amaranthine • joshler

• back to the street were we began •

Josh and Tyler make it back to the Dun household, and Josh unlocked the door. Mama Dun was waiting for him by the stairs, with an unhappy look on her face.

"Hey mom. I know I'm late again. I have a good reason. But listen. Tyler's dad kicked him out of his house for being gay, and I was wondering if he could stay here." Josh said, all of the words coming out at once.

Mama Dun's facial expressions turned from angry to soft and motherly in an instant. "Of course darling. You're welcome to stay here for as long as you like."

"Thank you, Mama Dun." Tyler remarked.

"Anytime, child. Now, you can stay in the guest bedroom. You know where it is, right?" Mama Dun led Tyler up the stairs.

"Yes ma'am." Tyler acknowledged, remembering the many times he had to stay in that room while his parents were away. He set his bag down on the bed and went to Ashley's room.

She was painting her nails and listening to Green Day. This was her usual past time.

"Hey Ash." Tyler said as he peeked in the door.

"What now Jo- Tyler!" Ashley exclaimed as she looked up, realizing the person at the door wasn't Josh. "What're you doing here?"

"I finally told my dad I was gay." Tyler revealed.

"Good for you! How'd he take it?"

"Seeing as I'm here because he kicked me out, not very well."

"Oh." Ashley said sadly. "Oh Tyler, come here." Ashley beckoned Tyler closer to her, and when he sat on the bed, she pulled him into a bear hug. "I'm glad you knew to come here."

"I wasn't, actually. I was about to get on a bus to go stay with my aunt when Josh found me and brought me here."

"Hold on." Ashley exclaimed, letting Tyler go. "Josh brought you here?"

"Yeah. He said something about caring for me, then he got all flustered. Then we hugged, and then he brought me here." Tyler made sure to leave out the part where the hug was the only place he ever wanted to be.

"Tyler. That boy obviously likes you."

"I don't know."

"If you don't know, then you must be blind. I've seen the way he looks at you. I've seen the way you look at him. Goals. Honestly. Just go get him or something. What do coaches say to motivate their team? Go get 'em, tiger! Hit the ball! No, don't do that. Where was I going with this?"

"I don't know, Ash, but thank you. I think."

"You're welcome. Go get 'em, tiger."