swingsets and dance routines ; tyrus

chapter #9: sunday

"Hold still TJ - you'll mess up my drawing," Cyrus scolded, shifting slightly on the bed.

TJ just squirmed away, giggling slightly. "Cy! The pen feels weird! Can't you press a bit harder?"

Cyrus couldn't help but smile. He had always known that TJ was cute, but for some reason that fact was hitting him harder than it normally did.

"Okay, I'll press harder, now get over here!"

TJ reluctantly shifted back over to the boy, holding out his arm. It was late afternoon, and there was glittering sunlight streaming through TJ's parted curtains. The storm from last night had eased up, leaving behind a clear blue sky. Everything felt hazier at this time of day - right when the sun was about to set - and the duo were lounging on TJ's bed talking about whatever came to their heads.

Cyrus was currently attempting to draw on TJ's arm, but it was proving to be a difficult task because he couldn't stop squirming for the life of him. It was far too endearing for Cyrus' heart to handle.

"Where'd you get this from?" he asked, skating his fingers gently over a purple looking bruise on TJ's forearm.

"I fell over at dance practise today," the boy explained, smiling slightly at the frown on Cyrus' face.

"I'm turning it into a flower for you," he declared, fishing around for a blue pen in his pencil case. He pulled one out with a soft 'aha' and gently grabbed TJ's arm again.

TJ watched for a moment as Cyrus began drawing petals, his smile fond.

"So...about those panic attacks..."

Cyrus looked up at the boy in alarm, his pen still hovering over TJ's skin.

TJ winced slightly. "I mean - only if you're comfortable with-"

"It's fine," Cyrus assured him with a sigh, returning back to his drawing. "Ask away."

"Okay," TJ nodded, his eyes darting between Cyrus and the drawing on his arm. "So...how long have you been having them?"

"Since seventh grade. That one was my first one in a few months...I think that's why Buffy was so surprised."

TJ nodded again, turning the information over in his head. "And...if you get one again...what should I do to help?"

Cyrus paused his drawing for a moment to look up at the boy, smiling slightly.

"Well...being in an outdoor space helps for me, but if that's not possible then reminding me that it's temporary would also help. I mean - I know it's temporary, but in the moment..."

"I get it," TJ assured him.

They both fell silence for a minute or two after that, TJ's gaze settling on Cyrus' face as he continued to add petals to the flower.

"TJ - I can feel your eyes on me," he laughed, looking up at the boy again.

"Well what else am I supposed to look at!" he defended.

Cyrus just rolled his eyes and returned to colouring. "I'm almost done."

His eyebrows were furrowed slightly as he drew, carefully shading in the petals. TJ began to squirm slightly again as he shaded the lighter parts, the pen grazing slightly over his skin.

"Cy," he warned.

The boy bit his lip to contain a grin. "I was doing that on purpose."

"You're evil!" he gasped, unable to keep from smiling.

Cyrus lifted his head again with a small smile, looking down at TJ's arm to admire his work.

"Beautiful," said TJ, taking the pen out of Cyrus' hand. "Can I draw something on your arm now?"