4388 words

halloween has passed and the bitterly cold november air has rolled in. tyler and josh both have exams before they go home for thanksgiving next week, so the two haven't been together as much as tyler would like. his exams are never too bad, but josh has been studying nonstop for days.

tyler sits in the living room with ashley, his laptop resting on the arm of the couch while a notebook sits flat against his thighs. his pen is moving rapidly, trying to recite the notes on his computer from memory. he's been doing pretty well, but he just can't seem to get a few sections to stick.

ashley is watching friends, the sound serving as a distraction to tyler every other minute, but he won't ask her to turn it off.

black ink draws across the page filled halfway with scribbles. tyler spills as much as he can remember as quickly as he can muster, not wanting to forget anything. he works for a few minutes straight until suddenly his mind is drawing another blank.

he cannot for the life of him remember the difference between the two forms of the sapir-whorf hypothesis in cognitive psychology. a frustrated sigh escapes him, the hand that's not holding his pen raising to his hair and curling a lock around his finger.

his eyes raise to the tv, suddenly very interested in the scene unfolding between joey and chandler. he watches for only a minute before casting his attention back towards his notebook, and then he feels frustrated all over again.

stupid sapir-whorf hypothesis.

it probably won't even be on the exam anyway.

"taking a break?" ashley's voice sounds from beside him.

he glances at her, his finger twisting the same lock atop his head over and over again. "yeah, i guess so."

"you've been studying all day," she points out, placing a piece of popcorn in her mouth, "and you didn't even come down earlier to eat dinner."

"dinner?" tyler frowns, "what time is it?"

"i dunno, late."

he glances at his watch, noticing it's nearing eight pm. his eyes widen slightly as he quickly retrieves his phone from his pocket. he has a few missed text messages from josh. was he really that focused that he didn't even feel his watch vibrate?

josh 🧸:
i miss you so much baby boy

did you eat?

i want to kiss you

i hate studying i'm so bored

can i come over and kiss you?

the last text had been sent about 20 minutes ago. tyler can't help but smile at the messages, his thumbs clumsily moving across the screen as he quickly responds.

hi daddy i miss you so much too

sorry i was very focused (and also distracted by friends)

no i didn't eat :\\ kinda hungry

did you?

pls come over and kiss me i'm done studying

he raises his gaze to ashley who's watching him with a smug grin.

"what?"

"oh, nothing," she shrugs, "just... you're so in love."

"shut up," tyler laughs, pushing her shoulder playfully. she joins him in laughing, her smile from ear to ear.

"it's cute, ty. you deserve to be happy. it looks good on you, you know."

"whatever," he mumbles, pursing his lips in an attempt to stifle his grin.

his watch buzzes a few times in a row.

josh 🧸:
hi baby !!

i didn't eat yet i was waiting for you to respond

want me to pick up something?

we can eat at yours and i'll give you endless kisses

taco bell

but i wanna come with you i miss you

pick me up?

josh 🧸:
sure angel

i'll be there in less than 10

YAYYY THANK YOUUU

i love you!

josh 🧸:
i love you so much baby boy

a soft giggle escapes tyler, earning an eyebrow raise from ashley. he tucks his lower lip between his teeth, beaming at her.

"josh is gonna take me to taco bell," he explains, feeling warmth burning beneath his cheeks.

"ahh, i figured it was something to do with him."

"whatever!" tyler whines.

he knows full well that he looks like one of those idiots who's completely infatuated with their partner and he knows that leaves him completely vulnerable to getting hurt, but he's trying really hard not to think like that anymore.

"i gotta get ready."

he closes his laptop and notebook, hugging them to his chest as he runs upstairs to his room. they're discarded on his desk before he changes into a pink crewneck sweater and slips on graphic socks with kittens on them. toeing on a pair of vans, he receives the i'm here text from josh just as he's making his way back downstairs.

"you look cute," ashley comments as he whizzes past her.

"thanks!" he shouts over his shoulder, "we'll be back!"

"you forgot your keys!"

tyler huffs and turns on his heels, grabbing his keys off the coffee table and stuffing them in his pocket. "thanks. see ya."

"have fun."

they share a smile before the boy finally makes it outside. the wind nips at his nose and he immediately begins shivering, tightly wrapping his arms around his torso as he shuffles towards josh's car.

he watches as the man inside leans across the center console and opens the door, pushing it far enough for tyler to squeeze in. josh pulls the door shut, and tyler can't get a single word out before the older is cupping his cheeks and kissing him.

he repeatedly presses big, quick pecks against tyler's lips. the boy smiles against him, his hands firmly gripping josh's biceps as he gets hounded with kisses. josh gives him a long, drawn-out, final kiss before pulling away, the two smiling at each other like fools.

"i missed you," josh speaks, his palms still resting on the boy's bright pink cheeks.

"i missed you too, daddy."

"missed your lips," josh chuckles, a thumb tracing tyler's lower lip as he watches his face burn brighter.

"you're crazy," tyler responds, his eyes fluttering shut as josh places a soft kiss against his forehead. "i love you."

"i love you so much, baby boy," josh murmurs, his lips moving against tyler's skin. he moves his hands, running them over the boy's arms. "no coat?"

"didn't want one."

"it's too cold, you've gotta start wearing your coat," josh tsks, shaking his head disapprovingly.

he reaches back up and kisses tyler once more, making the boy giggle. josh pulls away, sitting back in his seat but resting his hand face-up on the center console for tyler to take. "ready to go?"

"uh-huh," tyler nods, carefully lacing his fingers with josh's and completely forgetting about the stupid forms of the sapir-whorf hypothesis.

josh lets him pick the music, so tyler puts on what he wants to listen to even though he knows it's not josh's favorite. josh never minds; he's always happy just to hear tyler singing along.

the trip to taco bell only takes around 30 minutes. by the time josh's car is back in the parking deck, tyler has switched to listening to disney songs—tangled, to be exact. as josh shuts his car off and the music cuts out, tyler turns to him with his brows furrowed and his jaw dropped.

"daddy! i was listenin' to that!"

"i'm starving, dear. we can put on tangled when we get back, yeah? how's that sound?"

tyler huffs, grabbing his soda from the cup holder and taking a sip of the baja blast. "fine..."

"that's my boy."

josh beams, ruffling the boy's hair and then brushing the stray strands away from his eyes. tyler blushes under his touch, busying his mouth with the straw of his cup to try to hide his smile.

"love you," he mumbles, never wanting to stop saying it now that he can. he doesn't want josh to ever think otherwise.

"love you too, sweetheart."

reaching in the backseat, josh grabs the bag he packed to stay the night with tyler and slings it over his shoulder. he also grabs his drink and the bag of food before exiting the car. he quickly walks around the front of the car to tyler's side and opens the door for him, patiently waiting for him to get out.

as they begin the walk back to tyler's house, the brunette holds his empty hand out to his side, wiggling his fingers at josh.

"my hands are full, baby," josh points out, holding his soda up in one hand and the bag in the other.

"please?" tyler pouts, his lower lip jutting out slightly. he continues to persistently wiggle his fingers.

the older shakes his head, a soft chuckle escaping him. he switches his cup to the other side, sandwiching it between his forearm and his chest as his hand grips the bag of taco bell. tyler breathes a soft giggle as josh laces their fingers together.

"only because you asked so nicely," josh states, his thumb gently rubbing side-to-side against the back of tyler's hand.

"and 'cuz you love me," tyler adds, beaming at the small smirk josh gives him.

"yes, and because i love you."

back at the house, tyler goes to open the door for them and finds it locked. he frowns for a moment before remembering he (well, ashley) didn't forget his keys. he very proudly digs them out of his pocket, revealing them to josh with a big grin.

"wow, you remembered them! good job, baby boy," josh praises, raising his hand to cup the back of tyler's neck and pressing a kiss against the top of his head.

"ash reminded me," tyler admits, struggling with the lock.

josh trades his cup for the key, easily turning it in the lock and opening the door. tyler glares at him for a moment, only softening his expression when josh gives him the look.

"sorry," he mumbles, handing josh back his drink.

"that's what i thought," josh tuts, holding the door open for tyler to enter first. "you know it's my job to help you, love."

"yeahhh, i know," tyler murmurs, a bashful smile on his lips.

"so then let me," josh grins amusedly, swinging the door shut behind them and following the boy to the couch.

ashley is nowhere to be found. tyler places his cup on the coffee table and retrieves his phone from his pocket, finding a message from her.

stupid watch. why didn't it vibrate again?

tyler taps frustratedly on the tiny screen of his watch, realizing he forgot he put it in do not disturb when he started studying earlier. oops. he makes sure to turn it off.

ashley went to hangout with debby. brendon and ryan aren't home either. he grins at the news, excited to spend a night regressing alone with josh.

"where is everyone?" josh asks as if on cue. tyler explains, and he utters a soft, "ahh, got it."

he places the fast food on the table, caressing tyler's face and gently raising his head to meet his eyes. they're both quiet for a moment, tyler's tummy soaring with butterflies as josh's eyes flicker over his undoubtedly red cheeks.

the older's gaze is intense and unwavering, tyler feeling like his eyes are peering right through him. he swallows thickly, that look alone enough to send him further into little space.

"daddy?" he asks softly, blinking up at josh.

"hm?"

"'m hungry..."

josh's eyes soften, a small grin tugging at his lips. "okay, baby. i'm sorry. you're just so beautiful."

when tyler only smiles in response, he continues, "would you like your soda in a sippy?"

the boy nods, subconsciously leaning into josh's touch as his thumb brushes over his cheekbone. he holds josh's stare, mesmerized by those big, brown pools.

"use your words, tiny."

"yes, please," he replies instinctively, a soft blush burning the tips of his ears as he realizes how immediately the words poured out of him.

"good boy," josh murmurs. he leans down, planting a wet kiss against tyler's forehead before taking his soda cup into the kitchen.

tyler sits wordless, his mind spinning. he inhales deeply, attempting to ease the heart that thumps rapidly against his ribcage. josh is so good at making him feel so small, something he's grateful for amidst the stress of exams. he truly doesn't know how he got so lucky.

josh returns with his bumble bee sippy cup, the blue soda stark against the yellow insects. he holds it in front of the boy who gratefully accepts it, placing the spout between his lips and taking a drink before uttering a quiet, "t'anks, daddy."

"anything for you, love."

he sits beside tyler, close enough that the outside of their thighs are pressed firmly against each other. after first putting tangled on to watch, josh hands tyler one of the two cravings boxes they orderered—the one with no tomatoes, of course.

tyler eats quietly, focused on the colorful movie playing out of the screen. he only raises his voice to sing along with the various songs and giggle at his favorite parts.

by the time he's full, he still has a soft taco he hasn't touched. he glances at josh, finding the older already finished. josh meets his eyes for a brief moment before looking to the taco still sitting in his box.

"all done, baby?"

tyler nods, holding the box out for him to take. josh obliges, eyeing the taco for another moment before looking back to tyler.

"do you want me to finish it for you?"

nodding again, tyler holds his sippy cup in both hands as he brings his legs in to curl on the couch beside him. one knee pokes against josh's thigh, but the older doesn't seem to mind, he just digs straight into tyler's leftover taco.

when he finishes and discards the now empty box on the coffee table, josh drapes an arm over tyler's shoulders and holds the other out in front of him.

"c'mere."

tyler doesn't hesitate to readjust himself, moving his legs to rest across josh's lap and lowering his head atop josh's shoulder. the latter squeezes his waist gently, his other arm draped over the boys legs and firmly gripping the outside of his thigh. tyler hums in content, mindlessly drinking from his sippy cup as his eyes stay fixated on the screen.

he very quickly finishes his soda and holds out the empty sippy, looking at josh expectantly.

"what is it, love?"

tyler whines quietly, words evading him. he moves his wrist to wave the cup back and forth, his eyes wide and pleading as josh stares at him.

"words, hon. i can't help if you don't tell me what you want." his voice is gentle, patiently awaiting a response from the boy.

tyler frowns, slowly lowering his cup to his lap and looking at it longingly. he swallows, wetting his lips as his tongue darts between them.

it takes everything in him to quietly mutter, "daddy..."

"yes, tiny? tell daddy what you want," josh urges, tenderly rubbing the tips of his fingers back and forth along the top of the brunette's thigh while his other hand rubs his back.

a tiny smile tugs at the corner of tyler's lips, his gaze still focused on his empty cup.

"more?"

"there's no more, baby boy. do you want daddy to get you some juice instead?"

a frown replaces tyler's smile, a soft sight blowing past his lips. he shakes his head, quiet for another moment before he gasps.

his eyes raise to meet josh's, his face lit up with excitement as he asks, "hot choc'ate?"

"oh yeah? you want hot chocolate?" josh grins, gingerly leaning in and kissing tyler's cheek. "what do you say?"

"please."

"good boy."

tyler's cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink, once again smiling as josh places another kiss against the warm flesh. the older carefully eases him out of his lap, chuckling as he whines.

"i'll only be a few minutes," he insists, pressing a final kiss to tyler's cheek before leaving him to make his hot chocolate.

tyler impatiently waits in his spot, pulling his legs in to sit butterfly style as he presses the soles of his sock-covered feet together. he glues his eyes back to the movie, watching the scene where rapunzel and flynn are fleeing from the snuggly duckling. his arms instinctively wrap around himself, wishing he had his favorite stuffie to hold against his chest.

josh returns a few minutes later, a bluey thermos in hand. he places it on the coffee table, stopping tyler as he goes to grab it.

"ah, ah, ah!" he warns, "it's too hot."

tyler pouts, wrapping his arms back around himself as josh removes the lid from the thermos so it can cool off quicker. his eyes scan over tyler, observing him for a moment.

"do you want pablo?"

he nods.

"maybe a blankie too?"

"mhm," he nods again, then adds, "please."

"coming right up," josh announces, quickly kissing the top of tyler's head before racing upstairs.

tyler glances at the thermos on the table, his mouth practically watering as he eyes the sweet drink. he reaches for it, carefully touching the back of his index finger to the outside to test the temperature. a flash of searing pain meets his skin, causing the boy to wince and flinch away.

his face contorts in a pout, holding his finger against his chest as he glares at the cup. stupid thing! how could it be so hot? how is josh always right?

said man returns a moment later, pablo in one hand and tyler's pink butterfly blanket in the other.

it doesn't take more than a second before josh guesses, "you touched it, didn't you?"

tyler nods, knowing better than to lie right now. he doesn't want to risk not getting to drink his hot chocolate!

josh sighs, returning to his spot on the couch and pulling tyler back into the same position he was sat before. he carefully adjusts the blanket over them before tyler eagerly takes pablo from him and squeezes him against his chest.

"let me see," josh orders, holding out his palm.

tyler places his finger in it, the skin on the back of  his finger tinted red. josh coos, carefully raising it to his lips and pressing a delicate kiss against the skin.

"better?"

"mhm," tyler hums, his head falling back into its spot on josh's shoulder.

the two snuggle silently for what (to tyler) feels like hours but can't be more than twenty minutes based on the current tangled scene. josh finally reaches forward for the hot chocolate, testing the temperature of the thermos. he deems it fine, screwing the lid back on top.

"it's still hot, so be careful."

the younger nods, popping open the top and gently easing the spout between his lips. he takes a small sip, the sweet warmth coating the inside of his mouth and leaving him wanting more. he takes small, quick sips of his hot chocolate, ignoring the way the liquid is burning the tip of his tongue.

by the time tangled finishes, tyler's drink is completely gone and he's not feeling tired at all. it's a bit past ten, and he should be going to bed soon because he has class tomorrow, but he doesn't want to.

"daddy?" he murmurs, putting on his biggest puppy dog eyes and sweetest, innocent, little smile.

josh meets his eyes, clearly melting at the sight. his face softens, an endearing down-turned smile pulling at his lips. "yes, love?"

"monsters inc?"

josh hums, checking the time on his phone. tyler is quick to pick up on his hesitation, so he quickly adds, "been a good boy all day!"

"oh yeah?" josh laughs, tapping his fingers against the boy's thigh. "okay, you're right. we'll watch monsters inc and then we have to go to bed."

"aaand?" tyler asks, holding up his empty thermos.

"what? you want more?" josh chuckles, shaking his head in disbelief.

"please!"

"ty baby, you told me that when you have too much chocolate before bed you always have nightmares."

tyler groans, knowing josh is completely right and he definitely did tell him that before... because it's entirely true.

"no! s'okay! didn't mean it, was just kiddin'," he fibs, having full trust in his brain to not give him scary dreams from drinking too much hot chocolate. it probably won't happen this time!

josh raises an eyebrow at him, remaining quiet for a few moments to see if tyler will budge. he doesn't; he just holds josh's stare with an innocent grin.

"fine," josh caves, sighing. "just this one time, and you better not have any bad dreams tonight."

"i won't!" tyler giggles, allowing josh to remove him from his lap again.

he watches the beginning of monsters inc as josh makes him another cup of hot chocolate, the two returning to their prior positions as the drink cools off again. tyler sips this one more slowly, trying to make it last throughout the movie.

ashley and brendon both return at some point in the middle of it, and they both leave the two undisturbed and head directly upstairs. tyler is grateful; he doesn't know if he's ever been this small in front of them before.

he's almost fully non-verbal at this point, only pointing and gasping when something bad happens and giggling and pulling on josh's shirt when something good happens. pablo is snug against his chest, the thermos wrapped tightly in his arm in between sips.

sure, he's comfortable being in little space around his best friends, but he's only comfortable being this little with josh.

with his daddy.

by the time monsters inc ends, tyler has finished his second cup of hot chocolate and his eyes are getting droopy. he doesn't move from his position as josh shuts the television off, and whines this time when josh tries to get out from beneath him.

"baby," josh's voice is soft and calm, "daddy has to get up. i need to clean your cup and throw our trash away before we can go to bed."

"nh-nh," tyler refuses, tightly wrapping an arm around the older and nuzzling his face into his neck.

"gosh, you're cute," josh mumbles more to himself than tyler, turning his head to press a kiss into the boy's brown locks. "c'mon, then."

he helps tyler reposition to straddle his lap, then scoops his hands beneath the boy's butt and lifts him off the couch as he stands. holding tyler against his chest, josh gathers the taco bell garbage from the table and also carries the boy into the kitchen, setting him on the counter beside the sink.

he first throws out the trash, then takes the thermos from tyler, cleans it in the kitchen sink and sets it on the drying rack. tyler watches quietly, absentmindedly rubbing the fabric from his blanket between his thumb and his four fingers with pablo still tucked under his arm.

as josh finishes in the kitchen, he cradles tyler back against his chest and carries the boy upstairs after shutting all the lights off and locking the front door. as they enter tyler's room, he places the boy atop his bed, sealing the action with a kiss to his forehead.

"want daddy to pick out your pjs for you?"

tyler nods, instinctively raising his thumb to his mouth and placing it between his lips. josh smiles, patting his head.

"don't get too comfy, we still have to brush our teeth."

unsurprisingly, tyler whines in response. josh ignores him, searching for something he thinks the boy would want to wear to bed. after a few moments, he thrusts the bluey and bandit onesies in tyler's direction, chuckling at the way his eyes light up.

"yes?"

tyler nods, making a grabby hand with the hand whose thumb isn't placed in his mouth. josh helps him out of his current clothes, carefully zipping the onesie up over the boy's bare skin.

"cute as a button, my love," he compliments, poking the tip of tyler's nose.

he giggles in response, not bothering to avert his eyes as josh takes his turn changing into the bandit onesie.

"m'kay, come on, dear."

josh extends his arms out, once more lifting tyler and holding him against his chest. in the bathroom, he sets the boy on the closed lid of the toilet. they brush their teeth together, josh snickering at the unenthusiastic expression planted on tyler's face.

he carries tyler the same way back to his room, skillfully kicking the door shut behind him and locking it behind tyler's back. he places the boy atop his bed once more.

"ready for bed, baby boy?"

tyler nods, letting josh ease him beneath the covers and tuck him in. he hugs pablo against his chest, frowning deeply as he holds his hands out for josh.

the older chuckles, "i'm coming, i'm coming."

he crosses the room to flick the lights off and grabs a paci off tyler's nightstand before finally joining him beneath the bedsheets. the boy curls against him immediately, pablo sandwiched between the two of them. josh doesn't complain, he just wraps his arms around his little one and holds him tightly.

"i love you, my ty baby."

"love you, dada," tyler whispers, his warm breath delicately brushing over josh's neck where his face is currently buried.

"so much," josh murmurs, gently soothing his hand up and down the boy's side. he raises the pacifier to tyler's lips, gently rubbing it against his lower lip until the boy's lips part and he takes the paci into his mouth.

tyler hums in agreement, softly sucking on his paci and totally smitten with the older boy as he slowly drifts off to sleep.

(a/n: hey hey hey!!

sorry for no upload last week, my boyfriend was visiting! to make it up to you, enjoy this two-part chapter!

thank you guys so so much for 4k. this story means the world to me and your support means even more! i'm so happy you love it as much as i do :')

as always, let me know your thoughts!

and don't forget to leave a vote if you loved it <3 thank you again!)