Keeper and Protector (Joshler) ✔️

36

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"This is the last smile that I'll fake for the sake of being with you."

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"Are you feeling any better, sweet boy?"

It had been a few days since Tyler had agreed to play a major role in the ever-evolving effort to rescue the missing Keepers. Just in that short period of time, he had gone through a whole slew of emotions -- shock, numbness, anger, denial, fear, sadness, and, finally... acceptance.

Today was cold and rainy, the weather outside matching the chill inside of Tyler's bones. Heart and limbs tangled up with his Protector, he cherished the feeling of Josh's hand on the small of his back, tracing tiny circles into bare skin as they laid together.

"I'm... not sure how I feel," Tyler answered, ducking his face into Josh's neck, his voice soft and hesistant. "I've been feeling so many different things that I don't know what's what anymore."

Josh nodded. He understood more than he'd ever admit. But if there was one thing Tyler didn't need, it was something else to worry about. "I just want you to know that I'm proud of you. You're such an inspiration to me and I know you're going to be one to them too."

Tyler curled his fingers against Josh's chest. "I don't know what's so inspirational about running away from your abusive Protector. I shouldn't have let him do those things to me in the first place."

"But you left him. You escaped. A lot of men and women can't do that because they're afraid of what might happen. I know you felt the same way, Tyler, but you didn't let that stop you. And if you ask me... that's incredibly inspirational."

Tyler was silent, taking in the power behind Josh's words. "You... you don't think I'm a coward?"

Josh frowned. "Of course not. Why would I think something like that?"

Looking away, Tyler's face went blank as memories of laying on the floor, crying and bleeding, with his ex-Protector towering over him came rushing back.

"I could beat you black and blue, but you still wouldn't dare leave me. You know why? Because you're nothing but a coward."

"No reason, I guess."

In the back of his mind, Josh worried if taking on such a huge responsibility would cause Tyler more harm than good.

"I don't think I can... express how much you mean to me, Josh," Tyler continued. "You give me so much hope and courage, and I don't say 'thank you' nowhere near as much as I should for all that you do for me."

Pure love flooding his veins, Josh pressed a kiss to Tyler's forehead. "You don't need to thank me for anything, baby. I try my best to give you my all, and believe me, that's only a fraction of what you deserve."

Thunder rumbled in the background as Tyler closed his eyes, inhaling the scent of the person that he loved so much. "I think I know how I'm feeling, Josh," he whispered.

Josh tightened his grip around Tyler before whispering back to him. "Tell me."

"Calm."

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When Tyler asked Josh to take him to the park, even though it was raining outside, his Protector couldn't find a good enough reason to say 'no' when time wasn't on their side anymore.

Tyler held the umbrella (since 'he's taller') over them, nothing but light conversation between them as they listened to the rain hit the ground.

"Feels kind of therapeutic, huh?" Tyler mused as they slowed to a stop.