Quiet whimpers woke up the older of the two. He saw Tyler gripped the pillow as if his life depended on it. Josh rubbed Tyler's arm in a gentle way of trying to shake him awake. Tyler cringed away from the touch.
"Tyler." Nothing.
"Tyler, come on." Nada
Josh shook Tyler with some velocity, Tyler sprung up like a vampire in those old movies.
"Im sorry, please dont hurt me again."
"Wait, baby, did i hurt you? Why didnt you tell me?"
Josh's voice, Tyler's shoulders relaxed. He turned and curled into Josh's chest. Laying back down, Josh started petting Tyler. Small sobs. Wet lashes. Unsteady breathing. Josh wiped Tyler's eyes and looked over at the alarm clock. '3:39 AM' Josh kissed Tyler's head.
"It's really late, im not expecting you to tell me now, if you remember what happened in the dream in the morning then tell me. But i need sleep."
Tyler just nodded, taking Josh's arms and wrapping them around his small frame, bringing a hand up to his mouth to suck on Josh's index and middle finger.
▪
In the morning, Tyler wakes up alone, confused, naked, and in Josh's bed. His notification alarm went off, a text from Josh. "Went to get some ingredients for breakfast foods to cook for my little prince, be home soon 😙😙"
Tyler goes to put clothes on, hes not putting his clothes back on, its kinda gross. Josh wont care if Tyler took an outfit for today, he slipped on some blue and white striped briefs. He probably wont put his bra on because he feels comfortable enough around Josh, he finds one of Josh's t-shirt that he probably cut himself, the sides were cut low to his ribs. A pair of calf high socks. Tyler noticed the toys werent on the floor, Josh probably got up really early and moved around quietly to get ready. Josh did also say he could play his videogames, looking through his collection of games, settling on mariokart for the wii.
After his second race, Tyler heard the front door open. He tiptoed to the bedroom door, peeked out and saw Josh placing two paper bags on the counter in the kitchen. Tyler doesnt move from the door, just watches Josh take everything out. Pancake batter, chocolate chips, blueberries, strawberries, whipped cream, and bacon. Josh started to walk towards the bedroom, Tyler tiptoed ran to the bed, and sat waiting. Josh walked in, leaning on the doorknob and doorframe, smiling at Tyler.
"Goodmorning baby boy."
"Morning Joshie." Josh moved to sit next to Tyler on his bed.
"Did you sleep well? Because last night, im not sure if you remember but, you had a nightmare, and you woke me up from how bad you were whimpering and shaking." Tyler did remember, he remembers the dream very clearly, too clearly in fact.
"I slept better after that, i guess." Tyler blankly staring at the floor now, playing with his fingers.
"Well, do you want to talk about it? It looks like its eating at you." Josh put an arm around Tyler, rubbing Tyler's left arm, looking hopefully at the younger one.
"I would tell you, but its a long story actually. If you actually want to hear it."
"Well, how about this? I make you mama Dun's blueberries and chocolate chip pancakes and you can tell me what happened. Is that good?" Josh asked, rubbing Tyler's hand.
Tyler nodded coldly, sighed deeply, blinked hard and a tear rolled down his cheek. Josh kissed it off his face, pulling him into a hug, Tyler putting his head on Josh's shoulder.
"Cmon baby, i got you." Josh scooped up Tyler and sat him on the counter opposite of the kitchen isle, Tyler still staring at the floor. Josh crossed his arms, leaning on Tyler's knees looking him in the eyes. Josh broke his stare because when Tyler finally saw Josh smile up at him, it pulled him out of the depressive memory. Josh picked his chin up with his finger while the other hand was brushing against Tyler's hand.
