daddy💞🧸: hey honey

daddy💞🧸: i know i'm supposed to leave work in about 30 mins but we're really busy and they need me to stay an extra hour

daddy💞🧸: i'm really sorry

ty-baby🥴💘: awww )): it's okay...

daddy💞🧸: i'll be home around 8:30 okay?

ty-baby🥴💘: but daddy that's soooo long

ty-baby🥴💘: what i'm supposed to do

daddy💞🧸: did you have dinner?

ty-baby🥴💘: nooo not hungry

daddy💞🧸: i'll have something delivered. you can wait for me to get home if you want or if you get hungry before you can eat without me

ty-baby🥴💘: okie

ty-baby🥴💘: but i'm bored n miss you

daddy💞🧸: i know baby i miss you too

daddy💞🧸: how about you put on a movie and cuddle with jim? when the delivery man gets there, jim is going to start barking. don't be afraid, okay? there's money in my dresser that you can give the delivery man

ty-baby🥴💘: but daddy ion wanna talk to the delivery man... too scary

daddy💞🧸: i'll bring food home from work then okay? sound good? whatcha want?

ty-baby🥴💘: chicken tenders? 😇

daddy💞🧸: haha okay cutie. you gonna put on a movie?

ty-baby🥴💘: daddy i'm looking for a movie and what's 50 shades of gray? looks naughty

daddy💞🧸: oh dear no dont watch that go to the cartoon movies honey

ty-baby🥴💘: i'm trying my best >:[

ty-baby🥴💘: SECRET LIFE OF PETS YES

daddy💞🧸: yes good choice

daddy💞🧸: i'll be home soon okay? promise you'll be a good boy til daddy gets home?

ty-baby🥴💘: i promise daddy! cuddling w jim now

daddy💞🧸: okay baby haha i love you so much

ty-baby🥴💘: i love you moooore 💕💕

daddy💞🧸: noo way. but i gotta go now mister i'm gonna get in trouble. i love you. see you soon

ty-baby🥴💘: okay daddy love you! see you soon 🥰

tyler giggles as he sets his phone aside, patting the puppy that currently lies on his stomach. it had been a little over a week now since they'd gotten jim. he's already gotten accustomed to both josh and tyler, as well as the house. he's been super good about going potty outside and not destroying the house when nobody's home. tyler is proud of jim. he's such a good boy.

"look-it, jim," he says softly, ruffling the dog's fur. "doggies on tv! so cute cuz max loves his owner soooo much and i bet you love me and daddy like that too! right?"

jim obviously doesn't respond. his head just plops onto tyler's chest, directly above the boy's heart. tyler takes that as his answer, though.

"right, i knew it. i love you too jim."

🍼🍯🍼

josh is home just as the movie is coming to an end. when jim hears the door open, he goes crazy. he's so loud it makes tyler squeak, the boy clamping his hands over his ears.

"be quiet jim!" he huffs, frustrated because he can't hear the movie.

"it's me baby, i'm home," josh calls out.

"daddy!" tyler gasps. "come see me!"

josh toes his shoes off, removes his coat, and sets his keys on the table by the door. he enters the living room, two carry-out boxes of food in hand.

"hi there pretty boy," he grins. "movie not over yet?"

"almost, but i already know how it ends so it's okay. chicken tenders?"

"right here," josh says, placing the box on the table before the brunette. "i got you this too," he says, smiling as he reveals a strawberry milkshake.

"mmmm yummy! thank you daddy," tyler gushes, almost instantly taking the straw between his lips and gulping down the sugary sweetness.

"how was your day?" the older asks. he sits beside tyler, digging a plastic fork into his salad. "did i miss anything important?"

"hmmm... day was alright. had a tea party with jim and my stuffies, which was very important."

"and why's that?"

"because, daddy! we had a meeting to tell jim how cute he is and that he's a good puppy!" tyler explains. he picks up a chicken tender, coats it in ranch, then stuffs it in his mouth. he moans at the taste. "s'yummy."

"they always are, cutie," josh teases. "i'm sorry i missed the important meeting. we can have another one after you get out of work tomorrow, if you want."

"actuallyyyy..." tyler starts, shooting josh an innocent smile. "i wanna go play with bren and ry. dat okay?"

"of course it is. i'll text dallon."

with one hand, josh unlocks his phone and begins texting the man. his other hand is too busy shoveling food into his mouth.

josh👽: hey man, you guys busy after the library closes tomorrow?

dallon🤠: not currently why what's up?

josh👽: ty wants to know if we can come over for a play date

dallon🤠: anything for the little man

dallon🤠: should i buy hot chocolate and sugar cookies?

josh👽: nah that's alright you don't have to do that lol

josh👽: ty just asked if he can bring his nintendo switch, that okay?

dallon🤠: duh we'll crush those little boys

josh👽: lolll okay

josh👽: we'll be over around 7

dallon🤠: okay see you then

"he said yes to going over and yes to you bringing the switch."

"yes!" tyler exclaims. "we bring jim?"

"i don't think so, bud, sorry," josh smiles. "jim will be okay without us, i promise."

"but daddy!" tyler whines. "him's gonna miss us!"

"only for a little bit."

"no, daddy! him's gonna be sad the whole time and wait at da door for us to come home!"

"ty, he'll be fine. i promise," josh says, eyeballing the dog that sits on the other side of the coffee table. he's staring at their food.

"daddy, please!?"

"no, i said no."

"but daddy!"

"no more, tyler. i said no."

"but-"

"tyler-"

"daddy!"

"do you want to get sent to bed, young man? i said no. that's the end of it. stop arguing with me," josh says sternly. he tries to look serious but it's so hard with tyler looking so fragile.

"don't wan' go to bed..." he frowns, staring at the chicken tender in his hand. he doesn't even want to eat anymore now. his daddy is being mean to him!

"okay, that's what i thought. eat your dinner, please."

"nuh-uh."

"tyler."

"not hung'y," the brunette pouts, setting the food down. he glances at josh, swallowing nervously at the sight of the man. he doesn't look too happy.

"please, tyler. i've had a long day. just eat so we can get you in the bath and then snuggle before bed," josh tries to bargain. tyler isn't having it.

"no."

"fine, i'll eat it then," josh shrugs, going to reach for a chicken tender.

"no!" tyler squeaks, grabbing the man's wrist. "s'mine!"

"thought you weren't hungry, hm?"

tyler huffs. why can't he ever seem to get his way? "saving for later."

"you've only eaten one, ty. i know you're still hungry. won't you be a good boy for daddy?" josh smiles. it's very convincing.

"fine," tyler mumbles, stuffing a bite into his mouth.

"see, that's my good boy," josh hums, kissing the brunette's cheek.

the boy blushes, desperately trying to hide his smile. he's supposed to be pouting! he can't just give in so easily... or can he?

"daddy's good boy?" he asks softly, doe-eyes gazing up at the older.

"absolutely," josh nods. "you're daddy's good boy, sweetheart. i love you a lot, you know."

"uh-huh!" tyler finally caves, letting josh see his toothy grin. "love you too, daddy. make me feel small. safe and small."

"oh, do i?" the man teases, kissing the boy's temple. tyler nods, to which josh smiles. "good. that's my job."