Saccharine //joshler [✔️]

twenty nine 🍯

"hey, you know what i was just thinking?"

tyler glances up from where he sits, reading a book. he hasn't really felt small for a few days, which kind of bothers him.

he wants to be small. he wants josh to baby him. he just can't get in the headspace. this makes him anxious, worrying josh will be upset with him or something irrational like that.

"what is it?"

josh smiles, taking a seat on the couch beside the boy. "i want you to move in with me."

tyler blinks a few times, slowly marking his page and setting the book aside. "huh? really?"

"yes, really. don't be silly, ty. you practically already live here, anyway," josh chuckles, kissing the brunette's forehead and taking his hand. "what do you think? would you want that?"

"yes," tyler grins, planting a wet kiss on the back of josh's hand. "it would be awesome."

"you think so?" josh encourages, knowing tyler had been struggling to regress and it was stressing the boy out. if tyler's upset, josh has to fix it. it's his job.

"mhm," tyler nods, pulling the man in for a hug. "when, though?"

"as soon as you want, cutie," he responds, holding the younger against his chest. "you're sure this is what you want?"

"duh, silly," tyler giggles softly, his eyes shutting as he takes in josh's scent. "i love you."

"i love you so much, baby. i know you aren't feeling too happy with yourself right now, but i want you to know that it's okay and you don't have to be upset. i love you regardless, little or big."

tyler sighs, not responding because he's afraid he's going to cry. he's so grateful josh knows exactly how he's feeling and exactly what to say without tyler uttering a word.

"you okay?" he asks upon hearing tyler sniffle.

the boy nods, looking to the man with teary eyes. "you're the best."

"that's not something to cry about," josh teases, wiping away the tears that swell in tyler's eyes.

"i know..."

"let's see that smile of yours, huh?"

tyler forces his lips to curl upward. it feels awkward and unnatural, and josh chuckles. he begins poking the boy's sides, causing him to squeak and start laughing.

"there it is!" josh exclaims, tickling him mercilessly.

"stop! stop!"

josh complies, dropping his hands to rest on the boy's hips. "you're silly."

"nooo," tyler continues giggling, fearing josh will tickle him again. "you're silly!"

"nope. you're a silly boy," josh argues, poking his tongue against the tip of tyler's nose.

"yucky!" tyler groans, wiping the wet spot away on the back of his hand. "daddy silly."

josh smiles, hearing tyler's sweet voice grow higher in pitch. "feeling small now, aren't you? took some tickles is all, hm?"

"uh-uhhh," tyler shakes his head, tightly wrapping his arms around his sides. "no tickles!"

"nooo, no more," josh agrees. he scoops one arm under tyler's butt, then carries him into the kitchen. "you hungry, little guy?"

"hmmm... ice cweam?"

"figures," josh chuckles, opening the freezer. "what kind? cotton candy, pumpkin, or cookies and cream?"

"punkin!" tyler exclaims, pointing at the container. josh scoops one large bowl for the two of them to share, taking both the ice cream and tyler into the bedroom.

he sets the boy on the bed beside his trio of stuffies, then turns on the lion king. together, they cuddle and eat ice cream. tyler is small and content, and josh is relieved.

he knew tyler wouldn't stand being big for much longer. he was irritable all week, snapping at everyone including josh. it must have just been some kind of slump, but thanks to josh and his magic tickles he managed to pull tyler out of it.

"daddy."

"yes, hon?"

"we take bath after ice cweam?" tyler asks, eyes glued to the baby lions on screen.

"that's right, smarty pants. you want daddy to get in with you?"

"mhm," he hums, stuffing a big spoonful of ice cream into his mouth.

"okay, then. anything for my little baby," josh grins, nudging the boy.

"shhh," tyler giggles, nudging the man back.

"what? i can't call you my little baby?"

tyler shakes his head, smiling playfully.

"and why's that?"

"i 'unno," the boy giggles. "makes my heart soft!"

"does it?" josh smiles, placing his hand over tyler's heart. "good. daddies are supposed to make their little boys' hearts feel soft."

"and give 'um tummy butterflies?"

"yes, and that."

"and make 'um feel floaty?"

"oh yeah, definitely."

"do little boys make daddies feel da same way?" tyler questions, now more concerned with this than the movie.

"you have no idea," josh replies. "the way you make me feel, ty... it's like you take all my sadness and all my anger and all my hurt and just transform it into happiness and love."

"wow, like magic!?"

"exactly like magic," josh nods, kissing his temple.

"wow! ty's a magician!"

"you are so cute," the older chuckles, finishing the last bite of ice cream. tyler had stopped eating a few minutes ago. "are you ready to take a bath, now?"

"but daddy, you's make me feel clean."

"what?"

"you's make me feel clean, so i don' need no baths!" tyler explains, smiling confidently.

"that's not how it works, but nice try." josh can't help but laugh, a bit amused with tyler's statement. "if you want a bedtime story tonight, you better be ready to get in the bath within the next five minutes."

"i's goin!" tyler exclaims, darting across the room as he rummages through josh's dresser to find pajamas.

josh watches contently. he can't wait for the boy to live with him permanently.