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It was Friday which meant Bowie would be spending the weekend at Raj's house. It's a little routine they've gotten into over the year they've known each other. School ends, Bowie drives to an ice cream shop near Raj's school, they meet there and eat some ice cream before heading to Raj's house.
They had been like this for a few months now, but at first it wasn't like this, they usually took turns going to each other's houses. First it was Raj who offered to go to his boyfriend's house and the next week it was Bowie who offered to go. But since Bowie got his driver's license, he went to Raj's house every week.
At first this made Raj a little sad, since he would no longer be able to see Cosmo, Bowie's cat, and also because he felt it was harder for Bowie to be the only one going from place to place. Bowie assured him that he was totally fine with being on the road, as it gave him a chance to practice and get more driving experience.
Bowie's confirmation that driving was no problem for him always, made Raj feel much more relieved and, in a way, took a weight off his shoulders. since getting ready every Friday, hoping he wouldn't forget to pack something of vital importance for the trip was stressful, although if it was for Bowie it was worth it.
Well, so it was and so it would be. Raj was now in the passenger seat, licking his chocolate ice cream while Bowie drove. They had already eaten a banana split together, but Raj wanted an ice cream cone for the road.
“And then a guy invited Wayne and me to a basketball game. We forgot who was on our team, but in the end we ended up winning” Raj spoke enthusiastically and then licked some more of his ice cream.
“But you told me you used to play basketball when you were younger and I think with Wayne” Bowie looked at his boyfriend for a few seconds until the light turned green.
“Well, yeah, but we never said we forgot how to play, we just forgot who our team was. Besides it's almost the same as field hockey because they both have teams and are played with a somewhat round object” Raj licked his ice cream again. “But our sport it's hockey!”
“I guess you're partly right, though basketball and field hockey don't have much in common." Bowie had a tone of not being totally convinced by what Raj was telling him. Were there similarities? Yes, but it's not like they were the same.
“They both have teams, they're pretty similar” He continued to lick his ice cream until only the cone remained. “Do you want me to save you the cone or can I eat it?" Raj knew Bowie wasn't a big fan of chocolate ice cream, but he did like the cones they had at that ice cream parlor.
“You can eat it, thanks anyway” They gave each other a small smile and then Raj began to eat the cone. “Do you know if your father has cooked something for dinner yet?”
“Why? Do you have any ideas for dinner?”
“I was thinking of asking if he could make lasagna” Raj's father used to ask for suggestions for meals and when Bowie went, was no exception. There had already been a few times when he had suggested some meals for dinner or lunch. And if he was honest, he had to admit that he had never met anyone who cooked so well.
“It's already 19:44 and I'm sure I've already prepared something for today, but you can tell him tomorrow” Raj finished his cone with a few bites.
“I guess I'll have to wait until tomorrow then” Bowie let out a small laugh as he parked the car in front of Raj's parents' house.
“Yup! And you're lucky dad was around this week because otherwise pa would have had to cook” Raj grimaced as if he was remembering something bad.
“I'm really glad about that because last time I had a considerable stomach ache” Bowie remembered the last time Raj's pa had to cook dinner, which ultimately ended in them ordering pizza to eat. “And it's not like I am a great chef, but I wouldn't want to eat that mac and cheese ever again.”
“Yeah, I get your point, that's why when it's just me and pa, I always help him so the food comes out more delicious. It doesn't always turn out well, but it's always fun” Raj smiled as he unbuckled his seat belt.
“At least you have some fun” Bowie did the same as his boyfriend and went to the back of the car to open it and reveal the two suitcases he had with him. One was the same one he always used when he went to his boyfriend's house and the other was from Raj from when he came back from vacation
“Hey, it's the backpack I gave you” Raj looked at the backpack putting it on his shoulder.
“The other backpack I had was getting old and I thought it was a good time to switch, besides it's too cute not to use” Bowie smiled as he pulled out the other bag.
“It reminded me of you” Raj chuckled sheepishly for a moment then scratched the back of his neck. “Not because you're like a suitcase or anything, but because it's purple and you like purple I thought ¨they'd go well together¨, you know?” Bowie gave him a small kiss on the forehead after that. He always managed to find beauty in Raj's ramblings, plus he knew he meant it well
“Yeah, you told me that before” He started to pull the suitcase to the door.
“Really? Then I wanted to remind you of it” Raj tried to act as calm as possible as he tried to open the door to the house. "Can you help me with this?" Bowie took the key and turned it until the door opened.
When they walked in they could see how Raj's parents were on the couch laughing, apparently they were looking at something.
“What's so funny?” Raj put his backpack down and walked over to his parents to see what was going on.
“Hey, champ and... Bowie” Tyler was the first to turn around and was surprised when he saw Bowie. “Wasn't he supposed to come on Saturday?”
“That was just a thing last week, since Bowie had some stuff to do on Friday, but I don't think it's going to happen again.” Raj explained as they sat down on the couch.
“Told you” Alejandro's voice sounded somewhat playful and Tyler couldn't help but frown and roll his eyes. “I win.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever” Tyler pulled a twenty from his wallet and handed it to Alejandro.
“Thank you very much” Alejandro turned his attention to the other pair, both of whom looked very confused. “First of all, good evening Bowie and mi niño” He extended his hand to greet Bowie and then messed up Raj's hair. Tyler also greeted Bowie
“Well, I told Tyler in the morning that Bowie was coming on a Friday as usual, but he thought he wasn't, so we made a bet and the loser had to give the other 20. I guess you get the idea” Alejandro laughed as he put an arm around Tyler's shoulders to pull him towards him.
“Now I see where you get that attitude of getting mad when you lose” Bowie teased Raj and got a chuckle out of both parents.
“Like father, like son” Alejandro added before grabbing the photo album he had set aside. Raj could only chuckle.
“And what's that?” they all looked at the box full of albums that sat next to Tyler.
“This is a whole box of your dad's old albums.”
“Yeah, I found it when I went to get some stuff from the garage. My dad used to say that taking pictures was the best way to keep memories and that's why I have so many albums with pictures of me when I was little” Tyler took the album that Alejandro and he were looking at.
“For example, this one contains a lot of pictures of me as a kid” Tyler showed the pictures of him as a kid and Bowie and Raj couldn't help but let out an ‘Aww’.
Most of the pictures showed Tyler as a little boy on a podium, alone or in a team, and in almost all of them he was third or second, in very few of them he was first. He had pictures in many different sports: swimming, soccer, basketball, gymnastics, tennis, rugby, volleyball, fencing, etc. There were quite a few sports and it was impressive that Tyler somehow managed to get on the podium, considering Tyler was pretty clumsy.
“I thought that headband he only had it since he was a teenager” Bowie pointed to the headband that little Tyler used to wear in all the pictures.
“Oh, you're right, it's the same hair band you had on Total Drama Island” Raj agreed with his boyfriend and looked at his parents. Every page he turned there was Tyler with that headband on his head.
“I guess not all of them” Alejandro pointed to a picture where 8 or 9 year old Tyler was on the podium as the number one spot and, surprisingly, without his headband.
“Dude, I remember this day like it was yesterday.”
“Oh, no, he's going to start talking” Alejandro scoffed and got a little tap on the shoulder.
“That day I had lost my band and didn't want to go to the competition without it, but it was mandatory to attend, so I had to go” Tyler began to tell with emotion. Raj and Bowie were the ones listening to him most attentively.
---
“I can go, but I won't participate” Tyler crossed his arms. He was in the passenger seat in his father's car as they drove to the swim meet.
“Tyler, champ, please, you've been practicing for this competition all these months” His father wasn't mad at him, but somewhat disappointed.
“I know, but without my favorite headband I can't!” Tyler claimed, slapping his hands against his legs.
“I know you may feel insecure without it, but you can, you are very capable of making it with your band or without it” The father tried to calm the younger boy down, but to little avail.
“I can't, I can't!!!” The boy began to get louder with his tantrum.
“It’s just a headband, we can also get you another one later.” For the father it seemed like a simple proposal, but for the child it was as if he had heard the biggest insult in the world. It was unheard of and his face reflected that expression.
“How dare you!” The boy continued to look at him in shock. “That simple headband is so much more than that!”
“Okay, okay, maybe we shouldn't look for another one, but we can look for it” The older man sighed as the boy continued to pout, he would let him go on until they arrived.
The moment they arrived the father reached over to unbuckle his son's belt. “Tyler, please, why don't you want to participate without your headband?” The father leveled with his son.
“I can't do it without my headband...” Tyler folded his arms, looking away.
“Champ, you are very capable of making it, with or without it” The father put his hand on his son's shoulder. “I trust you and I know what you are capable of, I know you can.” The boy looked at his father and nodded.
Together they went to the changing room where he got ready before leaving to meet his father one last time before the competition.
“Remember what we talked about and no matter if you win or lose, do your best and I will be proud” The father gave him a little pat on the shoulder before the whistle blew and the kids went to warm up before the competitions began.
There wasn't much going through Tyler's mind at that moment, not like there was always something on his mind, but this time it was full of worry and he couldn't help but feel insecure about what he was going through. He had never faced any competition without his headband and didn't expect it to happen anytime soon, but his father trusted him and that was more important to him than anything.
The trainer explained that it would be 3 laps, the usual, one backstroke, one butterfly and then back to full speed freestyle. And on the count of 3, Tyler would be in the water, trying not to let himself get beat and not give up.
“Set?” The coach had his arm raised. Tyler was thankful they didn't have to dive for the first part, otherwise he would have hit the water.
“Ready?” He readied the whistle with his other hand. Tyler took one last look at his father, who was in the stands, and nodded his head slightly.
“Go!” The trainer lowered his hand quickly and blew the whistle only to be splashed all over the water.
Tyler had a bit of a slow start, as despite being very focused he was lost in thought for a few seconds, but he managed to recover. Some water got into his nose, but that was the least of it. When he reached the other edge he pushed himself against the small wall that was there. So he went back and did another butterfly lap. It was one of the most difficult swimming styles for him, but he had to give it his all, especially now that he saw how the boy next to him smiled mockingly at him.
He was doing much better than the others and when he reached the last part of the course it was like feeling on top or that was until the boy next to him said something he couldn't hear and started swimming very fast, which made him start swimming fast too. Normally he would breathe every 2 strokes, but this time it had to be every 6. He was so close and if he took one more breath he could lose what little lead he had, so he held his breath from the halfway point to the end while kicking as fast as he could. At first he felt he had everything under control, but by the end he felt his body screaming for air, but he was so close he couldn't let it happen. He just had to reach out his hand as far as he could, he would arrive and he could rest, or that was what he had planned before his eyes became cloudy and everything went black. Until he pulled his head out to breathe and an ovation from the people could be heard.
---
“And that's how I won the competition” Tyler tapped his chest. Now he was on his feet as he had mimicked that memory as he recounted it. Everyone was shocked for a few seconds until a question crossed Raj's mind.
“And where was your sweatband?”
“Ah, I had forgotten it on the hanger after taking a bath and that's how I learned to never forget things again” At that answer the responses were several. Alejandro couldn't help but slap himself in the face and Raj and Bowie just chuckled.
“At least you managed to find it” Bowie added as Tyler sat back down.
“Yeah and that was the last time I left it on the hanger. After I showered, I would dry my hair myself and dry the band so I wouldn't forget about it” Tyler scratched the back of his neck before grabbing another album. “I still remember this album” Tyler put down the red album where his childhood pictures were and picked up a blue one.
“Little Tyler's Great Adventures?" Raj read what it said on the cover and Tyler couldn't help but blush for the embarrassment.
“My father gave it the title" As soon as he opened it he saw how many pictures were missing and there were many empty pages. “Hey, where are my pictures?” Alejandro looked inside the box quickly, but found nothing.
“You'll have to go on without them” Alejandro turned the pages to where there was a picture of Tyler and Lindsay hugging in front of a movie theater.
“That face looks familiar” Bowie narrowed his eyes trying to think of who it was.
“That's Wayne's mom when she was younger” Raj nodded quickly, pulling out his phone and showing him a picture he had with Wayne's family.
“Ohhh, yeah, now I see it.” Bowie let out a few chuckles. “Sometimes I forget that your parents were involved in total drama and therefore have friends from that show.” Bowie hugged Raj's torso and rested his head on his shoulder to make himself more comfortable. Raj leaned his head against the other.
“Yeah, sometimes I think people will come up to me for an autograph, but they come up to me for dad” The pair of parents looked at the two boys tenderly.
“Yeah, even though I'm not as handsome as I used to be, people still recognize me” Alejandro said it as a joke, as he usually says, but someone like Tyler wouldn't let him talk bad about himself.
“Are you crazy? You still look as hot as you did 20 years ago” Tyler quickly searched through the pages for pictures of Alejandro a few years ago. “Oh look, me and the guys” He stared at a picture of Justin, DJ, Noah, Owen, Harold, Duncan, Duncan, Cody, Trent, Geoff, Zeke and a part of Alejandro's hair. “Why didn't you ever say you didn't show up whole?”
“At the time you all seemed really loud to me and I just wanted to get out of there” Alejandro lifted his shoulders.
“So you didn't like me either?” Tyler said somewhat saddened.
“At first yes because I thought you were just like all of them and it's not that I dislike them now, but at the time I had a different view of people. The good thing is that with you I learned how social relationships work, beyond looking to take advantage of someone” Alejandro always wanted to thank Tyler for making him a better person, but he never had the chance and even though that had already happened many years ago, it was never a bad time to say thank you.
“Woah, that's deep” Tyler was taken aback by the revelation and only got Alejandro to let out a few chuckles.
“I think you should say something else, pa” Raj whispered in his ear.
“Words have never been my thing” Tyler whispered back.
“I don't mean to interrupt, but I think he can hear you” Bowie cut in on the small talk and then Raj and Tyler looked at the Spaniard.
“Anyway, let's keep looking for some pictures of me” Alejandro turned the page of the album that was resting on Tyler's lap.
“Oh, yeah, that” Tyler kept turning the pages. “Look it's me and Lindsay in Vegas” In the picture was a selfie Tyler had taken of the two of them in front of a casino.
“I think we both remember that casino” Alejandro laughed as Tyler just rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, yeah, I think we both remember that picture.”
As the adults chatted, Bowie looked at the photo and remembered something Raj had told him, a silly little story about how his pa and her best friend ended up in a jail cell for breaking a casino machine. “That's not from the story you told me” Bowie whispered in his ear.
“I think it is” They let out a little chuckle.
“Is something wrong?” The other two looked at them curiously and they just shook their heads.
They kept flipping through the pages in which there were pictures of Tyler with a few friends, Lindsay, more friends and his dad from time to time. Until he finished the album and grabbed the next one before getting desperate to find the rest of the pictures.
“Oh, look there it is!” Tyler pointed to the first picture on the page, which was a selfie taken by Tyler of him and Alejandro giving him a kiss on the cheek. “You're still just as hot as you were back then.”
“Please, it's not that big of a deal, I'm not that young anymore and-”
“Why every time we talk about this you have to contradict me?” Tyler frowned and brought the album closer to Alejandro's face. “You're literally the same.”
“Maybe you're looking at this wrong” Alejandro pushed the album away.
“Champ, Bowie, you tell me, has Alejandro changed at all?” Raj was the first to look up and shake his head. Bowie was too surprised to see how they had been preserved so well over time, not just Alejandro, but Tyler too in some part and he had to admit he looked just as good.
“Sorry if this is rude, but how did you manage to stay so well preserved despite the years?” Bowie was perplexed, he knew Raj's parents were in their 40's now but they still looked like they did when they were 21.
“I think you're all blind, but I use a specific skincare product to keep my face looking good and I make Tyler use it too, even though he doesn't like it very much.” Alejandro let out a chuckle. “At first he didn't want to but all you have to do is put on Lady and the Tramp and he'll be fine.”
“Hey! You're making me sound like a little kid with what you're saying” Tyler frowned.
“I'm just commenting to Bowie. Anyway before you go I can pass you the routine I have” Alejandro put his arm around Tyler's shoulders.
“Yes, please, I'd really appreciate it.”
After that they continued to look through the album and the further they went the pictures of Tyler and Alejandro were all there were. Most of them were selfies of dates they had, recreating silly poses or just any occasion until Tyler found a picture he hadn't seen in a while.
“DUDE.” Tyler pointed to the picture where Tyler and Alejandro were in a Universal Studios, hugging Gru. Tyler looked like he was having the time of his life and Alejandro looked like he had seen a ghost but still kind of happy.
Bowie and Raj looked quizzical at the image and were even more confused as Alejandro's face had formed into a grimace.
“Okay... Before we go on with this and get started I should tell you something, Bowie, Raj. If you ever decide to go to Universal studios, never, ever propose in front of a person with a Gru costume” Alejandro sounded a bit angry (?) desperate(?) impotent? Totally impotent. This left the other two even more confused.
“I remember this day like it was yesterday!” Alejandro just ran a hand over his face.
---
“That burger I ordered was delicious” They were leaving the discovery center and Tyler had to admit that it was very tasty. Alejandro thought of it as a normal burger, but it was the experience that counted.
“Yeah I could tell you liked it quite a bit, you even ordered two more” Alejandro kept moving forward until he noticed some ketchup on Tyler's cheek. “You got some... there” He took out a small handkerchief and wiped it off.
“Thanks, dude” Tyler looked around, amazed at everything he saw, even though he had been there time and time again. The place wasn't small, but Tyler wanted to find the right place for something.
“You're welcome, dude.” Alejandro paddled after him, following him wherever he went. "Haven't we been through this place before?" he looked up at the attraction.
“You're crazy, we haven't been through here at any time.” Tyler kept walking. “Maybe we can go to the Kung Fu Panda ride.”
“The one with the panda?” Tyler nodded and started to go on that ride until he found a Gru standing and walking around. “DUDE IS GRU!” Alejandro turned to see what he was referring to.
“Who?”
“Sometimes I don't know why we come here if you don't know half the names of the characters, maybe it's good to have a Saturday movie afternoon so you know more about movies” Tyler shook his head before grabbing Alejandro's hand and walking over to Gru.
They asked to have their pictures taken and in one of those pictures, Tyler kneels down and pulls out a small box with a ring in it. Alejandro didn't know how to react, but with excitement, he felt like he was in a really weird dream. “I accept!” That was all Alejandro said before kissing Tyler, picking him up, and spinning around a couple of times. By the time he returned Tyler to the floor, Gru grabbed the ring Tyler had and put it on Alejandro's finger.
That was one of the most beautiful days for Alejandro and it could have been more beautiful if Gru had not been there.
---
“One of my most beloved memories” Tyler sighed comfortingly, he loved that memory and Gru being there made it better. Every time he remembered it, he felt like embracing the memory.
“You love all the memories we have together” Tyler couldn't help but nod at that.
“Don't you?” Raj and Bowie made an ¨uhhh¨ with an accusatory tone.
“Of course I love all those memories and more so that one, but it would have been better if Gru wasn't there” Alejandro felt a chill just remembering that guy again.
“Aw, come on, it wasn't that bad” Tyler laughed a little until the kettle started to ring, warning that the water had already boiled. “I'll go make juice for dinner, I'll be right back.”
“I'll help you!” Bowie let go of Raj so he could stand up and go to his pa.
“Bowie, congratulations on making it to the finals this season of Total Drama.” Alejandro took advantage of the fact that they were alone to congratulate the boy. “I think Chris was saner in the earlier seasons, I mean, putting 16-year-olds in deadly trials? At least I saw more sense in it when they were adults, but now?” Alejandro snorted, managing to get a chuckle out of Bowie.
“I guess that used to work for ratings, but now teenagers drive up the ratings.” Bowie crossed his legs. “Thank you Mr. Burromueto, although it would have been nicer to come back with a million dollars after that torture.”
“Señor Burromuerto is my father and I am nothing like him” Alejandro let out a small laugh. “I think at least Chris should give even a small consolation prize, but at least you got further than everyone else, Priya only won by luck” Alejandro covered his mouth with his hand to let out a small judging laugh. “Although she also deserved it for training all her life.”
“That's also something I consider, some have to try too hard while others just know how to play” Bowie looked at his fingernails. “But nothing personal against her, she's a sweetheart after all” Priya was nice when they weren't in a competition and that could be said by anyone.
“We're back!” Raj announced sitting down next to Bowie, giving him a little kiss on the cheek and Tyler next to him.
“The fruit soda is done, it just needs to cool down and the meat is almost ready, but until it's ready we can look at some more pictures” Tyler picked up another album, opened it and the first thing he saw was a picture of baby Raj. An ¨awwww¨ was heard in unison and Raj could only try to avoid feeling embarrassed.
“Look at that little face all puffed up” Bowie kept looking at the different pictures. “You were too cute as a baby.”
“I guess” Raj scratched the back of his neck, his face a little red with embarrassment. He looked at one of the pictures where he was staring into the camera totally expressionless. “Why did you take that photo?” Then there was another one where Raj was ¨eating¨ the camera.
“Your dad thinks they look hilarious” Tyler nodded at Alejandro's comment.
“Yeah! Those are some of my favorite pictures, I mean, your pictures where you look like you're super lost are the most adorable.” They kept turning the pages and there started to be more pictures of Tyler with Raj, whether he was holding him, playing with him, feeding him, etc. Tyler looked at them quizzically.
“And these are the kind of pictures I take” Said Alejandro who had been responsible for the appearance of all those mysterious pictures. “They're both too cute not to take pictures of them, yes or no, amorcito” Alejandro brought his head close against Tyler's.
“When did you take all those pictures?” Alejandro just lifted his shoulders with a playful little smile on his lips.
“And that picture?” Bowie pointed to a photo where Tyler and Alejandro had a scared look on their faces as they carried Raj, who was all smiles.
“I think I have a distant memory of that? That day we're in a supermarket?” Raj tapped his chin, trying to remember.
“Something like that, but this is another memory like it was yesterday.”
“Again?” Alejandro said feigning annoyance and received a nudge in response.
---
It was a Sunday like any other, it was even quieter. Tyler and Alejandro had gone grocery shopping with Raj. While Alejandro was buying bread, Tyler and Raj had gone for spices. They always had quite a big list as Alejandro loved to cook all kinds of things and if he could make them perfect it was all the better. In this case they needed olive oil and there were about a thousand brands and he didn't know what to choose, comparing each brand. Eventually Alejandro approached with the bread and looked around for his son.
“I don't know which brand to buy” Tyler set the two bottles down, feeling defeated.
“I think a generic brand would be fine” Alejandro kept looking around and didn't see his kid. “Guapito, if you had a hold of those two bottles, which hand were you holding Raj with?”
“What do you mean” Tyler looked at the place where his son was supposed to be, but saw nothing. “He's... he's over here.”
“Kenard, where is my son” Tyler knew he was toast because of Alejandro's expression and because he used his last name.
“I don't know...”
“Dios mio” Alejandro slapped his face.
Little Raj was amazed seeing all kinds of toys, he didn't know how he had arrived much less where his parents were, but seeing all those toys made him want to touch them all. First he grabbed a nerf gun and tried to take it out of the case and when he couldn't he threw it on the floor. Something softer and smaller would be the solution and so he went for a teddy bear he found lying on the floor, but it was very boring so he got tired of playing with it after a few minutes. But the fun literally started to roll when he found a ball which he began to chase every time he kicked it.
Returning to the parents they had gone to ask for help from security to see that no child, resembling the picture they showed, left the place. They had no luck finding him and to their bad luck, some of the security cameras were not working properly and Alejandro couldn't deal with the incompetence, until a call came in from a guard who saw a little boy running alone down aisle 24.
Raj kept chasing the ball unless he had seen a lot of people gathered and decided to go check it out, passing underneath the crowd. Apparently it was a roulette wheel with lots of prizes for people with children since it was coming up to children's day. There were prizes ranging from a stuffed animal to a small miniature hockey net and that was enough to make Raj want to participate.
“Who will be next to participate?” Said the “presenter”, looking at all the children who raised their hands until he felt a tug on his pants. “Do you want to participate, little one?”
“Hockey!” Raj pointed to the roulette wheel with the prize. “I want that!” The presenter lifted the little boy up.
“And what's your name?”
“Raj.”
“Well Raj let's see if you're lucky” He put the little boy on the floor for a spin, but not being tall enough, he had to spin the wheel.
At that moment Alejandro spotted his son in the crowd and went running towards him. Trying not to push anyone, he managed to get in and hug his son.
“Congratulations, you won the mayor price!" The host tried to fake a smile, but soon after it turned into a grimace. “Whatever, just take their picture for once.”
Tyler had just arrived but he still had a worried look on his face just like Alejandro, the only one who was happy was Raj.
---
“OHH! So I'm the one who won that net? Score!” Raj had a little celebration. “I guess missing out did do some good, huh?”
“I felt my world fall apart when I lost you, Raj” Alejandro said in a serious tone and somewhat tense at the thought of his son no longer being with him.
“Yeah, it was totally scary even though you gained something good...” Tyler stopped talking when Alejandro gave him a look. “Yeah, I almost died when you left.”
Before he could continue the house started to smell like meat and that was Alejandro's call to go finish up with dinner.
“I guess we can finish this album before dinner” Tyler moved more through the pictures and for Raj and Bowie it didn't take them too long to notice how Tyler's head band disappeared in the pictures.
“And your head band?” Raj pointed to the photos and Tyler looked at him quizzically.
“Oh, it's here” Tyler pointed to his wrist as if it were a bracelet.
“And why is it there now?” The two boys looked at Tyler expectantly for the answer.
“Well” Tyler closed the album. “When you came into our lives it was a really shocking change, at first I saw it as something normal, you could say, like it was just another thing in life, but after I almost lost you, I realized that I was no longer just a kid, I was no longer a teenager, but an adult who had to take care of the most precious thing in life” Tyler exhaled. “And since the headband was with me from my childhood until the moment I had that revelation, I thought it would be good to close cycles and create new ones” Raj and Bowie were really surprised by the answer, not having expected it. Raj felt moved when he heard it, a small tear coming out of his eye.
Alejandro, who heard it all, couldn't help but remain silent. “Don't lie to your son, your headband is only there because Raj when he was younger stretched it too much and you couldn't repair it no matter how hard you tried.”
Tyler scratched the back of his neck when he got a look from Raj. Bowie couldn't help but find it funny, but also kind of cruel. “Thanks for ruining the moment, babe.”
“That's what I'm for, guapito” A chuckle was heard from the kitchen.
“Well, I think that about wraps it up. I'll go help your dad with the food and let you know when it's ready” Tyler tried to get out of the situation as quickly as possible.
“I didn't know you could lie to my face” Raj folded his arms.
“Raj, champ, maybe that wasn't the reason why I wear my headband as a bracelet now, but believe me when it really felt that way to me” Tyler stroked his head. “You are the most important thing in this world to me” Raj couldn't help but let out another small tear and nod.
“Thank you pa”
“Anytime” Tyler went to the kitchen, leaving Raj and Bowie carrying the suitcases to Raj's room.
“That was... interesting” Bowie began to speak as they went upstairs.
“Yeah, I didn't know how many things my parents had lived through” Raj set the suitcases on his bed, sitting down next to them and Bowie sitting next to him.
“They've known each other long enough and will continue to know each other and form memories” Raj dropped his head on Bowie's shoulder and he leaned his head against the other.
“I wish we were like them” Raj murmured. Bowie could see he wanted to say something else so he remained silent for him to formulate his response. “Not in a weird way but in a cute way? I mean they've known each other for so long, they've had a child together and they'll still be happy despite the ups and downs. I'd like that. I'm serious... I know we are only 16, but if I could have a life with you I would be happy for the rest of my days whether they are good or bad. I want to be there for you and help you.” Raj looked up and was greeted by a soft smile from the other.
“I like it when you speak your mind, so free and unfiltered” Bowie put his arms around the other's shoulders. “And I get what you're saying, after seeing those pictures and all those memories, I have come to want the same thing you do. I may sound corny and all, but it would like to have something like them and grow as people side by side.”
“You mean it?”
“I mean it.”
They looked at each other for a few seconds and gave each other an Eskimo kiss. It was a simple thing they used to do when they had moments when words weren't necessary, quiet moments where their presence meant more than anything. They stared at each other for a while longer and Raj gave him a little kiss that got a few chuckles out of Bowie.
“We could even make an album,” Bowie suggested, hugging Raj, his head on top of the other.
“That would be a good idea, I could even propose to you at disney” Raj said playfully.
“GOD- no, please” They both burst out laughing until they heard their name being called, presumably for dinner.
They both went downstairs and were greeted with Raj's parents waiting for them on the stairs. “Dinner's not ready yet, but we thought it would be a good idea to take a picture” Alejandro nodded as he set up the instant camera. “What do you say?”
Raj and Bowie looked at each other for a few seconds and then nodded, smiling.
“Okay! All together and on the count of 3 we say uhhh...” Tyler stood thinking for a moment.
“Cheese” Alejandro helped him.
“Yeah, that!”
A few seconds later a “cheese” could be heard in unison and finally a click of the camera.
“It would be a good idea to make another album.”