Howdy! Here I'm posting the epilogue for my story blossom. I decided not to post it in the book because if I want to delete it later I can. Enjoy :)
Tyler sighed in relief as he walked out of his last class of the year. He was officially done with his four years of college but in the fall he was back to school to earn his PhD to become a research scientist.
He was exhausted to say the least.
The boy was so tired that as he was walking out, he didn't realize who was waiting for him until it was almost two late.
"You're just gonna leave me here alone?" a voice spoke as Tyler was about to walk past to get to the bus stop. He froze and turned to see his boyfriend leaning against his car.
"Joshua!" Tyler gasped happily. Joshua opened his arms and Tyler hugged him tightly, pressing his face against his chest the best his could with his glasses. "Goodness, I've missed you so much," he mumbled into his shirt.
Joshua kissed his boyfriend's forehead. "It took me asking about four different people which class your building was in because no one seemed to trust me," he chuckled.
Tyler pulled away and looked up at him in adoration. "The people at Harvard are like that," he smiled bashfully.
"Let's get in," Joshua kissed his lips quickly before walking around to the driver's side, leaving Tyler to slip into the passenger's.
As soon as the door was closed Tyler was leaning over and pressing a soft kiss to Joshua's lips. His boyfriend grabbed his face, kissing back desperately. When they broke the kiss, Tyler was beaming. "I though you were coming here tomorrow. I'm so sorry I completely ignored you; I'm exhausted from my finals."
"I was drove up early because I wanted to surprise you," Joshua grinned back. They both looked as if they smiled anymore their faces would fall off. It's been a couple months since they last saw each other on Tyler's spring break.
"Best surprise ever," Tyler giggled out as he leaned in for another kiss.
"Mmm," Joshua hummed into the kiss before it ended. "I like it when you're touchy. Maybe we can get touchy in your apartment later..." he said the last part quietly, hinting at it.
"You just want me for my body, Joshua," Tyler sighed and pulled back, glancing out the window dramatically.
Joshua laughed and grabbed Tyler's hand before (carefully) backing out of his spot. "I'm scared I'm gonna hit some rich person's car and I have money but not enough for any of that shit," he mumbled making Tyler smile. God, he missed him.
"You look exceptional," Tyler spoke up, noticing Joshua had definitely been working out more.
Joshua blushed slightly at him. "That's what fighting fake fires does to you," he joked. "You look just as beautiful as always."
Tyler blushed as well looking out the window as Joshua began driving to Tyler's apartment.
Long distance for the two had been tough over the years. Luckily, they had both matured enough by the time Joshua went to college at the start of Tyler's senior year that they could handle it. They hadn't broken up any more after getting back together but like every other couple they had their fights.
Joshua had ended up going to Ohio State and studying athletic training but after graduation he decided he wanted to become a firefighter and began the proper training for that.
When Joshua was in college, Tyler would visit him every so often during his first year. Once he got accepted into Harvard, though, they had to communicate while being 11 hours away.
They made it work despite being so far and Joshua had come up to visit him whenever he could, the availability happening more often now that Joshua was out of college himself.
The two arrived at Tyler's apartment and despite Joshua being there numerous times, Tyler still led the way.
He had gotten a full ride to Harvard and had received monthly housing grants so with those and his university based job he decided to get his own apartment his second year of schooling.
His mother and now step-father had also given him a used car his senior year of high school but he usually took the bus to class just because it saved him gas and let him get at least a little bit of exercise in.
Tyler stuck his key into the lock and unlocked the door before pushing it open and leading Joshua inside. With a sigh, he set his backpack on the couch and sat down next to it. "I'm sorry I'm not more enthusiastic I just feel like I could sleep for days."
Joshua smiled and moved his bag to the floor so he could sit next to Tyler. The younger laid his head on Joshua's shoulder while Joshua grabbed both of Tyler's hands in his own big ones. "I love you," Tyler sighed out happily.
"I love you too, beautiful," Joshua smiled back. "At least after graduation you have the rest of the summer to rest before going back to school."
Tyler let out a snort. "A great summer all alone with my plants and no one else."
Tyler would never admit this aloud but he had gotten so lonely that he had bought a bunch of plants and named them, the first being Benji. It was good for him though because it gave him a little more responsibility. He could never watch after a pet on his own or father a child ever in his life but he loved his plants.
"Actually," Joshua shifted so Tyler picked his head up and looked at him. "I've been meaning to talk to you."
Tyler raised an eyebrow. "About?"
Joshua looked nervous, he swallowed before speaking. "So you know how I completed all my training at the fire academy?"
"Yeah."
"And I was working part time at the station but never doing any actual fire fighting until I got my credits."
"Yeah..."
"So I have all my credits and I've been doing some googling. A town over from here they posted openings for firefighters and I applied."
Tyler's eyes widened. "Did you...?"
Joshua broke out into a wide smile. "Yeah. I had to do some phone and video call interviews and they consulted my boss and trainer but they said I was qualified and gave me the job."
Tyler found himself smiling as well. "So you're moving here?" He asked excitedly.
Joshua nodded and Tyler practically crawled into his lap as he was kissing him. It was passionate but nothing lustful. It was genuine happiness.
"Wait, I have more," Joshua chuckled into the kiss, pecking his lips and pulling back. "I actually came up earlier because I was looking at apartments," he continued, the nerves coming back.
"Are you moving near here?" Tyler asked once again, so excited that he thought he might metaphorically explode. "If you found a place close to mine then we could see each other often and—"
"I want you to move in with me, Tyler," Joshua spoke, causing Tyler to stop talking. "Your apartment is cute but small and I found a two bedroom close to your school. We could turn to other bedroom into a guest room or an office or whatever but it gives us a little more space. That is, if you want to. We've just been together six years and it's the first time we've been able to do this."
Tyler took all of that in. Joshua wanted to live him with. He wanted to be with him that much that he was willing to move in with him. The thought brought tears to his eyes and he nodded. "I'd love to."
Joshua smiled. "I know those are happy tears but don't cry on me or I'll cry."
Tyler laughed and wiped his eyes. "I'll move in with you on one condition."
"That is?"
"You can't be a slob."
Joshua laughed. "I won't. I'll only clean more than I ever did at my old apartment on one condition," he countered.
Tyler narrowed his eyes. "This isn't a negotiation."
"I want to get a dog."
Tyler grimaced. "A dog?"
"C'mon," Joshua nudged his boyfriend's arm with his own. "You used to love Jim."
"I didn't have to live with him."
Joshua pulled out the puppy dog eyes. "Please, baby?"
Tyler sighed. "Fine but it can't shed and it can't smell."
Joshua peppered kisses all over his face. "You're the best. I love you."
Tyler giggled. "I love you too."