You got this ship on my mind :3
-Cariño- dear
-Mi cielo- my dear
-Anonymity- basically privacy lol 
The bar was low-lit and quiet in the way Sharukuh preferred: soft music, polished wood, and the kind of anonymity money usually bought him. He sat alone at a corner table, jacket still on, posture stiff, one hand wrapped loosely around his glass. He wasn’t here to socialize. He was here to disappear.
That peace, however, didn’t last.
“Mind if I sit?” came a warm voice, accented far too confident for someone who hadn’t been invited.
Sharukuh didn’t look up. “Yes.”
Esteban took the seat anyway.
Sharukuh sighed, finally lifting his gaze. Esteban always wore that familiar grin easy, charming, and clearly aware of the effect it had on people. The kind of man who treated rejection like a suggestion.
“I said I minded,” Sharukuh muttered.
“And yet,” Esteban replied cheerfully, settling in, “here I am. Must be fate.”
“Or poor listening skills,” Sharukuh huffed back.
Esteban laughed, undeterred. “You’re drinking alone again. That doesn’t seem very fun for a man who owns half the city.”
Sharukuh scoffed. “You do not know anything about me.”
“I know you pretend you don’t enjoy company,” Esteban said, signaling the bartender. “And I know you always stay, even when you tell me to leave.”
Sharukuh scoffed again, but it came out weak. “You assume too much.”
“I observe,” Esteban corrected, resting his elbow on the table. “There’s a difference.”
Sharukuh risked a glance at him and immediately regretted it. Esteban was closer than necessary, smile easy and knowing, eyes warm in a way that made Sharukuh’s chest feel tight. He looked away just as quickly.
“Stop looking at me like that,” Sharukuh muttered.
“Like what?” Esteban asked, tilting his head.
“Like you—” Sharukuh stopped, ears burning. “Never mind.”
Esteban’s smile softened. “You’re adorable when you get flustered, cariño.”
Sharukuh froze. “…Do not call me that.”
But he didn’t sound angry. And worse he didn’t pull away when Esteban’s hand began to slide closer on the table.
Their fingers brushed.
Sharukuh tensed, instinct screaming at him to move, to retreat behind the walls he’d built so carefully. But Esteban didn’t rush it. He just let his fingers rest there, barely touching like an invitation rather than a demand.
The bar grew quieter as the night wore on, the low hum of conversation fading into soft music and clinking glasses. Sharukuh barely noticed. His attention was on the warmth of Esteban’s hand around his own steady, patient, like it had always belonged there.
He should have pulled away.
He didn’t.
Instead, he let himself breathe.
“You know,” Esteban said gently, voice low enough that it felt meant just for him, “you don’t have to pretend with me.”
Sharukuh’s fingers tightened just a little in response. “I’m not pretending.”
Esteban smiled, not teasing this time. “That’s all I needed to hear.”
When it was finally time to leave, Esteban stood first never letting go of the super stars hand.
Outside, the air was cool and quiet. The city lights reflected softly off the pavement, and for once, Sharukuh didn’t feel like he needed to rush anywhere.
Esteban glanced at him. “Can I walk you home, mi cielo?”
Sharukuh hesitated just for a second. Then nodded.
“…Yes.”
Esteban nodded his smile was now bright but gentle. He didn’t pull Sharukuh closer or rush him forward. He simply matched his pace, their hands still intertwined, steps falling naturally in sync.
As they walked, Sharukuh felt something unfamiliar but welcome settle in his chest. Not pressure. Not fear.
Peace.
He still didn’t say the words. He wasn’t ready for that yet.
But when Esteban squeezed his hand and Sharukuh squeezed back without thinking it felt like a promise all the same.
And this time, Sharukuh let himself believe he deserved it.
?!?!?! OMYGOD?!?!?!? OMYGOD??? CONTENT FOR THE RAREPAIR?!??!!? OH MY GOD
Ok first of all I need to thank you for this PROFUSELY LIKE. WOAAAAAHHHTT??? this is so amazing!!!
i love the dynamic here like. Shahrukh being so closed off and scared of letting himself be vulnerable and Esteban barges in (not literally) and offers Shahrukh the smallest bit of genuine affection. He's simultaenously so pushy and so patient with him and it fascinates me like woah! and at that slightest bit of affection Shahrukh just. breaks. ooooohhh? but not like he'll let that show 🤭🤭🤭
these lines especially i really love
"Sharukuh sighed, finally lifting his gaze. Esteban always wore that familiar grin easy, charming, and clearly aware of the effect it had on people. The kind of man who treated rejection like a suggestion."
Like that is literally so esteban. he's such a social butterfly fr fr love ittt
and also
"Sharukuh tensed, instinct screaming at him to move, to retreat behind the walls he’d built so carefully. But Esteban didn’t rush it. He just let his fingers rest there, barely touching like an invitation rather than a demand."
SKJHSKJHS AWW
man i dont say it a lot, but i really do appreciate your constance in the LPS 2012 fandom and keeping us fed. your writing is just so lovely and seeing any content for these silly lil guys is just ^^ AAUUGHH
I WILL be drawing something for this, LOOK OUT!!!! it wont be immediate bc i'll be busy with other stuff at the moment but i would love to. and also i've been vying to redraw/redesign my other lps designs too (mainly the swap 7 and ESPECIALLY THAT PARROT AND SUPERSTAR MONGOOSE) so this is just perfect!
and tyssmmm!!! i believe in lps 2012 crackships, (stuff like digment, reddsprinkles, ykyk,,) silly as they are. and seeing content for it that isn't by me is just so. wow! i appreciate it alot
