Because Of You, I Might Think Twice

Part Ten

  "Tyler..?"

  Tyler could hear Josh's worry through the door but he did nothing, just pulling a pillow over his head to block out everyone.

  "Ah... speak of the devil..." Blurry's smirk could be heard through Tyler's pillow, making him shake. Josh began to knock on the door, each one a little quicker with worry.

  "Tyler... I-I'm sorry. Please let me in."

  Tyler was crying now, sinking into his bed to try to escape everyone. He felt like his lungs were burning but that was probably just in his head, too.

  "N-no... go away... I know you don't want me so why keep trying?"

  "Tyler, I love you! Why don't you think that I want you?!"

  Tyler mumbled, "He's right..."

  Blurry chimed in, "He's probably lying."

  Tyler repeated, "He's lying..." He looked at the door and said, "Stop lying. Just go."

  Josh was silent for a few long moments then spoke. "Who are you talking to?"

  Tyler laid back down and stopped talking. Blurry's laugh boomed from in front of the door as he rolled his eyes.

   "You're weak."

  "Shut up."

  "Make me."

 Tyler growled a little and threw one of the pillows from beside him at Blurry.  "Stop talking for one goddamn minute."

  Blurry rolled his eyes. "Why should I?'

  Tyler heard his name spoken softly from outside his door but everything built up and he finally exploded. "Everyone needs to shut up!"

  It was pure silence after the echo of Tyler's yell had faded.  Tyler could hear Josh's footsteps grow quieter.  He must be leaving Tyler. Tyler curled up and started sobbing despite Blurry's rude words.  Tyler wiped his eyes furiously and took ragged breaths, his lungs burning even more.  He glanced at Blurry but through his tears, he could've sworn he saw Josh instead. When his tears had cleared and he saw Blurry again, Blurry was just smiling at him.

  "Who don't you go tell your boyfriend why you were yelling at him to 'stop lying' and to 'just go'."

  Tyler glared at Blurry and responded with, "Screw you," which just got a laugh from Blurry. Tyler slowly got up and pointed to the side. "Move."

  Blurry glared up at Tyler and raised an eyebrow.  "Why should I?"

  Tyler clenched his jaw. "Because I told you so. Now move." Tyler was tired of Blurry ruining everything good in his life.  He was done. Blurry rolled his eyes at Tyler once more then got up and move aside.  Tyler shot a burning glare at Blurry then opened his door and walked out.

  Josh was sitting on the sofa, breathing heavily.  Tyler instantly felt horrible and quietly walked towards where Josh was sat.

  "Josh..?"

Josh stood and before Tyler could even start apologizing, Josh did instead. 

  "I-I'm sorry... I should just go..."

  Tyler shook his head quickly.  "Please don't. None of this is your fault.  I just got sensitive then Blurry started saying things.  I didn't mean to yell at you, I'm sorry.  I'm so so sorry..."  Tyler's previously confident figure instantly crumpled as he hunched over and started crying again.  Josh's strong arms were instantly around Tyler followed by his warm body against Tyler's.  All Tyler could do was hold onto Josh's shirt for dear life, terrified that if he let go, Josh would leave him. 

  They stood like that for awhile before Tyler pulled away and wiped his eyes.  "Please don't leave.  I don't wanna be alone."

  Josh shook his head at Tyler.  "I won't.  I won't leave."  Tyler just nodded and looked at his feet. Josh let out a tired sigh.

  "I love you."

  Tyler looked up at Josh as he wiped his eyes again.  "I love you too."

  That brought a smile onto Josh's lips before he spoke again.  "Where's Blurry?"

  Tyler silently pointed back at his room.

  "Okay... what did he say to you?"

  "Don't wanna talk about it."

  They stood like that for awhile before Josh spoke again.

  "Let's leave the house..."

  Tyler looked up at Josh, furrowing his eyebrows.  "And go where?"

  Tyler and Josh decided to go back to the first place Tyler took Josh and to the place they had their first kiss: the forest.  Blurry didn't notice as the couple left the house, Josh watching Tyler's shaking form with a worried expression.  The car ride was silent but it gave Tyler some time to calm down and process what had happened and what was happening now.  They arrived to the forest with no troubles at all and climbed out together. 

 They walked a different path this time, this path taking them to a small clearing.  Josh looked at Tyler with a confused expression but Tyler ignored him and walked to the middle of the clearing, sitting down cross legged. Josh copied him then looked at the smaller man who had started to sing.

  "Down in the forest... we'll sing a chorus... one that everybody knows..."  Singing always calmed Tyler and the song was inspired by the very forest they sat in.  Josh watched Tyler, a small smile growing on his face. 

Tyler sang to Josh until the song was over then they made eye contact.  Tyler seemed much better and Josh let out a silent sigh of relief.

  "Did you write that?"

  Tyler nodded with a soft smile, "Awhile ago..."

  "It's really calming.  I like that one."

  Tyler smiled more and scooted closer to Josh.  "Thank you.  I like it too."

  "How're you feeling?" Josh tried to hide his nervousness.

  Tyler just nodded.  "Better.  Singing helps a lot."

  Josh slowly slipped an arm around Tyler's shoulders.  "Good."  Tyler leaned into Josh impulsively and hugged onto his torso.

  Josh laid his head on Tyler's and they both closed their eyes, sitting in silence until Tyler spoke.

"I love you."

Josh kissed Tyler's head then reciprocated the line before they went back into silence.  They didn't speak again until Josh proposed something Tyler had never even thought of.