i was gonna make you wait for this but i'm too excited for it to not publish it right away

when tyler woke, felix had replaced josh.

"where is he?" tyler mumbled, still half asleep.

"not sure," felix replied. "he told me to come in here and keep you company because he had something to do."

"oh," tyler hums, allowing himself to snuggle up against felix's thigh. it wasn't weird to either of them, tyler just felt sleepy and wanted to cuddle with something.

"remember how i said i would talk to him for you?"

"mhm..."

"well i did," felix says, earning a gasp from the brunette.

he picks his head up and meets felix's eyes, noticing the man is grinning. "and..?"

"well, it took some time and a lot of explaining for him to actually understand, but... he gets it. he wants it."

"really?" tyler squeaks, his smile now matching felix's.

"really, ty. i don't think you understand how much he cares for you. i mean, he made me come sit in here while you were asleep to 'keep you company.' i've never seen him so infatuated before."

tyler just giggles, hiding himself under a blanket because he can feel the heat radiating from his cheeks. he can't believe josh wants this. that he wants this whole weird relationship dynamic thing that tyler isn't sure if he quite understands himself. basically, they do couple things without calling themselves a couple. right?

"sooo... josh is my boyfriend?" tyler decides to ask, hoping felix will bring clarity.

"technically, no... but also yes."

"makes sense."

felix laughs, removing the blanket from over tyler's head. "you guys are unofficially together, unofficially boyfriends."

"so... technically that means yes, then."

"unofficially, yes."

tyler doesn't even care if it's "unofficial." all that matters to him is that josh agreed to it. he doesn't feel as stupid now. well, maybe just a bit.

"but i also told him he needs to talk to you about it. you two need to establish boundaries and what not, and really define what exactly your relationship is," felix continues.

"right, okay. that's probably a good idea," tyler agrees. "where exactly is he, again?"

"well-"

the door opens as if on cue, josh poking his head in.

"he's right there."

"tyler, are you dressed?" josh asks.

"uh.." tyler peeks at himself under the blanket. "if wearing only underwear counts as being dressed, then yes."

both felix and josh chuckle. "put your shirt on. it should still be on the ground from last night."

"oookay, i'm going to just pretend like i didn't hear that," felix says.

"oh, shut up," josh rolls his eyes.

tyler retrieves his shirt and does as told, sliding the cool fabric over his bare skin. "why exactly did i need my shirt on?"

"we're gathering in the living room. i expected you'd want to show up at least half dressed."

tyler nods, both him and felix climbing out of the bed. felix is the first to exit, the other two lingering in the doorway. josh blocks the way, staring down at the boy intently.

"what? do i look weird?" tyler asks self-consciously, running a hand through his messy hair.

"no, i just like looking at you," josh says, kissing the boy's forehead before lightly smacking his ass. "now, go on. everyone is waiting for us."

"great," tyler mumbles, already knowing everybody is probably suspicious enough. and now he's going to show up with josh, half-dressed and with fresh hickies.

"it's fine, dear," josh assures him, leading the way into the living room where, in fact, all of the girls sit waiting.

all eyes land on tyler, so he drops his gaze to the floor and quickly takes his spot between felix and jenna.

"now that we're all here..." josh starts, smirking just a bit too much at tyler. "i know we've all been on edge since debby is gone. functioning without a bottom is a lot harder than i anticipated, so i decided to make the decision earlier."

he pauses, glancing down the line. tyler sits anxiously, paying more attention to fiddling with his fingers than what he's supposed to be doing, which is keeping his eyes on josh. he can't help it. he feels so nervous he could puke.

he so badly wants to be chosen, but at the same time, he doesn't. being josh's bottom would be a huge responsibility and tyler doesn't quite know if he's ready for that. however, he's certain he can manage. just knowing he was josh's first pick would be motivation in itself.

"i'm sure those who don't get picked are going to be angry, jealous, upset, whatever it is. let me make it clear right now that i will not be questioned. this is my decision, and i know what i am doing. tyler, pay attention."

tyler quickly snaps his head back to josh, yet still messes with his fingers. great, now everybody is looking at him. he can feel it.

"eyes on me," josh orders everybody, rolling
his eyes. "i've thought very hard about this: who i can trust, who will have my back, who won't disobey me. i know the majority of you will not be happy with my decision, but i've decided to make tyler my new bottom."

he's quiet now, allowing the information to sink in. tyler blinks a few times, seeing the other girls' mouths drop. they all turn to look at him, clearly confused. he tries so hard not to crack a smile.

"tyler?" melanie repeats, looking more disgusted than confused.

"how is that fair?" hayley asks. "i've been with you the longest!"

josh stares at them, clearly unamused. his piercing gaze is enough to shut them up. "i will say this one more time. do not question me. i have the authority to make this decision, and you are going to trust that i know what i'm doing. is this not clear?"

"it's clear," hayley mumbles, eyes adverting to her lap.

"melanie?"

"fine."

"great," josh smiles sarcastically. "i also want to make it clear that if any of you give tyler shit for my decision, you will pay the price. understand?"

"yes, daddy," the girls say in unison, tyler just sitting quietly because he's still shocked.

"good. now, tyler and i will be going out. until we're back, i'm putting felix in charge."

felix sighs. "great."

"shut up," josh replies, trying to hide his smile. "you all know damn well that if anything happens while i'm gone, felix will tell me. i expect you all to behave. that's all, dismissed."

everyone stands except felix and tyler. jenna and ashley start poking the brunette's sides.

"good for you, ty!" jenna smiles.

"seems like someone has a crush on youuu," ashley whispers, making all three giggle.

josh clears his throat, watching with an amused smile. all three turn their attention to him, still giggling. "tyler, get dressed. girls, stop bugging him."

"he likes it," ashley says, poking his side one more time before her and jenna run off.

once they're gone, josh extends his hand. tyler takes it, allowing the man to help him off the couch. "why-"

"we'll talk later," josh interrupts. "go put some clothes on, something nice."

tyler nods, butterflies swarming in his stomach as josh's lips touch the back of his hand. he starts for his bedroom, hearing felix behind him.

"you're so in love, josh."

__a/n__

this story is moving so slow but i kinda like it (': i'm warming you guys up for the crazy shit i have planned in the future