BBS One-Shots

I Can't Do Crowds

Craig felt Tyler's thumb gently rub his own as they walked along the sidewalk in the busy city of LA. Their hands were tightly intertwined, so they wouldn't lose one another.

Craig took a deep breath and pressed himself a little closer to Tyler's side, nuzzling his nose into his shoulder to protect himself from the cold fall weather. It was colder than it usually would be for LA, and the people who had thick coats made Craig feel even more cold.

The beanie on Craig's head was pulled over his ears and Tyler's coat collar was upturned so as to protect his ears as well.

The crowds were large; is was nearing the date of Christmas, where everyone would be gathering around large town-square trees and going last-minute shopping for the people who had everything and wanted nothing.

Tyler pulled Craig along, their grip getting tight as Tyler and Craig had someone shoved between them. They were pushed apart, but they hadn't let go yet. Craig's knuckles got white as he held onto Tyler's hand, terrified to let go and get lost among the crowd.

Someone was shoved against their hand again and Craig could feel how tight Tyler was holding onto him, because he knew how terrified he got. Tyler pulled on his hand, pulling Craig close.

When Craig was finally walking next to Tyler again, he wrapped his arms around Tyler's right bicep and hugged him close, reveling in the heat. He, once again, nuzzled up against his boyfriend as they walked.

Craig could feel the rumble run through Tyler's body as he laughed at Craig's antics, watching him fondly.

     Tyler continued to push his way through the sea of people, Craig still pulled close to him as he did so. He was tall, so most people didn't walk directly in front of him.

     Somebody slammed into Craig, causing him to stumble. He let go of Tyler in shock, and then was shoved onto the ground with a yelp.

     Craig looked around to see that Tyler wasn't there, and his heart rate quickened. He stumbled back up to his feet, and he suddenly felt like he was being swallowed by the crowd.

Craig's eyes flickered around frantically, but he didn't know where Tyler had gone, he couldn't see him. Craig was just at the height where he couldn't see over most average men, and some taller women, and even with Tyler being as tall as he was, Craig couldn't find him.

Craig let himself be pushed along with the crowd, stumbling a bit, feeling tears in his eyes as his anxiety started to rise. He felt like he was cramped, and he couldn't breath.

Craig tried to breath, feels tears start to prick his eyes, and he was shoved into another person, stuttering out an apology as fast as he could. Everyone around him kept walking, and he tried to.

Tears filled Craig's eyes because he couldn't find Tyler.

Craig whimpered, trying to get out of the way of the tons of people still walking around. He couldn't breath, his glasses were foggy from the heat radiating off of his sweating body, and he had tears in his eyes. He couldn't. He just couldn't.

Craig tried harder to breath, and he just couldn't do it. His chest was incredibly tight and his stomach was twisted into knots. He wanted Tyler back, he just wanted some kind of anchor, because he felt lost.

Craig felt a hand grab his hand and pull him to the side. He was gently pulled into an alley, and Craig forced his eyes open, hoping to see Tyler. When he didn't, he was insanely surprised.

"Are you alright?" the man asked, brown eyes gentle. "You looked scared, and I figured you probably didn't want to be in a big crowd."

Craig nodded warily. He was too scared to speak.

"Well, my name's Alec. It's nice to meet you. I, uh, I used to have the same problem with crowds, but not so much anymore."

Craig swallowed. "Craig."

Alec smiled. "Is there someone you lost? I mean, if I was you I wouldn't be walking in crowds alone, but I wouldn't know what you do."

"Yeah, yes, yes, my b-boyfriend, Tyler," Craig rushed. "I-I can't- I can't- I can't f-find him."

"Do you have his phone number?"

Craig nodded. "His phone is dead, though. He was complaining about it before we left the store we were in."

"Okay. Well, what does he look like? I might be able to find him for you."

"H-he's tall. Like, your height. Around 6'6". He's got a-a mole on the left side of his face, and blue eyes. He's wearing a thick wool coat today, black, with the collar upturned. He's wearing a light blue shirt."

Alec nodded. "Okay. I'll look for him. Are you a little bit better now? I'm sorry, I'm not the greatest with comforting."

Craig nodded. "Thank you, Alec. Thank you so much."

Craig adjusted his beanie nervously, then they moved down to play with the bottom of his shirt. Minutes passed, then Alec moved.

"Stay here," he said, running off, and Craig didn't process it for a second before he realizes Alec is actually gone.

Craig fidgets with his hands for a few minutes, waiting, before he seems someone running back towards him, with Alec a little ways behind him.

"Tyler!" Craig practically whimpers, opening his arms to let Tyler engulf him in a hug. Craig practically clings onto Tyler, arms wrapped tightly around his waist while Tyler's are around his upper body.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to let go," Tyler whispers, leaning forwards to let their foreheads touch. "I tried to grab your hand again after that guy shove himself between us, but then you fell and I got shoved forwards and i didn't know where you had gone. I just kept looking around to try and find you, and I was going to see if I could find a pay phone or something to call, but then that guy, Alec, found me and I saw you and I just ran."

Craig nuzzled into Tyler's shoulder, and Tyler could feel him shaking against him. He slumped a little, exhausted, just leaning against his boyfriend.

"I love you," Craig murmured. Tyler smiled at the comment.

"I love you too."

Tyler finally pulled away from their tight hug, but he kept one hand interlocked with Craig's, and he let Craig lean against him.

Tyler looked up from Alec to see him looking at them with a small smile.

"I'm glad I could help," was all he said, looking happy to help.

"Thank you so much," Tyler said, running his empty hand through Craig's hair. "Seriously, thank you, so very much."

"I was glad to help you guys," Alec said. A man walked up behind Alec and grabbed his hand, telling him something softly, to which he nodded. "I've got to go, but maybe we could exchange numbers and do something some other time?"

Tyler nods. "I'll just tell you my number. Text me, and when I get home and finally charge my phone, I'll add you as a contact and give Craig your number, if you'd like."

"Sure," Alec said. "It was nice meeting you two. You seem great together."

Tyler just nodded and waved, looking back down to Craig. He kissed the top of his boyfriends head, making the shorter man tiredly look up, and smile softly.