"Have a nice evening", Tyler nodded friendly as he watched the woman leave with her coffee-to-go. He quickly gazed the clock, for probably the 100th time today, seeing it was almost 5:30 pm. He had only about 30 minutes left in his shift today, finally, after this friday feeling like it took forever. And it wasn't because of the job, no he had a really good time here. It was just because it was friday. And friday meant date night, and tonight specifically it was Josh's date night. And Tyler was excited, he had been watching the clock almost every 5 minutes today.

He jumped when he suddenly heard Kelsey chuckle. "Almost Tyler, almost", and she laughed at Tyler cheeks changing color. Busted. He rolled his eyes and smiled, before shaking his head softly. "You know..." he started, waiting for Kelsey to turn her attention to him. "Josh is actually coming to pick me up today. From here."

Kelseys lips shifted into an excited "o" shape and she smiled in a way that Tyler completely understood without words. Curiousity. She then frowned. "Only him though?" Tyler nodded. "Only Josh."
"Bummer", she mumled with a chuckle. "Let me know when he's here", she continued before gently squeezing his shoulder and walking into her little office room.

A little after that the last customer that was present left and the cafe was empty. Tyler had cleaned the rest of the tables, so as soon as he had cleared and cleaned this last one he continued on cleaning the bar. It must've been a good 20 minutes later, nearly closing time, when the little bell on the door rang, and Tylers heart skipped excitedly, dying to see Josh again.

But when he looked up, his heart didn't flutter, but it sank. Crashing to the bottom of his feet, thumping so loud he expected windows to tremble in their sills.

That wasn't Josh. That was Tom.

Tyler held his breath, froze on the spot, only eyes scanning around the room, praying anyone else was there. A customer he might've missed seeing? Kelsey? He silently begged for Josh to step in now.
But nobody was there, except for Tom. Still tall, still haunting green eyes and with a terrifying smirk on his face, he inched closer to Tyler, who's hands were gripping the bar so tight his knuckles nearly burst through the skin covering them.

"Hey, Ty... Long time no see."

Tyler felt sick, hearing that voice again brought everything back way too realistic. He had pushed it far, far away, into the "old-tyler-archive", something not to think about anymore. His stomach churned.

"I miss having you around, Ty, you were gone so suddenly.." an eerie silence fell as Tyler stepped back slowly, before quickly he bumped into the wall behind him. Thank god the bar was still between them. "So i went looking for you.. And guess what? I found you."

The smile on Toms face made Tyler nearly gag, as well as it terrified him. He obviously knew what that guy was capable of, and he couldn't think of one positive reason for him to show up here, other than... to finish what he had started back then. Whatever that meant, Tyler didn't know, but it couldn't be good.

"Still don't talk much, huh?" Tom smirked as he attempted to get around the bar, and Tyler didn't know whether to scream or yell for Kelsey or not. He didn't want to bring her into trouble too... "Cute", Tom states before stepping right in front of the boy. Only a couple of inches separated them but to Tyler it was as if he could already feel him.

"W-what do you want", he managed to stumble, his heart racing and eyes shooting back at the door. Still nobody.

"Well... you-", and a hand was on Tyler's arm and when his heart nearly stopped he bit back. "Get away from me!" He yelled, and at that exact same time the doorbell rang and Tyler pushed Tom's filthy hand off of him. "Get away from me!" he repeated again, as Tom hadn't moved yet.

"HEY!"
Tyler heard that familiar voice ringing through the cafe, relief washing over him already even when Tom hadn't moved an inch yet.
"YOU HEARD HIM", Josh yelled, roughly pulling Toms shoulder, pulling him away from Tyler. "Leave him alone." The boy scrambled back, bumping into Kelsey who heard the commotion and came out the back carefully to check.

"Don't you fucking touch me", Tom hissed, surprised by the multiple people now staring at him, Josh pushing him back towards the exit. "Get the fuck out", Josh hissed, but Tom didn't move yet as his eyes fell back on Tyler. "Dont even think about it", Josh interrupted him before he could even say a word, seeing where that predatory look was aimed at, and he grabbed him by his coat, pushing him out the doors roughly.

Tyler stood there, still frozen in place, Kelsey's arm around his shoulder that he thankfully held on to, until Josh stepped back in after he had made sure Tom had walked off. He rubbed the knuckles of his right hand, something Tyler definitely noticed, wondered, but didn't ask. As soon as he stepped back into the cafe, Kelsey rushed to the door to lock it.

"Baby, are you okay?" Josh spoke worriedly, hurrying over to Tyler who still hadn't moved, not even sure if he had been breathing for the last couple of minutes. As soon he was close enough Tyler buried himself into Josh, trembling.

Kelsey walked back, smiling softly as she caught Joshs gaze, whose eyes were overflowing with concern and floating anger. "You must be Josh then", she nodded softly, gesturing him to follow her. Josh gently peeled Tyler off of him, cupping his face in his hands, examining his face. Tyler couldn't help but smile sadly, so thankful Josh walked in on exactly the right time. "C'mon", Josh whispered, grabbing Tyler's hand and following Kelsey into their little break room.

She had already got a glass of water, putting it in front of tyler as soon as he sat down. Still clutching onto Josh's hand, still noticeably trembling, he sighed.

After a little more silence he shook his head. "so, Kelsey, this is Josh. Josh, Kelsey." For a second the tension lifted, a soft chuckle as Josh reached out his free hand towards Kelsey. "Nice to meet you", he smiled at her. "Likewise.. just sorry it had to be like this."

Josh agreed, shifting his eyes back at Tyler.
"Are you okay? Did he hurt y-."
"No, no, yeah i'm okay. I think. Yeah. I'm okay, he didn't do anything." He took a little sip of his water, trying to calm himself and stop shaking. He couldn't believe what had just happened.

"Who... who was that?" Kelsey asked. Tyler didn't know what to say. He didn't want to tell Kelsey he knew who it was, or well, he didn't want her to know where he knew him from. What had happened. What life he had, who he had been.
And then Josh... he felt somehow obliged to tell him, but he didn't know if he should? It would only make him more worried, and he was so worried about him already... maybe it was best if they didn't know... but he didn't want to lie he-."

"Ty, did you know him?"
Josh's voice made its way into Tyler's thoughts and he nodded carefully with a soft sigh. He felt Josh squeeze his hand. "What? Who was that? Wh-."
Tyler looked up at him, before looking at Kelsey, and then back at Josh again. The look in Joshs eyes woke him up. No more lies, no more secrets. But not here. Not with Kelsey.
"I- I used to work with him", Tyler answered, "and I said no... when he asked me out."

The last part was more or less purely for Kelsey, but he didn't think of her when he saw his answer fall together like a puzzle in Joshs brain. He saw Josh understood and his hand was nearly being crushed. Tyler quickly put his other hand on top of Josh's, who immediately released pressure.

"Should we.. call the police?" Kelsey wondered, but Tyler shook his head. "They can do nothing for a little intimidation like this."
Tyler then stood up, pulling Josh up too. "I'm sorry for this Kelsey, a-and i'm sorry you had to meet like this." She hugged him shortly. "It's not your fault honey."
"Can we please go now?" He asked softly.

When Kelsey had put on the alarm and locked the door, she pointed to the dark parking lot behind the building, to indicate that was where she was headed to her car. "Still, it was nice meeting you Josh." She nodded softly to Tyler, "And I'll see you monday?"

"We'll walk you to your car", Josh stated, as he started walking. "I don't want any more trouble in case that creep is still hanging around. Clearly not taking no for an answer, she thanked them and headed towards her car. Once she was in, she waved before driving off.

"She's sweet", Josh spoke softly as he and Tyler walked to Josh's car parked on the street, hand still tightly connected, Tyler close to Josh's side.

Once in the car, Joshs hands on the wheel, he gazed at Tyler. "Are you really okay, like.. he really didn't hurt you?"
Tyler whispered. "You got there just in time..."

"Josh?"
"hm?"

"I- I don't really feel like going out anymore now. I don't know if you had big plans in that case we- we can still go- i-."
Josh shushed him. "Me neither."
"Let's just get a quick bite at Taco Bell and then get back home to Brendon okay?"
Tyler smiled softly. "Okay."
Let's get home to Brendon

***

"What are you thinking?" Tyler asked as he searched for Josh's eyes, noticing his gaze in the distance as they sat down at one of the tables. Random music was coming from the speakers, only a handful of people there. He zoned back in.

Josh was thinking a lot. He was angry. His blood practically boiled, knowing it was that guy who nearly caused Tyler to die. The guy who had touched him in every wrong way, without Tyler wanting to. Who broke skin and bones of his boy, who caused him to try to scrub himself clean until he bled.
But right now, at Taco Bell was not the time.

"Oh, sorry. I was just..." He decided to lighten up the tension a bit. He snorted softly. "I remember having my test-date with Brendon at Taco Bell."

"You actually had a date at Taco Bell?" Tyler chuckled. Josh shook his head as he scooted his chair closer to Tyler's. "It wasn't really a date. We had just met the day before at my birthday party. We went out for food when we just joked around how unacceptable a first date at TB was, so it was just a test-date. A practice run."

Tyler laughed. "You two are still the same idiots as back then, it's cute."
"You're cute", Josh replied, so cheesy, and it made Tyler roll his eyes with a laugh.

Josh got up to go order their food, waiting at the bar as the employee had just stepped into a back room, probably just to grab something. From a distance he watched Tyler sit there, not just to make sure he was safe, also he just loved to look at the boy.
"Hi there"
Tyler was so beautiful in his eyes. Inside and out, and Josh got more and more infatuated with him every second. His heart hurt for him.
"Hello?"
Was he really lucky enough that not only Brendon wanted to be with him but another perfect boy as well? He wished. He wanted to be the one to take care of them, his heart was big enough. He wanted keep them safe, keep them happy for the rest of his life, he-"
A tap on his shoulder startled Josh, and he quickly turned his head back towards the bar. "Oh. Sorry." He couldn't help but blush, feeling caught.
The girl smiled, now gazing towards Tyler as she had obviously seen Josh staring at him. "No worries", she chuckled. "I get it." She winked then. "What can I get you two?"

*

Josh had texted Brendon there was a change of plans, without explaining anything yet, so when the two boys arrived back, Brendon was curious. That curiousity started to shift to concern quickly once he saw their faces and when he noticed how Tyler buried himself into Brendon, while Josh pecked a quick kiss to his lips.

Tyler hugged him tight, and as Brendon's arms wrapped around the youngest, his questioning eyes found Josh's again. He shrugged. "I could really use some red bull right now", for whatever reason being a clear indication to Brendon that something had happened, since he wasn't too keen on the drink usually. "Me too", Tyler whispered with a soft smile as he pulled away from Brendon and pulled of his coat and shoes.

*

Josh plopped down on the couch, where Tyler was already curled up into Brendon's side, which looked really nice. He sat down the three red bull's on the table in front of them before sighing, absentmindedly rubbing his red knuckles again. Brendon noticed, sat up a bit and frowned.
"What- have you been fighting?" He wondered, questioning and clearly utterly surprised.

Josh sighed again as he let himself fall back on the couch, watching the other two. Thinking of how to start, Tyler beat him to it.

"I, uhm, there's was a guy in the cafe right before closing time and he kind of threatened me and then Josh-."

"Not 'a' guy, Ty... the guy."
Tyler sighed as he felt Brendon's grip on his side strengthen. "Okay, okay, it was the guy of that one date. Tom. Who-."

"What!? He was at your cafe? Are you okay? Did he-?" Brendon started to fire questions, eyes shifting from the one to the other. Tyler nodded. "I'm okay. Josh got there in time and kicked him out."

Tyler continued to explain what had happened, feeling a weird sense of safety being tightly in between Brendon and Josh. When he was done talking, he watched Joshs hand. "I don't know how that happened exactly though..."

Josh observed his hand. "He didn't want to listen." Then he looked up into Tyler's eyes. "And he called you something i won't let anyone call you", he added softly with a shrug. "Realizing now, it's... a good thing that at that moment i didn't know yet who he was. I don't know if i could've stopped myself as soon as i did now."

"My hero", Tyler chuckled, a little breeze of relief to lighten things up as he leaned over and kissed Joshs cheek. "My babies", Brendon chuckled as he attempted to get up, kissing them both on their foreheads. "I'm going to grab Doritos, you pick out a movie. We'll think about what to do about this Tom stuff more later. Tomorrow."

"Ty, will you stay?" Josh then asked, even before Brendon made his way away from the couch. "Please? Just stay the night?"

Tyler shortly looked at Brendon for confirmation, then nodded. "Okay." Josh's smile after that was worth it already.

***

"Should we ask him now?" Brendon spoke as they cleaned up the last stuff before bed, while Tyler was taking a shower. "Ask... what?"
Brendon shrugged. "Both? I guess. I mean unless you-."
"Really?"
Brendon chuckled. "Yes. Unless you want to wait-."
"Ha, right, as if. Yes, let's ask him then." He smiled.
"Really?" It was Brendon's time to ask now, just to double confirm. "Are we ready? Fully sure?"
And for a second he just stood there, considering the next plunge. "Let's just do it and see where it goes, right?" Josh shrugged. "So far so good?" Brendon nodded with a smile, pulling his boyfriend in for a kiss. "Alright, let's go."

Tyler had stepped out the shower when Brendon and Josh got upstairs, brushing his teeth wearing Josh's sweatpants and Brendon's hoodie, which were both definitely oversized now but it was cute. He smiled goofily with the toothbrush in his mouth, clearly a little nervous. Without really speaking they grabbed their own toothbrushes as well.

Their bathroom wasn't exactly small, but being there with three at the same time in front of the mirror was something else. Josh was standing slightly behind Tyler in front of their double sink, Brendon right beside him. He couldn't help but smile. The over the top domestic feeling washed over him, and he already loved it, even though he knew it wouldn't be like they would be always brushing their teeth together. He chuckled because of it, and for whatever reason both Tyler and Brendon seemed to get it, this slight absurd homey feeling.

When mouths were rinsed and Josh was massaging cream onto his washed face, Brendon started. "We want to ask you something." Okay, that was pretty blunt, but clear. Tyler's response was just a little curious "oh?"

"We want you to be are boyfriend." Josh just threw at him then. Brendon nodded. "You know. Making it official." He laughed.

"Are you sure? Both?" Tyler asked. He was sure, more sure then he had been of anything ever. But were they sure to share each other with him?
"One hundred percent", Josh nodded easily and Brendon nodded.

"Okay.. well.. i mean.. Okay?"

"Okay?"

Tyler laughed. "well damn, what do i say? Yes please? Yes thank you? What the fuck, i don't know how to respond, just yes okay." He laughed, dimples on full display making the others laugh to. Probably in relief.

"Yay!" Josh squealed as he launched forward and pressed his lips to Tyler's, surprising the younger. He then pulled back, wrapping his arms around Brendon's neck and smiled. "I am the luckiest, happiest man alive, look at my two beautiful boyfriends", he chuckled.

"And, well, since we're official now", Brendon continued as Josh had let go of him. "We would really love it if you would spend Christmas with us. All of Christmas, but also the dinner with my parents, and Jordan and his girlfriend."
...

"As our boyfriend, yes."

Tyler nodded. He knew that was part of it. Even though he had no parents, no family or friends to introduce them to, he still realized very well that was part of the deal. Scary, but necessary. He also realized all too well that their combined group of family was ridiculously small, with only one set of parents and one brother.

"You guys think they'll be okay with it?" he wondered when they made their way to the bedroom. Brendon had gently guided him towards their own bedroom, just in case he wasn't sure whether he would sleep there or in the guest room he had stayed in before. It was sweet, reassuring and making it unnecessary to ask the awkward question.

"Brendon's parents for sure", Josh laughed. "They won't even think it's weird or be surprised. They're all about love and as long as you're a good person, they're all for it." Brendon shrugged. "It's true."

"And Jordan?"

Josh waited for Tyler to take of his sweatpants and crawl into the bed, and take up the middle spot. He knew none of the others realized, and he knew he was totally overreacting and being overprotective but something just felt more safe about having Tyler sleep in the middle.

"I'm sure he'll be fine. He has never treated me any different when he found out I was with Brendon, not even with the beliefs we were raised with. This might definitely surprise him, I don't know. But I just know he'll be okay."

"Okay, well, let's meet the family then", Tyler agreed nervously as he got more comfortable under the covers. Josh crawled in after him, immediately scooting closer.
"Gosh someone pinch me", he whispered in disbelief and happiness.

Tired from the rough day with an exciting end, silence fell quickly. So Josh propped himself up, leaning over Tyler to kiss Brendon goodnight. He then did the same to Tyler who couldn't help but let go of a tiny chuckle. He then settled while when Brendon got Tyler's attention. The oldest gently brushed through Tyler's hair. "Welcome to our messy family", he whispered and then kissed him softly.

Tyler's flushed cheeks were quickly hidden when Josh switched off the light. And with Tyler closely pressed into Brendon's shirt, and Josh's arm around his waist, he sighed in bliss.