STRANGERS » JOSHLER

s i x t e e n [iii]

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Tyler briefly lets go of Josh's hand to push the front door open to Katherine's, making the bells on the top of the door jingle as they enter. The diner has somewhat of a warm atmosphere; the sun is pouring through the windows, making everything seem twice as bright. 

There are a couple of bearded men at a booth reading and talking with occasional laughs, other than that it's quite empty. 

"Hello, folks!" A short lady with short blonde hair with a few grays comes up to them with an infectious smile on her face. 

"Hello." Tyler greets, smiling politely, "Katherine, right?" 

"Yep, that's me!" The woman - Katherine chirps. She fishes out a notepad and picks out the pen from her bun, "A booth for two?" 

Tyler nods, "That would be lovely." 

Katherine simply smiles and leads them to the window booth at the back. They sit down and Katherine hands them breakfast menus though there's only about ten to twelve options including beverages and all; before walking away to give them time to decide. 

"This is the cheapest menu I've ever laid my eyes on." Tyler mutters, and Josh isn't sure how to respond so he just hums. Tyler places the menu back on the table, "I think I'll just have the English breakfast or something. There aren't many choices anyway." He sighs, smiling when Katherine comes up again. 

"So?" Katherine's eyes dart from Josh to Tyler, "you lovebirds ready to order?" 

Josh chokes on his spit, coughing a few times before grabbing the glass of water on the table and beginning to chug it down like he was in a desert, a pink hue covering his cheeks. 

Katherine simply laughs, "Not yet, huh? I see." She sobers up, "Okay, I'm sorry. The order?"

"Two English breakfasts, I guess." Tyler says, pressing his lips together to suppress the smile threatening to break, "And an orange juice and uh, coffee?" He looks at the flustered mess sitting across from him for confirmation and Josh nods.

"Alright, should take about ten to fifteen minutes to arrive." Katherine says and walks away to tell the chef.

It is quiet for a while before Josh sighs.

"Is it really that obvious?" He mutters and Tyler chuckles.

"Maybe." He says, and Josh looks up. They stare at each other and suddenly Tyler laughs, shaking his head.

Josh's eyebrows knit together, "What?"

"It's just," Tyler starts, leaning back in his seat, "you look really beautiful right now." The corners of his lips raise in a smile that makes Josh's heart skip a beat, his own lips curving into a small smile, "The sun's shining down on your face and there's this cute little smile on your pretty face and I just, I don't know, I enjoy looking at you." 

Josh's face is almost as dark as his hair as he looks at the Tyler, lips slightly parted as the words sink in. "I – uh, thank you?" He wants to crawl into a hole and die as the words escape his lips.  Here was Tyler, being all sweet and then him? An awkward mess. 

Tyler laughs. 

He actually laughs, leaning back. His hand flies to his mouth, covering it as uncontrollable laughs escape his lips, like he's afraid his laugh will get too loud and bother the bearded men cult two tables away.

Tyler's warm, brown eyes are fixated on Josh as he leans to the table, resting his chin on the palm of his hand propped on the table.

"You're so cute." Tyler says and the red-head tilts his  head to the side. A small chuckle escapes his lips as he notices the brunette is staring and he can't help but point it out.