Page 12 of Until the Day You're Mine

Everything about the boy with delicate fair skin and big blue eyes unnerves him, so much so that he barely mumbles “Hi Rian, it’s nice to meet you too.”

Cyril drags them all back to their tiny apartment. His larger-than-life personality simply leaves no room for awkward silences. He is either completely unaware of the way Rian is affecting Ty or he is choosing to ignore it, for the sake of spending some quality time with his brother.

Ty stays quiet all night, giving them space to say their goodbyes. It’s the right thing to do.

He tries to give them more privacy, but it’s virtually impossible once they get to their small one-bedroom apartment. He settles on the couch and has no choice but to observe the two boys as they move into the tiny kitchen, making dinner, and trying to be hospitable.

Small chatter quickly dies away in favor of their quiet murmur and laughter.

This is good. Ty is sinking in the comfort of their presence. He gets to watch them all he wants to and memorize every little thing about tonight.

The siblings look completely different – Cyril is broad-shouldered, ripped from their training. He is solid like a boulder but still manages to move like a gentle giant around his brother. The space is pretty tight, yet he somehow weaves around Rian with finesse. There is no roughhousing, no weird macho bullshit. They are so affectionate with each other. It’s beautiful. It’s what Ty imagines a loving family looks like.

Rian is lanky, gracious, and fair, with long, unruly straw-blond hair and full strawberry lips. A smattering of freckles and a couple of beauty spots around his mouth accentuate his delicate beauty. Tayida absentmindedly thinks that he has never seen another boy he would perceive as beautiful, but that’s all that comes to mind when he looks at Rian.

They are both stunning to Ty, and his heart breaks, looking at their glassy eyes, brimming with pain from their impending parting.

Whereas Cyril’s eyes are piercing sharp green emeralds, Rian has gorgeous ocean-blue eyes. His hair is so blond, that it looks like messy rays of sunlight. His skin is creamy and light in stark contrast to Cyril’s deeply tanned skin, from being outside all the time. Rian’s body is light with well-defined, wiry muscles. He looks every bit like the swimmer his brother has described him to be.

He is quite slender. Not skinny exactly, but it’s obvious he is not eating enough. Ty imagines he must be rationing everything. It feels like a stab in the heart that even if he is falling for Rian with lightning speed, he is well aware he can’t provide him with a way out of this misery they are all condemned to. Fear of homelessness. Going without food. Accounting for every cent. All of that while maintaining some dignity and daring to have a dream. To hope for happiness, love and acceptance.

But just looking at him, listening to him – it’s fascinating.

God, he has not complained once. He has not said one negative thing. If anything, he is already talking about Cyril’s return. Like it’s next week and not months from now.

Rian’s soft-spoken words are like a powerful spell, enchanting Ty’s heart, and drawing him in with every passing second. He’s not even talking directly to Ty, and yet he can’t help but soak up every sound. The musical touch of his voice feels like a gentle caress.

Half the time, Ty can’t even focus on what is being said to him. The sweet, low murmur absorbs him – the meaning of Rian’s words is going over his head, no matter how hard he tries to focus.

“Huh?”

Rian smiles at him shyly, “Ty, I asked if you’re getting hungry. Dinner’s almost ready.”

“I’m good thanks. I appreciate...I…thank you for having me.” Ty mumbles. It’s hard to voice his thoughts.

I’m alone.

I’m scared.

Thank you for sharing this night with me, even if it is the last one you get to spend with Cyril.

It’s like Rian just knows. He bobs his head in acknowledgment and beckons him to the dinner table, “I’m glad you’re here. And…you’re always welcome to stay with us. I know this place isn’t much, but if you ever need to…Cyril told me…I mean…”

Cyril lays a hand over Rian's shoulder and gives it a gentle squeeze, “I’m sorry, Ty. Rian gets a bit flustered with new people. But I agree with him. Our home is yours. Always.”

“Thank you,” Ty mutters choked with emotion, looking at his food.

When he finally looks up, Cyril is wolfing down his dinner, completely unfazed.

Rian smiles back at him, wiping at his watery eyes with the sleeve of his hoodie.

As the night advances Tayida struggles to get his heart under control. He’s drowning in those big blue eyes tracking every single move he makes with innocent curiosity. He can’t remember a single instance in his life when he has been watched like this. Like he’s fucking fascinating or some shit. It’s nerve-racking and exciting.

Ty’s saving grace is that this evening isn’t about him at all, and he’s able to mumble his way through any conversation until they finally let him be.

Something about Rian’s voice, the pleasant timber ringing through the room, the low gentle rumble that caresses Ty’s ears, get his insides all twisted and tingling. His whole body feels antsy and alert, yet he’s completely stuck like he doesn’t know what to do with himself.

The wordsirenpops up in Ty’s mind, like the mythical creatures that he’s read about in school. Breathtakingly beautiful beings known to lure men to the depths of the sea with their enchanting songs, sealing their fate with the kiss of death. He blushes profusely, wondering why he has even thought of it.

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