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“Okay, okay.I, I’menjoying this. I’m a grown-ass man who is tired of doing everything, all the time for everyone and wants his brother to baby him. Andno, by everyone I most definitely don’t mean you. You happy now? You know what? I don’t care what you think, okay? Fuck you. I love you but fuck you.”
Ty almost chokes on the last of his waffles trying to stop snickering at Cyril’s confession. There’s nothing wrong with what he’s saying. It’s perfectly fine to let go of all control and let someone look after you. It’s not okay to go about it as covertly as he is, but hey, who the fuck is Tayida to judge. He has just fed another grown man and loved it. This tiny apartment is brimming with weirdoes.
Cy glances over his shoulder. Rian is choosing him a fresh set of pajamas. He turns back to Tayida grinning, “I think Ri would be an amazing dad one day. I can’t wait to see him fall in love and start his own family.”
Tayida knows he should say something. But his true feelings are still too big and scary to be revealed.
Of course, Rian would be a fantastic dad.
And guess what Cyril? I’d like him to fall in love with me.
Instead of saying what he’s really thinking, he pushes around the crumbs on his plate.
Cyril pays him no mind, finishing his breakfast.
Once Rian is satisfied Cyril has had enough to eat and has stuffed him with a generous dose of cold and flu medicine, he sends him to the bathroom for a hot shower. Then he guides him to his bed, helping him put on a fresh pair of Christmas-themed pajamas and thick socks.
Wow, Cyril is really putting on a show – lifting his arms weakly above his head so Rian can dress him. Tayida rolls his eyes at him, but Cy remains in character.
“Stay put, I’ll bring the Vicks cream,” Rian tells him, as he hurries out of the bedroom.
“No!” Cyril groans, “Not that again, please, I swear to God I can breathe just fine!”
“Don’t be a baby! That cough was dreadful. The cream will help clear all that congestion.” He yells out from the bathroom.
Ty hisses laughing, “I told you you’ll regret this shit.”
Cyril gives him a defiant look, lips pressed firmly in a thin line.
“Fuck you,”Cy mouths quickly, before Rian returns.
Rian hurries back into the bedroom. Ty snickers at the way he efficiently manhandles Cyril applying the obnoxiously smelly cream all over his back and chest, completely ignoring Cy’s protests.
“My eyes sting,” Cy is whining. Wailing is more like it. Ty can’t stop laughing.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Rian groans and ruthlessly continues applying the thick cream.
“But it burns!” Cyril all but shrieks pitifully.
“Cyril! Stop this right now. Do you want to get better or not? You’ve been sick for days.”
Rian gives him a serious look, one that sorts Cy right away. He instantly gives up his protests and leans back in his bed melting into the mattress, looking guilty.
“I’ll check on you in an hour. Call out if you need anything, okay?”
For all his objections to Rian’s healing ministrations, Cyril looks pretty snug and happy to have his pillow fluffed and adjusted and his temperature taken seconds later.
Rian places his hand over his forehead, checking his temperature one last time, then murmurs, “I love you.”
He even tucks him in, kissing his forehead.
Cy seems to be perfectly resigned to Rian handling him like a child. The way he beams back at Rian, while he is fussing over him makes Ty chuckle. Rian is the only person that gets to baby Cyril. It's just how their dynamic is – when Cyril is home, he lets Rian look after him as much as he wants to. He doesn't need it, but it makes Rian happy.
“I love you too,” Cy tells him, smiling softly back at him. “Thank you for looking after me.”
“Always.” Rian pushes Cy’s hair back away from his face.
They are both nurturers in a way – Rian with his cooking and fussing, and Cyril with his emotional and physical support, the way he encourages and builds up those he cares for. Looking at them, Ty feels only love. Happiness. Content.
