Hey, there my Viii. Wishing you a very-very Happy B'day to you. Grow old and be more crazy, god you're older than me. I can't believe it. I just can't. I don't know why? But I can't. So, here's your hulrat one-shot.  I know today isnt your B'day but in my defence I was going to post this on your b'day. But I couldnt for some reason and others. But here I'm with promised Hulrat stuff. And I hope you like it. It's pretty long and all. So, here it is for you bleedblue2011. Sorry in advance for mistakes and being super late though I didnt change my note for you.

A shot story on how Virat and Rahul become hulrat. For you don't trust just anyone with your life. 

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It was an ordinary evening in his Covid induced life. Rahul was sitting on the balcony attached to his room. Brooding, yes, he knew he was brooding. And he just couldn't help himself. The lots of free time had left him with lots of thoughts. Lots of what ifs? And a recurring nightmare of what ifs? What if he didn't have the supportive elder brothers he had? What if they didn't hold him when he fell? Would he also have shattered like Sushant? Would Hardik have? But Hardik is made of stronger stuff than him. He had gone through a lot. But what about him? Would he have withstand the storm of hate? 

Without anyone supporting him. Without his brothers calling him and telling him they love him. Without them telling him again and again, it'll be fine. Everything will be fine. What if no one understood him? What if no one cared about him? What if he had hypocrite, back-stabbing people in his life? And not the awesome, caring brothers he got. The ones who even charmed his parents in forgiving him.  Why do they care so much about him? Why they love him? He hadn't done something for them.  He didn't help them? Why do they care? Why Virat cared so much for him?

He didn't know. He just knows Virat and Virat's approval mattered a hell lot to him. He didn't know when was the exact moment that he knew Virat's approval meant the world to him? He didn't know when exactly he knew he can cry his heart out in Virat's arms and no one else in the whole world will know that he cried. He didn't know when was the exact moment he started taking his every little problem to Virat. When Virat's joke and abusive slurs and words stopped fazing him. For he knew the man beneath it. For he loved the man, he truly was. His brother.

You know every relation has some defining moments- there had too. They didn't become brothers in a single day. They didn't become so close in a single day. First, there was Virat and then Rahul. They were separate entities, they still are. But now there's a connection of heart joining them. A strong bond of love wrapping itself around them like yarn of mom's homemade sweaters. A protective feeling, a shield of love, wings of flight and the net to catch you whenever you fall. All in one and the bond didn't become so strong in one day. 

For before Virat's Rahuliyaaa and Rahul's cheeku bhaiya. There had been superstar Virat and fan Rahul. A lanky teenager and haughty untouchable king of Indian cricket and Rahul still don't really know how they had become so close or why? But he isn't one to throw away god's blessing.

He loves his Mahi bhai, He adores his B-Ro. He loves each and every member of his team. Yes, even crazy kungfu pandya but the bond he and Virat's share is something else. He can't define it in words. Virat's thoughts, Virat's approval and words always mattered the most to him. Virat always matters the most to him. And maybe it has something to do with how Virat was the first person he met on the defining steps of his future.

And Virat was the first insanely famous cricketer in the current team who took him under his wing. The way Virat wrapped his arm around his shoulder and welcomed him on board. It was a magical, star-struck moment for him. It was a promise to help nurture and protect him no matter what and Virat kept that promise. A moment he can't forget for the rest of his life.

Then there were his days in RCB, no matter whether he got to play or not. He learned a lot. The invitations to dinners and the blatant tries to involve them all. He got friends. He got brothers. He got people who cared and then he was sent to SRH. A little angry, a little frustrated and a lot gloomy. He wanted to stay in RCB. He wanted to stay with Virat and he was afraid Virat will forget him. Their bond will break.
But the bond withstood the storm of oppositions. It withstood everything. Debuts, failures, trolls, everything.

And it bloomed and grew from the threshold of a fan and idol-to teammates-to comrades-to friends-to family. Yeah, it has been quite a journey and it took him quite a time, to realize that they were family.

A quite crazy journey full of odd incidences, dubious consents, late night-strolls, mutiny, drunk antics and midnight pranks and mooning over David Beckham and Rolando among many absurd things they all bonded over.

And many things that pulled him towards Virat like gravity pulls every object towards itself. He had been always a free-falling, nervous wreck around Virat. An angsty teenager, a guy burried under the rumors of the good boy turned bad and the sudden increasing burden of spotlight. He suddenly turned into a guy who will dump all his problems and fear onto one Virat Kohli. Virat was his chosen person to rant, complain and let go. Virat was always there and that's why always so vital to him.

And even though Rahul enjoyed the popularity and stardom in the starting days. It made him feel invincible and quite something great but soon it became more of a nightmare then dream. He didn't want everything about his life splattered on newspaper,  magazines and shows.

He didn't need his family harassed and some true, some made up and some totally ridiculous stories about him, things he himself doesn't remember doing circles around everywhere. He didn't need people who knows about his name, b'day, fav food, fav drink and almost every true and made up story about him act like they know him. He didn't want all that and knowingly or unknowingly Virat always found him on his worst moments as many times as he found him on his best. Virat was always there whether Rahul was breaking down due to panic or happiness.

It didn't matter Virat was always there. Always helping.

Whether it was when he was silently crying in his hotel room during 2014 during his test debut. His fear and anxiety getting better of him. He had heard many times that how everyone went to Mahi bhai. How Mahi bhai helped them feel at home? But he didn't know Mahi bhai then he just knew MSD- the legend.

He was a bundle of cracked nerves, wallowing over something unimportant, crying over something he doesn't even remember now. But he remembers Virat walking in his room to drag his "Sorry ass" down for dinner were Virat's exact words while he acted totally like petulant child telling him off in a totally sulky tone bordering rude.

Virat wasn't the star player to him at that time. He was his mentor from RCB and he was in a too much sulky mood to not snap at the only familiar and truly known face around. At that time, he hadn't realize Virat had became his safe zone.

At that moment, he didn't realize you only let down your guard and let all kind of utterly strange, complicated and maddening emotions out around the people you truly love and care. At that moment, all that matter was that Virat didn't look him in a judging, analyzing way the whole world did and he was more than happy to half sob, half complain to him.

Crying out in outrage and then the next second sobbing uncontrollably like a loon. He didn't know why Virat didn't call a mental hospital at that time? Virat just sat there letting him scream, cry and sulk and when he was done with all that Virat analyzed him from head to toe and then told him quite seriously "I think now you're quite ready for dinner. Let's go"

He was too baffled to complain as Virat dragged him to the dinning room specially made and reserved for the cricketers of national team. The other's were already there and eating while Mahi bhai gave them both a look for being so late otherwise he didn't say anything. And Rahul felt all more miserable for getting Virat in trouble. But Virat didn't care as he made sure Rahul sat beside him and loaded Rahul's plate with whatever he was eating.

Rahul was too dazed to complain or make faces at the tasteless food. Even though he didn't miss the way Rohit Sharma looked totally disgruntled and displeased with them. Rohit kept on shooting him glances that weren't quite that friendly and Rahul was truly feeling all anxious and then there Virat started talking silly things to everyone in general and he felt his worry drown under the senseless chatter surrounding him.

He felt cared for that moment. Even he was feeling alone and thoroughly homesick and distraught one moment. Virat made him happy without even consoling him or trying to go on the whole it's fine rant. And he couldn't help but be totally bestowed with his superman of RCB captain and kind of brother mentor.

Then there was his disastrous debut match. He just made 3 & 1 run in two innings and he was all ready to drown in mud. And more than his failed performance he felt he let Virat down. He felt he let Virat's all hard work go to drain and even if Jinks contributed as much as Virat. He felt awful for Virat if he could just score some more runs, if he wasn't so stupid maybe they would have won.

Virat made 169 & 54 and what he did? Just 3 & 1 runs. He should really drown himself in the shower. And then there was Virat again in his room. Consoling and cheering him up in a total Virat Kohli way which means "You can't just ignore him no matter how hard you try"and he was back trying to be a total mental case around Virat acting bloody childish around him. He didn't know why he acted like that around Virat? 

He was sure he won't be played in the next match and to his utter surprise- he was playing the next match. Under Captain Kohli who acted all too smug while batting with him. Leave the fact he was about to be run out on the first ball Virat faced but it all seemed fine when he reached his fifty and Virat bestowed him with that crazy proud grin of him telling him to go for the next big milestone. And he did and then he was again a mess hiding his tears on the one shoulder their for him from the last year. A shoulder ready to let him cry, laugh and rant on. 

And god, he was an emotional mess that day.

A mess glad for the presence of one Virat Kohli in his life and it was just one small incidence from the list of incidences and moments that made them. Moments that now he thinks were quite a tell-tale of how Virat always have been family to him. Always.

It was the little things on and off-fields that made them. The Virat Kohli one of the main reason his B-Ro first resented him and then became his biggest confident and family. All due to one crazy Vii in his life. Well, to be truthful in their life.

And he couldn't help but laugh reminiscing that day though he was close to literally panicking at that moment and not at all anywhere near laughing.

But now he couldn't help but laugh remembering a thoroughly drunk Virat during his break-up period with Nush bhabs. Virat was thoroughly completely in love with Nushkie. He was completely in love with her with all his soul and heart and he kinda imploded when things fell through.

And Rahul didn't think he have been ever as worried as he was that day when he got a very urgent call from Rohit Sharma and till that day he believed he had done something to thoroughly piss off his B-Ro.

He was dreading what the call was about but picked it anyway and he is glad he did as his B-Ro told him in a very grave voice that Virat was surrounded by vultures, vulnerable and being taken advantage of and making a complete fool of himself. 

Rahul was ready to run a through rescue operation for his Virat on the first word of his B-Ro but by the end his mind was running wild conjuring dreadful images and ideas and he might have broken quite a many traffic rules to reach the horror site which was near his house and the only reason Rohit called him because he knew Rahul can reach there and rescue Virat before him.

The horror site was a b'day party of a man, he wasn't that fond off and Rahul didn't mind he crashed the party ignored about everyone as he rushed towards a visibly drunk and distraught Virat on the dance floor.

A Virat yelling "Let's dance, I'm single again" with a huge grin and all the high-class, sophisticated people in the party were giggling and gossiping and he knew, he just knew Virat was going to be in the papers next day. Ignoring, the people in that party he made a hasty bee-line for Virat and he didn't even care when Virat lit up like a freaking lightening bulb watching him and yelled "Rahuliyaaa my boiii, come let's dance"

He would have been generally mortified if someone addressed him like this in presence of large population. But he was too worried about his brother in-spite of the blinding smile he knew his brother was badly hurting. He was in pain. He was broken. He was downtrodden and this people will love to cash him out. The people around them will sell this story and cash through it. So without paying attention to them, acting like a complete rude being channeling his inner Hardik. He dragged a confused Virat with him to his place.

A drunk Virat was a hilarious disaster. A disaster he wasn't well equipped to handle.

And he was ready to sob uncontrollably when a joking Virat turned a complete gloomy soul. A broken, aching, pale soul sobbing uncontrollably. One moment he was sobbing holding onto him like Rahul was Virat's personal teddy bear.

And Rahul was sure a drunk Virat was definitely thinking him to be his teddy or some childhood toy for he repeatedly called him "Moi" spilling out his secrets as if Rahul was Virat's  human secret diary. And then Virat suddenly turned deadly white, his eyes-rolled back and Virat fell down from the sofa they were sitting on with thud.

The moment Rohit reached Rahul's flat. Rahul was panicking over an unconscious Virat, pinning Rohit with a "What should I do now? I think I'm going to faint too" gaze. He was a mess while Rohit calmly handled the situation and reassured him of the oblivious. Virat had just passed out. He wasn't dead or seriously Ill though people would have been inclined to beileve so by Rahul's behaviour. Virat will be okay in the morning with a killing headache were his B-Ro's words to him yet that night neither he nor his B-Ro could sleep a wink.

Among taking care and sitting vigil over a passed out Virat. All the insecurities, all the problems and miscommunication between him and his B-Ro dissolved. It was the night he gained another brother all while discussing about his "Virat bhaiya" though he made his B-Ro promise he won't ever tell Virat that he called Virat bhaiya. It was quite fun watching Virat sulk and pout around him as he carefully coaxed him to call him "Bhaiya" or "The one and only favorite and greatest brother of his" and though Rahul knew Virat was. He won't tell it to him ever. His cheeku bhaiya didn't need a more inflated head.

Though his B-Ro and he decided that night that they hated one Anushka Sharma for what she made their Virat go through and they won't forgive her until their Vi bro did. For no matter, how kind and good she had been to them- their Virat will always be their priority. They'll always look after him and care for him and his feelings more than others. It was a silent vow.

Virat was Rohit's best friend and brother. Virat will always come first for him.

Virat was Rahul's big brother, friend and mentor. Virat will always mean the world to him. So, both of them had mutually decided to always look after and shield their brother.

The next day, Virat had puked over Rahul's feet and while Rahul vehemently vocalized how appalled he was with all this and how he didn't deserved to be puked on after taking care of Virat all night? He was secretly drowning in relief to be really angry on his Virat bro even though Virat still looked pale but the slight twitch on his lips as he proclaimed; he thought he was puking on his Ro quite cheekily.

And Rohit rebuked instantly and Virat complained about killer headaches and Rohit declared with a huff that he deserved them for even thinking of puking on him. Both Rohit and he were very relieved to be really angry with Virat when even though the distinct sadness in his eyes, he was bickering and acting normal. Well, they were sure they'll make him fine again.

And so, Virat was back to normal for them. Rahul didn't let Virat leave his apartment and Ro visited daily and Virat complained and accused B-Ro for stealing his Rahuliyaa and they teased Virat again and again with their antics. Opener quips and closeness though in Virat's eyes Rahul could clearly see that Virat was really very happy with his and B-Ro's bond and he complained just for the sake of complaining.

And Rahul knows neither he nor his B-Ro will ever admit that they enjoyed Anushka chasing after Virat more then they should have and they really made the whole task a little bit more harder for her. But in their defense, they were just taking the revenge they knew their best friend and brother never will. Though they were also the one's the most happy with the Virushka wedding for their Vi got his happiness.

The sudden pinging of his phone brought him back from the life and times of one Virat kohli in his life. Checking his phone, he found the message from one Hardik Pandya and couldn't help but smile totally amused with his message and the pic that accompanied it.

"Look what I found," was Hardik's main message and the pics that accompanied them were like sweet deserts of happiness and love for Rahul.

The first pic was of an incidence, Rahul clearly remembers of 2017 when he had badly injured his shoulder and forgot to inform (didn't think it much important to tell the team how badly it hurt, specially Virat) until he couldn't literally move his arm and it was the scene of hospital.

The doctor was looking at Virat all annoyed literally contemplating throwing him out of the ward. Rahul was on the bed looking like a put-out child trying to disappear behind the sheet while Virat was lecturing him. He was ridding a bloody tsunami that day telling off Rahul again and again in three different languages among which Rahul totally didn't understand one. His B-Ro stood beside Virat agreeing with his words and Rahul was sure he will get a lecture from Rohit too when Virat finished. He was ready to swallowed by the earth that moment. Virat and Rohit were totally treating him as a kid but now looking back he understood both of them were terrified and dead worried for him.

And he really needed to ask Harry when the hell did he take this pic? Every damn player present their were steering clearly away from Rohirat afraid they'll blast like a pressure cooker.

The next image though made Rahul groan mortified. God, where did Harry get this pic from? It was a picture of when his long time girlfriend broke up with him and the boys (read Jaddu-Virat) promptly decided he needed a break up party. It was a utter disaster. 

He dirty danced on a table top. 

Ate like a ton of junk.

Admitted he was in love with "ice-cream" and "Gol-gappa" is the greatest gift to man kind. 

In his defense, he was drunk but his crazy team mates thought he was hilarious. They even took great pleasure in describing what he drunk prior night and though he is sure that Hardik was totally making up that he professed his unconditional love for Hardik quite poetically. He can't believe Hardik made a video of him standing on the table top dancing like someone wearing body armour of solid lead would dance and he was humming. God, was he humming "steal my girl".

God this is morbid.

And then to his utter horror.

"Moi!!" He heard Virat's distant call, causing him to turn towards Virat's voice rapidly, falling unceremoniously off the table and onto the floor with a thump and a small moan of pain.

God this was totally mortifying and why on the hell did Harry film the most shameful, mortifying moments of his life?

God he wanted to forget this ever happened and here Harry was sending him live videos of that night. And to his utter horror.  He heard himself drag Virat's name in a two-year-old's tone and expression.

"Viiiiiiii"

"Yes," Virat was totally sounding too amused for his liking with the whole situation.

"Will you buy me Real Madrid passes cap???"

"Will you please and a Jersey too? I want a Beckham Jersey, a Ronaldo Jersey and Yups, Mo Shalah one too"

"Please, pretty please Vii, you're the best bro aren't you? Won't you gift me this??"

Yups, he was officially ready to die out of mortification. God, why did he even agree for a break up party in the first place? Yeah, because he didnt have an option for both Virat and Jaddu were riding a thunder storm.

Though now, he knows why suddenly out of nowhere he recieved a Real Madrid Vs Barcelona match. An El Classico match, he couldn't beileve his lucky stars plus he also got those Jerseys in a very inconspicuous manner.

He replied to Harry explaining him in no certain terms how big of a git he is and Harry just laughed at his reply.

Did he mention he had totally crazy people in his life? Totally crazy people with whom he had such moments that his life can be a comedy show and a bloody good one too.

But these moments,  these little moments were also the stuff that made their bond so special. What made Virat show special to him? It wasn't the grand things. It wasn't the extravagant things.

It were the little things. Little things like  taking care of each other always. It wasn't the loud gestures or words. It were always the little things. Always the defining steps. Like a warm arm wrapped around a starstruck kid's shoulder. The invisible support and promise to catch whenever falling. The promise to protect and care never vocalized but always proven and shown.

It was the small things and love.

Always love.

So, feeling all sappy and grateful for all this people in his life. Specially one Virat for his words will always matter more than everyone's in Rahul's life. Rahul posted a gratitude post on insta. Indirectly thanking his Virat and his chosen family on insta.

For not giving up on him. For loving and accepting him.

For having his back always and forever.

Even when he sometimes felt he didn't deserve it all.

Even when he sometimes felt he wasn't worth it all.

He was grateful that they never gave up on him.

He was grateful that they cared and loved him.

Despite everything.

They loved him and their little moments defined him.

-The end-