Keeper and Protector (Joshler) ✔️

13

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"Guess I thought I'd have to change the world to make you see me."

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"Door's open!"

When Josh opened Fynnley's apartment door, they walked in to see him curled up on the couch with the TV on sitcom re-runs.

"Jeez, Fynn, you look a mess," Josh stated as he set the bags down on the coffee table.

"Gee, thanks." Fynn rolled his eyes. "Nice of you two to stop by. I haven't puked in about 30 minutes, in case you wanted to know."

Josh chuckled. "Well, that's certainly progress. Hopefully you're on the mend."

"We got you some soup and Gatorade," Tyler said softly. Feeling a little shy in an unfamiliar place, he stood off to the side, unsure of what to do with himself.

"Gatorade sounds amazing." Fynn let out a long, strained groan. "I can't even tell you how much this weekend has sucked."

"Well, you've got your friends with you now." Josh smiled. "Do you want some ice with your Gatorade?"

"Please." Fynn sat up before moving to make room on the couch. "Make yourself at home, Ty. Mi casa es su casa, as they say."

Tyler smiled a little. "Thanks, Fynn." He took a seat on the couch. "I'm sorry you're sick."

"It's okay. It was my fault getting sushi from some hole-in-the-wall place." He smiled wryly. "How has your weekend been?"

Tyler blushed as he thought back to Friday night. "It was good." He watched as Josh walked back into the living room with a glass of ice in his hand.

"Thank you," Fynn said as he accepted the glass into his own hands. "Oh, Ty, did you ever get a chance to try jerking off?"

Josh nearly choked on his spit while Tyler's face turned an almost crimson color. He wasn't sure whether to laugh or die, so he waited for someone to break the silence.

Josh cleared his throat. "Crude much, Fynn?"

Fynnley opened one of the Gatorade bottles and poured it into his glass. "That's rich coming from the guy who was being a little too vocal jerking it in his room."

"I swear to God, Fynnley, I'm gonna strangle you one of these days..."

"Love you too, Josh."

Tyler giggled a little, a shy look on his face. "Um... if you really want to know, Fynn... yeah, I did. It was nice."

Josh was surprised that Tyler was being so open about something like that but hey, he wasn't gonna complain about honesty.

Fynn laughed. "See, I told you! But hey, I thought I'd have heard all about it by now. I feel so left out."

"Well, he told me first, Fynn," Josh put in.

He rolled his eyes. "Lame."

"I am his Protector, you know."

And just like that, they were back at it again, as usual. Tyler sat back and listened to the two of them bicker while he looked around Fynnley's apartment.

His eyes fell on a picture sitting on the end table. Reaching over, he picked up the frame to take a closer look at what it was.

A photo of Fynn (albeit a bit younger-looking) and another young man. Just from the pose alone, it was obvious to Tyler that Fynn and this mystery guy were a couple. He'd never seen such a bright, happy smile like that on Fynn's face before...

Why doesn't he smile like that anymore? And who (and where) is this guy?

Curiosity getting the best of him, Tyler decided to speak up. "Fynn? Who's this?"

Fynn turned around and his face fell as soon as he saw the picture. "Oh..." He took the picture out of Tyler's hands, clearing his throat a little as he stared at it, a blank look on his face. "Um, an old friend."

"Yeah?" Tyler knew that Fynnley was lying. Anyone could tell from the chemistry that this guy was much more than just an old friend. "What's his name?"

"It's not important. He's not, um... he's not around anymore." Fynn cleared his throat again, a pained expression on his face, before getting up, picture still in hand. "I'll be back. I have to go..." He trailed off. "Yeah."

Tyler opened his mouth to say something but Fynn was already gone. His eyes went to Josh, who had a somber look on his face, desperate to find out what he had said or did wrong. "I... I didn't mean to..."

"It's okay, Tyler. You didn't know."

"Didn't know what?"

"Him and that guy in the picture... it's a touchy subject, to say the least."

"Why? What happened?"

"I'm sorry, I'd love to tell you, Ty. But I think Fynnley should be the one to tell you when he's ready. I hope you understand."

Tyler nodded. "Yeah, I do. I just feel bad for bringing it up if it's a touchy subject." He looked away, chewing on his bottom lip a little. "He's already sick and now I made him feel worse."

"You didn't know, baby," Josh repeated. He moved in closer and gave Tyler a hug. "He'll be okay. Just give him some time. Fynn's a strong guy, but he has his moments too. We all do."

Tyler nodded, blinking away as tears pooled in his eyes. "I know, I just don't want to mess things up. I can't lose you guys."

"Oh, sweetheart," Josh murmured. "Shh, shh, don't cry. It's okay." He pressed a slow, comforting kiss to his forehead. "You're not messing anything up. And we're not going anywhere. Promise. You're such an amazing person. Please believe that, okay?"

Sniffling, Tyler wiped away his tears and nodded again. "Thank you, Josh. I don't know what I'd do without you." Pulling away, he stared at the wet spot on Josh's shoulder. "I'm sorry about your shirt."

"Don't worry about that, hun. It'll dry." Josh swiped his thumbs across Tyler's cheeks, getting rid of any remaining tears. "You're more important."

Tyler leaned in and gave him a quick kiss, a sad smile on his face. "Thank you."

Josh smiled back. "Of course. Come on, let's get you some water."

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Stick with me, frens, I appreciate you.

What is your favorite and least favorite song off of Trench?

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