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Cyril,hisCyril is never far.
Scott is persistent though. Like a bloodhound on the trail, he keeps trying to break him. It doesn't help much that he is also some kind of legacy soldier. He’s in basic training, following in the footsteps of a bunch of prominent family members, some pretty high-ranking, from what Ty has heard.
This is the only reason why Cy hasn’t folded him like a pretzel and kicked the shit out of him yet. Every time he tries to torment Ty with his bullshit they both practice restraint and make a serious effort to remember that hurting Scott could kill their careers in the Army before they even finish training. Cyril is always ready to place himself between Tayida and any danger or conflict Scott might try to instigate.
Scott has had his eye on Tayida from day one, and Ty almost walks away from basic training because he is always in his face. Scott constantly taunts him, saying weird shit to get him to lose his grip and fumble through all the initial physical tests.
Seemingly, there is no obvious reason for his disdain for Ty. But Tayida has been around long enough to know that for some people, his ethnic background is reason enough to hate him. Perhaps it’s his strange name, the color of his skin, or maybe even that someone like Cyril would choose his friendship over Scott’s, no matter how much easier his life would be if he didn’t.
Scott is staring him down in the mirror, as he brushes his teeth, but Ty lets his glare slide off him. Scott makes a big show out of spitting at Ty’s reflection in the mirror. It’s so dumb, Ty wants to roll his eyes or laugh about it. Instead of reacting in any way, his eyes remain locked on his own reflection, following Cy’s example of restraint.
Scott’s trying to rattle him, that’s all. He knows the exact reason why – today, they are going out on mock missions. Cyril’s and Scott’s teams are always in tight competition, and while Cyril does his best to win because he cares for his people and wants them all to pull through, Scott has a lot more at stake. He always seems to perform like he’s being watched.
Perhaps everything he does is the conclusion of some test his family expects him to ace to honor their legacy. Every morning he must prove he’s worthy to be his father’s son or some other bullshit. Like he could make his descendants proud with nothing less than perfection. Ty can only imagine what drives him to this ridiculously hostile behavior.
During the field training exercise, they must observe the enemy’s camp, plan a rescue operation, extract hostages, and capture enemy soldiers for interrogation. A lot of the information will not be disclosed to them until they get to the location where the exercise will play out. Ty gets it – everyone’s on edge and wants their unit to pull through. The unknown parts of this complicated training operation are not to be dismissed. They must think fast on their feet and do whatever it takes to succeed. The pressure is on, but somehow with Scott, everything seems to be amplified to a higher level of aggressive competitive attitude.
They are on the same fucking side. Why can’t he focus on completing the training rather than proving who’s fucking best?
Scott lingers a few extra seconds, scoffs some unintelligible bigoted slur then slowly backs out of the bathrooms. His eyes are locked on Ty, but for the briefest of moments, he slips and gives Cyril a head-to-toe look, glaring.
Cy smirks, looking back at him in the mirror. He cocks his head and winks, simultaneously flexing his pecs. For someone who doesn’t mess around, he has the confidence of a seasoned fuck-boy. His cocky seductive leer could incinerate the panties off a nun.
Ty’s nemesis certainly seems to have fallen victim to his undeniable charm, his whole posture growing ridged and fidgety, affected by Cy’s blatant suggestive tease. The crimson splotchy heat suddenly spreading over Scott’s neck and cheeks is a dead ringer for exactly how he feels about Cy’s alpha male posturing.
Scott looks positively startled, like he’s been violently shaken away from a dream. He quickly scrambles out of the bathrooms, retreating to the safety of the barracks.
Once he’s gone, Cyril gives Ty’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Fuck him. You got this shit in the bag, Ty. You’ll nail it. I trust you with my fucking life.”
Ty swallows hard then hurriedly nods. He’s never quite ready to accept the faith Cyril is willingly placing in him. “I won’t let you down,” he mumbles, but Cy quickly shakes his head and throws an arm around his shoulders, pulling him in for a hug.
“You never let me down when you do your best. You never let me down. Period. All this shit we’re doing here is to prepare us for a very dangerous job in a foreign country. All of this will be happening for fucking real one day. The Scott’s of the world may think this bullshit here is what counts – points and stars and flags. I don’t care about any of that. I want us to make it back alive, in one fucking piece, no matter where we get shipped off to. What matters to me the most is your well-being and returning safely to Rian. You two are my people. My tribe. My family.”
Ty takes a deep breath. His hands are sweaty, and his heart is racing at the moving words of his friend. He forces a groan, to lighten his own dark thoughts.
“You’re such a sap.” He makes Cy laugh as he shoves him away lightly, even if he doesn’t want to let go of him just yet.
* * *
FALL OF 2011
Cyril takes Ty home the night before deployment and his whole life changes as soon as he finally lays eyes on Rian. If Cy is the sun that warms Ty, Rian is the moon that calls to him, moving his soul like the tide of the ocean. It’s instant. That pull. That enormous sense of want. It hits him like a freight train. He stands there stunned like someone has hit the reset button his whole life.
Rian and Cyril’s reunion is beyond emotional.
Ty can tell there is nothing but absolute love between the two boys. Cyril picks up Rian as soon as he rushes to him upon their arrival at the bus station. Cyril hugs him tight, lifting him off the ground, and crushing Rian closer to his chest, both brothers crying freely, happy to be finally reunited.
“Look at you. Rian…Thank fuck. I…” Cyril mutters in between muffled sobs.
Ty is startled to see Cyril in such a light – childlike, vulnerable, lost. For as long as they have known each other, Cy has been plenty kind and has never held back showing empathy, but he has never shed a tear for the entire duration of their training – not in fear, not in anger, not in frustration. The moment between the two brothers is so intimate that it makes Ty embarrassed to be intruding on it.
Rian is wrapped around his brother, murmuring quietly into Cy’s shoulder. Even his small sobs are jarring, painful stabs in Ty’s heart. He can’t fucking understand how Cyril can summon the strength to leave Rian behind.
When Cyril puts Rian down after a beat, his brother wipes his tears with the back of his hand, then smiles shyly at Ty, tucking his shoulder-length messy hair behind his ear.
“Hi Tayida, nice to finally meet you,” Rian says softly to him, trying to stand tall next to Cyril.
Rian is roughly the same height as his brother and that is all they really have in common in the looks department.
