nakul's 1st time seeing Dhiraj in a casual fit. Most of the time he had witnessed the man in suits with slicked back hair. So seeing him all loosen up, he couldn't help but feel he was hanging out with a friend.
The burgers and cold drinks only added more to that experience. Nakul had momentarily forgotten the prejudices he held against the man. All he had in his mind were the stars, the city lights, the silence around him that felt comforting and the happiness of being able to experience this sight.
The two men sat there in silence staring at the city below them. For some reason it felt like an escape. And a part of Nakul just wished that the night would never end.
* * *
Dhiraj had now given up the idea of going on expensive dates with Nakul. His focus had instead shifted to the experiences that would help him see the different expressions his baby would make. That had become the most rewarding part of the dates for him. When he would see his baby eyes wide open with awe, a little flush of red on Nakul's cheeks, that carefree laughter and most importantly that smile in the end, he just.....felt at peace. That smile had made a home in Dhiraj's mind. He just simply couldn't wait to see that smile again.
Things had gotten better with Nakul. he was much more comfortable around Dhiraj now. Although Nakul still had his guard up slightly, they started exchanging a few dms, mostly small talk. And even those dms made Dhiraj's heart squeal with joy.
He knew he HAD to up Nakul's joy since the last time. He turned to google to find a place that Nakul will love and after some time he did. He soon messaged Nakul.
Dhiraj: Hey!! I hope you are having an absolutely loving day!! I wanted to know if you like dogs?
After an hour or so later, he got a reply.
Nakul: Yeah. Why?
Dhiraj: You aren't allergic to them right?
Nakul: I'm not. But why?
Dhiraj: Wanna go to a dog café?
And so it was decided that the next "hangout" destination is a dog café. And man, Nakul loved it there. Surrounded will all the doggu-fluff?! Who wouldn't love that? He was sitting on the floor with puppies and dogs surrounding him as he played and gave them treats. He was also talking with them in a baby-voice, showering them with kisses and pets. And the doggus loved him!! They were all flocking around him with Nakul enjoying every bit of their interaction.
But even though Nakul was having the time of his life, a certain someone was sitting in a corner with a visibly large frown on their forehead.
Dhiraj wasn't particularly fond of the animals, but man, he had never been soooooooo jealous of these fluff creatures ever in his entire life.
'Look at them. Getting all petted and kissed by MY baby. Fuck you. He doesn't even let me hold his hand. And these 4 legged furballs get to kiss him? This is TOTALLY unfair. Nakul is such a meanie.'
But Dhiraj was a kind man. [A/N: According to himself. This is totally Self-diagnosis] So he concluded he should let the furballs have his baby just this one time. But for the next date, Nakul would spend time with him. And him only.
The 4th hangout was decided at the planetarium. Nakul had been there once before with his students for a field trip. But Dhiraj found that out only when they reached the place.
"I wanted to take you to a place you will enjoy. But you've already been here" 'Fuck.' Dhiraj was disappointed at the turn of events.
"That's fine. Actually I'm glad you brought me here" Nakul said with a small smile, "I...I could only see this place in black and white back then"
Saying that, he walked towards the entrance of the show with a document about planets. They take their seats and soon the show starts. A man started narrating about various planets with the screen displaying scenic shots of the various of them.
"The last time I was here, I found this place quite boring. I didn't understand why my students loved it so much here." Nakul whispered in Dhiraj's ears, "but now I can. Thanks.....for bringing me here."
Dhiraj's heart skipped a beat. He froze as he didn't understand how he should react. A part of him just wanted to scream and tell Nakul that he can experience so much more of this world if only we would give Dhiraj a chance. But Dhiraj restricted all those thoughts.
He opened his mouth to reply when Nakul, lost in the documentary, absent-mindedly stated "it's said that it rains diamond on Jupiter. I bet it's beautiful"
And a love sick Dhiraj replied "you wanna see it? I'll built a ship for you"
Nakul turned his head towards Dhiraj, amused at the ridiculousness of that suggestion. But Dhiraj appeared to be serious about what he just suggested.
[A/N: this man actually won't hesitate to build a ship for his baby]
"Are you an idiot?" Nakul couldn't help but felt the urge to confirm that once.
"I'm serious, I'll build it for you. I'll work hard to earn tons of money and build it for you"
Looking at Dhiraj's seriousness, Nakul couldn't help but laugh out loud. This man is just too much.
"You definitely are an idiot" Nakul simply dismissed that idea. But deep down he couldn't help but acknowledge the fact that this man was ready to go to such absurd lengths just to please him. Maybe Dhiraj wasn't that bad of a guy after all, he thought.
Nakul went back to watching the documentary only to be disturbed by Dhiraj just minutes later.
"Hey Nakul...."
"Hmmmm...."
"I've been a good boy right? Don't I deserve a reward?" Dhiraj suggested, with his puppy eyes glued to Nakul.
That comment made Nakul turn to Dhiraj. 'What the fuck?'
"Are you a dog?" Nakul nearly laughed out loud.
Dhiraj thought for a second and replied, "well, you did like those furballs last time. So I guess you can think of me as a dog too."
'Idiot'. But Nakul was grateful for experiencing the time of his life to Dhiraj, so a part of him gave in.
"Okay. what is it?"
"Umm...a kiss on the cheek.....maybe?"
An unamused Nakul replied, "Do you want to get slapped?"
Understanding the cue, Dhiraj quickly changed his request.
"Well then, can I at least hold your hand?"
Now, holding hands wasn't that big of a request but Nakul was still reluctant to do that. Not getting an answer, Dhiraj assumed it's a 'no' and the dejected puppy went back to looking at the screen.
'It's just holding hands. It's not that big of a deal. Plus he has been putting a lot of efforts till now. I'm practically on cloud 9 because of him. My health has improved too. And I can't ignore the fact that I am so grateful to him. Maybe giving in once isn't that bad?' Nakul debated what he should do in his mind.
A minute later he spoke to Dhiraj, "Only holding hands right?"
Dhiraj's ears perked up. His baby agreed? Without wasting even a single second he extended his hand forward.
"Yes!!"
"My hands are cold and sweaty"
"That's fine with me" a Dhiraj, who was trying so hard to suppress that idiotic grin on his face, replied.
In the theater watching a documentary about planets, sat 2 men...quietly holding their hands. The unknown sensation of someone's fingers wrapped around yours felt foreign to Nakul. A part of him wanted to ignore it. Just mind his own business. And although he initially felt he would be weirded out by a man holding his hand.....he actually didn't mind that warm sensation.
Even after the documentary was finished, Dhiraj did not let go of Nakul's hand. He had been so patient for his reward. And now he finally received it, he's going to enjoy it to the fullest!!
So he ran around the planetarium, holding Nakul's hands, laughing and giggling. That had become one of the best days of Dhiraj's life.
* * *
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