tagged // joshler

(20)

tyler returned shortly, a small mocha in hand. he took a seat beside josh, who, despite claiming that he had homework to finish, was seated at an empty table. ashley was still working, however, and had moved to a different table. she figured josh and tyler might want some time to themselves.

josh turned to face tyler, grinning from ear to ear. "i still can't believe you're really here," he said. tyler chuckled at josh, who was staring at him in awe; much like the first time they'd met.

"me too, josh. i've been going crazy without you." he took the boy's hand in his own. "two days with you just wasn't enough."

"i know," josh sighed, a wave of guilt crashing over him. "i'm so sorry about that. the whole thing is my fault, really."

"don't worry about it too much. at least i'm here now." tyler glanced down at their hands, where he discovered he had been absentmindedly running his thumb over josh's fingers. they were incredibly soft, he realized.

he loved them.

"josh, i was wondering," tyler began, clearing his throat. "would you want to go on a proper date with me tomorrow night? it's a friday night, after all, and i didn't get the chance to when we were together the first time, and-"

josh cut him off. "of course, tyler. you don't need to explain yourself; i'd love to."

tyler breathed a sigh of relief. "okay, good. i was worried you'd say no, for some reason. my dumb irrational fears, i guess," he said.

"it's not dumb, tyler. worrying is okay sometimes," josh said. "but just so we're clear, you should never have to worry about whether or not i'd want to spend time with you. the answer is always yes." josh squeezed tyler's hand reassuringly. tyler smiled in response.

just then, the two boys were drawn from their moment as they heard ashley slam her textbook shut.

"i am finally done with my homework," she exclaimed, followed by a less enthused, "and i am exhausted."

josh eyed her finished work, which had been tucked away neatly into her backpack. "any chance you'd be willing to send me pictures of that later?" he asked.

ashley rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed by his question. "fine, josh, but this is the last time. i mean it!" she said, though the two of them both knew that she didn't mean it, and this wouldn't be the last time.

"you're the best," said josh, earning a disgusted look from ashley.

"uh-huh. sure i am." she hefted her backpack up onto her shoulder and grabbed her car keys. "i think i'm going to head out. do you need a ride?"

josh thought for a moment, glancing back at tyler. "no, i think we're okay here. i'll catch you at school tomorrow, okay?"

ashley nodded and walked out of the coffee shop. as she got into her car and drove away, she gave the two boys a small wave through the window, which was returned by two waves of their own.

it was just josh and tyler now. well, the two of them, and the coffee shop employees. and the other customers in the store. but mostly just the two of them. they were lost in their own little world, so happy to be back together.

josh glanced down at his phone to check the time. "hey, have you ever been hammocking?" he asked tyler.

"hammocking? um, no... i can't say that i have," said tyler.

"it's one of my favorite things to do. i like to set up my hammock and watch the sunset in the evenings. it's super relaxing." he paused for just a moment. "lucky for us, the sunset is in less than an hour, and i live only five minutes from here, so we could run to my house and grab some blankets and my hammock and stuff."

"that sounds fun," tyler said. "sure, let's do it. i love sunsets."

the two boys got up to leave, tyler with his nearly full mocha, josh with his messy backpack and nearly empty latte. he downed the last sip and tossed his cup in the trash. with his free hand, he held tyler's. the two boys left the shop hand in hand, only letting go to get into tyler's car, in which tyler instead rested his hand upon josh's thigh. this was different for josh, yet tyler's hand on his thigh felt comfortable; familar. and he loved it.

shortly, they arrived at josh's house.

"this is cute," tyler said.

"not really, but thanks. i'll be back in a minute. wait here," said josh, stepping out of the car and rushing into his house where, thankfully, his mother and father were nowhere to be found.

now that josh was alone, the reality of his current situation finally settled in.

tyler's back.

tyler is here, in my town.

tyler. is. back.

he could not stop grinning as he ran upstairs, skipping every other step. he quickly grabbed his hammock and two blankets from his closet. he set them on his bed and walked over to his bedroom mirror, adjusting a few stray hairs. he didn't look his best, but he certainly didn't look his worst, which was good enough for him. he picked his blankets and hammock back up again and headed downstairs and out of his house. he walked over to tyler's car and got in once again, placing his things nicely in the backseat.

"ready to go?" asked tyler.

"ready," josh confirmed.

tyler began driving as josh directed him to his favorite hammocking spot. as they drew closer, he grew more excited. he had cozy blankets, a beautiful sunset, the boy of his dreams—how could he be anything but happy?

this night was shaping out to be the best josh had had in quite some time.

✖️✖️✖️

i bet ya'll forgot about this fic didn't ya

well i honestly dont blame you. but hi welcome back to tagged

some life updates!
-i'm turning 17 in 4 days
-i got new glasses
-im talking to college coaches about playing softball for them (!!!)
-my best friend moved to chicago
-i myself am moving! same town though, just a different house.

i hope you all enjoyed this update. i love you guys, so much

milk