3695 words

josh opens the passenger door for tyler and helps him inside. he buckles tyler in snuggly, kissing the tip of his nose before shutting the door and getting in the car himself. tyler doesn't bother asking for aux, content with the quiet background music josh puts on. he wriggles in the passenger seat excitedly, fiddling with the seatbelt.

"daddy?" he asks, looking to josh.

keeping his eyes trained on the road, josh reaches out and squeezes tyler's thigh, making the boy squeak. "yes, baby?"

"where we goin'?" he asks, prying josh's hand off his leg and squeezing it gently.

"it's a surprise," josh responds patiently, casting tyler a sideways glance.

"can't you tell me now?" the boy whines, putting on his best puppy dog eyes and pouty lip combination. "pweaaase?"

"nope," josh responds casually, lacing their fingers together and resting their hands on the center console. "but i promise you'll love it."

"it's fun?"

"it's a lot of fun," josh confirms.

"like a lot of fun?"

"so much fun," he emphasizes, his smile matching tyler's as he briefly glances at the boy.

"'cause it's my birthday?"

"yep, exactly."

"did you know it's my birthday, daddy?"

"i did know that. happy birthday, sweetheart."

"daddy," tyler giggles, "you're silly."

"i'm not silly, you are," josh protests, only making tyler laugh harder.

"i love you," he beams, cheeks sore from how wide his smile is.

"i love you so much, ty baby."

their chatter falls short as tyler turns his attention out the window. josh pulls into the parking lot of a recreation center, earning a confused look from tyler.

"daddy? where are we?"

"we're going ice skating, honey," josh explains, lips drawn in a pleased smile.

"really?" tyler hides his open-mouthed smile behind his hand. his eyes are lit up bright with excitement.

"yes, really," josh chuckles. he unbuckles his seatbelt and walks around the car to tyler's side, helping him out of the car.

"never been ice skating before," tyler mumbles, more to himself than to josh. he takes the older's hand, hooking his index and middle finger around josh's ring and pinky finger as they head inside. "is scary?"

"it's not scary," josh assures, letting tyler swing their hands as they walk. "i'll be with you the whole time. it'll be lots of fun."

tyler's heart pounds in his chest, feeling both excited and nervous as josh pays for them to enter the rink. there's a lot of other people around, making him shrink inside himself and hide beneath the arm josh wraps around his shoulders. he guides tyler to one of the benches and sits beside him, the outside of their thighs pressed firmly together. josh begins untying his shoelaces so tyler follows his lead, his fingers trembling slightly.

he hears collective laughter and looks for the source of it, finding a group of girls standing nearby in a tight circle. one of them glances over at him and he quickly looks back at his shoes, his chest tightening. are they laughing at him? are they talking about him? what did he do? does he look funny? do they know he's little right now?

josh pulls the clunky boots off his feet and takes tyler's legs in his lap, gently easing his shoes off as well. josh stands, holding both pairs of shoes in either hand, making tyler's eyes grow wide. is he going to leave him here? are those girls still talking about him? he looks over to find the group is no longer there, only easing the pressure in his chest slightly.

"hey," josh urges gently, able to read tyler like a book. he places the shoes on the bench beside tyler and kneels down to eye-level, capturing tyler's chin between his thumb and index finger. "you're okay. i'm just going right over there to get our skates," he pauses, pointing behind him. "okay?"

tyler follows his finger, noting that the window is only a short distance away. he nods timidly, trying to focus more on josh's comforting brown eyes than on the background commotion of kids screaming, laughing, and crying.

"okay," josh whispers, lightly brushing his thumb against tyler's lower lip before leaning in for a quick kiss. "i'll be right back."

tyler watches him carry their shoes over to the window, taking a slow and steady breath to try and regulate the rapidly beating heart in his chest. he looks over his shoulder at the skating rink, watching everybody go past him. some are slow and wobbly, others are fast and steady. the youngest kids are holding onto skating aids to keep themselves upright. one kid falls right on his backside and another laughs at him as they skate past. tyler's chest aches at that. is he going to get laughed at for falling too? will josh laugh at him?

"i'm back," josh announces, getting tyler to turn back around. he places the larger pair of skates beside tyler and kneels down in front of him. sitting on his thighs, he pushes tyler's foot into his first skate and holds it in his lap as he laces it up. "are you scared?" he asks curiously.

"a little," tyler admits, his voice coming out smaller than he intended. "don't wanna get laughed at."

"laughed at? why would you get laughed at?" josh inquires.

"cuz 'm gon' fall."

"i'm not gonna let you fall," josh replies easily. he finishes lacing up the first skate and pats his lap for tyler's other foot, switching over to work on that one. "but if you do happen to fall, i'll fall with you."

"promise?" tyler checks, wiggling his toes in the skates. they're a bit tight and scratching his legs where his socks don't reach.

"yes, i promise."

he finishes lacing up tyler's skates, giving them an approving pat before taking a seat on the bench and putting on his own. tyler waits patiently until josh is ready and standing before him, offering both his hands to help tyler up. he holds onto them tightly as he stands, his legs wobbling as he balances on the thin blade of the skates.

"don't be scared, baby. i got you." josh's voice is steady but does little to ease the tightness in tyler's throat. he nods silently, grateful josh doesn't complain about how tightly he's gripping his hand as they make their way towards the entrance of the rink.

josh is the first one on the ice and he doesn't immediately plummet to the ground, which tyler takes as a good sign. despite all of the people whizzing by who could potentially take both of them out, josh's unwavering confidence and his soft "i got you" encourages tyler to carefully step onto the ice. one hand holds onto josh's while the other finds the edge of the rink. he clings to both, smiling nervously at josh who laughs in astonishment.

"look at you! you're doing it. not so bad, right?"

tyler's ankles are a bit wobbly, but josh is right. he's actually doing it, and it isn't even that hard. "not so bad," he confirms. his smile wavers as josh suggests letting go of the edge. "i dunno if i can."

"i got you," josh repeats simply. those three words provide great comfort to tyler, giving him the courage to take a deep breath and let josh lead him away from the edge of the rink.

"i'm doing it," he gasps, bewildered at how he's actually managing to stay on his feet. "look-it!"

"i see, baby," josh responds. he doesn't complain about tyler's overly-tight grip on his hand or the way tyler is completely relying on him for balance. he just smiles, beaming with pride. "i knew you could do it."

they continue like that for a while, skating in circles while tyler clings to josh and gets used to the feeling of moving around on the thin blades of his skates, lots of jokes and laughter exchanged between the two. eventually, tyler finds his death-grip loosening on josh and says to himself more than anything, "i got this."

"you sure?" josh questions, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze.

"yep," tyler states, and before he can lose the courage to he releases josh's hand and says, "watch this!"

he holds his arms out to the side slightly, almost as if he's balancing on a tightrope, and cautiously skates his way in front of josh. he can't help but giggle as he hears josh start laughing and cheering from behind him, but mistakenly glances over his shoulder to look back at him. with his eyes no longer focused on his feet, tyler feels one foot slip from under him and the other follows only milliseconds after. fully preparing to land on his butt, he winces and squeezes his eyes shut tightly.

before he lands on the ice, however, josh's arms are thrusted beneath his own and wrapped firmly around his waist. unfortunately josh is just a little too late, and tyler ends up taking him out with him. they both land on their butts, tyler in between josh's extended legs thanks to the tight grip he has around him.

almost instantly, tyler catches the people who continue skating by looking over their shoulder at them and laughing either to themselves or with a friend. josh's laughter is drowned out by the intense beat of tyler's pulse in his ears, his cheeks hot from embarrassment, as tears begin to well in his eyes.

"oh my god," josh laughs at himself, already moving from his position to get back on his feet. "baby, are you alright?"

tyler continues to sit, frozen from both astonishment and embarrassment. he doesn't look up from the spot he stares blankly ahead at, afraid that any little thing is going to burst the dam. josh crouches in front of him, his smile quickly turning upside down, uttering a gentle, "oh, honey..."

and that's all it takes for tyler to fall apart.

he chokes out a sob, taking josh's outstretched hands and allowing himself to be pulled to his feet. josh's soft murmurs do little to stop the tears streaming down his cheeks, which only gets worse when tyler realizes how many people are watching him cry right now.

"it's okay, baby boy. you ready to go home? come on, let's go. i got you," josh comforts. they link arms, tyler hooking his around josh's, before josh leads them directly across the rink to the exit. "it's alright. let's sit down and get these skates off you, yeah?"

tyler can only nod, sniffling and wiping his nose on the sleeve of his jacket as he sits on one of the benches. josh kneels before him, nimble fingers working quickly to get tyler's skates off so they can get out of there. once josh's are off as well, he makes sure to kiss the top of tyler's head before going to the window to get their shoes back. tyler can't find his voice to beg josh not to leave him, so he just hangs his head to at least try and hide his tear-streaked cheeks and nervously fiddles with the hem of his coat.

"here we go," josh urges, once again kneeling before tyler, this time to help him back into his shoes. "everything's okay," he reminds tyler.

"wan' go home," the boy finally manages to choke out, feeling his throat tighten at the way his voice comes out small and pathetic.

"i know, honey. we're going home."

by the time they're back in josh's car, tyler's tears have finally stopped, but the pressure in his chest has yet to let up. he looks at his lap in shame, angry with himself for reacting this way. josh is probably annoyed with him. he ruined everything. why does he have to be such a crybaby?

"hey, can you look at me?" josh asks, brushing the backs of his fingers against tyler's jaw. his eyes immediately raise to josh, but he just feels even more guilty at the worried look on his face. "what's going on in that cute little head of yours?"

"stupid," tyler mumbles, averting his gaze. "ruined everything."

"you didn't ruin anything." josh carefully takes tyler's chin between his thumb and index finger, turning his eyes back towards him. "everything's okay."

tyler doesn't answer for a moment, trying not to break out in another fit of sobs at the question burning his throat. "you still love me, daddy?"

"oh, baby." josh smiles sadly, tenderly brushing his thumb over the boy's cheek. "of course i still love you. i love you so much. nothing could ever make me love you any less."

"promise?" tyler checks, eyebrows drawn in concern.

"i promise," josh confirms, leaning across the center console to press a kiss to the tip of his nose. "i love you."

"i love you too, daddy." tyler finally smiles, albeit only slightly. it isn't until josh is peppering kisses all over his face that the light returns to his eyes, soft giggles falling from his lips. "daddy!"

"what?" josh laughs, finally leaving tyler alone so they can start the drive home.

"you's silly."

"i know you are but what am i," josh teases.

"daddy!" tyler whines, earning another fit of laughter from josh, which only makes him whine more.

"i'm sorry, honey. you're just too cute."

playful banter fills the entire drive back, which tyler is grateful for because it serves as a great distraction from replaying the scene of him falling and everybody laughing at him over and over again. by the time they're walking back inside the house, he's completely over the entire situation and even giggles along when josh tells everybody what happened.

"poor ty," ashley sympathizes as josh finishes the story.

"it was so embarrassing," tyler mumbles, failing to contain a smile when josh pokes him in the side. "hey!"

"does that mean i was supposed to be embarrassed too?" josh questions, taking a seat on the couch. he holds his arms open for tyler, silently asking him to join. tyler obliges immediately, situating himself between josh's legs with his back flush against josh's chest. josh's arms close around his waist, squeezing him gently.

"yes!" he whines. he looks to his friends to back him up, but they're no longer in the room. frowning, tyler looks over his shoulder at josh. "where they go?"

josh shrugs, lips curled into a half-smile as he plants a kiss on tyler's cheek. before the boy can question him further, the lights in the room go out and ashley, brendon, and ryan all come out of the kitchen. ashley holds a birthday cake lit up with candles. ryan has his phone out recording tyler. they start singing happy birthday to him and josh quickly joins in. tyler can't do anything other than sit there and smile like a goof, his eyes fixated on the tiny flames lighting up the cake. ashley holds the cake out to him once they finish singing, and he takes a moment to close his eyes and think about his wish.

i wish that josh and i will be together forever.

he blows out all the candles in one breath, giggling when everybody starts to cheer for him. josh is hugging him tightly, his radiant smile beaming down at him. it makes tyler's heart flutter. he finds himself nuzzling closer.

"cake for lunch?" he asks.

"well of course," josh agrees. "it's your special day."

"dinner?" tyler tests, giggling when josh rolls his eyes exaggeratedly and pretends to be annoyed.

"ohhh, i guess," he sighs dramatically, not able to hold his laughter in for more than a moment. "yes, you can have cake for dinner too."

"you want a piece now?" ashley asks. "i can cut it for you."

"yes, please."

"i'll be right back," she states, taking the cake back into the kitchen.

"good boy," josh murmurs, soothing a hand over tyler's hair and kissing his bright red cheek. "using your manners."

"mhm," tyler hums, instinctively tilting his head into josh's touch. he's glad josh doesn't point out the way his face grew hot with his praise, and he's especially glad he can't tell the way it gave him butterflies.

they sit like that for a few minutes until ashley returns with a plate in either hand, a big piece of cake situated on both. tyler turns to sit with his back against the arm of the couch and his legs strewn over top of josh's. they put on bluey, per tyler's request, and watch it while they eat. a few episodes go by before josh is patting tyler's legs, signaling for him to let josh out from under him. he barely pays any attention as he tucks his legs into his chest and josh takes the empty plate from him, too concerned with watching bluey play shops with her friends. it isn't until josh is standing in front of him a minute later that tyler's attention is pulled away from the television.

"daddy," he whines, pouting up at the man. "can't see."

"are you ready to see what i got you?"

tyler shoots to his feet, making josh chuckle. "yes!"

"well come on then, silly," he teases, grabbing hold of tyler's hand and leading him upstairs away from the others.

"what is it?" tyler wonders aloud.

"you'll see."

"can you give me a hint?"

"nope," josh says, shutting them in tyler's room.

"why not?"

"because i said so."

"not fair," tyler pouts. the frown is quickly wiped off his face when josh suddenly grabs him by the waist and lifts him onto the bed, making him squeak in surprise. a fit of laughter follows when josh's fingers dance across his ribcage, tickling relentlessly while tyler begs for mercy. "please! please!"

the tickling ceases, josh laughing to himself at the way tyler lays still for a moment to try and recover. he sits up straight, pointing an accusatory finger at josh. "not fair!"

"do you want your presents?" josh raises an eyebrow. tyler slowly lowers his finger, blushing under josh's stern gaze. "mhm, thought so."

"but daddy it's my birthday," tyler points out.

"i know, and i know you pretend to not like being tickled even though you secretly love it," josh shrugs nonchalantly, leaving tyler on the bed while he goes to the closet.

tyler gasps as if he's just been deeply offended. "so not true!"

"nice try, but you told me so yourself."

josh is right, but tyler just likes to be difficult. "i did not."

"yes you did," josh responds, patient as ever.

"maybe i like being tickled a little, so what?" tyler gives in, giggling at the smirk josh gives him.

"see? i'm always right." josh doesn't give him time to respond to that. he turns away from the closet with two wrapped presents in hand, making tyler giddy with anticipation. "i hope you like them."

"i'll love 'em!" tyler assures, wiggling in his spot on the bed. josh sets the presents beside him, placing a quick kiss to tyler's lips before handing him the larger of the two.

tyler wastes no time in tearing it open. his eyes water as he unwraps a large picture frame containing a collage of a ton of different pictures of josh and tyler. josh had clearly taken the time to carefully cut them out of each picture and line them up perfectly behind the glass of the frame. on the bottom right corner of the wooden frame he wrote:

i love you more -j

"josh," tyler whispers, hugging the frame against his chest. he looks at his boyfriend with tears in his eyes and a huge smile.

"i'm sorry it's not, like... i don't know... that special, i guess," josh says uncertainly, nervously scratching the back of his neck.

tyler laughs in disbelief. "are you kidding? i love it. this is so special. this is the most special thing anybody has ever given me. i love you." he sets the picture frame aside and wraps his arms around josh's neck, pulling him in for a tight hug.

"i love you more," josh murmurs, making both of them chuckle. he squeezes tyler. "you really like it?"

"i love it," tyler corrects. he breaks the hug to cup josh's face instead, kissing him softly. "thank you."

josh pecks his lips a few more times before placing the smaller gift in his lap. "you're welcome, baby. i think you'll like this one even more."

tyler carefully unwraps a small, square-shaped box. he glances up at josh, only opening the box after a nod of encouragement. inside, a shiny silver letter j sits against black velvet, attached to a silver chain. tyler gasps quietly, carefully removing the jewelry from the box and holding the necklace in his hands. "josh..."

"look," josh says. he reaches under the collar of his shirt and reveals a necklace of his own, decorated with a silver t charm. he presents it to tyler with a toothy-grin. "we match."

"josh," tyler repeats, reaching out to touch the other's necklace. "you did not."

"i did. do you like them?"

"i love them," the boy whispers, turning his own over in his hands. "they're so shiny."

"they better be," josh chuckles, tucking his necklace back beneath his shirt and patting where it rests against his chest. "they were expensive."

"can you help?"

josh nods, taking the necklace from tyler and helping him slide off the bed. he turns away from josh, waiting patiently for the older to clasp the necklace behind his neck. tyler looks down at where the letter j rests against his shirt, right over his heart. he smiles at the realization, tucking the necklace under the fabric to rest directly against his skin.

"thank you," he says softly, waiting until josh is finished to turn around and give him a lingering kiss. "i love you."

"i love you so much," josh replies easily, gently holding tyler's face between his palms.

"forever?" tyler asks even though he's pretty certain he already knows the answer.

"forever," josh confirms, connecting their lips in another kiss.

(a/n: the end!!!!

sorry if things felt a bit rushed i was trying really hard to just get this out and not keep you guys waiting any longer. i hope you've enjoyed reading this story just as much as i've enjoyed writing it!

i look forward to starting a new agere fic in the future. probably sooner rather than later :D

thank you for all the support <3)