Joshler

In the Beginning

Kind of in a cuddly mood rn and I feel like writing.
(Regional at Best era)

Tyler tightened his grip on the steering wheel. It was just nearly 3am and he was driving down the empty highway in the middle of nowhere.

The only sounds that filled the van was the quiet tapping of the light rain on the roof and windshield of the car and shallow breathing from the very back of the van.

It was Tyler's fairly new band mate Josh. He had been friends with Josh for a while now and it wasn't until about 6 months ago they started playing music together.

He never understood why Josh was so willing to quit his job and drop everything to come play music with Tyler but his hopeful attitude kept Tyler going.

At times the whole music thing seemed very dead end, but every night when he looked over at Josh playing his instrument he suddenly stopped caring about numbers; how many people they played for, how much money they made, how many people believed in them, etc. All that he needed to keep him going was that short boy with the curly brown hair and the award winning smile that made him feel all fuzzy inside.

His eyes shifted from the road to the rear view mirror. He saw the soft dark hair on the top of Josh's head and his strong arms tighten around the pillow under his cheek.

Tyler's eyes went back to the wet asphalt and he sighed heavily.

Even though he had volunteered to drive he began to feel a little tired now and watching Josh sleep so peacefully in the back on the soft mattress wasn't really helping to keep him alert.

He decided pulling off to the side and getting a few hours was a better idea than risking his and Josh's well being.

He pulled over onto the shoulder and turned off the car. It was much quieter now but the rain provided a soothing steady sound.

Tyler climbed into the back seat and then over it and onto the mattress very slowly, as not to wake Josh.

Josh was sprawled out in the middle of the mattress so Tyler didn't have much room but he was okay with it. He found Josh's presence to be sort of comforting in a way.

As Tyler settled into a comfortable position he felt Josh begin to shift onto his side.

"Tyler?" He mumbled, still half asleep.
"Do you want me to drive?"

"What? No Josh it's okay the guys will just have to wait. We both need to sleep for a few hours first." Tyler tried to explain.

Josh just hummed and then yawned, getting comfortable again.

Tyler smiled at the fact that Josh didn't move away. He just stayed close to Tyler.

The last thing Tyler remembered seeing was the soft green glow of the clock that read 3:27 am and Josh's soft features as he drifted off again.

___

Tyler woke about three hours later. It wasn't quite the sleep he wanted to get but it would have to suffice.

It took him a moment to be aware of his surroundings, including the fact that the sun was barely up and he was curled up against a firm warm surface.

His eyelashes fluttered open and he was met with Josh's strong back and soft white t shirt.

Tyler had spent most of the night curled up against Josh's back and oh god did he feel stupid right now. What would Josh say?

He pulled away and scooted as close to the window as he could, not wanting to really get up and start driving again.

Josh rolled over suddenly and smiled at Tyler as he rubbed his eyes in the cutest way Tyler had ever seen.

"It was real cold last night." Josh said still smiling at Tyler.

"Y-yeah it was. Sorry I kind of um-" Tyler paused.

"No it's okay. We were just staying warm. Which was really nice by the way." That made Tyler blush.

He stared up at the ceiling of the van and he felt Josh's eyes scanning him.

"Do we have to leave right now?" Josh groaned.

"Well we should get on the road again soon yes." Tyler looked over at Josh who pouted his lip.

Tyler giggled and rolled onto his side again.
"We can just lay here for a while if you want. I'm still kinda sleepy anyway."

Josh grinned and then his features softened again.

"What's wrong?" Tyler asked as Josh's grin faded away.

"Nothing I just-" Josh paused.
"Do you mind if I- well if we- I mean I'm cold still." He looked around the van trying to avoid eye contact as the two boys lie facing each other on the mattress.

Tyler had tendencies to over think most every situation he came across in life but for some reason when he was with Josh he never over thought anything.

So he waited for Josh to make eye contact again after awhile and he nodded quickly.

Josh scooted over a little more and hesitantly wrapped his arm over Tyler's hip, pulling him into his chest.

They both let out a sigh at the same time and then small giggles. Tyler closed his eyes and breathed in Josh's scent.

They spent the next two hours curled up together in a state of both sleep and awake.

Finally Josh sat up carefully and turned to Tyler who looked quite comfortable and really tired still.

"Hey Ty I'm gunna drive for a while okay? Just stay back here and sleep. You need it." He laughed.

"Mkayy." Tyler drawled under his breath into the pillow.

"When you wake up we can stop for breakfast and coffee." Josh smoothed a hand over the soft hair on the back of Tyler's head and he hummed in agreement.

Josh climbed over the seats and slid into the drivers seat, turning the key in the ignition. The engine roared to life and Josh flipped on the windshield wipers to get rid of the previous night's rain.

He yawned and stretched his arms once more before pulling back onto the desolate road and setting out to find a Starbucks.

___

Okay I really like this and I think I'm gunna do a part 2 bc it's cute and it's young Ty and Josh and yeah.