Warnings: Family drama

Word Count: 2070

Request: No specific request, but a lot of people wanted a part four to this series :)

Author's Note: As per usual, make sure to read parts one, two, and three before you read this one so that it makes sense! This was really fun to write and I hope all of you enjoy it as much as I did :)

*     *     *

 "I like that one," you said as Tyler finished playing a melody. He turned and looked at you over his shoulder.

"You do?"

"Yeah, it's very calming to listen to."

"Noted."

Tyler grabbed his notebook and started to write something down. While he did that, you checked your phone to make sure your parents hadn't texted you and told you to come home. Ever since the huge fight with your mom nearly a week ago, you had spent most of your afternoons at Tyler's house. Being surrounded by his loving family helped you forget about all the drama happening in your own. You and your mom were barely speaking to one another, and your dad, not wanting to be in the middle, was barely speaking to anybody.

"Are you ok?" Tyler asked, lightly rubbing your arm.

"Yeah, I'm sorry. I started thinking about my parents again."

Tyler frowned, "I know. I'm sure your mom will come around eventually."

"I don't know, it's already been a week."

"She will, Y/N. I think it's just going to take her a little while to get used to the fact that we're... you know."

"Yeah, you're right," you said, forcing a smile. Although it didn't change anything, you appreciated Tyler's effort to be reassuring.

"Why don't we go downstairs and get a snack? My mom just bought stuff to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches."

"Ok."

Tyler gave you a quick kiss before standing up and walking into the hall. You rolled off his bed and followed after him, challenging him to a race down the stairs as you went. This resulted in the two of you in a pile in the entryway after Tyler took a corner too fast and brought you down with him. Thankfully the worst injury was Tyler hitting his funny bone against the floor.

"That's the last time I challenge you to a race down the stairs," you laughed as you offered him a hand to help him up.

"Sorry," he said. You covertly admired his tensed arm muscles as he pulled himself up. "I'm kind of competitive."

"Competitive is an understatement."

Zack and Maddy were already in the kitchen, bent over a pot of something on the stove. Since Kelly and Chris were out, Tyler decided to step in and be the responsible older brother.

"What are you two up to?" he asked, leaning in so he could get a better look at the stove.

"Making mac and cheese," Zack answered.

"Why does it matter?" Maddy asked, turning to Tyler. Before he had a chance to answer, she spotted you and started smiling. "Y/N! I didn't know you were here!"

She ran around the kitchen island and slid along the floor into your arms, nearly knocking you over. You smiled and hugged her tightly.

"I just wanted to make sure you weren't going to burn the house down," Tyler said. "Why are you standing over the water?"

"We're waiting for it to boil," Zack said. "It's taking forever and I'm starving."

"It would probably go faster if you distracted yourself with something else," you chimed in.

"Like what?" Zack said, turning to you.

"You could play a card game," you shrugged.

"Yes! Zack, let's play Go Fish."

"That's kind of hard to play with two people, Mads."

"Tyler? Y/N? Will you play?"

You turned to Tyler, deciding it was best to let him answer.

"We would love to, but I'm working on some music upstairs. We're just taking a break to have lunch."

"Aw," Maddy frowned.

"Tell you what, we can play card games tonight once Y/N goes home, ok?" he offered.

"Deal."

Maddy went back to watching the boiling water with Zack, meanwhile Tyler started to grab things to make your sandwiches. You took a seat at the counter, figuring you would still be able to help him while you were sitting down.

"Hey," Tyler said, swatting your hand away when you started to reach for the peanut butter, "I've got this."

"I can help, Ty."

"Just let me be nice," he said, looking up at you and smiling. "You've had a rough week."

You knew you wouldn't be able to argue that, so you sat back and waited for Tyler to finish making your sandwiches. When they were finally finished, you scooped up the plate before he had a chance to. The least you could do was carry them upstairs.

"Bye, Y/N!" Maddy said as you walked out of the kitchen.

"Bye, Maddy! Good luck with your mac and cheese."

"Thanks!"

Tyler shut the door when you got back up to his room. You each took a seat on the bed, close enough that your arms were pressed together, and grabbed one of the sandwiches from the plate. Tyler let you vent about your family while you ate, nodding thoughtfully as he took bite after bite. By the time you finished, it felt like a weight had been lifted from your shoulders.

"Thanks for letting me rant," you said, laying back on his bed. "I haven't wanted to talk about everything because I didn't want to make you feel bad, but holding it in wasn't doing me any favors."

Tyler leaned back next to you and wrapped his arms around your waist.

"You would never make me feel bad, Y/N. I want to be here for you no matter what's going on."

"Thanks, Ty. I appreciate that," you said, giving him a quick kiss.

"You're welcome."

"You know, I'm kind of sad that I'm going to miss out on sibling game night though," you laughed.

"Don't be," Tyler laughed. "Zack always ends up cheating, then Maddy gets upset, Jay throws all the pieces everywhere when he's there, and I end up having to mediate it all."

"Every time?"

"Every time," he sighed.

"Ok, maybe I'm ok with missing it."

"Exactly."

"Still, I like your family."

"They like you too. My mom is always asking about you."

"She is?"

"Yeah. I mean, she did that before, but she does it even more now that she knows we're dating. Then Maddy hears me talking about you and starts asking me a million questions."

"That's sweet," you smiled.

"Yeah, I like having an excuse to talk about you."

"Of course you do."

You turned in Tyler's arms so that you were facing one another, your noses mere inches apart. He started to smile.

"What?" you laughed.

"You're really pretty and it makes me nervous."

"Oh, stop. You're much prettier than I am."

Tyler's eyebrows furrowed, "Are you sure about that?"

"One hundred percent."

"Then I think you need to get your eyes checked."

"Do not."

"Do too."

Rather than continuing your back and forth, you leaned forward and kissed Tyler. He moved one hand from your waist to your cheek, pulling you closer. You grabbed at the fabric of his t-shirt.

Footsteps started to come up the stairs and Tyler immediately pulled away, sitting up straight so that only your legs were barely touching. A moment later, Maddy popped her head into Tyler's room.

"Do either of you want some mac and cheese? I wanted to check before Zack steals it all."

"I'm ok. Y/N?" Tyler said, turning to you. His cheeks were bright pink.

"I'm ok," you smiled.

"Thanks for checking, Mads."

"No problem," she smiled before disappearing again.

You and Tyler turned to face one another and immediately started laughing.

"Your face," you grinned, "it's so pink."

"I'm embarrassed! First you were," Tyler dropped his voice, "kissing me and then all of a sudden Maddy was coming up the stairs!"

"It's ok, it was cute."

You had just leaned in again when your phone started to buzz in your pocket. Your lips barely brushed against Tyler's and then you were sitting back again, lifting your hips so you could grab your phone from your pocket.

"Shit, it's my mom," you said, standing up and bringing the phone to your ear. "Hello?"

"Where are you?" Your mom's tone was sharp.

"I'm at Tyler's."

"I need you to come home."

"Right now?" you frowned.

"Yes."

"Ok, I'll be there soon."

You ended the call without another word and turned to Tyler. He was already frowning.

"I'm sorry," you sighed.

"It's fine. I know how it is."

He stood up and held his arms out. You buried your face in his chest and held onto him tightly, trying to hide how upset you were by the fact that your day had been cut short.

"I'm sure she just wants you home for dinner."

"Hopefully."

Tyler gave you one more kiss before walking with you down the stairs. He leaned against the railing while you laced up your shoes.

"I'll see you soon," he said as he pulled open the door.

You glanced around the entryway before giving him a final kiss. "Text me, ok?"

"I always do."

You waved to Tyler as you walked down the front steps and grabbed your bike from where you had left it in the yard. At least the bike ride home would give you some time before you had to face your mom.

*     *     *

The house was near silent as you walked inside, the only sound coming from Percy's nails clicking against the wood floors as he came running towards you. You bent down and scratched at his ears until he finally calmed down enough for you to unlace your shoes and set them near the door. Once they were off, you started to creep slowly through the house, listening for any sound that would give away where your parents were.

"I need to talk to you."

The sound of your mom's voice from a few feet away scared you enough to make you jump. You closed your eyes and breathed deeply, trying to calm down your anger before you ended up snapping and making the situation between the two of you worse. When you felt calm again, you turned to look at her.

"Here?"

"Yes. Take a seat."

You did as she said and sat down on the couch across from her. She was sitting in her favorite chair, her hands crossed so tightly in her lap that her knuckles were nearly white. A chill ran down your spine as you leaned back into the cushions, trying to look as comfortable as possible as you met her eyes. You weren't about to let your mom know how scared you were for what she was about to say.

"I've been doing something thinking about the fight we had last week."

Deep breaths. Maintain eye contact. Keep your voice steady.

"About Tyler?" you asked.

"Yes." You raised your eyebrows, waiting for her to continue. There were already a list of counter-arguments lined up in your head; the week without your phone had given you plenty of time to think. "I want to apologize for how I reacted. You're not a child anymore and it's not fair for me to continue to treat you like one. Although I may not agree with your choices, it is also not my place to control them. If Tyler makes you happy, then I will do my best to support you."

Your eyebrows shot up in surprise. Although it wasn't the perfect apology, you knew it was the best you would get from your mom. Her attempting to support your relationship with Tyler was more than enough for you.

"Thank you, Mom. That means a lot to me."

"You're welcome."

"Is there anything else?"

"No, that's all."

You stood up and started to walk out of the room, but stopped yourself after a few steps. Even if there was still some residual frustration with your mom after the way she had treated you over the last week, you still wanted to give her some sort of sign that things between you were ok. Saying it didn't feel like quite enough to show how thankful you were.

Your mom looked up at you as you walked over to her and held out your arms. She allowed herself a small smile as she stood up and wrapped her arms around you, holding you tightly.

"I love you, sweetheart," she said.

"I love you too, Mom."

When she finally let go of you, you called Percy and took the stairs up to your room two at a time, unable to keep the smile off of your face.