Exhibition •joshler•

Memories Never Fade

a/n: the italicized stuff is Tyler's memories. Might be triggering.

After Josh got out of his shower and pulled on a pair of sweatpants his doorbell rang. He hurried to the door and opened it so the noise wouldn't wake Tyler. Hayley stood on the other side.

"Hey wanna hang out?" She said and smiled. Josh could feel the falseness of her grin.

"It's okay Hayley, you're safe here." Josh said opening the door wider. Her smile dropped and a few tears ran down her face as she ran into Josh's arms, sobbing softly. "How bad is it?"

"It just hurts and I don't know why there's nothing even to be sad about." Hayley sniffled. Josh guided her to the couch and they sat there, him holding his best friend in his arms as she cried it out.

"You don't have to smile if you don't want too." Josh reassured her and stroked her white blonde hair.

"Thanks Josh." Hayley said and sniffed, wiping her eyes. "Can we watch a movie and smoke?" She asked.

"Sure but we gotta be quiet, I have someone over." Josh said nonchalantly.

"Joshua William Dun if it's another stranger from the bar-"

"See about that." Josh cut her off before she could finish scolding him. "It's the same stranger."

******

Hayley stopped and thought for moment before taking a drag off the joint they were sharing, the movie they had been watching coming to an end.

"Is he, I dunno, a good person and shit?" Hayley asked and Josh nodded.

"Yeah he's a good person." Josh said glancing at the closed door before taking a hit off the joint. "He's just a little broken."

"Aren't we all?" Hayley said and smiled, a genuine one this time. Josh patted her on the shoulder lightly. A small creak was heard and Josh looked over to the door, seeing it now slightly ajar.

"Tyler?" Josh called out again and he heard a soft sigh before the pad of feet coming into the living room. The brunette was dressed in a pair of boxers and a soft red jersey shirt.

"Hayley?" Tyler said shocked and Hayley did a double take.

"You're Josh's secret lover?" Hayley said and glanced at Josh. "Tyler doesn't drink." She said confused. Hayley knew Tyler enough to know he was not a fan of alcohol

"Wait how do you two know each other?" Josh said surprised and Tyler stood there fiddling with the hem of the jersey.

"His roommate sells weed." Hayley said stubbing out the joint.

"How do you know Hayley?" Tyler asked and Josh pointed to his bright colored hair.

"We co-own the hair dye company in town. Good Dye Young?" Josh said and Tyler did a small "oh" gesture with his mouth before swallowing nervously.

"Y-you didn't tell her did you?" Tyler said glancing up from his fingers that were still fiddling with the jersey hem.

"He didn't tell me anything. Josh said he picked you up at a bar which I know isn't true but hey I'm not asking. Not my business." The blonde said getting up and collecting her purse. "I gotta get going, remember that meeting tomorrow morning Josh. Take care Tyler. Remember to text Brendon that you're safe." She said sweetly before going to the door.

"You're not driving right?" Josh hollered at her down the hall.

"Took the bus. See you later!" Hayley said before closing the door.

Josh stared at Tyler standing there for a second before the brunette cleared his throat.

"I guess I better go." Tyler said turning to go get his stuff from the room.

"Do you want to go?" Josh asked, getting up from the couch and standing next to him, his arms gently wrapping around Tyler's waist and pulling him close.

"Not really." Tyler giggled feeling Josh leave tantalizing kisses down his neck.

"You can stay as long as you want. I enjoy you." Josh smiled and Tyler found that odd.

"You enjoy me?" The brunette asked.

"I was gonna say I enjoy your company but I enjoy you. All of you." Josh said softly before picking Tyler up and carrying him to the couch. The brunette cuddled up to Josh and sighed.

"Haven't been this comfortable in a long time." Tyler said contentedly, nuzzling his head to Josh's chest.
Josh could tell that Tyler had a wall up for a long time, blocking that sweet little side to him that rarely showed through, either out of fear or embarrassment.

"You'll always be safe here." Josh said softly running his fingers through Tyler's locks. The brunette smiled and looked up at him.

"Can we watch something?" Tyler asked and Josh nodded.

"Sure. What do you want to watch?" Josh asked and he could tell Tyler was conflicted. "I won't judge you Tyler." He reassured him.

"C-can we watch Tangled?" Tyler asked and his cheeks flushed red.

"You're very brave baby boy. Of course we can watch Tangled." Josh smiled and opened up Netflix on the television, choosing Tangled.

"Thanks daddy." Tyler found himself saying automatically and his voice cracked at the end of the word. He hadn't said it outside of sex since ninth grade.

Josh glanced at him before pulling him closer. "I'll never judge you or put shame to you kitten, I swear." He said and Tyler nodded, leaning his head up and kissing Josh on the chin softly before watching the movie.

Sometime during it, Tyler had fallen asleep.

******

"Daddy!"

"Did you just call me daddy?" Trevor said in a disgusted tone as he pulled away from kissing Tyler's neck.

Tyler was in ninth grade at prom with his current boyfriend Trevor, who was older than him. Trevor was a senior and had dragged Tyler to a broom closet to make out.

"N-no." Tyler stuttered nervously when he realized he let it slip out. Trevor had made it very clear that he was not into any of that "weird kinky shit". He thought it was gross.

"Yes you did. I can't get hard now. Great job Joseph." Trevor sighed and pulled away from Tyler, yanking open the closet door. "I've told you that you have to work on that."

Tyler swallowed and nodded, following Trevor back out into the hallway like a puppy dog. He straightened his tie that was becoming way too restricting on his neck.

"I-"

"Don't say you're sorry Tyler. Just don't say weird shit like that anymore. Especially when I'm trying to kiss you." Trevor said irritatedly. They've had this conversation before. "You know only fucked up weirdos have those kinks right? Like people with issues."

Tyler's stomach hurt at the statement. Mostly cause he felt it was true. He had so many issues. Tyler had stopped taking his medication when he was around Trevor cause he didn't want him to know he did have issues.

"Tyler? I said do you want a drink?" Trevor said a little louder. Tyler blinked and looked at his surroundings. They were back in the gym next to the drink table. Tyler just nodded and he watched Trevor walk off.

Tyler sat at the table and tried to ignore the whispers that started reappearing in his head again.