Fleurs Captives (Joshler)

51. Wisteria

Wisteria:
meaning- welcoming

***Trigger warnings for PTSD, a panic attack, and extremely brief mentions of smut/masturbation.***

Start the song. It's Extension Cord by Fog Lake.

The outside of the house wasn't even remotely familiar to Josh. He stared at the red brick and screen door with absolutely no recognition. Frustration welled up in him as he tried to will the memory back into existence, but it wasn't working.

A small hand slid into his, and for a split second, he thought it was Debby's. Abbie led him into the house though, guiding him with a gentle hand and a comforting smile. Her red hair and freckled cheeks reminded him so much of his baby that he didn't question allowing her to help him untie his shoes. The rest of his family was quiet as he walked barefoot across dark grey carpet, remembering the texture more than the colour as he looked at the photos of himself and the other Duns that were plastered all over the walls.

He flinched when a distant thundering sound came down the stairs, and then he was catching the cat that jumped on him while the other rubbed itself against his legs and yowled desperately. The cat in his arms rubbed her orange and white face all over his, purring happily as she kneaded her paws against his shirt. Her claws pricked his skin slightly, but he didn't complain. An overwhelming sensation of love and security washed over him as he crouched down to pick up the other cat too. Then both cats were purring as they rubbed their faces against him and clung to his shirt.

"They've slept on your bed every night since you left," Ashley told him quietly. "They missed you too."

Josh smiled, carrying the orange and black cats with him as he continued to walk through the house. He felt less anxious as the cats purred themselves to sleep in his arms. They seemed to suck the tension right out of him with every inhalation.

The kitchen tile was cold, but the yellow walls were somewhat familiar. He could hear his family walking behind him in case he needed support, but he was okay right now. He looked at the black countertops, smiling when he saw that there was another plate of Abbie's cookies sitting on top of it.

It wasn't until he got to the dining room that he stopped, absolutely drenched in familiarity. He knew this place. He'd seen it very recently.

"I had a dream about this room," he said quietly, not really sure if he was meaning for his family to hear him or not. He looked around for a moment before looking at the cats. "I don't think you're supposed to be in here," he told them.

His family laughed before his mom said, "We can make an exception today."

"Cool," Josh replied, looking around the room one more time before leaving it.

None of the other rooms were familiar until he reached his bedroom. His bed was missing from the room, but everything else was exactly where it was supposed to be. He looked around at the green walls and blue ceiling in awe before setting the cats down on the ground, much to their chagrin, and lying down on the dark green carpet beside them. He smiled up at the stars on the ceiling. After a moment, he felt his family lie down around him.

"That's Gemini," his mother explained.

Josh nodded, staring at the plastic stars in awe. "Gemini," he repeated in a whisper.

He smiled when the black cat settled atop his stomach, pawing at him contentedly. This was what home felt like. This was what safety felt like.

Josh reached his own hand out to grab the one nearest to him, needing something to ground him for a moment. Ashley's hand squeezed his comfortingly. He closed his eyes.