Birthdaypresent(s) [Broshler]

Shake off the non-existence

It had been a few days since he last saw his boyfriends, due to unfortunate planning of their schedules. They'd called every night before they went to sleep if possible, and randomly texted throughout the day, but Tyler hadn't mentioned anything about how uncomfortable he was at home. He was just overreacting, he was fine. He was just at his own home. While Brendon and Josh had their things, their work, and their home. Their...

Tyler sighed and squeezed the steering wheel a few times with his fists, frustrated how everytime he was home for a few days his mental state seemed to make a full 180°. Sad, useless, worthless. It weighed on him, he hadn't been able to fix the washing machine, and now also his bedroom window got stuck and couldn't close for the last couple of inches, making it not only cold (as it always felt) but now there was this constant chilly draft too.

He tried to call the landlord several times and emailed, but there was no response so far and he just crumbled down more, together with his apartment. The only thing building his days up a tiny bit now, apart from texting or facetiming his boyfriends, was work. He liked working together with Kelsey, the place really started to feel like his place, and secretly he adored how Kelsey would always ask about Josh and Brendon, which gave him a good excuse to talk about them and forget the rest. She'd always listen, smile and be happy for him with whatever he told her.

He couldn't wait to be back at his boyfriends, their house, their warmth and their safety. He was cold, even when he wasn't sure it even was cold, but he always felt freezing. His hands squeezed in the steering wheel, slightly trembling, body shivering. It was as if he was nervous, but he wasn't sure that was it. He just felt off and wanted to be inside as soon as possible, long enough for all this to be pushed away and all he could think about was being comfortable with his two men.

*

He saw the front door fly open as he made it onto their driveway, and saw Josh storming towards him. He quickly got out of his car, tried to focus on Josh as he was smothered in a crushing hug. He had to chuckle, but rather wished to be inside the house quickly to be off the street, for whatever reason he still felt he wasn't there.

He hugged back, but quickly wiggled his way out of Josh's warm embrace as he smiled softly but making his way to the door. He definitely noticed the short confusion on his boyfriends face, his cold response to the hug definitely noticed. Tyler sighed internally, feeling bad already. He didn't want to confuse or worry him, especially not Josh. He had this face you just couldn't stand to disappoint, you'd feel guilty right away when his shimmering brown eyes looked your way questioning, confused or insecure.

As soon as the door closed behind them, Josh had followed him instantly, Tyler clung himself to Josh tightly. "Hi", he whispered and he wished he could just hold on into eternity, feeling much more safe. When Brendon chuckled and hugged him from behind, Tyler being the happy slice of cheese on a cheese-sandwich, safety reached its peak. All he needed was more of this.

"Are you okay?" Josh asked, still a little confused as to the earlier cold response and now this very clingy hug. "Yeah", Tyler sighed softly as he had breathed in that specific smell of not only his boyfriends, but their house as well.

"Really?" Josh asked again after they all broke apart. "Yes. Just cold." he tried to add a genuine smile. "Missed you guys."
A little suspicious Josh smiled. "I missed you too, we missed you", he responded before briefly kissing him. "Too many days." Josh mumbled after that, meaning the amount of days between now and the last time they met. "Use that damn key", Brendon chuckled, even though he was serious. Tyler blushed and shrugged softly before getting out his shoes and getting ready to immerse himself in all things good.

***

"Are you sure you're okay?" Brendon asked after they had dinner, while he was trying to paint Tylers nails in a deep black. Josh had excused himself as he had an online call with a client abroad, so the only way to do so was at 8pm.
"You didn't eat much, and your hands are a little shaky", Brendon explain his question.