True Colors (joshler, multi-fandom)

20 - I'll Keep Moving

Tyler and Josh pretty much stuck together the whole time. Music played from a huge stereo system before the band had to go up and perform. In the last half hour, about six more people showed up, including Pete and Patrick's friends, a few of Frank and Gerard's friends, and a couple of other kids, probably freshmen by how they act and talk, and were the ones who danced the most.

The pair didn't want to be hermits and hide in the backyard alone all night, so they stayed out back with Brendon and the band, who really were all different people at parties, but they both knew they got really anxious if the other wasn't around.

That's when Ryan asked them both a favor. "We're gonna start setting back up soon, so can you two help us?"

They agreed, and made it back out to the "stage" getting through a crowd of half people they knew and half total strangers. This did, admittedly, make Ryan and Brendon really anxious.

The longer everyone spent back inside, they all noticed something about the crowd just wasn't right.

Tyler was just close enough to hear Josh mutter, "I need some air."

"Can you excuse us outside?" Tyler asked. He got a nod to go outside from Ryan, and oh boy.

Making in back outside would be hard. And apparently, someone brought a case of beer, which definitely wasn't allowed, but it's too late to do anything about it now. Tyler realized this, and took Josh's hand out of reflex and concern for their safety.

Josh felt a jump in his heart. The same kind when he got too close to Tyler on the first day, and when he held Tyler in the forest earlier this month. This won't be the first strange spark tonight.

They stayed close to the wall so they wouldn't be pushed over to the floor. Everyone is so crammed together and the stench of beer hung in the air around them, making the walk more difficult with each step. Tyler held his friend's hand tighter.

Tyler thought from here, that he could see the door, they would be safe. He turned around to Josh, who was almost pinned to the wall. "From here, we can just-"

Tyler was pushed forcefully and lost his balance. Right on top of Josh, chest on top of chest, mouth on top of mouth. Right there. In the middle of a party. With lots of people from their school. It happened in a second, but it felt like eternity. Tyler pushed himself off the wall, off of Josh, only thinking with his feet, took Josh's hand and charged for the door. Both of their minds seemed to shut down, but now they were outside, away from the chaos.

They hid under a window, away from the door and the strangers outside. They sat down on the grass without a word.

The light was dim, but Josh could tell Tyler was stunned. He was too, but didn't show it as much.

Josh muttered. "I'm sorry."

"No, don't apologize. It's not your fault."

"I'm just..."

"Lets just try to relax."

"Well we might be here a while. Tyler-"

"What is it?" Tyler probably hasn't blinked since his eyes were force shut from the push.

"Nothing. It's not important." They sat there with their knees pulled towards them. Tyler's mind now ran a hundred miles a minute with what in the world happened back inside. But he's not even gay...right? He just thought he was special because he never lost his wits over a girl in his life. But Josh? He's lost his wits right now. Oh no.

"Josh?"

"Yeah?"

"Is it okay if I-" he reached over slowly for Josh's hand.

Josh clasped his hand with Tyler's, something they haven't done since that one rainy day. The still didn't face each other.

Tyler broke the silence. "What were you gonna tell me? I mean, if you wanna tell me."

"I was gonna ask something, but I don't wanna make you more uncomfortable."

"Well, you can ask me. I can take it."

Josh flushed deep red. "Did you like it?"

"I- I don't know. It lasted forever. I didn't know what to think. My mind just stopped and I felt like I was electrocuted. "

"I guess I felt the same." This time, they looked up at each other. They don't look different, but they both saw something new in each other they have never seen before. Tyler continued, "I'm so nervous talking about it."

"I'm sorry Tyler. I shouldn't have brought it up."

"No. I needed this. I finally know why I've had you on my mind non-stop all month. It-It's just so..."

Tyler felt like he could just pour his heart out right here. He could latch himself onto Josh right now. Josh had the look in his eyes like he wanted to as well. Tyler straightened out his legs, only to contort them again as he turned to Josh, with his left hand still in a clasp. Josh uncurled his legs to do the same. They're so close now. Tyler slowly raised his right hand to barely, ever so slightly, touch the older boy's face. Tyler was so focused on Josh's eyes, an ocean of cocoa, coffee, and maple, that he didn't notice their hands detach, and Josh's right hand was already behind Tyler's head, almost in contact with his soft hair.

Tyler whispered very softly, "So wonderful."

Josh's coffee ocean eyes was the last thing Tyler saw before they attached again. This time, with their own will. Not forceful or firm, but soft and steady, like a resting butterfly moving its wings. They're so careful.

Tyler could feel the stubble on Josh's face as he kissed him, but it didn't bother him. His left arm was wrapped around his back. The longer they stayed melted into each other, the more this feeling, rich yet powerful like the sound of a cello, became. He just wanted Josh, Josh, and Josh.

Josh had been waiting for this moment for about a month. This whole time it seemed impossible this would ever happen outside his (extremely vivid) imagination. Now it was finally happening, and Josh had never felt so alive right now, adrenaline buzzing through him a million miles a second.

This moment is perfect, and it could go as long as they wanted, until-

"Holy fuck."