blossom ↣ joshler ✓

20. Gym

Josh caught the ball Dallon had thrown at him with ease, tossing it back lightly once it was in his grasp.

"Full disclosure," Brendon hummed. "You look so hot when you play, baby," he said to Dallon.

Dallon smiled at him before throwing the ball back at Josh. "Thank you."

The three were currently in gym class. At their school it was only required to take gym for two years so the three planned to take it freshman and junior year, lucking out and getting the class together this year.

After everyone ran ten laps around the gym, the teacher said they could have free time. Since their teacher was also the baseball coach, he didn't look twice when Josh and Dallon decided to play a light game of catch while Brendon just sat and watched. He knew Dallon and Brendon were an item and he knew Brendon put his work in most days so he didn't mind.

"I'm gonna hurl because of you two," Josh joked, catching the ball once more. "Hey do you think Coach has extra gloves?"

"He should," Dallon replied, watching Josh throw the ball back and forth between his own hands. "They're used when we do the softball unit in class."

"Coach!" Josh yelled towards his direction.

Coach Heaton looked up and raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, Dun?"

"Do you have any extra gloves?" He asked, sticking the baseball in the air so he knew that's what Josh needed them for.

"Check the equipment room," Coach Heaton replied before going back down to his laptop.

Josh nodded and turned to his friends, I'll be right back," he told them before jogging off, his green shorts hitting the back of his legs as he did so.

He walked over to the room, looking through it until he spotted a box of gloves sitting on the floor. He grabbed the two that looked the least destroyed before making his way back into the gym and handing one to Dallon. Once they both had the leather on their hand, they resumed their game of catch.

"Dally will you take me on a date on Saturday?" Brendon asked.

"Sure," Dallon replied. "Anything for you, baby."

"Please excuse me while I go puke my lunch up," Josh made a gagging noise.

"You're just sad because you're lonely," Dallon teased.

"No I'm not," he stated proudly.

"Wait did you—" Brendon began excitedly.

"Yeah," Josh smiled, a blush creeping up on his face.

"What the hell is going on?" Dallon raised an eyebrow.

"Josh has a crush on the religious brat he babysits."

"Wait when did this happen? I thought he was homophobic. I'm so out of the loop."

"I was too until he told me on Sunday," Brendon assured. "He filled me in. Basically he has internalized homophobia and then they kissed and then Josh developed a crush like the little bitch he is."

"Did you tell him?" Dallon looked at Josh.

"One, he's not 'the religious brat I babysit'," he huffed. "His name is Tyler. Two, yes I did. We're dating now," he grinned.

"Damn," Dallon whistled. "Never thought you'd go after the church boy."

"I never thought so either," Josh shrugged.

"So like... what's that like?" Brendon asked. "Because didn't you guys like mess around before now?"

"We didn't mess around," Josh rolled his eyes. "I kissed him and held his hand and that's it," he told them, deciding not to mention the time they practically had phone sex.

"Just," Brendon sighed. "Be careful, J. I don't want you getting hurt."

"Tyler wouldn't hurt me."

"No maybe not physically but he very well could emotionally, especially if he's closeted and has internalized homophobia. It won't be intentional but it could happen," he shrugged slightly.

"I'll be okay, Brendon. Promise."

---

Josh almost fucking squealed when Tyler got into the car after school. "Hi," he greeted, giving the younger a dopey smile.

Once Tyler was situated and had his seatbelt on his turned towards Josh, a small smile growing on his own face. "Hello, Joshua."

The mentioned couldn't help it when he grabbed Tyler's cheeks and pressed a longing kiss to his lips. The brunette was surprised but reciprocated best he could while being strapped down to his seat.

Once they pulled back, Tyler let out a breath. His cheeks were their usual rosy color and Josh wanted to melt. "I hate being called Joshua," he laughed.

Tyler bit his lip as he held back another smile. "That's your name though."

"I don't like it. I've always gone by Josh," he replied. "But it's kind of cute when you go it. It's grown on me."

"Good because I'm not going to start calling you something that isn't your name."

Josh just chuckled and tapped lightly on the steering wheel. He saw Tyler's eyes flick over to Josh's hands longingly. He knew Tyler wanted to hold hands but he waited for a moment, seeing if the younger would initiate anything.

A few seconds passed and nothing happened. Josh even saw Tyler's hand recoil further into his lap.

Josh frowned and stuck his hand out, never once letting his eyes leave the road. He felt Tyler grab it. "Please don't be scared to hold my hand or kiss me or anything. If you want something either do it or tell me so you can do it."

Tyler let out a sigh. "I just don't understand how to cope with affection of any sort. It was almost like as soon as you gave me a little bit with that kiss or with holding my hand, I couldn't help wanting so much of it. I guess I never really knew what I was led astray from."

Josh stopped at a red light and glanced over at his boyfriend. He seemed to just realize just how delicate and fragile the boy was. There were so many things that could go wrong and suddenly everything Brendon had said earlier in gym started popping up in his mind.

Despite that, he pushed those thoughts down and gave Tyler's hand a slight squeeze. "It's okay. I'll help you deal with it."