grow as we go

cyrus claudius clearwater. thirty-nine. halfblood. hufflepuff alumni. history of magic professor & head of hufflepuff house. ❝ i'm shaking the past, making my breaks, taking control – if that's what it takes . ❞

[huntercdcms]

👟 - go for a walk/jog/hike

“Careful, one root and you’ll be face-planting in cinematic slow motion. Maybe you picked up how to do that from your actor boyfriend.” Hunter quipped, unable to resist the tease as they pushed through the foliage.

The air was cool with early morning still clinging to the earth, light spilling soft and gold through the trees. He knew the climb would be worth it; the best views always came at this hour. And with the sun not yet at its peak, at least they weren’t boiling alive while they made the trek.

@cyrusclearwater

[cyrusclearwater]

"If that was in any way meant to be reassuring– it really wasn't," Cyrus told the other with a laugh, trying to choose his steps carefully to avoid any sort of collision with the gravelly ground beneath their shoes. "Have you trekked this path before? You really seem to know your way around," he asked observantly, happily following Hunter's lead.

[revcluticnvry]

"If it makes you feel better, I didn't really pay attention in any of my classes," Alison replied. "Sometimes I'm a little surprised I graduated, but I did manage to get my work done, so there's that." She gave a slight shrug. "I'm not sure why anyone would not do work in your class out of spite to you."

[cyrusclearwater]

"I suppose to a degree it does," he replied after what seemed like a moment of genuine consideration. "However all your classes were certainly important in their own ways," Cyrus felt the need to add. "Ah well, kids will be kids, right? It's okay. Like I said I know that none of it was really personal. Everyone had classes that they were less gifted at or put less effort into. It's part of growing up."

[burntogcther]

🍖 - have a summer barbecue ( @cyrusclearwater )

"Are you sure you know how to work that thing?" Cynthia asked, watching her brother try to light the barbecue, "Are you trying a no magic thing or something? Why don't you try a spell?"

[cyrusclearwater]

"Hey now– I know how to use this thing. I've held many a solo barbecues," he insisted with a little huff through his laughter. "Honestly it's just old. Maybe it's telling me it wants to retire and I should finally get a replacement," Cyrus considered with a chuckle. "How much do you think you'll eat?" he asked, moving to set aside some of the sausages so he knew what to put on the grill.

[revcluticnvry]

"Oh I cannot do non-fiction. It bores me so much. Which might make sense as to why I used to fall asleep in your class, sorry about that by the way. I could do something if it was about something very specific, but biographies tend to make me fall asleep."

[cyrusclearwater]

"I'm going to pretend to be less hurt by that than I really am because of course I can understand it's not for everyone. Also you're good to my sister so you've earned back your points that way," Cyrus added with a chuckle. "In all seriousness though, I know it's not a personal thing," he then mentioned with a warm smile.

[crlandclcckhart]

“Relentless?" Orlando repeated with a soft huff of affection, his fingertips brushing over Cyrus’s arm as he scooted himself up on the bed and placed the tray of food into Cyrus’s lap. “Says the man who guilt‑trips me half‑asleep with that pout that is far too good at melting my heart. You don't fight fair, Love.” He leaned in, pressing a lingering kiss under Cyrus’s ear. “You’re lucky I’m completely gone for you.”

He let his head back against the headboard, this shoulder brushing against Cyrus', gaze tired but full of quiet warmth. “I know you’d wait up for me no matter what... by the phone, on the doorstep, even in a tree like some overly dramatic owl.” The corners of his mouth curved up further, teasing his boyfriend as he glanced sideways at him. “And then you go and hit me with the heartbreak line...As if I didn't feel bad enough already. You're really racking up the apologies, aren’t you?”

“But seriously,” he continued, voice softening, “I can't help but want to put you first with things like this. But I promise I'll sleep come to bed in the future..” He shifted a little closer, nudging their legs together as a playful grin curved at his lips. “If breakfast in bed earned me points,” Orlando murmured, lips brushing just beneath Cyrus’s ear, “I’m very curious what my next surprise might get me. Though fair warning, if the reward system involves you and that morning voice of yours, I might get greedy.”

[cyrusclearwater]

"Oh, you're just as bad, if not worse, with that whole charming smile and those crinkling eyes," Cyrus countered, a playful glint in his own as he momentarily leaned his head against Orlando's shoulder, taking a moment to breathe in his scent. "And don't even get me started on the kisses under the ear. That's just cheating." Cyrus helped himself to some of the lovely meal Orlando had prepared for him, sharing as he went along as he was definitely not going to let Orlando just lay there and watch him eat. He hummed contentedly as they shared breakfast, feeling a warmth spread through him that had nothing to do with the coffee. "Lucky? No, my love, I'm the lucky one. As for completely gone for you? Definitely me."

He chuckled softly at the "overly dramatic owl" comment, nudging Orlando playfully with his elbow. "Hey! I'd make a very wise and patient owl, thank you very much. And I'm not racking up anything, you are! All those 'I'm sorry's are on you, not me." He took another sip of his coffee, savoring the taste before looking at Orlando with mock seriousness. "Though, I suppose I can forgive you for the couch incident this one time... if you truly promise to always come to bed with me, no matter how late. No matter who's house we're at," he set down his rules, a grin quickly betraying his features as he leaned into pepper a few kisses along Orlando's shoulder.

A soft flush crept up Cyrus's neck at Orlando's suggestive whisper, a bashfully pleased smile playing on his lips. He turned his head slightly, his gaze meeting Orlando's with a mischievous sparkle. "Oh, you're curious, are you? Well, I suppose we'll just have to see to stay on theme with the surprises, now won't we?" he pointed out with a quiet laugh. "Reward system? I didn't realize we even had one of those. Is that something you're setting up just now?" Cyrus challenged playfully.

[crlandclcckhart]

“Baby, I don’t think you’re awake enough to pick that battle right now,” Orlando chuckled, the corners of his blue eyes crinkling with warmth and amusement as he leaned in to press a soft kiss to Cyrus’s lips. It was the same playful back-and-forth they always had, an ongoing battle about who was the luckiest to have the other, and Orlando wasn’t about to let Cyrus win it just yet. “Oh, I’m very real and very imperfect,” he added with gentle humour. “But I’m sorry I left you hanging last night. Everything took way longer than I expected. If I’d known, I never would’ve had you waiting around for me.” The apology hung between them, honest and unguarded, though he already knew Cyrus would brush it off. He was always so forgiving, so endlessly patient with him.

“I’ll nap for an hour later,” Orlando promised, sidestepping the concern in Cyrus’s sleepy gaze. “But I crashed on the couch. You looked so peaceful in here, and I didn’t want my shuffling about to wake you.” He knew exactly what would’ve happened if it had. Cyrus would’ve stayed up, pushing through exhaustion just to make sure Orlando was okay, just to soak up a few more minutes together. And as much as Orlando was moved by that kind of tenderness, humbled by the way Cyrus always put him first, he didn’t want him to give up that rest. Not for him. “I’m going to make it up to you today,” he whispered like a hushed promise, his fingers brushing gently along Cyrus’s cheek. “If you’ll let me.”

[cyrusclearwater]

"Relentless. Even when I'm at my most vulnerable," he tutted with a sleepy shake of his head at their ongoing battle. It seemed to be something that would only ever die with them some day, both just as stubborn and determined as the other. "Only one of those things could possibly be true and it's the first thing," Cyrus insisted, moving to press a gentle kiss to Orlando's lips. At the continuation of the apologies, he shook his head again and it gently rustled the pillowcase. "You really have nothing to be sorry for, my love. It's all good," he insisted. "I'd wait up for you even if it was by the phone to make sure you got home okay– don't be silly," he pointed out to him with a soft chuckle. If anything, Cyrus still felt bad he hadn't been up to be able to welcome him after such a long day.

Cyrus' lips pursed briefly as he tried to think about how content he was with that answer, figuring he wouldn't succeed in an argument about it anyways. It's not like he could force Orlando to go to bed. "On the couch? Come on– don't break my heart. You should've slept here," he insisted, his tone almost on the level with him being frustrated with the other. However it was fully out of concern and desire for Orlando's utmost comfort. "Make it up to me? You silly man," Cyrus chuckled, "I was already brought breakfast in bed by the most beautiful boyfriend anyone could ever have– what on earth more could you need to do to make things up to me? Especially when there's nothing to be making up for in the first place."

[crlandclcckhart]

"Morning Sleepy head." Orlando murmured softly as he woke up the other man, pressing a kiss to the others shoulder as he waited for him to wake up properly, the breakfast tray he'd brought in decorated with the other mans favourite breakfast foods and drink, and a little flower in a small vase balanced on the side table. He'd gotten in much later than he'd meant to last night, work overrunning and spoiling their plans. By the time he'd gotten here, Cyrus had been asleep already and he'd not wanted to disrupt him. Now though he hoped he could try and make it up to him, knowing that more recently, his work really had been taking over a bit too much of his time. Orlando brushed his fingers lightly through Cyrus' hair tenderly, his own exhaustion still reading on his features but there was also that relief to finally be able to spend some time with his boyfriend. "I made you breakfast in bed."

@cyrusclearwater

[cyrusclearwater]

"I'm the luckiest man alive," he murmured sleepily, rubbing at his eyes tiredly as his recently-woken brain worked twice as hard to process everything that had just unfolded in front of him in a span of only a minute or two. "This is... unreal. You're unreal," Cyrus insisted, reaching to stroke his fingers across Orlando's cheek in awe. He took a moment to etch every single one of Orlando's features in his mind the way he did many times before, landing on his blue gaze before finally turning his attention to the meal. "Everything smells amazing," he hummed delightfully to himself as he sat up to be more appropriately prepared for the breakfast. "Are you not tired? I didn't even hear you come in– I'm so sorry. I really wanted to be up when you got back."

[cynthiaclearwater]

"Yes we do," Cynthia agreed, "And that's what we're both doing which is what matters most," she smiled. It was in moments like this that she was grateful that she had Cyrus back in her life. What would she do without him? "Well, I look forward to meeting him properly anyway. We should have dinner sometime. You, me, Orlando and Alison?" she suggested.

[cyrusclearwater]

"I would really love that," Cyrus admitted when his sister suggested the family dinner to get everyone together. "I'm sure Orlando would too. I always speak so highly of you and we often talk about everyone meeting one another and joining together."

[aliscnxwood]

"Not really, Cynthia has been trying to get me more into it, but my attention span is so quidditch focused that I can barely sit to read a chapter," Alison replied with a light laugh. "I do really like some Mystery books. What about you? If you say history, I'm going to laugh, just warning you."

[cyrusclearwater]

"I mean... if I didn't love history I'd be in the wrong line of work, right?" Cyrus chuckled when she'd warned him to not say that as his favorite genre. "Mysteries are wonderful. I also love some biographies– people can be so fascinating," he considered with a smile.

[crlandclcckhart]

Orlando could see the expression on the others face even though he didn't say anything. It was the minute changes he'd realised he took so much notice of without even trying that had him immediately reacting and wrapping Cyrus in a tight hug. "I think this is the one thing I really don't mind us doing that." Orlando admitted with a little laugh of his own. "But couples quarrel hm? If only it were that simple." He grinned but they hadn't argued over anything that they couldn't fix so far and neither one of them was good at holding a grudge. They ended up feeling so bad they were apologising before nights end. He liked that though, he didn't ever want to go to bed on an argument. "Well... I can think of one place I can take you if that's a problem." He joked lightly, keeping Cyrus in a firm hold.

[cyrusclearwater]

"Me neither," he replied, embracing Orlando back tightly at the gesture. The extent of their fights was often them arguing on who loved who more or other meaningless disputes. Considering the house he'd grown up in, this was something he couldn't even begin to imagine. It meant a lot to him to have found a person who only treated him with kindness and love– the kind he'd always deserved from the beginning but hadn't quite found until now. "I think you know by now that you can take me wherever you'd like without so much as a peep of protest from me," Cyrus chuckled sheepishly at the following remark.

[huntercdcms]

"I'm talking more about the way it treats me after a night out but thanks for the ego boost. It's good to know you think I have a body that's better than most peoples." Hunter couldn't help but point out with a wolfish grin and a wink in the others direction. "But yeah, I suspect you're right. Valeria can be downright ice cold if you do something she doesn't like but I've never seemed to fall into the category that has to worry about it."

[cyrusclearwater]

"I shouldn't be surprised that that's what you took from that," Cyrus snorted in response when Hunter fixated on the comments about his body. "You can assure Val I'm no competition however," he then added in good humor. He smiled when Hunter agreed with him about Val's demeanor towards him, "I imagine it'd have to be something drastic for her to give you the cold shoulder but I suppose only time will tell."

[elijahwesternberg]

"I actually don't think there is anything wrong with that. Mainly because it will give us plenty of things to look forward to." And he was someone who enjoyed having things planned in and coming up to keep him busy, especially when it came to his friends. "Maybe on one of our coffee breaks we can do a little brain storming."

[cyrusclearwater]

"That sounds like a brilliant idea," Cyrus smiled warmly when Elijah suggested that they brainstorm during a coffee break. "Two minds working together is better than one after all. I mean unless they clash but... I've always enjoyed working with you so I'm sure it'll be fine," he mentioned with a sheepish chuckle.

[ezrabroadmoor]

There was no way that Ezra would have doubted the man in the first place but he could hear how much had meant through the others tone. When he brought up the Gossip Witches, Ezra wasn't expecting it and he did shift a little uncomfortably at the mention but it seemed he wasn't going to try and avoid the conversation at the very least. "It's a choice I made. There was always a chance it would come out so the fault is entirely on me."

[cyrusclearwater]

"That may be so," Cyrus shrugged lightly, "But you have as much of a right to your own privacy as anyone else," he insisted firmly, not believing that just because he was a public figure, it didn't mean that everyone in the world got to have unrestricted access to his personal life. "I'm sorry things played out the way they did. Are you doing okay?"

[mcsterjackscndaltcn]

"I think the thing I am most glad of recently are the good friends I have around me. The security of my job helps too though as that allows me the freedom to do what I want when I'm not teaching. But friends have always placed highly for me." He'd never had a family as such, not by blood so those around him that were closest were what he'd always considered to be his family. It was why he'd always had dreams of adopting too.

[cyrusclearwater]

"I sympathize entirely. Found family has been everything to me for as long as I can remember," he confessed with a smile and a nod. "How lucky are we to have such good people around us, right?"

[scottinaussie]

Luke Macfarlane for Gio Journal Febuary 2025

by John Russo

[aliscnxwood]

"She'll definitely have that," Alison replied. "I always ask her for recs when I'm in the mood to read."

[cyrusclearwater]

"That's really nice," he smiled warmly, appreciating the insight on his sister and her habits. "Are you a very avid reader yourself? What kind of genres interest you the most to read?"

[thecdcredubancwski]

"Thank you, Cy. I mean, nothing is set in stone yet but it is the goal to actually finish it," Theo explained then laughed, "Oh, I appreciate that but it's going to be a book of research. You don't have to buy it if plants aren't your thing," he continued.

[cyrusclearwater]

"I may favor books regarding history and old architecture, but that doesn't mean I won't enjoy a book on plants. Especially if it's written by a friend," Cyrus replied supportively. "All I ask is that you sign it for me, so I can obviously brag if it ever comes up."