CATEGORY: Fluff
FEATURING: best friends!Joshler
TRIGGER WARNINGS: None
PROMPT: Tyler's going on his first date, and it's with his best friend.
WORD COUNT: 1,688

Three outfits were laid out on Tyler's bed. The boy himself sat in his desk chair, looking at them and trying to decide which one would be best for the occasion ahead of him. This afternoon was Tyler's first date, so it was important that he picked something nice.

Normally, he'd call his best friend to help him decide, but the best friend was the date in question.

Tyler and Josh had been best friends since middle school, when they'd been assigned seats next to one another in biology. Now, they were in high school, and they'd grown up a bit. Tyler had developed a huge crush on Josh almost a year ago, but he'd never thought anything would come out of it. He was afraid to bring it up, not wanting to ruin their friendship.

Just a few days ago, though, something had changed between them. They'd been standing outside Tyler's locker in the hallways at school. Tyler had been rambling--he rambled a lot, about anything he found interesting--while Josh listened. He was a good listener, and always paid attention to what Tyler was saying when he rambled, where others would grow bored or disinterested.

"Daisies mean innocence and affection, chrysanthemums mean a life of ease, and peonies mean nobility and value," Tyler had said, shutting his locker after retrieving the textbook he needed. Class would be starting soon. "I just think it's cool that all these flowers have hidden meanings. It's like this whole secret code, and nobody ever takes advantage of it. We should take advantage of it."

Josh was staring at Tyler, and the latter stopped talking to look at him. "What?"

Without a word, Josh had suddenly leaned in, and kissed him.

It wasn't Tyler first kiss, but it was his best. It was broken, however, when the bell rang.

"I'll see you in class," Josh had said, his voice a bit breathy, giving Tyler a wide grin before disappearing down the hall.

On the way home, they walked together, and held hands. Josh had asked Tyler if he'd be willing to go on a date with him that Saturday. Of course, Tyler had said yes.

Tyler was brought out of his thoughts by the chirp of his phone. He pulled it out of his pocket and opened it up.

// 1 New Text From: "Josh" //
Josh: hey, i'll be over in fifteen minutes to pick you up, is that ok?

A smile played on Tyler's lips as he texted back.

Tyler: Yeah, I'll see you soon

At the last second, he sent a heart emoji, and was both pleased and relieved when Josh sent one back.

He only had fifteen minutes to get ready, though. Quickly, he picked one of the outfits he'd laid out--white undershirt, yellow hoodie, skinny jeans, and black vans. He got dressed and brushed his teeth in the bathroom. Just as he was fixing his hair--fluffy and just a bit messy, the way he liked it--the doorbell rang.

"Coming!" Tyler put his hairbrush away and quickly went downstairs to the front door. He did a brief once-over of his outfit before opening it.

Josh was standing there with a smile on his face and a flower in his hand. He was wearing a gray hoodie and skinny jeans with red vans. A black snapback was on his head, with a few freshly-dyed red curls peeking out here and there. He leaned in and kissed Tyler's cheek, making the latter blush. "Hey, Ty."

"Hi," Tyler said with a bright smile. He admired the flower in Josh's hand, a simple white daisy. "Is that for me?"

"Actually I brought this for your mom," Josh said casually. Tyler swatted at his arm playfully, and Josh laughed. "Nah, it's for you."

"Thank you." Tyler took the flower carefully.

"Daisies symbolize innocence and affection," Josh added.

Tyler beamed. "You remembered."

"Of course."

Maybe they would have kissed, but Tyler's mom appeared at the door. "Hello, boys. Just heading out?" She spotted the daisy in Tyler's hands. "What a lovely flower!" (a/n: I swear I make Mrs. Joseph interrupt them 90% of the time)

"Mhm." Tyler's smile grew wider. "Josh gave it to me."

"That was very kind of you, Josh. Do you want me to put it in a vase for you?" she added, looking at Tyler. The boy nodded and gave her the flower. "I'll put it on the desk in your room."

"Thank you." Tyler took a step down off the porch to stand near Josh. "I'll be back before dinner, okay mom?"

Mrs. Joseph nodded. "Have fun, stay safe, and text if you're going to be late."

"Will do."

----  ----  ----  ----

They were riding in Josh's car to destinations unknown. At least, unknown to Tyler. Josh hadn't told him where they were going, but he knew that he could trust him.

The car, a beat-up old corolla, was familiar to Tyler. He had his driver's license, but no car, so Josh was always the one who drove him to school. 

On the ride, they talked about various topics. Tyler rambled for a little while on the possiblity of life on other planets, and Josh happily joined in--he was a steadfast believer in extraterrestrial life, and rather knowledgeable about the subject.

Soon, they arrived at the A & J Creamery. This place was an ice cream shop, one that both boys knew well. They went here at least once a month, whether rain or shine. Tyler always said that ice cream was a dessert fit for any season, and Josh agreed.

They got out of the car and went inside together. There was a bit of a line, which was fine, because it gave them plenty of time to choose their flavors.

"What are you going to get?" Josh asked, lacing his fingers with Tyler's. It was still a relatively new experience for them both, but it felt perfectly natural.

"Strawberry." This was Tyler's favorite flavor, and one of his most frequent choices. "What about you?"

Josh squinted at the menu, apparently in need of a new pair of glasses. He liked all flavors of ice cream, even the ones with nuts in them. It was hard to predict what he was going to get. "Chocolate brownie, I think."

They soon reached the front of the line, and placed their orders. They'd come here plenty of times before, so they almost knew the owners-slash-employees of the business, Andy and Joe. Andy tallied up the price, while Joe scooped the ice cream.

Josh insisted on paying, but promised that Tyler could next time. Tyler liked that. He liked that Josh wasn't shutting him out on paying entirely, and the implied next time of the promise.

It was crowded inside, and the shop only had a few tables, which were taken. Instead, they went outside, and Josh hopped up onto the chassis of his short, used car. He patted the seat next to him.

With no hesitation, Tyler hopped up beside him, hips and shoulders brushing. They sat close to one another, and ate their ice cream.

It was a little warm, sitting in the sun, but the cold ice cream balanced it out. As usual, Tyler finished his ice cream first, eating the cone and putting the paper wrapping in his pocket. He leaned his head on Josh's shoulder, and Josh rested his head on Tyler's knee, and everything was perfect.

Halfway through a ramble on clouds, Tyler stopped when Josh took off his snapback and put it on Tyler's head. It was just a tiny bit big on him, and it slipped over his face. He giggled and pushed it up so he could see again. "What was that for?"

"Just wondered what you'd look like with my hat on," Josh said simply, a smile on his face.

"And what do you think?" Tyler asked shyly. This snapback was Josh's favorite, which he often wore--it was black, with 'I want to believe' stitched on with white thread.

"I think I was right." Josh turned the cap backwards so he could kiss Tyler's cheek. "You look adorable."

----  ----  ----  ----

The drive home was nice. They'd sat on the back of Josh's car for nearly half an hour after finishing their ice cream, just talking and holding hands.

Now Josh had turned on the radio to their favorite station. A Panic! At The Disco song was playing, one of Tyler's favorites. Quietly, his voice just above a whisper, he sang along.

"When the world gets too heavy
Put it on my back
I'll be your levee
You are taking me apart
Like bad glue on a get well card."

He caught Josh staring at him, and, feeling self-conscious, he mumbled a quiet apology.

"No, keep singing," Josh encouraged softly. "Please?"

And so, Tyler went on.

"It was always you
Falling for me
Now there's always time
Calling for me
I'm the light blinking at the end of the road
Blink back to let me know."

Before he could continue, they reached a stop sign, and Josh quickly leaned over the cup holders to kiss him. It was a soft, affectionate kiss, and it filled Tyler's chest with warmth.

Josh slowly pulled away, and started driving again. "Your voice is amazing," he said in a whisper.

For the rest of the drive, Tyler sang with the radio, and Josh drummed along to the beat on the steering wheel.

All too soon, they arrived at Tyler's house, and Tyler reluctantly got out of the car. "Do you want to come in?" he offered.

Josh shook his head. "I'd like to, but I'm supposed to watch Ashley and Abigail tonight. My parents are going out."

"Okay." Tyler leaned in the window and kissed him goodbye. "I'll text you later?"

"Sounds good." Josh smiled and watched as Tyler took a few steps down the sidewalk leading up to his house. He stopped, however, and turned back, having remembered something. "Wait, your hat." He took the black snapback off of his head.

Josh grinned at him. "Keep it. I'll have to come see you again to get it back."

Tyler grinned back, and waved as Josh drove down the street, until he was gone.

It was a wonderful first date, and hopefully there would be plenty more dates to follow.