Chapter Text
“Who are you?” Julian asked since the boy didn’t look up or communicate anything.
“Why are you here?” Julian interviewed again.
There’s a random boy sitting on the front of my apartment that I just moved into. What in the world is going on?
He was about to close the door, but then Tanner called out, “Who is it,” as he clashed his utensils on his ceramic plate.
“Uh,” Julian yelled out as he turned back at Tanner’s direction. “Some young kid, I don’t know.”
The boy immediately stood up and crossed his arms in front of Julian. The boy revealed his golden brown hair and medium eyes that gave off doggy vibes. He was kind of good looking, but not in a weird way. The height difference between Julian and the boy was there, but it wasn’t too big of a difference. Maybe four or five inches?
“Erm, actually, I’m thirteen,” the boy corrected in a slight nerdy tone.
Julian turned back and waved his hand at the boy. “Thanks for proving my point. Anyways, why are you here?”
The boy looked down on the thin carpet ground outside of the apartment. “I… don’t have anywhere to live.” Tiber’s voice changed from the mockingly nerd voice to an averagely deep, but youthful voice.
Julian’s mouth kind of frowned, but in a condoling way. He looked back at Tanner, who looked up when he realized nobody was talking. He was in the middle of chewing his steak, but he paused.
Julian opened his mouth to respond. “Should we invite him inside?”
Tanner threw his hands out in front of him and squinted his eyes. “Dude, it’s a random kid on our porch. What if he has a bomb or something?”
Julian sighed at Tanner’s slight sarcasm and signaled to the kid to come inside.
“What’s your name?” Julian asked.
“My name is Tiber,” he responded. “What are your names?”
Julian pointed at himself, then to Tanner. “My name is Julian, and his name is Tanner, but you can call him ‘weirdo.’” Julian cackled out laughed.
Tanner crossed him arms and turned on his grumpy face. “Sure,” he muttered, obviously disagreeing with Julian.
“Have you eaten, Tiber?” Julian asked.
“Um, not really.” Tiber rubbed his left arm, soothing himself from the awkwardness.
“I hope you like medium cooked steak, ‘cause I sure don’t,” Julian said as he guided his hand to the plate of barely touched food.
“Bro—” Tanner sounded out.
Tiber looked up and faintly smiled at Julian. “Actually, I do!”
“See?!” Tanner exaggerated his arms out. “You’re the real weirdo, Julian.”
Julian quietly scoffed as Tiber sat in the chair to eat the food. “Whatever.”
.
.
.
Later that night, the three people went in Tanner’s room for a meeting, since his room was the cleanest and had more space.
Julian closed the door behind him and looked around in awe. “Your room is clean.”
Tanner nodded in agreement. “Tiber, you can sit on my bed. Julian, you can too.”
The two mentioned young men sat on Tanner’s made bed. It was smooth and perfect. Tiber sat more carefully and Julian sat like he came in this room everyday, careless.
“So, Tiber,” Tanner leaned in on his gaming chair with his hands interlocking each finger web. “What actually happened? Like why don’t you have anywhere to live?”
Julian and Tanner looked at Tiber for his response. “My mom… she kicked me out.”
“Does she live in this apartment complex?” Tanner asked.
Julian spanked Tanner’s lower thigh. “Is that really the first question you ask?”
Tanner lowered his voice. “I’m just getting information.” Tanner looked at Tiber again.
“No, but she is kind of close by,” Tiber responded.
“I’m sorry you got kicked out,” Julian tried to sympathize. “Do you know why?”
Tiber looked down again and rubbed his arm. “I’m not sure… but I think there were signs. We are the only ones who live together. She does a lot of drugs…”
“Oh…” Julian responded. The two older men glanced away at that sentence, feeling bad for the boy.
“Did you not call CPS? I mean, I think we should—” Tanner tried explaining, but got interjected by Tiber.
“No! No, it’s fine. I like you guys!” Tiber exclaimed. “I don’t want to deal with the adoption center.”
Julian opened his mouth to talk. “I agree with Tanner, but if you really want to stay here, I don’t see why not—”
“We can’t keep him here,” Tanner calmly said. He didn’t want to seem rude or unwelcoming to Tiber, but he had to be plain honest. I mean, what was Julian thinking, especially since he just moved in?
Julian touched Tanner’s knee very lightly and his voice did the same. “He can stay for a few days, it’s fine.”
Tiber looked at the men, who were trying to recalculate their decisions. Tiber was nervous.
“Look—it should be Tibs’ decision.” Julian said and guided his hand to him. “Wait, can I call you Tibs?”
Tibs gave a slight nod. “Sure.”
“Would you like to stay here?” Julian asked.
“I’d like to stay here if that’s okay,” Tibs said shyly.
Julian smiled at Tibs. “You are welcome here.”
Julian glanced at Tanner. His lips were pursed. It kind of looked like he was angry, but he was holding it in. Tanner had a good heart but for him it was more about reasonability. Letting a random kid he just met stay in his house for a few days? There was probably a better option.
Julian smirked when he looked at Tanner’s face. Julian lightly tapped Tanner’s nose, and Tanner immediately used his hands to shoo him away like a cat. Julian quickly pulled back his hand to his lap.
“Geez.” Then Julian crossed his arms, displaying a petty face at Tanner.
Tanner leaned in at Tibs. “There’s gonna be a lot of that in this home so buckle your seatbelts.”
Tibs’ mouth dropped down, not in a sad way, but an uneasy but happy way. He felt welcome to be a part of this living arrangement. Almost like a family, per say.