forest fic - joshler [repost from original author]

j o s h i s n ' t r e a l

"How are things with you and your mother?" Dr. Paulson asks as Tyler slides a peanut butter cup into his pocket.

"Fine," Tyler says.

"Fine?" Dr. Paulson repeats, eyebrow raised.

"Better," Tyler amends.

Dr. Paulson nods slowly. "You talked to her about Josh, then?"

Tyler nods. "She didn't look too happy."

"As expected, Tyler," Dr. Paulson says, still looking down at her notes. "It can't be comfortable for a woman to hear her seventeen-year-old son talk about his imaginary friend."

"Who she thinks is imaginary," Tyler corrects before he can stop himself.

Dr. Paulson pauses, finally looking up from his notes.

"Tyler," he says softly, "Josh is-"

"Yes, okay, whatever," Tyler says quickly.

The doctor sighs, running his hand through thinning hair absentmindedly.

"He's not real, Tyler," he says softly. "I'm sorry, but he just doesn't exist."

"Yes, fine, whatever you say."

Dr. Paulson rubs his face with his hands. "Tyler..."

"Look," Tyler says, suddenly feeling ready to fight, "I know you think I'm crazy because of this, but Josh is real, okay? You're not going to convince me otherwise."

Dr. Paulson chuckles dryly. "I'm seeing that, yes."