Chapter Text
Tyler’s Hometown,
Three imposing black cars drove up a narrow alleyway. At the end, they each circled around a big, ornate fountain situated just outside of a grand mansion. Each of the cars stopped before a scrawny man dressed in a black suit exited the front car’s driver’s side to open the passenger door. A hefty man in a full dinner suit grunted as he pulled himself out of the car, complaining to the men that had arrived from the other cars about certain things. He hobbled his way to the mansion, passing the marble statues to make his way slowly up the stone steps. This was his home, and it was also home to his daughter, Marsha - the same girl that was infatuated with Tyler.
Marsha sat in the spacious living room, texting away on her phone and watching the TV like an oaf. Her father grunted as he entered the room, making his way over to one of the back walls.
“Flower of my life,” her father grumbled to her.
“Hello, father,” Marsha greeted. “How was your trip?”
“Let’s just say, it’s taken care of,” her father spluttered as he victoriously shook the belongings in his hand, before opening up a part of the wall to reveal a safe.
“Papa, Papa!” Marsha screamed pointing to the TV. Her father turned to look across the room. “Tyler is on TV!” she cheered as the TV showed footage from Alecia Trahir’s birthday party, including a short clip of Tyler talking to Brendon Urie.
“The Joseph boy?” her father questioned. “I don’t know what you see in that guy. You could have anyone in the world but you stay fixated on that factory boy,”
“Papa I love him, look he’s partying with Brendon Urie!” she answered. “I’d love to be a singer like him,”
“Well if that’s what you want, my flower,” her father said, returning to the contents of the safe. “I shall see what I can do.”
***
A warm light beamed in through the bedroom window. Josh carefully opened his eyes, scared he would find that last night was all just a dream. It wasn’t. He felt an overwhelming sense of relief when he spotted Tyler lying naked next to him. He looked over his amazing body, admiring every little contour and definition. Last night was unforgettable, but something was playing at the back of Josh’s mind. There was still something he needed; it darkened his mind like an overcasting shadow. He carefully got out of the circular bed to pull on a pair of boxers, before grabbing the rest of his clothes to tip-toe his way into the bathroom. Once dressed, he looked through Alecia’s medicine cabinet, inspecting every glass bottle and jar to see if the contents would satisfy his craving. Nothing would, and when it did the bottle was empty. He stood silently running his fingers through his hair, the shadow in his mind eating him up even more. He paced around, unsure of what to do when his eye was caught by the wad of money on the counter from last night. He analysed it intently, knowing he had no other choice.
Josh had managed to hail a taxi. It pulled up outside the derelict factory from the other night. Josh paid the driver and made his way inside. The place was much quieter than it was when the party was happening. Josh was relieved – the last thing he needed was for him to be bothered by anyone else. He had only come here for one person. He made his way through the building and up a set of steps before reaching a top floor space. He halted at the top of the stairs, shyly looking at the muscular man sat at a desk, the same authoritative look on his face. He locked eyes with Josh, and without speaking knew exactly what he had come for. He signalled him over with his hand, allowing Josh to step off of the stairs and over to the front of the desk. The man flicked open a knife and ran it through a white powder on a small pane of glass as Josh placed a few bills of money on the desk. Without hesitation, Josh picked up a small tube and snorted the powder into his nose. As he pulled away, the man held onto his light pink hair, before lightly tapping Josh on the nose almost as a way of saying to be careful. Josh’s shadows became lighter, giving him the confidence to make his way back to Alecia’s.
“I really have to talk to my stepmonster… Back soon, Josh xxx” the note read, taped to the side of a half-empty bottle of Scotch. Alecia hobbled into the bedroom, tearing the note off of the bottle to read it, before scrunching it up. She analysed the sleeping Tyler, before lightly placing herself on the bed next to him, taking in his natural aroma. She kissed him lightly on the shoulder, causing Tyler to wake up.
“Good morning, handsome,” Alecia whispered. Tyler just looked at her confused, mainly as to where Josh was.
“Where’s Josh?” he asked, sitting up in the bed and covering his self with the sheets.
“Oh, he went out,” Alecia responded sitting on the opposite side of the bed. “So, I have booked a meeting with Annie for this morning,” she said, causing Tyler to open his eyes with a look of excitement. “Happy?”
“Of course,” Tyler smiled back.
“Good,” Alecia sighed as she fell backwards onto the bed next to him. Tyler couldn’t help but feel a little self-conscious, however. After all, he was naked in a stranger’s bed with the same stranger who seemed to have ulterior motives. She placed a hand on Tyler’s bare back, running her hand between the freckles and marks on it.
“You know, my beautiful boy, these things are not for free,” Alecia said, a tone of sternness in her voice. Tyler tensed his back slightly out of fear.
“But, I don’t have any money,” he said back. Alecia snorted at the remark.
“There are other things,” she said, sitting herself up and placing light kisses on Tyler’s back.
Tyler shifted uncomfortably with every kiss placed on him.
“You do want this to happen, oui? This could be your way out,” Alecia whispered. “You’re not going to have another chance like this.”
Tyler lightly shook his head.
“What does that mean?” she asked about the shake.
“It’s nothing yet,” he replied.
Alecia admitted defeat. She knew Tyler wasn’t game to sleep with her. She recoiled out of the bed, telling Tyler he had an hour to get dressed and look presentable before the meeting, before exiting the room. Tyler pulled his knees up to his chest, half out of excitement for meeting Annie, half out of fear for what just happened.