*Troye's POV*

Surprisingly, the store was still in-tact when we arrived in front of it. It was also still booming with people, if not even more than before. I sighed heavily, watching a particularly bad child running around and waving a costume above his head while his mother yelled at him to put it back. This was not going to be a fun endeavor at all, was it? Tyler shifted next to me, and I tensed a moment later when I felt his hand on the small of my back, traveling lower and grabbing my keys out of my pocket. 

"They don't allow food in the store. I'm going to drop these off in your car, I'll be right back. Locate the nuisances." He promised me, smiling broadly before taking off at a quick pace toward the doors we'd came in from. Well great, now I get to face it all on my own. I could wait for him to go back, or go after him, but imagine how pathetic that would be. I'm eighteen, not ten, I'm fully capable of going into a store on my own and not getting lost or overwhelmed.

That was the train of thought I had as I determinedly walked into the store, though it vanished when I was suddenly surrounded by people, encased in a crowd of them. I kept my limbs tucked tightly against my body, only looking up from my feet to make sure I wasn't going to run into anyone. No one looked particularly happy about their last-minute shopping in the small and busy store, and I really didn't want a near-repeat of the Jenna incident. I gnawed on the inside of my bottom lip, glancing over my shoulder like I expected Tyler to rush up behind me. When I didn't see him I let out a quiet sigh, continuing through the destroyed aisles and maneuvering my way through people. I was doing pretty well too, until I tripped over a stray pitchfork and had to catch myself on a woman standing in front of me. 

What the fuck. Is someone really trying to cop a feel here of all places?

My eyes went wide realizing where my hands had landed, one on her hip and the other on her butt. Oh god, leave it to me, accident prone Troye strikes yet again. She turned around with a glare in her eyes, before actually taking time to take in my appearance. I wasn't sure if I was relieved or disgusted that that had her expression changing to a welcoming one, but I was one-hundred percent sure I was getting out of there.

"Sorry!" I blurted, darting around her and into the next aisle in a jog. I let out a breath of relief when I realized this one was nearly empty, before taking in the contents and realizing it was all scanty lingerie and sexual costumes of things that should never be sexual. Well, on the upside, things could have been worse, I could have run into Sage in this aisle. I turned on my heel, eyes going wide when they fell on the approaching group of people. Why the hell Caspar, his goons, and Jenna were headed toward the sexual aisle suddenly didn't matter, my only thought to get the hell out of there before they saw me. Oh god, I could just imagine the things they'd imply about Shane and I now. I rushed in the opposite direction, running out and catching myself before I ran into anyone. Which was a pretty huge accomplishment, considering I'd just ran into the bulk of the crowd; the discount section. 

I gasped, swallowing the lump in my throat and looking around at them wide-eyed. I was also aware of the fact Caspar's gang was getting closer, considering I could hear them chatting and Jenna giggling femininely. But the people were literally everywhere, making a quick escape next to impossible unless I actually wanted to shove my way through. Imagine all the thoughts I'd hear if I did that, I couldn't risk it. I couldn't risk turning around either though, Caspar's cruel laugh ringing in my ears. I actually felt like I was going to cry, before my eyes fell on what seemed to be my only escape; a girl walking out of the changing room. It wasn't the girl herself, obviously, but more-so the closed-off private space that was the tiny changing cubicle. I lurched forward, running faster than I thought possible. I reached it just as someone else did, our eyes locking before I gave her the cold shoulder and ducked into the room. I heard an annoyed grunt as the door clicked shut, but I also didn't care, locking it and walking to the wall furthest from the door. 

After a few seconds of just solely standing there and listening to my own labored breathing, my heart was finally beginning to stop racing. I sunk back against the wall, sinking down onto my butt and letting my face fall into my hands. Wow, Troye, way to prove you're capable of being in a crowded store on your own. I tugged at my hair, groaning as I considered just how sad this really was. I was letting this stupid thing control my life. And it wasn't even a recent thing, I had been for years, I guess it just took meeting Tyler to realize it. He was everything I'd needed, his personality complimented mine in every way possible. But what if he didn't think the same? Or what if we did get together only to break-up? I needed him so much more than what was healthy to need another person. 

What if he doesn't even need me at all?

I was interrupted from my own dark thoughts by a knock on the door, and though I wasn't even sure my voice would work right now, I also realized whoever it was wouldn't go away unless I told them it was occupied. They'd assume it was empty and someone accidentally locked it behind them or something.

"I'm in here!" I explained, cursing my voice for sounding so shaky. Normal people do not cry while trying on Halloween costumes.

"I know you are, doofus, let me in before someone gets suspicious." My eyes went wide with understanding when I heard Tyler's voice, not even considering the situation for a second before pushing off the floor and scrambling to unlock the door. After I had I pulled it open just slightly, immediately met with Tyler's concerned eyes as he pushed it open further and crowded into the small room with me. He closed it behind him, immediately locking the door. It wasn't like a closet or anything, slightly bigger than the average bathroom stall, but that didn't really matter considering how close he crowded to me anyway. I backed away from him until my back hit the wall, but he continued advancing until he was standing directly in front of me, bringing his hands up to either side of my head and leaning against the wall. 

"Are you crying?" He asked softly, his huge eyes flickering over my face behind their frames. I shrugged my shoulders, trying to find somewhere to look other than into those pools of dark bluey-green. I didn't really want to admit it, but technically the tear stains on my cheeks already had, so it's not like I could try to deny it.

"Oh, uh, yeah, just a little bit-" He cut my off, actually bringing one of his hands down between us to clamp it over my mouth. I promptly ripped it off, though I did stay silent as I waited to hear what he had to say.

"Did Caspar run into you? Because I swear to god I will rip-"

"No! No ripping necessary! It was just the crowds in general, they kind of got to me. It's fine, really, I'm just being an over-sensitive little baby." I muttered, my eyes falling to his chest for lack of anywhere else to look. Not that I was complaining, actually taking a split second to get distracted from my problems and admire how nicely that tight t-shirt hugged the planes of his chest.

"No, you're not, Troye. There is nothing wrong with not liking crowds." He reassured me, his hands coming down to rest on either side of my face. I was still tense, but I didn't pull away or anything, just sighing contently and letting my eyes fall shut as I concentrated on the feeling of his soft palm against my face.

"There's a difference between not liking something and being terrified of it to the point you run away and cry, Tyler." I said levelly, trying not to let how bitter I really was over the situation show. I didn't want him to feel sorry for me, there were people out there that deserved his pity more than I did. Still, his eyes flooded with concern and he slowly shook his head, clearly disagreeing with me yet again.

"There's also a difference between being afraid of something and having a genuine inability to do it. So many people have the same problems you do, Troye, you wouldn't believe it." So many people have the problem of being forced to read other's minds, I'm sure. That's definitely why there's absolutely no support groups, cures, or mind-readers anonymous sites.

"You're right, I don't believe it." I spat, tearing my face away from him in a random bout of bitterness. It wasn't fair, that I had to be the only one stuck dealing with this. Sure there were billions of people in the world and there was a good possibility I wasn't alone, but it still felt like I was, and I still wanted to wallow in self-pity.

"Well, it's true, whether you want to believe so or not."

"Assuming it is, how do they cope? Do they just avoid situations like that or is there like a medication I can take and make it all go away?" His lip curled up in obvious distaste when I said this, his hands coming back to my body yet again despite the fact I'd just pushed him off. They came to rest on my hips, squeezing them slightly as he pulled me into a tighter embrace. I decided it was useless to fight it at this point, even hunching over slightly to let my forehead rest against his shoulder.

"They all do it differently, I guess. I don't know how much I like the thought of you just numbing yourself with some pill though." He muttered, his breath hitting the top of my head as he spoke. I was aware of the fact my hair was probably tickling his chin and annoying him in this position, but I was too comfortable to care.

"Well, if it makes me happy then who cares."

"I care. There's better ways to achieve happiness, you know." He whispered, making me roll my eyes as I realized exactly what kind of conversation this was becoming. It wasn't just him comforting me now, he was going to do one of those 'giving you advice' talks that had never helped me in the past. And trust me, I'd heard many of them, on things from my social anxiety to my inability to do simple math equations.

"Like what?" I asked, deciding to give him the benefit of a doubt. Who knows, maybe hot best friends give better advice than concerned parents.

"Sports, partying, food, hobbies, pets... people." My eyebrows quirked up at how shyly he'd said the last option, though he couldn't see that considering our position. What was it exactly he was getting at here? Please tell me it's a really awkward way to ask me out, because that would most definitely be the best form of cheering up anyone has ever done for me.

"People?" I pried, lifting my head off his shoulder to lock eyes with him, practically begging him to elaborate.

"Yeah, like someone who matters so much to you that you just forget about everything when you're around them. You get lost in them, sorta like a healthier substitute to a pill." He explained, not once breaking his eyes away from mine. I didn't look away either, still clinging to the hope he was going to add more. Even just a simple 'I could be yours' would be enough for me. But when he didn't, I let out a loud sigh, shaking my head and looking away from him down at the floor.

"Except people can leave you and medication can't." I mumbled, narrowing my eyes into a glare at the floor. Tyler reacted immediately to my words though, pulling me even closer to him to the point our entire bodies lined-up. I didn't have the time to be bashful about it though, considering he was replying to me already.

"Just be careful who you put your faith in, I assure you there are people out there that'd never leave your side... Not in a million years." Okay, so he might not have said he was talking about himself, but he heavily implied it. I guess that was enough for me, for now. Besides, whether he knew it or not, he'd already been my personal happiness in human form for weeks.

I was going to voice that too, and make it an even sappier moment, when the dreaded noise of someone knocking on the door loudly and impatiently had us both sighing quietly.

"We should go, people are waiting out there." I mumbled first, knowing Tyler wasn't going to back away unless I assured him that was what I wanted him to do.

"Yeah." He sighed, sliding his arms off of me and stepping aside. I took his hint, moving forward so I could be the one to open the door. I unlocked it slowly, almost worried for who's face was going to be on the other side. Even if it was just some stranger, the fact had just set in that it probably looked pretty suspicious being in here with Tyler.

I opened the door just a crack at first, and the second I seen the face on the other side I tried to slam it back shut, but it was too late as Sage's palm came down on the door and she fought against me.

"What the hell, Troye? Get out, I need to try on some costumes!" She growled, using the majority of her body weight as she leaned against the door. I could only imagine the confused and panicked expression Tyler would have on right now behind me as he tried to figure out what the hell was going on. As expected, Sage won the battle after a matter of seconds, though I was slightly proud of myself for holding out that long. I stumbled out of the way as she swung the door open, watching her through my eyelashes guiltily as she reacted to the boy standing behind me. First she just looked confused, furrowing her brows and looking over at me in obvious disbelief. Though, she must have found some sort of confirmation in my expression, because then hers changed to something completely different. Something I'd been both expecting and dreading. Mirth danced in her eyes, a wicked smirk invading her face before her giggle filled the room.

"Holy shit! Troye! I am so telling Mom!" She shouted, pointing at Tyler like I'd forgotten he was there or something. I did take the opportunity to look at him and gauge his reaction though, blushing crimson as I watched the realization dawn across his every feature.

"It's not what it looks like you awful little gremlin." I snapped after I was sure Tyler wasn't going to freak out over the assumptions she was making or anything, turning to her and watching as she stepped toward me. I eyed her warily, confused as she simply reached up and sat her hand over my heart. After a couple seconds, her knowing smirk returned, and she locked eyes with me again.

"Your breathing's heavy, your heart's racing, you're crimson in the face, and neither of you actually took a costume in there with you to change. I'm pretty sure it's exactly what it looks like." She purred, her tone laced with mischief as she reached into her pocket to retrieve her phone. I bit my lip, realizing how incriminating the situation probably would look to someone else. My breathing was heavy from crying, my heart racing from panicking when I found her standing outside the door, my face red from embarrassment over the topic, and the costume thing having to do with how I ran in here to hide. I couldn't explain all that to her, and even if I tried she wouldn't listen. She didn't hear anything she didn't want to, that was simple Sage logic.

"Sage, please don't." My voice was void of anger now, just solely pleading as I searched her eyes for any flicker of compassion. 

"Calling her right now." She muttered simply, making it crystal clear that there was none there to find. Okay, pleading isn't going to work, I'll have to try begging and bribery.

"Sage! I'll buy your costume for you or I'll-"

"Get out or I'll call the store manager over and say you're sexually harassing me." She snapped, successfully banishing any of my lingering hopes of getting my way. I hung my head as I walked out the door, followed closely by Tyler. I looked up just in time to lock eyes with her as she greeted my mother with 'guess what?!', glaring and uttering the most familiar words spoken between us.

"I fucking hate you." I growled, watching her roll her eyes and close the door, not impressed by the squeal I heard her make a moment later. Were they excited over me presumably doing Tyler Oakley in a changing stall? I will honestly never understand girls.

I marched away from the door with my lips in a tight line, glaring challengingly at every pair of wandering eyes that landed on me. Honestly, Caspar could walk up to me right now and I'd probably end up telling him off. I was not in the mood to put up with anyone. But Tyler, being the utterly amazing friend he was, wasn't going to leave it at that. He was going to try everything he could to cheer me up, whether it worked or not.

"Hey, cheer up. Is it really so bad? Let them assume things." He whispered, carelessly slinging an arm around my shoulders. I just shook my head though, looking up at him and locking gazes.

"Let them assume things? Do you realize now my entire family is going to try to give me the sex talk yet again and stare at you weirdly every time you're around the house? God, they're gonna think I let you take my virginity in a changing stall!" I groaned, watching his eyes go wide at how loud my tone had been. I noticed some girl give us a sideways glance, but once again, I couldn't be bothered to care as I continued dragging my feet as I walked beside him. At first he seemed at a loss for what to reply to that with, clearly realizing his stupid comforting wasn't going to work. I was beginning to think he'd given up hope altogether when a cheeky grin spread across his face.

"Who said that was our first time?" I immediately shoved him away, sulking even harder than usual over his teasing. I shoved my hands in my pockets and stomped ahead of him, refusing to admit to myself how much his flirty words like that got to me. I wasn't even aware I was heading to the exit of the store until I felt Tyler's hand grab my wrist and keep me from leaving. "Let's go get our costumes real quick, then you're free to make your dramatic stompy exit."

"Fine."

I was somehow still blushing and pouting when we emerged from the store, both of us with bright-orange shopping bags now in hand. We hadn't even bothered to try them on, Tyler thankfully understanding my rush to get out of there. I wasn't even sure if it was more the crowds or my grumpy mood now, but I did know that I wanted nothing to do with that store or anything similar. I just wanted to be alone. Well, the version of alone that could include Tyler. My version of alone.

He had been surprisingly quiet since the whole changing stall ordeal, only speaking up once to sarcastically hold up a sexy maid costume and tell me I should buy it. That had earned him a shove and a smack over the head with my actual costume, the black-and-white striped burglar outfit. And in case you were wondering, yes, it did come with fake handcuffs. 

Now, he was walking beside me with his hands shoved into his pockets, the bag's handle resting on his wrist instead of wrapped up in his fingers. We were heading toward the nearest bench, one directly in front of the store. Tyde was sitting on it, talking on his phone and looking like a general idiot as he guffawed loudly at whatever the other person said. That didn't stop us from approaching though, and seconds later we were both falling onto the bench with him. I sat in the middle, not wanting to deal with my sibling but also wanting Tyler to even less. He was too good to me as it was, he didn't deserve to play babysitter too. After only a few seconds I heard Tyde utter the words 'they're here, gotta go' and I knew exactly who was on the other end of the call. Before I could warn Tyler, he was already hanging up and speaking to the two of us.

"Sage just called me. Two weeks out of the closet and you're already getting some-"

"Don't even say it." I cut him off, glaring at him challengingly. I didn't want him to elaborate on something like that, I didn't even want him talking about my non-existent sex life.

"Say what?" He blurted stupidly, tilting his head to the side and looking genuinely confused. I couldn't tell if he was joking around with me or actually curious, but I guessed being blunt was the quickest way to deal with either.

"Ass." I stated blandly, watching as his eyes went wide with obvious distress. He looked very uncomfortable as he rose from his seat, blurting some excuse about having to go pick something up at the electronics store before darting off to his left. I giggled after he was gone, strangely amused at his misfortune. I guess I was just in a sadist mood right now, wanting everyone else to be as miserable as I was. For a second I wondered if Tyler was uncomfortable as well, but one glance in his direction had that thought flying out the window. He didn't look uncomfortable at all, only curious as he seemingly tried to study my face to find something. "What?"

"Soo, you are, uh... you're saying that you're a top?" He asked, his words coming out in a jumbled mess and his tone strangely quiet given how loud it usually was. I understood all of it though, much to my dismay as what he was actually asking sunk in. Shit. Had I really let something like that slip? I wasn't sure why, but it felt like crossing some sort of boundary to have him know something like that. Oh yeah, the boundary where 'straight' best friends show interest in what happens in the bedroom of their gay best friend. Or, what doesn't happen in their bedroom, if we're talking about our individual situation.

"Well, I mean, I don't really know. I've never really done anything before, but, I, uh, I'm leaning toward that, yeah." I mentally cursed myself for how broken-up the sentences had came out, realizing I was only adding to the awkward vibe. But how was one supposed to say something like that without it being awkward? 

"Cool." I rolled my eyes at his stupid response, realizing he was making it awkward much worse than I was.

"Yeah, Tyler, definitely 'cool'." I laughed sarcastically, earning a quiet huff from him as he crossed his arms and leaned back against the bench.

"What else do you want me to reply with? 'Oh, looks like Caspar celebrating you taking it up the butt was in vain!'." He made dramatic arm gestures as he said the Caspar thing, but it didn't make his sarcastic joke any more entertaining. I just shook my head, locking eyes with him and giving him a stern look.

"Too soon. Inappropriate. Never talk about this again." I stated, watching as he nodded in agreement to everything I said. I thought I'd heard the end of the topic after that, not-so-pleasantly surprised when he cleared his throat a moment later.

"Well, you don't have to know right now anyway, it's not like you've got to figure it out any time soon... Right?"

"What are you asking? If I plan on fucking anyone soon?" I blurted, letting my confusion by his words outwardly show. His eyes went wide at how bluntly I'd put it, earning one of those rare elusive Tyler Oakley blushes you barely ever seen because it was near impossible to make him feel bashful.

"No! I just meant, like, is there a chance it'd be soon? With your crush, sorta thing." I rolled my eyes at this, partly because how adorably oblivious he was, but mostly because he was more-or-less asking the exact same question I'd accused him of asking, just in a nicer way. Part of me wanted to cut the conversation off and refuse to tell him, before realizing he was asking because he was genuinely interested. Whether he was being a protective best friend, scoping out the competition, or getting downright jealous, that was an adorable thing when you thought about it, that he actually cared that much.

"I wouldn't bet on it, he's not even out of the closet yet, assuming that he actually is gay." I answered honestly, watching his eyes light up more than necessary at the new information.

"Oh."

"Which I am assuming, because if he's not gay then he is just the thirstiest man alive." I added, watching him blush like he just knew it was him I was talking about. It was cocky of him to assume that, but I guess I had made it pretty clear at this point. Honestly if he accused me of liking him right now I'd own up to it. I'm not going to bring it up on my own though, hell no.

"Who knows, maybe he's both." He added, a cheeky smile finding it's way to his features. I just rolled my yes, stretching and pulling the classic cheesy move of letting my arm come back down around his shoulders.

"Probably." After that we sat in total silence, but a comfortable one. We were just saturating in each other's presence as we took in the hectic lives of other people around us. Some looked like they were ready to murder people, others like they were on cloud nine. It was weird how much their moods varied actually, considering they were all in the same atmosphere. It really had me thinking, about how they all had previous events that affected how they were acting right now. Each and every one of them had their own life, own thoughts, and own struggles on their minds as they buzzed around that stupid costume store. That was fascinating to think about, to say the least.

My train of thought continued like that until a head of long brown hair walked out of the establishment, immediately spotting us and skipping over.

"Mom wants you to call her." She beamed immediately, looking back and forth between Tyler and I with some sort of knowing smirk like she knew something we didn't. I just rolled my eyes, sinking my body further against Tyler's.

"Well, she can wait. Currently, I have a murder to plot." I growled, eyeing her darkly like I actually intended on following through with my words. She didn't seem fazed though, instead just standing on her tippy-toes and seemingly scanning around for Tyde. After spotting him and waving him over, she turned back to us.

"You were the idiot that did it in a changing stall with your siblings in the same store. Talk about slutty." Her accusing voice and know-it-all attitude was really beginning to get on my nerves know, to the point I was really thankful I had Tyler in my arms to keep me grounded. We got up and started walking alongside my siblings then, hurriedly heading toward the exit. We were halfway there when Tyde and Sage's constant giggling behind us suddenly became too much for me and I spun around.

"I didn't do anything! Right, Tyler? We didn't do anything?" I asked desperately, looking to him for confirmation and finding absolutely none. I watched him shrug his shoulders noncommittally, my blood heating up in anger when I realized he was gonna tease me too. "This is not the fucking time, Tyler."

"Well, I guess it depends what you categorize as 'anything' because we did do some things in there-"

"Sexual things. Did we do anything sexual?" I interrupted, being blunt once again in hopes of surprising him and actually getting him to answer my question. He remained composed though, reaching up to stroke at his imaginary beard before looking directly at Sage and muttering his next sentence.

"I really don't think it's Sage's place to know about these things. I like to keep my private life private, thank-you." I groaned loudly at this, knowing exactly how they were going to take that. They were rushing off ahead seconds later, singing the familiar playground song about kissing in trees and baby carriages, this particular rendition with Tyler and I's names woven into the tale.

Now that they were out of the way I decided to actually address Tyler and his risky behavior, turning to him and glaring.

"You know, before I met you I didn't think straight boys joked about having gay sex as much as they do." I snapped, hoping the words were enough to make him stutter or blush. I didn't get either though, watching his calm and collected face as he simply wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me closer.

"Are you implying what happened in that changing stall was a joke, Sivan?" I couldn't help but laugh at his falsely-offended tone, though still slightly annoyed with him.

"I have no idea why I put up with you, honestly."

"Because I'm your favorite person in the entire world, clearly." He beamed, holding me against his side tighter as we walked out into the busy parking lot. They were cars and I was pretty certain I could maneuver my way through them on my own, but Tyler didn't seem like he could be convinced. We were about halfway across the lot when he stopped in his tracks, realizing his last words had gone without reply. "You're not going to deny it?"

"I figure it's only fair, considering you didn't deny being gay." I replied smoothly, eyeing his face desperately for some sort of reaction. Shock flickered in his eyes for a moment so small I had to wonder if it had happened at all, and then he was back to the cool emotionless mask he seemed to have perfected over the years.

"Fair's fair, I guess." My eyes went wide at this, realizing he had once again managed to avoid both admitting and denying my implications. Please tell me he actually plans to come out soon and stops with the little teasers, it's too much suspense for my heart.

A/n: Okay hi, how are all you little sugar bumpkin bomumpkins? I'm absolutely stellar, in case you were wondering. On cloud nine, truly. Eek, I was going to update in a couple days but idk I'm excited and cheery at 4am so here you go <3 First of all, two things that I know you've probably already commented on. ONE; that changing room scene was actually not just me being cheeky and referencing his happy little pill song for a change, it actually does contribute to the plot because it's showing how later on when he writes the song, Tyler was his inspiration. TWO, I knowwwwww the scene where he asked if he was a top was awkward, it was kinda supposed to be can you imagine that not being awkward? Okay idk, so yeah, Troye's a top this fic. I've never done anything where they weren't both versatile, I'm idkk, mixed feelings. I might end up making them versatile for at least one smut, depending how many I do. Also, while we're on the topic of smut and I'm rambling, I am very open to like suggestions on what you'd like to see and how much you'd like to see of it. I only have two planned smut scenes but do to popular request in the comments im considering a lotttttttt more, so tell me if you want that. (I'll put warnings beforehand for all of you that don't too). Also, yes, next chapter is finally the halloween ones starting but like you might have to wait a couple days or whatever bc idk, laziness mostly.