#tj: i hope everyone is doing alright. please let me know if your struggling--

[silwenworld]

Sudoku - Chapter 2

Summary: Nicholas Rush was like one, giant, brain-damaging sudoku which when one thought to have all figured out changed all the variables, leaving them in no better position when they had started, but when an accident during exploration of the newest part of the ship has dire consequences for the scientist the rest will have to do their best to help the man they had all thought to be an emotionless bastard. [Chapter 1] [AO3] Drifting in nothingness, not knowing who or where he was, was a weird, if not unsettling feeling. He was a person, a male, a... husband? Or at least he had been, once. Not anymore. Or maybe?

He wished he could understand what was happening to him.

Nick. It's not real.

Wasn't it?

*

Colonel Everett Young swept his hand over his tired eyes, sighing as he lowered himself into the chair. Rush had been in and out of consciousness for the last couple of days, and one could only guess how he would act each time. It wasn't constant - and TJ couldn't explain what was happening to the man even if she wanted to. She was just as lost as the Colonel.

One could think that being stranded on an alien ship in a faraway and foreign galaxy was the worst thing that could happen to a person. Young could believe that it had been what everyone had thought, at least at first, but it seemed that with every passing day, the universe made its sole purpose of proving to them that they had been, in fact, very wrong. In the latest couple of days, the Colonel grew to realise that losing one's mind was, in fact, the worst thing that could happen - Not being left for dead on an unknown planet, experimented on by the aliens, nor losing someone who you had probably loved. No.

Watching Rush was painful, to say the least. When awake, he would either be confused, angry or scared. Young had seen how fear had looked like in the other man's eyes, but this time, it was eternally different. It was a deep and profound dread of not knowing who or where one was and so unfitting for Rush that it left Young deeply unsettled every time it had happened.

There had been days when the scientists didn't recognise any of them - not Young, not TJ, Eli, or even Chloe. The only person he would have vaguely responded and actively had searched for had been his wife, whom - at least to Colonel's knowledge - had been dead for quite some time, which was problematic on a whole different level. But now, as he watched Rush flinch in his sleep, Young didn't know which was worse - that or when the man woke up with no recognition at all.

"Get your hands off me!"

"What's going on? Stay the hell away!"

Everett could feel the chill going down his body at the memory of those empty and scared eyes, so unlike Rush's that they could belong to a different person.

"What's happening to me?"

He shook his head. It was a good thing that Rush lost consciousness even quicker after those episodes than the other ones. They were disturbing but rarer as time went by, and they still didn't know why.

It almost looked as if...

No.

"I'm doctor Nicholas Rush. I'm a math teacher, not a soldier or any of that stupid stuff, and I don't know any of you. Have you seen Gloria?"

Young swallowed. If Rush's brain was resetting itself, one could only hope it would come on the right track with time. But knowing their luck, it would be anything but that simple.

"Don't hit me!"

Young just hoped he would be wrong for all their sake.

"Um, I think I hit my head or something? I hate to be a bother..."

He sighed again and looked down at the time on his wristwatch. If the pattern had been any clue at all, Rush should be waking up in about three minutes. But would it be Rush or the man who Young didn't recognise at all?

*

Eli dried his sweaty palms against his trousers as he walked to his destination. Truth be told, he had avoided the infirmary like the plague. That one time when Rush had woken up screaming and trashing still hunted his dreams, but with each passing day, Eli felt more and more guilty. And if Colonel Young, whose dislike for the Scotsman was no secret, could sit with the man more times than not, then so could he.

And honestly, he missed Rush, even if he couldn't bring himself to say it out loud. It had been awfully quiet without the man, and even Brody had remarked the other day that not hearing Rush's complaints had been just weird. He took a deep breath and shook his shoulders. He was no Rocky, but it felt as if going to the ring nevertheless. Exhaling, he hit the button, squinting his eyes as the door opened.

The first thing that Eli noticed when walking in was a tense atmosphere. There was just something in the air that spoke of tension, thick enough to cut it with a knife, slowly suffocating and making him absently reach to the collar of his hoodie. Then there were voices - raised and almost close to shouting. Or at least one was; the other sounded a lot calmer as if trying to pacify the first. It was easy to distinguish which belonged to whom just by the tone alone.

Rush was awake. And judging by what Eli was hearing, he wasn't pleased, but he sounded so much like his old-self that Eli felt his heart beating faster with hope. Hope that extinguished quickly like a fragile flame as soon as he got closer.

"Rush, calm down," Colonel Young said in a tone suggesting that it hadn't been for the first time. He held his arms outstretched, palms open, trying to look as unthreateningly as possible.

"Calm down? I am calm!" The scientist shouted, clearly agitated. "It's you who seems not to understand the simple aspect of question and answer!"

"I've already answered your question."

"Well, you're wrong! But what else could I expect!"

Eli didn't understand what was going on in the slightest, but even if it was the first time since days that Rush had looked and more or less acted like himself, but judging by Colonel's posture, something was still very seriously wrong.

"Um," Eli took a shaky step forward, waving awkwardly in greeting, hoping to defuse the tense atmosphere, even if a little. "Isn't it the right time?"

Rush's eyes darted towards him, and Eli could have wept at the recognition visible in them.

"Tell him, Mr Wallace," Rush said, which made him even more confused.

"Tell what?"

"She's not here, Rush," Young interrupted.

"I didn't ask you!" He snapped.

"Guys? What should I tell?" Now, Eli knew that something was definitely wrong. He didn't like the way Rush looked now. His skin became sickly grey in a matter of seconds, his eyes glistening.

"That she's on the ship!" Rush shouted over Young protests, his gaze fixed pleadingly on Eli, his hands twisted in the sheets to the point there were completely white.

"Who?"

"You know who - Gloria! My wife!"

What?

"Rush - "The Colonel tried once again, taking a step forward and putting his hand on the man's shoulder, which seemed to be a mistake.

"Don't 'Rush' me!" the scientist threw Young's hand away, almost backing against the head of the bed. "I have evident memories of coming to this ship with my wife, so stop fucking around!"

Eli could only stare, lost for words as the Colonel tried to pacify Rush without simply knocking him over the head. This was bad. No, worse - just what exactly did it mean?

And Rush was getting paler by the second and not calmer at all. Young seemed to notice it also because he clutched Rush by the shoulders, ignoring the other man's protests.

"Eli, get TJ," he said.

"Don't you dare -" Rush tried to get himself free.

"Eli. Now," the Colonel repeated, not taking his eyes off Rush. Eli nodded, and with a final distressed look over his shoulder, he ran.

Young's focus was eternally on the scientist who tried to wrestle himself free, but his struggles became weaker with every second. The Colonel felt like shouting and punching something, and this time, surprisingly, it wasn't the Scotsman. Everett should have sensed that Rush wasn't alright, but when the man had woken up and recognised him, Young had felt so relieved that it took him a moment to notice the signs. It hadn't taken long for the scientist to complain about the music that only he could have heard and then to insist that there should have been someone else in the room too. The noise Young could ignore, but the indication that one was insisting on the fact that his dead wife wasn't, in fact, dead, he could not.

"Let go of me, Colonel."

"You're not well, Rush."

"Why the hell are you lying?!"

There was sweat on the man's braw that hadn't been there before, and his skin looked grey, almost ashen.

"I know what I know. What have you done to her?!" The man struggled again.

"I did nothing -"

"If you harmed her -"

"Rush!"

"You were speaking with her, for God's sake! I know she's here!" the man's voice hitched with desperation, breaking at the last word, similar to a broken sob.

That gave Young a pause. He knew he didn't, so why did Rush remembered something that clearly hadn't happened? He didn't have time to ponder about it nor answer because the scientist suddenly doubled over, clutching his head and groaning as the Colonel tightened his grip around his shoulders, almost taking all his weight.

"Rush? Talk to me," Young tried to catch the man's attention, but it didn't seem to work.

"It's louder," the scientist gritted through his teeth.

"What is?"

"The music, It's - God," Rush groaned louder, bitting on his tongue to stop himself from shouting as he sagged against the Colonel.

Where the hell was TJ?

"Come on, stay with me, genius. Come on, Rush."

"It's not your head -" the man mumbled, but suddenly he gagged, and Young had only a split second to turn him to the side, preventing him from throwing up all over the bed.

"TJ!" He shouted. How could it get so bad in such a short time?!

"Coming!" Tamara appeared beside him, quickly asserting Rush's condition with a concerned frown. She had to dodge the man's arm that somehow broke free of the Colonel's hold.

"Sedate him," Young met her eyes over Rush's shoulder, making it an order. Rush was bearly coherent now, groaning in pain yet still straining against Young's attempts to hold him down.

"Gloria..." The word was bearly audible, but Young had heard it enough times already to recognise the meaning behind it. His face hardened.

"TJ. Now."

She nodded, and when Rush sagged in his hold minutes after the injection, Young took a step back and dragged a hand through his hair.

"What the hell was that?"

Oh. He nearly forgot about Eli. The younger man was staring at them with unease in his eyes, arms close to the chest as if trying to separate the scene in front of his eyes from himself. Young dipped his head and sighed.

"That's what I would like to know. TJ?"

He turned back to her, waiting for her reply. The frown on her face grew deeper as she listened to Rush's heart through the stethoscope. Her fingers never leaving the spot on the man's neck.

"His heart rate is all over the place," she mumbled. "Eli, could you bring me the pressure gauge? It's on one of the tables over there."

"How is he?" He asked as Eli ran where directed. TJ removed the stethoscope from her ears and proceeded to fill a new syringe.

"Not good, but that's not a surprise... How long did it take?"

"He woke up just fine. Knew where and who he was and recognised me."

She glanced up.

"That's a new one."

"Yeah. He sees his wife or thinks she's here on the ship. One of the two," he added, wearily.

TJ stilled before administrating the medicine, frowning at Young. "Isn't his wife...?"

"Dead. Yes," Young confirmed, glancing down at the now unconscious scientist. "As far as I know."

She nodded and proceeded to treat her patient, and Young closed his eyes briefly. God, he needed a drink.

"Sir, you said that he appeared fine after waking up," TJ started after covering Rush with a blanket, making Young open his eyes. "When did it got worse?"

Young frowned, thinking hard. It was hard to pinpoint the exact moment. They had been shouting, and then Rush almost doubled over, but it couldn't have happened so quickly...

"The more the Colonel insisted Rush was mistaken, the worse he looked," Eli spoke slowly, and all head turned towards him.

"What do you mean?" Young asked.

Eli handed TJ the pressure gauge and scratched his head. "When you insisted on his wife not being here -"

"Well, she's not."

"Yeah, but it seemed to make him worse."

Young turned to Tamara.

"TJ?"

"I need to scan his head," she said, not looking up. "You got that ancient device working? The one that probably works like MRI?"

"Yeah, I think it works," Eli nodded. "You want me to get it?"

"Please."

"I don't think I like the look on your face, lieutenant," Young waited until Eli had left, but there was no denying that something didn't sit well with Tamara.

"I think it would be better if I was the one he wakes up to next time, sir," she started. "There's something I need to confirm."

Young searched her face for any clues but found it impossible to find any. She looked tired, though, and it had him wondering how bad he must be looking. He glanced back at Rush. Thankfully, when sedated, he didn't look in pain.

"All right," Young nodded. "Keep me posted."

*

It wasn't the violin this time, but the soft sound produced by a precise and gentle touch of piano keys. He felt as if he could stay just like that - lost in the sound. There was no pain nor confusion in here, just darkness that embraced him from every corner yet strangely soothing.

Rush remembered as he played those soft tunes. He wasn't the best player, a moderately good on the best of days, but Gloria liked to listen to him playing. It relaxed her, drove her worries away, and he was more than willing to do just that for her. No one else had heard him playing. Never. Just her - only for her.

Yet this time, he knew it wasn't his fingers gliding across the keys. His arms lay limply by his sides, unmoving, but the music was still playing. He looked around, but there was just nothing out there. He was alone. So, where did the sound come from? And why did it feel like somebody was caressing his hair?

Come on, Nick. Wake up.

The touch became firmer, and the sound of the piano morphed into sharp violin sounds, too loud to be comfortable. He winced at the sudden stab of pain behind his left eyeball and almost missed the darkness changing to grey smoke. Slowly, he forced his eyes open. He didn't succeed, not at first as his eyelids felt heavy, and the light that struck him when they lifted forced them back down. It took a couple of tries and then some to get the room to focus, but it wasn't hard to guess where he was - Destiny's infirmary had a specific pattern to its ceiling.

His mind felt groggy, but it was no surprise, considering the last thing he remembered was the feeling of the anaesthetic entering his system. Slowly, Rush turned his head to the side and smiled slightly.

"Hey," his voice was hoarse from the drugs and vomiting, but it still won him a smile back from the person sitting beside him—the same one who was still stroking his head as he leaned into the touch.

"Hey yourself," she answered tenderly and scooted closer, kissing his hand. "You had me worried."

"Sorry. Ugh," moving hadn't been the right choice, it seemed, as his whole body felt stiff and painful. He wondered if it was due to being thrown across the room or staying too long in bed. Maybe both.

It all felt like a dream.

"Don't move, or you'll tear the stitches," she gently pushed him back against the hard mattress, and he went down without protest. He could never say no to her. "You know it almost feels like payback," she added, and he raised an eyebrow. "You stayed by my side so many times that now it's my turn, but please, don't make it a habit."

"It's not intentional."

"And antagonising the colonel?"

"Still, not intentional."

She smiled slightly at that and stood up from the chair, a few blond locks escaped her bun, and he had to resist the urge to tuck it back behind her ear.

"I'm going to get Lt. Johansen," she bent down and kissed him gently on the lips that he returned without hesitation. "Don't rush it," she warned, and he grinned at the pun.

He watched her walk away, and the feeling he got at the sight didn't sit well with him at all. It was as if something wasn't as it should be, and a profound fear twisted his gut.

"Gloria?" she turned around with question in her eyes. "I love you, you know that?"

"Of course I do. Rest. I love you too."

Rush didn't want to close his eyes. He wanted to see her come back like he wasn't entirely sure she would, but he didn't know what could prompt such fear. He could hear the soft hum of Destiny's engines, comforting him at the same time as her lights blinded him and before he knew it, his eyes closed. When they opened, it wasn't Gloria leaning over him but Lt. Johansen, and he couldn't help but look around, searching.

"How are you feeling?" the medic asked, and he rubbed his eyes.

"Is the Colonel here?"

Johansen's mouth twitched. "No."

""Then like shit."

The woman smiled. "I can imagine. Any double vision?"

"A little blurry but not double. No."

"We really need to get you new glasses somehow," she admitted. "It's good to see you awake and coherent, to be honest."

He smiled slightly, trying to relax, but somehow he found it very hard.

"Yeah, so my wife told me," he frowned. "What's that face for, lieutenant?" he asked when spotting TJ expression. Was it something he had said? But she shook her head and pulled out her flashlight.

"Can you follow the flashlight for me? Only with your eyes, keep your head straight."

"All right."

"Let me know if you get double vision at any point."

He nodded and let her examine him while not being able to shake the feeling of wrongness that rolled off her in waves. When she got to the halfway point into his cranial nerves examination, he grew impatient.

"Lieutenant, stop betting around the bush and tell me what's going on."

She stopped in the middle of checking his facial muscles strength and looked for something in his eyes. Rush didn't know what it was or had she found it, but then she sat back in the chair and leaned towards him.

"What is the last thing you remember?"

"You plunging a syringe into my arm, but somehow I got a feeling it's not what you're asking about." Rush narrowed his eyes. His head began to throb slightly, not hard enough to be a bother but still not eternally possible to ignore, but he focused on TJ that fidgeted slightly in her seat. "Ugh, a robotic wire throwing me against a wall... I think I sat on the chair?"

TJ nodded, confirming his suspicions. Well, the neurological exam made sense then. "And before that?" She added.

He frowned, thinking. Why was that important?

"I think Gloria's nagging that I should tell the Colonel where we were going? I asked her to do it in my stead. Young has a lot better tolerance for her than me," He chuckled, but it died down as soon as he saw TJ expression. "What is it?"

She took a deep breath in.

"I have reasons to believe that the machine - the chair, had done something to your brain. We still don't know what exactly, but it looks like it tried to rewrite your cortex."

He didn't like the sound of it.

"To what point?"

"We don't know. But you may experience two sets of memories. One true and one -"

"Think very carefully about your next words, lieutenant." He cut in, his voice cold as a steal.

"Excuse me?"

"I know what you're going to insinuate - the Colonel went exactly the same route even if less sophisticated. Now, let me tell exactly the same thing that I've told him - that's bullshit."

"Doctor Rush -"

"How should I know that this is real, then?" he said pointedly. "That this conversation is really happening?"

"What?"

"I have a very vivid memory of holding my wife's hand when going through the stargate," no chance in hell it wasn't real. Why wouldn't it be? "I remember Mr. Brody making her a violin from spare metal parts that sounds dreadful, but she was as thankful for it as if he had given her the Stradivarius. How can you even think that any of it is a lie?" His tone became desperate as he searched for any indication in TJ eyes that he didn't make that all up. They were the ones mistaken! Not him! "Shit!" He clutched his head that suddenly felt like somebody had split it open with a machete, and Johansen jumped from her seat.

"Where does it hurt?"

"Head. Again." He groaned. Just what exactly did that bloody chair did to him?

"Doctor Rush, I need you to focus on something else," Johansen's voice sounded detached, and it took him a moment to understand and comprehend the meaning behind her words.

"Come again?" Was that his voice? It sounded too strained and far away.

"Your brain is forcing you into a seizure. I need you to focus on something else and not giving it a medium to feed on."

He could feel his leg twitch uncontrollably, and a sudden fear gripped him. If what TJ had said was true, then nobody knew what a seizure could do to an already damaged brain. Rush tried to push his thoughts away from the arising conflict in his head, but no matter how much he tried, the pain only grew worse. Because how could somebody insist that Gloria wasn't real? What had happened to her, then? How -

" - need to ho...d.. it.. to...ther. Your wife will be here in a moment."

"What did you say?" He groaned, blinking.

"I sent her to get the Colonel."

Johansen didn't look comfortable, far from it, but that fact escaped him entirely. All he could focus on was the case that the splitting headache, so profound just a second ago, now seemed to be only lurking somewhere far away, like a distant memory.

"It's... It's gone..." he whispered, confused.

TJ nodded, but she was unable to meet his gaze. There was sadness in her that he didn't understand and something more... something that kept escaping his mind.

"Try to relax, alright?" she asked while standing up. Somehow he wasn't reassured by the fake smile on her face. "I need to scan your head. Eli got the ancient MRI working. I'll be back in a minute."

"Lieutenant?" She turned around at his voice. A sudden spike of pain behind his left eyeball made him wince, but he swallowed the groan down, clenching his fists to distract himself. "If what you say is true, then how can I be certain what is happening and what isn't? Can you prove to me that this conversation right now is really happening?"

This time she didn't drop her gaze.

"We'll figure it out," she said.

He didn't feel better at all.

Nick. It's not real.

Wasn't it?

#stargate universe #nicholas rush #everett young #SGU fanfiction #Nicholas Rush Fanfiction #Gloria Rush #Angst #my fic

[rosedavid]

I love you beary much

A tyrus oneshot

Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope you all enjoy these two lovesick fools :)

...

It’s a stupid, embarrassing tradition, yet Cyrus can’t seem to bring himself to let it go. Despite its childish implication, the tradition has been around since the very first Valentine’s day he spent with Andi and Buffy. Valentine’s Day boxes were set out on desks, cards and candy being passed around to classmates. Just like everyone else, Cyrus handed out cards to all his classmates, but he had something extra special for his two new best friends: two dinosaur stuffed animals. They were his favorite animals of all time, so of course he had to gift them to Buffy and Andi.

Years later, Cyrus has kept up the tradition with encouragement from his friends. The tradition has extended to their new friends, like Jonah and Amber. Normally, he’s been getting them little stuffed trinkets, knowing that it’s unrealistic to give all of them full sized stuffed animals every year. They seem to appreciate them, at least, so Cyrus planned on doing it again the next year.

Then, he starts dating TJ.

It will be his first Valentine’s Day with an actual boyfriend. The thought that he won’t spend Valentine’s Day as single for once completely blows his mind. For once, he can’t joke around with his friends about being alone and fill their faces with ice cream while watching cheesy romantic comedies. This Valentine’s Day is the real deal.

A week before the fateful day is when Cyrus remembers that TJ has never been involved in the Valentine’s Day tradition. And suddenly, he begins to feel embarrassed about the whole thing. It’s one thing to admit to TJ that he’s slightly obsessed with dinosaurs, but it’s a completely different thing to tell TJ that he has a bunch of old stuffed animals packed under his bed that he brings out sometimes when he’s lonely or scared. Even just thinking about it makes Cyrus go red in the face.

He decides to present his dilemma to Andi and Buffy at The Spoon a few days before Valentine’s Day.

“What are you doing with Marty for Valentine’s Day?” Cyrus presses as he anxiously shoves baby taters into his mouth.

Buffy responds, “Nothing really. We’re just going to order pizza and spend a night in at his house watching epic sports fails clips.”

“Do you think TJ would want to do something like that?” he blurts out, nearly choking on a baby tater. Beside him, Andi pats his back a few times while he coughs.

“Cyrus, you’re like the best gift giver I know. If anything, we should be asking you for advice,” Andi says.

“But it’s different! This is Valentine’s Day. It’s the most romantic day of the year, and TJ is like the King of Romance.”

“The King of Romance?” Buffy drawls skeptically.

“It’s true! For our 1st month anniversary, he surprised me with a picnic at a nearby park that has swinging benches and gave me a scrapbook of pictures of the two of us! And another time, wrote me a composition on the piano. And then--”

Buffy wrinkles her nose. “We get it, TJ is sickeningly romantic. But Cyrus, no matter what you get him, he’s going to love it because it’s from you.”

“What were you planning on getting him?” Andi wonders.

“Well, I mean, I was going to get him a stuffed animal since it’s a tradition, then I was going to make him a music playlist because he loves music so much—but it’s stupid and embarrassing! I mean, TJ probably isn’t even someone who likes mushy Valentine’s Day stuff.”

“Cyrus…” Andi frowns. “Don’t doubt yourself so much. I think that sounds really sweet.”

“What if he hates it or laughs?!”

“Then I’ll punch him,” Buffy interjects.

“Buffy!”

She crosses her arms with a sigh. “Okay, don’t ever repeat this, but Cyrus—TJ is like infatuated with you. I’ve never seen someone look so lovesick before. I don’t think he’d ever make fun of you, unless maybe you got him a piece of rice with his name on it.”

“Hey!” Andi complains, “It was an…. interesting, gift.”

They all dissolve into giggles, and the mood loosens a bit.

“Now that that’s all settled…” Cyrus trails off with a smirk. “What are you going to get Amber for Valentine’s Day, Andi?”

Andi’s face heats up bright red as Buffy joins in on the questioning. It was definitely a mistake to tell them about her crush. 

“Amber probably has like a hundred Valentine’s, why would she want one from me?” Andi groans.

“Because she likes you!” Buffy grins. “Please, Andi, why else would she stumble over her words whenever you’re around? Amber never stumbles over her words.”

Andi shakes her head. “You two are being ridiculous. Amber doesn’t like me.”

Buffy and Cyrus glance at each other, conspiring for a split second before starting to sing. “Andi and Amber sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S—”

“Stop!” Andi gasps, struggling to cover their mouths with her hands. “What if she was working? You two are evil.”

“We could continue,” Buffy suggests, “unless you get her something for Valentine’s Day.”

Andi sighs in defeat. “Ugh, the worst part is I already made her something!”

“That’s so cute!” Cyrus gushes. “Your crafts are the best, Andi. If you made it, Amber is guaranteed to love it.”

“Thanks, but enough talk about dating and crushes. How about some tater theatre? I’ve missed it at SAVA,” Andi suggests. Buffy rolls her eyes as Cyrus immediately gets started into a harrowing story. For the afternoon, he gets his mind off of the whole TJ and Valentine’s Day situation. But his worries are far from over.

He manages to find the cutest stuffed animal that reminds him of TJ so much and buys it on a whim the next day. He even manages to finish putting together the playlist for TJ, full of some of their favorite songs as well as songs that Cyrus listened to relentlessly while pining over him (not that he’ll tell TJ that). It all seemed to be falling into place.

Then, Cyrus wakes up the morning of Valentine’s Day, and it all becomes real.

             No matter how hard he tries, his hair won’t cooperate. His favorite shirt has a big stain on it, he stubs his toe on his bedside table, and he can’t find his other shoe anywhere. By the time he gets to school, it’s a miracle that he’s still in one piece (well, mostly, because somehow one of his shoes got soaked through from stepping into a dirty puddle and turned the white material a sickly brown-gray).

             He walks into school and immediately spots TJ chatting with one of his basket-ball teammates. His heart stops as he sees him standing there, a beam spread across his face and a hand ruffling his fluffed up, blonde hair. That’s his boyfriend, and it’s Valentine’s Day, and ohmygodhe’scomingover—

             “Hey, Cy,” he greets. “Happy Valentine’s Day.” A kiss presses to his cheek.

             “H-Hey, Teej,” Cyrus stutters, fingers reaching up to linger on the spot where TJ’s lips touched him. “Happy Valentine’s Day. I uh, I got you something, but if you hate it it’s completely okay because I know it’s kind of stupid, but…”

             He continues rambling as he yanks out the flattened bag from his backpack and ungracefully shoves it in TJ’s hands. He knows the blush is overtaking his face all the way to the tips of his ears but is unable to stop it.

             TJ pulls out the stuffed, orange tabby cat with a heart collar and laughs. Cyrus flinches, because of course he laughed. It’s dumb, and he shouldn’t have gotten it. “I’m sorry, I know it’s ridiculous. I can take it back—”

             TJ brings it to his chest protectively. “No way! Missy belongs to me, now.”

             “Missy?” Cyrus giggles.

             “Well, she has to have a name! Let me give you my present now.”

             Cyrus’s hands shake as TJ shuffles around in his bag for the present. Finally, he brings out a bag that looks similar in size to Cyrus’s with a sheepish grin on his face. He almost looks just as nervous as Cyrus.

             Cyrus tenderly takes the bag, pulling back the tissue paper to reveal a soft, stuffed bear with the words “I love you beary much” stitched onto the belly. He laughs incredulously, grinning up at an equally smiling TJ.

             “I kind of overheard from Jonah that you have a tradition of giving your friends stuffed animals, so I thought that you deserved one in return.”

             Cyrus can feel his heart beating through his shirt. The smile on his face stretches impossibly wider until it hurts. He clutches the bear to his chest in a similar fashion as TJ did with his stuffed cat.

             “I think I should name him Thelonious,” Cyrus decrees, resulting in a sputtering TJ.

             “Cyrus!”

             “Don’t worry,” Cyrus placates, grabbing his hand. “I already have the perfect Thelonious in my life. I think I’ll name him Sir Bearrington.”

             TJ chuckles, squeezing Cyrus’s palm. “Maybe I should have named my cat Cyrus.”

             “Actually, I got that stuffed cat because I thought it looked startlingly similar to you. Same grumpy expression. If anything, we should name it TJ—”

             TJ cuts him off with fingers tickling into his sides. Cyrus dissolves into laughter, clutching at his stomach while he holds his bear in front of him as a protective shield. “S-Stop! I s-s-urrender!” TJ smiles, pulling back his hands.

             After Cyrus catches his breath, he suddenly remembers the playlist. “Oh, I almost forgot! I have another present for you, kind of. I’ll send it to your phone.”

             Confused, TJ slides his own phone out from his front pocket, opening the link that Cyrus sends a few seconds later. His eyes scroll over it curiously until understanding finally washes over his face. “Cyrus, this is…amazing! Thank you.”

             “Hopefully the songs are alright,” Cyrus says. “Some of them are our favorites, and others are ones that reminded me of you.”

             “You should come over tonight so we can listen to it together, if you want?” TJ suggests. “We could get some food for dinner, too.”

             Cyrus nods enthusiastically. “Yeah, that sounds great. Really great, actually.” He squeezes his bear tightly to hold in his excitement.

             With one final goodbye peck, TJ heads off to his first class. As he goes, Missy is still protectively clutched in his grasp. Cyrus holds Sir Bearrington in a similar fashion, thinking of TJ. Needless to say, the stuffed animal tradition will be continuing on for a beary long time.

#tyrus #andi mack #andi mack fanfic #tyrus fanfic #tj kippen #cyrus goodman #andi mack fic #tyrus fic #fanfiction #valentine's day

[anarcoqueer1994]

Please Don't Go: Chapter 2, First Date

Still working on my next chapter for my platonic Trans Tarty fic but since this is all written and I'm just sharing on here, hear is this in the meantime. I wrote it a while ago. Hope you like it!

Cyrus Goodman had asked TJ Kippen to be his boyfriend one month ago today .

TJ still could not believe it. Cyrus was everything he has ever wanted. He was sweet, smart, cute, and he cared for TJ in a way no one has before. But TJ would be lying if he said this month hasn’t been an emotional trip. On one hand, things with Cyrus have never been better. In public, it seemed like their "friendship" was just as strong as it has always been. The only difference being that both boys seemed more aware of their own bodies.

They were more self conscious of all the little touches that come so natural for them. They would notice their arms swinging too close together, their hands lingering a little too long when they would touch, and even their eyes staring at the other boy. This used to seem so normal for them, but now that they were dating, it became almost scary to do these things. Both of them were not ready to come out. The only people that knew Cyrus was gay were Andi, Jonah, Buffy, and obviously, TJ. For TJ it was even less, as the only people that knew were Cyrus and TJ’s older sister, Amber. And absolutely nobody knew that they were dating.

After what Kira started, neither one of them wanted to accidentally out each other by acting like more than friends. That’s why their little touches and lingering eyes became such an issue. Kira could obviously tell how the boys felt about each other within moments of hearing them interact with one another. What if others could tell too?  They decided that the best thing they could do to keep their secret was to place boundaries between them when they are with other people.

On top of this, Kira is also not letting up on TJ. She is constantly trying to get into TJ’s head. The coach told her that since there is girl’s team, she cannot be on the boy’s team. So now instead of putting her energy towards getting on the team, she is focusing all her time on tormenting him. She will wait for him to be alone and remind him that he is different. She will sometimes bring up how weird it is that he and Cyrus are so close. She would do little things to hurt him. Anything she does in front of others is so subtle, that others don't notice. For example she brings up cute girls while talking to him around other students, and puts him in awkward situations. For a random onlooker, it would look like small talk, but TJ knows she is doing it to get a rise out of him. He doesn't know why she enjoys making him feel bad. The one upside is that Kira has no proof that he and Cyrus are together, so for now at least, his bullying is private. TJ prefers that to the whole school knowing.

He doesn't tell Cyrus that Kira is still bothering him either. TJ does not want  him to worry. Besides Cyrus had his own things to deal with. For one, since they haven't told the GHC(+Jonah), that they are dating, they could not really explain what led to them being friends again. He could feel their glares whenever he would hangout. Part of him gets it though. To them, he was a jerk who keeps letting down their best friend. But nevertheless, Cyrus is now stuck in the middle. He has to keep their secret while defending TJ. Cyrus wanted his boyfriend to be able to hangout with his friends without them hating him, even if they did not know that they are dating. TJ kind of felt guilty for putting Cyrus in this situation in the first place by ever giving them a reason to be mad.

Despite all of this trouble, TJ would not trade this past month for anything. No matter what was happening with other people, when they were alone, it made it all worth it. Sometimes they would escape to the swings, and just spend hours talking, and if they were sure no one was watching, they would steal gentle kisses. Sometimes, they would take over TJ's apartment when both his parents and sister were at work. They would cuddle on the futon in the living room and binge TV shows together. It really didn't matter where they were, as long as they were alone together, it was like they were the only people who existed.

Cyrus really did make him the happiest he has ever been. His beautiful, dorky boyfriend always knew the right thing to say to make him feel like he really mattered. That is why today, on their one month anniversary, he wants to make Cyrus as happy as Cyrus makes him feel everyday. It is a Saturday but he put the first part of his plan into action the day prior.

************

Yesterday had been a particularly hard day for him. Kira was in his math class. Usually she ignored him and waited until after to torment him but that day she started at him early. She had sat behind him. They were assigned some in class problems to do. She was pretty good at math and wanted him to feel even worse. Whenever she noticed he was struggling, she would say stuff like “Only an idiot could mess up this problem” and “Wow these are so easy!” She would only say it loud enough for him to hear.He had been working so hard in math and she was able to dash any confidence he may have felt about being able to do a problem. He ended up losing his temper, crumbling up his paper, and turning in nothing. He could not even look at Coleman as he left.

He had walked home with Cyrus, Buffy, Andi, Marty, and Jonah. Cyrus’ friends didn’t help his mood, but to not worry Cyrus, he pretended to be oblivious.  He could tell the others did not want him there but Cyrus kept smiling at him with his big brown eyes glowing, so he could ignore the annoyed looks. Eventually everyone broke off heading to their respective homes, leaving him to walk with Cyrus the rest of the way to Cyrus’ stepmom’s house. As they stepped onto the porch, TJ nervously smiled

“What is it, Teej? “ Cyrus said as he swung his hand up gently to take TJ’s as they stood across from each other. Both boys instinctively looked around to make sure no one was watching.

“Nothing, Muffin.” He noted the way Cyrus still blushed when he called him that. He liked that he had that effect on the guy that he cared so much for. “I am so happy whenever I am around you.So…” He let his words han in the air for a moment. ‘I was wondering if you would go on a date with me, tomorrow?”

“Like a real date?” Cyrus furrowed his brow in a way that makes TJ swoon every time. Cyrus’ voice though was unsure as he continued. “Aren’t dates out in the public? What if someone sees us?”

“Don’t worry, I have that covered, just be at the bus stop on Main Street at 9am tomorrow, “ TJ saw the look of curiosity in Cyrus eyes as they've stared at each other. “It is going to be a surprise, I know you are going to love it.”

Cyrus smiled and nodded. “Alright I trust you. I have to head in. See you tomorrow?”

“Yea, tomorrow." TJ grinned like an idiot, before placing a light kiss on top of Cyrus’ head, and turning to walk away.

************

The big city nearest to them was about a 30 minute bus ride from Shadyside. That is why TJ asked Cyrus to meet him here at the bus stop.  Cyrus had gotten there at 9am sharp, to find TJ waiting on the bench. He took a seat next to his boyfriend, careful not to sit too close in case someone was watching. TJ turned his head and smiled at the other boy.

"Hey Underdog," He lowers his voice. "Happy one month of officially being us."

Cyrus liked the way that TJ remembered something as small as a one month anniversary. He loved that TJ wanted to make today special for him. He whispers "Happy Anniversary Not-So-Scary Basketball Guy."

Both boys sat in a comfortable silence as they waited for the bus. TJ knew Cyrus wanted to ask where they were going but both boys knew TJ wasn’t going to budge. All he wanted to do was surprise Cyrus with the best date ever. When the bus pulled up to the stop, both boys got on with TJ paying both their fares. He had saved all his money from the gym(he only worked 12 hours a week) the past month to pay for this date. Cyrus was usually picking up the tab because he knew the Kippen family wasn’t nearly as well off as him. But today TJ wanted to handle everything.

As they took their seats in the back, TJ slid into the window seat. He looked out the window and noticed clouds overtaking the sun. Great, rain . He thought sarcastically. He thought about what else may come if it storms. He was a little nervous, but brushed it off. He turned to Cyrus, who was smiling obliviously, and said "There goes that sunny day."

"It is okay, as long as I am with you, it doesn't matter. Today will be great." With that, TJ melted. Cyrus always knew what to say to make him feel better.

************

When they got out the city, it was still so cloudy. It looked like it would storm any moment. TJ pleads with the weather quietly to hold off until they get to where they are going. The bus stop is a block away from where are heading. No one knows them here and TJ is excited to actually go on a real date with Cyrus. He smiles at the shorter boy as they step off the bus. As they stand on the crowded sidewalk, TJ takes Cyrus' hand. He stares for a moment to make sure it is okay. When Cyrus does not pull away, TJ takes that as a hint to start walking. Both boys felt a little braver out here where no one knew them.

TJ pulls Cyrus down the street, weaving in and around people coming towards them. As they get closer to the mystery place, TJ gets more excited, and by the look on Cyrus' face, he feels the same. After a few minutes, the place comes into view. TJ stops at the bottom of a large set of steps. Cyrus' eyes grow large as he looks up at the building before them; The Natural History Museum.

Teej! Really?! I love this place. I haven't been here in years." His eyes light up as he gets more excited. "You are amazing."

"I'm glad you are happy. I figured you could show me all your favorite dinosaurs." TJ smiles softly. "Let's go." TJ pulls him up the stairs. He pulls the tickets out of pocket and hands them to the man near the door.

As they enter the museum, they are immediately surrounded by large skeletons of animals that long been dead. TJ doesn't think he has ever seen Cyrus look so excited. He begins to talk about all the different types of dinosaurs, and the time periods, and everything else that at one point TJ wouldn't of cared about. He is pretty sure Cyrus could make him care about anything.

They wander around the museum for about an hour. Rain had steadily started hitting the rooftop,  the small droplets working together to echo through the museum. It was raining pretty heavy now, and TJ silently began to get nervous again of what will come next. Cyrus noticed the tension in TJ's face and stopped talking about the Allosaurus skeleton they were staring at.

"What is it?" He said quietly to the slightly older boy.

"Nothing..." He lies. Right as the word leaves his mouth, a loud burst of thunder sounds, shaking the museum. TJ instinctively clenches his eyes shut and squeezes Cyrus' hand harder than intended. His cheeks turn red as he notices Cyrus staring.

"I'm sorry..." he whispers, almost too quiet to hear. TJ looks away while still holding Cyrus' hand. Another burst of thunder sounds, making TJ tense again.

"Teej" Cyrus reaches up to his face to get him to turn his head. When he sees TJ's eyes, he recognize fear in his beautiful green eyes. He hates to see his boyfriend afraid. "Are you afraid of thunder?"

TJ looks embarrassed. He can't bring his mouth to form the words he wants to say. He knows Cyrus won’t judge him for something like this. But he is not used to being the one with irrational fears. He wishes he wouldn’t wince every time the thunder boomed. He can’t help it. He has been afraid of thunder for as long as he can remember. He doesn't know what about it makes him feel so helpless. Most of the time, he finds himself hiding under his covers with his eyes shut, waiting for the storm to end. But he can’t do that now. All he can do is try and put on a brave face and ride it out.

Cyrus interrupts his thoughts. “It's okay to be afraid, you know?” His voice is soft and understanding. “I’m afraid of a whole lot of things. Remember the flamingos? That is way weirder” He laughs trying to cheer TJ up. TJ wishes Cyrus wouldn’t put himself down, though. This day was supposed to be all about Cyrus, but here he was trying to make TJ feel better. TJ felt a little bad about that but could not focus on that very long.

The thunder hits again, this time even louder. The storm must be pretty bad. TJ wishes he could disappear so Cyrus wouldn't see him like this. He was supposed to be the cool, fearless jock but right now he felt like a wimp. He wanted to always be brave in front of his boyfriend. Cyrus doesn't seem to care though. He is only concerned with being there for TJ.

Cyrus runs his thumb soothingly over the TJ's strained knuckles. He whispers "I have an idea…", before pulling TJ to a little bench off to side of one of the large skeletons. He pulls out a pair of earbuds from his pocket and plugs them into the jack in his phone. Cyrus flips through his Spotify with his free hand as TJ sits apprehensively by his side, squeezing his hand with every boom from outside. Cyrus settles on a playlist called "Songs That Make Me Think of TJ". TJ sees the name, and for a moment he smiles, before the thunder outside reminded him of its presence.

"Put these on, sweetie." Cyrus says quietly, careful not to draw attention to them. He would hate to embarrass TJ. He knows the other boy is feeling self-conscious about his fear. TJ takes the earbuds and puts them in his ears. TJ trusts Cyrus more than anyone in the world, so he will do whatever Cyrus says. With that, Cyrus hits play and turns the volume all the way up. He takes his other arm out of TJ’s hand and wraps it instead around TJ's waist pulling him close to him, and holding tight like he will never let go.

The loud, bubbly music blocks out  a lot of the noise from the thunder. Cyrus’ arm wrapped around him, pulling him impossibly close, gives him something else to think about.They sit their for a while. Though the museum is full of people, it feels like they are alone there. His heartbeat is still crazy fast, but the reason is much different now.It was no longer pounding because of fear. Instead it is fluttering from the nerves he feels because of Cyrus. He feels so lucky to have him in his life. He blushes as he listens to the songs that he know Cyrus picked out for him.

What he doesn’t notice, is how happy Cyrus seems to be because of him. Cyrus is just staring at  him, smiling as he holds the taller boy against him. Cyrus hopes that TJ knows that this relationship is not one sided. TJ truly makes him happy. That’s why he was so worried when TJ was scared. He never wants fear to cloud over those soft, green eyes. He will personally fight away any fear for his boyfriend.

After about forty minutes, the storm has seemed to pass. TJ had taken to leaning his head against Cyrus’ shoulder, even if some slouching was involved to get into that position. Cyrus almost hates to end this but know TJ has other plans for them. He softly shakes TJ o get his attention. The boy takes out the earbuds and sits up. Cyrus grins and says “The storm is over, how are you feeling?”

“Much better…” He blushes and looks at the ground. “Thank you...for..um...making me feel safe.” TJ internally rolls his eyes at his own words. Why did he say that out loud. He sounded so weak.

“No need to thank me. What are boyfriends for, right?”  Cyrus’ smile could light up the entire room.

“Right.” TJ really can’t understand how Cyrus manages to make him feel so great, even when he wants to feel bad about himself. He thought about telling Cyrus about what was going on at school. He decided against it though. He already made too much of this date about himself. He stands up, and grabs Cyrus hand again. “Let’s get back to these dinosaurs. There are so many you still have not told me about.”

************

After spending a few more hours at the museum, the boys headed to a restaurant around the corner and had lunch. They strolled through the city for a bit before realizing it was close to 5 and that they should be at least heading back to their town. On the bus ride back, Cyrus rested his head on TJ’s shoulder. Usually Cyrus would be worried about this but today he was feeling a little braver than usual.

TJ walked Cyrus home after they got off the bus. Cyrus’ street seemed vacant when they turned onto it, so they risked locking their pinkies together as they walked. TJ felt like he was on top of the world. Even with the thunder earlier, today had felt like the perfect day. He kept shooting glances over at Cyrus, taking in every detail. He memorized the way Cyrus looked right now with the late day sun shining through the trees onto him. He almost looked angelic, like he was too good to be a mere human.

Without thinking, TJ stops and cups Cyrus’ cheek, making it so they are staring at each other. He just needed to get a better look. TJ surveyed every part of the shorter boy’s face. It was like everytime he looks, he finds something else to love about it. He felt like the brown eyes staring back at him could peer into his very soul. The boys stay frozen in this stance until they hear a soft rustle of some bushes. They both immediately retract from each other, and look around. Neither of them see anyone, but they keep their distance the rest of the walk home, just in case. TJ silently beats himself up for slipping like that. He can’t be so careless.

As they step up onto Cyrus’ front porch, they can finally breathe again. They are covered by a large tree in his front yard that blocks parts of the porch. “Thank you for a wonderful time today, Teej.” Cyrus smiles.

“I should be thanking you, You really came through for me today.” TJ used this as opportunity to show Cyrus how thankful he really was. He leans in and brushes his lips against Cyrus, waiting for permission to deepen the kiss. Cyrus responds by pulling him closer, pushing their lips together more. They eventually had to come up for air, and pulled apart.

“Wow, I don’t think I am ever going to stop being nervous when you do that.” Cyrus said blissfully.

“Right back at you, Underdog.”

Tag List" Let me know if you want to be added or removed. @abg-blah @kippens-a-goodman (Did not know if you wanted to be here or just the other story. I will totally remove if you didnt want to be tagged.)

#andi mack #tyrus #first date #canon accurate until after costume day

[heyoricohannah]

Post Bar Mitzvah Part Six:

For the past minute, Cyrus has been sprinting down the hall like he never thought to be possible, in current desperate search for Jonah and Jonah only. When when he sees TJ at his locker, he stops before him without a second thought, bringing himself instant attention.

“TJ.”

“What’s up?” TJ’s brow furrows in confusion.

“You seen Jonah?”

“No, why?”

“His paper got published without his permission in the school’s paper. It was really personal to him and was meant to be kept private. I can’t find him, I’m worried.”

“This school has a newspaper?” TJ’s badly timed question gets him scowled at.

“I’ll help find him...”

Cyrus turns away in the direction that he came in. “Okay, I’ll-“

“Gus!!!!”

“Found him...” TJ points right across the hall where Jonah is stomping Gus’ way and looking ready to kick his ass, leaving the kid trembling and backing up against his locker.

“I just finished having a panic attack because of you.” Jonah firmly points to Gus.

Cyrus turns instantly emotional from just picturing it.

“Please don’t hurt me...!” Gus begs to Jonah, using his forearms to block his chest.

“I would never.” Jonah says icily, having both Gus and Cyrus calmly sigh. For a second there Cyrus thought Jonah was gonna do something irrational.

“That’s why I’m gonna make TJ do it instead.” Jonah looks over at him. “Get him TJ!”

“I don’t know what’s going on, but okay!” TJ starts confidently stomping towards them.

“Wait!” Cyrus has to block him from moving any forward.

“Gus how did you get my paper in school news.” Jonah snaps.

“Well, I saw it on Ms. Porter’s desk and when I read it I thought it was something that should be heard by everyone so I took pics and put them in the newspaper...!” He smiles in a shaky tone.

“Did you not see the part where I was too anxious to read it in front of everyone?!”

“I thought you just didn’t like public speaking!”

“I didn’t want anyone hearing that paper Gus, how is that so hard to understand?!”

“I credited you!”

“I would have rather you didn’t!”

“Alright!” Cyrus commands. “Gus, that was a complete invasion of privacy and whether or not it was anonymous, you shouldn’t have taken someone else’s work and publicized it.”

“But I did it out of honor!”

“That’s my next thing. Jonah,” Cyrus looks at him. “Gus wasn’t mean to embarrass you. His heart was in the right place.”

“Well clearly he was thinking with his heart and not with his brain!” Jonah finishes up, giving Gus one last grimace before storming to class.

“I don’t know how to do both..!” Gus screams, looking over to see that TJ’s frown is impressively threatening.

He excessively pants the rest of his way to class.

“You mess with my friend you mess with me!” TJ calls out, now bringing his attention over to the glare Marty gives him as he walks past.

“What was that?” Cyrus asks once he’s out of earshot.

“I think he hates me.”

“What’d you do.”

“He thinks Buffy’s into me.” TJ’s statement gets Cyrus busting out laughing. “Why?” He grins.

“It’s stupid.” TJ rolls his eyes.

“Yeah, I bet. I’m gonna check on Jonah.” Cyrus excuses.

“Tell him that I’ll beat Gus up on his behalf.”

Cyrus sure hopes that he doesn’t mean that.

Jonah smiles once he sees Cyrus come on inside their classroom, watching as if there’s no one else in around, when he walks over and sits beside him.

“Thanks for getting in the middle of me and Gus.” He whispers.

“Yeah.” Cyrus nods. “I uh, didn’t know you had a panic attack. I’m sorry, I wish I could’ve been there.”

“Me too.” Jonah’s agreement has them smile. “Would be nice.” He adds.

“Looks like we’re gonna have to spend a lot more time together.” Jonah grins, making himself blush.

“Yeah.”

Cyrus pauses, feeling himself do the same. “Guess we are.”

In comes Andi, sitting herself down on the other side of Jonah and showing her support. “I heard about your paper. Don’t worry though, I haven’t read it.”

Jonah smiles shyly.

“But I’ve heard great things about it.”

“Oh.” He worriedly chuckles, beaming as both she and Cyrus grin at him, the three of them mutually turning their heads forward as the bell rings.

Afterwards, on their way to second period, Jonah catches up with Gus to explain himself. “Hey man. I just wanted to say I’m sorry for going off on you.”

“It’s okay. I deserved it.”

“No, you didn’t. I shouldn’t have had TJ try to attack you. You were just trying to do thing. Just ask next time, okay?”

“I will.”

They exchange smiles, deciding they might as well walk the rest of the way to class together.

“And hey...” Gus lowers his voice as they enter the room. “I’m sorry if you feel sorta—outed, in a way.”

“O-oh. It’s fine. It’s not like I explicitly stated, my orientation or anything.” Jonah nervously shuffles together his hands.

“Yeah well, either way, it was stupid of me to not ask permission.”

Jonah stops with him at his desk.

“Since I sorta know how it feels.”

“To what, be—“ Jonah abruptly comes to the realization. “Oh.”

He shows guilt on the outside, but on the inside is soaring because now he knows that there’s someone else here who struggles with this. Along with someone else that he’s closer to than he thought.

“Well I won’t let that happen.”

They again smile at one another, and when TJ and Cyrus see what’s taking place, they freeze inside the doorway.

“Ugh.” TJ is just as frustrated as Cyrus, whose insecure envy couldn’t be more visible.

“Hold on. I got this.” TJ lets him know, walking up to Jonah and Gus who are still happily conversing and perpetuating interference.

“Is there a problem here.”

Jonah stares at him. “No we were just talking. Things are alright now TJ. We talked.”

“Huh. Yeah. Okay..” TJ obnoxiously scoffs, giving them each dirty glances.

“Let’s go Jonah. We should get out of here before Gus, I dunno leaks your social security number or something.”

“Hey!”

“Dude.” Jonah mutters, flashing an awkward smile at Gus before glancing at TJ and sitting down in his seat at the front of the room.

A few rows back, Gus frowns when he sees Cyrus and TJ giving each other supportive thumbs ups.

At lunch, Andi runs up to Buffy, TJ and Cyrus, both excitedly and anxiously freaking out about how Walker said he wants to eat with her at The Spoon after school.

“Andi that’s great!” Buffy celebrates, the boys displaying their intrigued support.

“Where’s Jonah?” After asking this, Andi the others happen to see that he’s standing and talking to Gus from not too far nearby.

“I’m glad things are okay with them now.” She observes.

“Yeah...” Cyrus flatly agrees.

“Buffy, stand in line with me?” Andi asks, the two of them separating themselves from the boys who continue watch Gus and Jonah in suspicion.

“I’m sorry for teasing you about him yesterday, by the way.” TJ brings up.

Cyrus frowns. “It’s okay.” He scoffs.

“It was the coffee talking. Besides, I shouldn’t be making assumptions.”

“Well they’re pretty correct.” Cyrus laughs, looking back over to Jonah. “He’s...Yeah.” He smirks.

“Yeah.” TJ looks with him and crosses his arms. “I still don’t like Gus though.”

Cyrus laughs. “Alright.”

Except right now, he can’t exactly say that he likes him either. But that’s just the jealousy talking.

When Jonah walks towards them, TJ can see how big Cyrus’ eyes get, and just how fast that charmed smile of his sprawls out on his face. It’s quite entertaining.

“Hey.” Jonah says, looking to TJ. “Wanna sit down before Buffy drags you to the library?”

“Yeah.” The three of them start walking to nearest empty table.

“So you and Gus friends now, or something?” TJ crinkles his nose.

“I think so.”

“He’s kinda weird.”

Cyrus frowns at TJ for potentially saying too much.

“Maybe, but he’s really passionate about whales.”

It doesn’t take long for Cyrus and Jonah to start goofing off with each other, and as TJ and Buffy are eventually making their exit for the library, they can’t help but repeatedly glance at them on their way out the doors.

“Let’s talk about them.” TJ amusingly suggests.

“After math.” Buffy isn’t letting him off that easy.

“I don’t why I’m no nervous.” Andi partially laughs as she talks to Jonah about seeing Walker again, as they wait for Cyrus to return with his food.

“Hey. You’ll do great.” He supports. “Do you know if it’s a date?”

“It can’t be.” Andi says.

“Then maybe the rest of us can be there.” Jonah tells her.

“Like, meet him?” Andi sees no problem.

“I dunno. Maybe seeing me, Cyrus and TJ will make him feel weird.”

“Yeah that’s true.” Andi notices Jonah look over to Cyrus as he visibly continues to stand in line.

“Cy’ guy!” He calls out, making Cyrus joyously look over.

Every time Jonah calls him that, he feels like he might explode with excitement.

“What.”

“Nothing, just wanted to see your face.” Jonah grins, making Cyrus beam immediately and freeze in place, beginning overly insist to himself that he’s just teasing.

Although Andi’s not so sure he is, Jonah’s not too positive that he is either.

#andi mack #jyrus

[fandom-madnessess]

In Sickness and Health

kat on AO3 asked: "could you maybe write one where derek travels for business, and stiles is home with the kids. when he gets really sick and the oldest calls derek to come home?"

Derek Hale/Stiles Stilinski Rating: G, Word Count: 1449 Human AU, Sick Stiles, Writer Derek, Fluff, Established Relationship, Hurt/Comfort, POV Derek ♥ Read on AO3

There’s only one person in line in front of him when Derek’s phone buzzes in his pocket. It’s probably Stiles, calling him on the way to TJ and Carter’s school. The person in front of him steps through, to the airplane. Derek grabs his phone from his pocket, and looks apologetically at the flight attendant checking everyone’s tickets. He looks at his phone. A sense of foreboding creeps up his spine. A picture of Stiles and their kids in front of their house is on his screen. Someone’s calling him from their home number. Why would he be getting a call from home? There shouldn’t be anyone there.

Oh God. Something’s happened.

Trying not to let his panic show on his face, he steps out of the line.

‘Hello?’

‘Daddy’s dying,’ TJ whispers.

TJ’s just being dramatic, Derek tells himself. Stiles probably just bumped into something, or cut his finger, maybe he overslept, lost track of TJ in the rush to get their kids to school, and now she’s messing with the phone.

‘Why would you say that, little whelp?’ he asks, swallowing down his heart that somehow lodged itself in his throat.

‘He looks gross,’ is TJ’s unhelpful answer.

Derek can’t really blame her, she’s only four.

‘Give me the phone! You’re explaining it all wrong!’

‘Give it back!’

‘No!’

Derek gnashes his teeth as he listens to his children struggle for the phone, feeling helpless, until finally Carter comes on.

‘Daddy’s sick. He’s coughing and breathing funny. And there’s a giant pile of snotty tissues by the bed,’ Carter explains. The six year-old is trying to sound firm and grown-up, but Derek knows his child, and can hear the tremble underneath the bravado. ‘And he’s moving around all slow, and keeps bumping into things like he’s drunk or blind or something.’

That doesn’t sound like Stiles is dying, more like he’s got a really bad cold or, god forbid, the flu. Derek thought Stiles’ voice sounded funny on the phone last night, but assumed it was a bad connection. Not that Stiles would’ve admitted anything was wrong if he had asked.

‘Alright, little cub. Can you give me daddy?’

‘Sure.’ Carter sounds a little sullen that they don’t get to report further on one of their fathers’ imminent demise.

‘Wha’ are dyou guys ‘ooin’? Gib me da’. ‘Ello?’

‘Hey honey,’ Derek says. ‘The kids are afraid you’re dying.’

Stiles coughing loudly, and then wheezing while he struggles to get his breath back, is all the answer Derek needs.

‘I’m coming home.’

‘Dooo! I’m bine.’

‘Yes. I can hear how bine you are,’ Derek snorts. ‘Put TJ and Carter in front of the TV, drink some water, then get back into bed.’

‘Bu’ day ‘ave sgool.’

‘Don’t worry about that. I’ll figure something out.’

‘Ogay,’ Stiles sighs. ‘Lob you.’

‘Love you, too.’

Derek drags a hand over his face. Please don’t let it be the flu.

‘Sir?’

Derek jumps and turns to the flight attendant, she’s worked her way through the rest of the line while he was on the phone.

‘Will you be boarding?’

‘Not today,’ Derek says with a shake of his head.

‘Sick kids?’ the woman asks.

‘Sick husband.’

‘Where’s home? I can check if there’s any seats available on any other flights.’

‘It’s just a couple hours north. I’ll rent a car.’

The woman nods. ‘Well, I can’t get you a refund on your ticket, but I can get you some extra miles, if you’d like?’

‘That’s okay’—Derek checks the woman’s nametag—‘Braeden. I just want to get home as quick as I can.’

‘Any luggage?’

‘Just this carry-on.’ Derek taps his bag.

‘Do you know the way to car rental?’

‘I do. Thanks.’

‘Good luck, sir.’

Derek waves goodbye, and starts walking. On his way to the car rental he calls Noah for help to get the kids to school. There are definite perks to having your father-in-law be the Sheriff in your town. Noah assures him that he’ll put Jordan on the case. A quick call to school to explain why TJ and Carter will be later, and that’s one problem solved.

Hesitantly, Derek’s next call is to Melissa. He hates to call her on her day off, but if Stiles has the flu, he needs to find somewhere for TJ and Carter to stay the next couple days, or they’ll all be quarantined in their home for the next week, at least. Melissa doesn’t seem to mind. She’s the only person who finds a sick Stiles entertaining. That’s the second problem solved. Sort of.

His luck holds when he gets to the car rental place: there’s two open desks, and only one other customer. Fifteen minutes later, Derek is urning onto the highway, and finally calls Erica.

‘You should be on a plane,’ she says by way of greeting.

‘Stiles is sick.’

‘How bad?’

‘TJ thought he was dying,’ Derek chuckles. ‘Melissa’s checking on him. I’m hoping it’s just a cold and not the flu.’

‘Me, too. You’re both big babies when you’re sick,’ Erica teases.

‘I’m not a baby,’ Derek grumbles. ‘Anyway, I won’t be able to make New York, and we might have to cancel Boston as well.’

‘Damnit,’ Erica mutters. ‘We could move New York and Boston to the end of tour.’

‘We can?’

‘I can,’ Erica amends. ‘You need to take of that husband of yours so I don’t have to move even more stuff around.’

‘You’re the best agent ever.’

‘I know. You can send me a muffin basket to show your appreciation,’ Erica says, a smirk in her voice, and hangs up.

The rest of the drive is uneventful. Only a call from Melissa to assure him it’s just a cold, and a call from Jordan when he’s almost home.

‘Thanks for taking TJ and Carter.’

‘No problem. How far are you?’

‘Ten minutes out?’

‘Floor it once you pass the city limit. I’ll give you an escort.’

‘Why?’

‘Because I don’t get to use my sirens enough.’

Derek laughs. They talk until Jordan turns his sirens on.

The second Derek steps through the door the worry he’s felt since he pulled his phone out of his pocket finally starts leaving his shoulders. There’s a plastic bag on the bottom step of the stairs, with a note with instructions from Melissa. Barely stopping to kick his shoes off, Derek grabs the bag and hurries to the master bedroom.

Their kids weren’t exaggerating. Stiles does look like he’s dying. His face is pale, excepting his nose, which is read, and the skin around his eyes, which looks dark. There’s a pile of tissues on the floor on Stiles’ side, and the room smells musty.

‘Hey, honey,’ Derek says, sitting next to Stiles. ‘How are you?’

Stiles blinks up at him, brow contracted, then groans, ‘I’m dying. Don’t tell the kids yet. I don’t want our last days together to be tainted.’

Derek smiles and brushes the hair from Stiles’ forehead. ‘Melissa made you a care package that might bring you back from the brink of death.’

‘I thought I hallucinated her.’

Derek snorts. ‘You have a cold. No flu, no fever, and no hallucinations.’

Stiles pushes himself up, leaning against the headboard with a sigh. Derek screws the cap off a bottle of Nyquil and hands it to him.

‘My hero,’ Stiles winks, and takes swig. ‘Wait… TJ and Carter?’

‘Jordan took them to school.’

‘They won’t shut up about driving in a cop car for a month,’ Stiles groans, but a smile is tugging on his lips.

‘Probably not,’ Derek chuckles.

After blowing his nose and wiping the tears from his eyes, Stiles says, ‘You didn’t have to come home. You’re disappointing your fans!’

‘My readers would be more disappointed if I left my sick husband to fend for himself. At least according to Erica. She sent out a tweet and has been keeping me updated on the responses.’

‘Your fans are nice.’ Stiles pats Derek’s cheek. ‘You’re nice.’

‘Get some more sleep, okay? Then I’ll help you take a shower–‘

‘Yeah, baby,’ Stiles mumbles, wiggling back down under the covers.

‘–and make you something to eat. Maybe you’ll look presentable enough that our kids will stop writing your eulogy.’

There’s no answer from Stiles, his raspy breaths already evening out. Derek presses a kiss to Stiles’ forehead, smiling when he’s rewarded with a pleased, sleepy little hum. Standing up, he throws a look at the mountain of tissues on the floor. Stiles needs to get better soon, not just for him and their kids, but for the forests, too.

#sterek #eternalsterek #derek x stiles #derekstiles #teen wolf #my fic #my sterek

[glowing-gravity]

okay I wrote this while I had free time during the cruise so I’m really hoping it’s coherent and doesn’t just feel like a bunch of little bits typed at different times without rereading the last part first

it’s supposed to follow the plot of “bitter reunions”! more or less

“Becky, that’s the third time this week you’ve gotten home past curfew!”

“I know, mom, I’m sorry, I just got… really caught up in the game Scoops and I were playing, and I didn’t realize the time, I’ll be more careful in the future.”

“You used to be so responsible,” Mrs. Botsford said, wistfully. “And I’m sorry, Becky, but I can’t let this go unpunished. If you’re not responsible enough to come home in time, you’ll have to come with your father and I to Wisconsin for our college reunion.”

Becky sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing. “I guess I’ll go pack, then.”

When they drove up to the mansion, Becky was worried that they had taken a wrong turn.

“Of course not, sweetie. Steven Boxleitner’s the one hosting the reunion, remember?”

TJ, who was sitting next to Becky, suddenly sat up. “You mean you guys knew STEVEN BOXLEITNER, one of the richest men in the US, in COLLEGE?”

Mr. Botsford grinned. “You bet! Though we just called him "Steven” back in college. He was in the Ghost Club with us!“

"Do you guys still talk?” TJ asked.

“Oh, not so much anymore. We were never the closest of friends anyway, but after the accident he sorta stopped talking to, well, everyone.”

“Accident….?”

Mr. Botsford went into storytelling mode. “Back in the Ghost Club, we were working on getting a working portal to the "Ghost Zone”, where the ghosts live, so we could travel there and learn more about it. A few weeks after we managed to get a small portal open, we were ready to send a small test subject- a mouse- through, to see what effects it could have. Steven was in charge of the mouse, while your mother and I ran the devices and portal. But something went wrong after we sent the mouse through, and the portal let out a burst of energy the hit Steven. It infected him with “ecto-acne”, which had him hospitalized for years. He stopped talking to everyone after that.“

"But I’m sure he’ll be glad to see everyone again!” Mrs. Botsford added cheerfully, after a moment. “Oh, and he loves kids, I’m sure he’s excited to meet you two!”

As the car parked and they got out, Becky saw the front door of the mansion open, and a tall man with white hair, a purple bowtie, and a lab coat stepped out. He was smiling.

“Sally, Tim! It’s wonderful to see you again. And these must be Becky and TJ!” He held out a hand, and Becky shook it. “Hello, Dr. Boxleitner.”

He laughed. “Please, call me Steven!” He stood for a moment, before seeming to remember something. “Oh, where are my manners? Please, come inside,” he said, stepping to the side so they could walk in.

The mansion was HUGE, and… rather strangely decorated. Becky had never seen so much cheese and cheese-related art in her life.

“This’s an… interesting house, Steven.” Sally said, looking around. Steven seemed to stiffen a little.

“Well, you know Wisconsin, heh, known for… cheese…”

That night, Becky’s ghost sense went off, waking her up. “I thought I was on vacation….” she complained sleepily, before phasing through the wall.

In the hallway, she saw the back of a humanoid ghost who appeared to be wearing a black lab coat floating in the hallway. She couldn’t see its hands, but it didn’t appear to be doing anything, just floating.

Suddenly, the ghost whipped around to face her. Underneath the black lab coat was a yellow bowtie and a white and black jumpsuit, which looked like the inverse of her own. The ghost also had black hair, mouse-like features, and what Becky could only guess was some kind of brain stuck to its head.

“Uh… hello! Sorry, I didn’t mean to bother you, I just, uh, wanted to make sure you weren’t bothering any of the humans here. I can le-” Becky was interrupted as the ghost shot her with an ectoplasmic ray from its hand, which knocked her back into the wall. It then phased through the door into what looked like the library. She regained her balance, then followed.

The ghost finally spoke. “So, you’re Becky Banshee, huh?”

“You… know me?”

“You’re that ghost who uses her powers for GOOD. Are you going to try to suck me into your thermos?”

Becky hesitated. “I-I don’t want to fight you.”

The ghost smirked. “No, you probably you don’t.” Then, he shot a pink ectoplasmic blast at her, which upon making contact felt a lot stronger than what she was used to. She caught herself as the impact started to push her back, then returned fire. The ghost created a shield, and effortlessly blocked. “C'mon, kid, is that really all you’ve got? That’s so year-one! Hey, can you even do THIS yet?” It said mockingly, as it lowered its hand and the shield dissipated. It then duplicated itself, then the original and the clone duplicated again, creating four of the ghost.

“No…. how can you??” Becky said, feeling very unconfident suddenly.

“I’ve been doing this for years! And, by the looks of it, you’ve just started.”

The ghost easily outmatched her, and the fight was over before she knew what hit her. Quite literally, in fact, as she hit the wall and passed out, unintentionally changing back as she did so.

The ghost landed in front of her, looking surprised, and seemed to almost unwillingly change, leaving Steven standing in its place. Steven stood for a moment, before apparently realizing what happened as he saw Becky. “Oh man, Becky! She’s- I- oh no, this is bad…”

Becky woke up with a start in bed. As she saw Steven open the door, it occurred to her she had been shouting in her sleep.

“Is, uh, everything alright, Becky?” He looked pretty worried, and Becky felt bad.

“Sorry for waking you up, I must’ve been having a bad dream.”

Steven still didn’t relax, though, so she kept talking. “I’m fine, really.” She gave a hopefully reassuring smile.

Steven sighed. “Alright,” he said, but he didn’t look any more relieved. “Sleep well, but let me know if anything happens, okay?” Becky nodded, and he left, closing the door behind him as she fell asleep.

“Why did you do that?” He whispered, as he walked towards his room. His eyes turned pink, and he responded to himself, in a much higher pitched voice. “Mouse brain know best!!”

The next day was the reunion. Becky’s parents had asked her to dress a little fancier than usual, so she was wearing a maroon dress, though still with her green sweater underneath. Before joining the actual reunion, though, she looked around for TJ. She found him in a room with a big movie screen, playing some scientific documentaries. He was wearing his usual t-shirt and jeans.

“Aren’t you coming to the reunion?” She asked.

“Ew, no way. I’d rather watch a documentary about… whatever this is about-”

“Gel electrophoresis, it looks like.”

“-whatever that is, than stand around and meet a bunch of old people.”

Becky turned to leave, but TJ turned around to face her again.

“Becky…..? What’s biochemistry?”

“That’s easy, it’s the study of chemicals in living things.”

“Oh, okay!” He turned back to the screen, and Becky left.

At the reunion, Becky met all the former members of the ghost club, and many other old friends of her parents, but she quickly got bored. She sat down at the snack table, opting to experience the rest of the event from afar. Before long, Steven walked over to her.

“Becky! Are you doing better today?”

Becky smiled. “Yeah, I just needed some more sleep.”

“That’s good. You’re looking pretty bored here, though, do you want to come get a tour of my lab instead?”

Becky stood up, nodding. “Sure!” Anything to get a break.

They walked to his lab in silence, and Steven waited until the automatic door closed behind them before he began. “Okay, please don’t freak out- I know you’re the ghost girl. Becky Banshee.” Becky felt her stomach flip. “Wh- what?”

“That ghost you fought last night? That was…. me, technically.” He saw Becky tense, looking ready to transform.

“But- wait! I’m not here to fight. I just don’t want to leave you in the dark. Did your parents tell you about the accident?”

Becky nodded slowly, clearly trying to put the pieces together herself. “You got ghost powers from it, like I did?”

Steven smiled sadly. “Sort of. See, the mouse that was part of the test? The malfunction with the portal….. killed it, but since we were both interacting with the portal, it fused my ghost half with his ghost.” Becky seemed to follow.

“So your ghost half is… half mouse?”

“Yes. So Squeaky has half control over it, and… for a mouse, he has a surprisingly strong willpower. He can usually overpower me enough to make my ghost half do… bad stuff. I’m sorry about what happened last night, and if anything happens in the future…”

He trailed off at the end, as if distracted, and before Becky could say anything, he turned into his ghost half.

“Hey, kid! Nice to see you again!”

Becky glared. “Ghost up!”

The ghost laughed. “You have a battle cry?? Oh, man!” He took a moment to calm down. “Ah- anyway, I didn’t get a chance yesterday to introduce myself! The name’s Dr. Two Brains.”

“Wow, how creative,” Becky said sarcastically, but then her expression softened. “Steven, I know you’re in there! You can beat him!”

Two Brains hesitated for a moment, then frowned. “He’s busy. But I have something from him for you,” he said, and picked up a small black and green cube. He tossed it towards Becky, and it expanded, catching her and landing on the ground. It shocked her, forcing her to turn back.

As Becky tried to go ghost again, she found she couldn’t.

“It’s pretty cool, right? It blocks ghost energy. You can’t ‘ghost up’ as long as you’re in it!” Becky struggled to break free, and Two Brains chuckled. “If you’ll excuse me, I have some unwanted guests in my home, eating MY cheese, that I need to scare off. Have fun with your box!”

She watched as he phased through the ceiling. It wasn’t long before she heard screams.

“I have to get out of here….” she muttered, looking around.

A short ghost dressed like a king materialized in front of her. “Need some help, there?”

“Oh, what, are you here fight me while I’m at a huge disadvantage?” Becky asked, unimpressed. The ghost frowned, and hit the button labeled “release” on the box. It opened up, freeing Becky, then shrunk back to its original size. Becky kicked it away.

“Thank you! But why did you help me?”

“Not all ghosts are evil, don'tcha know! Some of us just want to be left alone.”

Becky smiled. “Will you help me fight Dr. Two Brains? I’m sure we could make your home quieter again!”

The ghost laughed, in a light-hearted way. “I’m the Dairy King! Kings don’t fight, they get other people to fight for 'em! That’s royalty 101, don'tcha know!” He floated through the ceiling, still chuckling.

Becky sighed. “Ghost up.”

When she reached the room where the reuion was, it was chaotic. Tables flipped over, food everywhere, and the few people left inside were screaming. She saw her dad floating above everyone, and had a pretty good idea what happened. She turned intangible and knocked Two Brains out of him. The force sent the two ghosts flying through the wall into the library.

“Becky, do we really have to fight? We could work together!” Two Brains said, and Becky suspected that the surprise of getting knocked out over her dad was letting Steven influence him a bit more.

“It’d be great! I could have all the cheese I wanted, and you could have…. whatever it is you want! I could teach you how to use your powers!”

“I’m never joining you, you might as well turn back into Steven!” she shouted. He scowled. Becky tried to think of a way to surprise him enough to make him turn back into Steven.

Luckily, she didn’t have to, because at that moment her parents, in their Botsford Family Ghost Research Vehicle (or, as they preferred to call it, RV), burst through the library doors. She saw Two Brains start to drift down to the ground, and grabbed him and phased down into his lab, hopefully before her parents saw either of them.

In the lab, Dr. Two Brains turned back into Steven, who took a moment to remember what was going on.

“Becky! I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have let him-”

“It’s okay! Sure, you kinda ruined your reunion, but everyone’s fine! I’m fine!”

Steven seemed to relax a little. “I’ve been trying to work on something to separate us, or at least help me focus, but whenever I try to focus on it, well…”

“Do you want my help….? Or, uh, maybe we should clean up your house first.”

“It doesn’t matter, he’ll probably just wreck it again. But some help would definitely be welcome,” he said, with a small smile. Becky smiled back, and detransformed.

The next day, before the Botsfords left, Becky made sure that Steven had a decent prototype of something to block ghost energy (like the cube, but less restrictive and much smaller).

They both knew it wouldn’t be good enough to help for long.

At least it was a start of a solution.

anyway yep there’s that

I’ll post the picture I drew of steven for the au in just a sec

#wordgirl #dr. two brains #Becky banshee au #glowing scribbles #i speak