I chose #22, “I’ve seen the way you look at me when you think I don’t notice.” Also, this somehow this became a vaguely Cinderella inspired fairytale AU, but I hope you enjoy it! (PS: I’m sorry about Amber in this, but no one else really fit the bill for this…)
The palace was bustling, as servants and members of the court alike prepared for Prince Jonah’s ball, in honor of his birthday. Royals would be traveling from far and wide for the chance to meet the prince, and perhaps win his hand. Cyrus, on the other hand, would be spending both nights of the festival in the kitchen, over steaming pots of soup and roasted lamb that he wasn’t allowed to eat, dodging flak from Mistress Amber, the head of the kitchen staff. Mistress Amber ran a tight ship, and if you disobeyed her even once, you could lose your position–and jobs in the royal palace were not easy to come by. Cyrus knew he was lucky to have the job he did, but a part of him wished he could at least have one night off. Was that too much to ask?
He sighed as he slipped out of the palace and into the garden, attempting to make the most of his short break. The late summer sun was shining, and Cyrus breathed deeply, trying to take in as much of the fresh air as possible. In the corner of the garden, there was a small bench, surrounded by pale pink roses. That was Cyrus’s favorite place in the garden. He made his way over and sat down on the bench, sniffing the roses as he did so. A moment passed before Cyrus heard a voice from the other side of the garden.
“Don’t you know servants aren’t allowed in the royal garden?” The voice called out. “Except for gardeners, of course.”
Cyrus looked up and rolled his eyes. “I have an invitation from the Prince himself.”
Jonah laughed. “I suppose I can’t argue with that.” If there was one thing that made every bit of vitriol from Mistress Amber, every hour of tiresome work, worth it, it was that somehow he’d managed to befriend the Prince himself. It started with a few happenstance meetings–it’s bound to happen eventually–and at some point Jonah had suggested that they meet on purpose. He’d also suggested the garden as a meeting spot, and given him a key to the gate. Cyrus wasn’t sure why or how, but somehow they became best friends.
“So,” Cyrus cleared his throat. “Are you excited for the ball?”
Jonah rolled his eyes. “Not really. My parents expect me to choose a spouse. As if I could fall in love with someone in one night!”
“Yeah,” Cyrus nodded. “It does seem a bit rushed.”
Jonah continued his rant: “And, frankly, how do they know I’m not already in love? Maybe I am, and I just haven’t told them yet.”
Cyrus’s heart stopped. “Are you?” He’d been dreading this day for months now. The day Jonah fell in love. Cyrus always knew he didn’t stand a chance, but at least he hadn’t had to hear about Jonah with someone else.
Jonah hesitated for a moment, his green eyes wide, before swallowing and responding. “Yes.”
Cyrus knew he had no right to feel upset, but even so, he could feel the beginnings of tears prickling at his eyes. “Right, well then,” he cleared his throat, “I should get back to work.”
He left the garden as fast as possible, ignoring the sound of Jonah calling after him.
****
Cyrus spent the next few days focusing on the many, many tasks he had received as part of the preparations for the ball, avoiding the prince, and ignoring the ache in his chest. Soon, the day of the ball arrived, and Cyrus no longer had the time to feel sad, for he was overloaded with tasks. As night fell, and guests began arriving, Cyrus was stuck over a boiling pot of stew. For a moment, he let his mind wander, to imagine what it would be like to be invited to a royal ball. He rested his head in his free hand, thinking of the dancing and music and crystal chandeliers.
“Cyrus!” Mistress Amber’s sharp voice pulled him back to reality. “Daydream on your own time!”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Cyrus sighed, lifting his head and stirring vigorously.
“I’m moving you to dish washing duty,” Mistress Amber sneered. “As soon as that stew is finished.”
“But washing dishes takes all night and I’ve already been here all day!”
“One of the other servants is dreadfully ill,” she shrugged. “You’re the best fit for a replacement.” An with that, she stalked off to another part of the kitchen.
Cyrus looked down at the pot of stew in front of him. It was only about five minutes from being done. And then he would be stuck on dishwashing duty, a seemingly never ending task, as dirty dishes were constantly coming in throughout the night. He frowned. I wish I didn’t have to wash another dish in my life. I wish I was more than just a kitchen boy. I wish I could go to the ball.
“Well, you can’t go to the ball dressed like that,” came a voice from behind him.
Cyrus whirled around to see a boy with orange hair and freckles.
“Who are you? What are you talking about?”
“I’m Marty,” the boy grinned. “And I’m your Guardian.”
“My what?”
“A fairy protector,” Marty explained. “Everyone has one. I sensed you needed my help. And here I am. Now, let’s get you to that ball.”
“But, I–” Cyrus wasn’t allowed to finish as Marty snapped his fingers and magic began flying around the kitchen (though somehow no one else seemed to notice).
“Let’s see, we’ll need a projection of you for the dishes, so the others don’t realize you’re gone. You already live at the palace, so no need for a carriage, but you need some better clothes, and magic to disguise your face.”
The next thing Cyrus knew, he was dressed all in silver and blue, from the thin, elegant crown on his head, to the glittery shoes on his feet, and Marty was pushing him towards the doors of the ballroom. He hesitated for a moment before stepping in, and immediately wished he hadn’t. All eyes were on him, including Prince Jonah. The prince immediately crossed the ballroom to stand in front of him, and then fell into a low bow.
“May I have this dance?”
“O-Of course, your highness.” Cyrus stammered, his face flushing. This had to be a dream.
They danced for an hour, before Jonah was pulled away by Princess Andi, and Cyrus decided it was a good time to get some air. Dancing with Jonah was just what he dreamed it would be, and it killed him that the magic would wear off, and the evening would be over at midnight. He frowned as he looked up at the stars. I wish Jonah always saw me like this.
“There you are,” Jonah’s voice came from behind Cyrus. “I’ve been looking for you.”
“I needed some air,” Cyrus explained. “I’m sorry, your highness.”
“Cyrus, stop it,” Jonah rolled his eyes. “You know you don’t need to call me that.”
Cyrus froze. “Wh–How? How did you know it was me?”
Jonah laughed. “I know what you look like.”
“There’s supposed to be magic to hide my face,” Cyrus bit his lip.
Jonah softened, then, a shy smile playing on his lips. “Magic like that doesn’t work when someone loves you.”
Cyrus gaped at the prince. “You love me?”
Jonah nodded, and took his hand. “Of course I do. I want…I want to marry you.”
“Jonah, I…We can’t.” Cyrus shook his head and dropped Jonah’s hand.
“Why not?” Jonah pushed. “I’ve seen the way you look at me when you think I don’t notice. I know you feel it, too.”
Cyrus blushed a deep crimson. “I’m a servant. You’re a prince.”
“I don’t care!” Jonah insisted. “I love you.”
“You’re only saying that because I look like this,” He gestured to his fine clothes. At that moment, the clock bell began to chime. It was midnight. Cyrus moved to run, but Jonah stepped in front of him.
“That’s not true.”
“Please,” Cyrus begged over the sound of the bells. “Just let me go.”
Jonah didn’t move. “Cyrus…I don’t care that you’re a servant. I’ve loved you as long as I’ve known you. You must believe me.”
And then, in a flash of light, Cyrus’s beautiful clothes were gone, replaced with his usual servant’s attire. He sighed. “You can’t possibly mean that. Look at me.”
Jonah took a step forward and placed a hand on Cyrus’s cheek. “I have. You’re beautiful.”
Cyrus swallowed dryly. “But you have to marry another royal. Your advisors will never allow this.”
“I don’t care,” Jonah insisted. “To hell with my advisors.” And then he closed the distance between them.
Jonah jerks awake, startled from his slumber by a disturbing dream. He quickly turns to his left and breathes a sigh of relief when he sees Cyrus sitting next to him on the couch engrossed in a book.
Cyrus must feel Jonah’s eyes on him because he glances up from the page he’s on, furrowing his eyebrows when he sees the distress on Jonah’s face. “Are you okay?” He asks.
Jonah nods, though he’s still a bit out of it. “Yeah, I’m fine. I just…I had a weird dream.”
Cyrus puts his book down and focuses his attention on Jonah. “What was it about?”
Jonah hesitates before replying, “I dreamed you had a crush on me.”
Cyrus grins smugly at his revelation and tells him, “That’s not a dream, Jonah, that’s reality.”
Jonah frowns slightly and then says, “I know, but in the dream you never told me about your crush. You had the crush and then it was just gone.”
“What?”
Cyrus looks at him completely bewildered, and Jonah can’t blame him for being confused about his odd dream. “Yeah, it was so weird. But the weirdest part was as soon as you said you were over your crush on me then Buffy, of all people, said she had a crush on me.”
Cyrus stares at him strangely before bursting into laughter. “That’s hilarious.”
Jonah agrees, “I know! It was such a ridiculous dream. I was chasing after Andi even though neither of us really liked each other that way. And I completely ignored your obvious feelings for me and mine for you. It was crazy.”
“That sounds more like a nightmare,” Cyrus points out but then adds, “or a really poorly written television show.”
“I know, right?” Cyrus is about to return to his book when Jonah says, “But just to be sure. Andi?”
“Blissfully happy with Walker,” Cyrus responds.
“Buffy?”
“Loving the party with Marty.”
“Good. And TJ?”
Once again Cyrus gives him a confused look as he questions “Who?”
Jonah inquires, “Don’t we know someone with that name?”
“Uh…no,” Cyrus replies with a soft chuckle. “That must’ve really been some nightmare if you’re making up people who don’t even exist. You’re adorable, you know that, right?”
Jonah smiles warmly at Cyrus. “I do. So, we’re really okay?”
Cyrus leans over to kiss him on the cheek. “We’re more than okay and no crazy dream is ever going to change that.”
“So Jonah, how come this is your first time here?” Asks Mrs.Goodman.
“I guess it’s because we usually just hang out other places,” I say. I’m a little nervous. I’ve only met his parents once at his Bar Mitzvah.
“Do you guys hang out a lot?” She asks.
“All the time,” I say smiling.
*Cyrus’s point of view*
“Do you hang out with Cyrus alone a lot?” Dad asks. Oh no.
“Sometimes,” Jonah says still oblivious. They know I like him. I haven’t even told him I like guys.
“So what do you like to do? Cyrus has told us a lot about you by the way,” Mom asks. I start breathing faster. How do they even know?
“I like play ultimate frisbee. I’ve just recently started playing the guitar and singing. I skateboard,” he says. He grabs my hand under the table. “Cy, are you ok?” He whispers. I shake my head. “What’s wrong?” I look up at my parents.
“How did guys know?” I say, “I haven’t even told you that I liked guys.” Jonah’s eyes widen. My parents just smile.
“Cyrus, we’re your parents, even if I’m not blood, I still know you just as well as your father,” Mom says.
“Son, we didn’t even think you would come out to us. We just expected you to bring a boy home to meet us. It’s what you would do if you were straight. Why should it be any different?” He says. I smile, tears in my eyes. I walk up and hug my dad letting the tears fall.
“I love you, dad,” I say.
“I love you too, son,” he says. I then go to hug my step-mom.
“I love you, Mom,”
“I love you too, Cyrus.” I sit back down next to Jonah and look at both of them.
“Thank you guys,” I say wiping away the tears of happiness, “we’re not dating though.”
“We’re friends,” Jonah says. I nod, though I hope It doesn’t stay that way for long.
“Speaking of which,” I begin, “Can Jonah stay over?” They look at each other as if contemplating. Dad gives a nod.
“Sure he can, sweetie,” Mom says. I grin.
“Thanks Mom and Dad,” I say. We all have a great time talking and eating and soon finish eating dinner.
“Jonah, you go ahead and head back up to Cyrus room and let your parents know you’re staying here and make sure it’s ok with them,” Dad says, “I wanna talk to Cyrus for a bit.” Oh no. Should I be worried?
“Yes, Sir,” Jonah says going up stairs. I smile at him. He’s so polite.
“Now, son, you’re getting older,” Dad says.
“Wait. Please tell me this isn’t what I think it is.” I say.
“Jonah is allowed spend the night, but I don’t want any funny business. You may think he’s cute. You may want to kiss him a lot, and do other things too, but be warned. Kissing can-.” He says. My face turns to horror.
“Dad, I really don’t wanna hear this.”
“He’s just trying to help you, Son. You’re a man now. Soon, you’ll start to have urges,” mom says.
“Mom, please. Not you too. I’m too young for this. Nothing is going to happen. I don’t want those things to happen! I’m too young for those things!” I say pleading for them to stop.
“Thankfully we’ve know you were gay and have prepared,” Dad says. Why me?
*Jonah’s point of view*
I’ve called my parents. Dad was a voicemail so I left him a message. Mom answered though. She thought it was a great idea. I wonder what’s taking Cyrus so long. He’s been gone forever. Finally, he walks through the door. He looks like he’s seen ghost.
“Cyrus, are you ok?” I ask. He takes a deep breath.
“My parents just gave me the talk,” he says. My eyes widen.
“Ouch! Did they just give you the whole wait and when you do be safe and talk about STDs. Or did they like go into detail?” I ask. Poor Cyrus. I had that talk about a year or two ago. It’s really awkward.
“No...They...went into detail. I don’t think I ever wanna have sex after that,” he says. I smile at him.
“I’m sure you will one day,” I say, “It just might take a while,”
“I don’t think you understand the impact of two shrinks giving you the talk,” he says, “Though I am glad they knew I was gay...I don’t think I could have survived that much detail about straight sex. I don’t even know how I survived this talk,” I get off Cyrus’s bed, and grab his shoulders gently.
“Cyrus, it’s completely ok, that it weirds you out. And it’s even more ok that you don’t wanna have sex for a while. Neither do I. We’re thirteen. We’re not supposed to want that yet. So let’s just forget about it ok? Let’s just enjoy the rest of tonight. I’ve already picked the next movie,” I say.
“You’re right. Sorry, I freaked out. Forgetting it is a good idea,” Cyrus says shuddering. I grab the movie.
“Although, it’s kinda strange that they gave you the talk the one day, I spent the night here,” I say smirking.
“Yeah, weird,” he says.
“I mean, they did think I was your boyfriend. So I guess that makes sense,” I say. He blushes.
“Sorry about that by the way,” he says. I walk up to him putting the movie on the bed.
“Don’t be,” I say looking him in the eye. I take a deep breath. This is it. “In fact, I actually wouldn’t mind if I was.” This is way more scary than telling Andi I liked her.
“You-you wouldn’t?” He asks. I take a step closer to him.
“Not one bit. You asked me who I had my eye on earlier...it’s you Cy-guy.” I say taking his hand gently.
“I like you too, Jonah.” He says smiling. I match his smile with one of my own. I glance down at his lips. He smirks leaning in. Is he gonna? I close my eyes and feel soft lips touch mine. Then he pulls away and out eyes flutter open. We smile at each other. “So that’s what a kiss supposed to be like.” I nod. We’re both blushing like mad.
title: night kisses // pairing: cyrus x jonah //.5k words (drabble)
written for 30 days of jyrus: day 2
(I am not really a writer, I don’t practice writing much, so I would appreciate little to no criticism)
Jonah had never felt this peaceful and safe in his life.
Under the darkened sky, he lays with his arms around the only person his age he is truly comfortable with, just enjoying the night. Away from everything that makes him feel anxious, confused, and guilty.
Jonah focuses on breathing the cool, fresh air as he places his forehead on the other boy’s neck. This is what ‘intimacy’ is. He had heard it before, and he was told it meant “being able to feel vulnerable with someone while still feeling safe”.It confused him at the time, but now there is no confusion. Only understanding and comfort.
“Jonah?”
Cyrus turns in Jonah’s arms, facing him and trying to find his eyes in the dark. His voice is raspy and quiet, as he hasn’t spoken for a while.
“Yes, Cyrus?” Jonah responds carefully, not wanting this conversation to ruin the perfect atmosphere.
Cyrus buries his face in Jonah’s neck, and with his lips next to Jonah’s ear says, “You’re the best thing to ever happen to me.”
Cyrus says it with so much raw honesty that Jonah almost cries on the inside, although his body tenses up and freezes. He lets out a breath carefully, and takes another one in. After a few more breaths his body finally listens to him and relaxes.
Cyrus was patient through Jonah’s attempts to calm himself, but he still waits for an answer, and Jonah can almost feel him starting to worry that he went too far, too fast.
Jonah moves back from Cyrus so he can try to find his eyes. He needs Cyrus to not only hear, but completely understand what he is about to say.
When they are face to face, Jonah moves in closer, their noses almost touching. He stares deeply into the other boy’s eyes before he speaks.
“You’re the best thing to ever happen to me, too. I would be nothing without you. I trust you completely, in ways that I have never trusted anyone else.”
He lets his words linger in the crisp air for a handful of seconds, his eyes closed in the wake of his confession, before moving his hand to caress Cyrus’s cheek. He finds it wet, from silent tears let out by the boy.
“Happy tears?” Jonah hopes.
Cyrus nods, and for some reason, Jonah is now in danger of crying as well.
The moment hangs in the air, and it feels almost like time has frozen, stopped just for them so they could live in this moment of happiness and love for just a little longer before reality would hit. Jonah feels as if there is one more thing he has to do before time starts moving again.
“Can I kiss you?”
This time when he nods, Cyrus give a verbal response as well.
“Yes.”
Even though Jonah was the one who asked, they both lean in to press their lips together softly. It is glorious, amazing, like waking up--
Jonah wakes up.
Later that day he is walking down the hall when he hears Cyrus call out to him.
“Hey, Jonah!!!” Cyrus waves enthusiastically with a big smile on his face.
“Hey, Cy-guy!” Jonah returns with a pleasant, happy smile.
However, when he turns away his face is all worry. What would Cyrus think about Jonah’s dreams? He would probably be freaked out at best and grossed out at worst.
Jonah resigns himself to never telling the other boy. What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.
Writing prompt: Jyrus having a sleepover (jyrus month day 20) and they have a cute pillow fight which results in a kiss? :)) thank you
((I know I’m a day late, but better late than never, right? This one is pretty open, so let’s run with it and see where it goes on this Friday night!))
“Jonah! Cyrus! Dinner’s ready!”
The boys quickly ran inside, or in Cyrus’ case fast-walked, in order to gobble up their dinner; chicken stir fry.
“This is delicious, Mrs. Goodman, thank you so much. And also for letting me sleep over,” he added, midbite.
“Of course, Jonah. It’s always nice for Cyrus to have sleepover with his friends,” she replied, wiping her hands on the cloth and heading into the living room to continue her knitting.
Friends. Cyrus knew his mom meant well with that, but it still hurt. Jonah was with Andi. Andi was with Jonah. They were a couple. (Almost) nothing would change that.
As if Jonah could sense a shift in mood, he cleared his throat to speak.
“Do you wanna have a pillow fight?”
“So what are the rules again?” Cyrus asked, a blue pillow in his hand and a yellow one in Jonah’s.
“Dude, it’s a pillow fight. There basically are no rules. Smack the other person with a pillow and keep going until you’re both tired,” he shrugged, pulling the pillow up like he was throwing a baseball.
Cyrus winced in response, dropping his pillow and putting his hands in front of his face for defense. His eyes were shut so tight he was seeing colors, and Jonah, in response, dropped his pillow.
“Okay, so maybe keep the pillow in your hands,” he started, picking up the other boy’s pillow and handing it to him, “I’ll let you have the first swing, free of charge,” he offered, standing with his arms out.
Cyrus glanced from the pillow to Jonah. Pulling it back, he swung with what he thought was enough force but he ended up missing Jonah completely.
“I am a hopeless sleepover case,” he groaned, burying his head in the pillow.
“You got it. Here I’ll just step up,” he suggested, taking a lunge of a step, his body roughly two feet away from Cyrus; there was no way he’d miss now.
The other boy swallowed thickly, shakily bringing his pillow back and swinging it with all his might, causing Jonah to stumble backwards and fall to the ground.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry! I-I didn’t mean to do that Jonah,” Cyrus fumbled for words, tossing his pillow to the side and kneeling by Jonah.
The fallen boy broke out into a devious grin, pulling the pillow from underneath him and giving Cyrus a swift, but gentle, hit with it. “Never let your guard down, Goodman,” he warned, earning a squeal from Cyrus.
“Not fair! I call treason! Utmost dishonor!” he proclaimed, giggling as Jonah proceeded to hit him with the pillow, Cyrus pushing away at it with his hands. He managed to latch on to the casing a tear it away from the two of them. As a result, Jonah landed on the floor with his arms underneath him, his left side pressed up into Cyrus’ right.
Cyrus face was several shades redder than was normal, but luckily Jonah’s face mimicked his. There were a few moments of deafening silence, as each boy studied the other’s features.
“Um,” Cyrus sputtered out, coughing lightly and propping himself up on his elbows, “that was…something,”
Not what I wanted to do, was what Jonah wanted to say, but the words were caught in his throat. His sleep deprived self dove forward and plunged his lips against Cyrus’, sending waves of euphoria through his body. Suddenly adrenaline was pumping through his veins and he felt more awake than ever.
“That was…something else,” Cyrus grinned after pulling back, the tip of his nose nudging against Jonah’s.
“A good something else?”
Cyrus beamed, leaning in for another kiss. “A great one,”
A/N: Sorry this is late, I’ve been swamped with work and other requests!
