👊😎

Josh slid his phone into his back pocket, his hands still shaking. He looked at the ICE agents before him. They were different ones from before, but they wore the same suits and had the same cold expressions written across their faces.

Brendon was in the corner of the room, watching everyone warily. The agents hadn't said anything about him yet, so Josh assumed that he could stay.

The door suddenly slammed open, revealing a puffed looking Tyler. He hurried to Josh's side and slid his trembling hand into Josh's own.

"We're here on account of the suspicious that one Tyler R. Joseph supplied a forged birth certificate, and is therefor lying about his age," one of the agents said. "Which one of you is Mr. Joseph?"

Tyler stepper forward, his hand falling from Josh's grasp. "Me. B-but the certificate was real. This must be some sort of mistake."

Josh's father had forged all of the documents they needed, including birth certificates. Tyler was pretty sure that his said that he was eighteen, but there was an edge of concern in his mind that it was a different age. He brushed it off and told himself to trust his instinct.

It was Josh's turn to speak up. "My husband is eighteen years old, sir, and we have the documentation to prove it. I'm sorry, but this is some sort of mistake. What makes your think the certificate is forged?"

"Mr. Joseph's father claims that he is only sixteen," the second agent replied.

Tyler opened his mouth, then quickly shut it. He didn't know what to say. It was like he couldn't speak.

"His parents don't approve of our marriage," Josh is explained. "He was definitely lying. Tyler's parents kicked him out, sir, and now they're angry that Tyler is doing well on his own and is happy. I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but it's really nothing."

The agent turned to Tyler. "Mr. Joseph, can you confirm or deny this?"

Josh watched as Tyler opened and closed his mouth, his actions similar to a fish out of water. He wrapped an arm around him, hoping to comfort the boy, but Tyler just flinched away. That only arose suspicion from the agents.

"I can see that you two have acquired some injuries," one agent said, motioning to the bruises on both Josh and Tylers' faces. "Can you explain what happened?"

Josh sighed, realising that they thought he was abusing Tyler. "We were attacked by homophobes," he lied. He lifted up his shirt, showing the fresh bandages wrapped around his torso. "I managed to block most of the damage, but Tyler took a couple of blows. That's why he's so on edge."

Both agents nodded, looking solemn and apologetic. Luckily, they seemed to believe Josh's story. Josh felt slightly guilty for making it up, but it was for their protection.

"We'll talk to our superiors and get back to you soon," an agent said. "Thank you for your time."

With that, they both left, looking unsure of themselves. Josh sighed in relief and physically deflated. He sat down on the couch and carded his hands through his hair. Tyler sat down next to him, still looking to be in shock.

Brendon stepped forward. Tyler jumped when he saw him, seeming surprised by the sudden appearance. Josh realised that they hadn't spoken since Tyler found out the truth. Would he be scared of Brendon?

"That was a close call," Brendon sighed. "You guys need to practice your story. And, Tyler, you need to be here more often."

Tyler didn't reply. He just stared at his hands and adjusted himself so his knees were drawn to his chest.

Brendon paused, as if he was remembering something. "He knows, doesn't he?" He ran a hand through his hair. "Jesus, I completely forgot about the other day."

"He knows," Josh hummed, who was mirroring Tyler's actions as the other boy fiddled with his fingers.

"Tyler, I'm so sorry," Brendon whispered. "There was no other way. They would kill you if I didn't do it."

"It's okay," Tyler replied. "I remember it a little better now. You were nice to me. I'm pretty sure you apologised. I dunno. It's still all fuzzy."

Brendon exhaled heavily. "Seriously. I'm sorry. I should have told you."

Tyler shook his head and stood up from the couch. "Seriously, it's fine."

With that, he walked out of the door. Brendon and Josh watched him go. Brendon moved the window at the other side of the room and leant against the wall. He looked down at the street, his arms crossed, avoiding Josh's eyes.

"You guys had a fight, didn't you?" Brendon asked.

Josh shrugged. "It wasn't a fight. He just thinks our... relationship, I guess, isn't healthy." He paused for a moment and scoffed. "He's right, isn't he?"

Brendon shook his head. "Not if you -both of you- were happy. And you were. I could tell."

Josh stood up, prepared to speak, when Brendon suddenly gasped. Josh hurried towards him, where Brendon was waving his hand.

"Brendon, what is it?" Josh questioned, looking out the window and finding nothing suspicious.

Brendon pointer shakily to a car that was just driving away. "Josh, that's your dad in that car."

Josh raised his eyebrows. "What? What's he doing here?"

Brendon shook his head. "I don't know."

Josh narrowed his eyes at his friend. "You look more freaked out than you should be."

Brendon turned to him, his face ghostly white. "Josh, Tyler just got into that car."