Start song: necromancer by joy again

When Tyler had first started high school he was nervous, he'd been homeschooled all his life because his mom had been too over protective of him and he hadn't really had any friends. So when his mom told him he was going to public school a while new set of nerves made an appearance.

His new school wasn't small either and on his first day he felt like he was going to cry, he wasn't ready and when his mom told him to get out of the car he froze, his fingers tightening around the straps of his backpack. Tyler didn't understand why he was being forced to go to public school and he ended up just skipping his first day. His mom felt bad and brought him to McDonald's for a happy meal and they didn't tell his dad about it.

His dad would've been upset, he had a lack of sympathy for Tyler unlike his mom.

His freshman year ended up being the best year of his life though, he was the popular kid, on the basketball team and his grades were okay. He was doing okay for himself and he'd vowed that for the rest of his high school experience that he'd stay on top of things and make sure he had a good year every year.

And then senior year came around and he was most definitely not on top of things, he was behind on school work in most of his classes, basketball, something he used to love was starting to feel more like a chore as he went to practice nearly everyday and if he didn't have practice with his team he'd practice on his own time.

And so far he was constantly in a smaller headspace than he needed to be in to do normal things.

But today he woke up late for school again, it was becoming more and more of a recurrence as the school year progressed. It wasn't that he didn't sleep well, no Tyler slept too well. And then he just couldn't wake up, his parents used to be his alarm clocks but now that they weren't he was constantly sleeping in.

What made today worse was that he wasn't late for school but for basketball practice which he also got out late of. Which meant to compensate he was late for class, Mr.Dun's class specifically. Which admittedly sucked because he'd be the center of attention the moment he walked into class and he'd have to face Mr.Dun.

The only teacher who had seen him in pyjamas.

"Tyler, nice of you to join us." Was the comment he was unsurprisingly met with, along with the eyes of all his peers. Not including his teachers smiles, it wasn't anything mean. More-so passive agressive, Tyler had told Mr.Dun basketball wouldn't interfere with school yet here he was late to class because of it.

They had locked eyes for a moment and Tyler didn't want to look away, there was something about him but Tyler quickly nodded instead of staring as he shuffled over to his desk in embarrassment. He didn't understand why he only messed up in this class, maybe it was karma for having the tiniest crush on his teacher.

Mr.Dun's eyes flickered towards him before he was addressing the class again. Tyler couldn't help but look at Jenna for reassurance, she wasn't there today. "Now as I was saying, I want everyone to come see me about their essays, come talk to me about your thesis and sub-arguments and I'll try and see if there's anywhere you can improve."

"My job as a teacher is to help make things easier and deepen your understanding so don't be afraid to ask questions or ask for help. I'm here for all of you."

He brought a hand to his mouth, coughing. "Okay so everyone in the back row of desks come line up with your drafts please. Everyone else get organized."

Tyler had nothing, he hadn't even finished reading his book. That's what he'd been spending all his other english periods doing, he still wasn't done. Well maybe not all of them, maybe he'd been a bit side tracked with his new colouring book but still, he wasn't done the assigned reading book.

He officially hated the mess he'd turned into the past few months, including Summer. He still isn't sure what happened but his little space wasn't being much of a stress reliever anymore, it was becoming a bigger stress. He couldn't focus in class because all he wanted to do was colour in princesses and animals.

He didn't want to do homework because mentally he just couldn't do it. And he hated it, he had know idea what to do either. He knew Ashley, Brendon and Dallon saw it too. Maybe even Lynn saw it but he was having a hard time, with everything.

By the time Mr.Dun had gone over every single row of desks other than Tyler's, Tyler was far into the book. He was comprehending just enough that he may actually be able to write something decent that Mr.Dun wouldn't fail him god. He hoped. Still he needed help and now was a better time than ever, he just need to ask when Mr.Dun asked to see his draft. Which he hadn't yet done.

"May I see your draft?" His tone was so raspy Tyler could've fallen to his knees from how weak they'd just became. Instead he just shook his head nervously.

"I don't have one."

Mr.Dun frowned oddly, analyzing him. Tyler was quick to find something of an excuse before his teacher started scolding him. He quickly sat down at the chair that had been placed beside his teachers desk.

"I know, I know you gave us time in class. I tried but I just couldn't focus and I know you can't push the time back or anything but-"

"Can-do you think you can help me with this? After school hours? I'm just, having a lot of difficulty with it right now. I haven't been able to focus properly and I can't seem to get anything right." The words spewed out of his mouth before he was even aware of what he was saying. His cheeks instantly went red in embarrassment and as he glanced at his teachers struck expression the stark shade deepened.

He wasn't sure if he could blush any harder but he was sure that this was a mistake, he wanted to go sit down at his desk as he watched his teacher evaluate what he was saying. He looked taken aback for sure, two months into the school year and this is the first time Tyler had asked for help in anything at all.

Mr.Dun ended up smiling, somewhat satisfied with Tyler. Tyler wanted to cry as his teachers back straightened up and those dark eyes looked at him curiously. "Im not mad, I'm more just concerned. Are you doing alright Tyler."

"As alright as I can be, I'd be more alright if you helped me with this."

Mr.Dun huffed out some dry laughter, "Yes, yes for sure, I can help you, just come back here after last period alright? I may be a little late but there shouldn't be any issues."

"And Tyler." He sighed. "Just letting you know. I can't help with the writing aspect but I can help you work on sub-arguments and structure which is what I'm assuming you're having problems with seeing as your essay outline is completely blank."

He wished Mr.Dun could help him with every aspect of the project but he wasn't surprised, so he smiled. "Well-I-um any help would probably be good."

"Alright then, work on what you can for now and tonight I'll see what I can do for you."

"Thank you Sir."

"No problem kid."

Tyler had never felt so relieved in his life.

*

Mr.Dun was late but when he showed up he was holding a box of doughnuts and two drinks which Tyler presumed were coffees. His cheeks were red from the cold and he was wearing a scarf. He looked sophisticated, maybe it was the way he was dressed. Black slacks, white button up, long coat, longer scarf but Tyler found it unbelievably attractive.

And unbelievably intimidating.

"Hello." He said as he placed the coffee's down on his desk along with the box.

Tyler smiled, heart thumping in his chest in admiration. "This is where you went?" He glared at the box.

"The coffee in the teachers lounge isn't great and the food here isn't either. And I figured you might be hungry." He slyly raised an eyebrow at him, "Am I wrong?"

Tyler's words got caught as he spoke. "I, no you're right. And I definitely won't pass up doughnuts and coffee."

"I didn't think so kid." He placed the dozen doughnuts in front of Tyler. "Take your pick."

Tyler bit his lip. "Are you sure?"

"That's why I bought them." This wasn't the first time a teacher had shared food with him, it's not a rare thing. He's had teachers bring in brownies and cookies or buy the entire class some pizza to share after exams but this felt different. Maybe it was because it was Mr.Dun or maybe it was because it was just him, no other students were going to be involved in this little study session and as Tyler examined the doughnut selection that's all he could think about.

"Tyler?"

Oh. "I-I'm indecisive, pick one for me."

Mr.Dun sat down on the desk beside Tyler', leaving the box on Tyler's desk. Overtop of his school work. "I'm not having one until you pick one, I get the rejects."

Tyler shrugged, grabbing a cinnamon sugar doughnut and holding it up. "Happy?"

"Very."

"I also got you hot chocolate." He said as he suavely reached over to his own desk to pull the drink along with his own from beside a tin of paper clips. A teacher has never boughten Tyler hot chocolate before.

Tyler graciously grabbed the large drink from his teachers hand, carefully placing it on his own desk. "Do you ah-always do this?"

"Do what?"

"Get uh-food for your students?"

Mr.Dun shrugged, clearly it didn't matter to him but to Tyler it did, to him it meant something. "It depends, but today is that kind of day. So enjoy it before we actually start working on things alright?"

Tyler nodded, disappointed and anxious nerves getting to him at the thought of expressing his ideas with his teachers. He picked off small pieces of doughnut as he listened to Mr.Dun move away and shuffle around to his desk to begin taking off his winter gear.

"How's your dog?"

His hat came off as he stared at Tyler in disbelief, like it was the weirdest thing he'd ever heard. "My dog?"

Typer gulped anxiously, he forgot and now he just looked dumb for asking and he'd have to remind him and he wasn't sure if there was really a way to save himself as he froze under Mr.Dun's stare

"How did you-" he furrowed his brows for a moment, interrupting himself as he pointed a finger at Tyler and started smiling. "Oh right, I remember sorry yes, yes. The grocery store."

Tyler was way too glad he remembered as he took a small bite out of his pastry. "Y-Yeah."

Mr.Dun bobbed his head happily, yellow strands of hair all over the place. "He's great, very cuddly. He's nice to come home to."

Tyler gasped. "You leave him home alone all day?"

Mr.Dun looked at him curiously before tutting his tongue. "No of course not." He shook his head and shrugged off his coat, Tyler could drool. "My brother Jordan watches him most of the time."

Tyler wasn't sure where the surge of confidence came from but he didn't think much of it as he took a long sip of hot chocolate before glancing at his teacher. "You know, If you ever need someone to watch him that isn't your brother, I could do it."

Mr.Dun smiled fondly, Tyler was nearly melting under his gaze as he sat down across from him. "That's very sweet of you Tyler but I'm not sure if that would be appropriate."

Tyler sighed, looking down at his hands. "Sure it would."

*

I'm sorry I've been so inactive! And sorry for the kind of cliff hanger,

Here's a very rushed 2k long chapter (I'll edit tomorrow)

Happy late New Years! Love you guys <4