𝘑𝘖𝘚𝘏𝘋𝘜𝘉 𝘟 𝘙𝘌𝘌𝘒𝘐𝘋

Wake Up

Josh POV:

I lay stunned. He was... abused?

"I-I'm so sorry Ant. I had no idea..." I said in a concerned tone, sitting up to look down at him who was now staring back up at the ceiling. "It's fine Josh..." he sighed out. "It's all in the past now. Even though it was basically only a few days ago..." he chuckled softly, trying but failing to lighten this upsetting mood.

I sighed. This kid was troubled, he needed help. He needed something. I heard him sigh again, "Hey, it's actually fine. Trust me. I'll talk to you about this, just... later. Okay?" I nodded, laying back down beside him.

I didn't want to bring up what had happened during the movie. And looking at Ant, it didn't seem like he wanted to either. "Do you want dinner?" I asked, after a far too long silence. He shrugged, "I don't really care. If you're hungry than sure.." I looked over to him. He had a sad smile on his face.

"We can just stay here if you want, Ant." I breathed out. he smiled wider - not much - but it was genuine. "Yeah, that'd be nice. I'm kind of tired anyway." he said, lifting himself up to take off his socks. I got up as well, just to take off my hoodie that I had nearly been sweating my ass off in. Sadly in the prosses a managed to snag my shirt with my hoodie, taking both off at the same time. I was quick to put my shirt back on though.

I sat back down next to Ant on the bed, looking at him awkwardly then a bit confused. His jaw was hanging open, his eyes wide open. But he was quick to shut his mouth and moments later there was an audible gulp. "Woah." He said, eyes still wide.

"Woah what?"

"Woah you! You're fucking ripped! Who would've thought?" He laughed out, head now against a pillow as he held his stomach tight. I didn't say anything, just stared down at him with as wide eyes as he had before. I sighed with a small hint of a laugh as I lay back. Feeling the mattress below me was more then relief.

"I think I'm honestly gonna go to sleep. I'm really fucking tired..." I said quietly, lifting the covers to get under and grabbing a control to turn the lights off. Ant huffed beside me. "You want me to leave?" He asked, seemingly a bit pouty.

I shrugged the slightest, "I don't care. You can sleep here if you want. But no spooning or hugs."

I heard him giggle, then soon felt the bed shift. He was now under the covers, up to the neck with warmth. He let out a content sigh, "Thanks, Josh... night."

Though it wasn't even five yet. I think we both needed this. Sleep. So before I drifted off I said a 'goodnight' to the boy and not long after, fell asleep.

Around midnight, I was beginning to hear small sobs. I turned in bed and looked at Ant, his knees were brought up to his chest, and his eyes were puffy and red like he'd been crying for a while now. "Ant? Are you okay...?" I whispered, shuffling over to place a hand on his shoulder. He didn't reply. He must be dreaming.

I shook him a bit, but nothing changed. I shook him again. Nothing. I shook him this time a bit harder while saying 'Ant! Ant, it's just a dream. You need to wake up.'

His eyes quickly shot open and pretty suddenly found mine. He kept his gaze a bit before breathing out heavily. "Sorry Josh... I-... it was just a dream." He said, keeping his eyes locked on mine. I rubbed his arm up and down comfortingly, "it's okay... it's okay, Ant."

He nodded, water threatening to spill again. He sniffled, "I was back there Josh... in the house. My mum... she-she just watched." He cried, holding his palms to his eyes. I brought myself closer, breaking the distance and held him tight to me. "It okay, Ant. You're here. With me. You're safe." I cooed.

He buried his head deeper to my chest, "Thanks Josh." He whispered. I sighed contently. I held him tighter now, hoping it might stop him from crying more. He leant into the touch.
I thought I felt him smile against my chest, but that may have just been my imagination.

It wasn't long before he was fast back asleep. I went to move to my original position but was stoped when a firm hand gripped around me. I heard a quiet 'stay'. So I did.

I felt my eyes get heavy. I didn't fight it. I was drifting into unconsciousness, and only hoped that in the morning, things wouldn't be as awkward as it had been during the movie, or uncomfortable after the night. I sighed, and held the younger boy closer.

I wasn't sure what was going on in my head or his, but nothing seemed right. At least I thought. This was wrong, right? Friends do this, right? I bet they do.
I breathed in his scent, and sighed once again. My eyes were even heavier now.

I began drifting off, but before fully doing so, I heard a quiet 'goodnight'. I smiled, before returning it and finally getting back to a sleep I honestly needed.

Comment what you think of this——->