26. Birthday

                                    

                                          
I try to be really incorporative of what my readers want so last call if you wanna see anything specific in this story while I finish up planning 🥺
                          
Josh was sitting at his kitchen table the next morning with a cup of hit chocolate. It hard started snowing about an hour earlier and although it was only seven, he didn't have school, and he went to sleep late... he was surely awake. 
                          
He turned the heat up but he was still freezing his ass off so he had a blanket around him as he drank his hot chocolate. His parents had left right before it started snowing, his mom trying to get more hours at work so they could use the money for Christmas. Jordan was pretty much passed out in bed and Josh had left Tyler sleeping. 
                          
Well, at least for the time being. He heard footsteps walking down the hallway and was meet with a sleepy looking Tyler. "Hey," he greeted, letting out a yawn and running a hand through his hair. "How come you're up earlier than me? I sleep like four or five hours," he spoke, a chuckle leaning his lips. 
                          
Josh shrugged. "I couldn't sleep. Do you want any hot chocolate or coffee or anything? I know you don't need it but..."
                          
"No I'm alright," Tyler sat down in the chair next to him. 
                          
It was quiet for a moment, neither boy saying anything. "You look cute when you sleep," Josh piped up. 
                          
Tyler raised an eyebrow. "I sleep with my mouth wide open and probably drooled which I totally apologize for." 
                          
Josh smiled. "Yeah but your fangs were out and it was cute. For someone who could kill someone in a heartbeat you looked very innocent." 
                          
"Wait they were?" 
                          
"Yeah. You didn't know that?" 
                          
Tyler blushed. "No. Good thing my parents never try to come wake me up," he laughed awkwardly. 
                          
"Yeah for sure." 
                          
It was quiet for another moment. 
                          
"Can we talk?" Tyler asked nervously. 
                          
"About?" 
                          
Tyler gently grabbed the hand that was wrapped around the mug of hot chocolate and turned it so the two little dots in Josh's wrist from last night were being looked at. "This." 
                          
"Oh." 
                          
"Please don't ask me to do that ever again," Tyler began quietly, looking extremely guilty. "If I hadn't been focused on being super hyper aware of my surroundings I could have done something. Going with Jenna's gotten easier and my control when feeding's gotten better but you never know." 
                          
"But I trust you." 
                          
"It doesn't matter," Tyler shook his head. "I'm glad you trust me. I trust you too. But I don't trust myself all that well. The only reason I did it and stayed with you was because you made a good point about it being consensual and you needing me. I get it. I only wanted to be around Jenna for weeks after I turned. You went through something that shook you up and you needed me. That's okay." 
                          
"I'm sorry," Josh frowned. Now he was the one guilty. 
                          
"Don't be," Tyler squeezed his hand. "I just don't want you getting hurt. I lo—" he stopped, clearing his throat. Josh raised an eyebrow. "I loath the idea of not having you in my life anymore," he quickly added. 
                          
Josh let out a sad sigh. "I was a wreck last night I'm sorry," he repeated. "I was tired and disturbed and I needed you because I knew you'd protect me and—" 
                          
Tyler gave his hand another gentle squeeze. "Don't be sorry. I would have felt the same way last night," he gave his boyfriend a small smile. "It warms my heart that you trust me that much and you want me to protect you though." 
                          
"Of course I do," Josh yawned out, giving Tyler a tired smile. 
                          
"Sleepy?"
                          
"No," Josh lied. 
                          
Tyler laughed and Josh's heart soared at the way his eyes twinkled. "C'mon, lets get you back to sleep and I'll lay there and cuddle you while you rest," he stood up and put his hand out for Josh to grab. 
                          
Josh grabbed the blanket but left it around his shoulders as he grabbed Tyler's hand. "Won't you get bored?" 
                          
"Nah," Tyler pulled Josh into his side. "I'm never bored when I'm with you." 
                          
--- 
                          
"Jenna! Stop!" 
                          
"Tyler! Stop!" She mimicked in a high pitches voice. "You lost at Mario Kart now I have to tickle you. That's the rule!" 
                          
"It's my birthday, tickle Josh!" 
                          
"Fuck you I won fair and square!" 
                          
"You used a mushroom for the mushroom gorge shortcut that's not fair or square!" 
                          
The three friends let out loud and genuine laughs as they all sat on Tyler's living room couch. 
                          
Josh let out a content sigh and leaned against Tyler as the later wrapped around his arms around the former and kissed his forehead. "I thought you weren't mentioning the B word," Josh teased. When the two gave him a weird look he elaborated. "Birthday." 
                          
"If it stops me from getting tickled then I'll use it," Tyler replied in an obvious tone. 
                          
"Okay, okay," Jenna smiled. "I know you said no presents—" 
                          
"Jenna!" 
                          
"You can't do anything to me!" She replied triumphantly as she got up and went to the kitchen. "I had Josh distract you so I could hide this in your cupboard." 
                          
"Josh!" 
                          
"Oops," Josh just shrugged with a smile. Tyler rolled his eyes but smiled as well. 
                          
Jenna returned a moment later with a round item wrapped in gift wrap. Tyler began unwrapping it with a confused face but beamed when he saw what it was. 
                          
Josh eventually saw what it was when it was revealed a completely. It was a basketball with Tyler's name and number on it. 
                          
"Do you like it?" Jenna asked nervously. 
                          
Tyler looked at her appreciatively. "I love it and I love you." 
                          
"Always and forever, bub." 
                          
Josh's stomach filled with a small sense of jealously at that but he forced a smile and looked at Tyler. "I got you a present as well." 
                          
"Guys," Tyler whined. 
                          
Josh reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a box. "I know we've only been dating for a month but—" 
                          
"Please tell me you're going to propose," Jenna joked. 
                          
Tyler shook his head. "I'd be the one to propose he's a bottom." 
                          
"You were too until you got turned," Jenna pointed out. 
                          
"Oh my God!" Tyler's face turned bright red as he covered it with his hands. "I tried to embarrass Josh and I got embarrassed." 
                          
"Funny how karma works," Josh teased. Tyler removed his hands but he had a smile on his face as it turned back to it's original shade. "Anyway," he handed the box to Tyler. "I hope you like it. If not, tell me to fuck off and I'll return it and give you cash instead."
                          
He watched Tyler open the box and his eyes lit up. He pulled out the bracelet that Josh had custom made for him. It said "J   T" on the outside. It was simple but he hoped Tyler liked it. 
                          
"Josh..." he let out a breath. He turned to the mentioned and kissed him deeply. "Thank you. I love it." 
                          
Jenna let out a sound of adoration. "Gay rights!" 
                          
Tyler and Josh cracked up before Josh pecked one more kiss to his boyfriend's lips. "I'm glad you love it." 
                          
"I know I said I didn't want to celebrate today but," Tyler smiled at the two. "This has easily been the best birthday ever."