House of Gold // Adopted by Tyler Joseph

Date

We'd started dating. It was finally what I've been looking for. And I know I'm only a teenager, but it felt like true love. Even more so than childish dates with Jack, this felt more... serious.

The way he'd kiss me, the way I felt heartbroken every time I'd leave for Ohio.

But he'd surprise me, fly out from LA in the middle of the night. Austin would arrive at my doorstep in the early daylight. Dad would ask me to check the mail, I'd do so begrudgingly in my pajamas, as I'd open the door. He'd stand there with flowers in one hand, and a suitcase in the other.

It felt indescribable. Austin wrote a love song for me once, I cried as he strummed out chords, poured out his heart.

He'd be kind to Dad, call him sir when Dad was messing with him and scaring him into almost not dating me.

Austin had bought the whole family Christmas gifts, Mom would brag about him and I at family gatherings.

And today, well he was just the same.

"Babe? How do I look?" I twirled in my black T-shirt dress, he caught me mid-spin and pulled me in for a kiss.

"Like my beautiful girl." He inched his lips towards my neck as Dad would pass by my room, slamming my door open.

"Just making sure you kids aren't doing anything inappropriate." He laughed passive-aggressively, we jumped apart from each other as Austin replied immediately.

"No sir!"

"That's right." He ordered that the door stay open, and I got all embarrassed.

"I can't wait for tonight." He lead me out, we were going to a Metallica concert, one of our favorite bands.

"Have her back by midnight."

"Dad that's when the concert ends!" I whined.

"Exactly, no later than twenty minutes should it take you two." He gave me a pat on the back.

"Will do Mr. Joseph." Austin nudged me to behave.

"But Dad? It's his first night here after two months, can't we spend a little time together?" I pleaded as he sighed.

"Only.... if you two are out getting ice cream or something. Which I doubt anywhere is open that late. But Taco Bell is, how silly of me! Go there and come back!" He seemed serious.

I sighed and didn't argue anymore, although greasy food wasn't exactly our ideal setting for date night, I'd let him believe that we were out getting food.

"Okay."

"Give me a hug. Be safe, you have your tickets?"

"Yes Dad." I hesitated in giving him a hug, but knew he was just looking out for me.

"Love you honey. I'll be waiting for you at night." He still kept his word, I just laughed bitterly. Didn't he have sleep to get?

We left, Austin being gentlemanly and opening the car door for me. It was freezing out, I shivered as he started the car.

"Baby, here wear my jacket." His fake black leather provided little warmth, but I was gracious and took it with a smile.

He always looked out for me too, Austin was mature, I loved that about him.

"Thanks." I told him as he took a cigarette in his mouth. That's the only thing I had to hide from Dad. Not that even Dad would care, as protective as he is of me, he knew it wasn't his business whether someone smoked or not.