✦Joshler✦: He's A Butcher With A Smile

Visiting the House of Gold

"Love is a fire. But whether it is going to warm your heart or burn down your house, you can never tell."
—Joan Crawford

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

We arrived at our destination: my parents' home. I felt my legs become wobbly and my insides turn. It's too late to back out now.

Josh turned my shoulders to face him, then gave a small smile. "We can do this," he encouraged, visibly anxious himself. I was too engulfed with nervousness to respond, so I gave one nod, and stepped down the bus's steps.

"Tyler get over here! I've missed you so much!" My mom cheerfully commanded, motioning for me to hug her from the porch where she'd been awaiting our arrival; probably all day if I had to guess. After I gave her a hug, Josh did the same. "You're like a son to me," she'd told him before the embrace. I exchanged an apprehensive look with Josh.
Guess we are incestuous brothers. 

"Come in, we have burgers grilling," she began walking through the front door of the house. I followed her, holding the door open for Josh, who seemed just as on edge as me. As I entered, the houses interior reminded me of the memories Josh and I had made in it. I was greeted by my dad, who wore a cooking apron, which read "chef don't judge". "It's nice to see you," he hugged me too, setting down his spatula. "Nice to see you too," I mumbled, fidgeting where I stood.

"You never visit any more. We miss you! But I suppose that's understandable with you being a rockstar and all," my mom gestured for us to sit on the couch across from where she sat. "We aren't a rock band, mom," I countered, trying not to sound annoyed. "Well you don't really have a genre," she swatted away my correction, sitting back in her seat and rolling her eyes.

"You look pale Tyler, are you feeling ok?" She asked as I sat down with Josh,"You want some water?" Worry graced her face. I felt jittery, and my foot was quickly tapping on the floor. "I'm fine," I made an attempt at a smile, resting my hands in my lap.

Her whole 20 questions thing was stressing me out. "Chris get in here! It's not very often we can talk to our son in person!" She hollered, to which he grumbled and plopped down next to her.

I tried I act normal, but I really just wanted to get this over with. "So, tell us everything. How was the tour?" My mom leaned forward. I'd meant to make small talk for a while first, but when my mouth opened, the contents of my mind spilled out. "I'm gay and me and Josh are dating," the words tumbled out of me before I could stop them.

I gasped at my own outburst. Josh widened his eyes. My parents gawked at me for a second before turning to each other and...
laughing?

I tilted my head in confusion- did they think it was a joke? I was about to explain that this was very real, and maybe even yell at them for being rude, but my mom started talking again.

"Oh Tyler, we know! You and Josh have acted like love birds ever since you met," she said through her chuckling. Josh just goggled while I became slightly angry. "W..what? How long did you know?" Josh also appeared flabbergasted. "Since you were in high school," my dad answered this time with a shrug.

"Wait, then why did you let me marry Jenna?" I fumed, not thinking it was funny at all. "Well, we weren't 100% sure, and we thought we'd let you figure it out. We want you to be happy," my mother replied.

I couldn't believe she knew all this time. Were we really that obvious? I grabbed Josh's hand and he smiled in return. "So how about that tour?" She changed the subject, as if me and Josh being together was irreverent, which made me happy.

One set of parents down, one to go.
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Sorry this chapter is shorter and less interesting than the others. I hope u still liked it :)