2574 words

tyler sits at the gym desk, chin resting in his hand as he scrolls through twitter in boredom. he wasn't able to fall asleep last night and is definitely suffering the consequences. he's been tired all day and is constantly fighting the urge to just let his eyes close so he can succumb to dreamland. skipping lunch to take a nap was a consideration, but josh told him he had to eat and that he could nap after work.

so, here he is now, struggling to keep his heavy eyes open and failing miserably. he tried doing homework to busy himself, but reading the dull words on the dimly lit screen only made it worse. the only thing motivating him at the moment is knowing that josh is coming soon.

the two of them had spent the entire weekend together. tyler was in little space for nearly the entire time, no longer needing to force himself to stay big since it wasn't a secret anymore. as the weekend went by, tyler could tell josh was getting more comfortable and confident in his caretaking abilities. he even came up with a bunch of cute pet names that made tyler giggle.

it's getting harder to ignore just how strong tyler's feelings for him are. tyler isn't somebody to just throw the "l word" around all willy-nilly. at least... not big tyler. he did have to catch himself several times from letting the word slip out while in little space. little tyler loves everyone and everything! it's not really a big deal, but that word is a whole lot different when it's directed at josh versus his friends.

speaking of, the brunette perks up slightly at the sight of wild curls approaching him. josh grins, teeth peeking from behind his sculpted lips. "hi, baby."

"hi," tyler squeaks, finding it impossible not to smile back.

"how are you feeling?" he extends a hand, and tyler doesn't hesitate to take it in his own.

"so tired."

"only a couple more hours though, yeah? and then you can take a nap."

tyler's head tilts to the sky as he whines. "i can't wait that long. i'm falling asleep. i could fall asleep right here just like this. i don't understand why i couldn't just fall asleep last night."

"i think i know," josh says, continuing when tyler urges him on, "i think you might just be a little baby, or something. you suffer from little baby syndrome."

"you know, i think you're right," tyler agrees between the sounds of their laughter. "that's definitely why."

"see? i know things."

"i never said you didn't."

"well," josh switches the direction of the conversation, "why don't you just work on your homework? that'll keep you awake."

"i tried," tyler groans. "it was super boring so it just put me to sleep. like, it actually hurt my brain to try to pay attention to what i was reading."

"really?" josh raises an eyebrow.

"really!" tyler urges. "i'm not kidding."

"i think you might be kidding."

"no i'm not," tyler shakes his head in denial, knowing he's definitely overexaggerating. josh gives him a look, causing the boy to roll his eyes. "okay, maybe i'm kidding a little."

"what time is it?" josh glances at his watch. "you get off at five, right? you literally only have an hour and half to go."

tyler groans. "so long."

"here's what's gonna happen, okay?"

that piques tyler's interest, causing him to sit up a bit straighter. "yeah?"

"i'm gonna go workout. you're gonna sit here and do your homework. i'll meet you right here at five, and i'll go lay with you while you nap. how's that sound?"

tyler gulps, blinking a few times. he pretends like the tips of his ears aren't burning hot. "fine."

"good boy," josh murmurs, leaning in and pressing his lips to the boy's forehead. his cheeks turn a deep shade of ruby. he doesn't respond, just puckers his lips. josh is quick to give him a kiss, both of them smiling like little kids. "okay, i'm gonna go now."

tyler nods, watching in disappointment as the older leaves him behind. with a sigh, he turns to his computer. he closes out of twitter and opens back up the pdf he's supposed to be reading for one of his english classes. it's not his fault he couldn't care less about middle english literature. maybe if it wasn't so stupid and boring then he'd actually be interested.

after only about five minutes, his eyes start drooping again. he's so bored.

glancing towards the gym, he spots josh using the leg press machine. he looks so cute, the way the muscles in his legs flex with every push. he watches until josh finishes his set, quickly turning away when the older sits up and looks directly at him.

his watch vibrates a few seconds later.

josh 🧸
quit stalking me and do your homework

i am not stalking you!!!

you're distracting me

josh 🧸
how am i distracting you

because you're so cute >:(

josh 🧸
you're distracting yourself honey

don't blame me

you're distracting me rn

cuz you're texting me!!

josh 🧸
ok then i'll stop!!

NOOO PLS

tyler looks back in josh's direction, finding him back in the middle of another set. with a groan, he forces his eyes back on his computer... until about a minute goes by and his watch vibrates again.

josh 🧸
how's the homework coming

YOU'RE DISTRACTING ME!!!!!

josh 🧸
oops

i just miss you

i'm right here silly

josh 🧸
yeah behind a glass wall

wish you were right here

somebody said i have to do my homework

josh 🧸
you do

don't wannaaaa

can't i just watch bluey

pls

like literally pls

PLEEAAASEEE

josh 🧸
after you finish your homework

UGH OKAY FINE GO DO YOUR WORKOUT

i am going to FINISH my homework so i can watch some GOSH DARN cartoons

josh 🧸
ok cutie <3

<3

ignoring the butterflies in his tummy from receiving the silly little heart, tyler decides it's time to lock in and get laser focused. his eyes lazily scan the computer screen, struggling to comprehend what the heck he's even reading.

he ends up looking it up on spark notes, deciding it's much easier and much more efficient to just read the summary. besides, josh never said he couldn't. it's about five minutes later when his watch vibrates again.

josh 🧸
i'm watching u

tyler whips around, covering his mouth to hold back a giggle at the sight of josh giving him a silly look from across the gym.

quit stalking me weirdo!!!

josh 🧸
quit being so cute!!!

i can't :/ sorry

josh 🧸
oh ur right

my bad

JOSHHH YOU'RE DISTRACTING MEEE

josh 🧸
no you're distracting me!

you started it!

josh 🧸
no you did!

grrr

quit making me feel small

tryna do horrible boring stupid awful dumb homework

need to focus

josh 🧸
ok ok

but just know that i am watching you

whatever!!!

josh 🧸
<3

<3

tyler refuses to turn around to see if josh is looking at him. he quickly skims the rest of the summary for the reading, feeling like he could jump for joy when it finally ends. he quickly slides an airpod in his ear, starting bluey on the last episode he left off with.

he's rewatched the whole show twice already; this is his third time through. he doesn't mind, though. in fact, tyler actually prefers to watch movies or shows that he's already seen before. something about watching new things just makes him anxious. brendon makes fun of him for never having seen a lot of what he calls "classic" movies before, but tyler couldn't care less. he'll stick with his disney movies.

several episodes of bluey play over the next hour or so. tyler is so enthralled by the giggling puppies that he doesn't realize it's five o'clock until josh is clearing his throat to get his attention.

"oh!" he exclaims, quickly pausing the show. he smiles upon seeing josh. "hi."

"hi," josh chuckles. "how are bluey and bingo?"

"bein' silly n' cute."

"oh yeah? you ready to go take a nap?"

tyler nods, closing out of google chrome and shutting his computer. he stuffs it in his bag, taking josh's extended hand as they walk out of the building. he swings their arms back and forth, keeping his eyes trained on the ground as they talk.

"did you finish your homework?"

"mhm."

"see? wasn't so bad, was it?"

"it was."

"now i get to do my homework while you get to take a nap."

tyler frowns. "not sleepin' with me?"

"i'm not tired, honey."

"you just worked out! you gotta be tired," tyler points out.

"not tired like that. can i shower at your house? i'll sit with you, but i should probably clean up first." when tyler only whines in response, he asks, "you don't want me all stinky and sweaty in your bed, do you?"

"but..." tyler groans, glancing around them to see if anybody is within earshot. there's nobody nearby, so he lets out another whine. "daddy..."

"you do want me stinky and sweaty in your bed?"

"no!" tyler scrunches his nose. "don' wanna wait for you."

"i'll be quick, promise."

"fineee..."

back at the house, tyler impatiently waits in his room while josh takes way longer than he would like in the shower. by the time the older is done, tyler is dressed in comfy pajamas and half-asleep in his bed. he refuses to let his eyes close until josh is back. he wants to try to pretend like he's angry at josh for taking so long, but he ends up melting the second josh comes in.

"look at you, pretty boy," he coos, resulting in a dark red shining through the boy's cheeks.

tyler only giggles in response, hiding his head under the blanket. then he realizes he forgot to grab pablo. he quickly uncovers himself, grabs the stuffed animal, then hides both of them under the blanket.

it's quiet for a few moments before josh suddenly yanks the blanket away, leaving tyler and pablo exposed. tyler squeals but it quickly turns into laughter when josh starts to tickle him. the younger writhes beneath him, unable to find his breath to beg josh to stop. it only lasts a minute before josh finally ends the torture.

"meanie," tyler whines, frown drawn on his face.

"am not," josh argues. he grabs his laptop and motions for tyler to scoot over to make room for him on the bed.

he watches whatever josh is working on for a few moments before the sleep finally catches up with him. a yawn escapes him as he nuzzles himself against the older, humming contently when josh rests an arm around him and pulls him in closer.

"have i ever told you that you're so cute?" josh asks, lightly trailing his fingertips up and down the boy's bare bicep.

"nuh-uh," he murmurs sleepily.

"liar," the older chuckles. "but i'll tell you again. you are so cute, honey."

"mhm."

"sorry. want me to let you sleep?"

"mhm."

"alright," josh whispers. he places a kiss to the top of his head. "sleep tight, tiny."

tyler hums in some sort of acknowledgment before finally dozing off.

he's only asleep for what feels like a few minutes until he's suddenly woken to the sound of his name. groaning in protest, he tightens his grip around josh's waist. "tired."

"ty, you've been asleep for almost two hours. you're not gonna be able to sleep again tonight if you don't get up now."

"ugh," he whines, "but i'm so tired. i don't sleep good like that when you're not here."

"want me to sleep over tonight?"

"yes," he responds immediately, then adds, "please."

"how can i say no to such nice manners?" josh teases, lips curling into a tiny grin as a red tint works its way to tyler's cheeks. he places a gentle kiss to tyler's lips before suddenly removing himself from the younger and climbing out of bed. "come on. time to get up."

"fine," tyler grumbles, lifting himself from the warm comfort of his bed. he yawns, stretching his arms above his head. "do i look like i just woke up?"

"yes," josh admits, running a hand through the boy's brown tufts in an attempt to tame them, "but in a cute, little baby kinda way."

"whatever," tyler dismisses, checking his phone. he has a text from ashley that dinner will be ready soon. "did you finish your homework?"

"yep. i'm all yours for the rest of the night."

"kay," he grins. "ash says dinner's almost ready."

they find her in the kitchen accompanied by both brendon and ryan. the two boys are leaning against the counter and talking her ear off, oblivious to the fact that they are completely in her way.

"so, yeah, you should totally come," ryan urges.

"exactly. it will be so much fun. like freshman year. come on."

"i don't know guys," she sighs, side-stepping around them with a spatula in hand. "frat parties are gross."

"but it's not just any frat, it's our frat."

"exactly my point."

"what're we talking about?" tyler joins in, gaining their attention.

"tyler! just the boy i was looking for!" brendon smiles.

"um, i was taking a nap upstairs."

"no matter," the older waves his hand. "du is having a huge foam party this weekend. it's open-invite. i am inviting you. and you too, josh."

"foam party?" josh furrows his eyebrows.

"is it actually open-invite?" tyler questions. he crosses his arms over his chest. "last time you said that three different guys tried to kick me out."

"it's fun," ryan says in response to josh.

"yes," brendon rolls his eyes, "it's actually open-invite. promise. i already told them i'm bringing you guys and ashley, so you have to come."

tyler and josh share a look. josh asks, "what day?"

"friday night. starts at 10:30."

he looks down at tyler, shrugging. "what do you think, hon? up to you."

tyler mulls it over for a bit. on one hand, he really hasn't gone out at all this semester. the only party he's been to was the one they threw for ryan's birthday. on the other hand, does he even want to go out? it's not really his scene. but then again, he hasn't had the experience of having a night out with josh as his boyfriend. it could be a lot of fun.

from that simple fact alone, he says, "okay, sure."

ryan and brendon erupt in a fit of cheers, high-fiving each other. tyler and josh can't help but laugh at their enthusiasm.

"fine," ashley grins. "if they're going, i'm definitely going. can i bring debby though?"

"sure," brendon nods, pulling his phone out of his pocket. "i'll let the guys know."

"dinner's ready," she announces, changing the topic. "grab a plate."

as tyler sits at the dining table listening to the conversation amongst his friends, he can't help but feel excited for the weekend. the last time him and josh were drunk together, he had such a great time.

sure, that was within the comfort of his own home and this time he'll be in a dirty frat basement, but still. he feels safe just knowing josh will be there to look out for and take care of him.