Warning: This is very explicit and contains a scenario that has the potential to make people uncomfortable.

Please proceed with caution, and be kind :)

Oblivion

"Welcome Arnav-bhaiya," HP greeted him at the door, "Di asked for—"

"—No," he groaned, "Later. Where's Khushi?"

"Upstairs," came the soft reply.

A headache pulsed between Arnav's eyes as he climbed up the stairs. He found Khushi perched on the sofa, fiddling with the laundry. He locked the door.

"Arnav-ji!", she greeted him brightly, the red bangles on her wrists clinking softly as she worked, "I was just thinking about—"

His wife squealed as he lifted her from the sofa and deposited her on the bed, where he joined her after kicking off his shoes. Seconds later, he was wrapped around her, seeking solace in her familiar warmth, burying his face against her neck to breathe in her jasmine scent.

She was silent. The pounding in his head subsided in slow increments as her hand came up to stroke his hair.

"Bad day?" she asked softly.

Arnav groaned into her shoulder, sliding his leg across hers and pulling her closer. She seemed to understand.

"Aarav is staying with Jiji and Aakash-ji," her fingers rubbed soothing circles into his scalp as his eyes fluttered closed, "He wants to sleep in Alok's room."

"Mmmkay."

Here, he was finally at peace. Here, he was home.

And then, he became aware of another ache as serenity flooded his limbs. He stirred, his body responding almost instantly as he kissed Khushi's shoulder, her neck, her jaw.

When she didn't move, Arnav tilted his head to consider her before realizing that she was fast asleep.

"Pagal," he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

Reaching into his pocket for his phone, he tapped out a message to Di to let her know that he and Khushi would organize their own dinner and were not to be disturbed. And then he settled beside his wife, his breathing slowing to match hers.

#####

There was warmth. Exquisite warmth. Followed by lightning.

He groaned, a deep rumble in his chest, as his eyes blinked open. And in that instant, that split second between asleep and awake, he became aware of three things.

It was dark. The sun had long since set and their bedroom was lit only by pale moonlight shining through a gap in the curtains and the soft glow of fairy wife was no longer beside him. She was between his was fully aroused.

Arnav looked downward. The warmth was her mouth.

"Fuck."

Her eyes had been trained on him, and as he lifted his head to get a better look, she raised her eyebrows at him in question – Should I stop?

Hell no.

Tangling a hand in her hair, he moved slightly to encourage her to continue. She did. For many long minutes, his mind was blissfully blank, aware only of the magic his wife was creating.

But into this ecstasy crept another thought.

He didn't want to chase oblivion alone.

"Stop," he rasped.

She froze, allowing him a moment to catch his breath, and then blushed as their gazes clashed.

"Come here."

But to his utter bewilderment, she shook her head.

She whispered, "I want to do this."

"Khushi ..." his tone sharpened with command.

She gave a small shrug as she settled back down, and within moments, had resumed her work. She did something with her tongue that drove all thought from his mind.

He was close.

"Babe ..." he warned.

She rose up, quickly replacing her lips with her hand and covering him with a handful of tissues. His pleasure built at the base of his spine, tightening, and then his entire being coiled and shattered.

When air returned to his lungs, he opened his eyes to find Khushi watching him carefully. She came easily when he reached for her, stretching out alongside him as he buried his nose in her hair.

"What was that?" he whispered.

Khushi turned away, hiding her face, as she mumbled, "When I woke up you were ..."

Her hand waved briefly in the air, a gesture he took to mean aroused.

"... and so I thought ..." she lapsed into silence.

Half a dozen teasing remarks came into his mind, but an awareness swept through Arnav as he started to deliver his favourite. Khushi was trembling.

"Are you cold?"

She shook her head.

"What's wrong?"

Two minutes passed in silence. Then another two. His fingers tightened at her waist as he waited. And finally,

"I'm sorry," her voice was small, "I won't do it again."

"What the—!?"

Arnav turned her around gently and forced her to meet his eyes. His pulse stuttered at the sight of tears.

"Khushi ..." he wiped them away with his thumb as she gave a little sob.

"I thought it was a good idea but ..."

"But ..." he prompted, frowning.

"It's not right."

"It's not ... right? What do you mean? It's hardly the first time you've ..."

"But never while you were as-asleep," another sniffle as she tried to hide fresh tears, "I shouldn't have ..."

"Okay," Arnav gathered her close, "Ssshhh, don't cry. Relax ... it's only me."

It took some time, but she eventually quieted enough to listen.

"Khushi, you didn't have to. Do you know that?"

She nodded miserably, "Yes."

Arnav sat up, absently flicking his clothes back in order. Khushi had been ... efficient ... in the pursuit of her goal.

"So, what's all this?" he indicated to her tears, "I would never expect you to do anything you weren't willing to do."

"I know," Khushi looked away, "but I thought ..."

"What did I tell you? That first night after we were married? Nothing happens unless we both want it. Even here. Especially here."

"You'll think I'm bad. Dirty."

"What the hell?!"

It was hard to speak about, even to her, the person he loved and trusted and desired above all else. But he tried.

"It's ..." he took a deep breath, "It's not about being bad or dirty. It's about us. How we are with each other. We talk about it. We change the things that need changing."

His wife rested her head on his shoulder, "Okay."

"Are you alright now?" Arnav asked, tilting his head to watch her reaction as he trailed a finger down her cheek.

"I think ... I think so."

"Your trust means so much to me."

"What if I ... What if it's too much?" she whispered.

"What's too much?"

Khushi studied their duvet, "If I want too much?"

He grinned, his heart flooding with emotion as she blushed.

"You could never want me too much."

She shoved him playfully, smiling, "Badmaash."

He gave chase as she disentangled herself, grazing his teeth on her earlobe before whispering, "I am, but only with you."

Khushi blushed again, trying to hide in the space between his head and shoulder. He stroked her hair as he twisted so he lay on his back.

"Khushi?"

She snuggled into him, humming contentedly, "Hmmm?"

"I have to tell you something."

She shifted into her elbow so she could see him, already biting her lip with worry. He kissed her pout away before speaking.

"Do you remember my bachelor's party? At the farmhouse? And the song you danced to?"

The spark that had briefly disappeared from her eyes returned with the memory. "Namak Ishq Ka. In the black sari that you gave me."

Arnav struggled to control his grin, "Do you know what that song is about?"

"Love!" she answered with a smile.

"Uhhh ... no," he laughed, "That's not it at all."

Khushi poked his chest, "Why are you laughing? What is it about, then?"

"Think of the lyrics," he prompted, still trying to contain his laughter.

She mouthed the chorus, still frowning adorably in confusion, and he watched as her features slowly melted into horror.

"Oh Devi Maiyya! What did I do!?"

"You seduced me."

"Oh but with that song. The things I did. The things I said. And you! You didn't stop me!" she smacked his chest.

"Ow! I tried."

"Arnav-ji!"

"Can I put in requests for the future? Dance for me again," he counted on his fingers, lowering his voice intimately, "Seduce me again."

And then he winked, "Wake me up like that again."

"Arnav!" she was scandalised.

He flipped them around with a chuckle, nuzzling her neck affectionately, "I liked it."

And then a soft kiss, "I love you, Khushi. Never change."