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Karan knew so much about Achi. He seemed to log every detail Achi ever intentionally or accidentally shared about himself and he used them to constantly show how much he thought and cared about Achi. He was still a little dumbfounded that Karan knew him so well and still wanted to be close to him, but Achi had even gotten used to the little ways Karan took care of him.
In the beginning, Achi didn’t know Karan to the same extent. If someone had made Achi answer quickly what Karan liked - the most accurate thing Achi could answer was, well, him. And now, he could not simply just listen to Karan’s thoughts to learn more about him. He had to make the effort.
So he had made it his assignment to spend more time learning about Karan in the same ways as he had Achi. It wasn't too difficult, but it did require not letting Karan distract Achi with the attention he gave him. Once he put his mind to it, he discovered a few things he hadn't noticed before. For example, Karan enjoyed a warm cup of tea after every staff meeting no matter the season. Achi found out that the tie Karan had let him wear was one of his lucky ties that he would wear whenever he had a big client presentation.
Achi had already known that Karan liked vanilla, in all ways. In the flavor, in the smell. Vanilla cakes, vanilla frosting. Achi kind of loved it because for someone so interesting, Karan loved something most people would see as ordinary. But when asking more about it, Achi discovered that Karan's appreciation for vanilla wasn’t ordinary. Karan seemed to know everything anyone could know about vanilla and could tell you all about how unique the variations in flavor could be if you paid attention.
Achi felt satisfied not only learning these things about Karan, but also by the fact that each thing he discovered felt right. He would think that's so Karan, because Achi had started to really know him, too.
Not everything he discovered about Karan was a fun little fact. Sometimes it was something Achi never knew that was really important. He was surprised to discover the most stressful day of the week for Karan was usually Thursday because twice a month on that day he had a call with their most demanding customer. No matter how calm Karan looked on the outside, if it didn't go well, he would spend the last hour of that day writing plans for the next meeting in his notebook.
So on a Thursday when Achi knew it was a call day with that client, he took Karan out for a meal. Karan didn’t seem particularly stressed at first, but Achi had learned to look for the signs. Karan was a little quieter, a little more lost in his own head. His jaw looked tense and he clenched his hand into a fist, until he noticed and forced himself to relax momentarily, until it happened again.
It confirmed for Achi this was the day to put his plan into action. He suggested they go relax at Karan's condo after dinner. Karan looked tired, but he agreed easily. When they entered Karan’s apartment, he immediately went into host mode, asking Achi if he wanted a drink. Achi had been there countless times before so it was silly that Karan still treated him like a guest.
Instead of allowing him to wait on Achi, he held his hand out to Karan and said, “I’ve got something to show you.”
Karan seemed confused, but he took Achi’s hand and followed him over to the couch.
“I know you had your tough client call today so I made you something for days like this," he said as they both sat down.
“How did you know I had a tough client today?” Karan asked.
“Because I pay attention to you,” Achi said and grabbed Karan’s hand. He took Karan's palm and spread it out, relaxing it. “And you had this fist clenched all dinner.”
“Oh,” he said, relaxing his hand. “I’m fine, really.” He gave Achi a half smile.
Achi narrowed his eyes at Karan. He was so impossible sometimes. “Well, that’s too bad because what I have here is for someone who maybe isn't actually fine.”
“What? What is it?” Karan asked, perking up.
Achi had his hand in his backpack, as if he was going to pull something out. He made a show of thinking really hard about it. “I don’t know. Is there someone here who could use a pick-me-up?”
“Okay, yes, fine, Achi. I would like a pick-me-up, very much so.”
“Was that so hard?” he asked.
“Incredibly,” Karan said, but he sounded very fond.
Achi pulled a small rectangular basket out of his bag and put it on the table. He tilted his head toward it, an invitation for Karan to take a look. Karan beamed and reached for it. Achi couldn’t help but feel so very pleased with his reaction.
Karan dug into the basket, picking up each item and looking it over carefully. “I can’t believe you did this.”
“You do this kind of thing for me all the time.”
“You really didn’t have to do this, Achi.”
“Yes, I did, Karan. I can take care of you, too.”
He grasped Achi’s hand and squeezed it. “Thank you.”
“But that’s not everything,” Achi said.
“Oh?”
“Each item comes with a special something. Which do you want first?”
Karan tilted his head. “Can I know what they are?”
Achi shook his head. “Nope, they’re surprises. Pick one tonight. Then you can save the others for later.”
“Okay,” he said, “but you know I’m greedy.”
“Just pick.”
Karan investigated the items again and finally picked out a small bottle of essential oil. He made a thoughtful face as if he might return it, but then held it out to Achi. “This one.”
Achi took the bottle. “This is a good one,” he said. “Very good choice.”
“Thank you,” Karan said, looking pleased.
“Come here,” Achi directed, beckoning him forward.
Karan scooted himself closer. Achi opened the bottle and dabbed a little on each of his thumbs and pressed them to Karan’s temple. He massaged each side of his head lightly. Karan’s eyes fluttered closed at the touch, his breath slowing.
Achi moved his thumbs down the side of Karan's face, carefully massaging each point of contact. The oil had the lightest scent of vanilla. Although it was Karan’s favorite, Achi knew he did not like it if it was too strong, so he had spent some time trying to find the one that seemed pleasant, but not too powerful.
Karan inhaled, his shoulders relaxing. “That’s nice,” he said.
Achi moved his hands slowly down to Karan’s neck, sliding his hands around the back, where he knew Karan kept so much tension. Karan melted into it, his head lolling as Achi gently rubbed the back of Karan’s neck with his fingers.
Karan groaned softly, Achi giving a little more attention to that spot in response. After a few minutes of this, Karan exhaled deeply and opened his eyes. He cradled Achi’s face in return. “I’m so lucky,” he said, a dreamy look on his face.
Achi could so easily be distracted by this. That’s what Karan did, pulled Achi into him, made him feel so warm and loved and special. But this wasn’t supposed to be about Achi.
“Who said I was done?” he said, giving Karan a playful frown.
“Oh? Something more?”
“If something hurts you, Karan, I want to be the one to make you feel better. Can you let me do that for you?”
“Okay,” Karan agreed, still watching Achi with intense curiosity.
Achi pulled Karan’s face toward him into a gentle kiss. It was a kiss with intention, one to show Karan how much Achi wanted to be someone who he could count on, who he could lean on, who could be his partner in all ways.
Achi moved his lips slowly, but attentively, interspersing brief, light kisses with longer, deeper kisses. When Achi finally pulled back, Karan looked completely taken over with an absolutely goofy grin on his face.
“Now I’m done,” Achi said, satisfied.
“Oh no, not yet,” Karan said, putting his arm around Achi’s waist and pulling him back toward him. Karan returned Achi's kisses in equal measure while holding him tight.
They continued to kiss like this, softly, gently, just holding each other, until they were exhausted and breathless. When they broke off from one another, Karan shifted to bury his face in Achi’s neck, tightening his grip yet again.
“Thank you for making this a much better day,” he said, muffled into Achi’s shoulder.
“Anytime,” he said, stroking Karan’s hair.
“Do I really have to wait for another bad day to find out what the other special things are that come with my gifts?” he asked, raising his head and giving Achi his best pleading eyes.
“Yes, you do,” Achi said, staying firm.
“I feel like I might have a streak of bad days ahead of me.”
Achi knew Karan was teasing, but Achi would love nothing more than to have Karan tell him if he was having a difficult time. And even if Karan used this playfully to get Achi's attention, Achi could also use it as an excuse to ask him about the toughest parts of his day.
No matter what, Achi felt like this was a good step forward.
“If you do," Achi said. "I’ll be here to take care of you.”