Title: birthday treat
Rating: G
Fandom: even if TEMPEST
Relationship: Crius Castlerock/Tyril I Lister/Anastasia Lynzel
Wordcount: 880
Short summary: Anastasia and Crius want to treat Tyril for his birthday. It takes a little bit of persuasion before Tyril accepts Crius’ treating.
“Really… He’s here too?”
Anastasia sighs. As expected, Tyril is scowling, and Crius is about to take his leave. But she stands her ground, looking back at Tyril without flinching and holding onto Crius’ hand tightly. She and Crius had talked about this earlier, had agreed to this surprise knowing that it might take a little work. And she knew especially that Crius might try to back out; after all, he wouldn’t have entertained the idea on his own, due to treasuring a friendship and his pride over a potential one-night disaster. Well, Anastasia is going to make sure it is not a disaster.
“Who do you think made the food on the table tonight?” she answers, gesturing to the dishes: the perfectly seasoned and grilled meats, the roasted vegetables, and buttered up potatoes.
Tyril’s scowl deepens. “I could have made my own…”
“We want to treat you.” Anastasia looks over at Crius. He nods. “Both of us do.”
Tyril shakes his head. “Scheming behind my back…”
Anastasia grits her teeth. She knew Tyril would be slow to accept, but she couldn’t help her impatience. Crius squeezes her hand in solidarity.
“Admit it.” Crius speaks up, catching Tyril’s annoyed gaze full-on. “You’re not actually opposed to this.”
Tyril’s eyes narrow. “To what, Castlerock?”
It’s a sign that he is willing to engage despite his suspicions. Anastasia tries to keep calm. Crius smiles gently.
“The three of us together,” Crius clarifies. He reaches out with a hand towards Tyril.
Tyril scoffs. “I don’t want to know where that mouth has been.”
Before Anastasia can speak in defense, Crius says his own. “Even though you’ve kissed Anastasia? Even though you know I’ve kissed Anastasia?”
Tyril takes a step back. Anastasia feels her heartbeat quicken. Oh no, this is not good.
“Tyril, please…” The words slip out of her mouth before she realizes it. It’s just… If Tyril could just let down his guard just a little bit and see…
A long minute of silence passes before Tyril sighs. “Don’t beg, Red-head.” He shakes his head, then lets out a deep breath. “Really, you mean this?”
“I do.” Crius’s lips curl into a sheepish smile. “It’s not like a new thought for me. But Anastasia had to encourage me.” He looks over at Anastasia who gives him a nod of encouragement. Then he looks back at Tyril and reaches his hand out once again. “It is okay?”
“I… can’t say I’m opposed. Or that the thought never crossed my mind,” Tyril admits, taking a step forward this time. “But I love Anastasia much, much more.”
Crius laughs. “I could say the same, but today’s your birthday. So you deserve the best.”
Anastasia exhales in relief. She is so happy to see the two of them smiling.
Crius steps forward, and Anastasia lets him go. Tyril steps forward, and soon the two men are shaking hands. She almost laughs at that business-like interaction but the mood changes quickly.
“Show me your best then, Crius,” Tyril says before closing the last bit of distance between his mouth and Crius’.
Crius’ answer comes in the form of an aggressive kiss. He secures one hand behind Tyril’s head and another on his waist. Meanwhile Tyril grips Crius’ shoulders tightly. Anastasia has experienced deep kisses from Crius and from Tyril so it’s not hard to imagine the heated tangle of tongues, because neither would allow the other to take complete control of the kiss. And considering how both men could leave her breathless, she’s not surprised when the kiss ends with the two men panting.
“Not… bad…”
“Yeah…”
“But…”
And to Anastasia’s surprise, Crius removes his hand from Tyril’s waist and beckons her over. She walks over hesitantly, not sure what Crius means or wants. Tyril still keeps a hand on Crius’ shoulder, but when she’s close enough, his other hand moves to her left shoulder and the next thing she knows, he is kissing her deeply.
Crius laughs. “There you go. Happy birthday, Tyril.”
Tyril pulls his mouth away from Anastasia’s and scowls. “The mood is better when your mouth is occupied after all.”
Crius raises an eyebrow. “Is that an invitation?”
“Yes, I am going to sit down and eat my birthday dinner.” Tyril steps back from Crius and Anastasia. “You made sure to bring wine too, right? I need a drink.”
“There’s plenty of wine.” Crius moves to grab a bottle from the cabinet. “It was our backup plan in case you couldn’t be persuaded earlier.”
“Crius!” Anastasia shakes her head when Crius reveals their secret.
Tyril laughs. “Well, maybe I’m getting too easy nowadays.” He smiles. “I couldn’t deny Anastasia, especially when she looked at me with that expression…”
“You love him, Tyril.”
Tyril blinks a few times, seemingly stunned by Anastasia’s declaration, before he sighs. “…Shut up and sit down next to me.”
It’s not a denial, and everyone knows it. Tyril’s face is pink with embarrassment, Crius’ face is pink with giddiness, and Anastasia’s face is pink with happiness. It feels like this all could have happened so much sooner. But having this dinner together with the two men she loves so dearly, who also care so much for each other… To celebrate Tyril’s birthday like this is not bad at all.