PLATONIC🌺⌠J.T⌡

iii

thanks for 200 reads!!

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THE TWO BOYS stood to attention as Tyler's front door opened. A beaming smile graced Kelly's face as she noticed Josh from his place behind her son, his hand tightly clasped with the younger's.

"Why, Joshua, can't say I'm surprised t'see ya'. Are y'stayin' the night, hun?"

Josh nodded from his spot on the doorstep. "Yessum—if that's awright with you." Kelly just laughed and waved her hand dismissively.

"Y'know it is. Why I wouldn't turn y'down if y'showed up at the doorstep bloody and with a body bag on your shoulder."

The woman nudged Josh with a cheeky look on her face.

"And even if I wanted to, Tyler wouldn't let me."

Kelly and Josh shared a small laugh, but Tyler just whined out, "Momma!" He quickly pulled Josh passed his mother and into the den. Pushing Josh down onto the couch, the brunette sat down in his lap with a huff, wrapping his arms around the other boy's neck. He then turned to address his mother, ready to throw her a pout and tell her to leave them alone, but he was unable to keep his lips in a frown when Josh began to plant soft kisses against his tan neck. A giggle escaped his mouth instead, and he nuzzled into the older's shoulder.

"Momma? Can bear and I help with supper t'night?" he asked from his little heaven in his "best friend's" arms. His mother let out a slight chuckle, shaking her head fondly.

"A'course, sweetie. In fact, I was only plannin' on whippin' up some spaghetti, so you and Joshua could prolly make it yourselves."

Tyler jumped up from Josh's laugh, a beaming smile gracing his features. "Really, momma?" he asked excitedly. "All by ourselves?" His mother let out a laugh a nodded once more.

Tyler squealed and raced off to the kitchen. "Hurry, bear! Hurry! Oh, boy, all by ourselves!" he yelled giddily. Josh grinned at the boy warmly, his innocence practically radiating off of him.

The older boy stood to follow Tyler into the kitchen when Kelly placed a hand on his shoulder. He turned to face her, and she gave him a sincere smile.

"Just make sure he don't burn himself on the boilin' water," she chuckled. "I'm sure y'can handle it." Josh laughed and nodded.

"Yessum; I'll keep an eye on him."

There was a sudden yelp from the kitchen, followed by what sounded like a clatter of pots and pans. Kelly sighed, and Josh gave her a sheepish look.

"Er... startin' now."

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With dinner eaten and dishes washed, the boys lay in Tyler's bed, ready for sleep to overcome them. However, knowing Tyler, the excitement of spending the night with his very best friend would result in little sleep.

Hence, they were on their third Disney movie of the night.

Josh skated his fingers gently through Tyler's hair, the younger completely relaxed into his touch as they both relished in each other's company. The brunette lay almost on top of Josh, his arms thrown lazily around the elder's neck and his head nuzzled into his jugular. Inhaling deeply, Tyler smiled at the scent of the other boy; he always seemed to smell of mint gum and coffee, the odd combination swirling in the younger boy's brain and turning it to putty.

Tyler sometimes wondered if he relied too much on his best friend, but he couldn't help but depend on him. He simply loved having someone take care of him. He'd never dated before, but when he imagined his ideal boyfriend, he imagined someone who would spoil him into oblivion, someone who would compliment every day and call him "my pretty, little peach," someone who he could just lie in bed with and cuddle while watching Disney movies.

And, now that he thought about it, that "ideal boyfriend" image in his head looked an awful lot like Josh.

Tyler wasn't exactly sure what that meant, but he knew one thing, and that one thing was that he liked Josh a whole lot. He wanted to be with Josh at all times; he wanted to hug him, hold hands with him, kiss him, just be near him.

The brunette often caught himself, on many occasions, with his mind sucked into a faraway land that contained only Josh, his eyes, his teeth, his smile, his smell, the clothes he wore, the way he talked, just Josh, Josh, Josh, Josh, Josh, and, if he was being completely honest, Tyler would gladly let his mind reside there for the rest of eternity.

But there were times when Tyler wondered if this was as far as their relationship could go. What would happen if the kisses weren't just on cheeks? If those cuddling sessions became something a bit... more? Did Tyler even want more? He wasn't sure. He loved the way things were with him and Josh, but he couldn't help but wonder if there was something missing. Either way, Tyler didn't care. As long as he had Josh, it didn't matter how much of him he actually got. And sure, to some, it could be considered unhealthy to be so dependent on another human being, but Tyler wasn't afraid.

Josh, on the other hand, was extremely afraid.

Because Tyler, oh, boy, Tyler left him a mess. That cherry-cheeked boy he held in his arms was his biggest weakness, and that left him utterly terrified.

What if one day Tyler just decided he didn't need Josh anymore? He could leave and never speak to Josh ever again and the older boy would still carry out his every wish, because, God, did that boy make him weak in the knees.

Josh had given Tyler his heart, and he could do whatever he wanted with it, and knowing that made Josh feel sick, knowing that one person had such power over him, someone whom he adored and cherished and was overwhelming infatuated with could crush him in an instant.

Of course, Tyler had no intention of ever doing that, in fact, he wasn't even aware of the fact that he held Josh's own heart in the palms of his soft, dainty hands. He was oblivious to the power he held over the older, and to Josh that made him seem all the more endearing.

The two were a strange pair, there was no doubt about that; neither were sure of exactly what they felt, but they definitely felt it, and it was strong.

And so, the two continued to enjoy their movie in silence, both resting in the comforting embrace of their other half.

What they felt, of course, was love. They simply didn't know it yet.

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please, take care of yourselves. make sure you're eating enough and drinking water. don't stay up too late. i love you all.