Gay Aaron Tyler -

Ever since they had met back at summer camp, Aaron had known there was a pull between them that went beyond just being "buddies". He remembered the way Tyler would get flustered—cheeks turning a bright, embarrassing red whenever their eyes met for a second too long. To the rest of the world, Aaron Z was the cool, stoic member of the world's biggest boy band, but to Tyler, he was just Aaron—the boy who had inspired a notebook full of half-finished songs Tyler was still too nervous to sing out loud.

"You came," Aaron said, his voice dropping an octave as he moved closer, ignoring the lingering adrenaline of the set.

The neon lights of the concert stage always made Aaron Z feel like he was in another world, but tonight, his eyes were locked on someone in the front row who felt more real than the performance. Tyler was there, his face illuminated by the shifting blues and pinks of the 4-Town stadium lights, looking up with an expression that was part awe and part something much deeper.

Aaron didn't say anything for a moment. He just leaned in, whispering into Tyler’s ear just like he had in the quiet hallways at school, watching as Tyler turned "red like a tomato" all over again.

"I wasn't looking at the crowd," Aaron admitted softly, his hand brushing against Tyler's. "I was only looking at you."

After the show, the backstage area was a whirlwind of crew and fans, but Aaron found Tyler leaning against a gear crate, looking small and a bit out of place in the chaos.

Tyler gave a small, shy pout, a habit Aaron found impossibly adorable. "I told you I would. You were... amazing, Aaron."