Keeper and Protector (Joshler) ✔️

43

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"I've got soul but I'm not a soldier."

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Blank.

That was the inside of Tyler's mind as he came to. Vision blurring and doubling, his eyes struggled to focus as he tried to figure out where he was.

"Doctor, he's waking up."

Tyler managed to turn his head and was surprised to see a familiar face next to him: Genevieve. Trying to sit up, he was hit by an awful pain, knocking the air out of his lungs.

"Easy, easy," she said. "Not too fast, okay?"

"You're lucky to be alive." Yet another voice. Tyler's head drifted to the right, identifiying the other person as the doctor. "You made it out with a concussion, bruised ribs and a sprain in your back. Painful, yes, but thankfully, not life-threatening."

What... happened?

Tyler's voice cracked as he tried to speak. "Where... where am I?"

"Base camp," Genevieve answered. "We're about five miles from the main house. Some behind-the-scenes people are still there but all of the medical personnel team is here."

Vision finally re-focusing, Tyler looked up at the tent that surrounded them, wondering how long he had been unconscious for. "Where are the other Keepers?"

"Receiving care in other tents," the doctor answered. "They were injured as well, but everyone is expected to make a full recovery."

Wracking his brain, the only thing Tyler could remember was running towards...

Josh.

"He went over to visit with Oliver." When Tyler looked over at Genevieve, she gave him a small smile. "I figured that was gonna be your next question."

Mind going to Oliver, Tyler wondered what Josh's reaction had been when he found out that he was alive. But the real question was... did Fynn know?

"Here, drink some water," the doctor said, handing him a small flask of it. "You're severely dehydrated. We gave you IV fluids but the more you can drink, the better."

"Thank you." Tyler wasted no time drinking it, incredibly grateful to have more than just a few sips after such a long period of time.

Genevieve patted him on the shoulder. "I'm going to let Josh know that you're awake."

Once she left the tent, Tyler asked the doctor if he could sit up. A few minutes later, he was propped up against some pillows, the pain uncomfortable but bearable, with all things considered. Once the doctor left, Tyler was left to deal with his thoughts and the faint ticking inside of his arm.

Will my Time Keeper ever be the same? Are there enough pieces of my heart left for Josh to try and glue back together?

His thoughts were interrupted when the tent flaps opened. In peeked a mess of yellow hair with a smile Tyler couldn't forget even if he wanted to.

"My little Bandito!"

Tyler burst into tears as soon as he saw Josh, hiccuping and gasping away from the pure relief and happiness flooding his body.

Josh hurried to Tyler's side, quickly (but carefully) taking him into his reassuring arms. "Shh, shh, it's okay, Ty-Ty..."

"Joshua," Tyler croaked out, squeezing him with the little strength that he could manage. "Is this real? Are you real?"

"I'm real. I'm here. And I'm never leaving you again." Josh ran his fingers through his Keeper's ragged hair, tears streaming down his face. "I promise."