Robbers - [joshler au]

Chapter 16.1.

// No Triggers This Chapter //

Tyler had to stay in hospital for a few more days before he was able to be released. They had to monitor his vitals and he had to be put under suicide watch since his overdose was intentional. He was old enough to sign his own paperwork, which he was grateful for because his parents - had they even known he was here - wouldn't have signed him out. They would have let him rot there once they knew what he was there for.

After changing his clothes and gathering the few things that were on his person - his phone, a lighter, and about $15 in small bills and change - he sat in the lobby and waited on Josh to pick him up. As he scrolled mindlessly through his social media feeds, he happened to look up just in time to see a mop of brown hair and bright blue eyes talking to a woman with beautifully sculpted cheeks and stunning grey eyes. He recognized the man to be Dallon - Josh's friend who was with him at the cafe - and the woman he was talking to was Tyler's nurse the last night of his stay. He watched the two of them talk for a few moments before they shared a gentle kiss and Dallon was walking toward the exit.

Tyler hopped up from his seat and walked over to the man quickly. "Hi," he pushed out softly. "Hey, you're Dallon, right?"

Blue eyes were peering back at him the moment his name was mentioned. He was exceptionally good looking up close, and now maybe Tyler didn't feel so stupid for thinking he was with Josh. Beauty attracts beauty, and all that. "Yeah," the taller man answered slowly. "You're Tyler. We met the other day, briefly."

Tyler nodded, now lost on how to continue the conversation. "Um," he stuttered, "I just. Thank you for being Josh's friend through.. all of this. I know it wasn't easy for him."

Dallon scoffed. "That's an understatement, dude," he said softly, his condescending tone being disguised expertly.

The shorter of the two sighed, running a hand through his hair as he nodded. "I know that I fucked up," he said quietly, "but you have to know that I love Josh. And he says that you're now one of his best friends, and I don't want there to be any animosity between the two of us."

Dallon narrowed his eyes. "You're speaking as if we're going to be seeing each other more often."

Tyler's stomach sank gently. "Has.." He paused, licking his dry lips nervously. "Has Josh not mentioned that I'm coming home?"

Dallon quirked an eyebrow, turning to face Tyler completely and crossing his arms over his chest. "No," he deadpanned, "he hasn't. And, pardon me for being so crude, but you've got some fucking nerve making shit like that up."

"I'm not!" Tyler felt his chest tightening as he spoke to the smaller man - he, himself, feeling smaller and smaller. "I promise! He's on his way here to pick me up right now!"

Dallon pushed his tongue to the side of his cheek, bouncing on his heels gently as he sighed heavily. "Fuck's sake," he breathed out before grabbing Tyler's arm and pulling him outside. "Explain."

Tyler then launched into the story of how Josh came to see him, yelled at him - rightfully - and how they talked about what they had done to each other and apologized before Josh asked him to come home. "Look," he continued, "I know you don't like me - and I don't blame you - but I promise that I would never insert myself into Josh's life if he still didn't want me there. You bore witness to that! As soon as he told me to stay out of his life, I left."

"And yet somehow you're back," Dallon added bitterly.

Tyler threw up his arms, exasperated, and he turned to look at the parking lot just as he saw Josh's car pulling in. "Look," he pointed to where the younger man was parking, "he's here now! Ask him yourself!"