unholy (joshler)

chapter twenty one

(josh's POV again)

Josh is worried, that's obvious. No ones seen Tyler since he's stormed off, purple eyes, angel voice and all.

So when he sends a group text to the three boys, telling them to meet at Josh's house and for Josh to get the house to himself, he was shocked.

Especially since Tyler's phone was off for most of the day. It's late Monday night and as Josh silently worries with Dallon sitting on the floor and Chris next to him on the bed, he anxiously awaits Tyler's arrival.

He's a little messed up, if he's honest. After his trip to hell, the fighting, and Tyler's distance Josh wants nothing more than to sleep and never wake up.

He's pissed at Dallon for saying what he did, he's upset with Tyler for blaming himself. He's mad at Chris for being so impartial and at himself for being so damn sensitive.

Everything's falling apart to quickly for him to reassemble it.

Tyler walks into Josh's room moments later having let himself in. He drops some loose papers onto Josh's desk and takes a deep breath. He looks like normal Tyler again, tired eyes and a normal amount of supernatural glow.

"I've found a solution." Dallon perks up, all eyes on Tyler as he straightens his shirt. "I've done some research and the only way to stop Erican and the Ange De La Mort is by using a certain phrase."

"That's all? Someone chants a ritual and we've saved the world?" Chris asks in disbelief. Tyler shakes his head.

"Not exactly, it has to be said by an angel as they stand between both dimensions, the Earth and the Underworld."

"In the portal." Josh supplies and Tyler nods, throwing him that messy half smile that makes things seem a bit more safe, a bit more normal.

"In the portal."

"So what, we lure one in and you jump half way into the wall and shut it down?" Dallon questions and Tyler shrugs.

"Something like that."

"Then lets do it. Tonight." They all share a collective glance.

"Okay." Josh mumbles and Tyler raises a brow but doesn't say anything. Chris shrugs.

"Whatever man."

"Dallon do you have anymore of that Curare?" Josh asks and when Tyler's eyes go wide he shrugs. "We're already in my bed. If you can close the portal fast enough then I'm safe right?"

Tyler runs the actual plan, the secret plan, through his head before nodding. Yeah, Josh will be safe.

"Then okay, do you?" He presses again and Dallon nods stiffly. Chris sighs.

"I don't-"

"No. Stop. Lets just get this over with." Josh's voice is strained and pained, but he's right.

This has been going on for far too long, they have a solution, now it's time to take action.

Dallon and Chris decide they'll hide in the walk in closet, taking a couple of blankets and pillows to sleep on.

As Chris prepares their fort Dallon rolls another joint and hands it to him. He wordlessly gives Tyler the lighter before heading into the closet and shutting them both in.

Josh sighs from where he sits on the edge of his bed, Tyler standing in front of him. The taller of the two crouches down then, now face to face.

"Josh I'm so-"

"Don't apologize. There's nothing to be sorry about." He places his hands on Tyler's back where his wings uselessly extend, a nervous habit he's just realized he has has he rubs the raw skin there. Tyler makes a noise in the back of his throat as he stares his boyfriend down.

"I love you." He says suddenly, but this time it's with conviction. He's demanding that Josh feels it, he's pushing it into his skin. Engraving it there.

"I love you too." He whispers back.

They kiss, teeth clattering and tongues clashing. When Tyler finally pulls away Josh let's the joint sit between his swollen lips, Tyler lighting it. Then, he kisses his forehead and stands up.

"Don't worry, you're safe with me here." Almost as smoothly as the kiss, he smiles and turns to hide in his designated spot behind the dresser.

Josh breaths in the smoke, only taking half of it this time. He stubs the rest out and throws it carelessly onto the floor, he can clean it up when this is over and he's safe again.

Laying under his covers, he waits.

It takes twenty minutes, he knows because he watches the clock on the bessie table. When he realizes his bodies frozen he also realizes that his head is stuck turned towards the wall.

He'll see everything, if he doesn't close his eyes that is.

When the temperature of the room rises, Josh holds his breath. Tyler shifts in the corner, reminding him he's not alone.

The wall starts to morph and soon black smoke is floating through.

An Ange De La Mort forms, unsurprisingly, and Josh feels like he's going to die when it drops a red plate by its feet.

It's going to take me, for good, he thinks.

But then he remembers the plan. Tyler will close the portal, they'll get their happily ever after and Josh will win the playoffs this Friday like he's supposed to.

Right?

The Ange De La Mort is only centimeters away from touching him, fear and anxiety churning in his stomach like rotten milk, when Tyler steps out. His wings extend then, the demon disintegrating on the spot.

Moving swiftly he stands in the portal, one leg in and one out. Josh would smile if he could, but he can't so he focuses on watching his boyfriend with loving eyes.

The plan worked. Now he'll say the phrase, close the portal and everything will go back to normal.

He's confused when Tyler starts to cry, not dramatically but the tears stream down his face nonetheless. He turns to look at Josh sadly, a watery smile on his face.

Josh's heart sinks, confusion filling him though he stays neutral expressioned.

"I'm sorry." Tyler says gently. "It's the only way. I love you so so so much Joshua Dun, and I always will. Remember that."

As tears stream down Josh's face Tyler opens the note and starts to read, only Josh doesn't understand words. He hears melodies and colors and everything beautiful.

After the last syllable is said, Tyler screams in agony. A sound so wrong and ugly Josh's body shakes internally.

His wings catch fire, his own finger nails pull his skin off the bone. His hair melts away, an enteral light shining from under his clothes until he's nothing but a screaming ball of fire.

And then he's nothing, and Josh just watched his boyfriend die.