prompt : tyrus at the bashmitzvah
Renting a chocolate fountain was an awesome idea ā in theory. But as soon as Cyrus was able to slip away from the crowd and actually try it, he realized maybe he shouldāve dragged one of the girls over with him for assistance. Sure, his strawberry skewers were coated in warm, chocolatey goodness... but so was part of the tablecloth. Clearly, this was not a snack option for the uncoordinated and unsteady-handed. Cyrus frowned down at the mess, silently calculating the odds of taking a bite without dribbling chocolate all down the front of his new suit.
āHey,ā a friendly voice interrupted his sulk.
Cyrus turned to watch TJ smoothly stepping up to the table. His hair was perfectly in place, his hands were settled casually in the pockets of his pressed trousers, and he shot an amused smirk down at Cyrusās strawberry disaster before making eye contact. Cyrus wanted to be annoyed at TJ for his effortless coolness, but couldnāt be. Cyrus was just... way too happy to see that he actually showed up. He was even wearing a nice tie, knotted with care. Jonah didnāt wear a tie, Cyrus thought, then wondered why that comparison had even popped into his head.
āHey!ā Cyrus beamed, dropping his skewer onto a stray napkin and turning his body to face TJ. āGlad you made it! Sorry I havenāt been able to say āhiā sooner.ā
āNo, I get it,ā TJ tilted his head, and his smile softened in a way that made Cyrus feel strangely, indescribably pleased. āAll these people are here to celebrate you. Youāve gotta work the room.ā
āVery true,ā Cyrus replied with mock importance. āSchmoozing is my sacred duty as a newly-minted man.ā
TJ snorted, but his smile stayed soft and open as he leaned a hip against the edge of the table.
āI noticed you have basketball games outside, even though you donāt play basketball.ā
āYeah. I wanted Buffy to be able to show off a little if she decided one of my cousins is cute or something,ā Cyrus explained with a light shrug. Then, remembering that bringing up Buffy wasnāt the best idea, he immediately pivoted into a joke. āHave you been showing off to any of my cute cousins?ā he asked with a ridiculous eyebrow waggle.
For some reason, the question made TJās mouth go tight for a moment, but he was shrugging it off a second later. āNah, I think Jonah Beck is doing enough of that for all of us.ā
āAh. Right,ā Cyrus deadpanned. He braced himself for a wave of wistful, pointless jealousy to wash over him ā but it didnāt come. He mostly just felt a little bothered on Andiās behalf. Huh, he thought. That was... interesting.
āSo, can we talk about how your mom called you her Widdle Cookie Pie in front of everyone and then snuggled you?ā TJ teased with a big, playful grin.
āSure,ā Cyrus laughed. āI like to own what I am. And a Widdle Cookie Pie is one of the multitudes I contain. But you probably couldāve guessed that.ā
āIt suits you,ā TJ replied with a strange sincerity. For some reason, it made Cyrus feel kinda fizzy in his tummy.
āWell, then. You might enjoy knowing that Iām also, on occasion, her Sweet Widdle Muffin and her Bitty Brownie Bite.ā
āYouāre right,ā TJ laughed, and his smile was almost blinding. āI really, really enjoy knowing that.ā
A few long seconds stretched out around them, comfortable and warm as they just grinned at each other. TJ opened his mouth to say something else, butā
āCyrus!ā Buffy cut in, grabbing onto Cyrusās arm. She had her phone clutched tightly in her other hand and her jaw clenched.
āWhatās wrong?ā Cyrus asked, quickly tensing up with worry.
āCome outside with me. I...ā Buffy cut her eyes in TJās direction just enough to make her disdain obvious. She angled her body further between them, cutting TJ fully out of the conversation, then lowered her voice. āI have a call to make.ā
āOh,ā Cyrus said, and felt all the breath go out of his lungs as he realized what she meant. āIāll text Andi to meet us out there on the way.ā
Buffy nodded, then let go of his arm and started walking towards the doors, expecting him to immediately follow.
When he looked back to TJ, neither of them were happy anymore.
āSorry,ā Cyrus reluctantly excused himself, taking a halting backwards step. He tried to force a smile back onto his face, but it didnāt feel quite right. āIf I donāt see you again before youāre ready to leave, come find me to say ābyeā! I have a commemorative hoodie to give you!ā
āYeah, great,ā TJ said, forcing a smile in return.
It took some effort for Cyrus to turn away.
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