Archive of Our Own ^beta

When Alyson got up that morning, she realized that she was running a little late. She hurried up and got ready, managing to grab a small bite to eat before she headed towards the door. However, Alsyon didn’t leave right away. She needed to check on Tyler and see how he was doing.

Ty, do you need anything? I am about to go to work but I can stop at the store if you need anything.

Tyler had come down with a bad case of the flu a few days ago and was getting towards the end of his illness. She and Michael had both been fusing over him, trying to make him comfortable. He argued it was just a cold on steroids and he would be fine.

Alyson, I’m fine. Go to work and when you get home I will be in better shape than I was when you left.

She sighed. Her brother was as stubborn as ever. If Tyler had his way he would’ve been back to work just a day or two after he was sick. But, after some pressure from her and Michael, he agreed to call out.

It wasn’t like Tyler didn’t have the sick days to take off anyway. He had racked plenty of them up since he started work at the Parks and Recreation office in Juneau. Tyler just preferred to keep himself busy and going to work was a part of that.

You’ve been saying you were fine since you first came down with the flu.

Tyler scoffed through their voice. She couldn’t see his face but Alyson could easily imagine the annoyance that was written all over his face.

Okay, well I was full of shit then. Now I’m not full of shit. Besides, Michael isn’t even leaving for work until an hour or so later. I won’t be alone. He’s literally in the room with me.

Ty, he’s asleep.

Alyson sighed again. The last thing Alyson wanted was to wake Michael up. Besides, he would wake up in a little while, anyway because like Ty said, he did have to go to work.

She was about to leave when Michael came out of the room, yawning. It was a surprise to see him. Alyson thought that he would be asleep for a while longer.

“Hey, you haven’t left yet?” Michael asked.

She shook her head. “No, too busy arguing with Ty about his stubborn behavior.”

They no longer hid the fact that they had a voice, which enabled them to talk to one without even uttering a word out loud. He wasn’t even surprised when they told him. Michael always suspected something but he wasn’t able to put his finger on what it exactly was. When they explained it to him he said it all made sense.

“I got it covered,” Michael told Alyson with a chuckle. He pulled her into a tight hug before telling her she better get going or she’d be late for work.

Alyson returned the hug. “Thanks, Michael. See you later tonight.”

Since moving to Juneau, all three of them have been able to find themselves. She felt so much more at home here than back in their tiny little hope town overrun with memories. Mostly bad memories, excluding the ones with Tyler and Michael.

When Alyson came back home, Tyler truly seemed better than before. He flashed Alyson a knowing smile. Now he was going to tell her that she was completely fine and worrying had been pointless.

“Told you, Alyson. I’m fine.”

Yes, it was just as Alyson thought.

Alyson rolled her eyes. “You’re fine because you rested all week.”

I know that, Alyson. I’m just teasing.

It’s okay, Ty I know that.

Come Monday, Tyler was completely better. They talked about doing something that coming weekend, just to get out of the apartment and have a fun experience.

The three of them decided to see a movie. It was Alyson to choose the movie, but as soon as the movie was one-third of the way over she realized it was a terrible choice.

Aly this movie is terrible. Why did you choose this?

Alyson scowled at Tyler, a little annoyed that he was judging her movie choices when there weren’t many options available to them.

I didn’t mean to! Next time you choose the movie… if you can do better.

“I can do better!” Tyler hissed, saying this out loud in the middle of a movie.

Once he realized he had done this out loud, his eyes widened and he clamped his hand over his mouth. Tyler even went so far as to duck his head because of the embarrassment he was feeling.

People dared to shush him, causing Michael to cover his mouth to hide the laughter. No one could blame him for laughing. Alyson herself was ready to start laughing.

This wasn’t the first time this had happened. Sometimes she and Tyler got so caught up in speaking using their voice that they could forget where they were.

Tyler glared at Alyson who was also trying to stifle her laughter. Eventually, everyone settled down and went back to watching the movie.

“Well that… was not fun,” Tyler muttered, causing Alyson to laugh.

“The movie or you being told to hush?”

Tyler sighed. “Both, Alyson.”

Once they got home, Tyler did see the humor in the situation. The three of them had a bite to eat and then went to their respective bedrooms. Even though their voice could get them in a lot of trouble at times and lead to awkward encounters, Alyson wouldn’t change it for the world.

Night Ty. Tell Michael I tell him good night too.

I will, Alyson. Also, good night yourself.

Alyson knew that Tyler had just been struck with a bad case of the flu but she couldn’t help but grow worried when he did became sick. It could be the tiniest cold as well. All that mattered was that Tyler was uncomfortable and she wanted to help.

However, Tyler ended up doing the same for Alyson when she caught the flu from him. He started fussing over her, in his way, but it was clear to Alyson he was worried about her.

I'll be fine, Ty. Alyson assured her brother.

Ty laughed. Yeah, yeah I get it. Looks like both of us can't help but fuss over each other.

Michael let the Ronan siblings fuss over one another. Now if both of them fell sick at the same time, he would have no problem stepping up. That was what a best friend/boyfriend did.