"But, Sherlock, this color will look better," said the smartly dressed woman in her thirties, her tone insistent. "Let me at least drape it on you, then you look at yourself in the mirror. You have the most exquisite blue-gray eyes, it will enhance their beauty." She draped a deep turquoise fabric made in decadent silk, over his shoulders, as she forcefully dragged him to the full length mirror on the wall at the corner of Sherlock's bedroom.

She called out to the young man who was scrambling near the bed, trying to keep up with her demands as he offered samples from the veritable mountain of various fabrics on the bed. "Look at him, how beautiful he looks, he will look like a prince, like God walking on earth." Sherlock blushed as he looked at her incredulously.

How are these people so familiar with absolute strangers. Aren't they afraid of being rebuffed….I'm going to kill Kesh for leaving me alone with them…..Bloody hell, this color does look good on me….Where is he? What the hell is a Sherwani anyways….I have got perfectly good suits…..damn it, is it a marriage or a circus.

"I don't want the whole Sherwani to be this color, it looks too rich. How about we use a neutral color as background, so that this colour stands out?" she asked. Sherlock nodded his approval just wanting the ordeal to be over, as he braced himself for the inevitable measurement taking.

"What is a Sherwani anyways?"

"Oh it's a traditional silk Indian knee length coat worn during weddings, buttoned right to the top and a churidar as the bottom. It can be simple and elegant or as ornate as one wishes," she replied absently as she walked around him with a measuring tape in hand, her eyes appraising his form.

She continued, "You know I met Kesh at school in Nainital. My garment business is now in Delhi. When he called, asking me to come here all the way from Delhi, to get you dressed for the wedding, I was so taken aback. It is so unlike him to ask for something. He is the one who encouraged me and helped me to set up my business. I am forever in his debt, so when he called, I came straight away. He said, Neha, he is devastatingly good looking, I want to see if that can possibly be enhanced. I see he was not exaggerating." Her smile was teasing.

Sherlock quirked his lips mechanically as he said, "Let's just get on with it, shall we?"

"Haridas, where's Kesh?" demanded Sherlock.

A harassed looking Haridas stood in the driveway, yelling out directions to three men who were busy building a pandal, a temporary structure using bamboos and thick colorful embroidered cloth, to shelter the entire driveway and front yard from the elements. Four other men, supervised by Shankar, were busy fixing colorful lights on all the surrounding trees and the compound wall. In the massive backyard, food preparations by caterers were in full swing, large pots with steaming curries and biryanis being cooked, a large vessel with hot boiling oil, frying puris for the luncheon guests. Meera and her girlfriends fluttered around, tasting, instructing, helping.

Haridas turned to Sherlock with a smile, "He's gone with Uddhav to see the caterer's. He didn't want to go, but Uddhav insisted that he wanted his opinion on the choice of food. You were with the tailors, so he left. He should be back for lunch soon."

"Seriously, Haridas, the number of people around this place seems to be swelling exponentially by the minute. We'll be overrun soon!" Sherlock grimaced.

Haridas laughed, his frail shoulders shaking. "Oh Sherlock, this is the way we celebrate. Meera is getting married from this house after all, as the daughter of the house. All our friends and family will be eating here for the next three days from tomorrow till the wedding is over. All the workers who work for Kesh, their spouses, children, the school workers, hospital workers... All are invited to partake in the meals and be with us. Today is the last quiet day you will have for the next four days!" Haridas exclaimed.

"You call this quiet?" Sherlock's eyes were wide.

"Well today we just have the family and workers who have come to set everything up." Haridas shrugged his shoulders and then a let out delighted cackle at the wry look on Sherlock's face. His gaze shifted to the workers behind Sherlock, who were standing around and chatting. He walked past Sherlock, shouting at the men, "At this rate, she can get married next year, can't you hurry up?"

Turning back he told Sherlock pointedly, "Meera is looking for you, she said you must have lunch, before you disappear again."

Sherlock groaned.

Sherlock entered Kesh's bedroom and glared at Kesh who sat on the chair, working on his computer. He fell down on the bed dramatically, clutching his tummy. He groaned again. "Oh for God's sake Kesh! This is intolerable!. Meera should have been a school teacher." He contrived to sound distressed.

"Made you eat again, did she?" Kesh chuckled.

"Why can't she understand that I don't like eating much? I hate eating regular meals! Food slows me down. Ugh...you should have heard her!" He sat up with sudden animation as he mimed, wagging a pointed finger up and down, "Sherlock sir, please Sir, you are too thin. It reflects badly on us that our guest is so thin, what will people say about us?" Kesh laughed aloud as Sherlock glowered, "This is emotional blackmail, Kesh. That's what's going on in this house," He threw a pillow at Kesh's head. "Oh I've eaten so much, I'm going to die…..I should have stayed in Harsil, much more civilized people there," Sherlock voice sounded muffled as he put a pillow on head and buried his face in it.

Kesh was still laughing at Sherlock's histrionics. His laughter slowly died down as he stared at Sherlock; elegantly creased, figure hugging linen trousers, tight white shirt defining every torso muscle, long toes wriggling, fair forearms holding the pillow that was hiding his face, his tangled soft curls sprawled on the pillow underneath.

He began hesitantly, "Maybe you should….."

Sherlock lifted the pillow off his face and looked at Kesh, his eyes narrowed, "Maybe I should what?"

Kesh cleared his throat, his voice husky, "Maybe you should work off some of that sudden intake."

Sherlock stared at him, eyes widening in amazement. "Kesh, are you coming on to me?" he asked incredulously.

"Maybe?" Kesh said hesitantly.

A slow seductive smile spread on Sherlock's face, "Come here, you..."

As Kesh reached the edge of the bed, Sherlock grabbed his wrist and jerked him forward, till he had Kesh sprawled over him. "Kesh…" he said as he held him close, nose buried in his neck, inhaling the familiar sandalwood. He stroked Kesh's hair back tenderly and sighed, "My lovely Kesh..." Staring into those shy eyes, he arched an eyebrow, "Want me?"

"Yes….always." was Kesh's breathless response.

Sherlock pulled Kesh down for a kiss, his lips soft as they nipped Kesh's. "You think I am devastatingly good looking, do you?"

"How….Oh, Neha?" Kesh blushed.

Sherlock smiled and then kissed Kesh, long intimate kisses, running his tongue over his lips, before invading his mouth, hands cupping his ass. "My Kesh, how much you love me."

Kesh gasped as Sherlock dipped his fingers into his cleft suggestively. "Sherlock…. Sherlock, when will you…..?" he broke off.

Sherlock drew back as he took in the diffidence in Kesh's eyes. He smiled gently, Oh, Kesh...

"Come here, lie down here," He made Kesh lie down and lay down next to him, propped by his elbow. With one hand he played with Kesh's hair, as he asked softly, "When will I what, Kesh?"

"When will you have sex with me?"

Sherlock frowned, "When will I have sex with you? What do you think we have been doing? We've been having sex every single day, since I first touched you…..well, except for the first few days in Harsil, of course."

"No." said Kesh taking in a deep breath, "When will you…..when will you have actual sex…. anal sex with me?"

Sherlock continued to play with his hair delicately as he bent down to nuzzle his face to Kesh's chest. After a while, he drew back and looked into Kesh's earnest eyes. He asked gently, "Do you feel ready?"

Kesh raised his shoulders in a slight shrug, as he replied, "I don't know….I think so…..Do you think I am?"

Sherlock rubbed noses with Kesh, "We don't have to rush into anything, Kesh. It is a big step, especially for you."

"Do you still want to?"

Sherlock groaned as he replied huskily, "You have no idea, Kesh…..but I'm fine with waiting too." He bent down and kissed Kesh's chest. "Or maybe you can penetrate me first. That's good as well. Then I don't have to worry about hurting you..."

Kesh shook his head as he buried his face in Sherlock's chest, "No, no... I can't do that."

"What! WHY?"

Kesh was silent for a while, and then he sat up, "Because I wouldn't have a clue about what I'm doing and because….." his voice trailed off.

"And because, what?"

Kesh bent down and held Sherlock's face in his palms, kissed his lips softly, "It is such an intimate thing to do."

Sherlock frowned, "But you are willing to let me have you?"

"That's different. I love you, I'm yours…you can take your pleasure from me…."

Sherlock took his hand and clasped it as he said curiously, "Kesh, you do know that there is no taking? It is mutually pleasurable, you do know that, right?" At Kesh's nod, he averted his eyes, absently kissing Kesh's hand, a thoughtful look in his eyes. He looked back at Kesh and frowned as he said, "Kesh…..I know the depth and intensity of your love for me. I do not understand it but I accept it joyfully…..You are very dear to me... I care about you deeply…..But I'm not sure I love you the same way."

"I know," Kesh said simply, smiling.

"It does not bother you?" Sherlock exclaimed, puzzled.

"Why should it? What does my love have to do with how you feel?" Kesh continued smiling as Sherlock's frown deepened. He shook his head as he explained, "Sherlock, I've loved you since I came to know you. I loved you while you were here, I loved you when you left, and if and when you choose to leave again, I'll still love you. It has nothing to do with how you feel. You are magnificent, you exist, you came into my life….. that is enough…all of this," Kesh continued, waving his hand about, "All of this, your being here, your choosing to stay with me, spend time with me, choosing to touch me, letting me touch you…this is all a beautiful gift for me, a bonus. I mean to enjoy every minute of it while it lasts."

Sherlock stared at him, then shaking his head in disbelief, "You extraordinary man….." He clasped Kesh in his arms as he rolled them around. Peering down into Kesh's eyes, he asked, "Mine?"

Kesh grinned widely as he responded, "YOURS."

They both looked up at the knock on the door.

"Hrishikesh…Hrishikesh, can I come in?" Uddhav's voice called out.

Kesh got up and smiling sheepishly, tucked his shirt back in, adjusting himself, as he called out, "One minute, Uddhav."

"I'll wait downstairs for you. Vedant and I have been waiting. We have to go to Meera's father's house to invite him, remember? Bye, Sherlock," he yelled out cheerfully through the closed door as he left.

"He's going to be totally frazzled by the time the wedding is over," Kesh remarked shaking his head. "Sherlock, I've to go to Madhav's house to invite him to come. I hope he is over his anger. Do you want to come with us?"

"No, I would prefer to stay in, if that's okay. Actually, I wanted to catch up with the reading material from your research; you did say it would be fine?"

Kesh nodded as he bent down to tie his shoelaces. "All the hard copies are on the desk in my office. But a lot of the material is on my laptop, it's not password protected, so that'll be fine."

As he straightened Sherlock came up behind him and put his arms around his waist. "I'll be here waiting. We can revisit our conversation about anal sex," he drawled as he playfully nibbled at Kesh's ear. Kesh sank back into him with a shiver, "Yes…. Yes, please, Sherlock."

Kesh walked onto the terrace to find Sherlock standing near the balustrades, staring at the river, lost in thought. He watched the still figure, hair fluttering in the wind, slim graceful body leaning over the balustrade.

"Kesh," Sherlock rumbled without turning his face.

"I thought you didn't know I was here," confessed Kesh as he walked towards him.

Sherlock turned to face him, "You have been standing there, staring at me for 129 seconds. I have keen hearing, Kesh," He smiled as he pulled Kesh in his arms. "How did things go with Madhav?"

"He is very happy. He will come for the wedding. I told him to come home, see his daughter, and participate fully," answered Kesh snuggling into Sherlock's chest.

Sherlock led him to the sofa divan and settled down, gathering Kesh till he lay across his chest. "What were you thinking about, looking out at the river?" asked Kesh as Sherlock stroked his hair tenderly and bent down to kiss him.

"I read your research papers. It's all quite extraordinary, isn't it, Kesh?"

Kesh sat up and said, "It is. It amazes me, all the time."

Sherlock leaned back on the back rest, his face tilted up to look at the night sky in contemplation. After a while he, "How is all this possible? What is this? What does it all mean?"

"I don't know either. No one knows. But sometimes I feel that asking the questions is the more important thing."

Sherlock turned to him as he said, "So your group thinks it is the sterile neutrino?"

"It fits in...the lack of mass is not a problem unlike the electron neutrino. We are testing it. Others are testing different things. I was into gravitational lensing for a while, but then moved to particle research." His voice was hushed, reflective as he stared at Sherlock. "No one knows... it's like a mystery…only better, because whether you deduce it or not, the fascination still remains, the beauty still captivates."

Sherlock nodded. "I went through your books in the study. The number of science books... on quantum physics, cosmology are roughly the same as the amount of ancient texts from various faiths," said Sherlock lifting his head to look at Kesh, "I find it hard to imagine. How do you reconcile the two? Being a scientist and a spiritual person. I am a scientist. I believe in quantifiable objective data, on the evidence of my eyes. Spirituality seems to me to be abstract, a matter of discussion and debate, with no grounding in real life."

"I used to think so too. When I was young, when I had not given it much thought. The more I studied the two, the more I realized that they are two different ways of seeing the same truth, the same realities in two different ways. They are both saying exactly the same thing." He stood up, pacing as he spoke, his arms waving about. "Science moves from the outwards to the inwards. From diversity to unity. From quantifiable facts to the understanding of the underlying, breathtaking symmetry and order in nature, towards the understanding of one overarching theory of everything. Spirituality moves from the inwards to the outwards. From subjective experience to the manifest creation. From the understanding of a core, a center radiating out to include everything." He leaned forwards, his eyes intent on Sherlock, "They are just two different viewpoints of seeing the same truth. There is a saying in ancient Sanskrit, Truth is one, wise people state it in different ways."

Sherlock frowned as he asked, "What does it mean for an agnostic like me though, Kesh?"

"Agnosticism, undecided on an underlying reality or truth. Or Atheist, not believing in God. Both are also valid faiths aren't they, Sherlock? Both are one's own personal judgements on the state of things. And both or I should say all are perfectly fine. The human brain is meant to think, analyse, dissect. If it is doing that...why then, the purpose is served no matter what conclusions are drawn."

Sherlock sighed as he turned away and looked up at he sky again, he murmured thoughtfully, "I look at the stars sometimes... wonder about what the real extent of the cosmos is. Every few years, they discover that it is bigger than their previous estimates, older than they previously thought. Are we are an accident, or a design by some creator? Why we are here? Is there a reason?"

"I don't know the answer to that, Sherlock. That is why, after all my study, I decided to pursue that which made the most sense to my immediate life. Don't get me wrong, I have read all the anthropomorphic arguments, the entomological arguments, the cosmological arguments…and reflected very deeply on them. But ultimately all of that is a matter for intellectual debate. As flimsy and as easily overturned as one's opinions."

He paused, shaking his head, "All that study was ultimately meaningless...do you see? It has to translate into something meaningful to my life... I found it more useful to think about myself. Whether a creator or God exists or not, I don't know...But no one can argue with me about whether Iexist. If I exist, then I am my reality. I found by the practice of meditation of tapping into something bigger than myself right inside of me. That is my reality. When I am centered in it, it upholds me, guides me, I am happy. After all, underlying all the running around in life, that is the ultimate goal isn't it, to be happy?"

"Kesh, is it a void, when you reach closer to the center?"

"On the contrary, it is a fullness. How can it be a void, a nothingness, Sherlock? You are still there. Even if it is a void, there needs to be something to witness it. That is what you are. At the end of the day, that's what we all are. Witnesses to our life, to this vast creation."

They sat quietly in contemplative silence for a while. Finally, Sherlock waved towards the sky, "So 65% dark energy?"

"Yes, amazing isn't it? By the latest research 65% dark energy, 30 % dark matter. Everything that we see, all the matter in the universe accounts for the remaining 5% only. Dark matter, matter that is hidden from us, only seen in its effects, dark energy that cannot be detected, that 95% is accelerating the universe outwards, that is why there is no big crunch coming as a logical end to the big bang….."

Sherlock's eyes widened as he looked up and said in a hushed whisper, "I love it, Kesh. Love this mystery. This unsolved wonder of exquisite science and pure mathematics…there is something out there driving this cosmos…. Pervading the universe…..something undetectable, unidentifiable…that is just known by its effects….it appears, that if God exists, his language is silence, an unseen presence."

"Or perhaps," suggested Kesh, "if an ultimate Reality, a Truth exists, it talks and we just need to adjust our frequency and wavelength to it...like trying to get a proper radio signal?"

Silence fell again, both sat slouched on their armchairs, staring up at the clear night sky, the stars.

"I have been thinking, Kesh. I think….one needs to learn to live with ambiguity when one is a seeking spirit," Sherlock said after a while.

"I agree. All those who genuinely seek to learn, whether atheist or believer, scientist or mystic, are united in not have a faith but faith itself."

They were still talking an hour later, oblivious to the loud chatter and laughter from downstairs, when Haridas came to call them for dinner.

As Kesh got up to leave, Sherlock grasped his arm to stop him. He pulled Kesh closer, cupping his face, his eyes intent with meaning, before he slowly pressed their lips together. He murmured against Kesh's lips, his voice husky, "It was here that I first touched you, that I first asked if I could have you, Kesh. Will you let me have you tonight?"

Kesh's smile was radiant, his eyes filled with love and trust, "Yes...please, Sherlock."

Sherlock lips hovered above Kesh's thighs as he eased a third finger in, watching it disappear inside Kesh. His voice was husky with arousal as he murmured, "Shh….relax, just give it a few seconds…"

"Sherlock…." Kesh gasped at the tightness, needy eyes fixed on Sherlock, seeking reassurance as his hand dug into Sherlock's shoulder.

"I've got you, Kesh…..I know it feels like a lot, but….I am bigger than just two fingers, I need to prepare you well...Okay?" His eyes scanned Kesh's face, as he made a cone of the three fingers, sliding them in and out slowly. He had taken a long time to carefully prepare Kesh, as gently as he could, using liberal amounts of lube, which glistened all around Kesh's ass and had dripped into the bed sheets underneath. Kesh swallowed as he absorbed the incredible stretch, before nodding at Sherlock...Oh God..this already feels like so much...how will I do it...I can do it...I want so much...so much to feel him inside me...give him pleasure...

Sherlock slowly spread his fingers, stretching the sphincter, withdrawing them and slowly plunging them back in again. He stroked Kesh's prostate, holding the sensitive nub between two fingers while the third applied firm strokes. "Sherlock... Oh God...it feels so good when you touch me there…..Sherlock….please come here, please Sherlock…"

Sherlock slid up, kissing Kesh's belly and chest as he moved to Kesh's perspiring face. He cupped Kesh's cheek, his voice gentle, "My Kesh….you're so tight, it's going to feel like heaven sliding into you," He kissed the parted parched lips from which soft panting breaths puffed out. He buried his face in Kesh's neck and moaned, his fingers deep inside Kesh's arse, his hands flexing as he fucked him with his fingers. He rubbed his own hard-on into the mattress slowly, desperately aroused, needing friction. "Going to have you soon, Kesh…..I think I'm going to come just from the thought of it."

Kesh turned his face to nuzzle into Sherlock, a trembling hand stroked Sherlock's thick curls, "I can't wait for it either." He moaned as Sherlock's grazes to his prostate became more insistent, "I feel so full…so full of you."

Sherlock lifted his face, his gaze taking in Kesh's desperate look. Gently removing his fingers, he rolled off Kesh to lie down on his back, "Come here, Kesh. Come on top, you'll have better control."

Kesh shook his head, pulling Sherlock back, his voice insistent as he begged, "No, no…..you on top... I want you above me, in me, around me, everywhere…. please, Sherlock."

Sherlock gently rolled back over Kesh, murmuring reassuringly, "Okay…okay." He mounted over Kesh, his lips sucking on Kesh's gently, rubbing his hard length to Kesh's, the lube making it all slippery. They gasped and moaned into each other's mouths as their hands roamed, grasping, kneading, caressing.

Sherlock sat up, "Alright?" Kesh nodded nervously, his legs splayed wide and shivering, his eyes fixed to Sherlock's gaze. Sherlock slicked himself, stroking gently, his eyes flicking between Kesh's stretched opening and his needy, trusting eyes.

I hope I don't hurt him…..It's going to feel spectacular…..my Kesh, offering himself up so completely…..going to make it good for him... Oh Kesh…..his first time….all mine…..

He aligned his cock with one hand and flexed Kesh's hip with the other, tilting his pelvis up. His teeth worried his lower lip as he stared down, a powerful surge of anticipation, of sheer rightness running throuh him. Both gasped at the first nudge of his cockhead to Kesh's entrance. Sherlock slowly inched in, his eyes on Kesh's face, watching for any pain. Kesh was staring at him with an expression of wonder, awe.

"Is this okay, Kesh, am I hurting you?" Sherlock asked anxiously. Kesh shook his head, barely managing to gasp out, "No…just...feels a lot bigger... it's stretching me, but no pain."

Sherlock rocked in gently, brow furrowed in concentration, gaze moving between Kesh's face and the utterly sensual sight of his long length sliding in, Kesh stretching to accomodate him. He clenched his jaw, holding his breath as he inched in, Fuck...I'll might just come from this alone.... Once fully sheathed by Kesh's tight passage, he let go of his breath all at once. He let out a loud uninhibited moan, "Oh God, Kesh…." They stared at each other.

Sherlock stared in wonder.

It has been years...have fucked so many….why does this feel so different…..tight, hot, so fucking arousing that I am taking a virgin….but that's not it….there's something different…..look at him, he looks like he would worship me if he could…..so much love….my Kesh….mine…..WHY does feel different…..why do I feel I want to cry…loves me so unconditionally…has handed himself over, body and soul…..my lovely loving Kesh…

Kesh stared in veneration.

Sherlock….oh God, Sherlock is inside me…so full…..full of his flesh, full of joy, full of Sherlock…this is so intimate…..I never knew it could be like this….feels so good, like I am complete now…..love him, love him so much…the most beautiful, brilliant, perfect man in the world…and he has chosen to share this with me….I hope it pleases him…want to please him…want to be here, in this position, joined, connected always….

Sherlock bent forward and braced himself on both forearms, face close to Kesh's, as he licked the tears spilling from his eyes, soft kisses to his swollen lips, his nose.

"Look at me, Kesh….stay with me…tell me you're okay, not in pain?"he murmured finally.

Kesh looked back in wonder and said with a reverent whisper, "Sherlock, you're inside me. I can feel you everywhere."

"Yes, I am….my Kesh, you feel as good, as I had imagined," he whispered, "Kesh, I'm going to move now, okay?"

"Okay," came the breathless response.

And Sherlock moved. Withdrawing gently, he slid back in slowly, long slow purposeful strokes, Kesh's body caged underneath his, Kesh's gasping breaths on his face, his eyes locked in with Kesh's with a burning intensity, Kesh's stream of moans and "Sherlock…Oh God, just there, right there… Sherlock" reverberating in his ears, as he took; took what was his, offered so freely and lovingly…..he took and took as he savoured in equal measures the hot tightness and the love and awe spilling from Kesh's eyes. His abs rippled and undulated, brushing against Kesh's hardness, as he nudged and caressed Kesh's prostate, rewarded with broken needy pleas of "Please…. Please…. please Sherlock….." He kissed Kesh's parted lips, as his hands slid down to cup his ass, pulling him closer, pushing Sherlock deeper. He hummed into Kesh's ears, "Mine….my Kesh….that's it, move like that…..can you feel it, feels good doesn't it? That's it wrap your legs around me, Kesh...all mine." He nipped and bit and licked, as he snaked one hand between them to wrap his hand's around Kesh's length and stroked, Kesh's broken sobs sounding like music to his ears, "Love you, love you Sherlock…..I can't take this….please I need to come…..so intense, so intense Sherlock…"

He played with Kesh's body like a master at his peak, creating his masterpiece; he played with his own drowning, overwhelmed body and mind, unable to understand the sheer potent mix of fierce protectiveness and uncontrollable passion.

He sat up, heart thudding loud in his chest, hair plastered around his forehead with sweat, limbs trembling from effort and need, his beautiful eyes held Kesh's as if both were spell bound, as he fucked and stroked, and both gasped and moaned.

As Kesh spilled over, he moved the come stained hand to his face and licked, before holding both things, he tilted him further, driving in with brutal desperate thrusts as he edged towards completion. And then he stopped breathing as from his pelvis, deep throbs of pleasure erupted and he climaxed inside his Kesh, a hoarse, violent roar wrenched from his parched throat. He stayed locked in a post coital haze, his head thrown back in exhiliration, his body shuddering, deep gasping breaths shaking his whole chest. It was a while before he felt the moistness on his face, tears streaming down…..Why am I crying? What's wrong with me?

He gulped as he straightened his head to look down at the man who had just given him his all, and they stared at each other, trying and failing to return to a semblance of lucidity. Kesh looked back in stunned euphoria….. lips still parted, as his moist eyes begged Sherlock closer. Sherlock slipped out of him, as he lowered and buried his tear stained face in the crook of Kesh's neck and let himself shudder and tremble, safe in the knowledge, that he was loved, he was safe, not quite sure who it was that took and who got taken, lips repeating a soft mantra of , "Kesh, my Kesh…."

Kesh's fingers gently cradled Sherlock close as he repeated over and over, "I love you, Sherlock, love you so much…..thank you, I never knew it could be like this….love you….it's okay, I've got you…."

Two hours later, in the silence of the night, the friends lay facing each other, freshly showered and changed as they held hands and talked and smiled and nuzzled, legs tangled together, voices hushed.

"You know, Sherlock, things are going to get chaotic from tomorrow….lots of people around, lots of noise. Will you be alright with that? The wedding is in three days. I will be busy with Uddhav, he is a very close friend... and Meera, well, if her father does not agree to give her away, it will be me. It is a big responsibility."

"Don't worry about me, Kesh. I have decided, if you can't fight them, join them," said Sherlock with a smile. "I'm going to enjoy myself, and go with the flow for once, instead of trying to control things."

"You'll enjoy it, I know you will."

To be continued….