The Power of Touch//Tyrus AU

Chapter 9: Stay

Tj demonstrated how Cyrus should move his feet. He went into the rink and did a lap. Cyrus leaned against the wall, holding on for dear life. Then Tj skated over to him.

"Think you can do it?" Tj raised his eyebrows with a smile on his face. Cyrus' face showed fear. Tj laughed and went around the wall and to Cyrus' side. Then he held out his hand. Cyrus hesitated before grabbing it smiling.

Of course their hands let off a light. They tried to ignore it. Cyrus started to try and roller skate. He went really slow until he made it to the actual rink. They stepped inside.

"Hey hold both of my hands and don't let go." Tj smiled as he skated in front of Cyrus. Cyrus did so. Then Tj started to skate backwards pulling Cyrus along. They were going much faster than before.

Cyrus smiled and Tj smiled back. Then Tj slowed down and went back to Cyrus' side. Still holding one of his hands.

"Aw look. Their in love." Another teenage boy skating by said as he turned to his friends laughing.

Tj looked at them and then at the floor. He bit his lip. Then he looked at the exit to the rink and lead Cyrus there. He sat on a bench. Cyrus sat next to him and looked at him.

"Are you okay?" Cyrus asked. Tj shook his head.

"Is it because of what that boy said?" Cyrus looked over to find the boy with a group of his friends. Tj shrugged as he stared at the ground.

"Who cares what they think?" Cyrus said as he placed his hand on Tj's. Tj pulled his hand away.

"Me, Cyrus. I care." Tj looked around. His eyes focused on a couple roller skating. It was a girl with wavy brown hair and a boy with blonde hair. They looked happy. Tj shook his head.

"Tj...." Cyrus didn't know what to say.

"Let's just go." Tj mumbled as he changed back into his normal shoes. Cyrus did so too. Then they began walking back home in silence.

"Tj...it doesn't matter what they said. They were wrong anyway." Cyrus shrugged breaking the silence.

"What?" Tj furrowed his eyebrows.

"You're obviously straight." Cyrus mumbled.

"Says who?" Tj asked.

"The way you looked at that couple in jealousy. It's obvious you want that. Not this. And we are obviously just friends, right?" Cyrus raised his eyebrows. Tj went silent for a minute.

"This says otherwise." He grabbed Cyrus' hand. Cyrus and Tj stopped walking and looked down at their glowing hands. Tj slowly lifted his eyes to meet Cyrus'.

"Well is this what you want?" Cyrus asked. Tj just stared into Cyrus' eyes. Was it what he wanted? He wasn't sure. Tj wasn't repulsed by the idea, but something was holding him back.

"I don't know what I want." Tj mumbled removing his hand. Cyrus nodded.

"And that's ok." Cyrus tried to smile. Tj closed his eyes and took a deep breathe.

"I just wish I did know. How'd you know?" Tj looked at Cyrus. Cyrus got choked up. He didn't expect to get this question.

"Well...I...of course I liked a boy." Cyrus nodded slowly.

"But how'd you know you liked them?" Tj has no expression on his face.

"Well I was jealous of them and their girlfriend who happened to be my best friend. And I could just tell the way I felt about them was different. My heart fluttered around them. I got nervous around them." Cyrus explained as he stared into the distance.

"Do you still like them?" Tj kind of felt...jealous.

Cyrus looked back at Tj who was looking at him with his eyebrows raised. "No. I don't." Cyrus said firmly. Tj nodded and began walking again.

Cyrus followed. Tj just had to process his feelings. He went silent. Eventually they reached his house and went inside. Tj sat on his bed. Cyrus picked up his book bag.

"I'm gonna go home." Cyrus said smiling. Tj nodded and let out a soft "bye."

Cyrus walked out and shut the door behind him. He paused there for a second. Then he looked back at the door. Then the door opened and he released his hand from the door knob.

Tj was standing there and he looked at Cyrus. "Can you stay?" Tj asked softly. Cyrus smiled a little bit and nodded.
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bro summer has been so f-ing boring. thanks for coming to my ted talk. have a nice day :)