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So cute and stubborn.
Ty snorts a laugh. “This is a mistake.”
Rian blinks rapidly then rubs his eyes, “I’m not tired in the least.”
“Okay,” Ty smirks shaking his head.
Anybody who has seen the epic trilogy knows very damn well that, you can’t truly enjoy it on tiny screens. Ty’s beloved movie is barely recognizable on the display of the ancient television.
It’s blurry. It’s grainy. It’s terrible. Absolute travesty.
Fuck it. It’s not like Tayida is watching any of it.
He’s hyper-focused on Rian’s closeness, their shoulders almost touching. Rian smells so damn good. Ty wants to snuggle closer, tuck his head in the crook of Rian’s neck and spend the night wrapped around him. Tayida can imagine twirling his fingers idly through Rian’s beautiful soft locks and falling asleep in his arms.
Why can’t he just pitch his arms up like in one of those rom-coms, pretend to yawn, and then not so subtly throw his arm over Ri’s shoulder? What would Rian do? Ty could swear there was something different brewing in the air. Sometimes it almost felt like, Rian sought to be near Ty, finding any excuse to linger and engage him in longer conversations. He’s been coming up with things for them to do together. They’ve been out almost every day for the past week.
Out together. As friends. Not on dates.He keeps reminding himself of that, but the more he tries to reinforce this statement, the less it rings true. He should stop reading into things too much, or he will set himself up for disappointment.
We’re just friends.
He loves spending all this time with Ri. He loves getting to know Rian even more. Tayida isn’t complaining – he’s greedy about every extra moment he gets to have Rian to himself.
Rian always makes sure Ty feels comfortable and welcome. He always insists his company for the holidays is wanted and appreciated.
They are all adults, it should be implied in the fact that Cyril and Rian have asked him to stay with them in the first place, but Rian never hesitates to go the extra mile and reassure him. Ty’s two favorite people in the world are his safe place. He can be vulnerable with them. His need to be comforted and encouraged will be met without hesitation. He never has to worry about being too much.
And yes, Ty knows Cyril wants him there. However, hearing it from Rian over and over again is when Ty begins to feel a completely new sense of gratitude. A bone-deep appreciation for Rian’s kind words, for his understanding of Ty’s anxiousness, and the fact that he never fails to soothe Ty’s worries in the sweetest of ways.
Their pantry was always stocked with Ty’s favorite things, and their kitchen was entirely his when he stayed with Rian and Cyril. His designated domain to cook and entertain and be able to give back and care for them in his own way.
The things he buys for Rian over the years, he is often too anxious to bring along with him. There are two large storage chests in his father’s cabin filled with all sorts of trinkets and art he would love to give to Rian one day. Books are safe so he always gifts him those. Between the two of them, they have amassed quite the library.
This isn’t Ty’s first stay with Rian and Cyril, but perhaps it is the first time he actually takes an inventory of all the things that Rian has dragged to their little place, specifically for him.
All the clothes he has ever forgotten at their place or given to Cyril are held for him in his own storage tub with additional newer items in the right size for him. Rian would shrug it off when he asked why he kept it if their space was so limited.
He’d say something like,“I’d want you to keep my books for me. And I know you would. So there, I hold on to your hoodies for you. Aaaand this way I get to borrow them too. I swear, I wash them after I wear them.”
After that statement Ty had been tugging at his hoodie for hours, pressing it to his chest every now and then, as if trying to hold any traces left of Rian closer to him. He hopes no one has noticed.
Rian had also gifted him an old set of Hero Quest he had found in a thrift shop after Ty had mentioned it had been his favorite board game as a child. Half of the stuff was missing, but Rian had gone down one of his Internet research missions and had successfully recreated some of the cards, drawing them by hand. He had made or replaced a lot of the tokens as well.
Ty had been completely floored after Ri had proudly displayed the carefully mended set. How did he even remember? Ty had only mentioned in passing once, ages ago. It was the last game his father had bought for him. Ty had held on to the set for as long as he could, but in between moving, it had simply gotten lost. Back then, Ty had forced himself to get over it. It was just a game. Yet as soon as Rian gently placed the large box in his arms, he can’t help but cry about it.
Rian gives him a moment to deal with his emotions, but he stays close looking at Ty with watery eyes and a sad smile.
Naturally, Cyril lightens the mood, calling them both nerds for getting overly emotional about a stupid game that according to him is just a copycat ofDungeons and Dragons.Rian patiently explains to him he’s mistaken, but he refuses to accept defeat and then meticulously studies the rules so he could prove him wrong and beat them at their ‘silly geeky’ game after watching them play for hours, lost in their own little fantasy world.
All the Lord of the Ring movies and a mismatched set of the books were casually left on the small coffee table near the couch where Ty slept. He could read them online, but he’s always wanted to own a physical copy someday. He hadn’t bought one because he hadn’t really settled anywhere permanently.
Rian had seen him check out the books during his last visit to an outdoor second-hand market. They were the illustrated versions and even Rian had been captivated by the beautiful art. The set had been expensive even if it wasn’t new so they both had walked on without getting it, but on his next visit, almost the whole collection was there waiting for him. Rian had claimed he had bought it mostly for himself – for the illustrations and Ty could borrow it if he wanted to. They couldn’t have been cheap, and Rian was never frivolous with his spending. No matter how much Rian tried to reassure him this wasn’t a big deal, it still meant so much to Ty.
The one gift he still laughs about, just because of Cyril’s incredulous reaction is the children's bookBunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery.Rian has mailed that to their Army base overseas. It arrives just in time for their birthday, and it scares the shit out of Cyril when he opens his parcel, and the creepy bunny is looking“straight into his soul”with demonic red eyes. Rian had sent it together with Cyril’s birthday gift in a box filled with caramel candy and sachets of green tea. It was hilarious, thoughtful and sweet. This strange children’s book had been the reason why Ty had become an avid reader from an early age.
Rian had pried this weird personal nugget of information in an awkward conversation years ago at the airport. It was the second time they’d met in person when Cyril and Ty had been on the way back for their subsequent tour overseas.
Rian remembers everything Ty has ever told him. He is considerate and generous, always making sure Ty gets something special, even if the gifts aren’t extravagant. Everything he has ever gifted Ty has meant something. Like tiny blocks of his childhood, replacing ruins of the painful memories he has and giving him the opportunity to start over. Remember the brighter, happier parts together with Rian.
