The oneshot is dedicated to @Moon_0514 who requested this. Hope you like it!!!.
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Hardikxishan
The team had won the match, but Ishan wasn't in the mood to celebrate.
The dressing room buzzed with energy-laughter, victory chants, and the occasional splash of water fights.
Yet, amidst all the joy, Ishan sat quietly on the bench, rubbing his sore shoulder and staring at the ground.
Hardik noticed immediately.
He always did.
"Oii why the long face?" Hardik plopped down beside him, nudging Ishan's knee with his own. "Don't tell me you're upset over that one missed shot."
Ishan forced a chuckle. "Nah just tired."
Hardik frowned. Ishan was never one to sulk over a game. If anything, he was the first to shake off a bad moment and focus on the next. Something wasn't right.
Before he could probe further, Surya clapped Ishan on the back. "Let's go bro. We're celebrating tonight. No excuses."
Ishan managed a weak smile. "Maybe later."
"Maybe later?" Surya raised a brow, then turned to Hardik. "What's up with him?"
Hardik shrugged, but his gaze never left Ishan's face. Something was definitely wrong.
The ride back to the hotel was quieter than usual. Most of the team had taken a different route for the celebration, leaving only Ishan and Hardik on the bus.
Ishan sat by the window, his forehead resting against the glass.
The city lights blurred outside, and Hardik watched him in the dim glow of the passing street lamps.
"Alright, spill it," Hardik said, shifting in his seat to face him.
Ishan sighed. "Spill what?"
"Whatever's eating you up. You think I don't know when you're acting weird?"
Ishan exhaled a soft laugh. "You're overthinking bhai."
Hardik's jaw clenched at that word. Bhai. He'd always been "bhai" to Ishan. A protector, a guide, someone to rely on. But lately, that word made his stomach twist uncomfortably.
"Tell me" Hardik insisted, lowering his voice. "Is someone bothering you??"
Ishan hesitated, and Hardik caught the flicker of something in his eyes-uncertainty, fear... maybe even sadness.
Hardik tensed. "If someone hurt you-"
"No one hurt me," Ishan interrupted, shaking his head. Then, after a beat, he muttered, "Not in the way you're thinking."
Hardik narrowed his eyes. "Then what is it???"
Ishan let out a humorless laugh, leaning back. "It's stupid."
"Let me decide that."
Ishan bit his lip. He wasn't sure what made him do it-maybe it was exhaustion, maybe it was the way Hardik looked at him like he actually cared, like he wanted to understand. Or maybe it was just the fact that keeping it inside had started to hurt too much.
"You ever wanted something you knew you couldn't have?" Ishan asked, voice quieter now.
Hardik's brows furrowed. "What are you talking about?"
Ishan sighed. "Forget it."
But Hardik grabbed his wrist, stopping him from turning away. "Ishan, talk to me."
Ishan hesitated for only a second before the words slipped out. "I like you, Hardik."
Silence.
The bus rumbled on the road, the streetlights flashing in intervals, but inside, everything felt still. Ishan didn't dare to look at Hardik. He let out a small laugh, forcing a smirk onto his lips.
"See? Stupid right?"
Hardik still hadn't let go of his wrist.
"You really think I don't feel the same?" Hardik's voice was low, almost incredulous.
Ishan's heart stuttered. "What?"
Hardik shifted closer, his thumb brushing against Ishan's pulse. "Didn't you realize? The way I always look for you first after a match? The way I get irritated when someone else tries to get too close to you?"
Ishan swallowed hard. "That's just you being protective."
Hardik let out a soft laugh. "You think I'd be this possessive if I didn't feel something more?"
Ishan blinked. "Possessive?"
Hardik smirked, tilting his head. "You really haven't noticed??"
Hardik smirked, tilting his head. "Remember when Rishabh had his arm around you, laughing?? I nearly lost my mind. Or when you spent the entire evening talking to Shubman, and I couldn't even focus on anything else? I hated it."
Ishan's breath hitched. "You.....hated it?"
Hardik nodded. "And don't even get me started on when you got injured. I couldn't breathe until I knew you were okay."
Ishan stared at him, the weight of Hardik's words sinking in. "Then why.... why didn't you ever say anything?"
Hardik sighed. "Because I was scared too. Scared of losing you if you didn't feel the same."
Ishan let out a shaky laugh. "We're both idiots."
Hardik grinned. "Yeah but at least we're idiots together."
The tension between them shifted-softer now, warmer. Hardik reached out, cupping Ishan's face gently. His thumb brushed along his cheekbone, his touch lingering.
Ishan's breath hitched. "Hardik...."
"You don't have to pretend it's a joke, Ishu." Hardik's voice was barely above a whisper. "Not with me."
Ishan's heart pounded as Hardik leaned in, their foreheads touching first, a silent moment stretching between them before Hardik finally closed the distance, pressing his lips softly against Ishan's.
It was everything Ishan had wanted and more.
When they pulled away, Ishan let out a small, breathless laugh. "So... what now?"
Hardik smirked. "Now?? Now, you're stuck with me."
Ishan rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the smile spreading across his face.
The End.
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Hey guys!!! would love your thoughts if you have time!!