Hounded

22. home is whenever you are

"Who?" Momma Dun asked as she flipped to the next page of her novel. When Jordan appeared through the doorway she looked up, freezing when she saw who was with him. Tyler teared up instantly, teleporting into momma Duns lap and hugging her tightly.

"Oh my God Tyler." She said hugging him back, letting her book fall to the floor. "Momma." He sniffled, burying his face as far as he could in her neck. When Abby and Ashley got up and ran over to hug him to he pulled back, letting them pat his head and scratch behind his ear.

When mr. Dun got back from the bathroom he looked confused. "What's all the commotion?" He asked. Tyler turned to face him. "Da." He said reaching for him. Mr. Dun quickly came over and picked him up. "Tyler. Thank God you're safe." He said.

Tyler sniffled again, wrapping his legs around mr. Duns waist, hugging him tightly. When mr. Dun set him down Tyler looked around. "Where Josh?" He asked. All the Duns look at each other before momma Dun spoke. "Tyler hunny come here." She said.

He went over and sat next to her. "Josh... doesnt live here anymore. He moved out and has his own place now." She said. Tyler let that sink in for a moment. "We go see him?" Tyler asked. Momma Dun looked up at her husband. "Please?" Tyler asked. "Yeah okay me and you will take a drive over. The rest of the kids need to get to bed though. It's a school night." She said. Tyler nodded.

So the kids went to bed while Tyler and momma Dun went and got in the car. It took momma dun a while to convince Tyler that he would see everyone again and that they wouldnt disappear forever. Tyler held momma Duns hand the whole drive. He missed her so much. When they parked the car they got out. Tyler stared up at the new house.

He leant agaisnt momma Duns shoulder while she knocked on the door and while they waited for it to open. When it did, Tyler wasted no time in jumping forward and hugging Josh. Josh looked confused, he didnt get to see who this person was before they hugged him.

He looked at his mom before pushing Tyler back to look at him. When he realized who it was his eyes widened and he quickly pulled Tyler back in for a hug. Tyler jumped up so his legs could wrap around Josh's waist, kissing joshs neck softly. Josh held onto him tightly, kissing his forehead.

"Josh." Tyler whispered, receiving another forehead kiss. He sat up and pressed his lips to Josh's. Josh's eyes widened at first but he melted into the kiss. When Tyler pulled back tears were running down his cheeks again. "Whered you learn that?" Josh asked. "Other soilders." Tyler shrugged.

Josh nodded, letting Tyler kiss him again. When they pulled apart again Tyler grabbed Josh's face, studying him almost, making sure nothing was missing and that Josh was still all together and safe. "I missed you." He whispered. "I missed you too. So much." Josh whispered back.

Eventually Josh tyler and momma Dun ended up in Josh's living room talking. "So how long were you away for?" Josh asked. "Um.. three year. Six month." Tyler replied. Josh's eyes widened. "Really?" He asked. Tyler nodded. "What was it like?" Josh asked.

Tyler sighed softly. "Scary.... loud... bloody... painful.." he trailed off before shaking his head. Josh rubbed his back as he started shaking slightly. "Hey it's okay you dont have to talk about it right now." Josh said, hugging Tyler. Tyler sniffled.

"So tylrr did you want to stay with Josh or come back home with me?" Momma Dun asked. "Josh." Tyler decided quickly. She nodded. "Okay. I gotta get home but I'll see you soon okay?" She asked, standing up to kiss both Josh and Tyler's forehead. Tyler looked at her in an almost panic.

"You'll see me again. I promise. If you feel like you need to talk to me or see me tonight get Josh to facetime me okay?" She asked. "Okay." Tyler whispered. Once momma Dun had left Josh took Tyler upstairs to the bedroom.

"You're not gonna sleep in rhat are you?" Josh asked when Tyler went to climb into bed with his uniform on. He wears it all the time. He has nothing else to wear. Jenna offered to buy him clothes a few times but he declined, not wanting her to waste her money on that stuff for him.

Tyler shrugged. "I'll give you something of mine to put on okay?" Josh asked. Tyler nodded. Josh dug out some clothes then walked over to Tyler after throwing them on the bed. "Did you want me to help like I usually do or did you want to do it yourself?" Josh asked.

"You help." Tyler said. Josh nodded and went to start but Tyler grabbed his hands. "got new scars." He said as to warn Josh. Josh frowned. "They bad. Real bad...." Tyler trailed off. "Did you not want me to see?" Josh asked. "You can see... just dont freak out." Tyler whispered, letting Josh remove his jacket and shirt.

Josh let out a soft breath, gently running his fingers over the scars on Tyler's chest. "What happened?" He asked. "Got shot." Tyler replied. Josh looked st him with wide eyes. "...did.. did it hurt?" He asked. Tyler nodded. "Thought I die." He whispered. Josh sighed.

"I cant believe they sent you to war.. fuck... I love you... did you know that?" Josh asked. "You shouldnt." Tyler replied. "Why not?" Josh asked. "I'm bad." Tyler whispered. "You're bad?" Josh asked. Tyler nodded. "I kill... so many." He whispered, squeezing his eyes shut. "So so many." He added quietly.

"Hey it's okay. Look at me." Josh said. Tyler did but there were tears in his eyes again, he was fighting flashbacks and guilt was drowning him. "You did what you had to do. I'm not mad at you for that. Nobody is. I know you wouldnt if you had the choice. It's not your fault okay?" Josh said.

"I still did it though." Tyler whispered. "That doesnt matter. I forgive you okay?.. you gotta forgive yourself ty." Josh replied. Tyler looked off to the side. "Sleepy." He whispered. 'Sleepy? You wanna go to bed?" Josh asked. Tyler nodded.

He let Josh finish helping him into pjs and let Josh adjust his dogtags which he wouldnt take off because he was told not to while over seas. He then let Josh pick him up and tuck him into bed. He also let Josh hold him tightly as they shut their eyes.

"I'm so glad you're home." Josh whispered. "You are home." Tyler whispered, cuddling closer. "You my home." He added. Josh kissed his forehead. "You're my home too and I love you so much." He said before settling to sleep. "Love you too." Tyler whispered.