Start song: anything by catfish and the bottleman

point out typos, y'all can all be my editors

His dad was sat in the recliner that his mom had pushed into the corner when she had been rearranging the living room.

Unsurprisingly he was still dressed in his suit and tie, honestly Tyler couldn't remember him wearing anything else. Casual clothing didn't exist in their small family of three, he was sure their closet was all work clothes. He had only been in his parents bedroom a few times though so he really wouldn't know.

His dad being here was weird though, almost uncomfortable. He felt weird and he couldn't help the sinking feeling in his stomach as he nodded at his father in acknowledgment and sat down on the couch across from him. Naturally he was drinking wine, fingers gently holding the glass. Tyler felt anxious.

It had been a few months since he'd last seen him and when his dad had been in town last time it had only for a week. They'd eaten dinner together in silence and he'd pestered him about starting his senior year off right. Which was normal for him, ever since he'd started high school basketball had been the only thing of importance within his family.

Basketball was the only way he'd succeed at life apparently.

In his dads opinion anyways.

He barely had any fond memories that he shared with his father, not that he really cared at this point. Over the years of constant disappointment he'd grown to resent his dad.  The only good memories were from when he was little.

Growing up changed everything, his dad became more worried about his future than the present. Which if he was being honest, fucked him up more than he'd like to admit. He felt like he didn't have a father as much as he had a boss. Which admittedly, he hated. Tyler didn't understand why he ended up barely having a relationship with his dad, even though the reason felt obvious. It hurt him to think about.

Which is why most of the time he didn't think about his dad and considered his mom as his only parent.

So as he stared at his dad, feeling sick to his stomach he really didn't know what to say. He felt like a stranger was in his home and he hated it. He doubted his father even knew where the towels were stored anymore.

"Why are you home so late?" His father asked carefully after moments of silence, he was seemingly as unexcited as Tyler was. He sounded almost bored.

He had a viable question though, Tyler wasn't bothered. This was okay, small talk would be fine. "Study session with my teacher." He shrugged trying not to blush at the reminder of his time spent with Mr.Dun.

There was a nod and then a sip of wine. "I'm glad you're finally willingly taking an interest in your studies."

Tyler couldn't not frown. "I've always taken an interest in school."

"Sorry, sorry, wrong choice of words." His dad shook his head. "You just usually don't stay at school late unless it's for basketball."

He got something right for once and Tyler automatically pinned the blame on his dad for him even being on the team. Really he could peg the blame on all of his family and the stigma they'd created about the importance of basketball but he didn't want to do that.

Silence plagued the room once again until Tyler's curiosity got the best of him. His dad rarely ever came home unless it was around the holidays. To his knowledge the only holiday coming up was halloween. Which in his parents opinion didn't exactly count.

His father groaned. "I'm back in town for the next few months, i'll be working downtown in the big corporate office."

Of course he came back because of work. Tyler was sure that if his work hadn't sent him back to columbus he'd still be out of the country.

He nodded his understanding. "Oh, well it's nice to see you. Have you seen mom yet?"

"No not yet, she's working a late shift at the hospital tonight as far as I know."

"I guess i'll be making supper tonight." Tyler sighed, he was hungry and even though he wasn't the best chef he could pull his own in the kitchen especially if his dad was the person he was also cooking for. He didn't necessarily want to but in this household it was normal for him to make dinner for himself.

To his surprise his father shook his head gently.

"That's nice of you son, there's no need though. I've already eaten."

Tyler had never felt so relieved by those words. He wanted to go to bed and sleep off his nerves and pretend like everything was going to be fine.

He yawned as he stood up, feeling his fathers eyes on him as he slid his backpack back onto his shoulders. "Alright, i'm going to bed then."

Instead of an answer all he got was a grunt in reply, which was as good as words.

*

He knew his mom was home when he heard the car door slam from his open bedroom window. He flinched in his bed.

Tyler had a gut feeling she wasn't going to be pleased with his father being home. She clearly loved him but Tyler couldn't imagine her being happy about him never being home and then just showing up out of the blue.

He couldn't imagine being in a relationship and not being able to be with that person whenever he wanted to.

If he ever got married he hoped he wouldn't end up like his parents.

He made sure to be asleep before the yelling started.

Tyler didn't want to be awake for that, he didn't want to relive those nights he used to have when he was 12 and couldn't sleep because his mom and dad were fighting once more.

Their relationship wasn't really his business and he didn't care anymore. If they got divorced it wouldn't make any difference to him. He couldn't focus on anything else as he fell asleep and it sucked, it really sucked.

*

When he woke up he felt small and he pulled the one stuffed animal he had on his bed closer, he didn't even want to get out of bed. The only thing he did want right now was to be held.

Tyler felt uncharacteristically little this morning, he never felt so aware while feeling this way. It was weird to be so conscious in this headspace.

He felt sensitive too and school was making his head hurt and he hadn't even rolled out of bed yet. Tyler could barely even remember if he had school work due for today.

Still he got up and got ready, head feeling fuzzy, everything felt wrong and he wanted help brushing his hair. He felt sort of useless, felt like he needed help doing every single part of his morning routine.

The kitchen was empty when he grabbed himself a granola bar and an apple and Tyler frowned. He guessed his mom had already left for work, he also guessed last night had been a rough and emotional night.

At school at the sight of Brendon he collapsed into his arms.

Brendon had started. "Hey Ty-" And Tyler was just falling into his arms and cuddling into his chest. He smelt like cologne, pine maybe, it was overwhelming and didn't help his growing headache but he just wanted to be close to someone. That's all he wanted right now.

Brendon immediately pulled him in closer, fingers in his hair, eyes soft in realization. "You doin' okay tiny?"

The hallways were luckily still empty.

Tyler stared at him for a moment, opening and closing his mouth. Words didn't seem to come out, he didn't know how to express himself. So instead of answering he just shook his head and went back to hugging him, it was rare that Tyler was non-verbal when he was little but he needed this right now. He'd clearly woken up too caught up in his own head.

Brendon understood though and he only hugged him tighter. "It's okay buddy." The reassurance was nice. "Do you want to go to the cafeteria? I'll buy you chocolate milk and then we can go sit by your locker."

That sounded good, chocolate milk was good.

They held hands as they walked down the hallways, Tyler was squeezing his hand tightly and swinging their arms together with a little smile on his face. Brendon, out of all of his friends, was probably his favourite when he was regressed.

He tried to jump onto Brendon's back as Brendon got him more excited with the promise of a muffin with his milk. He didn't feel as weird, he felt happier already.

Brendon made him sit down as soon as they got into the cafeteria as much as he would have liked to carry Tyler into the line up for morning breakfast he knew Tyler would be mad at him for embarrassing him like that after. Even if in the moment it sounded like a great idea.

Tyler hummed to himself as he waited for Brendon and he caught sight of Mr.Dun from across the room.

He was sitting by himself and he was wearing glasses pushed up onto the tip of his nose.

Normally he would be embarrassed to be staring.

Right now he didn't care.

Tyler had never seen those glasses before and he was nearly gaping. He couldn't find a way to stop staring and he subconsciously wanted to march over there and ask to be held. Mr.Dun's arms looked huge and he looked like he'd give good hugs and right now all Tyler wanted was hugs.

He probably would've if he was even further into his headspace but instead, luckily, Mr.Dun noticed him when he looked away from the book he was reading.

Normally Tyler would've been embarrassed but right now that wasn't something he could feel, as their eyes met instead Tyler waved, a huge grin on his face. It was borderline childish, it made him look smaller than he already looked. If Mr.Dun noticed he would never say anything.

Tyler's cheeks were dimpled and he was definitely blushing as Mr.Dun squinted at him before he waved back with a small smile. It was innocent enough and Tyler was about to get up to go say hi when he spotted Brendon coming back with food.

His mind was immediately drawn else where and even though his vocals chords weren't currently something he was interested in using he still had hand gestures and right now he was using them to make grabby hands at the approaching treats Brendon was about to bless him with.

Tyler watched as Brendon said hi to Mr.Dun as he passed by him and he was on the edge of his seat as Brendon got closer.

He ended up running up to him to collect his snacks, looking at him with wide and thankful eyes.

"Here you go." Brendon smiled softly, ruffling his hair like he was a little kid.

Tyler smiled and kissed his cheeks affectionately before sitting back down how he had been. Legs crossed childishly.

Brendon sighed. "I'm gonna call Dallon."

He didn't even care right now, everything was cloudy, he was so happy and so far into his head.

He barely even realized that Mr.Dun was currently analyzing the situation curiously. It was probably confusing.

Booooooooooooooooo

would anyone be interested in one of those character question things in between this chapter in the next one?

if y'all don't know what that is you ask questions directed towards the main characters in this fic and i write out their answers.