Keeper and Protector (Joshler) ✔️

16

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"Seawaters flowing from the middle of my thighs, wild buffalo are dancing on the cliff tops in the skies. Adorn me in feathers from dead birds and contemplate the size of leather pelts to wind me in, put shutters on my eyes."

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Barefoot and clad in nothing but loose pajama pants, Tyler crept into Josh's room, taking care not to be too loud. He wasn't sure what time it was but the sun was just starting to come up, so he figured it was still early.

Hopefully not too early to bother the person he really needed right now...

"Joshua?"

His voice came out barely above a whisper, mimicking the soft light painted across the room, illuminating Josh's skin and the mess of red hair peeking out from underneath the covers.

"Joshua," he repeated, a little bit louder this time. Placing his hand on top of the blanket, he gave Josh's arm a gentle shake. "J?"

Josh's eyes finally opened and he turned over, blinking away as he tried to figure out why Tyler was standing next to his bed. "Ty? What's going on?"

"I... I..." Holding his hands behind his back, Tyler struggled to find the right words to say.

Josh sat up, a worried expression on his face as he noticed Tyler's tired eyes glossing over with tears. "Baby?" He offered his hand out, silently beckoning him to come closer. "What's wrong? You can tell me."

Tyler took Josh's hand but remained still. "I... I had bad dreams all night and I'm really sad now."

Josh's heart pulled as tears streamed down Tyler's cheeks, a little upset that he hadn't been there to hold him after that happened. "Oh, sweetheart. I'm so sorry," he whispered, gently tugging on his hand a little. "Can I hold you? Is that alright?"

Tyler nodded, allowing himself to be maneuvered onto the bed and into Josh's strong, yet comforting embrace.

"Is this okay?" Josh asked, being extra careful not to do anything that'd make Tyler feel worse.

"More than okay." He wouldn't say it loud but this was exactly what he needed, some sort of gravity to hold him down. "M'sorry for waking you up," he mumbled, rubbing at his swollen eyes with the back of his hand. "I know it's still early."

"Shh, shh, don't be sorry." Josh placed a breathless kiss on his forehead, savoring their close contact. "Remember what I told you? I'll always hold you until you're not afraid anymore. And nothing's ever going to change that, lovebug. I promise."

Tyler sniffled, smiling a little at the pet name. "Hey, don't call me lovebug, it'll make me blush."

"Oh? But what if I want you to blush, hm?" Josh nuzzled his nose into the side of Tyler's neck, something that he always loved. "I love it when you blush. Makes you look even more adorable."

Tyler giggled, the light, airy noise traveling across the room with an unsung beauty that not even a work of art could capture. "J-Joshua, that tickles."

"I know. But it made you smile." Josh ran his fingers through the longer part of Tyler's hair, their eyes connected in a gentle gaze. "I don't like seeing you sad." He placed a chaste kiss onto his cheek. "But it's okay to feel sad. It's okay to want to be held. I always want to help you however I can, Tyler. You're so special to me."

"Thank you, J. You are too. I just... wish you could make the bad dreams go away," Tyler said. Laying his free hand on Josh's arm, he let out a small, defeated sigh. "They always feel so real."