Maya and Josh- The Long Game

Shawn being a dad

Topanga was the first to break the awkward silence in the room by suggesting to move on with Secret Santa
„Maya, it's your turn with Secret Santa..." and so it went on until everyone had exchanged their gifts for each other.

After a while of hanging out and sharing their joy for their presents Shawn took the opportunity and went over to Josh, „hey Josh, do you wanna take a walk with me around the block? Just thought it would be nice to catch up with you since we haven't talked in a while."
Josh was glad that Shawn had asked him because he wanted to spent some time with him too, „sure, I'll just grab my jacket".
Maya looked a bit confused at her new dad wondering why he would want to do this now, she didn't really buy the whole „just catching up" thing. But she didn't say anything cause she decided to trust Shawn.

As Josh and Shawn were walking a bit having smalltalk, Shawn jumped right into business with him „so, Josh, I've known you since you were a baby and I thought I knew you now, but I must have missed out on a lot that was going on over the last years since you became a young man, haven't I?"

He was smiling while saying it so that Josh began to see where this conversation was going, „Shawn, I like that you come straight to the point but honestly, yes, I also think you missed out quiet a bit over the past few years. So what exactly do you want to know?", he asked with a smirk.

„Okay, you know me too well, Josh. It's about Maya. I'm new with this whole being a dad thing and most of the time it really freaks me out. But what I do know is that I love her as if she was my own child and I don't want her to make the same mistakes that I made when I was her age. I don't want her to go on countless dates, never really knowing who she is or what she wants. And tonight, as I saw the way she looked at you, I realized that she adores you, Josh. I always thought she just had a crush on you and that you were not interested in her but seeing the way you also looked at her made me freak out a little. So I want to know, what are your intentions with Maya and what do you feel for her?"

Josh became a bit nervous because he knew how serious Shawn was and he felt the responsibility Shawn had put on him with that question. He nodded understandingly and started to explain „Okay, so I've grown very fond of Maya, Shawn. And I don't think I really understand it yet and I don't think Maya knows how much I feel for her already so, I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't tell her that since I'm still confused about my feelings and all. Cause this is new for me too, I've never really had those kind of feelings for a girl before. I told her that I like her at Mount Sun Lodge about 2 months ago. We made a deal that we will date each other someday because she is still in Highschool and I'm in College. Ever since that day, my feelings for her have just grown stronger and my intentions for now are that I want to protect her heart and to know she is happy and content with where she's at. I want her to learn to trust me as a friend so she will be able to fully rely on me in the future as her hopefully boyfriend. And so obviously I honor her too much and I respect the age gap and the law so I wouldn't use her in any kind of way that wouldn't be appropriate. That's what I feel and think about her at the moment. Besides Riley, Cory and Topanga and now you, nobody knows those details. So, is that okay with you?"

Shawn thought he really missed out a lot of Josh's life as he did not expect such a thought through and honoring mindset towards Maya. „Josh, you became such a grown up man! I'm proud of you. I wasn't even half the man you are when I was your age. I know where that comes from", he smiled. „I like your plan and I appreciate that you respect the boundaries of Mayas age and the state she is at right now. I also think she should have the chance to be fully present in Highschool with her friends. So thank you for honoring that Josh. But one thing I want to add. If you do something stupid with her I will definitely do something stupid to you cause I've been a teenager with hormones so I'm not naive" he said with a smirk.

Smiling at Shawn and agreeing he replied „Thank you Shawn, for trusting me with Maya and I won't be doing anything stupid with her, I promise."

„One more thing", Shawn added, „just know that you can always come to me if you are in a position where you don't know what to do or just need someone to talk to, I want to be there for you now that I'm living here."

„That means a lot to me, Shawn I will remember that." Josh retorted as they continued to walk around the blocks while chatting and catching up on life.