It All Started At Midnight

//Ten//

;Perilous ;
Tw- mentions of the sexual assault from a few chapters back, not too much but I want my readers to be aware <3 also thank u for 160 reads!!

It was Saturday morning, and Josh didn't feel any better than he did yesterday morning, the weight on his chest felt even heavier. The fun he had yesterday was simply a temporary distraction from the shame he still felt. He could still feel the depraved actions of his lover, and how any of his morals disappeared under the influence of the alcohol. Sober, Eric was gentle and patient, at least that's what Josh believed. Love had a way of blinding any red flags, and the pink-haired boy had yet to learn that. Did he still love Eric after the way he acted last time? Deep down, Josh knew he still did, from the guilt of the situation he felt he should be the one who apologized. Afterall, it all escalated after he refused.

He checked his phone for the time, it was 11:30am, he slept in. He didn't fall asleep particularly too late but he felt as if he slept very little to nothing at all. He rolled onto his back and lifted his head to check on Tyler only to see he wasn't there. Listening closely, he heard him talking to his mother.

"Thank you for bring Josh back home that night, Tyler. He told me what you did for him then burst to tears. I tried to find out what happened but couldn't get it out. Do you by any chance know what could have happened?" He heard his mom ask worryingly.

"No idea momma Dun, he looked like a mess when I found him though." He replied truthfully. He could hear his mom sigh.

"It couldn't have been good, he even faked sick yesterday." She chuckled trying to lighten the mood. Well, Josh was caught in that.

Deciding to not hear anymore, he rolled back on his side, making his head cover his head. His mom was suspicious and Josh didn't know how to talk about such subject, he didn't want his mom to hate his boyfriend. He was drunk. He heard his phone vibrate and went to pick it up, he checked to see if it was a text message.

Big Dork❤️: baby, we need to talk. I'm so fucking sorry for what I did that night, please give me a chance.

Josh tensed up and felt a lump in his throat. Why was he so scared? It was Eric, someone he trusts dearly. Plus, he'd have to face him eventually. So he got up and changed into his favorite fluffy sweater with sweatpants, not putting much effort into his appearance. He walked downstairs into the kitchen where he saw a stack of pancakes. His mother turned around with her usual warm motherly smile. Tyler also turned to look at him and smiled a bit, something he doesn't do often.

"Good morning sweetie, pancakes?" His mother spoke up. Josh nodded, looking over at Tyler who looked at him worriedly, He offered a small smile, making Tyler's concerned features relax. Why was he concerned? They only started talking a few days ago, Tyler shouldn't be concerned over someone he barely knew, but yet here he was, hoping to get an answer of why Josh was acting so odd.

Yesterday afternoon when he came over, he saw how tired he was and just looked different, he lost the light in his eyes. Tyler shouldn't be so observant but his neighbor was the only human that didn't annoy him, so he took notice to the small details, developing a protectiveness over him before they ever started talking. It was weird to do so but that night of the park just showed how fragile the boy can be, and Tyler just didn't understand why.

A cough snapped Tyler out of his thoughts to see Josh raising an eyebrow questionably at him. That's when he realized he was staring, he felt himself blush and focused right back on his pancakes.

"So how's Eric, sweetheart?" His mother asked. Tyler glanced at him to see him tense once again at the name.

Josh cleared his throat, "He's been fine I guess..." he spoke quietly. Momma Dun took notice of the quietness and decided to shoot another question.

"Is he still treating you right?" She tried again, trying to make the conversation sound casual.

Josh thought for a moment, he could spill everything he's been keeping inside right now but, maybe Eric wasn't a bad guy. The question lingered for a moment before he decided to speak again.

"Yeah, he does. I'm thinking about seeing him today actually." He started feeling shaky, just thinking about going to his place again. But he finished his pancakes and set the plate to the sink.

"Are you okay Josh?" He heard Tyler ask, Josh then got annoyed, it was obvious they were trying to get answers from him.

"Yes I'm fine, now if you'll excuse, I have to go get ready." He snapped, making his way upstairs. If he stayed home, it'll be a day of questions and pity, so he finally made up his mind.

Josh: fine, Ill be over in a few.

The fear was back, but Josh wanted to hear what Eric had to despite his perilous behavior that hid underneath the gentle disguise.