The Trombone and The Trumpet

Chapter Four

Trigger Warnings: Break downs, Insomnia, Past abuse, Bad exs, Mentioned suicide, Threatening suicide, Food, Lime-ish scene, Insecurities, Crying, and Swearing

Ethan dried his face off, took a few deep breaths, and left the bathroom, hoping Josh doesnt notice the red rim around his eyes.

"Sorry about that, im good now," Ethan said, sitting back down and leaning his head on Josh's shoulder.

Honestly, Ethan loved physical affection, just he had to be the one to initiate it or at least be told he was going to be touched.

Tim had made him that way.

They enjoyed the movie, making fun of it and laughing at the marching band jokes and commenting on the marching itself.

They ended up watching a second movie after, called The Blind Side. While neither would admit it to anyone, they both cried.

After the second movie was over, it was late. Josh invited Ethan to stay the night, he gladly agreed. They moved to Josh's room with his queen sized bed. Josh was getting ready to fall asleep while Ethan was just scrolling on his phone.

"Arent you gonna try and get some sleep?" Josh asked.

"Im not tired," Ethan shrugged.

"Are you sure? Its like 1am right now. You took your sleeping meds right?" Josh asked.

"Oh I dont take those anymore," Ethan shrugged.

"What? Why? You have clinical insomnia right? Why would they stop giving you sleeping pills for it?" Josh said, sitting up.

"I mean yeah I do, technically my doctor doesn't know im off them though, I just havent been taking them for like 5 months," Ethan shrugged again.

"Eth, thats not good, why arent you taking them? You need them, clearly," Josh sighed.

"I just.. Once I take them I fall asleep, and I stay asleep, what if something happened? What if someone needed me? What if you needed me but I wasnt waking up?" Ethan explained. Josh sighed. He knew what this was about.

"Is this about the group chat? About what Tim would say after you went to bed?" Josh asked carefully. Ethan slowly looked up from his phone. Finally turning it off and setting it beside him.

"Ethan, you know they are unstable. Thats not your fault. They were trying to guilt trip you. They wouldnt actually do that," Josh said softly.

"Josh they said they would kill themself! Because I was asleep and they couldnt talk to me! I wasnt waking up to their calls or anything!" Ethan snapped.

"They didnt, Ethan, they wouldnt have and we all know it. Tim is an attention seeking, narcissistic bitch. They were using you for attention. You dont have to deal with their shit anymore," Josh said firmly.

"They might have been a bitch, but they were still my partner! It scared me, it still does! What if they had? That would have been on me, Josh. It wouldve been my fault!" Ethan argued, tears streaming down his face.

"Eth.." Josh didnt know what to say so he opted to just pull Ethan into a tight hug, he hated the way that Ethan flinched away at first.

The shorter buried his face in Joshs chest. Josh felt a wet spot forming on his t shirt. He rubbed circled into the olders back.

"Shh, its okay, its all over now," Josh soothed. Eventually Ethan stopped crying, leaning back slowly, looking up at Josh with red, puffy eyes.

"Im sorry for breaking down," Ethan said with a hoarse voice, rubbing at his eyes.

"Its fine, everyone needs a good cry sometimes," Josh said.

"Im gonna try to get some sleep," Ethan said akwardly, turning around and laying down, facing away from Josh. Josh followed suit, he faced towards Ethan, gently grabbing his hand. They fell asleep that way.

~~

Josh woke up at 11 to the smell of bacon. He opened his eyes and saw Ethan missing from his bed. He climbed out of bed with a yawn, stumbling into the kitchen. He leaned on the wall, watching Ethan move around gracefully as he cooked.

"Morning," Josh greeted.

"Gah! Dont scare me like that Joshie," Ethan jumped.

"Sorry, what are you making?" Josh asked, walking over and wrapping his arms around Ethan's middle as they stood in front of the stove.

"Pancakes, eggs, and bacon," Ethan replied, sighing and leaning back against Josh.

"Sounds delicious," Josh smiled.

"Thanks for having me last night, I enjoyed our date yesterday. And I really am sorry about last night," Ethan said.

"Its no problem Eth, and I already told you, don't apologize, ok?" Josh said. Ethan nodded against him.

Josh nuzzled into his neck, Ethan groaned in response.

"Fuck, Eth, I love you," Josh said, turning Ethan around and kissing him. Josh pushed him against the now off stove gently. Ethan moaned, allowing Josh entrance.

"Breakfast can wait," Ethan said into the kiss. Josh smirked, picking up Ethan, who wrapped his thighs around Josh's middle.

Josh carried him to his bedroom, placing him on the bed, not breaking the kiss once. Ethans hands were in Joshs hair.

"How far do you want to take this?" Josh groaned.

"As far as you are willing, Joshie," Ethan gasped as Josh moved his mouth to the older's neck, leaving a hickey right on his collar.

"I was hoping you'd say that," Josh said huskily. Ethan moaned.

Josh took his shirt off, before grabbing the hem of Ethan's. He looked to his eyes for confirmation.

"This okay?" Josh asked. Ethan's eyes darted around.

"I...I don't know.." Ethan said.

"Hey, if you're uncomfortable, we're gonna stop ok? I can tell your not ok with this," Josh stopped, letting go of the shirt and leaning back.

"I'm sorry," Ethan said quietly.

"Its fine Eth, I get it, we've only been together for like 3 days, I'm not expecting anything of you. I'm not going to force you into anything," Josh dismissed, grabbing his shirt.

"Why don't you finish breakfast, get your mind off it, I'm gonna hop in the shower real quick," Josh said, Ethan nodded, still catching his breath.