Joaquin had absolutely no idea what to expect when Y/N told him they were taking him to a Holi festival. He’d heard of it before, sure—something about colors and celebration—but that was about it.

“So, you just throw colors at people?” he asked as Y/N led him through the crowded festival grounds, her hand securely in his. The air was already thick with clouds of pink, blue, and yellow, and excited laughter filled the air as people ran around, tossing powdered colors at one another.

“It’s a little more than that,” Y/N said with a laugh, reaching into a small pouch filled with powdered color. “It’s about celebrating love, new beginnings, and the arrival of spring. But yes, the main goal is to throw colors at people.” Joaquin grinned. “Sounds like my kind of party.”

Before he could say another word, Y/N flicked her fingers, sending a puff of bright pink powder straight at his face. Joaquin coughed, his eyes going wide as he wiped at his cheek. “Oh, so we’re starting like that, huh?”

“You looked too clean,” Y/N said innocently, already backing away. “Oh, you’re so in trouble.” Joaquin didn’t waste a second. Grabbing a handful of blue powder from a nearby table, he lunged forward, smearing it across Y/N’s cheek with a triumphant laugh. Y/N let out a playful shriek, ducking away before grabbing a handful of yellow powder and tossing it right at his chest.

And just like that, all bets were off.

⸻

Within minutes, the two of them were fully engaged in a playful battle, running through the festival as they ambushed each other with handfuls of color. Joaquin quickly realized that Y/N was much more experienced at this than he was, dodging with expert precision while simultaneously getting bright streaks of color across his arms, his hoodie, and his hair.

“Okay, wait—truce, truce!” Joaquin called, laughing as he raised his hands in surrender. He was already covered head to toe in a chaotic mix of pinks, purples, and yellows.

Y/N, who was significantly less messy thanks to her superior dodging skills, tilted her head. “Truce?” Joaquin nodded solemnly. “Yeah, yeah. I just need a second to—” He moved fast, swiping a massive handful of red powder across Y/N’s face before they could react.

Y/N gasped, staring at him in betrayal. “You liar!” Joaquin cackled, taking a step back. “Hey, all’s fair in love and Holi.” Y/N lunged at him, smearing even more color into his already ruined shirt. “I can’t believe I brought you here! You’re a menace!”

“You knew what you were getting into when you started dating me,” he said smugly, wrapping his arms around them before they could escape. “Also, you smell like flowers and chaos. It’s a good combo.” Y/N rolled her eyes but leaned into him. “You, on the other hand, smell like sweat and bad decisions.”

“Aw, babe,” he said dramatically, pressing a messy, colorful kiss to her forehead. “That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.” They stood there for a moment, surrounded by music, laughter, and bursts of color filling the air. Joaquin tightened his arms around Y/N, pressing his forehead against hers. “This is amazing,” he murmured, his voice softer now. “Thank you for bringing me.”

Y/N smiled up at him. “I told you you’d love it.” He grinned. “Yeah, but I think I love you more.” Y/N pretended to gasp. “Did Joaquin Torres just admit he loves something more than a new adventure?”Joaquin chuckled, nudging her nose with his. “Maybe. But don’t let it go to your head.”

Y/N smirked. “Too late.” As another cloud of color burst into the sky above them, Joaquin pulled Y/N into a kiss, not caring in the slightest that they were both covered in a ridiculous mess of powder. Holi was a celebration of love, and at that moment, he knew there was no one else he’d rather celebrate it with.

——————

After their playful color battle, the festival’s energy shifted as the music swelled, filling the air with the infectious beats of classic Holi-themed Bollywood songs. Joaquin was still dusting powder off his clothes when Y/N turned to him with a mischievous grin. “You ready for the next part?” She asked. Joaquin raised an eyebrow. “There’s more?”

“Oh, so much more,” Y/N said, already bouncing on their feet as the opening beats of Balam Pichkari blasted through the speakers. “Now it’s time to dance.” Joaquin chuckled, running a hand through his already colorful hair. “Okay, I can dance. What’s the catch?” Y/N grabbed his hands, pulling him closer. “Bollywood dance moves, babe. Time to see if you can keep up.”

“Oh, I know I can keep up,” Joaquin said, ever the confident one. Y/N smirked, stepping back as she demonstrated the first move—rolling her shoulders and flicking her wrists outward in that classic, effortless Holi-dance style. It was playful, energetic, and completely in sync with the music.

Joaquin furrowed his brows as he tried to copy it. His first attempt was… questionable. He rolled his shoulders too stiffly and flicked his wrists in a way that made him look more like he was swatting a fly than dancing. Y/N burst into laughter. “What was that?”

“I was going for style points,” Joaquin defended, now grinning. “That was my interpretation of Bollywood.”

“Oh, no. No interpretations,” Y/N teased, stepping behind him. “Here, let me help.” She placed her hands lightly on his shoulders, guiding him through the movement again, making him relax into the rhythm. “Shoulders looser. Flick your wrists with confidence. And—” she stepped beside him, spinning playfully, “—you gotta feel the beat.”

Joaquin tried again, this time exaggerating his moves even more, which only resulted in him looking like a wild octopus caught in a dance-off. Y/N doubled over laughing. “Oh my god, Torres.”Joaquin huffed in mock offense. “Listen, I might not be Bollywood-ready yet, but you gotta admit, I have enthusiasm.”

“I’ll give you that,” Y/N said, still giggling. Determined to get it right, Joaquin grabbed Y/N’s hands and spun her dramatically before attempting a hip shake that was definitely not part of the choreography. “Joaquin, that’s not—” Y/N started, but they were laughing too hard to finish the sentence. He smirked. “I’m making it my own.”

Just then, Jai Jai Shivshankar started playing, and the crowd around them erupted into cheers, everyone joining in on the dance floor. Y/N turned to Joaquin, her dark brown eyes twinkling. “Okay, you’re getting thrown into the deep end now,” she teased.

“Oh, bring it on,” Joaquin said, standing tall. Y/N guided him through the steps—shoulders loose, arms sweeping out, a playful bounce in her feet. After a few rounds of exaggerated attempts, Joaquin finally started getting the hang of it, moving in sync with Y/N as the song picked up speed.

As they twirled, tossed more colors in the air, and got swept up in the festive energy, Joaquin realized something—this wasn’t just about dancing. It was about joy, about feeling free, about experiencing something so purely happy with the person he loved.

“You know,” he said breathlessly as the song reached its climax, “I think I might be crushing this.” Y/N raised an eyebrow. “That’s bold talk for someone who just tried to moonwalk to a Bollywood song.”

“Hey, it worked, didn’t it?”

“Absolutely not.” Joaquin laughed, spinning Y/N one last time before pulling her close. Their faces were both covered in powder, their clothes a complete mess, and yet—this moment, here, with the music, the colors, the warmth of Y/N’s arms—it felt like the most beautiful chaos. “You’re the best,” Joaquin murmured against their forehead. “This was amazing.”

Y/N smiled up at him. “Told you you’d love Holi.” And with another burst of color flying through the air, Joaquin realized that Holi was more than just a festival. It was them. It was laughter, love, and the best kind of mess—a mess he never wanted to clean up.

—————

Later that day…

Joaquin groaned dramatically as he stood in front of the mirror back at Y/N’s place. His entire face had a faint blue tint, his hair streaked with pink and yellow.

“Okay, but seriously,” he called out to Y/N, who was in the bathroom scrubbing her own hands clean, “How do I still look like a human rainbow after two showers?” Y/N peeked her head out, biting back a laugh. “Oh, yeah… I forgot to tell you—blues and greens stick for a while.”

Joaquin turned, horrified. “You forgot to tell me?” Y/N smirked, walking up behind him and wrapped her arms around him. “Don’t worry, babe. You’ll look normal in, like, three days.”

“Three days?!” Joaquin looked back at the mirror, groaning dramatically. “Sam and Bucky are never letting me live this down.”

Y/N grinned. “It’s a good look on you, babe.” Joaquin sighed dramatically before pulling Y/N into a loose hug, smearing more color on her in the process. “If I have to suffer, so do you.” Joaquin gave them a look before grabbing a leftover bit of pink powder from the counter and dabbing it right onto Y/N’s nose.

Y/N gasped. “You did not—” Joaquin grinned. “Oh, I absolutely did.” Y/N shook her head, sighing in fake exasperation. “You are such a menace.” Joaquin wrapped his arms around her, swaying slightly. “Yeah, but I’m your menace.”

after all, your two sisters did that, as well as your brother. your parents had met tom a couple times, but seeing as he was busy filming, they hadn't gotten to know him that well, despite the fact it was almost a year that the two of you were together.

you stepped out of the bathroom, picking up your dress slightly to keep you from tripping. pulling open a draw in the cabinet, you picked up a nice kurta set for tom, one that you'd gotten him last week. it was a pretty navy blue, one you knew would complement his warm eyes.

"oh, hey, love, you all ready?"

you couldn't help but nod shyly, most of your attire consisted of sweatpants, so him seeing you dressed up made you blush a little.

"you look really pretty, y/n," he kissed your cheek. "i love the traditional look on you."

"thanks, tommy. now go put this on, i don't wanna be late. can't make a bad impression, now can we?"

he rolled his eyes playfully and took the items from you, before changing. in front of you, making you blush a bright red.

"what, darling? we literally have sex all the time," tom snickered.

"yes, yes, i-i know. shut up and hurry," you said, getting over your embarrassment and shamelessly checking him out. 

"you're not very subtle."

"i don't need to be. we're dating, 'member? you're my boyfrienddd. and we have 'sex all the time,'" you mimicked. not giving him time to respond, you walked over to him, making sure it fit right. "this isn't tight or anything?"

damn, was he hot in that.

"nope. snug as a bug in a rug," and you couldn't help but snort at his childishness and the silly rhyme.

"cool, now say 'croissant.'"

"ouch, babe. so mean."

"mhm," you kissed him, and he caught you off guard, his tongue slipping in your mouth. it got slightly heated before you pushed him away, remembering you had things to do.

"woah, there, keep your dick in your pants just a little while longer."

"nooooooo," tom drawled, groaning teasingly.

"i didn't take all this time getting ready for you to wreck it in five minutes. you wouldn't believe how difficult it was to get this dress on."

"i bet it'll be easier to take off," he wiggled his brows suggestively.

"you can test that out once we get back home."

he helped you downstairs and to the car, as you terribly struggled to walk in the heels. after sitting you in the car, he got in himself.

"okay, tommy, when we get there," you spoke as he turned on the engine, "don't drink, they'll ask you if you want vodka and you refuse, cause it's a trick, got that? and, um... stay away from my aunts, well, actually, greet them, but not too much. because if you start talking with them, they'll make you spill things you wouldn't have said otherwise, it's kinda manipulative, but... in a good way. ooh! be funny, but not too funny, because then they'll think you're too funny, and we don't want that. and don't curse too much, they don't like that. but don't be uptight, y'know?"

"wow, okay, first off, angel, breathe. why are you stressing out so much? it's just your family, right? i've met them before."

"this is different, though. because it's diwali. and before it was just casual, and it wasn't for long. plus, that was just my parents. this is everyone. why aren't you panicking? you went crazy the first time you were about to meet them."

"'cuz if i panic while you're panicking, we'll be a huge panicky mess. only one of us can panic at a time. that's the rule."

you laughed.

"besides, they'll love me," he started as he looked over to you at the red light, "i know you do," tom murmured, leaning in.

"the light's green."

"aw, come on, y/n, you totally ruined the moment!"

"it would have been ruined anyways, angry drivers honking at us isn't exactly romantic, babes."

"yeah, yeah."

soon enough, with some giggling and talking, time went by and you reached. getting out of the car, you straightened up and smoothed your hair. "tommy?" you asked, glanced at him as you stood in front of the front door.

"yes, my love?"

"my family, they, um, they can be a lot, okay? they want what's best for me, they just don't know that it's you," he took your hands in his and opened his mouth to say something, but you interrupted him. "promise me something," you murmured.

"yeah?"

"they aren't going to break us apart. because i love you so, so, so, so, so much, and you mean the world to me."

"well, darling, you are my world, and i solemnly swear," he put one of your hands on his heart playfully, "that they won't break us apart. nothing will. and i love you, too," he leaned in to kiss you, but you heard laughing and shrieking inside as the door opened. it was your niece, raja, or your sister priya's son. he was 8 and the most chaotic gremlin you knew, aside from tom.

"ewwwwwwwwww! they were kissing!"

we weren't kissing, but we would have gotten around to it if you hadn't interrupted, butthole.

tom leaned down to greet the kid, ruffled his hair slightly. "hi, raja, i'm peter," he said, changing his accent. you were slightly surprised that he remembered, last night you'd showed him pictures of your entire family, explaining who was who (you had a big family).

"spider-man!"

"shhhhh, you can't tell anyone! or the bad guys will get us!" raja giggled, and you gently moved him to the side, kissing the little boy's hair. it was the sweetest thing ever, seeing tom interact with the kid that way, and it made your love and admiration for him grow.

"amma! we're here!" your mom and dad greeted you by the door, and you bent down to touch your mother's feet, before realizing that you didn't share this detail with tom. but as you looked over, he was doing the same, and you wondered how he'd known. you did the same to do your father and he did the same to your mother.

your mom looked over to your dad, clearly impressed.

"hi, beta. andar aa jaa. sab aa gae, tum-he aakhiree ho. (come inside. everyone is here, you are the last.)" she gave you a kiss on the side of your head and you moved over to hug your dad as well. "hi, tom," she smiled.

"h-hello," he stammered as your mother gave him a hug, and visibly, he was surprised. you held in a snicker. tom moved over to shake your dad's hand, and the older man inspected him before giving a curt nod and smile.

you took his hand and squeezed it gently, kissing him on his cheek to calm him down slightly.

"there you are," your sister beamed, "didn't know if you and your hotshot boyfriend would show."

you rolled your eyes and gave her a hug. "love you, too," pausing momentarily, "tom this is d-"

"dia," he smiled, "it's nice to meet you. i've heard a lot." dia was your younger sister, age 23, she'd found the one last year and gotten married to him just 8 months later.

"all good things, i hope?"

"mostly," you chimed in.

a man appeared next to dia and you hugged him briefly, too. (there was a lotta hugging.)

"hey, tom, i'm prakash. nice to finally meet you. big fan, by the way."

you felt a need to interrupt, "me too. he's my celebrity crush."

tom rolled his eyes playfully, adding, "i better be. and it's nice to meet you, too, mate."

the four of you sat down on the couch, joining everyone else.

"priya," your older sister introduced, grinning. "raja's mom. and this is aditeya, my husband." adi leaned over to shake his hand and tom greeted him verbally as well.

"siddhant, my younger brother, but everyone calls him sid." not to mention, very overprotective. (and your favorite sibling.)

sid gave him a once-over and reluctantly reached over for a handshake. "hey, thomas," he nodded, unamused.

"relax," you mouthed, "he's just protective."

you went on to introduce him to all your aunts and uncles, and then finally, have some snacks.

"we adjusted the spice level," priya said.

"and there's milk," you added.

"nah, don't worry, i love spicy food," he waved his hand nonchalantly.

you resisted the urge to roll your eyes, considering that he couldn't eat any indian food you made, you always had to lessen the spices for him, but it made a funny first date, for you, at least.

he took a bite of the samosa andhis eyes widened as he swallowed it down. 16 pairs of eyes  looked at him expectantly, waiting for a reaction."

"i-it's very good," he choked out.

"babes, you want milk?" you asked, knowing very well that he did.

tom forced a smile, "no, no, i'm good."

"okay..." you drawled. "enjoy then!" then you took a bite and beamed.

"i'm thirsty," you declared, to anyone willing to listen. then you stood up and strode into the kitchen, grabbing the milk from the fridge.

"you like him?"

you yelped and whipped around, seeing that it was just sid.

"shit, bro, you scared me! what the hell?"

"tom. you like him?"

"well, duh, why else would i be dating him?"

"how serious are you?"

"what is this? 20 questions?"

"just answer," he insisted.

"siddie, you don't need to worry," you said, knowing the childhood nickname would soften him up.

"i know, but-"

"no, look, trust me, he's... i think he's the one. he's been there for me like no one has. tom's so different, and not just a brainless actor. i know he'll keep me happy, and i also know that to him, i come before acting. he's made that a priority and showed that to me."

"i- okay. i trust you. and i'm happy for you," he leaned on for a hug, and once you broke apart, you poured the milk into the cup.

"who's that for?" sid asked. "you? did you think it was spicy?"

"no," you snorted, "it's for tom. he just won't admit he needs it." you walked walked out of the kitchen and back into the living room, taking back your seat. you set the milk in front of you, taking a sip first.

the second you put it down, he grabbed it and chugged the glass, resulting in some stares and odd looks casted toward him.

"i- uh, i really, really love milk," he blushed.

"definitely breastfed," your mom said.

"is he really the one if he can't even handle the samosa?" one of your aunts chimed in.

someone got to it before you did, another aunt, "shut it, rashmi. always talking."

"oi, chup, (shush.) i'm looking out for the girl."

"how about you look out for yourself? oh, wait, you already did. and see how that went with akash?"

they went back and forth bickering, but you smiled, considering this as a win. who cared about what they thought? their judgement? yes, they were a lot and they were your family, but tom was, too.