Keeper and Protector (Joshler) ✔️

48

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"I want you so much. But I hate your guts."

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"Are you sure it won't hurt?"

Josh bit back a laugh as he watched Tyler dip a toe into the water. "I'm positive, baby love." He leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "How about this? I'll go in first so I can hold your hand while you step in."

Tyler nodded slowly. "Promise you won't let go?"

"I promise." Reaching down to the hem of his shirt, Josh pulled it up and over his head.

Curious as ever, Tyler couldn't help but do a quick once-over of Josh's body, his eyes widening a little bit. He had seen his Protector shirtless a handful of times since Dema, but today, he looked so much more... different.

"Like what you see, cutie?"

Realizing he had been staring, Tyler quickly looked away, cheeks flushing. "Oh, I'm sorry."

"No, don't be. I like it when you look at my body."

Tyler giggled softly. "It looks really nice. Have you been working out, Mr. Dun?"

"Hey, I have to do something to release the nervous energy." Josh flexed his biceps a little. "My body may look stronger but I promise I'm still the same old Josh."

"I think you're strong, inside and out."

Josh gave him a big smile. "Is it Happy Josh Day? Because you're being awfully sweet."

"Every day can be Happy Josh Day if you want it to be," Tyler said before pecking a shy kiss onto Josh's lips. "Love you, J."

"I love you too," Josh echoed before kissing him again. "Come on, let's get in the pool."

Tyler watched as Josh descended down the stairs, his body sinking lower and lower into the water with every step. When said man turned back around and held his hand out, kind eyes meeting wide ones, Tyler felt a little less nervous over what was to come.

"Ready?"

He nodded, left hand gripping the rail as he gingerly stepped into the water. "It's warmer than I thought," he commented, looking at the water around his ankles.

"That's because it's an indoor pool." Josh smiled before stepping closer to meet him at the bottom of the steps. "Eyes on me, love. I got you."

As soon as Tyler's hand slipped inside of Josh's, a great sense of calm came over him. Soon, he was standing waist-deep in the water. "This feels so weird," he said, squeezing the other man's hand a little.

"You did it!" Josh grinned. "Good job, baby."

Tyler smiled back. "Thank you. How deep is this pool?"

"Five-and-a-half feet? So if I have a heart attack and let go of your hand... you're not gonna drown."

"Silly goose." Tyler giggled. "I'm glad you're so dedicated to holding my hand."

"Always."

"I like how the water feels."

"Me too. Being underwater is even better."

"Can we go underneath?"

"Sure. Just be sure to hold your nose, cutie."

Tyler reached up and held his nose with his thumb and index finger. "Like this?"

Josh chuckled at the sound of Tyler's nasally voice. "Perfect. Eyes on me, okay?"