The Name Game ➸ Tyrus (COMPLETE)

7

TJ's POV

"Um. . ." I churned out, my mind buzzing with the very words that had been threatening to spill out since I met Cyrus all those years ago. I noticed that his stage makeup was smeared, mascara running down his cheeks and highlighter dulled with sweat; but he still looked as beautiful as ever. Cyrus cleared his throat and gingerly took my hands in his. My heart felt like it was exploding. "TJ," Cyrus started, his brown eyes illuminated by the moonlight. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and tried to look anywhere but in his glimmering eyes. "Cyrus, I was jealous. I saw Gus kiss you, and it burned this. . .this pit in my stomach. I felt betrayed, like I had just lost the most important thing in my life all over again. And I know it's just a stupid play, but-" I quickly cut myself off and stared at Cyrus. What if he asked about what I meant by losing the most important thing in my life 'all over again'? I wasn't yet ready to tell Cyrus about our childhood meeting and how much it had impacted me. My worries were apparently unfounded, because Cyrus immediately shook his head and replied, "TJ. You're jealous because of Gus kissing me. . .why?"

I took a deep breath in and rolled my eyes like it was the most obvious thing I could be telling him in that moment. "Cyrus Goodman, I like you. . .like, 'like you-like you'. And I have for a very long time. Cyrus, I'm gay." I closed my eyes and readied myself for judgement; hatred, anger, disgust, anything. Cyrus' hand gently cupped my face and guided me to face him properly. He was now staring into my eyes and swiping at the makeup running down his cheeks. "TJ, I was hoping you'd say that," Cyrus responded slowly, his voice hardly above a whisper and sending chills all over my body. My jaw unconsciously dropped in disbelief. Did that mean that Cyrus likes me, too? As if he was reading my mind, Cyrus continued. "I like you too, Tyler James. A lot. I don't really know how to explain it without sounding creepy, but it feels like I've known for you for a really long time. Almost as if I knew you since we were kids, or since the beginning of time, or something. I don't know. And I think it goes without saying, but I'm gay, too." I knew what Cyrus meant about us knowing each other for a long time, and I considered explaining to him that we did, in fact, know each other as kids. Now would be the perfect time to tell him about our conversation all those years ago, and about how I've always known we were meant to be together. But I guess my mind had its share of excitement for the night because all I could think to say in return was, "I know exactly what you mean, Cyrus". I guess that's the truth--or, at least, part of it. I leaned nearer to Cyrus and pressed my forehead to his, relishing this moment with him that I was never quite sure when I'd get to experience it. The warmth of our faces and breath mingled, the moment growing more passionate with each second, until the theatre entrance doors swung open and Gus stormed out of them. "Cyrus Goodman, what the hell was that?"

Cyrus sprung up from where we had been sitting on the curb and I immediately felt my hands curl into fists, ready to protect my underdog at all costs. "What. . .What do you mean, Gus?" Cyrus replied shakily, taking short and unsure steps towards where Gus was standing. Gus took a step towards Cyrus in return and Cyrus took three back, cowering in fear. I then stood up from where I had been on the curb and stood in front of Cyrus, who was now lowering his head into my back and wrapping his arms around my waist. "Gus," I huffed out. "What the hell is your problem?" Gus looked up at me with challenge in his eyes. "Cyrus and I were supposed to share a second kiss that he initiates. It's in the script. Just as he was leaning down to kiss me, he goes for my chin instead! What if the audience noticed that? That ruins the maturity and credibility of our performance!" I had noticed Cyrus kiss Gus' chin during the last scene, but was still reeling from the jealousy I felt when the two had previously kissed. "Gus," Cyrus started, now walking out from behind me to face Gus. "I'm sorry. I really am. I didn't mean to ruin our performance. I just. . .When I looked down at your face, I realized that I didn't feel comfortable kissing you when I so badly wanted it to be the guy I've had feelings for." This sentence made me perk up. Cyrus was thinking about kissing ME during the performance. A warm feeling washed over me, and butterflies created an almost. . .enjoyable nausea in my stomach. I couldn't fight back my smile. Gus let out a short laugh, laced with accusation and exasperation. "I can see that, Cyrus. I come outside to see if you're okay and you're practically mashing faces with this bigoted bully!" I didn't feel phased by Gus' insult--I had been called a lot worse, and I honestly deserved a lot of the nicknames that I got. But Cyrus suddenly lurched forward and tackled Gus to the ground, yanking at his hair and throwing his glasses across the pavement. "If you ever," Cyrus exclaimed in-between an asthmatic wheeze, "Say another word about my boyfriend, I'll-"

"Cyrus," I screamed out, "It's okay, underdog!! Stop!! Please, you're going to get in trouble!" I peeled an out-of-breath Cyrus off of a writhing Gus, who instantly stood to his feet. I noticed Cyrus' makeup smeared all over his top, which in turn had me trying to stifle a laugh. "Look at you, Cyrus," Gus exclaimed. "TJ's already having a negative influence on you. You better be careful. . .and get it together before our next show." I could practically hear Cyrus roll his eyes as he wriggled out of my protective grasp. "'Our next show'?" Cyrus huffed. "You can do the show with Walker, my alternate. I'm out." Before Gus could protest, Cyrus had already intertwined our fingers and was leading us away from the school and towards the park.

"So. . .according to what you told Gus, I'm your boyfriend?" I asked breathlessly, still in disbelief from Cyrus' outrage. I can't believe he defended me like that. I can't believe tonight actually happened at all. Cyrus looked up at me thoughtfully and nodded, his hair tousled and makeup practically wiped off. Oh my gosh, he was absolutely ravishing. "Boyfriend," Cyrus confirmed.

At this point, I was practically kicking myself for not telling Cyrus about our childhood moment, but now just didn't feel like the right time.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Let me know what you think! Get ready for a whole 'lotta angst in the next chapter. ;)