You and I, we just weren't created to survive (joshler) (not edited)

Chapter four - liar

If you haven't read the warnings then you know... read them... please

"You got two black eyes from loving too hard."

After exchanging numbers with Josh, Tyler drags his tired limbs home - it takes about five minutes. The flat is eerily quiet when he opens the door, and he can't help but wince when the floorboards ache and groan underneath his feet as he makes he way through the living room to the bedroom. He's trying not to wake up his partner.

He glances at the clock on the bedside table, reading 3am, and sighs in what could be relief, before climbing carefully into the double bed to get a precious four hours of sleep before he will have to wake up. The sleeping boyfriend next to him shifts in his sleep, wrapping his arms around Tyler's middle; Tyler freezes, trying to ignore the loose hold and get some sleep.

***

"Where did you go last night?" The question is asked at 7 o'clock the next morning when Tyler is sat at the dining room table sipping coffee. He shifts uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact and pushing the drink far away from him and his boyfriend - to avoid it becoming a hazard.

"For a walk, I couldn't sleep." He replies in a meek, mildly paranoid voice, twisting his hands togethers on his lap as his boyfriend moves closer so he's stood almost looming over the previously bruised boy.

"I don't believe you." The words have gained a slightly menacing hint and Tyler doesn't dare meet his gaze as a suffocating lump forms in his throat and panic rises in his chest like bile. When the other makes no moves, Tyler goes to speak again.

"I'm not lying I promise I-" SMACK. The words get cut short. Tyler registers what happened and feels his lip start to tremble, feels a static like sting on his cheek and a vile, yet familiar, taste of metallic blood pool on his tongue. He looks up, and registers shock in the other mans face.

"You know I don't like it when you lie, you made me do that!" The last few words come with a frantic, slightly raised voice. Tyler flinches, then nods in acknowledgment. His outward appearance reflects that of a dead man but inside his heart is beating a million miles per hour. Thump thump. Thump thump. Thump thump.

"Just... go somewhere else, I can't even look at you. You're lucky I put up with you sometimes." He pauses, waving his hand vacantly in the direction of their shared bedroom to direct Tyler, "no one else would put up with you." It's added as an afterthought that Tyler tries not to listen to as he almost jumps up from the chair, scampering toward the direction indicated in the hopes it would mean he's left alone.

The words echo through his mind, no one else would put up with you, and, with weary eyes and a mind tired of living, he curls up in a ball and goes back to sleep.

507 words