Tonight was the night. Tension hung in the air as the boys walked to the lovely lady’s house. Iorek thought they’d drive but surprise, the girl only lived a few streets away.
When they arrived the house was bathed in moonlight. “That’s her window.” Ty pointed to the one aglow in warm light. It was at the end of the house, second floor, and looking out at a tall tree.
“Perfect! So we can set up right around here.” Iorek was already shrugging off his backpack as they reached the lawn.
Tyson took a deep breath and adjusted his coat sleeves. “Y-Yeah…”
It was easy to see that Tyson was nervous with all the fidgeting he was doing. His trembling hands had wrung so many wrinkles into his index cards Reks had no clue how he’d be able to read them. But they’d figure it out! They always did.
While Tyson looked like he was about to have a heart attack, Iorek was absolutely pumped to pull off this dance proposal. They’d been planning it for weeks now and finally it was their time to shine. The big day was here and nothing would stop Reks from enjoying it.
Obviously the gargoyle knew it wasn’t his spotlight and he’d never steal the moment from Tyson. He just desperately needed this win. The proposal was something lighthearted and fun to keep his mind off of still-missing Cesc and his promise to Vivi. Plus he and Tyson had planned it together. It was an idea born from the two of them. Yes, Reks had been nervous at the idea of launching a firework and would have preferred a horse drawn carriage BUT it was still their plan. Tyson needed him and Iorek was going to do whatever he could.
But yeah, he also really needed this.
“Okay! The flowers have been strewn…Here’s the boom box. It’s already on the song you wanted.” Iorek happily handed the teen his old CD and Tape playing boom box.
Moving quickly, Reks lowered back down to the backpack and started pulling out a few tealight candles he’d taken from Lil’s bathroom. “All we gotta do now is place the candles, light them, and I’ll get the firework ready!”
But Tyson had yet to move much less help. Something was wrong.
“Dude…you gonna budge or have you decided to be a statue?” Iorek asked as he worked on forming a heart shape with the candles around Tyson’s position.
“Mm? Oh, yeah, sorry…” The teen tore his eyes away from the window where he could vaguely see her moving around her room. “Just…nervous.”
Iorek laughed and lit a few of the candles. “Obviously you are. But I think this is a great plan. How could she say no to you? You’re a wonderful guy. You’re kind, smart, and a genuine person. You’re A-grade quality! Who wouldn’t love that?”
Tyson huffed and stepped out of the heart shaped candle setup. “I don’t know, Reks. Maybe this was all stupid. I could go stag and maybe just see her there? It’s…it’s a lot to put myself out here like this. M-Maybe I’m not good enough for her…”
The gargoyle sighed and stopped with his fluttering about. He drifted over to Tyson and pulled the boy-erm-teen into a strong hug. “Hey, come on. Don’t think like that.” He gripped the lad’s shoulders and pulled back so he could look him in the eyes, ”You’re Tyson Maevin, the best guy I know. Just be yourself and ask her. You never know…but I think you’re going to be pleased with her answer. I believe in you, Tyson. And I’m really proud of you.”
To show it Reks slapped his back hard enough that the lad doubled over.
“Oof! Reks! Jeez, dude. Remember to…ugh…chill…” Tyson groaned and rubbed the sore spot as he straightened back up. “But yeah, you’re right. Just gotta go for it, huh? No fear.”
Reks grinned, “Exactly. No fear! You got this!”
And his little pep talk seemed to work. Tyson didn’t look like he was about to barf up his dinner anymore. Reks could see a spark was back in his eyes and that the young man was ready.
“Better?’ He asked, just to be sure.
Tyson smiled and pulled Reks in for another hug. “Much. Thanks, Reks.”
Iorek could feel his heart turn to mush as he hugged his boy again. Even if he was growing up Reks was still useful. This was evidence of that! He could always lend a hand.
“Great! Okay, give me a second to get the rest together and we should be good.”
The raevan whirled around and began looking through the backpack for their big whammy.
“Ya know, I’m really happy we’re doing this. I wasn’t so sure about the firework but now I think it’s a great idea. I really missed doing this with you, Ty. It feels like the good old days…”
As Iorek blabbed on he didn’t hear Tyson take off. He didn’t see Tyson climb the tree. It was only when he turned back, firework in hand and lighter in the other, that he saw his boy at the girl’s open window.
How did he get up there so fast? Why was he out of position? What was going on?
“Tyson?” Reks barely spoke above a whisper. “Wha--?”
“YES!” The cute girl in the window yelled.
Reks heard that…which meant Tyson was going to the dance. Tyson asked her all on his own. They didn’t even need to do the flowers, the candles, and the music. The boy did it all on his own volition. But that meant Iorek was left behind…alone. Forgotten.
Now it was just him.
He lowered his hand with the lighter lit.
Just him and this stupid firework.
The gargoyle didn’t even register the sizzling sound until it was too late to stop it. “HOH SHI—“
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