Nightmares - Joshler.

Prologue - Cope.

TW: Loss of a parent.
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        It's been seven years. Almost enough time to deal with grief, but not for Tyler, it never is. For him, it's been seven years of pure misery, coping and the single thing that got him where he is today. A beige stuffed teddy bear, with a little red heart patch on its chest. Worn out by time, the tiny thing had been covered in various stitches, its fur barely fluffy at this point. And despite its broken look, Tyler loved it, and cherished it with his whole heart.

        But he couldn't let anyone know. His peers simply wouldn't understand. He's 'way too grown up' for things like these, despite the fact Joseph is but a high schooler, who grew up way too quickly. At that, he hadn't had the choice. Tyler's father, he always wanted his son to be a 'real man', which simply adds up to why the latter had to keep his teddy a secret. 

        If his mother was still around, all this wouldn't be a thing. If his mother wouldn't have passed away, Tyler wouldn't have to cry himself to sleep, or desperately cling onto his teddy bear, his father wouldn't have tried desperately to make Tyler a 'man', Tyler wouldn't be the social reject he is, and he most certainly wouldn't have nightmares, every single night.
           And it hurts. It hurts, the fact he has to be like this. After all, it wasn't a choice.
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        Compelled by his grief, Joseph would rarely leave the bed when time has come to the point of summer holidays. Not like he was active the other seasons, but education did matter to him, even if a tiny bit. A bit enough for him to get out of bed once in a while. Mr.Joseph would often attempt forcing his son into doing all sorts of 'manly' things, such as hunting, perhaps. But considering the fact Tyler would either attempt to, or unintentionally hurt himself, he decided that it's not a good idea.

        After a summer spent doing practically nothing, fall came around, signifying teenagers that it is time to go back to the hellhole that's supposedly meant to educate you, and make you a 'proper citizen'. A hellhole they call school. Needless to say, Tyler was absolutely terrified. Anxiety would barely let him lay down, let alone fall asleep. The poor brunette could only make up scenarios for the upcoming day, in which all his efforts to avoid conflict would be to no avail. Tyler already has made the plan to have his teddy be in his bag, as just the thought of his teddy bear being nearby would calm the boy down. But what if someone found out? What's worse; bringing the teddy and having a possibility of someone finding it, or trembling from worrying the whole day and be considered a 'freak'?

        While Tyler tried staying up, mentally preparing for the morning to come, the night had him a prisoner. Without even realizing, the brunette fell asleep — his long eyelashes fluttering shut, periodically mumbling something in his sleep, and all the while, his hands clenched around a beige stuffed teddy bear, with the same, old red heart patch on its chest.