tyrus oneshots

#6: Dogwalker boy

A/N:

Hello! I know it's been forever but uhhh...this one is 12.1k so I hope that makes up for it!

(Ft. Bratty!Cyrus and Dogwalker!TJ)

~

It was when the sun had fallen below the horizon that TJ finally traipsed up to the Goodman residence, tugging self-consciously at his jacket as he went. The dark clouds above him were tinged with pink as the last remnants of natural light began to fade, and TJ came to an abrupt stop outside of the gates to observe the place for a moment, slightly awe-struck.

It was huge.

Really - TJ shouldn't have been overly surprised. If these people were paying someone to walk their dogs for them, then they wouldn't exactly be strapped for cash. It was almost like a small mansion with it's grand looking front door, it's neatly kept garden and it's two towering stories, each with large windows that showcased the modern-looking interior. TJ took a few more moments to just gawk, feeling somewhat like an idiot, before stepping up to the front door and raising a hand to press the doorbell.

The golden doorbell TJ noted with a small laugh, but the smile was wiped right off his face when the door was thrown open all of a sudden. Light flooded the porch, and to TJ's shock Cyrus Goodman was stood in front of him, regarding him with a look of pointed disinterest.

"No need for a doorbell when people spend so long just staring," he remarked, not missing a beat. TJ had to take a moment or two to process what was happening, blinking a few times in disbelief.

The email had said Goodman. Goodman! Why hadn't he made that connection? He was going to be walking dogs for this guy!

Despite the realization, TJ tried to remain at least somewhat composed. The very last thing he wanted to do was seem even a tiny bit fazed, so he settled on raising an eyebrow.

"It wasn't that long, Goodman. Is your mom home?"

Cyrus just smiled. "You know me?"

"Who doesn't?" TJ responded with a scoff.

Cyrus looked far too pleased by the words, which TJ really should've anticipated. He took a deep, centering breath and forced himself to return the smile, even if it was sarcastic. He had never interacted with Cyrus before, but from this encounter alone he could confidently say he wanted to keep their exchanges minimal

He opened his mouth to ask if the boy had even heard his question, but before he could Cyrus was turning on his heel and stalking back down the hallway. TJ just looked after him, a ghost of an amused smile on his face. A minute or so went by before he heard footsteps again, slower and more purposeful than Cyrus' had been.

"Hi TJ!" he heard before his eyes landed on a friendly, slightly frazzled-looking woman.

He smiled warmly and held out a hand as she approached. "Hi, Mrs. Goodman. How are you?"

"Great!"

She stopped at the doorway and accepted his handshake with a smile. Up close, TJ couldn't help but notice how exhausted she looked, her face slightly grey and her gaze tired. Unknowingly, his smile took a sympathetic edge.

"So you expressed an interest in having both of your dogs walked?" he asked.

She nodded, and TJ pulled his phone from his pocket to begin taking notes.

"For an hour four nights a week?"

"If it's possible, then that'd be great. My son is home most nights so he can let you in to get the leashes."