House of Gold // Adopted by Tyler Joseph

Again

Austin and I learned things about each other. Now we really told each other everything. From little details and tiny things I'd thought not necessary to tell him. Like boys who'd hit on me at Starbucks, he'd get jealous but was glad I told him, because we were careful with boys and I.

Austin opened up about his past finally. Something I knew to never push about, but his father was a drunk and would get violent with him and his mom.

I figured he'd left his house at sixteen legally because of his rising stardom, but it was sadly because of his family.

We cried together, and Austin realized he could still be his quiet, mature self, while showing emotions.

"Sammy, he's sick." I sobbed into his chest as we crammed into my tour bus.

"Shhh, there there baby." Austin cradled me as I felt my heart break.

"He has–he has cancer in his stomach! He's not going to be okay." I wailed some more as he listened to me rant. "And I'm on tour, I can't be there for my dog." Sammy was my first pet, my only pet.

"Lily, Sammy loves you very much. And kiddo, it's what happens when dogs age."

"He's not that old. It's what happens when I'm not there for him." I blew my nose into a tissue as he didn't bother arguing with me. Austin didn't even say how most people would find it pathetic for me to cry and sob over a dog. But he was mine, and he was suffering.

"You're okay. Deep breaths Lils."

"Can I go to sleep?" I had an earlier show today, at six in the evening, it was eight now.

"Uhm... sure, I'll give you space." He was about to crawl out of the bunk as I grabbed his forearm.

"Please stay." My eyes were shining with tears, he sighed and got back under the covers.

"I love you." He tapped his foot against the other end of the bed anxiously. Austin was going through his own battle, withdrawal. Nicotine no longer controlled him, neither did pot. Although I didn't mind the small amount of times I've seen him smoke, he claimed he was up to a pack a day before he quit.

So we cuddled together in hopes of healing our broken pasts.

"Lily, I uhm, want to thank you."

I raised an eyebrow at him. As sweet as he was, he was reserved and hardly needed to rely on me. "Really?"

"Yeah really." He chuckled. "You've helped me so much recently. I can't express how much I love you."

"You can't?" I teased as he blushed.

"Well... " Austin leaned forward and kissed my lips softly, I fell into his touch. "You're so beautiful."

"I know." I joked as he he mumbled against my lips.

"You know it's only eight."

"I know. Let me take my depression nap, geez."

"You and I both."

      
                                 |-/

The last show was in Ohio, we stopped there and had a day to prepare for the final show. I decided to pass the time. I'd take Austin to the little park in my neighborhood.

We sat on the swings, he gave me a push and then hopped on one himself. I'd jump off and kiss him happily, he'd clasp my hands in his.

As I dragged him to the playground equipment to see who could climb the rock wall faster, I noticed two figures walking towards the park. Darn, no more make out time for us.