2890 words

it's too early in the morning for tyler's liking, but birthday boys aren't allowed to sleep in, apparently. he and josh got back to campus late last night and went to bed even later, and the lack of sleep is sitting heavy in tyler's stomach. slightly queasy from exhaustion, he grumbles in protest as josh lifts him from bed and tucks him against his chest.

"tired."

"you'll power through, my love. we have an entire day of birthday fun ahead of us."

josh is too cheery for having gotten even less sleep than tyler. he had felt josh slip out of bed probably an hour ago or so, mumbling something along the lines of go back to sleep, i'll be back soon. tyler was barely conscious enough to even register his departure. he just patted around the bed to find pablo, tucked him against his chest, and fell right back asleep.

"too tired f'r my birthday," tyler whines, burying his nose into josh's throat and breathing in his familiar scent.

"that'll change," josh assures.

he pats tyler's back the entire time it takes to carry him downstairs, nearly lulling him back to sleep. just as tyler's about to surrender to the exhaustion pulling down his eyelids, an eruption of party horns jolts him awake. ashley, ryan, and brendon all greet him with wide smiles, party hats strapped to their heads. only then does tyler realize josh is also wearing one.

"happy birthday!" the four of them shout in unison. tyler's lips curl into a weak smile.

"tired," he responds, dropping his head back down to rest on josh's shoulder.

"aww, the birthday boy is tired." ashley coos, running her palm over tyler's messy hair.

"we've got too much planned for you to be all tired on us." brendon pokes his side, earning a soft giggle.

"i'm sure he'll change his mind about being tired in a second," ryan chimes in.

"hm?" tyler hums, his curiosity piqued.

"look," josh says, shifting him in his arms to face towards the living room. the room is decorated in colorful streamers and balloons with all too familiar cartoon dogs. presents are piled onto the coffee table, but tyler is more excited to see the room full of bluey characters.

"oh my gosh," he whispers, looking around the room in awe.

josh carefully sets him down, giving tyler the freedom to wander around the room, gawking at and touching everything hanging from the ceiling and stuck to the walls. his friends watch with pleasant smiles, letting him do a few circles around the room before ashley finally speaks up.

"what do you think? you like it?"

"love it," tyler says simply, wishing he could better communicate exactly how giddy he feels but struggling to find the words. "thank you."

he pulls each of them in for an individual hug, cheeks already sore from how wide he's smiling. josh keeps his arms wrapped around him, pressing a kiss against the top of his head. it's not hard to tell what kind of headspace tyler is in.

"feeling small, honey?"

"mhm," tyler admits, frowning. "s'okay?"

"of course." josh ruffles his unkept hair before soothing a hand through the messy locks, taming them only slightly.

"we figured you would be," ryan admits.

"plus, it's your day. tyler's day. tyler can be however small or big he wants to be on his special day," ashley adds.

"we planned everything so you'll be able to spend the whole day in little space, if that's what you want." tyler sends brendon a wide-eyed look, his smile unwavering. brendon chuckles, repeating, "yes, the whole day."

"oh my." tyler's voice is soft, his arms wrapped tightly around josh. "for me?"

"yes, silly. for you."

"that's right—for ty's special day." josh holds him for only a moment longer before grabbing tyler by the shoulders and removing him from himself. "now, what do you want to do first? presents or breakfast? ashley made chocolate chip pancakes."

"mickey mouse?" tyler asks.

it was something that started as an accident. a few stray drops of batter landed in the pan one day, making one of the pancakes ashley put on his plate sorta resemble mickey mouse. the next time she made them, tyler asked her if she'd be able to do it again but purposefully this time. she did, of course, and has done countless times since that day.

"you betcha." she winks at him. "have i ever let you down?"

tyler only giggles in response, pressing his face into josh's chest to hide the blush that creeps onto his cheeks. from that position, he takes a moment to consider his options. on one hand, he really is dying to see what they got him. he bets it's a lot of new toys. on the other hand, his tummy is already rumbling. putting off presents feels almost painful, but tyler knows the anticipation will make opening them that much better.

he speaks into josh's chest, "pancakes."

"pancakes it is, then."

tyler is told to sit at the table while josh makes a plate for him. ashley and ryan join him while brendon leans against the countertop. josh places his plate before him—two mickey mouse shaped pancakes with chocolate chips carefully placed into a smiley face. they're doused in syrup just the way tyler likes. before tyler can open his mouth to ask, josh places a sippy cup of chocolate milk beside the plate.

"t'ank you."

"mhm," josh hums, kissing the top of his head. he takes the seat beside tyler after getting himself a plate. tyler waits patiently for him to sit before he nudges his plate towards josh, pointing at the butter knife he was given. "oh! how could i forget? little boys need help cutting up their pancakes, huh?"

the sheepish smile tyler gives him is a good enough response for josh. he carefully cuts the boy's pancakes, keeping the knife to use it for his own. tyler eats quietly, listening to the playful chatter between his friends who've clearly already had too much caffeine this morning.

by the time he finishes eating and has emptied his sippy, tyler feels much more awake and like himself. his brain is working properly now which means (unfortunately for everyone else) he can barely sit still and keep patient while everyone else finishes their breakfast. he's extremely antsy, feeling eager to rip open his presents. josh must notice because he places a firm hand on his knee, holding the leg that had previously been bouncing in place.

"excited?"

"mhm," tyler admits. he bounces his other leg instead. "want my presents."

"how about we go get ready for the day while everyone else finishes up?" josh suggests.

"get ready?" tyler frowns. "already am."

"nice try. we've gotta get you cleaned up in the shower and get those teeth nice and clean, too." josh chuckles, making tyler groan in response.

"nooo," he whines, putting on his best pout. "s'my birthday! not fair. don't wanna."

"just because it's your special day doesn't mean you don't still have to take care of yourself. good try, though," josh grins amusedly, gently pinching tyler's lower lip between his thumb and index finger. "no more pouting. when you're all done, you can pick out your outfit for the day."

tyler is still unconvinced, his wide eyes pleading to get his way.

"you can't open presents until you go get ready," josh continues, turning tyler's expression into a glare.

"not fair. mean."

"i am not mean and you know it," josh teases, poking at tyler's side. the boy's lips twitch in response, but his eyes stay narrowed. "i'll get in the shower with you. how about that?"

tyler's eyes grow wide again, a big smile spreading across his face. "okay!"

josh returns his smile. "'kay, come on. let's go."

they head upstairs together, tyler following behind josh and holding onto the hem of his shirt the entire way. once in the bathroom, josh has tyler brush his teeth while he turns the shower on and waits for it to heat up. tyler does so without any complaints, earning him a kiss on the cheek and a good boy from josh.

josh helps him into the shower first but follows right behind. he's already showered this morning, so he lets tyler stay beneath the stream of hot water and pretends like he isn't freezing. he helps tyler wash up a bit quicker than usual, but tyler obviously doesn't complain. he's just excited to open his presents.

after josh helps him dry off (mostly) and wraps him up in a big, fluffy towel, they head across the hall. tyler's damp feet pitter-patter on the wooden floor as he scurries to his room, breathing a sigh of relief when they make it. he drops his towel immediately, not even waiting for josh to be able to shut the door.

"tyler!" josh laughs, quickly closing them in the room and leaning against the door. tyler doesn't respond to this, he just wraps his arms around himself as he starts shivering.

"s'cold," he mutters, standing in front of his dresser. "help."

"you wouldn't be so cold if you weren't naked," josh teases, joining him at the dresser and starting to search through the drawers. "what're we feeling today, hm? something comfy?"

"mhm," tyler agrees. he watches josh rummage through the drawers, his teeth clattering as he tightens his arms across his ribcage. "and warm."

"good idea. what about these?" josh holds up a pair of comfy sweatpants. tyler lights up, his eyebrows raising excitedly as he takes them and quickly pulls them on. he breathes a content sigh at the little bit of warmth it offers. "no undies?"

"nh-nh." tyler shakes his head, looking up at josh. "don't want 'em."

josh holds his stare for a moment, debating if it's something worth fussing over, but ultimately deciding it's not. he just moves onto another drawer, rummaging through it with the help of tyler this time.

"this one!" tyler gasps, pulling out his favorite crewneck. it's got bluey and bingo on the front, of course.

"ooo, good choice," josh compliments. he helps ease tyler into the shirt, sealing the interaction with a quick peck against the younger's lips. tyler giggles in response, his cheeks flushing red.

"i love you, daddy," he says softly. he rummages through his sock drawer, settling for a random pair of fuzzy socks. josh also helps him put those on.

"i love you too, sweetheart. you ready for those presents now?"

tyler nods profusely, his eyes wide. "ready!"

"come on then, cutie."

josh follows behind as tyler races downstairs. he practically jumps onto the couch, sandwiching himself between ryan and ashley. josh lags behind, laughing at the boy's eagerness.

"easy, ty. you almost took ashley out."

"'m sowwy!" tyler quickly apologizes, his expression laced with concern as he looks to ashley.

she shrugs like it's not big deal and carefully places a birthday hat on his head, booping his nose after the strap is secure beneath his chin. "it's okay. you're just excited. which one do you want to open first?"

tyler hooks his finger beneath the strap of the party hat, pulling it away from his chin. it's tight and uncomfortable and he really doesn't like it, but he doesn't want to take it off either. he scrutinizes the pile of presents before him.

"hmm... i dunno. which one, daddy?" he asks, looking to josh for his opinion. he knows josh will make the best choice for him.

"i want you to open mine last," josh decides, looking between the others. "what about we start with brendon's?"

"you're gonna love what i got you, ty," brendon boasts, reaching to pull two gifts from the pile. he sets them both in tyler's lap.

tyler nervously looks around at the three pairs of eyes that are watching him, suddenly feeling a bit anxious. he doesn't like the pressure of everyone watching him. what if he doesn't react the way they want him to? will they be mad at him?

"hey." josh's voice orients him back in the present. he's quick to switch spots with ryan, taking the spot beside tyler and wrapping an arm around his waist, gently squeezing his hip. his other hand rests firmly on tyler's knee. "it's okay, hon."

tyler nods, his cheeks burning with a flustered blush. he feels much better with josh beside him. before he can start overthinking again, his fingers are tearing open the wrapping paper of the first gift. a surprised gasp sounds from the boy as he realizes two things are wrapped inside. they're both books—one is about bluey and the other is about the lion king. tyler squeals in response, hugging the books against his chest.

"brennie! t'ank you," he beams.

"of course, tiny. don't forget about the other one." brendon points at the other present still placed in the boy's lap.

tyler quickly hands the books off to josh, already forgetting his excitement over them as he digs into the next gift. he unwraps a box, frowning in confusion at the sight of the brown cardboard. brendon encourages him to open it, and it takes him a second to pick off the tape holding it shut, but he eventually gets it.

inside is a new pacifier. it's a baby blue color and has the image of bluey on the center. tyler's eyes grow wide at the sight, his jaw falling into an open-mouthed smile. he looks to josh, who's already watching him with a smile of his own.

"look-it! look-it, daddy! it's a bluey paci," tyler shares, his excitement contagious.

"wow, baby! that is so cool, huh? what do you say to brendon?"

"t'ank you, brennie. i love it. i love all the gifts," he compliments, standing to give brendon a hug.

"i'm glad you love them," brendon chuckles.

"my turn next," ryan declares, waiting for tyler to sit back down before he hands him two more.

tyler unwraps the smaller one first, gasping as he realizes it's a set of calico critters. the tiny bunnies are dressed in tiny clothes, making tyler awe over them. he doesn't hesitate to unwrap the next one, carefully examining the picture on the box. it's a calico critters dollhouse.

"no way!" he squeals, tapping his fingers against the box excitedly. "t'ank you, ryry."

"i'm glad you like them, tyty," ryan beams, ruffling the boy's hair.

tyler turns to josh, holding the boxes out for him. "look-it, daddy. can we play later?"

"of course we can. i'll get the dollhouse all set up later so we can play," josh says softly, taking the boxes to set them aside and kissing his temple.

"okay, okay. my turn," ashley announces, grabbing an armful of presents and plopping them in tyler's lap.

"ash'ey," he giggles, pointing at each one as he counts out loud. "one, two, three, four presents?"

"what can i say? i'm just the best."

"mhm," tyler agrees, the corners of eyes eyes crinkling as he giggles when brendon and ryan protest.

he doesn't wait any longer to start unwrapping ashley's gifts. in total, she ends up getting him a new bluey sippy cup, a green alligator stuffed animal, a care bears t-shirt, and a bluey sticker book. tyler is particularly excited about that last one, but he thanks her for everything and gives her a big, tight hug. she squeezes him tightly, nuzzling her cheek against the top of his head. tyler looks to josh expectantly, confused about where his presents are since there are no more left on the table.

"you can open mine later, honey," josh explains, reaching out to take tyler's hand in his own. he places a soft kiss against his knuckles, chuckling at the way tyler whines. "you'll be okay, i promise. now," he pauses, raising tyler's hand to his mouth once more to kiss the tips of his fingers, "are you ready to go?"

"where we goin'?" he asks, immediately forgetting his disappointment.

"it's a surprise."

"m'kay, let's go," tyler urges, carefully arranging all his new things on the coffee table before he takes josh's hand and allows him to pull him off the couch. he leads tyler to the door where they toe their shoes on and grab their jackets, but tyler notices his friends aren't following. he frowns, tugging on josh's shirt to get his attention. "daddy? why's just us?"

"sorry, baby." josh offers an apologetic smile. "i asked them to come, but they have stuff to do. we'll still have fun, yeah?"

tyler huffs, sliding his arms through the white puffy jacket josh holds out for him. he can't believe his friends are too busy to spend his birthday with him! "meanies," he mutters.

"you know that's not true. they just got you so many nice presents," josh reminds, zipping tyler's jacket up before shrugging on his own.

tyler doesn't respond to that, knowing josh is right. he just takes josh's outstretched hand, following him outside into the brisk cold. it hasn't snowed here yet, but tyler can't wait until it does—josh promised him they would build a snowman. they head to josh's car hand-in-hand, tyler's eyes trained on the ground, letting josh be his eyes as they walk.

(a/n: hi everyone!

i'm sorry this has taken me so long to get out. september was a hell of a month for me. i saw the boys in philadelphia and in cleveland and met a lot of online friends and did a lot of traveling and yeah :') sorry it took so long

next chapter is the last one! i feel like this is in a pretty good place to end things and there isn't really much more to do. i'm gonna miss writing this so bad but i have ideas about what i'll work on next, besides carnal :')

thanks for reading!! <3)