Russian Roulette |-/ Joshler

L

Two days had passed.

Tyler had chained Josh back up against the wall.

Feeling like Josh betrayed his trust. Which he did.

It had also been two days since Josh had eaten anything or muttered a single word.

He just wanted the ground to swallow him whole.

Every time Tyler approached him, caring or aggressive, all Josh wanted to do was kiss the shit out of the younger boy, and he had no idea why.

"... If, if I unchain you, will you stay..?" Tyler asked, voice quiet, hopeful.

Josh couldn't understand how Tyler's personality could change so dramatically so quickly.

What if one day, he just snapped?

Josh was torn between wanting to know how far Tyler would go and not wanting to know at all.

He lolled his head round to face the younger boy.

Without saying anything, he nodded slowly.

Tyler bit his lip, cautiously uncuffing Josh's bruised wrists.

He kept himself alert, just in case, but was taken aback when Josh leaned forward, wrapping his stiff arms around Tyler's neck, hugging him weakly.

Tyler felt a lump form in his throat, hugging Josh back tightly.

He rested his chin on the older boys shoulder, one hand reaching up to play with his tasseled brown hair.

Josh sighed deeply, tears began to stream down his face as he crawled into Tyler's lap, wanting to be as close to the younger one as possible.

"... Don't leave me..." He croaked out, clutching at Tyler's shirt.

Tyler's heart beat increased.

It was working.

"Never, baby, I'll never leave you." Tyler reassured.

Standing up slowly, Josh in his arms bridal style, Tyler left the room, taking Josh somewhere warmer, comfier, cleaner.

He pushed the door open with his foot, walking over to the bed and setting Josh down gently, as if he might break.

"Showers next door, towels in the bathroom and clean clothes are in those draws." Tyler informed, pointing to a chest of drawers in the corner of the room, giving Josh a small smile.

"The door by the window is my room, just come find me there, when you're done..." He continued, slightly worried that Josh might try to escape again.

Tyler turned to leave, stopping in his tracks as Josh reached up and grabbed him by the wrist.

"Shower with me?" He asked timidly.

A bright blush coated his cheeks as Tyler bit at the inside of his mouth in thought.

Tyler turned to Josh and kissed him on the temple. "Okay."

Josh seemed to have lost his rational train of thought, saying the first thing that came to mind.

He was surprised when he asked Tyler to shower with him. Was he crazy?

He shouldn't be showering with a psychopath, he should be denying any kind of contact with him.

But he couldn't.

He didn't know why, but he couldn't have Tyler leave his side again. Maybe he too was going insane.

Tyler led the older boy to the bathroom, helping him remove his dirty clothes, turning on the shower, then removing his own.

Josh stepped under the warm water, his body relaxing completely.

He turned to Tyler and pulled him in, hugging him tightly.

"Why are you so touchy all of a sudden? ... Not that I'm complaining." Tyler asked, grabbing the shampoo and squirting some into his hands, before starting to massage it into Josh's hair.

"I-I... I don't know... I just- um..." Josh stuttered, unable to answer.

Unable to let himself think for even a second that he loved Tyler. There was no way.

But lying never got anyone anywhere, and Josh was certainly nowhere.