CATEGORY: Fluff, Christmas, holidays
FEATURING: gamer!Josh and musician!Tyler
TRIGGER WARNING: none :3
PROMPT: Tyler and Josh are friends online, and it's Christmas Day.
WORD COUNT: Approximately 743

tylerrjoseph: merry christmas! <3

That was the message I woke to from my best friend, Tyler. Tyler and I were internet friends; we'd met on YouTube when we started following each others' channels. I had a gaming channel, nothing fancy, and Tyler had a channel where he performed song covers, as well as doing a few original songs or vlogs. It had turned out that he lived not too far from me, and we became friends in real life, too. However, his family had to move away for his dad's job, and then we were reduced to talking long-distance.

Tyler lived in Columbus, Ohio, while I lived in Los Angeles. We had met twice since he'd moved away, once when Tyler and his family had gone to Disneyland with me and my family, and once on my birthday, when I had enough money saved up for a plane ticket to Columbus.

Seeing the heart at the end of Tyler's message made me aware of my own heart, which, despite my insistance that I was straight, had a huge crush on Tyler. I knew he was bisexual, but I figured he'd never feel the same way about me as I felt about him. We were best friends, nothing more. Right?

joshuadun: Merry Christmas, Tyler! <3

tylerrjoseph: your family hosting that christmas party again this year?

Last year on Christmas, my family had gotten together and decided to start hosting a yearly Christmas party. Tyler's parents had been fighting that year over money, so there had been no Christmas for Tyler that holiday. I had ignored my family's party and holed myself up in my room, so I could keep my best friend company.

joshuadun: I think so but they didn't miss me last year, so I don't think they'll notice if I'm there or not this year

tylerrjoseph: gonna make any special gamingmas videos?

joshuadun: Probably at some point, you make any Christmas covers?

tylerrjoseph: yeah, I made one:  

joshuadun: Cool, I'll check it out!

I clicked on the link and it took me to Tyler's YouTube channel.

I'll Be Home For Christmas -- Cover

I put my earbuds in and hit play.

"Hey, guys," Tyler said with a little wave, which was his quick, signature introduction. I loved how shy and cute he was in front of the camera--although he was just as shy and cute in real life, too.

"I wanted to dedicate this song to my best friend, Josh," he went on, making my heart leap up in my throat. "Josh, you've been there for me when I needed you, and you've encouraged me to keep making covers and also upload songs of my own."

The Tyler on the screen took a deep breath before continuing. "And if I'm being honest, over the last year I've started to develop feelings for you." A blush crept up his cheeks, and he smiled sheepishly. "So, yeah, Josh, this song is for you."

I listened as he began to sing a soft, sweet version of the song. I closed my eyes and just let his voice fill my ears, stunned by the news he had delivered.

Once the song was finished, I opened my eyes again. Tyler gave the camera another small wave, and a smile. "Thank you all for listening, see you next time!" Then the video ended.

I was still in a minor state of shock, so I just closed my eyes and took it in. Tyler had feelings for me. Granted, he hadn't explained what those feelings were...but still, feelings. That was something.

Upon returning to our chat, I found three new messages from him.

tylerrjoseph: sorry if it's weird

tylerrjoseph: please don't hate me

tylerrjoseph: josh?

joshuadun: I could never hate you, Tyler

tylerrjoseph: did you like the video?

joshuadun: I loved it <3

tylerrjoseph: <3

tylerrjoseph: does that mean you have feelings for me too?

This was it. The moment where I would tell Tyler the truth about how I felt.

joshuadun: Yes

joshuadun: I like you, Tyler

tylerrjoseph: I like you too <3

joshuadun: <3

tylerrjoseph: also, I have a surprise for you

joshuadun: It better not be another festive Pepe the frog meme

tylerrjoseph: lol not this time

tylerrjoseph: my parents gave me a plane ticket for Christmas

My heart caught in my throat again. A broad smile spread across my face.

joshuadun: Does that mean...?

tylerrjoseph: yes, josh, i'm coming to see you on january 5th <3

tylerrjoseph: i may not be home for christmas, but i'll be there

joshuadun: And that's the best gift I could ever ask for <3