#tychael

The link in case anyone wants to make their own version:

I think it’s because they’re not only flirting (adorably and awkwardly) but also that Michael is so warm and inviting, while also knowing not to overstep Tyler’s boundaries. He asks Tyler if he’s been with a guy and then laughs at his own assumption that Tyler was into guys. He mentions Alyson talking about Tyler’s transition and says “I hope that’s okay, by the way” before Tyler says that Alyson asked his permission to share those details of his life with Michael first. 

All their conversation topics are very specific to the LGBT+ experience-- “You have no idea how lifesaving a chosen family can be,” “But as long as I don’t ‘promote my lifestyle’ in front of the customers, she doesn’t say anything,” “Here’s the thing: I don’t [educate people.] Opening the minds of this town would be a full-time fucking job, and emotional labor pays shit.”

But most of all, the whole time he’s flirting he’s also looking out for Tyler’s well-being by inviting him to the JCE-- a community where he can be himself in a supportive, accepting environment. It’s such a soft, delicate conversation about finding a support network, romantic or not.