#What tj says is irrelevant but

[magnus-falafelking]

the other day, tj told me i “walked gay”.

do i walk gay? i mean, in my opinion i walk normal. you know, one foot at a time. but tj thinks i project my fruitiness out into the world by merely walking.

@alex-fierro-pr-nightmare @mallory-keen-to-kill

[mydarlingscotsman]

Time Is Irrelevant

Dr. Nicholas Rush x Reader

Warnings: Swearing

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There was continuous silence that permeated the mess hall. Nobody knew exactly why, today was just one of those days.

Lisa Park was stirring her brown blob of substance absentmindedly, with a permanent vacant expression.

You nudged her softly as to get her attention.

She blinked rapidly as if coming out of a daydream and turned to face you.

"Sorry."

You smiled lightly. "It's fine. Just making sure you're still alive."

She sighed deeply.

"I guess. As alive as I can be out in the reaches of the universe."

Before you could reply, the sound of quick footsteps broke the quiet surrounding atmosphere. You knew this could only be one person.

"Park, (L/N). Control room."

It was not so much of a request as a demand, and they were both used to it. Quickly finishing their slop, they stood up and followed the scientist down the hall.

Once they had reached their destination, he pointed at the interface.

"What the hell is this?"

You frowned slightly. There had been security protocols that you had attempted to pass, in order to perhaps increase their energy.

"Colonel Young asked me to- " You started, and realised your fatal mistake.

"Colonel Young asked you? And does Colonel Young know fuckin' anythin' about why the security protocols are there?!"

"It was not up to me, Rush. I tried to warn him about the consequences, but he opted for an attempt so he could dial the gate back home."

The scientist laughed humorlessly.

"Of course, and so he did it anyways. No wonder we've lost power to several important systems, let alone damage to our hyper drive!"

Rush was hysterical and he was going to suffer a heart attack if he kept at the rate he was going. He suddenly started to storm off.

"DR. RUSH!" You yelled, hoping to stop him from what you knew was coming.

Too late.

You and Lisa were trying to decide if you should go after him, or just wait until the storm died down. As tempting as the latter sounded, you knew it was probably best to keep him from ripping Young's head off.

"I'll go. Just see if you can do anything to minimise damage on the shields." You quickly went after the maniacal scientist.

"Good luck!" Lisa called, and you snorted.

Good luck, indeed.

By the time you had reached the gate room where they were already clearly having a shouting match, it seemed like the scientist was about to pass out. He kept mumbling about not being able to fix it, until he was flat on the floor.

"TJ, we need you in the gate room." Young said into his radio.

You immediately responded to his state, and checked for a pulse. You could feel the ragged breathing and his heart was still pumping as you pressed your fingers to his neck.

"He's alright, he just needs some rest."

You hadn't even noticed TJ enter the premises, and was already lifting him by one arm.

"Let me help." you suggested quickly.

She smiled and nodded, as you lifted the other side.

You and TJ walked at a snail's pace, carrying him until you both ended up at the door of his quarters.

Punching the access button with your elbow, the door slid open, allowing both of you to drag him onto the bed, rather ungracefully placing him on it.

"Thanks for the help, (Y/N)."

You shrugged lightly.

"Not a problem TJ. He clearly needs some sleep."

She laughed.

"Yeah, I would say so too. Withdrawals seem to making people irritable. He's not the only one."

You nodded.

"Can't say I'm surprised. The amount of caffeine addicts amongst scientists is innumerable."

"Sounds like you know that from first hand experience."

"Oh, yeah. My days as an intern involved me going on coffee runs more than gathering data."

There was a comfortable silence, and you looked up at her with a reassuring smile.

Suddenly, the radio crackled.

"TJ, we have a situation in the infirmary."

TJ looked at you apologetically. Her duty called once again.

"Don't worry about it. I'll watch him until he wakes up. You go."

She nodded, smiling and quickly was out the door in order to solve whatever 'situation' had occurred.

You sat there for who knows how long in the dark with only the flickering light of stars to be seen out the window. You could have used a nap too; God knows how long it had been since you had a decent night's sleep. Just as your eyelids started fluttering shut and your mind drifted towards REM, there was a rustling sound.

"Dr. Rush?"

A weak groan could be heard.

"W-where am I?" He asked, grogginess evident in his voice.

"You're in your quarters. You passed out back in the gate room. Probably the body's way of telling you to sleep."

"I'm sure." It was light, but you could sense the layer of snark laced in his words.

"Good to have you back Rush."

"My head's pounding."

You nodded "TJ said that is perfectly normal when suffering from withdrawal."

Of course. His smoking and caffeine addiction were certainly the cause. He could almost taste the nicotine.

"Perhaps so, doesn't change the fact I still feel like shite."

You laughed. Not at his expense, which he somehow knew, but, just because you simply found him amusing. He wasn't sure how he felt about it.

You had a nice laugh though, he had to admit.

"Why are you here?" He hand't meant it to sound rude or accusatory, and you also seemed to understand this.

"Well, TJ got sent away to deal with something in the infirmary, I told her I'd watch you."

He chuckled. "I believe I am now too old to have a babysitter, you didn't have to."

"I know. I wanted to."

You don't know why you said it the way you said it, but it was true.

You did.

He seemed to be surprised by this comment and chose not to say anything.

After a long period of silence he finally spoke.

"Thank you." It was soft, but clear enough for you to hear.

"Anytime Nicholas."

A shiver crawled up his spine at the use of his first name. He rarely heard it now a days, and the way you said it seemed to set something off inside him.

He could see your silhouette in the darkness and the occasional surpassing star would spread a light just right into your eyes. He then realised he had never really looked at them before.

"I don't understand."

"What?"

"You've spent endless amounts of time with me for over a year, a year full of me being demanding and ungrateful. Why do you always show me kindness? I'm a bastard, I don't deserve that."

"Because whether you like it or not, I am a kind person Nicholas. It doesn't cost me anything to be kind."

"Maybe I could use some practice."

Even in the dark, he could tell you were smiling.

"Ok Rush, give it your best go."

He took a deep breath. He couldn't remember the last time he had given praise.

"Well, the truth is you're very intelligent. More so than I maybe let on."

Your heart hammered in your chest. Before you could respond, he continued;

"You can always see the good things in any situation. I think that's what makes you one of the more sane people onboard."

"Well, as sane as you can be on a rusty can floating in space."

He smiled. A real genuine one. You liked it a lot. It seemed to grace his features in the most attractive way.

"You're a hard worker, and you never complain about the loads of work I put onto you." Unlike some people, You finished the sentence in your head. It was clear we was taking a slight a Volker without saying a word.

"And you're a very beautiful woman."

All the lighthearted banter had died down, it was clear he was being absolutely serious.

You couldn't help but feel your heart flutter slightly.

Not that you didn't appreciate his kind words on your knowledge and optimism, it was just a very intimate kind of compliment; he clearly had not said that to anyone since his wife had died.

There were tears in your eyes.

You weren't quite sure why, but perhaps all of this 'being stuck out here' was getting to you finally. There goes that optimism.

"Have I said too much?" He said in a voice barely reaching a whisper.

You shook your head, and tried to blink back the tears.

Without thinking, his hand reached up to cup your face. He gently wiped away the tears from your eyes. Though his hands were callused, he had such a gentle touch that you didn't mind the roughness.

Perhaps you were just craving some affection, there wasn't a lot of options on this ship. That's what you would tell yourself, but deep down you knew this wasn't true.

"Rush, I-"

"Nick." He corrected "No need for formalities now."

You could sense his perfectly placed walls were falling down, and he was letting you see him is his most vulnerable moments.

"I would really like to kiss you right now. Is that informal enough for you?"

He didn't respond for a moment, and you wondered if you had gone too far. But suddenly the gentle hand that had been caressing your cheek found itself at the back of your neck and pulled you forward almost desperately in order to place his lips onto yours. It was in that moment you realised he was just as touch starved as you.

You don't know how long you had your mouths enveloping each other, but neither of you could bring yourselves to care. Especially when he slid his tongue inside your mouth.

Your groan was silenced by the lack of oxygen you were receiving. It seemed to vibrate deeply within your bodies, and the Scot pulled you in closer.

There was suddenly a radio crackle.

"Rush this is Young."

Your eyes snapped open and you pulled away from his lips.

"Come back 'ere. I'm not done wit' ya yet." His accent was so thick you could have melted right then and there. He grabbed your waist and leaned in to press light kisses from your upper neck.

"Rush, come in."

"As much as I'd like to continue this, we should go." you barely even convinced yourself with the heavy breathing evident in your voice.

He pushed away the cap of your sleeve to continue kissing to your shoulder.

"Rush."

"Ah, for fuck's sake," the scientist nearly growled.

Grabbing the radio, he finally answered,

"I was just resting, what happens to be so urgent?" he spat.

"There's something Eli wants you to see."

"Fine. On my way, Rush out."

He shoved the radio clip into his pant loop. Taking a deep breath, he finally looked at you again, a small smile spread on your face.

"Don't worry Nick, I'm not going anywhere."

And for some reason, he knew you wouldn't.

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Well, hope you like this. I haven't written in a long time so I might be a bit rusty. This would have been set at around Darkness (s1 ep4) There is a lack of Rush x Reader and I am going to fix this. Hope you have a lovely day!

[calypsoff]

Thirteen. Part 2

I know Chris is annoyed, but if I clear that and clear my schedule I will be his throughout his birthday, all his but he doesn’t know that “so I haven’t seen you in weeks and you say I have a day with you?” he questioned “maybe two?” Chris shook his head “oh wow, queen Rihanna, I may get two days with you. I am so obliged, thank you!” he shouted “don’t be like this with me, it’s busy when I roll out an album. It is not easy for me either, I miss you so much. If you actually come with me then we can always be together, but you refuse to do that because I am taking the masculinity off you, right!?” let me not shout “follow you like a dog? That ain’t me, that ain’t my life Robyn. But I have to suffer because you have to bring out an album, you come here and I am on a timer, how is that fair!?” I feel him, I get why he is upset, I do and I can tell he just wants to spend time with me like I do him “it’s not and I am sorry” I can only apologise “this sucks because I had things planned but now we can have sex tonight and then that’s it yeah, that is it. Sex on the low, a nigga got feelings too. You have a jet you could come” he just wants sex “then fly back, when do I get a break? It’s hard on me Chris, you probably don’t want to hear it but I am indebted to my record label, and I need to get out of it. I am not the richest person yet Chris, I need to get out of the claws, you don’t get it but I do because I am in it. I am stuck between two worlds, once I figure it out I can leave and I will be my own woman but right now I need you to be my escape, where I can just relax with you. It is not ideal, but it will get better and I promise you that, can you just calm down” walking over to him slowly, he is very uptight. Rubbing his arm, he isn’t looking at me because he is annoyed and I get it “I love you” Chris wrapped his arm around me, I can tell he does that is why he wants me here.

Holding up the Ace of Spades box, I forgot to get this out of my suitcase for them. I really do love his apartment; his bedroom is nice too. It is way better then his old one, so much space and air “you coming?” Chris said, I ran back in the room to get this “I got you boys this” walking towards Chris “for us!?” he spat “or you” I chuckled, he took the box from me “this is fancy baby, thank you. We can open it now. Celebrate you’re here too and the apartment” Chris placed his arm around me as we walked off “why not, I am so happy for you Chris. You look so much happier, you are you. You’re free too, I feel it in your heart” TJ looked at me all wide eyed, he can’t get used to it but he will “look what Robyn got us boys” Chris held up the bottle “wow, you spending. Thank you!” Barry said “we going to pop this shit now” TJ got up “yeah bro, open it” Chris held it out to him “I got the wife here so open it now” TJ took it from him, he’s cute. I know he is fed up and wants me to be around, Chris hugged me close kissing the top of my head “I love you so much” he is the sweetest and he is showing me so much love “bro, I don’t blame you being so in love” hearing Barry say “she is a good woman” he is making me emotional.

We cheered as TJ opened the bottle “put your lips on that we are fighting!” Chris spat “I ain’t doing shit, I will pour the glasses evenly too” Chris grabbed my hand “sit down, come” he pulled me along “I will bring the drink to you” I have missed this so much, I have missed a man spoiling me. This is what I deserve in life, sitting down on the couch “if you told me I would have Rihanna on my couch I would be like fuck off, this is crazy but how you been? I am glad you are here; Chris is like a lost puppy. We been hearing his sick ways, now we can see his ways in person. He out here being sad and shit, but on a real. He missed you, that time last week when you were supposed to come and you didn’t, he cooked you a meal” Chris came up behind Barry “shut the fuck up! You might as well tell everything” I didn’t know that “leave him, he did? I didn’t know he did. I feel awful” he cooked for me “that day I was scared to cancel, and I was trying to find way to get here but he cooked for me?” Barry nodded his head “the food was nice though, we ate it with him, but he been waiting for you to come here and look at that, you’re here” I feel such a bad person “Robyn ignore this fool, he is just talking. I was happy you ain’t come” Chris is such a liar, I believe Barry “anyways, drinks!” Chris made his way over to me.

Taking the glass from Chris “here is to my baby being here after all this time, here is to us all having a new future we all deserve. I am super excited for what is to come, and I love all of you that are in this room, thank you for this drink too. But yeah here is to us” I cooed out, we clinked glasses “also to me getting some pussy tonight” Chris cackled “not with those pubes” I drank the contents “you didn’t really tell me you were coming so quick; I wasn’t ready. But I think you niggas may go out tonight, I need to spend some alone time with this one” Chris winked at me “is that all I am to you? Somewhere to dock your penis” Chris sat next to me “don’t be so dramatic, I love you” he patted my leg “so how is Robyn? What you been up too in California?” Barry asked “work, I know it seems like because we are famous that we don’t work but it’s pretty fucked up in the industry. When I went there and got the record deal, I practically signed my life over but I was young and didn’t understand it. I am like indebted to them, so I am trying to release so many albums to get out of it, but I have plans to get out of this. The things you see I have and stuff, it’s mostly free but I do have money but not to the extent people assume but I promise you I will get out of this, so yeah. Things are hectic at the moment, then I will be on tour for seven days, seven countries, seven shows which I am not excited about, but it will be fine. I am having fans with me, like people that can come with me to see how it is, the record label are paying out for a whole Boeing to be packed for this and I ant to ask if you guys would like to come? I can get you places; well I would like Chris to come” looking over at him “seven countries!?” Chris spat “yeah, I really want you to come” I hope he does “we will discuss it later, I mean I didn’t even know of it at all” letting out an oh, it’s like a battle with him. Drinking from the glass “I think it’s good, we should go?” TJ said “we will see” rolling my eyes “if you two want to come then I will put your names down, if he wants to be stubborn then he can stay here” he really can “don’t test Chris, he will end up staying here” Barry laughed, he frustrates me.

TJ filled my glass again “least Gabby can leave you alone now” TJ laughed looking at Chris and then the smile slowly faded “Gabby?” I repeated “who is Gabby Chris?” TJ slowly retreated “do you ever just shut the fuck up bro?” Chris said to him “no I would like to know, TJ tell me” sipping my drink, TJ looked at me “I thought he told you, he said you knew” well this is awkward “is that something to do with the group picture I found out?” looking at Chris, he is glaring at TJ, he angry but for what “I will knock your ass out, seriously. You know I can beat you up, you just open your mouth for fucking what!? The shit was irrelevant, Gabby is some girl that has been harassing me. She wants my dick yeah she knows I have a girlfriend, but she has been after me, like finding me on social media. I didn’t tell you because it made no fucking sense to tell you but this loud mouth nigga did” Chris is so angry, he needs to relax “I think you and I need to talk, but in private. We have a lot to speak about, just leave TJ alone” placing my glass down “I thought you said we would speak more, didn’t we speak on that? You also told me that, you’re angry not at that. You haven’t seen me in so long and we do have a lot to speak on, in private but you need to calm down” Chris got up from the couch in a huff, he is angry at me.

Chris is angry at me I think, he has been angry since I told him that I am only here for a day or two but what does he want me to do, watching him walk off outside “he is worse than a woman” TJ took his place and sat next to me “you trying to take his place already?” Barry joked “I can’t help but like her, I mean look at her but anyways! Fuck you” TJ put a finger up at him “we joking Rihanna, we don’t want to offend you” waving him off “it’s ok, I understand. How has he been though? Truthfully? I know he is your boy, and you are down for him, he could cheat on me and I know you both won’t snitch on him, but I just want to know how he is, has he mentioned anything?” I just would like to know but these do ride for him “he was pretty pissed off that day when he cooked for you and you didn’t come, I think it knocked him. Chris is closed, I mean I know that. We both know that so for him to do something for you he fucks with you, like he ain’t been that same nigga we know when he was in school. He was live, now he is grumpy. He does get those moments; he does like to be in his room a lot though. Noticed that, he lives in that room but yeah. I know he does love you, funny because like we say something for a joke. We said oh you set, you have Rihanna and he got angry at it, oh he is his own boss. He is his own enemy” nodding my head, he is.

I thought I would join him outside, but I don’t want to argue with him at all “are you calm now?” I asked, I didn’t go to the balcony I stayed a little behind, you never know people may be looking “I am” he turned to me “you promised you would talk to him Chris, I know it’s hard. It’s hard on you, on me. On us, I am sorry that I have to be busy, but I want us to work, you think we will?” crossing my arms across my chest “I do, I want us to work but I just miss you so much. It sucks you know, I see you on social media having fun and stuff and all I Want to do is be with you, it sounds mushy and shit. But I do, I hate it and I am going to learn to get used to it. Just hard to see you on there when I can’t have you, I uhm. Probably just being annoying, talking about feelings is difficult for me at most part Robyn and I get annoyed with myself because I get angry instead, it sucks. I just also think you should just fuck your record label off too” I wish I could “I understand, I think maybe we need to talk properly before we do anything, this conversation needs to be had for the both of us yeah?” Chris nodded his head “shall we go to the bedroom?” he gestured “we shall, lead the way” I need to tell him he will be coming with me to the seven shows and that we will be going public, I need to be hard on him because the way he said I will decide on that annoyed me.

[svgurl410]

fic: memories of old, promises anew (rory/jess)

Fandom: Gilmore Girls Pairing/Characters: Rory Gilmore/Jess Mariano, Lorelai Gilmore, Luke Danes Rating: G Word Count: 3,211 Summary: prompt: questions, Jess is ready to propose to Rory. Before he can ask her, he has to talk to a few important people first. And then the one that matters most.

AO3 link 

The ring felt like it was burning a hole in Jess’s pocket, and honestly, at any other moment, he would’ve been nervous about keeping it on his person, in the fear of accidental discovery. But the one person he was afraid of finding it was safely in New York for an interview, and wouldn’t be back until late that evening.

So that left Jess watching her daughter, someone he had thought of as ‘his’ for longer than he would admit out loud, and considering that she referred to him as “Dada” (and no, he didn’t cry when she first called him that, he just got a little teary eyed, thank you very much), she clearly didn’t mind. But Leia was napping and that left him with an even more terrifying prospect than proposing to the love of his life: talking to her mother.

As he slowly approached the couch in the living room of the home that Rory grown up, he had to take a few calming breaths. Lorelai was engrossed in the TV show she was watching, and didn’t even notice him until he was right next to her. She gave him a nod of acknowledgement, before returning to her show.

Sure, they had come a long way since they had met, and she had been more than cordial towards him for years, always fine with him taking up their couch when he visited, and as far as he knew, didn’t even voice any objections when Rory and he started dating again. However, standing in front of her now, he felt like he was seventeen again and not knowing how to talk to her. He knew he had to try though, and Luke was at the diner, so this may be his only opportunity to get to talk to her alone for a while.

“Lorelai,” he said, gaining her attention once more. “Do you have a moment?”

“I have many moments,” she said immediately. “Are you looking for a happy one? A sad moment? More serious?” He stared at her pointedly and she just grinned. “Have a seat, oh broody one. I thought we lost monosyllable man years ago. Nice to see him again.”

He shrugged and sat down on the chair. “I actually had something I wanted to ask you.”

“A full sentence! New Jess has returned,” Lorelai proclaimed gleefully, only pausing to switch off the TV. “What’s up?"

Not sure how to word it, he pulled the ring box out of his pocket and placed it on the table, flipping the cover open to reveal its contents. Of course he should’ve known better, because Lorelai’s eyes widened, immediately glinting with wicked glee, as she put her hand dramatically on her heart.

“Why, Jess, this is just inappropriate,” she began, and he was briefly confused, before she went on full speed ahead. “I’m a married woman, to your uncle no less, and you are dating my daughter! As irresistible as I am, I am not Stacy’s mom or Mrs. Robinson, so you will have to just accept the rejection for what it is. And your proposal skills need work.”

Jess barely refrained from groaning and just raised an eyebrow, causing Lorelai to pout at his lack of reaction.

“When you do that, you remind me way too much of Luke,” she pointed out. “It’s creepy.”

“Well, now you know how we feel with you and Rory,” Jess pointed out, causing her to chuckle.

Growing serious, she added, “It is a pretty ring.”

Jess nodded, picking it up and twirling it in his hand. The white gold ring had a modest diamond in the shape of a circle surrounded by tiny sapphires on each side. He hoped Rory would like it, as he had seen her admiring something similar just a few months prior. “So what do you think?”

“Going to have to use a few more words there,” Lorelai suggested.

“Of me proposing to Rory,” Jess asked. “I guess I’m asking for your permission.”

Lorelai nodded slowly. “I see, so you decided to throw a twist on the old patriarchal tradition of asking the father?”

“Yeah, well, I know the whole thing is outdated, but hey, I figured it’s also a way to give you a head’s up,” Jess explained.

“Why?” Lorelai wanted to know.

“Why what?” Jess asked.

“Why are you asking?” Lorelai clarified. “Rory and you are both adults, and if there wasn’t enough proof, there was a small child sleeping one room away as a reminder. So why do you need my permission?”

“Because it’s you,” Jess said, shifting. “And Rory will always care most about what you think. Plus, I know we don’t have the greatest history. I … well, I wasn’t always the easiest to get along with, and you haven’t said anything about Rory and me now, but-”

“You were also a teenager,” Lorelai interrupted. “I could’ve cut you a little slack.”

“I could’ve been less of a jerk and earned it,” Jess offered.

“You just reminded me so much of …” She trailed off and Jess was a little worried where she was going to go with it.

“Of Rory’s dad?” he asked, trying not to wince.

“Of me actually,” she admitted, letting out a weak laugh, surprising Jess into silence. “You had this ‘do what you want’ attitude, and refused to fit in, even when it would’ve been easier. Except it wasn’t Hartford society, and I guess I believed if you didn’t love Stars Hollow, there was something wrong with you.”

“It certainly is a place that grows on you,” Jess acknowledged.

“And if I hadn’t gotten pregnant with Rory, who knows how I would’ve turned out?” Lorelai said.

“Rory was lucky to have you,” Jess said frankly.

A look of sympathy crossed her features. “Yeah, I was lucky to have her. And that is probably another reason I could’ve been easier you on you.”

“Luke told you stuff?” Jess asked, unable to hide his reaction this time. He didn’t want anyone’s pity.

“Hinted over the years,” Lorelai answered. “And well, I do know Liz.”

“She’s better now,” Jess sighed. He had been worried for years, especially about Doula, but it seemed that as weird as TJ was, he was a good guy, and she had actually settled down in to whatever her version of normal was. And it hurt at first, but most of what he felt these days was relief.

“Yes, she is,” Lorelai agreed. “And you grew up. I have to admit, when Rory told me that you suggested that book to her, I wasn’t thrilled about you two interacting.”

“Oh.” That stung a little, especially since it wasn’t that long ago, and he thought she had been okay with him by that point.

“But,” she said hurriedly. “Clearly, you knew what she needed, and with the way you’ve stayed and how you are with Leia, it’s hard for me to say that you’re not exactly what she needs. And clearly what she wants. So if you need my permission, you have it.”

“Really?” Jess hadn’t known what to expect, but it seemed as if it shouldn’t have been that easy. “I do love her, both of them, and I promise I will always be there for them, and never leave.”

“Jess, I saw you spend thirty minutes putting Leia’s hair into buns so she could be Princess Leia for Halloween,” Lorelai reminded him, her expression amused. “You don’t have to prove anything to me. I can see it.”

He nodded, grateful. “Thank you, Lorelai.”

“Thank you, Jess,” Lorelai countered. “You make Rory very happy, and even Luke is thrilled that you’re around so much. Though seriously, more words when you actually propose okay? You can’t just shove the ring at her.”

And all Jess could do was laugh in response.

In comparison, telling Luke was fairly easy. He was helping him clean up the diner and just brought it up casually, as he wiped down a counter.

“So I’m going to propose to Rory,” he remarked casually, causing Luke to freeze.

“Really?” Luke asked.

“Yeah,” Jess confirmed.

“Huh,” was the response he got.

“Yeah,” Jess repeated. “So what do you think?”

A shrug and Luke told him, “Well, you’re not a prince in line for the throne, but I guess you’ll do.”

“What?” Had his uncle lost his mind?

“Never mind,” Luke said, waving a hand. “You happy?”

Jess nodded. “Very.”

“She seems happy too,” Luke remarked, words that warmed Jess to the core. That sort of affirmation from one of the people who loved Rory the most, especially since it was the person he admired the most, was special. “Good for you two.”

“Well, as long as she says yes,” Jess said, only half joking.

“She’ll say yes,” Luke said confidently.

“Thanks, Luke,” Jess replied.

“Any time, Jess,” Luke told him, as they exchanged smiles and got back to work.

And it was just that easy, as it had been for years with Luke.

With both the blessings that he needed, he only needed to get the one yes that mattered most. So on a bright sunny weekend morning, once Lorelai and Luke agreed to watch Leia, Jess packed a picnic basket full of Rory’s favorite foods and convinced her to go out with him for the afternoon. As much as he would’ve loved to bring Leia along, he didn’t want to bring in added pressure in the case that Rory did decide she wasn’t ready/didn’t want to get married after all.

“So where are we heading?” Rory asked, as they took a walk toward Jess’s chosen destination.

“That would be a surprise,” Jess told her, carrying the picnic basket in one hand, the other entwined with Rory’s. “So you’re just going to have to be patient.”

“There’s food involved,” Rory pouted. “How can I be patient?” She nudged him playfully. “Speaking of which, do I have to bid on that basket?”

“I will let you off the hook this time,” Jess teased. “But I have to say that my food would be much more valuable and edible than whatever I paid for that nonsense you tricked me into eating.”

“Clearly the payment was for the pleasure of my company so the food is irrelevant,” Rory retorted.

“Well, in that case, I clearly didn’t pay enough,” Jess said, grinning.

Her smile widened. “You’re such a sap.”

“Don’t spread it around,” Jess warned. “I have a reputation to maintain.”

“Oh, please, whatever reputation you think you had, you lost ages ago,” Rory scoffed. “Basically everyone in this town has seen you push Leia around in her stroller so you can say goodbye to that bad boy image. Unless it’s Taylor, I guess, who is probably the only one that doesn’t seem to believe that you are no longer seventeen and stealing garden gnomes.”

“Well as long as Taylor doesn’t like me, I’m still doing something right,” Jess remarked, with an easy smirk.

Rory was about to comment, but then she realized that they had arrived at their destination, and her eyes lit up. Much like the rest of town, the pier overlooking the lake was exactly the same as it had been all those years ago.

“Keeping with the theme, are we?” she asked, visibly pleased.

“Yeah, I figured why break tradition now,” Jess offered, placing the picnic basket in the middle. Pulling out a checkered blanket, he set up their picnic and gestured for her to take a seat, which she did, and he took the one opposite of her.

“This looks great,” Rory said admiringly. “I think if your basket was up for bidding, I would have some stiff competition.”

“Clearly my basket is for your eyes only,” Jess told her.

“Dirty,” she teased.

“Oh geez, now you sound like Lorelai,” Jess snarked.

“And you just sounded like Luke,” Rory shot back, causing him to chuckle and shake his head.

“Now that’s terrifying,” Jess said. “I didn’t think the becoming like your parent/parent figure thing happened this early.”

“Well, once you have kids, you are officially in danger,” Rory pointed out. “Though really, the food looks great. You could’ve made a killing a week from now.” Her eyes narrowed. “Wait, was it a coincidence that you chose this date or-?”

“Or?” Jess urged.

“Did the bid a basket happened today all those years ago?” Rory asked, amazed. “No way.”

“Like I said, why break tradition now?” Jess offered. He had a vague idea about the exact date, but one in depth search into the Stars Hollow Gazette archives gave him the answer he was looking for.

“Jess.” Rory softened. “Why?”

“Because,” he explained, “It was one of the first moments.”

“First moments?” she repeated.

“Yeah, that I realized that this, that you were more than just the only person I could stand in town, more than just a girl I had a crush on,” Jess confessed. “Just … more. I don’t know if it was love yet, but it was something more than I had ever felt with anyone else before.”

“Jess,” she tried again.

“And I know I was kind of an ass, and you had someone,” Jess said. “But I couldn’t help it. You were the only one that saw me.”

“Well, it’s not like I did much protesting,” Rory reminded him. “I liked being around you. I always felt most like myself with you. I still do.”

“I think that goes both ways,” Jess said, heart skipping a beat, as she closed the distance between them and kissed him. That part never got old.

“So now we can eat?” she asked, once they had parted.

“I know better than to keep a Gilmore away from food,” he said, mock seriously, as he unpacked the plates and food, dividing it easily.

“Always knew you were a smart man, Jess Mariano,” she proclaimed, as they delved into their food. “And a good cook. I am definitely keeping you around.”

“Well, I don’t have any plans to go anywhere,” Jess promised her, bringing another smile to her face.

“Good,” she said, a touch of smugness in her tone.

As they continued to eat, they made light conversation, Rory eagerly bringing up a new band she had learned about via Lane and Jess was able to tell her about the latest book he had been reading the night before. Squeezing in date nights with a kid around and both of them pursuing their careers was hard, so it was a pleasant change. The ring in his pocket was always at the back of his mind, but he was trying to do his best to enjoy the moment.

As silence fell between them, Rory glanced around sand said, “Man, this place really feels the same. Though I have to say, I’m glad the evil swan is long gone. Mom says she hasn’t seen it in years.”

“Evil swan?” he echoed, trying not to cringe.

“Yeah, we even had a name for it,” she said thoughtfully. She must’ve seen something in his face, because her eyes immediately widened. “Did you see it too?”

“I don’t know if I saw the one you’re talking about,” he admitted, “But I certainly met an evil swan. Do you remember my black eye-?”

“Yes,” she said, recognition dawning on her face. “Are you telling me?”

“I got beaked,” Jess said, old humiliation over the incident coming up to the surface.

“No way!” she exclaimed. “Jess, why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was embarrassed,” Jess told her. “I only told Luke.”

“Aww, Jess,” she said, eyes shining with mirth.

“It’s okay, you can laugh,” Jess assured her. “I know it’s ridiculous.”

“I wish you had told me,” she replied, a small giggle escaping.

“Yeah, well, I could’ve said a lot of things I didn’t,” Jess said, as they continued to eat. “Words weren’t always my thing. Probably isn’t completely now.”

“Hey, no self-hating,” she said, poking at his chest. “I didn’t say that to make you feel bad. I was just making a comment.”

“I know you weren’t,” Jess said. “I can’t help it sometimes.”

“We both made mistakes, but we’re here now, and that’s all that matters,” Rory stated firmly. “So deal with it.”

“Worse things in life to have deal with,” Jess insisted. “I love you.”

Her whole demeanor seemed to brighten. “I love you too.”

He would never get tired of hearing it, of saying it. And he couldn’t imagine ever not feeling it. That’s when he knew. He had been trying to figure out the right moment, but he couldn’t imagine a more right one than the one they were sharing.

“Especially,” Rory added, peaking into the basket, “Since you seem to have brought pie. Is that chocolate cream? Because you are outdoing yourself-”

“Marry me,” he blurted out.

“What?” she asked, mouth dropping, hands falling to her side.

In a swift motion, he took her hands, and pulled them both to their feet. She allowed him to guide her a few steps away, and he fell to one knee in front of her. Her blue eyes were watching him in awe. So Jess took a deep breath, one hand going into his pocket of his jeans, to reconfirm the ring was there. Pulling it out, he opened the box and took out the ring, offering it to her. Her eyes didn’t leave his face.

“Marry me,” he repeated. “I love you, I’ve always loved you. I am not sure if I ever really stopped and I don’t think I would ever want to now. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me and from the moment I saw you, I knew we were meant to be together. There’s nothing more I want to do than make you happy for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me?”

“Yes!” Rory exclaimed, grinning. He had noticed Rory had already nodding halfway through his speech, but he wanted to say what was in his heart.

“You want to think it over a moment?” Jess teased.

“Hand over that ring, Mariano,” Rory demanded, mock glaring. Jess slid it onto the ring finger of her left hand, before standing up once more.

“Not even married yet, and already bossing me around,” he joked, wrapping his arms around he waist.

“Yeah, well, no take backs now,” she warned, her arms settling around the back of his neck. “There may have been no vows yet, but there’s only one way you’re getting out of this.”

“Somehow I’ll survive,” he drawled, as their lips met in a kiss. She said yes. Somehow, that part hadn’t really settled in his brain until that moment. And he couldn’t stop smiling.

“Keeping me happy for the rest of our lives,” Rory murmured, one they separated. “Pretty big promise there.”

“One I plan to keep,” Jess said seriously.

“Does that include endless supplies of coffee and pie?” Rory suggested.

“Even that,” Jess agreed. “Luke may have a few objections, but we’ll figure it out.”

“I’m going to hold you to that,” Rory made sure to say.

“I’ll put it my vows,” Jess promised, leaning forward once more.

“Deal,” she agreed, as they kissed again.

And it was a promise that he intended to keep. Now and always.

[v1ctimplagued]

　Sometimes it's worse to be treated with indifference. Or at least, that's what Billy thinks but probably would never say. It annoys him, grates at his pride, and slivers the last bit of resolve away 'cause TJ didn't seem to jump on any of his provocations. How shit it was to be treated as irrelevant and how much it bothered him to be a non-issue in the other's life. How fucked it was to want to be an issue at all...

It didn't really matter if Billy started it, kept it going, or was lookin' for a fight. All would matter was Billy was in trouble, fuckin' up Neil's day, and couldn't handle his shit better. In fact, Billy suspected his dad might take one good look at both boys and be pissed Billy didn't do worse. A real class act in parenting. It would be a shit show. Billy sighs, leaning back, and tossing his head back. "You could have like... not been in the hallway to begin with."

TJ had to force himself to keep his face neutral. He wanted to laugh at the ridiculous request, but he didn't. Instead, he quirked an eyebrow and gave Billy an unimpressed look. "We bumped shoulders. I said, 'Excuse me.' You punched me. I punched back." He blinked at him. "We can go over that again if you didn't see where the escalation started." The condescension wouldn't help the situation, but TJ wasn't scared of Billy in the least. When it came to fights, he could hold his own and he wasn't afraid of pain. He wasn't even afraid of actually being killed.

As for dealing with the matter of home, Barry wouldn't be mad at him. TJ didn't start the fight, he didn't escalate anything, and he defended himself. If anything, he would completely support his reaction. And in truth, even if he had started things, Barry trusted him enough that he would stand behind him on it.

[anyathefandom]

I just thought about something, does the younger generation have any super couples because I'm not seeing any. I can just sit here and name the vets supercouples because they have plenty but not really any from the younger gen. It seems like the writers are scared of letting the younger generation overshadow the vets (I mean the writing for the younger generation is mainly trash so why worry) but I mean if they don't develop iconic relationships then what supercouples are we going to have?

I mean isn't these suppose to be the times when michael is suppose to have an iconic love story but instead we have millow 🙈. Honestly I wasn't watching when him and sabrina were together so somebody mention in the replies if they were supercouple worthy pls. I do believe him and kiki had potential but she is dead. Nelle x michael could've been CarSon 2.0 if only nelle wasn't so fucking crazy and dead as well. Sasha is irrelevant to him and willow got only friendship vibes with him.

They just give kristina repetitive sls about her being angry with her family and all her potential relationships go down in flames I mean her and ethan weren't together but that was probably the best could've been relationship she had but now she doesn't get any sls. So I don't expect a relationship any time soon. We could've had a new generation of a spencer x corinthos but noooo.

Rip morgan. They killed you off too soon, I'm sure they could've done more with him.

Chase x willow. I don't know. Like I've been said they're cute but I'm not sure if they're going to be supercouple worthy. We'll see.

Sasha: That girl has only been with michael and he ain't checking for her. I mean no one really is and that's sad. Fingers crossed for brando x sasha. If the writers went by my head cannons they could have potential.

Brooklyn (shes not really his generation either when you think about how they sorased michael and kristina): I like her and chase but again I don't know about them.

Brando: how old is he anyway? Is he even apart of michael's generation?

I'll throw molly with his age group because since she's in her early twenties and doesn't belong with the teens. I like her and tj but I can say I don't really care about her and tj. (This doesn't mean I want brolly because they can keep it. No thank you.)

I just want gh to produce a couple from Michael's generation that when you see them, you just know years down the line their is going to be montages dedicated to them.

Sidenote: Wow I just realized that Michael's generation only has a handful of people. That group is small. I mean the teen scene is even smaller since none of the other kids have been aged up.

[ill-be-istj-if-no-one-else-is]

ok so firstly I really only care about how I feel. Other peoples emotions are irrelevant to me. This may seem selfish but I care a lot about myself. If I was going to make a decision in a group, I would definitely state my ideas/opinions as soon as I could to make sure I get the outcome I want. I can be very stubborn if someone wants to argue with me. If someone treats me like their equal and not like an opponent I am more likely to agree with what they say and be more open minded. 2/5

If I dont like someone I will purposely disagree with them just to annoy them. I can manipulate people well by giving them indirect hints and by being aware of how my actions affect them. I do not have any morals, I just pretend I do so I seem like a good person. I have realized that I hide the majority of my personality so people will like me. For example if I act extremely egotistical and confident then I would have no friends and I enjoy having friends that actually like me. 3/5

I am a very observant person. I usually notice small details before anything else. Sometimes its difficult for me to see the big picture. Like everyone could be staring at one big obvious object and I would be staring at a random bug I see crawling around. I usually can know exactly where all of my stuff is at anytime without even looking first. I am aware of my senses. I will always know if something is touching me or if I hear or smell something that other people dont pay much attention to 4/5

I think its important to be alert to anything that could happen since I have no idea when someone is going to attack me or if a spider is going to appear. I focus on the present way more than the future. I feel like my present, past, and future self are all completely different people. Ok I think this is enough. I mainly just tried to explain Fi and Se and some other random personality traits. I hope this will be helpful. I wanted to send you this because you seem very trustworthy for typing 5/5

----

Hi,

The first part of this might be missing and that may have some required context, such as this being sent in on behalf of a friend. However, if it’s not, I typed you as an ExTP 7 less than a month ago and I see no reason to change that although I would amend it to be definitively ESTP. If this is for someone else, ESTP still sounds right.

I also may be missing the context for why you bring up Fi but picking fights to annoy people to the point where you think it’s worth bringing as am significant trait is absolutely most common in high Ti users. This is just not fundamentally how most Te-Fi users function - from a Te perspective it’s a stupid waste of time (unless it’s like, friendly banter with close friends or siblings) and from an Fi perspective it’s just not what motivates them because it’s about getting a reaction, which high Fi doesn’t really care about (unless again it’s a friendly thing).

Fi-Te users, particularly when healthy, just don’t care enough about the opinions of others to do this. If they dislike someone but the person isn’t like, actively causing serious harm in the universe or somehow in control of them, they will probably avoid them unless forced to interact and then they will probably just try to get through it with as little interaction as possible, and maybe some petty remarks. So because I missed the first part I’m not sure if there’s additionally context regarding Fi but this is not how an ExFP acts. 

An ExFP would also have a pretty strong sense of morality or at least consider themselves to have one, and also tend to care how other people feel - the difference between high Fe and Fi is that Fi users have an individual approach and tend towards an ‘agree to disagree’ and aren’t looking for consensus, whereas a high Fe user has an idea of how people should feel about something and what the correct response is and would usually prefer consensus. Thinkers (either TJ or TP) are more likely to actually not really care. High Fi users also would not like hiding a large portion of their personality since that conflicts with authenticity - they don’t blurt out everything they think, but they’d feel bad, usually, if they were really hiding almost all their personality.

The part about having a very high physical awareness sounds very much in line with high Se, as is being primarily focused on the here and now, so ESTP sounds the most likely. If this is for someone other than the person I typed on April 3rd, ISTP is also possible and I don’t know the enneatype; if this is the same person I typed on April 3rd, as mentioned, ESTP 7.

[parismemes]

SENTENCE STARTERS FROM THE BEST OF SMPLIVE (PART 2)

“don’t fall in the baptism hole.” “i don’t care about the cartoon network executives.” “welcome to church, thank you for attending! very cool! um, i will eliminate the middle class!” “you ever say fuck it and just eat the whole plate?” “this is the place where the penises should not be!” “no, you can’t build an ostrich.” “go get stuff. because you have nothing. you look sad.” “i won’t cry on you, i’ll cry next to you.” “remove your glass penis.” “i want you on my team. i want you on my team!” “i’m watching a fight.” “you can have all this back, by the way. i don’t want it.” “this is gonna be a ‘more than one night’ thing, isn’t it?” “i’m so good! i’m the best! i’m the best!” “you’re not gumball!” “you wanna help me with your fucking job, now?” “i swear to god, someone’s gonna kill me.” “your fursona is a cat.” “if the priest doesn’t show up in 15 minutes, are we allowed to leave?” “that’s true, you are number one!” “my brain’s turning off.” “they don’t realize we’re all roleplaying for money.” “he is such a bitch and a pussy and a loser.” “don’t even start with specification, okay?” “dude, this guy’s a fuckin kettle pot!” “we have to make money tonight. we have to make a lot of money.” “nothing against like ancient mesopotamian nations, but.. are they still here today? i don’t think so.” “what if the coffee shop was a cover for not just one, but multiple illegal activities?” “i do have a cat in real life. he’s a bit of a bitch, though.” “i saw two movies last year, and one of them was ready player one.” “YOU’RE GONNA DESTROY THE ECONOMY!” “we really have to revamp our business strategy.” “did you know if you put the key in the ignition of a car and you turn it 90 degrees clockwise, the car will turn on?” “you DUMB IDIOT! you stupid idiot.” “i’m not enjoying this anymore.” “i met an amish person one time on a plane. i was in fifth grade, and i had just learned about amish people.” “nice coffee house, losers! where’d you get it, TJ max?” “i’m gonna make my own coffee shop, with stairs.” “OAK IS THE ANTITHESIS OF SPRUCE!” “i want him out of the company.” “that’s gonna look like absolute poopoo.” “yo.” “they just want our deals. they just want our sweet hot spicy deals.” “oh my god, there’s two of ‘em!” “this is serious business, we’re talking about digital currency!” “this is so cringe, bro. we’ve gotta disperse.” “you guys wanna go make a bank heist?” “i was instructed to burn his money.” “oh no, i dropped my titties!” “they all called me a furry because i told them not to call me a furry.” “they’re hungry! they’re hungry little boys!” “give me the stock. NOW!” “we’re making a coffee shop, you inbreds.” “the coin must be ready for we are the robbers and we are here already!” “we are forcing you to create the meth.” “i’m bringing the mule this time, you’ve gone too far!” “come BACK here, you fool!” “DO NOT RUN FROM A P O L I C E O F F I C E R!” “i have never seen a worse cop.” “i fucking LIED, you asshole, i’m gonna KILL you!” “how about i fight you, but you kill me?” “pacifist run is over.” “i’m gaming as fast as i can. oh, i’m gaming so hard.” “i am viciously biking right now.” “FUCK! i almost broke a wine bottle on my leg.” “i need to kiss my dog.” “we are very eager to get our 2 minutes of gaming.” “everyone get their shirts off right now. i’m taking my pants off too just in case.” “ACTUALLY, i’m 15 and three months!” “provide your skin flute!” “boutta log on coolmathgames and fuck some shit up.” “you broke it. you actually broke it. i’m blaming you.” “are you kissing me?” “a hundred percent not a scam. i don’t scam people!” “okay, that’s my scam chest. don’t tell anyone that.” “i just have to hide my riches somewhere they’re not gonna see it coming.” “there’s no diamonds for the boofed.” “this is a completely irrelevant quote to what is happening.” “at the end of the day, i just saved the economy.” “can we take this to the courthouse?” “as we all know, scams are illegal.” “i want a man to hold me at night.”

[wetookanoath]

purplegirlsclub replied to your post: Shane doing the most to propose should be a fic...

NINA WRITE THAT

Title: If You Ever Did Believe Pairing and characters: shyan. Jen, Jake, Devon, Sara, TJ, others. Warnings: None. Word Count: 4, 594~ Summary: In which they keep asking the other to marry them, he answers no, and everyone wonders why are they still together after almost five years. Or, 5 times they proposed and said no + the one time one proposed and the other said yes. A/N: This costed me more than I care to admit, to be honest; and it’s not exactly what we talked in the original ask but it’s still the idea (?). Also, un-beta’ed because I’m irrelevant. Title from the song with the same name by Stevie Nicks.

If You Ever Did Believe

I

February, 2016

Shane was a very private person, Ryan should have known better than to propose where everyone could see and hear. Or so that was what Jen thought as she watched the chaos unfold in the office’s kitchen.

Just that day, Ryan’s crime show had been given the green light for his supernatural segment and it was now an official series, too—she could see his excitement, why he may have felt like it was now or never, but for a start: Shane was a private person.

“God,” Ryan had said, voice so loud and face so happy, his cheeks were all red and his smile too bright. It almost made Kelsey hiss at her side. “I love you so much!” Until then, it was okay. “You know what— Marry me!” Then, nope.

There was an awkward silence in the kitchen then, with Kelsey, Sara and Jen looking at the two men standing in front of the coffee machine. Keith and Ned watched from the corner of the other side, their own cups in hand, as shocked as they must have looked.

But Shane just chuckled, looking at his boyfriend with the tiniest of confused smiles. “What?” He said. “Now? No way!”

Ryan groaned, as if he had been given this answer a million times before. “I’m serious.”

“I know you are.” Shane smiled at him, taking out the spoon he had used to put sugar on his coffee. “And the answer is nope!” He said.

A cold went up her back, and when she looked at her side, Kelsey had her eyes glued to her sandwich while Sara was awkwardly drinking her juice, trying to not make noise with the straw between her lips. Ned had gasped, Keith had left his cup aside, probably preparing himself to go talk reason into Shane or comfort Ryan.

“Dammit!” Ryan murmured, a big smile on his face.

In spite of their awkwardness and preoccupations, both men were laughing while Shane finished preparing Ryan’s coffee, as if nothing had happened.

A joke, then.

In their own world, they kept talking about the show and Ryan’s plans with Brent, walking away when their coffees were ready, Ryan’s hand gently at the bottom Shane’s back.

Well. That’s a good relationship if she has ever seen one.

II

May, 2016

If you asked Jake, his brother and boyfriend had met in a way too random.

“Woah!” Ryan had exclaimed after hitting his stupid face with someone else’s back, the man turned—“Big guy!” He said, looking up.

Jake had blinked a couple of times himself, looking up at the tall and lanky dude his brother had ran into. The guy apologized immediately, like if he had been the distracted little shit who had hit a stranger for talking passionately about last night’s Lakers game.

Somehow, the big guy had made Ryan laugh enough to stay in line for the ride he was waiting for at Disneyland, and so Jake and his cousins had to wait with Ryan, each with a frown that asked the same: What the hell is going on?

Just like right now, almost a year later, he was now witness of the real life menace that Shane Madej actually was as they waited for the man to come back from the bathroom and Ryan kept nervously talking about his plans for the day.

“So, what do you think?” Ryan asked him, Jake had been spacing out up until the moment his brother mentioned something about a proposal and holy shit—these bitches.

“Don't even have a year together.” Tony reminded him, thank God. “Why on earth are you thinking of getting married now?” The man asked, gaining a nod from everyone else.

Ryan’s friends all looked worried, Jake knew he must had the same expression for the way his brother was giving him that You Bastard look he always had when he sided with them against him. In no way would he agree to this madness, Ryan was truly going insane now.

“But I know I want to spend the rest of my life with him!”

“You don’t even live together!” Jake said, Ryan crossed his arms over his chest and made a line with his lips. His eyes opened wide. “No way…”

“Since WHEN?” Danny asked, the betrayal all over his face. “These are the kind of things you tell your friends!”

“Well, I wasn’t going to because I knew you were all going to freak out!” Ryan answered, sitting down on the bench they have parked in while waiting for Roland and Shane to come back from the bathroom. “You guys are always criticizing everything Shane and I do, like if this was our first relationship or something. It’s insane.”

“It’s not like that, it’s just that… this is going way too fast!” Danny added, everyone else nodded.

“No, it’s not!” Ryan said. “Look, I love Shane and he loves me. We want to be together and we are doing great together, so why—?”

“Are you Ryan?” Mary Poppins asked.

Blinking like the rest of them, Ryan frowned before nodding. The girl took his hand, “Come with me!”

The second Ryan opened his mouth to ask what was going on, Jake spotted Roland with a phone up, filming, and he knew exactly what was about to happen. A hand landed softly on his face, shaking his head as people gathered around them and the other wondered what was happening.

A song started, park workers in different outfits of different happy characters sang while dancing and maintaining Ryan in the middle of them.

When Jake looked up, he found joy in Ryan’s face. His brother was clapping, almost bouncing out of happiness when they approached him and finally, he heard the song and the way it listed all of Ryan’s best qualities, declared eternal love to someone the song was asking to marry them.

Madej.

It was nothing he had heard before, but he has seen this viral video on YouTube. The characters left Ryan aside, probably preparing for the grand finale when Minnie and Mickey moved their arms up and from the middle of them all Shane appeared, singing the song and going on his knees in front of Ryan.

“Ryan Bergara!” He yelled, his brother was already bending over in laughter. Shane smiled, and added in a softer and lower voice, “Would you marry me?”

These two were made for each other, just as stupid and just as dumb. Jake frowned, watching everything unfold while their friends voiced their discomfort and Roland laughed, filming the whole scam.

“Oh my God!” Ryan said, taking the ring from Shane’s hand. “Uhm, no. I don’t think so.”

“Oh, fuck me—“ Joe’s eyes opened big.

“Are you kidd—“ Danny started.

But they were all interrupted by Shane’s happy laugh. The man stood, smiling down at Ryan who hadn’t given back the ring. He let Shane cradle his face and kiss him, just a small peck on the lips before murmuring something. Roland was still filming, he stopped once Shane looked at him and gave him a thumbs up.

“Okay!” Shane looked at the dancers, none looked worried or surprised. “That was nice, everyone! Thank you so much for your help!”

There was a loud round of applause and Jake looked at his friends, every men sporting the same shocked face as the park workers walked away in every direction, commenting in murmurs what had just happened, how nice it was.

What in the name of fuck was that?

“Uh, guys?” Danny approached them, Tony followed with the most frustrated expression as Shane and Ryan walked hand in hand to them, ring nowhere to be seen. “What the hell was that?”

“Me asking Ryan to marry me, him saying no.” Shane simply said, Ryan nodded.

“Ryan, you were just—“

“Yeah, and you are right.” He said, sighing, looking actually happier than he had in ages. “Right?”

“Mmm.” Shane smiled, leaning down to let Ryan kiss his cheek.

“Let’s go, I’m hungry.” Ryan announced, leaving them but Roland and Shane behind as they walked away. “You recorded all of it?” He asked his friend.

“Every second, from Shane getting ready to the kiss.”

“Awesome, I want that!”

The fuck?

III

September, 2016

Unsolved was, probably, her favorite project she had ever worked on before.

Devon had the chance to have fun while working, laughing between takes and during them for the hosts were a pair of idiots she adored. They had just been working a few days all together, Brent gone for other personal projects, Shane coming in hot for the fun and to save his boyfriend’s dream show.

They were an unstoppable force and an adorable, if dorky, couple to look at. Devon was sure, in spite of the office’s bets and sayings, that they would make it for the long term, maybe even their own forever.

So when she got Shane’s text that they were going back to the hotel, all she could do was chuckle and get their room together, waiting for them in the lobby with TJ.

“What do you think was it?”

“Ryan thought he saw something.” She bet, TJ shrugged. “What?”

“I just think he started whipping and Shane got tired of him.”

She chuckled. “You and I know he would never.”

“Yep…” He said, stretching his back and arms when they saw the boys entering the hotel, Ryan in such a hurry, it was cartoonish. “He’d probably follow Ryan into hell with a smile.”

Exactly with a smile, Shane approached them as he gently pushed Ryan into their direction. Their key-card in hand, a few words later, they were all in the elevator to their rooms. She was tired, but listening to Shane talk to Ryan as he rubbed his arms, trying to get the chills of the frightening night he had just had away, was too cute to ignore.

“I can’t believe you didn’t feel anything in there, it was so heavy…”

“Uhm, maybe next time.”

“There’s so not gonna be a next time!” Ryan declared, Shane rolled his eyes with a big smile, letting his boyfriend lean on him with his back to Shane’s chest. “I feel so stupid.”

Devon looked at TJ, he was looking back at her with that unspoken plea for these two to shut up. There was always something, a little tone in their voices when things were about to turn serious, and while it was starting to not be as awkward, it still kinda was.

“Hey, now—you shouldn’t. you still were there for most of the worst hours, right? You did your job, you are just going to rest now.” Shane said, soft and gentle near Ryan’s face.

The way he had to bend over to reach Ryan’s ear and cheek, the one he kissed when the doors of the elevator opened on their floor, it was damn cute to see.

Ryan sighed, walking outside with them, TJ leading them to their room at his and Mark’s right.

“Well, guys. We still need to be early to give back the keys and take the equip you left.” TJ reminded them. “So please, no little games and surprises for the night.”

“Teej!” Shane whined. “You’re ruining my fun vacations!”

His little act made Ryan giggle, it was a better view than his stressed face when he arrived to the hotel. As they were saying goodnight, TJ walking to his room, she heard them deal with their card when she went walking to hers at the end of the hallway.

“Shane?” She heard Ryan say, Devon looked back just for a second to find Shane looking down at Ryan, expecting. “I love you.”

She smiled, Shane chuckled a little and the sound of a sweet kiss made her walk faster until she reached her door and dealt with the card.

“We should get married.” Ryan said, she blinked a couple of times and slowly looked up to see Shane’s expression.

He was smiling, his thumb caressing Ryan’s bottom lip before he kissed him again.

“Maybe one day.”

“No, I mean—“ Ryan had stopped Shane from getting away, the man looked at his boyfriend again. “I mean it, Shane. I, I want to be with you forever and I just—Would you? Marry me, I mean.”

“Not like this.” Shane said after a short pause, Devon had her door open now and was about to get in when he added. “I love you, too.”

She thought of the seriousness of their tone, how different it was from the way they would comfort each other for one reason or the other, or when they were joking around, pretending to dislike their boyfriend. Or even how it didn’t sound like when they were drunk and in love, sober and happy. None of that.

The next morning, as they had breakfast together, the boys kept leaning on each other, talking and laughing as normal like if the conversation had never happened.

Devon blinked a couple of times, seeing them sit together in the plane later that day. Ryan kissing Shane’s cheek and him taking his hand to interlock their fingers together.

For the long run, she was sure of this. Devon knew she was going to win the office’s bet.

IV

October, 2017

Drunk Shane was one of the funniest guys Sara has ever known.

The big dork had no shame while sober, but drunk he also didn’t have a sense of decorum and would become the bravest person in the room, making him even funnier.

So when he took control of the mic, singing out loud to everyone in the room, all Sara could do was sit back and watch, laughing and clapping with everyone while her friend entertained the room with his antics.

He looked so happy while doing so, it wasn’t ridiculous. There was no chance for shame, only the cheerful way he walked around the karaoke area and kept going when, out of nowhere, Ryan stood at his side, singing with him.

“Gross.” Matty said at her side and she smiled, looking at him and her girlfriend nursing beers and smiling at the show. “I fucking hate them, they make all of us, other couples, look dead inside in comparison to them.”

“I hate them, too.” TJ said near them, a tiny smirk on his lips.

Sara sighed, watching as Ryan danced in circles around Shane, everyone laughing their asses off, people recording it. Those instastories were to be iconic, for sure.

 “I think they are cute!” Sara said, watching Shane pause with the music, then immediately singing again when it kept going. “Gross but cute.”

Kate giggled at the side, they all stayed quiet as they saw them approach their table after giving the mic away. They were drunk, alright. With alcohol and success, a happy convination it was always rewarding to see in her friends and co-workers. 

She sighed, smiling up at Shane when booped her nose while sitting down. Sara was about to mock Shane’s singing abilities when something else called her attention to Ryan’s finger.

“Ryan!” She said, alarming everyone in the table. “What the hell is that thing shining in your finger?”

“What?” He smirked, his cheeks were red even when he was acting out all the cockiness in the world. “This?” Ryan showed his hand, in his middle finger a silver band with a blue and white belt of little rocks. “Nothing, just a little gift from the big guy.”

“I’m a good boyfriend!” Shane said like a toy, making everyone laugh.

“No way, he finally said yes!” Matt said, they have all seen the video at Disneyland.

“He didn’t!” Shane told them, Sara jumped in her seat and frowned. “I got on my knee, filled the living room and our bedroom with roses--”

“That I haven’t finished cleaning up!”

“Sssshhh, Ryan. I’m telling everyone how good and romantic partner I am.” Shane said, Ryan rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, smiling at his side. “I got on one knee, filled the apartment with roses, cooked dinner, put on smooth music and he said no!”

Matt and his girlfriend started to laugh, Kate sighed while TJ put a hand on his forehead, as if trying to forget these two were right here being the worst and making everything look so easy and simple, so stupidly... soft. 

She smiled anyway, seeing as Shane pouted when Ryan looked at him and rolled his eyes.

“Why, why are you using the ring if you say no?” TJ asked with a frown.

“Uh, look at this baby.” Ryan said as he flashed them all his hand, ring shining unapologetically in his finger. “It’s what I deserve, no way it was getting back to the dark.”

“I’m a good husband! I buy expensive shit to my angel.” Shane announced, voice of an idiot.

Sara smiled as Shane hugged Ryan from behind, putting his chin on his head. Ryan had put his closed fists on his waist, both looking drunker than ever.

“That’s right! I’m high maintenance!” 

TJ shook his head, “You got no idea what you got yourself into, Shane.”

The man giggled, his drunk in love state only making him pink on his cheeks as he moved Ryan from side to side. When the other man finally broke the embrace, he turned around, hugging Shane by his middle and lifting him slightly.

“One of these days,” Sara started, “they are gonna show up at work already married. 

At the sighs and noises of agreement from her friends, Sara smiled with her eyes still glued to the pair in front of them.

“Leave my husband alone, Teej.” Ryan said, looking at him.

Sara just rolled her eyes.

V

March, 2018

Ryan still wore the ring Shane had given him last year, especially after he got Shane a matching one and they had become even more annoying. And yet, TJ adored these idiots.

They were good people, funny and caring, excellent friends to him and his wife, and he knee they would be amazing uncles to his children once him and Kate decided to try.

He could understand why in spite of how different they may look to the public, they were actually very much alike and a great match. Almost as if made for each other. Hell, if you believe in soulmates and that sort of shit, Ryan and Shane were it.

But even after they got matching rings they used on their marriage fingers, lived together since forever, did each other’s coffees in the morning and called each other husband and hubby…

Even after seeing Ryan horribly nervous the night before, babbling about having seen a ghost in the basement of the last location they visited, and Shane had put all his effort into comforting him…

Even when they had seen Shane walk out into the lobby of their hotel with that awful mustache, claiming to have an epiphany to sport one while Ryan laughed his ass off, obviously a thing to keep his boyfriend happy and distracted, away from the thing he thought he saw the night before…

Even after all that, TJ couldn’t understand why these two just simple knocked the nod once and for all.

“Okay… here we go!” Ryan said, phone up as Shane prepared to make his move. They had been playing pool almost all night, their trip to Savannah such an amazing experience, TJ couldn’t wait to tell everything about it to Kate. “This is to bring the victory home for us, Shane. Come on!”

Shane was good. He was good at pool even if duxking ridixulous with his long leg on the table, his ugly ‘stache too much a distraction to anyone. His friend finally hit the ball, it moved around the table knocking others and winning the damn match for Shane and Ryan.

“Yes! Yes! Bring it in, bring it in!”

The man jumped out the table and into Ryan, who had been yelling and jumping like a little boy in a baseball game since he saw the table empty and Ryan had yelled victory.

He sighed, looking at them celebrate as if they had won money out of this. Devon, Mark and Matty were laughing behind him, probably too drunk and happy to see Ryan distracted from his fears and preoccupation enough to enjoy the night out as this.

“You won! You won!” Ryan kept saying, making Shane laugh as he walked towards TJ. “God, you were so hot,” He kept saying, Shane shook TJ’s hand and the three walked back to their table. “I’m so gonna suck your cock when we get to the hotel!”

“Oooommmffff!” They all exclaimed, included Shane who then started to laugh.

“Ryan, what we said about graphic descriptions of private affairs in public?” Mark said like a stern dad, they all kept quiet as they waited for Ryan’s response.

“Uhh,” His cheeks went red. “No— don’t out loud?”

“You’ll be designated driver next time if you keep it up!”

“Yes, dad, sorry.”

Shane chuckled, bottle of bear beat his lips when Ryan looked at him. The older man winked at him, Ryan laughed and took his own bottle to take a sip.

“How are you feeling?” Shane asked when Ryan had stopped drinking, he looked at him. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah.” Ryan smiled, finally looking honest. “I’m alright,” he continued, this time talking to everyone in the table. “Really, guys. You are the best. I’m alright.”

Devon palmed his shoulder gently, TJ smiled at it and took a sip of his own beer, thinking of ordering some BBQ Wings when he saw Ryan taking fries from Shane’s plate. 

Shane, the bitch that doesn’t share food. Unbelievable. 

“You know, big guy,” Ryan said, loud enough they were all listening. “You’ve made this easier for me.”

“Taking food from me?”

Ryan smiled, taking another fry. “You know what I’m talking about, hubby.”

Shane’s face started to turn pink. He looked down and readjusted his glasses, everyone making “aww” noises at him. TJ arched an eyebrow.

“It’s nothing.” Shane said almost timidly.

“It’s a lot.” Ryan corrected. “You are so good to me, I should be marrying you soon.”

The man snorted, the table had gone silent at the mention of marriage between these two again. It has become pretty much a joke between all of them by now, but there was always the hope that maybe one day, one of them will actually say yes.

“What do you say?” Ryan asked, “Would you marry me?”

“Me and the crazy sports shoes guy? Don’t think so, pal.” 

Matty put his forehead on the table, a soft tud making Devon laugh as she shook her head as well as Mark did. TJ sighed, tired of these two idiots.

“God, I hate you both.” He said, clinking his glass with Mark’s before taking down the last of his drink.

Ryan and Shane kept laughing, going for a quick kiss before changing the theme all together.

+ I

April, 2017

“Ryan.”

His boyfriend looked up, he seemed tired after their latest trip and Shane thought his next words all over again. Is this what you really want? And when Ryan smiled at him, he knew the answer.

“Let’s elope!”

Ryan chuckled, eyes sparking that way they always did when Shane did something specially stupid that became endearing to Ryan.

“What?” He said, taking Shane’s hand to make him sit down at his side on their bed. “You haven’t even proposed!”

Shane gasped in surprise, Ryan smirked at him. “I proposed in Disneyland! With a musical number!”

“Oh, you aren’t serious!”

Chuckling, Shane leaned on Ryan’s face and kissed him softly, just a peck on the lips. The man put a hand on his cheek, caressing it before he sighed.

“I hate the fact that I know you are serious about it.”

“Well, you said we should get married—“ He smiled. “Uh? In Kansas?”

Ryan chuckled at that, rolling his eyes before kissing him slowly and for a long time.

“Fuck it.” Ryan said against his lips. “Let’s do it.”

“Great!” Shane almost stood up and jumped in the bed. “Let’s elope, babyy!”

“Wait, no!” Ryan said, Shane moved his head to one side at the sight of Ryan’s horrified face. “I want my family to be in my wedding!”

“But—“

“No, if I’m getting married, I want my parents there at least. Jake can vary.”

“Uh, then…” Shane stood from the bed, kneeling in front of Ryan. He took his hands, the man smiling from ear to ear. “Ryan Bergara, would you elope with me… and your family?”

“But what about your mom—“

“Would you elope with me and your family… in Schaumburg?”

“No, in Chicago!”

“In Chic— It’s not the same!”

“But It is!”

“It’s— you know what,” He let go of Ryan’s hands who laughed at his exasperated face. “Maybe I don’t want to marry you after all!”

“Oh, come on!”

**

August, 2018

“You’ve been married all this time!”

Papers appeared on the table as Ryan tried to nurse the hangover after last night’s fright. Shane took the papers for him, looking at their new insurance thing all of them had been made to sign a few days before.

“Uh?” Shane looked at Devon at the same time Ryan did, not understanding what was all about. “What?”

“You two are married!”

“What?” TJ looked at them with his eyes wide open. “You are married?”

“I mean…” Shane started, looking unsure of what was happening. “Yeah? It happened like… almost two years ago.”

“Two years?!” Both their friends said, Mark only lifted his eyebrows after taking the papers from Shane’s hands.

“Please, stop yelling…”

“You are married!” TJ accused them. “And you didn’t say anything!”

“Uh,” Shane started, Ryan buried his face on his shoulder, Shane moved his arm and hugged him to his chest, letting Ryan rest his pounding head on it. “We eloped in my hometown little before London.” 

“Before London?” Mark finally said. “Holy crap, so all those times you said not to your proposals…?”

“A joke.” Ryan murmured against Shane’s chest. The vibrations of his laugh relaxed him again.

“We were gonna make a party and repeat it for Ryan’s birthday, so you guys could be there.”

“HR told us that since we went off the rails and did what we wanted, we should keep it to ourselves for a little while, but then…”

Shane shrugged after Ryan paused. “We kinda got used to it. But also, we wanted to get away with it until the official party.” 

“We almost did.” Ryan nodded.

“You fuckers…” TJ frowned. “So those really are wedding bands.”

Ryan looked at his ring, remembering when Shane showed it to him for the first time in Disneyland, years ago. When he looked up, his husband was already nodding.

“Originally, it was an engagement ring. But we liked the design and got one for me.”

“Dammit, you two!” Devon said, sitting down again and sounding almost defeated. “You are so not getting any wedding gifts from me!”

“You are getting Walmart towels with Him and Him embroidered, that’s it.” Mark told them.

Ryan laughed at last, looking up at Shane as he was looking at him. Their friends kept discussing the news and what terrible gifts to give tem, but all Ryan could hear were the hundred I love yous in Shane’s eyes.

His husband kissed him softly, their fingers interlocking as the rest of their lives looked ahead.

[andimackismycrack]

blissful ignorance - a tyrus story

part 3/?

word count: 1178

Three days after the party, after Kira’s post, TJ still hadn’t spoken to Cyrus, in fact, he barely even said a word to Amber and their parents. He had woken up from his sporadic sleep the night before, not even sure about what time it was. He knew it was morning though, so breathing in deep, TJ pulled out his phone, finding the time to be 5:58am. Then, he did what he hadn’t had the courage to do all weekend, he finally brought himself to look at the picture again. 

He read and reread the caption, zoomed in on the picture, which was highly intrusive by the way, and finally clicked on the comment section, bracing himself for hate and mean people. Instead, what he saw was people getting mad at Kira. He scrolled until he sees a familiar name, one he hadn’t seen in awhile.

[@reedthespeed: not cool, kira. who do you think you are anyways? cause i think you’re irrelevant.]

The comment had forty-eight likes. TJ started to feel a little better, considering him and Reed weren’t that close anymore, he still had his back. He kept looking through and reading each one of the sixty-three comments, finally being able to exhale a little more with each positive and affirming word about himself and Cyrus. He had been pretty much locked up in his room, alone with his thoughts. His dark, intrusive thoughts. The ones he wished he could push away and lock in a box somewhere deep inside his mind. TJ got the energy to get out of bed and take a shower, something he hadn’t been able to do since the night he got home from Andi’s party, red cheeks, goofy smile and all. 

By the time he stepped out, it was already 6:20, the time he normally woke up on school days. He was dreading today much more than any normal monday, he didn’t think he could bare anyone looking at him differently in the halls or everyone knowing this thing about himself, this thing that he had only told his mom and Amber, besides Cyrus of course. TJ made a plan for the day, texting Cyrus that he would walk him to school, he wanted to talk.

TJ rounded the corner and eyed Cyrus’ house from a block away. He hesitantly made his way up the concrete steps and rapped on the door. Cyrus answered almost immediately, swinging his backpack around his shoulder, “Bye mom,” Cyrus told his mom he was leaving then turned his attention to the boy waiting on his porch.

“Hi,” his voice sounded shaky, “I understand if you just wanna forget it all,” Cyrus started to ramble, “I mean, you’ve been ignoring me since the Spoon and I get why. So if you think it was all a mistake then it’s fine. I’ll forget it,” Cyrus started down the porch steps, back to TJ. He walked towards the sidewalk but before he got there, he felt his hand being pulled back. TJ was for sure using some forced. He roped Cyrus back to him and caught him as he spun back around. 

Their red noses were almost touching, Cyrus could feel TJ’s warm breath reach his face, causing his cheeks to flare up to a stop sign red.

“Cyrus…”

TJ slowly leaned down, pulling his hands up, tracing Cyrus’ jawline with a gentle touch. Their eyes met as they pushed their faces toward each other. Their lips interlocked and Cyrus couldn’t think of anything except, ‘This is the most right anything has ever felt in my life,’ he hoped to god that TJ has the same thought. 

“I- Wow,” Cyrus stammered. He smiled. TJ returned it as he wrapped his arm around Cyrus’ shoulders, just like before, except he pulled him in a little closer, his grip was a little tighter. 

⁂ ⁂ ⁂

At school, nobody actually made a big deal of Cyrus and TJ, just the normal relationship things that all other middle school couples experienced .Except for Kira, she was following them around for a few days, making snide remarks and backhanded comments. Luckily, she was shut up within a few days, as the school had a spring fling assembly, right before spring break. There they played “You Need to Calm Down” by Taylor Swift and the student body, excluding Kira of course, yelled the famous lyric, “Shade never made anybody less GAY!” Needless to say, she stormed out while everyone else kept happily dancing and singing along. 

The next day after the assembly, around a week after the post, it was soon removed by Instagram since so many people at Jefferson had reported it for harassment. TJ and Cyrus were overwhelmed with support from their friends, and soon family. Cyrus had finally gotten up the courage to tell his family. He told his sister first, she was back home for a long weekend away from college during spring break. He walked into the kitchen and spotted her.

“Hey, Celina,” Cyrus’ eyes were widened and his palms were sticky from sweat.

“Yeah, Cyrus?” she ruffled her little brother’s hair with neatly painted nails on her fingers.

“I- I um have something… important to tell you, can we go upstairs?” his sister’s gentle smile and hand on his back encouraged him to actually go through with it and he exhaled. The siblings made their was to Cyrus’ room and sat on his bed, Celina leaning against the wall, holding a blue throw pillow in her clutch. 

“You know you can tell me anything, right Cy?” she said, noticing her brother’s anxious demeanor and panic in his irises. He nodded, taking a large breath in.

“I don’t know why this is so hard. I trust you so much. I’m also not ashamed, it’s just a little nerve wracking, even though I’ve done this before,” Celina reached out her arm and gave Cyrus’ fingers a small squeeze with her own, nodding at him slightly. 

“Celina,” Cyrus closed his eyes, “I’m gay,” he forced himself to squint his eyes open. 

“Cyrus,” she moved closer towards him, “I love you and I’m so glad you can be your true self finally, I know how long this must’ve been weighing on your chest. You’re safe now, here with me,” her smile was soft and gentle, like her voice. She pulled Cyrus in and enveloped him into a warm and safe hug, not caring that there were tears staining her shoulder.

Cyrus looked up from the hug, “I love you, thank you.” All his older sister did was pull him back into a bear hug until they lost their balance and fell over off the bed. They found themselves giggling on the ground, feeling the love for each other. Cyrus never thought it could be like this. Him and Celina never got along when she still lived with them. But now that she’s gone, he found a new appreciation for his sister. He was so happy it could be that easy. He had only hoped things would be the same with their parents.

[thirteen-beaxhes]

Hearts and Hotels (Part 1)

Just a one shot I wrote over the past 5 days when I had no Internet on vacation

Part 2 here!

Words: 3495

~~~~

There was a lot that Cyrus was thinking as his parents checked into their hotel. How tired the long journey had made him, how inviting the food looked, how homely the place felt. But all of it felt dull to him. He could care less about the journey, the food and the ambience. It was all irrelevant.

His friends were probably all having fun without him, he thought to himself while pulling his suitcase out of the trunk. And they probably already forgot about him.

“Cyrus, honey,” his mom said, giving him a sympathetic smile. “I know you miss your friends already, but please try and have fun.” She gave him a kiss on the head and proceeded to go into the dining hall for lunch.

Cyrus groaned, following her. He wanted to argue that he wasn't hungry, but his stomach vehemently disagreed. As he walked into the hall, he noticed the long line of dishes arranged, surrounded by the tables.  Of course, a buffet. Human interaction. Super.

Cyrus plonked himself onto a seat, pulling out his phone for a momentary distraction. Opening Instagram, he already saw stories from Buffy, Andi and Jonah from Adrenaline City, where they were trying the new rides. A pang of sadness hit Cyrus’ heart. He was grateful for his parents taking him on vacation, but he had wanted nothing more than to be with his friends. And that clearly wasn't happening. At least it's just a week. Cyrus put back his phone and looked around the hall for nothing in particular.

And that's when he saw him.

The boy looked no older that Cyrus,  although definitely taller. His hair was blonde and he was wearing a grey camouflage hoodie and blue cuffed jeans. His hair was swept back, definitely gelled. From the way he walked, he was confident and sure of himself. He was walking with a blonde-haired girl who looked about his age too, maybe a year older. They were laughing about something as they headed to the buffet spread.  

Cyrus felt his breath catch and he couldn't stop staring at the boy. No lie, he was good-looking. But something in him told him that it wasn't the only reason he was staring. Something in him told him that the boy was something more.

Just then, the boy turned Cyrus’ way and caught his eye. Embarrassed, Cyrus wanted to look away but, try as he might, he only managed a slight turn. The boy looked back at Cyrus, giving him a warm smile in return. And Cyrus swore that he felt his heart melt with that smile. He smiled back a weak smile, incapable of any coherent thought when looking at the boy.

Huh. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad week.

*

Okay, he was already wrong. It was already a disaster.

Cyrus soon learned that the spot of service he got in the dining hall was all he would get that week, as in all other parts of the hotel there was no Internet. And no WiFi. So even if he wanted to talk to his friends, he couldn't. Cyrus huffed in annoyance, throwing his phone onto the bed. It doesn't even matter, it's not like his friends were constantly contacting him. Cyrus was really trying to not think these thoughts, but it was no use. His brain provided him with a constant flow of self-hatred to keep his thoughts occupied.

Well, he might as well find a way to keep himself busy. His parents had plans to go sightseeing for 2 days, but that still left about 5 days of nothingness to be spent at the hotel of doom. Okay, not ‘doom’ but Cyrus couldn't help but feel dramatic. The boredom was already getting to him. He walked out of the room and went down the hall, finding the lobby of the hotel. To his right was the dining hall, not useful at the  moment. However, slightly to the left there was a room where there seemed to be some people. Curious, Cyrus walked ahead and opened the door. There he saw the sign ‘Common Room’.

Oh. It was that kind of hotel. It was probably a place where all guests could just sit around, read, play games or drink. Normally, that would be the last place Cyrus would be found. But desperate times called for desperate measures. Plus, they had a decent collection of books so all was not lost.

Sighing to himself, Cyrus made his way to the bookshelf, running his hand along the spines of the various books as he surveyed his choices. No matter where he was, he could somehow always find comfort in books, in their feel, smell and their words. Cyrus let his thoughts run for a while as he absent-mindedly walked along until he found a book that seemed interesting. He reached to pull it out when a hand brushed against his, reaching for the same book. Startled out of his thoughts, Cyrus stopped to look up at the person, to meet green eyes.

It was the same boy, the one from the dining hall. The one who Cyrus had been staring at until he was caught. And now he was right in front of him.

He's even cuter up close, Cyrus’ mind offered in an unhelpful manner. The boy looked equally as surprised as Cyrus, his lips quirked up in a small smile. Cyrus gulped, trying desperately to think of something to say but the fact that their hands were resting together on the book was too distracting for Cyrus to say anything. It also didn't help that his brain was just playing HE HAS FRECKLES on repeat.

“Um, I'm,” Cyrus stammered, trying to say something before his heart exploded when his mother called him from the door of the room. Cyrus blushed and mumbled an apology, and walked away quickly, making a clear effort to avoid the boys eyes.

Cyrus may have been mistaken, but he swore he heard the boy sigh quietly before he walked away.

This was getting weirder and weirder.

*

Why is thunder a thing, Cyrus thought to himself as the sound sent a shudder through his body from where he was curled up on a chair in the common room. The storm had been going on for over an hour, and it was showing no signs of letting up any time soon. With the storm, the power had also gone, plunging the hotel in darkness. Cyrus had been quietly reading in the common room after he and his parents had returned from sightseeing that day when the power went, leaving him surrounded by darkness and strangers. Thankfully, the other guests in the room with him seemed like kind people who were also slightly terrified. Within 10 minutes of the power going, some candles had been lit and quiet conversation ensued, interrupted by flashes of lightning and cracking of thunder. The candle next to Cyrus flickered faintly.

“Not a fan of storms?”

Cyrus looked away from the window in the direction of the voice and was surprised. The boy he had embarrassed himself in front of twice was standing next to him, smiling down at him. For a moment, Cyrus wanted nothing more than for the world to open up and swallow him whole before he made more of a fool of himself. But, sensing no escape, he just gave a soft emotionless laugh.

“Almost as big a fan as of human interaction.” Honestly, by now, self deprecation was no longer just a strategy, it was a lifestyle.

The boy laughed at that, and Cyrus couldn't help but feel his heart do a somersault. His laugh alone could have lit up the hotel.

“Mind if I join you?” the boy asked.

Cyrus shrugged compliantly, motioning to the seat next to him. The boy smiled and sat down, looking back at Cyrus. He noticed that in the candlelight, the boy’ eyes looked even more mysterious, and the lighting was doing wonders for his features. Not that they needed it.

They sat for a bit in silence, neither knowing what to say. After a while, the boy pointed at the book Cyrus was reading and said, “How's the book?”

Cyrus looked down and realised that it was the same book that had lead to the incident the previous morning with the boy. He blushed, relieved that the light was so low that he couldn't see it. “Its quite good. Not like any other books I've read.”

“I've wanted to read it for a while, but I didn't think anyone else would be interested in something like it. Least of all someone as attractive as you.”

Cyrus choked on air at that, trying to pass it off as a cough. The boy thought he was cute?!?! “So, are you saying that just because I'm cute, I wouldn't read this?” Cyrus replied, a  burst of confidence shining through.

The boy looked flustered, immediately trying to correct himself. “No, no! That's not what I meant! I just meant that I've never been lucky enough to meet someone as cute as you who liked something like this,” the boy said, looking down, away from Cyrus.

He's interesting when flustered, Cyrus thought smiling to himself. He didn't expect to so immediately bond with someone, especially with someone like this boy in front of him.

“I'm Cyrus, by the way,” Cyrus said, holding out his hand.

“TJ,” the boy said, shaking his hand with a smile. They stayed like that for a moment, neither wanting to draw their hand away.

Just then, another crack of thunder caused Cyrus to jump back, crawling further into his seat. TJ smiled a bit, but he also looked concerned. “Are you okay, Cyrus?”

“Yeah, yeah. Just. Thunder isn't my favourite.”

“Hey,” TJ said, making Cyrus look at him. “Don't focus on the storm then. Just, keeping talking to me.”

“About what?”

“Anything. Nothing. It doesn't matter. Just talk and I'll listen,” TJ said, leaning forward, resting his head on his hand.

“I'll bore you,” Cyrus said, turning away. He didn't want to kill TJ of boredom and nd disinterest.

“I don't know, Cyrus. I've only known you for 2 minutes, and I already find that hard to believe.”

*

“Wait, what? I'm sorry I can't believe that,” TJ said, laughing to what Cyrus said.

“I'm serious! Further proof why I should just remain wrapped in bubble wrap in bed,” Cyrus said, also smiling. Recounting his most embarrassing moments should have been just that: embarrassing. But somehow,  with TJ there just laughing along light-heartedly, Cyrus didn't feel so bad. He even forgot about his friends having fun without him. He was having a decent time too.

In the moment of silence that followed, Cyrus opened his phone to check the time. 8:19 pm. Suddenly, he heard TJ gasp.

“Hey! I recognise that girl!” TJ was pointing to Cyrus’ phone screen, which was a picture of him, Buffy, Andi and Jonah. Specifically, he was pointing to Buffy.

“Oh, that's Buffy Driscoll. She's my best friend. How do you know her?” Cyrus asked, confused.

“I don't know. Is she like, a sportsperson?”

“Yeah, she's the captain of our girls’ basketball team, the Spikes I think.”

On saying the team name, TJ's head perked up, and he looked at Cyrus in bewilderment. “From Jefferson Middle School?”

“Yeah,” Cyrus said, even more confused.

“I've seen her play! She beat our team last month,” TJ said, the last part albeit ruefully.

“Wait, how? That's not possible unless,” Cyrus started, trailing off when the realisation hit him. He looked at TJ who looked as excited and surprised as him.

“You live in Shadyside!” the two yelled simultaneously, causing conversation in the common room to stop as all the guests turned to stare at the source of the noise. But the two couldn't care less.

“Wait, which school do you go to? I've never seen you at Jefferson,” Cyrus said, sitting up in excitement. All this time, TJ has lived in the same town as him.

“I go to Salt Lake,” TJ replied, also sitting up.

“Wow! Can you imagine the odds?” TJ said after a moment.

“I know, I meet a cute guy and then find out he lives in my city. Wild,” Cyrus said, feeling slightly bold in that moment.

Now it was TJ's turn to become a blushing, fumbling mess at Cyrus’ words. He giggled and looked at his shoes, making Cyrus lose his mind.

They both laughed quietly for a while, the candle illuminating their smiles. When they went quiet, Cyrus was suddenly aware of how close he and TJ were. It should have been weird, they had only talked for the first time an hour or so ago. But it wasn't.

The silent tension between them grew, as they both looked into each other’s eyes, unsure of what to do. Just as it was reaching a head, the lights came on in the hotel to the jubilant cheers of all the guests. Cyrus and TJ jumped apart, the candle blowing out in the process.

Now with the lights back on, Cyrus didn't feel as brave and nd confident anymore. Somehow it had been easier to talk to TJ in the near darkness. He looked timidly across at TJ who was looking around the room. TJ turned and smiled at Cyrus, in that warm way that was making his knees weaker and weaker.

“The lights are back.”

“So it seems.”

“Does that mean you have to go?” TJ asked, seeming hesitant for the first time that evening.

Cyrus was surprised. It was almost as if TJ didn't want him to go? There has got to be some mistake with that. But in that moment, looking at TJ nervously pulling at his hoodie sleeve, Cyrus knew he was being genuine. He smiled at TJ and reached over, taking hold of the hand pulling his sleeve, causing the boy to look up at him.

“I'm not going anywhere.”

*

TJ: hey u up

Cyrus: why??

TJ: wats ur room no

Cyrus: tj…

Cyrus laughed as quietly as he could, trying not to wake his parents in the next room. He was sharing a suite with them, thankfully having his own room. But that didn't mean the walls were soundproof.

TJ: fine just come to the garden in 10

This is not going to end well, Cyrus thought to himself as he pulled on a hoodie and opened the room door as quietly as he could, after slipping on some shoes. But, they had been sightseeing that whole day and his parents were exhausted, so they wouldn't wake uo for anything. He crept as silently as he could down the hall, although he knew that guests roaming about at 1 am wasn't unusual for hotels. He was just a nervous person.

TJ was already at the garden, holding a torch. He smiled as soon as he saw Cyrus, waving at him excitedly.

This boy was going to be the death of him, Cyrus thought as he jogged up to him. All the lights were switched off, leaving the garden in darkness except for the torch.

“You're insane, TJ,” Cyrus whispered, unable to keep his smile hidden.

“Come on, Cy. I haven't seen you in 2 days cuz you guys keep going out!” TJ whispered back, grabbing Cyrus’ hand as he pulled him to the centre of the garden.

“So this better be worth me sneaking out then.”

“Do you trust me?”

“I saw you for the first time 5 days ago!”

“That doesn't answer my question,” TJ said, looking slyly at Cyrus.

Cyrus glared at him, but he knew the answer. It didn't matter how long ago he had met TJ. He would trust him with his life.

“I knew it,” TJ said triumphantly, pulling Cyrus down to the grass where he lay down, looking at the sky.

The sky was gorgeous. All the stars looked like glitter that had been spread over a black cloth. The moon was full, showering the garden with a soft white light. Cyrus couldn't hold back a gasp, as he lay down beside TJ. He looked over to see TJ looking at him, smiling.

“Worth it, Cyrus?”

“Yes, of course!” Cyrus exclaimed, looking back at the sky in excitement.

TJ and Cyrus spent the next half an hour just naming constellations, sharing jokes and stories and just unifying each other’s company. All the while, their hands remained clasped together between them, their fingers threaded together. Cyrus thought back to the first time he and TJ had brushed hands, that day in the common room. That time it had sent his brain in a whirl. But now, his hand holding TJ's, it felt normal, grounding even.

“God, I love the sky,” TJ whispered, looking over at Cyrus.

“Me too,” Cyrus said, looking at TJ. In doing so, their noses bumped together.

They lay like that for a while, both looking at each other, unable to look away. Cyrus was nervous. He didn't know what TJ was feeling at the moment, but Cyrus realised he wanted nothing more than to close the gap between them. But he was holding himself back. TJ will be weirder out and he will leave. That thought was what made Cyrus back away a bit.

But before he could move away, TJ reached over and cupped Cyrus’ cheek with his hand, gulping nervously.

“Is this okay?” he asked.

Cyrus couldn't bring himself to say anything, just nodding in response. He leaned into TJ’s hand.

They were so close.

TJ began leaning in slowly, and Cyrus started doing the same. Finally, after several long moments of just leaning in, Cyrus pressed their lips together, pulling TJ in for a kiss. It was short, but perfect. The moonlight and the starry sky were the perfect backdrop. But Cyrus pulled away fast, still nervous.

“What happened? Should I not have done that?” TJ asked, worried.

“What? No no! That's not a problem at all,” Cyrus said, reassuring him.

“That what is it?”

“Its just. This is really fast. I kinda just wanna, slow down? I wanna get to know you first. Is that okay?”

At that TJ smiled and laughed quietly, moving his hand from Cyrus’ cheek to hold his hand.

“Slow is wonderful, Cyrus.”

They lay there for what seemed like forever, just talking in low voices, pointing out the stars until they had to return to their rooms lest their parents find them missing.

As Cyrus watched TJ walk away from his door, he saw the boy looked back at him, his customary smile on his face.

And Cyrus thought to himself, slow will be perfect.

*

This week went by too fast, Cyrus thought to himself as he loaded his suitcase back into the trunk. He laughed a bit, remembering how he had grumbled when he first reached there a week ago. Seemed like forever ago. He hadn't even met TJ then.

TJ. They were going to have to say goodbye soon. Luckily it wouldn't be too long, after all, they lived in the same town. They'd see each other again.

They had spent the rest of the days just roaming the hotel together, playing board games in the common room, sharing ice creams by the pool and meeting in the garden every night. They were just getting to know each other first, but their feelings were there right under the surface, and they made no efforts to hide them. But they were taking things slow. And it was going great.

But Cyrus was worried. He had the nasty feeling that this relationship with TJ would fall through the moment they left the hotel. All this while, their moments had been etched into those walls. Who was to say that they wouldn't fade away when they returned? What if he no longer felt brave?

“So I guess this is goodbye?”

Cyrus turned around to see TJ standing by the door, smiling but his eyes were sad.

“For now.”

“Good thing we both live in Shadyside, huh?”

Cyrus looked away from TJ at that, wringing his hands.

“Hey, what's wrong?” TJ asked, holding Cyrus’ chin.

“Will we still be, you know, us?” Cyrus asked softly. “When we go back?"

TJ wrapped his arms around Cyrus, pulling him in for a hug. “Of course we will be. Why would you think we wouldn't?”

“What if things change?”

“Things are going to change. Doesn't mean we should be scared of it.”

“What if I'm no longer brave?” Cyrus asked, looking down.

“Then I'll still be right here. I promise.”

They stayed like that, arms wrapped around each other, until Cyrus’ dad called him to go. Reluctantly, Cyrus pulled himself away from TJ, leaning in to give him a kiss on the cheek.

“Cyrus?”

“Yes?”

“See you later, alligator.”

Cyrus laughed at the cliché choice of a goodbye, but felt his heavy heart lighten a bit.

“In a while, crocodile.”

~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm sorry this is bad lol I am not used to writing fluff

( Also hi I wanna dedicate this to sarah { @heart-eyes-kippen } mostly cuz I need to tell her that I fINALLY WROTE JUST FLUFF) (but mostly cuz I love her she is splendid and incredible and amazing and ALL OF YOU SHOULD GO READ SWINGSETS AND DANCE ROUTINES OR ELSE YOU HAVEN'T LIVED)

[funkymbtifiction]

How much can a function change the way it is manifested due to position, and when it's time to consider you're using something else? I have low feeling and I was thinking it was Fe, but it's been suggested to me a couple of times that it sounds more like Fi.

Answer a) it changes a lot. Financial debt-free multi-millionaire Dave Ramsey uses Te better than my ISTJ mom, who uses Te better than I do, and I use Te better than my INFP friend does. By that same measure, I use Ne better than my INFP does, she uses Ne better than Dave Ramsey, and Dave Ramsey uses it better than my ISTJ mom. The lower it is, the weaker it gets. By “weak,” I mean dom is “I can use this all day long and never break a sweat,” and inferior is “God, I hate doing this sort of thing :P.”

Answer b) when it becomes evident your self-analysis is wrong because the facts and evidence of your life do not support the conclusion you drew about yourself, then you reconsider.

Lastly, well, what’s your evidence for Te/Fi vs TiFe? Do you know and can you describe to yourself / others what the difference is in the thinking functions? Can you tell me / yourself how each type acts under emotional stress? What is your evidence for being a J vs a P type? Because you’re not just talking about “well, I thought I was IXTJ, but I am actually an IXFJ,” you are talking about “I thought I was TP and I am TJ.” BIG DIFFERENCE. Everything changes. Your entire cognitive stack. Don’t isolate a function and go, “Hmm... maybe I picked the wrong one.” Look at the overall functional stack, the behaviors and mental processes associated with it, and compare it to real life. Not how you “think” you are -- but how you actually ARE. How you literally react given new information, thrown off course, confronted with a problem.

An STP does not react like an NTJ. Nor does an STJ react like an NTP.

Ti is hacking software that gives you access to any computer in the world, Te is the contract that lays out the bottom line.

Typically, whichever one you are, you’re going to find the other one annoying.

My Te gets annoyed by a Ti’s need to ask “Where did it start tho?”

As a typist, I reach a certain point where I wind up saying, “How you got this way is irrelevant to figuring out your functions / Enneagram type. None of that matters if all you want to do is know yourself, so you can fix yourself. You don’t need your entire childhood history to ‘make sense,’ you just need evidence of your thought process as an adult.” make sense to me.”

- ENFP Mod

[captainkippen]

tyrus #40 for kissing prompts please?? tysm

SEND ME FIC PROMPTS

40. A gentle kiss that quickly descends into passion, with little regard for what’s going on around them.

The realisation that he’s in love with Cyrus hits TJ like a truck going ninety down the highway. It comes out of nowhere… well, not totally, it’s been building for a while even if he hasn’t noticed it, and it knocks him on his hypothetical butt as a result. They’re seventeen and Cyrus has been behaving suspiciously all week; he’s not very good at lying and he’s even more terrible at hiding the secretive smiles he exchanges with their friends. No matter how hard he grills them, none of the others will tell TJ what he’s up to. This is annoying for a number of reasons but mostly because the whole group is usually pretty bad at keeping secrets, however for some reason they’ve unanimously decided to keep a lid on it tighter than a CIA case file. TJ is a naturally curious person and by the time the weekend rolls around he’s become irritable and grouchy, which only seems to amuse Cyrus further.

On Saturday night he appears at the front door of the Kippen household dressed in nice jeans and a sweater. Even as he pulls him out of the house he refuses to tell TJ where they’re going, just makes him get into the car and ignores the stream of questions getting fired at him. TJ folds his arms and tries to sulk about it, but this is easier said than done in the face of an excited Cyrus. His leg jumps anxiously and he taps his fingers against the steering wheel as he drives, chattering about a litany of irrelevant topics that TJ can’t help but share his opinion on. He’s so good at distracting him that by the time they park he’s almost forgotten that he’s meant to be annoyed.

They get out of the car and the sound of their slamming doors echoes through the darkness. They’re parked at the edge of the forest just outside of town. TJ frowns. This is odd. By the edge of the trees, there’s a rickety picnic table covered in glass lanterns that glow like a beacon in the night.

“This way,” Cyrus smiles, picking up one of the lanterns. TJ follows with tentative footsteps. There are a million questions racing around his mind right now but he doubts Cyrus will answer any of them if the past week is anything to go on. They head towards the treeline and he realises suddenly that there’s a path cutting through the trees ahead of them and it’s lit up by hanging lanterns and strings of fairy lights slung across tree branches. The overall effect it gives is that of an enchanted forest right out of an old story - he half expects a collection of curious woodland creatures to appear and settle around Cyrus as if he were a Disney princess.

“Where are we going?” He asks, unable to hold it in any longer.

“Just be patient,” Cyrus replies, flapping a careful hand at him to wave off the question and then holding it out for TJ to take when he sighs. They interlock their fingers and wander down the winding slope of the path. “We’re almost there.”

They keep going for another few minutes and then Cyrus slows to a complete stop and turns to look at TJ with a grin. “Okay, close your eyes.”

“Why?”

“Because! It’s a surprise!”

“Is this how I die?”

“Just shut up and do as your told.”

He sighs again, louder this time, but does as ordered. Cyrus starts walking again, tugging at his hand and guiding him with care over the uneven ground. They must hit a break in the trees because the open air on his cheeks feels stronger now and he can hear… lapping water? Where the hell are they?

“Okay, you can open them.”

Stunned is a weak word to use in order to describe how TJ feels when he takes in the sight before them. They’re at the edge of a small lake, surrounded by trees, and before them stretches out a crooked little jetty. Tied next to it bobs a little sailboat. Like the trees, it is lit up with fairy lights and lanterns. It looks like something out of a painting. Or a dream. TJ can feel himself smiling without meaning to.

“What is all this?”

“This,” Cyrus stretches his arms out to gesture to all of it with pride, “is our date for tonight.”

“You did all this for a date?” TJ is floored. They’ve been together for three years now. He and Cyrus go on a lot of dates, in fact, he’s pretty sure they’ve gone on every type imaginable at this point, but this is… something else. This is special. They’ve never put this much effort into their dates before; they’ve always just been content to be together. Nothing else was needed.

Cyrus just gives him a one-shouldered shrug and starts pushing him towards the jetty. “The others helped me, but yes.”

“Oh, so that’s why all of you were being so annoying all week!” He teases.

“You got so grumpy I thought you were going to kill us before we even got here.”

TJ resists for a moment and Cyrus stops pushing. He turns so they’re looking at one another properly. Cyrus is chewing on his lip and despite the confident amusement of his words, his eyes look nervous. TJ melts.

“You didn’t have to do all of this.”

“I know. I just wanted to do something nice for you. You’re always doing stuff for me so… yeah.”

There’s a moment of heavy quiet and dopey smiles before Cyrus rolls his eyes and begins shoving him towards the boat again.

*

Never in his life would TJ have ever thought he’d be lucky enough to spend a Saturday night snuggled in a pile of cushions and blankets on the floor of a sailboat watching Netflix with the most amazing boy he’d ever met. It was made even more incredible by the way the stars twinkled brightly above them and the breeze flittered across the water’s surface like invisible sprites kicking at it. It was so secluded and peaceful. Their own little bubble of romance.

That’s when it hits him.

He is utterly and completely bone-deep in love with Cyrus Goodman.

It feels like it should have been the most obvious thing in the world but it really does take him by surprise. Obviously, he had known he cared for Cyrus more than he cared for just about anyone. It was clear to everyone, including himself, that they were going to be together a very long time. In fact, he couldn’t picture a future without Cyrus at this point. However, for some reason, it hadn’t occurred to him to put the word ‘love’ to that feeling until listening to Cyrus giggle at a stupid joke on The Office and thinking ‘wow, I love that laugh’.

‘Wow, I love him.’

They tell each other everything, even the most terrifying things, and they have a promise not to hold anything back. TJ thinks this is probably the kind of thing he should let his boyfriend know about, especially since it does indeed concern him. He clears his throat.

“Cy?”

Cyrus turns to him with a smile. His big brown eyes are soft and happy - as cheesy as it sounds, there’s a moment where TJ thinks he can see his future in them.

“I have to tell you something.”

The seriousness of his tone makes Cyrus’ brow crease in concern. “Everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine, it’s just…” he takes a deep breath. “I love you. I just wanted to tell you that.”

Cyrus stares at him for a moment, unblinking. TJ didn’t consider how scary this would be.

“You don’t have to say it back,” he says quickly. “I mean, if you’re not-”

He’s cut off by Cyrus’ lips on his. It’s a chaste kiss, the gentle goodnight kind exchanged in front of front doors at the end of dates, but as TJ goes to pull away Cyrus tangles a hand in the front of his shirt and reels him back in. In a flash, it goes from small and sweet to deep and intoxicating. They’ve kissed a lot in the time they’ve been together and in TJ’s opinion they’re pretty damn good at it, but this is on another level entirely. He cups Cyrus’ face and pushes back, deepening it further. It’s electric. It tastes something like euphoria, but maybe that’s just the chocolate they were eating earlier.

When they finally break apart, leaning their foreheads together and breathing heavily, Cyrus beams up at him. “I love you too,” he says. “So much. I love you so much, TJ.”

He might not have expected it, but falling in love with Cyrus Goodman is the best thing that’s ever happened to him. And definitely knows it.

[sapphosclown]

Jealous - a tyrus oneshot

welcome to my first one shot ever about everyone’s favorite disaster gays! along with my first actual post on tumblr i’m very afraid but it’s fine. i wrote this in my notes because i was bored and this concept kept popping into my head and now it’s here. ik it’s not anything special and honestly just not very good in general but the ending is kinda precious so 👀🤷‍♀️ anyways sorry for any grammatical errors i’m trying my best. ok i’m done, i apologize in advance but i hope you like it? maybe?

~~~~~~

~~~~~~

TJ and Cyrus have been together for a couple months now. They had dated all throughout summer and it was going really well so far.

For the first few weeks of their relationship they decided to keep it a secret, not really because either of them was ashamed of the other, mostly just to see where it went before they told everyone. However, after a couple weeks their friends found out and gave them nothing but their approval.

But summer is drawing to an end, with only a few days before the good hair crew and all their friends start their freshman year of high school.

TJ and Cyrus were curled up together on his couch watching some nature documentary that Cyrus was excited about. TJ didn’t care much for it but he was content considering how happy it made his boyfriend.

“Nature is crazy man.” TJ says, bewildered as the tv shows continues on about random animal facts.

“Crazy, but amazing” Cyrus adds.

“Hey, can I talk to you about something?” TJ says as he pauses the film.

Cyrus picks his head off of TJ’s chest, “Yeah, what’s up?” he says, sounding unsure of whether or not he should be concerned.

“It’s nothing, really, I just-“ TJ scratches the back of his neck as he tries to find the words he’s looking for.

“School is starting, in a couple days, and this summer has been better than I ever could have asked for-“

“Are you breaking up with me?” Cyrus cuts him off, fear causing his voice to rise in pitch.

“What? no, no, not at all. No, it’s just-“ TJ turns towards cyrus and holds his hands.

“I’m kind of... scared...” he says the last word like it’s poisonous.

Cyrus’ eyes soften as he grows a little confused. “Scared? What are you scared of?” he asks carefully.

TJ drops his eyes to their hands trying to steady himself.

“I don’t know. Of what other people will think? I mean, I know people have seen us together all summer... But at school, it’s like, we know all of those people. It’s not just strangers with irrelevant opinions. These are our classmates, we have to see them everyday and I just don’t know how they’ll react or if-“

TJ started getting flustered with all these what if thought. Cyrus let go of one of his hands and brought it up to the other boys chin, tilting his head up to meet his eyes. TJ was on the brink of tears, overwhelmed by all of his questions and thoughts.

“TJ,” Cyrus said softly. “It’s going to be okay. We have each other, no matter what other people say about us.” TJ begins to smile as he wipes his eyes before the tears fall onto his cheeks.

“Not only that, we have Buffy.” Cyrus continues, his voice louder and more comical. TJ laughs with him and shakes his head.

“Seriously, Teej. We’re gonna be fine.” Cyrus says as he squeezes his boyfriends hand.

“You’re the best boyfriend I could have asked for literally ever.” TJ says as he pulls cyrus back to their previous resting position.

“I know.” Cyrus joked as he snuggled into his chest.

———

“Is it too late to go home?” Cyrus asks as he stood outside his new school alongside Buffy, TJ, Marty, and Jonah.

“Unfortunately.” Jonah mutters.

“Oh come on guys, you’re going to be fine.” Amber says as she walks up to them.

“If by “fine” you mean get horribly lost on the way to class then trampled by upperclassmen, then yeah, it’s gonna go great.” Cyrus retorted.

Amber shook her head with a laugh, “Come on.”

The six of them walk through the glass doors into the cafeteria where students from each grades are mingling with each other. The contrast between the petrified freshman and the the tired seniors was quite the amusing sight.

The group somehow found some empty seats, but Marty, Buffy and Amber remained standing as there wasn’t quite enough room for everyone. The six of them sat there silently for a while until Buffy broke the silence.

“This is going well.” She commented, talking slightly louder than normal to be heard over the buzz of the cafeteria.

After a couple minutes the first warning bell rang, indicating class was starting soon. Marty walked Buffy to her first class as Jonah asked Amber where he was going. Leaving TJ and Cyrus alone.

“We should probably get to class.” Cyrus had to yell to be heard.

“Not yet, I have something for you.” TJ yelled back.

Cyrus sat back down as TJ pulled a chocolate chocolate chip muffin out of his back pack. It was in a ziplock bag and, somehow, still mostly in tact.

“You didn’t.” Cyrus gasped, being able to talk in his regular voice since most of the commotion had calmed down.

“I just figured you’d be nervous today and when you get nervous sometimes you forget to eat so I thought a ‘good luck on your first day’ muffin wasn’t a bad idea.” TJ rambled on softly

Cyrus looked down at the muffin and then back up to TJ. “Thank you.” He said as they smiled at each other.

“Come on, my first class is in the same hallway as yours, let me walk you there.” TJ insists, standing up and holding his hand out. Cyrus takes it and they don’t let go until they arrive at cyrus’ first class.

———

Oh boy. Cyrus takes a step into his first high school class and is immediately overwhelmed. It’s english. everyone is already seated with their friends and talking amongst themselves. Cyrus didn’t know anyone. He managed to find his way to an empty seat in the back over by the window. It wasn’t his ideal spot but all his first choices were otherwise occupied.

“Is this seat taken?” A voice beside cyrus asks. Cyrus knew this voice but he couldn’t quite tell from where. He was just about to place it when he craned his neck and saw none other than Reed. The very same Reed that TJ used to be friends with until a certain incident.

Cyrus was in shock and slightly afraid but he didn’t know what else to do other than mindlessly gesture to the empty seat next to him. He suddenly grew uncomfortable in his chair and tried to shift his body closer towards the window, as if Reeds aura was repelling him somehow. Reed felt the tension too and turned towards Cyrus.

“Listen man, about the gun thing, I-”

“I wasn’t the one who told.” Cyrus interjected rather panicked. “I was going to, but someone else already had and I just-”

“I know.” Reed cut him off. “I know TJ told and I don’t blame him. Or you. I never should have brought the gun in the first place. That was so stupid and I just want to say I’m sorry. I understand if you don’t forgive me but if we’re gonna be in the same class all year I just thought I’d clear the air.”

Cyrus didn’t think he could get anymore confused and overwhelmed but here he was, the only thing in his mind was tv static as he searched for literally any response that wasn’t sitting there with his mouth hanging slightly open.

His brain finally got some satellite signal and he managed to sputter out, “I appreciate your apology, but I don’t know if I can forgive you.”

“That’s ok.” Reed answered. “I’ll have to earn your trust again, and I really hope I can. TJ really set a good impression for you and I must say, you definitely lived up to it.” He continued.

And maybe it was Cyrus’s imagination making things up from lack of sleep or nerves or something, but he swears he saw Reed look him up and down. It was .5 seconds so who really knows but something about the way he said that sentence,

“You definitely lived up to it.”

Cyrus thought maybe he hadn’t imagined it. Whatever happened, Cyrus began to feel himself blush and he had no clue why. It must be the way TJ hyped him up before they were even a thing. That was definitely it. Right?

Before he could think about it too much more he heard some clapping coming from a petite woman walking through the doorway.

“Hello class! My name is Mrs. Quick and I am your english 9 teacher! Welcome to high school!”

For the next 45 minutes he let his train of thought drive off away into the distance as he focused on everyone’s names. Even though he didn’t really care, he’d much rather hear about his classmates summers than think about no-longer-threatening-gun-guy-Reed.

One things for sure, this year was going to be a wild ride.

———

TJ sat in his 7th period class fidgeting with his pencil and vigorously shaking his leg as he stared at the clock above the door.

2 minutes.

His head was spinning.

1 minute.

His pencil tapped the desk rapidly

The bell rung.

It was finally lunch time.

TJ jumped out of his seat and threw his bag over his shoulder and practically ran out the door. He wasn’t having a bad day or anything, he just really missed Cyrus.

Lunch is the only class he and TJ have together all of the first semester and based on how his day had been going so far, he wasn’t sure if he’d make it.

As he navigated the overcrowded hallways to the cafeteria he started to become really giddy at the thought of seeing his boyfriend. He found an empty table in the lunch room and sat down. Slowly the rest of their friends made their way to the table. How they all managed to get the same lunch period was honestly rather unbelievable. The bell rung again, indicating the start of the period and Cyrus still wasn’t anywhere to be seen.

TJ started to get worried. Where could he be? Did he get lost? Is he already in line? He pulled out his phone and begun texting Cyrus.

“I’m gonna go get some food.” TJ said as he stood up. Hopefully he’d see Cyrus in line or something.

———

Holy shit were the lines long. he just wanted to get some pizza, apparently 1200 other kids had the same idea (it’s only like 12 kids but still). TJ, getting irritable, checked his phone again to see if Cyrus had responded. He hadn’t. He’s probably just at the table talking with their friends. Right?

TJ finally got his food and was making his way back to the table when he realized cyrus still wasn’t there. Now he was really worried.

“Have you guys seen Cyrus?” TJ asked the rest of the group, not bothering to sit down.

“No, actually. Do you want me to text him?” Buffy replied.

“No, he’s probably just at his locker, I’ll go get him.” TJ said as he plastered a fake smile over his worry.

He ran out into the empty halls in search of his boyfriend. First stop, Cyrus’ locker.

———

Surely enough, there he was. Trying to open the lock. TJ couldn’t help but smile. He was so relieved. Not just that Cyrus was ok, but just looking at him made his day ten times better. He was about to make his way over when a guys voice came out of nowhere.

“Need some help?” It laughed. TJ and Cyrus both turned to see who it belonged to (Cyrus still oblivious to TJ’s presence).

It was Reed. TJ was dumbfounded. He hadn’t talked to Reed since the gun incident. He hadn’t even thought about him since he told the police about the situation. And now here he was offering TJ’s boyfriend locker help.

Reed.

Offering Cyrus,

TJ’s boyfriend.

Help.

With opening his locker.

As if it couldn’t get crazier Cyrus laughed and said “stupid locks don’t work.” And Reed laughed. Reed was laughing at TJ’s boyfriend. Scratch that, Reed was laughing with TJ’s boyfriend. Frankly, TJ wasn’t sure which one was worse.

“Is that even the right locker?” Reed suggested.

Cyrus looked up at the locker number and just sighed. “Stupid brain doesn’t work apparently.” Cyrus laughed nervously.

“You’re not stupid. It happens.” Reed says, approaching Cyrus. Approaching TJ’s boyfriend.

TJ watched as Cyrus opened the correct locker with ease as Reed leaned against the locker that had previously caused the brunette so much trouble.

TJ was absolutely flabbergasted. What the hell was going on? Does cyrus remember what happened that day? Why did they start talking again? When did they start talking again? More importantly, when did they start talking like that?

TJ suddenly realized that Reed was really close to Cyrus’ face. Like. Really close. To TJ’s boyfriends face. And he could see from right there behind the corner that Cyrus was uncomfortable, but he doesn’t know how to escape.

TJ’s shock fades to anger. As he steps out into view, he plasters on the fakest smile ever as he struts right up to Cyrus.

“Hey there you are!” He says in an overly chipper voice. TJ turns Cyrus around to face him and kisses him right on the cheek. Right there in the hallway with Reed still standing 3 feet away. TJ Kippen kisses his boyfriends cheek and for a full five seconds before finally glaring daggers looking at Reed.

“Oh, Reed. I didn’t see you there.” TJ smiles so big, it’s honestly kind of scary. Cyrus’ whole face is bright red as he stares at tj, beyond confused.

“TJ! I’ve been meaning to talk to you man. Look, about the whole gun thing last year-“ Reed starts but is quickly interrupted by TJ.

“Don’t bother.” TJ says, smile gone, suddenly reverted back to scary basketball guy.

“C’mon Cy, our friends are waiting for us.” TJ says, still staring holes into Reeds head as he grabs his boyfriends hand and they walk away.

After they turn the corner Cyrus finally remembers how to talk. “I- what was that?” He asked, still not over what just happened.

“You didn’t show up for lunch, I just came over to make sure you were okay.” TJ replied. “Good thing too.” he added quietly. Cyrus stopped causing TJ to stop as well and face him. Cyrus’ mouth was hanging open and eventually curled up into a smile.

“Thelonious Jagger Kippen, were you jealous just now?” Cyrus teased as he poked his boyfriends stomach.

“What? No...” TJ scoffed as he looked up at the ceiling. “...maybe...” he mumbled, his eyes falling to the ground.

Cyrus laughed as a smile grew on TJ’s face.

“Stoopp!” TJ chuckled as his cheeks turned red with embarrassment. He softly pushed Cyrus and covered his face with both of his hands. Cyrus’ laughter turned into soft giggles as he walked up to TJ and pulled the hands off the taller boys face.

“What do you have to be jealous of when you’re the only person I want to do this with.” Cyrus placed his own hand on TJ’s face and closed the distance between their faces with a soft kiss. After a couple seconds they broke apart, both Cyrus and TJ letting out small laughs as they gazed into each others eyes.

“I guess I have nothing to worry about huh.” TJ joked with their foreheads still pressed together.

“I guess not.” Cyrus joked back. He stepped back, holding out his hand for TJ to take. And he did.

They began walking away, Cyrus placing his head on TJ’s shoulder for a couple seconds.

“That kiss on the cheek was so extra I think you could’ve made your point without that.” Cyrus joked loudly as he and TJ walked back to the cafeteria. TJ laughed back, “Ok listen-”

———

“It’s about time! Lunch is almost over!” Buffy exclaims as TJ and Cyrus approach the table, hand in hand. “Where have you been?”

“Locker jam. I’ll tell you about it later.” Cyrus says nonchalantly as the two of them sit down.

“Why not just tell us now-“ Buffy starts but soon catches on with some help from Cyrus’ I have tea to spill but only for you and Andi so shut up look.

Buffy raises her eyebrows before simply stating, “never mind.”

~~~~~~

~~~~~~

and that’s the story of tyrus’ first kiss ft. jealous!TJ thank you and goodnight.

(also sorry it was so long i was gonna split it up but decided it wasn’t worth it lol)

[pendrcgn]

Achromatic- Ambi- Part 4:

The next day:

-Time Jump to Monday at school-

“So, you guys are soulmates huh?”

“Yep!”

“This just in! I’m Cyrus Goodman and I’m still a loner.”

“Breaking news! This is TJ Kippen otherwise known as Toblerone Jesus, and I can confirm that Papyrus Gooseman is indeed a loner.”

“You know, you seem pretty confident for a guys whose name could be anything we want.”

“Like what?”

“Taco juice.”

“Timmothy Jimmothy.”

“Toasted jelly.”

“Tangerine jazz.”

“Thanos Jerusalem.”

“Tinkle jinkle.”

“Tortilla Junior.”

“OKAY I GET IT!”

“Seriously I wish I had a soulmate.”

“Cyrus you’ll find a soulmate.”

“No I won’t! My shape.. It’s rare.”

“Cyrus.... I’m sure he’s out there somewhere.”

“Woah, he’s?”

“Real smooth Andi.”

“Yeah.. He’s..”

“Oh.”

“TJ.. Please don’t tell me you’re homopho-“

“I’m looking for my he too.”

Cyrus broke out into a wide smile.

“Oh. Cool.”

“So uhh what’s your sha-“

“I hate my shape.”

“It can’t be that bad.”

“It’s not the shape that I hate it’s what it represents.”

“TJ WHAT are you talking about.”

The bell rang.

“I have class I’ll see you guys later.”

TJ left with an empty feeling in his heart.

“Okay, so what was that about?”

“What does he mean by it’s what it represents.”

“I don’t know but Cyrus you have to talk to him.”

“Why me you’re his sister.”

“WAIT YOU KNOW?”

“Yeah he told me.”

“When I told Andi she threw her head into her locker and said she needed time in the void.”

“When TJ told me I threw myself out the nearest window and said: shiva here I come.”

“OH MY GOD CYRUS WHAT!”

“Cyrus you idiot!”

“I know he could’ve really hurt himself!”

“Oh yeah that’s what I was gonna say....”

“Andi..??”

“Ugh, I was going to say that instead of shiva here I come he should’ve said: we going down streaks.”

“ANDI!”

“Oh so you’re gonna come for me about being a twitter local when in serious times of helping a dear friend- instead of trying to figure out how to help them you try to figure out and I quote: who is the het cure.”

“I was thinking about it actually and I’m almost positive it’s Jonah .”

“uH WE-“

���Why is she right.”

“SJKSBD CYRUS!”

“All three of us liked Jonah and look at how that turned out.”

“Oh my god he’s right.”

“JONAH IS THE HET CURE.”

Jonah happened to be walking by as this outburst was spoken into existence.

“IM THE WHAT? HET? IS THAT A SAUCE?”

“Jonah you’re not a sauce. You can’t be what you don’t have.”

Cyrus whispered under his breath.

“He doesn’t have the ability to know what’s going on either.”

Andi replied by whispering as well.

“Cyrus, shut the hell up neither do you.”

“Shut up.”

“I totally have sauce!”

“Jonah you’re wearing a Jojo Siwa shirt.”

“Because I’m Jojo.”

“What?”

“Cyrus! He always calls me different things! Jonah babonah, Jollammajamma, JB, I’m pretty sure he’s called me Jojo.”

“Cyrus, have you?”

“I have.”

“Whatever het.”

“I still don’t know what that means!”

“And that’s why you’re a het. Now go.”

“What why?”

“Because you’re irrelevant to our situation!”

“Damn ma is it that serious?”

“Okay I’m sorry I’m just stressed but seriously we need to figure something important out and you’re distracting us.”

“Alright alright I’m going, I’m going.”

“Okay, SO what do you think he meant by ‘what it represents?’”

“Not sure. Cyrus what do you think?”

“Maybe it’s his feelings. Maybe it’s how he feels about the shape. Maybe the shape manifests itself as certain feelings and dreams and hopes he has. Maybe the shape is stopping him from reaching any of those dreams and hopes. Maybe he feels helpless and lonely and like his hopes and dreams are shattered. Maybe that’s what the shape represents; his lost soul. Every time he looks at his shape it’s a reminder of his lost soul. Maybe he’s tried to reach his hopes and dreams but fails every time, and there’s nothing he can do about it. There’s no way he can stop it. He can feel happy and loved, but when he looks at his shape his world comes crashing down all over again. There’s no way to stop him from feeling helpless. No way to stop him from feeling like there’s no way out; out from the harsh reality of love. A love he’ll never find. He’s failed to find love. That failure is marked on his skin forever and there’s nothing he can do about it.”

“Wow, uhh okay.”

“Cyrus.... Are you.. Okay? Is that really how you feel about your shape? That it’s a mark of failure?”

“You will find your soulmate I promise.”

“And what if I don’t? My eyes-“

Cyrus let out a breathe he didn’t realize he was holding.

“My eyes will be grey forever.”

“Well what is your shape?”

“Andi, I- I can’t.”

“Cyrus.. I’m sorry Amber. I have to.”

“Have to what.”

Andi sighed.

“Cyrus.... I know who your soulmate is. Or at least I think I do. I don’t know his shape but I’m really sure it’s him.”

“Wait what? Who is it!”

“TJ.”

“That can’t be.”

“It is!”

“You said so yourself you don’t know his shape!”

“Well Amber?”

“TJ can tell you his shape himself.”

“Amber!”

“Talk to him! Please, just talk to him.”

“Why? He’s not my soulmate!”

“Why do you keep saying that!”

“Because!”

“Because WHAT CYRUS?!”

“Because WHAT!”

Amber stood back as Andi got closer to Cyrus.

“Huh!? WHAT? Because you set yourself up for disappointment before something even happens? You always do! You think it’s better to set low expectations than to accept reality! Well guess what Cyrus! This IS reality! Do you really think that love is hard to find? Just because your shape is rare? Really? My shape is rare and I found Amber! You know why? Because I actually went out and made an effort for myself instead of feeling sorry for myself like a fucking loser! Alright? That’s what you are! A loser! You’re pathetic! There’s someone out there who is probably your soulmate and you decide to just sit here and wallow in self pity instead of actually doing something for yourself? Do you understand how stupid that is? He could be your soulmate for god’s sake! Are you seriously just going to sit there and watch him? So tell me Cyrus. What’s your excuse? Why isn’t he your soulmate? HUH? TELL ME!”

Cyrus burst into tears and buried his head in his knees. He let out a few words but every other word he choked on.

“TJ he.. I don’t think- he’s my- he’s my soulmate.”

“WHY CYRUS WHY?”

“Because.” Cyrus said “because” as if the air in his lungs was being suppressed.

“BECAUSE. WHAT.”

“BECAUSE HE COULD NEVER LOVE ME.”

Andi softened.

“Cyrus.... Of course he does.”

“No, he.. Already-“ Cyrus choked on his words, trying to let the horrors he was about to speak, escape his lungs.

“He already has- a soulmate.” Cyrus winced at the words he breathlessly spoke.

“He doesn’t have a soulmate?”

“Yes, he does he told me himself.”

“Would you excuse us?”

Amber pulled Andi aside.

“What the hell is TJ doing? He damn well doesn’t have a soulmate!”

“Why would he-“

“I don’t know. You stall I’ll text TJ.”

“Got it.”

“Hey wait. Should we ask Cyrus about his shape?”

“I mean it might be the same..”

“Exactly. So what I’m thinking is I say TJ’s shape at the same time Cyrus says his.”

“But what if Cyrus doesn’t tell us?”

“You see him right now, right? He’ll tell us.”

“I hope this works.”

Andi walked back.

“Andi what’s going on?”

“She needs to text her mom.”

“Oh, okay.”

Amber:

Amber walked over.

“Cyrus, what’s your shape.”

“You guys I-“

“We know we know it’s rare but come on Cyrus.”

“Fine it’s....”

Amber and Andi looked at each other anxiously nodding in agreement as they took a deep breathe in harmony.

Amber and Cyrus: “A heart.”

“Amber.. How did you know?”

✨Stan List✨: @tyrusismyreligion @tartykipp @all-about-the-mack @swingsetsandmuffins @annielovestyrus @judgemental-llama @softambi @tj-is-tgay @gal4xyfalls @luzawithoutu

[seriestrash]

12 days of  Tyrus - Chapter Six

|| 1 || 2 || 3 || 4 || 5 || 

Summary: The cold season is upon them and Cyrus finds himself wishing for a lot this festive season, many of those wishes happen to involve TJ.

Read on ao3

Chapter Six: Tick Tock

Word Count: 5547

Cyrus Goodman was not a risk taker and the rejection from TJ reminded him why that was. Cyrus had no idea what his confession would do to their friendship but at least Cyrus found comfort in his belief that TJ wouldn’t tell anyone else about what he shared. Although the rejection and possibility of losing a friend was devastating, Cyrus knew deep down that eventually —some time in the distant future— he’d look back on this and be proud of himself for owning his feelings. Although Cyrus believed he might one day look back and realise it made him stronger, today —the morning after his confession— Cyrus was ready to feel sorry for himself.

After a broken nights sleep, Cyrus resigns to the fact that he would be up before the sun was. Cyrus creeps out of bed where TJ still sleeps and tiptoes past Jonah who is also still snoozing in the single bed beside them. Cyrus continues his escape quietly and goes across the hall. Cyrus gently knocks on the girls door and after he hears some sleepy grumbles he pokes his head through the door and asks if he can come in.

“Cyrus?” Buffy sleepily props up her head. Andi lay next to her in the double bed with a tired and confused expression.

“The sun isn’t even up yet.” Andi grumbles.

“I need to talk to you guys.” Cyrus lets himself in.

“Talk to Buffy.” Andi rolls over and cradles her pillow.

Cyrus ignores Andi’s lethargic behaviour and disturbs her further by climbing on the bed and wedging himself between his two best friends. “I spoke to TJ.” Cyrus says with an exhale.

“You did?” Buffy’s interest spikes and this seems to wake her up. “What did you say?”

“TJ?” Andi gives in and sits herself up too. “Am I missing something?”

“I told TJ that I like him.” Cyrus says quickly.

“You did?” Buffy and Andi say in unison, both sporting jaw dropped expressions.  

“You were the one that encouraged me to.” Cyrus sends Buffy a frantic look.

“I know, I’m just surprised.” Buffy is in shock. “What did he say?”

“Hang on a second.” Andi interjects. “You like TJ?”

“Yes.” Cyrus nods.

“Since when?” Andi questions.

“I don’t know when.” Cyrus frowns.

“I thought you liked Jonah?” Andi is confused. “Do you like them both?”

“No, his crush on Jonah went away.” Buffy answers.

“It did?” Andi asks.

“Before summer.” Cyrus states.

“And you knew?” Andi turns to Buffy.  “I mean you knowing the TJ thing isn’t surprising, you all hang out together more than I do but why didn’t you tell me about Jonah? Why don’t you guys tell me anything anymore?”

“Andi, focus?” Buffy sends her a look.

“Right.” Andi looks disappointed, “Not about me…”

“What did TJ say?” Buffy asks, “No wait! Start from the beginning. I left the room and then what?”

Cyrus gives Buffy a look begging for her to calm down. “You left, TJ came out to get a drink of water, I cornered him and told him I liked him.” 

“And?” Buffy is eager for more details. 

“He doesn’t feel the same way and I’m never leaving this room.” Cyrus wriggles down further under the covers. 

“He said that?” Buffy furrows her brows. “He said ‘I don’t feel the same way’?” 

“Not exactly...” Cyrus mumbles. 

“It kind of feels like you’re leaving out part of the story?” Andi lightly accuses.

“I might have redacted a few unnecessary facts…” Cyrus shrugs.

“Cyrus!” Both Andi and Buffy grip onto either of his arms.

“Tell us everything.” Buffy demands.

“I can’t.” Cyrus shakes his head.

“Why not?” Andi questions.

“Because some things aren't mine to share.”

“But did TJ explicitly ask you not to tell us?” Buffy asks. “It doesn't count unless he asked.”

“It’s one of those unspoken things where you just know they don’t want you to talk about it.” Cyrus pouts over their constant pushing. 

“Kind of like when I told you that Bex wasn’t really my sister?” Andi coaxes her head.

“My mom spread that around, not me!” Cyrus defends.

Andi shakes her head with a smile, “You don’t have to tell us.” 

“Yes he does!” Buffy laughs. 

“No he doesn’t!” Cyrus says. “I told you it’s irrelevant anyway.”

“It doesn’t make sense, I thought you were acting weird because you like TJ but now there’s some secret information about him that you can’t share?” Buffy tries to make sense of it. “What happened between you guys-” 

“Buffy stop.” Cyrus is assertive. “That has nothing to do with this.” Cyrus lies, “That was about TJ’s family and out of respect I don’t want to discuss it with you.” 

“Okay, sorry.” Buffy apologises for being invasive. 

“So,” Andi says after the mood in the room was off, “What are we going to do now?” 

“I already told you, I’m never leaving this room.” Cyrus pouts. 

“Then neither will we.” Buffy says with a smile and Andi mimics it, they both wriggle down beside Cyrus offering comforting cuddles. 

Although it was a nice sentiment that they’d spend all day in the room avoiding Cyrus’ problems, the three did however need to surface eventually when the grumbles of their stomachs were too obnoxiously loud to ignore. They brave the kitchen and learn that TJ and Jonah had already head out for the day with Jared thus making the original good hair crew members more comfortable about exiting the girls room. 

After Cyrus’ parents leave, the three childhood best friends have the cabin to theirselves and decide to spend the day inside. A day in their pyjamas, eating junk food and watching movies unfolds. Whilst the relaxing day wasn’t enough to make Cyrus forget about his troubles it was enough to make him not completely wallow in them all day. 

It wasn’t until Jonah, TJ and Jared return from skiing that Cyrus sinks back into his mopey mood. TJ doesn’t say anything when he arrives, he just gives the three a hard to read look before retreating to the bathroom to shower. 

“That makes me so mad.” Buffy lets out a groan. 

“That he takes his personal hygiene seriously?” Andi jokes. 

“I’m fully aware TJ can be a jerk but I never expected him to be a jerk about this.” Buffy folds her arms. “I might have been wrong about his feelings but I always thought TJ would be supportive of who Cyrus likes.” 

Cyrus hangs his head back in frustration. It was hard not sharing all of the information with his friends. Right now Buffy believes TJ has pulled away because Cyrus likes him when in actuality there was a kiss that sparked that distance first. Although the gaps in the story were frustrating, Cyrus took what he could get as even the sketchy story he gave them was better than not being able to talk about it at all. 

“I don’t think it’s that I like boys, I just think it’s surprising that I like him.” Cyrus tries to defend TJ. 

“Still.” Buffy purses her lips. 

-

The following morning the group eat breakfast in the cafeteria rather than at their cabin. The whole time, Cyrus could feel anger emanating off TJ. It wasn’t until everyone else left for the snow hike that Cyrus got any clarity about TJ’s seemingly frustrated mood. 

Cyrus had opted out of the snow hike due to his less than enthused attitude towards the athletic activity. TJ also opted out but he had been in a sulky mood this entire trip so Cyrus wasn’t too surprised by him wanting to avoid spending time with the group. 

Cyrus was just about to leave the cafeteria when TJ stops him. “You told them didn’t you?” TJ asks. 

“Told who, what?” Cyrus is confused. 

“Andi and Buffy about the, you know.” TJ lowers his voice even though they’re in an almost empty room as breakfast had wrapped up. 

“You can say kiss, it’s not a bad word” Cyrus says with a newfound bravery sparked from an annoyance with TJ that was bubbling, one that Cyrus didn’t have any idea was building until now. “And no I didn’t.” 

“Then why do they keep giving me looks?” TJ asks. 

“I don’t know, maybe because you’ve come on a ski trip with them and you’ve spent the whole time being grouchy?” Cyrus coaxes his head in a challenging way. 

TJ rolls his eyes and another wave of frustration hits Cyrus after things were evidently going nowhere. 

“Buffy was suspicious of why you were being weird, after all it’s not like us to not talk.” Cyrus frowns, “I told her that I like you and you don’t like me back. That’s it. That’s all the information I shared.” 

“Great so now she just thinks I’m being a jerk?” TJ huffs. 

“You are being a jerk.” Cyrus is firm. “Why did you even come on this trip? I know I told you I wouldn’t pressure you to talk about it but why come at all if you were planning on ignoring me?” 

TJ is unresponsive and continues to look uncomfortable about it all. 

“Well?” Cyrus presses with a heavy sigh, “TJ, if you don’t want to be friends anymore can you just say? It will be a lot easier for me if you just tell me so I can move on.”

“You think I don’t want to be friends anymore?” TJ looks upset. 

“Maybe?” Cyrus shrugs. “You don’t seem to want to talk to me anymore.” 

“That’s not what I want.” TJ frowns. 

“Then what do you want?” Cyrus questions. 

“I don’t know.” TJ lets out a frustrated breath. 

“Let me know when you work it out, okay?” Cyrus wears a defeated look before exiting the cafeteria. 

On his escape route out of the main lodge, Cyrus is flagged down by Eli. 

“Hey, where’s the fire?” Eli holds a hand out to stop him. 

“I was just, I don’t know.” Cyrus was too upset to fabricate an excuse. It didn’t help that Cyrus witnessed TJ also storm past them and out of the lodges main entrance. 

“Having some trouble with your friend there?” Eli pricks up a brow as he watches after TJ for a second. Cyrus remains quiet. 

“Or we can not talk about it.” Eli holds his palms out defensively. “Got any plans today?” 

“Just my regular scheduled pity party.” Cyrus laughs nervously. 

“Want to bring that pity party into town with me?” Eli asks. “I have to pick up a few things for the new years eve party tomorrow.” 

“Sure.” Cyrus lets out a big sigh, “Anything beats hanging around here all day.” 

Eli laughs anxiously, “I don’t know if I should be more offended that you don’t like my family’s lodge or if spending time with me is just a small step up from the worst thing you could be doing...” 

Cyrus’ expression crumbles, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for it to sound like that.” 

“It’s okay.” Eli nudges him, “You’re totally doing me a favour by keeping me company anyway.”

The two make their way into town on foot. It isn’t much of a walk from the lodge to the little village but it is freezing cold in the snow and Cyrus quietly thinks he’s somehow been tricked into going on that hike he opted out of. Although the walk wasn’t Cyrus’ favourite part, the trip into town lifted his spirits. Cyrus helped Eli run his errands and they stopped for ice cream despite the frosty weather. 

“You’re right, this did make me feel better.” Cyrus says as he holds his ice cream cone in hand. 

“I told you, it’s impossible to feel sad with a triple scoop in hand.” Eli says proudly. 

“So is it in your job description to make mopey guests less mopey?” Cyrus questions. 

“Only the cute ones that are willing to help me with data entry.” Eli says with a smirk and Cyrus chokes on his mouthful of ice cream which causes Eli to chuckle. 

“This does not happen to me often but I am at a loss for words.” Cyrus laughs nervously. 

“Don’t worry, I like you and everything but I know you and your friend —was it TJ?— have some unresolved feelings.”

“You like me?” Cyrus is shocked. 

“That’s not the part of the sentence you’re supposed to be surprised about.” Eli laughs. “You’re supposed to be like, ‘you know I like TJ, what?’” 

“Apparently I’m more obvious with my feelings than I would like.” Cyrus frowns. 

“No more obvious than your friend is with his.” Eli states. 

“See I don’t see that.” Cyrus shakes his head. 

Eli coaxes his head, “You don’t?” 

“No.” Cyrus says innocently. 

“Every time I’m with you and he's around, he acts like a jealous boyfriend.” Eli laughs. 

“He’s not normally like that.” Cyrus insists. 

“Has something happened recently to change things?” Eli questions. 

A kiss.. Cyrus thinks to himself and Eli notices Cyrus in thought. “See, I thought so.” Eli says knowingly. 

“So maybe things are different now but that doesn’t mean he likes me.” Cyrus shakes his head. 

“I think you know he likes you, you just won't admit that to yourself because if you do it means you might have to do something about it.” 

“You sound like my friend Buffy.” Cyrus thinks this sounds eerily familiar to his conversation with Buffy the other night. 

“The competitive one that tried to teach me how to ski during the lesson?” Eli questions. 

“The one and only.” Cyrus laughs.

“Well she is pretty smart so maybe you should listen to her.” Eli says with a light smirk. 

“Or I could pretend like nothing is going on and avoid it forever?” Cyrus exaggerates a smile. 

“Tick tock, Cyrus. The end of the year is fast approaching, do you really want to start off the new one with regrets?” Eli is like a wise old owl.

“I already told TJ I like him.” Cyrus is almost defensive. 

“But did you tell him everything?” Eli questions, “Did you lay it all out on the table, win or lose he knows how you feel?” 

“Yes?” Cyrus sounds more uncertain now. 

“Does he know that no matter what happens you’re there for him either way?” Eli continues. 

“I think so...” Cyrus is panicked by this line on questioning. 

“You have to tell him.” Eli says simply with a shrug of his shoulder, “Tick tock.”

“You’re really intense.” Cyrus laughs nervously. 

Eli joins in on the chuckle but minus the nerves, “Thank you.” 

After Eli’s encouraging push, Cyrus goes off in search of TJ. After checking a few places first and having no such luck, Cyrus makes his way to the rec room. Cyrus happens upon TJ at the keys of the grand piano. He solemnly pokes a couple but he stops when he notices Cyrus.

“I didn’t know you played?” Cyrus takes a cautious step towards him.

“I don’t.” TJ folds his hands in his lap. “I should probably go.”

“TJ, wait.” Cyrus leaps forward. “I want to talk and I promise I won't get all huffy with you like this morning. I just want to say something and then I’ll never speak to you again if that’s what you want.” 

“I know my actions might say otherwise but I don’t want you to stop talking to me.” TJ is sheepish. 

“Okay.” Cyrus nods with a small smile. “But I will stop talking at you. I can’t have anymore one sided conversations, it’s driving me nuts.”  

TJ nods and waits for Cyrus to say his piece. Cyrus sits beside TJ on the piano stool although there is as much distance between them as possible. 

“I’m sorry I went crazy on you this morning. I was hurt —not that you didn’t like me back, I expected that much— but because I really value our friendship and it felt like you didn’t so I handled that poorly.” Cyrus apologises. 

“I do value our friendship, a lot.” TJ stresses. “I told you this morning I don’t want us to stop being friends.” 

“Me either.” Cyrus wears a sad smile. “So why does it feel like we can’t get past this? Whatever this was?” 

“I don’t know.” TJ shakes his head. 

Cyrus’ sad smile remains as he tries to hold TJ’s eye contact, “I think you do know and you can’t admit it to me or yourself even.” 

“What are you saying?” TJ lowers his gaze. 

“I can’t sit here and claim I know how you’re feeling or what you’re thinking but I do know that you don’t believe you deserve to be happy. You practically said so yourself after the gun incident. You tend to sabotage things when they’re good for you...” Cyrus frowns, “It took a lot for me to get past your walls and I know when people get close you tend to push them away.. Like how you pushed me away after your suspension from the team and then when I asked about your family..” Cyrus is knowing but gentle with his analysis. “This morning I was all hurt and ready to walk away because I let myself forget that.” 

“Congratulations you’ve discovered I don’t like talking about my feelings.” TJ scoffs but Cyrus doesn’t let it get to him. 

“Have you ever been fishing?” Cyrus asks. 

“Fishing?” TJ wears a quizzical look. 

“Yes.” Cyrus is firm.

“Yes, I’ve been fishing.” TJ sighs and decides to go with it, “I used to go with my grandpa before he passed away.” 

“You know when you get a bite and the fish tugs on the line?” Cyrus asks but he doesn’t pause, “You don’t just drop the fishing rod and let the fish go. You hold tighter and pull it back in.”

“Are you calling me a fish?” TJ raises a brow. 

“Yes I am.” Cyrus says, “But I’m also trying to tell you that although I’ll respect your wishes no matter what, I’m not letting go of the fishing rod.” 

TJ’s smile creeps wider on his face after Cyrus’ little analogy. “So you think you’re some great thing in my life?” 

“I guess I am.” Cyrus says with a laugh, “Although that’s not what I was trying to say and you weren’t supposed to take that away from the conversation.” 

“Thank you, Cyrus.” TJ says genuinely, “But I still have a few things to sort through, I’m not sure I can give you a response you’ll be happy with-”

“I’m not looking for a response.” Cyrus interjects. “I’m just trying to end my year without regrets and ending things on a huffy note with you would have been my biggest.” 

The conversation is over after that and Cyrus felt like they had made progress although they weren’t back to their old selves, Cyrus wasn’t certain they’d ever be their old selves again but at least everything was out in the open, or at least everything on Cyrus’ side was out there.

That night when they were going to sleep, TJ didn’t immediately roll over to face away from Cyrus, instead they faced each other for a moment. TJ still seemed pretty emotionally drained but they smiled at each other for a second. To Cyrus that was progress and maybe a tiny glimmer of hope that their friendship was not lost forever.

-

The following day Cyrus wakes to find TJ and Buffy have disappeared before breakfast. 

“Where did Buffy go?” Cyrus asks Andi quietly in the kitchen. 

“She was gone when I woke up.” Andi shrugs. “Jonah said she and TJ left together pretty early this morning.”

“You don't think Buffy’s trying to get information out of TJ do you?” Cyrus frets. 

“She wouldn't do that.” Andi shakes her head, “Not unless TJ brought the situation up himself.” 

“And I’m doubtful he will..” Cyrus mumbles. 

Although Cyrus was curious as to what TJ and Buffy were up to, he tries to push that aside and focus on his own moves going forward. Cyrus enlists the help of his crafty best friend and the two offer their assistance to Eli as he helps decorate the rec room for the new years eve party that night.

Andi was in her element turning the basic decorations Cyrus and Eli had picked out the day before into ones worthy of a wonderland. Cyrus and Andi were off to the side having a laugh as they reflected on the past year. When the chuckles taper off, a small and almost sad smile crosses Cyrus’ face as he lets out a breath, “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about not liking Jonah anymore. The crush in general was a little awkward to talk to you about and I guess I got used to not sharing..” 

“Don’t apologise,” Andi reaches forward and holds Cyrus’ hand, “I’m sorry if I ever made you feel like my feelings for Jonah were more important than yours. I never want you to not talk to me.” 

Cyrus’ smile is more genuine now, “I don’t want that either.” 

“I hate new year resolutions-” 

“Me too.” Cyrus scoffs, “It’s like setting yourself up for failure.” 

“How about a friendship resolution instead?” Andi suggests. 

“I can work with that.” Cyrus smiles. 

“Let’s communicate better from now on?” Andi asks. 

“I think we’re already doing a better job of that.” Cyrus says with a smile as he pulls Andi in for a hug. 

The evening rolls around before they know it and Buffy and TJ still hadn’t turned up. Cyrus expresses to his parents that he was beginning to get worried  but they tried to calm him and said they knew the pair were going into town today and they had given them money to catch a taxi back to the lodge so they weren't walking in the dark. Cyrus tries to find comfort in this and gets ready for the party. 

After Cyrus was dressed and ready, there was still no sign of TJ and Buffy. Whilst Andi and Jonah go to the young adults party in the recreation room, Cyrus first goes to the function hall with his parents and brother to mingle a little with his family and the older crowd at the party they were attending. Jared was more suited for the younger party but he was trying to act mature and hang out at the boring party instead. After a respectable amount of time, Cyrus splits from the adults party and makes his way to the rec room where he was hoping to meet up with all of his friends but unfortunately upon arrival Cyrus only spotted Andi and Jonah grazing the snack table together. Cyrus was about to approach them when Eli stops him. 

“You made it.” Eli says with a smile.

“Of course. I had to see all my hard work.” Cyrus grins, “I’m practically a party planner after all this.”

“Practically.” Eli chuckles. “So, I was respectful and didn’t bring it up today whilst you were with Andi just incase but I’ve been dying to know. How did things go with TJ?” 

“I put it all on the table like you said.”

“And?” Eli questions. 

“I think he heard me but I don’t know.” Cyrus shrugs. 

“You don’t know?” Eli looks disappointed. “What do you mean you don’t know?” 

“I don’t know!” Cyrus huffs, “I thought last night maybe we were having a moment but then he’s been gone all day so I’m thinking he’s ignoring me still.” 

“Are you sure?” Eli’s smile pricks up and Cyrus follows his line of sight, his eyes land on TJ and Buffy as they enter the room. 

“I don’t know.” Cyrus says again but this time softer. 

“Last ditch effort, you two watch the fireworks together.” Eli says, “I know a few secret spots.” 

“Eli..” Cyrus tosses his head to the side. 

“What?” Eli smiles innocently. “There’s still an hour left of the year.” 

“Just yesterday you said you liked me, but you’re okay with trying to help me get the guy?” Cyrus questions. 

“Sometimes crushes turn out to be better friends and friends turn out more like crushes.” Eli shrugs. Cyrus smiles at that thought, he spies Jonah goofily dancing with Andi before making sheepish eye contact with TJ across the room. 

“Maybe this is an epic friendship in the making.” Cyrus turns back to Eli with a smile. 

“Or a love affair yet to be explored.” Eli wriggles his brows suggestively but breaks with a laugh, “I’m just kidding. Now go over to TJ before the jealously consumes him.” 

Cyrus was unsure if he should approach TJ or not since he was trying to give him space but before Cyrus could decide, TJ taps him on the shoulder. 

“TJ.” Cyrus is surprised when he turns around to find the basketball captain. 

“Can we talk?” TJ calls out over the music. 

“Yes.” Cyrus nods eagerly and he motions towards the doors that lead outside. 

The pair make their way out into the cold air and close the doors behind them, shutting the noise out along with it. 

“Hi.” TJ says nervously and he shivers in the cold air. 

“Hey.” Cyrus is just as bashful. “Where have you been all day?” Cyrus tries to be casual. 

“It’s a long story.” TJ frowns. “Lets just say everything went wrong and Buffy might not want to talk to me for a few days...” 

“That bad, huh?” Cyrus raises a brow. 

“What started as a quick trip into town turned into an all day disaster.” TJ shakes his head. 

“What were you two doing in town in the first place?” Cyrus questions.

“I was looking for something.” TJ says. 

“Did you find it?” Cyrus asks. 

“Kind of.” TJ laughs and Cyrus does too although he didn’t know what was funny. “It’s for you.” TJ says shyly. 

“For me? TJ you didn’t have to get me-” Cyrus’ expression curls into a confused one when TJ pulls the object out from his jacket, “-A coat hanger?” 

TJ rolls his head forward with a laugh. “The bait shop is closed for the holidays and I spent the day dragging Buffy around looking for a fish hook but the closest we found was a coat hanger.” 

Cyrus now looks at the coat hanger with a newfound fondness, his expression mirrors TJ’s when he received the popsicle stick frame. “You were going to give me a fish hook?” Cyrus looks up from the hanger to TJ with a hopeful expression. 

“I don’t want you to drop the fishing rod, or something like that.” TJ laughs quietly, “The analogy was a little skewed.” 

Cyrus laughs too but then people come outside and interrupt their conversation. TJ lets out a frustrated breath and Cyrus could tell it was hard for him to try and get out what he wanted to say. Cyrus wears a kind smile and gently pushes TJ around the corner of the building and away from the people. 

“I’m sorry I reacted the way I did.” TJ says when they’re alone again, “I’m sorry for how I’ve acted the past week and a half.” 

“It’s okay.” Cyrus assures, “I just as easily could have been the one to freak out.” 

“But you didn’t, you were all mature whilst I was a huge jerk and pushed you away.” TJ frowns. 

“TJ, it’s okay.” Cyrus says with an understanding smile. 

“It really isn't.” TJ shakes his head, “Nothing happened how I imagined it would and I messed it all up.” 

“What exactly were you imagining?” Cyrus wonders. 

“Cyrus, I hate feelings.” TJ whines. 

“I’m the last person in the universe that is going to judge you.” 

TJ lets out a sigh, he folds his arms to guard himself, “I’d be lying if I said I actually ever had any intention of telling you how I felt but in a perfect dream land maybe I would say something and you’d be like ‘me too’ and then it would all be sunshine and rainbows.” 

Cyrus smiles at TJ’s embarrassed expression. “I can’t believe you imagined us getting together.” 

“Shut up.” TJ frowns and he gives Cyrus a gentle shove. 

“No, I just mean I never thought you’d like me back —I’m still not even sure if that’s what you are saying—” Cyrus says with furrowed brows. 

“That is what I’m trying to say.” TJ palms his face and Cyrus’ smile picks up again. “Along with apologising for freaking out about it.” 

“Are you scared about liking me, or scared of what liking me means?” Cyrus questions. 

“It’s not like it was news to me. I mean sure it’s confusing and a whole thing but I’ve already spoken to my mom about it briefly and-” 

“You’ve spoken to your mom about being..” Cyrus didn't really want to fill in the blank. 

“Gay.” TJ finishes, “Yes. But that’s not why I freaked out. I mean yes it’s still pretty scary but I freaked out because you were the boy I kissed. I don’t want to like you, Cyrus.” 

“Oh..”  Cyrus’ face drops. 

“No, no, thats not what I meant,” TJ says quickly, “I mean you’re too important to me. I thought I had ruined us by kissing you.” 

“My dozens of texts and voicemails didn't make you think otherwise?” Cyrus questions.

“I was scared that conversation would end along with our friendship.” TJ frowns. 

“You think I’m that kind of person?” 

“Not at all, but I was afraid if you knew about my feelings then things would be different between us.” 

“How come you still pushed me away when I told you I liked you too?” Cyrus asks. 

“I had convinced myself that feelings would wreck the friendship but I was already doing a good job of that myself...” TJ sighs, “And if feelings didn’t wreck the friendship I’m sure I would have done something to wreck a relationship.” 

“TJ-” 

“No, Cyrus,” TJ stops him, “Look how well I did under pressure, do you really want to commit to that?” 

“Yes I do.” Cyrus says firmly and he breaks with a nervous laugh. “TJ I like you, I liked you before you kissed me, I know how you react when you’re vulnerable. I wanted you to kiss me.” Cyrus says, “TJ, you have every right to be confused by this. I am. Do you think I know how to handle this? I honestly probably wouldn't have said anything to you about how I felt either because I value our friendship so much.” 

“Do you think that’s all we should be then?” TJ asks. 

“I think the reason we couldn't seem to get over our fight is because we can’t just be friends.” Cyrus says. 

“Well that’s inconvenient.” TJ huffs and Cyrus can’t help but smile. “So what do we do now?” 

“I don’t know.” Cyrus shrugs with a laugh, “This isn't how I imagined it would go either.” 

“So you have imagined it too?” TJ asks. 

“I picked the surprise kiss thing but it didn’t end like the mistletoe mishap.” Cyrus admits sheepishly. 

“What about Eli?” TJ questions. 

“Well I didn’t know him back when I pictured it...” 

“I mean what about him now?” TJ lightly rolls his eyes, “Do you like him?” 

“As a friend.” Cyrus nods, “But I like you, TJ. That’s not going to change in a week.”

TJ looks almost relieved by Cyrus’ affirmation. “Okay so, do over?” 

“Like start over?” Cyrus questions. 

“I meant can I kiss you again?” TJ shifts nervously on his feet. 

“Oh, oh.”

“Or did I make it weird by asking you?” TJ frowns. 

“No.” Cyrus shakes his head, “I think maybe we’re making it weird by asking if we’re making it weird?” 

“Maybe we should just let it happen naturally?” TJ suggests. “Whenever that may-” 

TJ is cut off by Cyrus taking the lead this time and initiating the kiss. Much like their first one under the mistletoe, they’re a little stiff, both their lips are cold from the frosty air and TJ is surprised by Cyrus’ actions but they loosen into the kiss and thankfully it didn't end just as Cyrus let himself enjoy it. It was still nerve wracking to say the least but Cyrus couldn't have wished for a more perfect moment.

“I didn’t want to wait, sorry.” Cyrus crinkles his nose as they part and TJ laughs, they’re still close enough that his warm breath brushes Cyrus’ skin. 

“That is okay.” TJ laughs again, his heart still racing from the kiss. 

“We should have timed this better.” Cyrus jokes, “We could have gotten it in right before midnight and then the fireworks could set off behind us, pow, pow, pow.” 

“Or, we could just kiss again at midnight?” TJ suggests shyly but he’s smiling at Cyrus’ theatrics. 

“Or we could do that.” Cyrus chuckles. 

“Should we go find our friends?” TJ asks with a small smile. 

“Yeah.” Cyrus nods and they begin to make their way back inside but before they enter Cyrus stops TJ. “You know, this might not have been how we imagined it, but it wasn’t so bad, was it?” 

“Not bad at all.” TJ smiles.

The two knew they might still have a lot to work out but at least both of the teens enter the new year with no regrets. 

THE END

End Notes: So I feel like I just sort of ended this?? Idk. I hope you’re happy with the ending!!! That is is! That is me done for my contribution to the 12 days of tyrus!! I am 20 minutes late posting this last chapter but other than that I stuck to my schedule!!!!  

In this story: 1. Hanukkah ✓ 2. Christmas with the Kippens ✓ 3. Secret Santa/Gift Exchange ✓ 4.Snow ✓ 5. Mistletoe ✓ 6. Christmukkah ✓ 7. New Years Eve ✓ 8. AU day 9. Based off a holiday song 10. Santa photo booth ✓ 11.The worst Hanukkah/Christmas ever ✓ 12. Free day! ✓ (I did what ever I wanted so lol ✓✓✓)

There were only two prompts I didn’t work into the story (I originally had plans to work them in lightly but they felt too forced so I chose not to) !! 

ALSO THIS IS IMPORTANT: I am very sorry to announce this will be my last tyrus fic for a long while (possibly forever :(!! ) as I will be going travelling in less than 2 weeks and I will not have the time. I hope to stay as active in the fandom as I can but it saddens me that I won't be able to produce any new fics for you all!! 

Thank you so much to everyone who has read this story and any I have posted in the past! You make my time on tumblr so wonderful and rewarding! I love you guys!!

My tag list:

❄️ @baby-its-gayy-outside ❄️ @byersrainbows ❄️ @geekingbeautytx ❄️ @shadows78787 ❄️ @joshua-rush-fanpage ❄️ @thedampjofangirl ❄️ @homosexualearthworm ❄️ @jovianspacewoman ❄️ @janky-snorpion ❄️