blossom ↣ joshler ✓

32. Lucky

Okay I don't know if this needs a warning but I include the word "suicide" in reference of the running exercise. I wanted to put this here just in case bc I don't want to make anyone feel unsafe. If you guys don't think I need a warning for something like that let me know but I want to cover my bases in case it does trigger someone.

Josh pulled into Tyler's driveway the next Tuesday. He had practice on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays so there were only two days out of the week he was free and he wasn't going to not spend at least one of them with his boyfriend.

It was weird, however, coming to Tyler's without the mentioned in the car with him. The day before was weird too when Josh stayed after for practice instead of driving to pick Tyler up.

Tyler has texted him yesterday and said that he was bored and didn't know how to cope with feeling home alone. He also told Josh that his mom has been blowing his phone up all night to make sure he was alive. Overall, though, it was a success. His mom hadn't had an aneurism over him staying home alone for the first time.

Josh got out (leaving his bag in the car this time. He officially was spending time with his boyfriend so why should he focus on homework?) and made his way to the front door. He hesitated when he reached it, not knowing if he should just walk in or knock.

His questions were answered when the door flew open and Tyler pulled him inside before shutting the door. "Can I kiss you?" He asked quickly.

Josh laughed and grabbed his face, kissing softly. Tyler instantly melted into and let his arms fall around Josh's waist.

When they broke apart Josh had a teasing smile on his face. "I don't know, can you?"

Tyler scrunched his face up in disgust. "Ew. That wasn't funny."

Josh laughed and pulled Tyler in for a hug, his big arms almost completely wrapping around Tyler's thin body.

However, he let out a small groan of pain when he squeezed too hard. Tyler instantly scrambled back and looked at him. "I'm sorry! I don't know what I did but I'm sorry!"

Josh smiled and shook his head. "You're okay," he assured. "My body just hurts like hell after practice yesterday. My coach had us do suicides. Up a hill."

"I don't know what those are," Tyler admitted.

"Very difficult running exercises that's what," Josh explained. "But my whole body hurts to even stand."

Tyler looked conflicted. "Is there anything I can accomplish to assist you with that? Don't people give like... back rubs?"

Josh chuckled. "Do you want to give me a back rub? Do you know how?"

"No... but it can't be that difficult, can it?"

Josh kissed his forehead before grabbing his hand and leading him over to the couch. He laid down on his stomach. "Sit on my lower back."

"Won't that hurt?"

Josh turned to look at Tyler. "You don't weigh much and my body's already in pain. Sit down."

Tyler hesitantly sat on the spot right above Josh's butt. "Now what?"

"Rub in and out, press on anything that feels like a knot."

Tyler began pressing lightly into Josh's back. He would press harder over the knots but it wasn't enough. Josh knew he didn't want to hurt Josh even though he wouldn't.

After a few minutes of that Josh let out a hum. "Scoot down to the edge of the couch."

Once Tyler was off of him he flipped himself around (with a small grunt from the pain) and pulled Tyler onto his stomach, the younger letting out a small squeak of surprise. Josh laughed and situated them so Josh's knees were bent and Tyler was leaning against them.

The two sat quietly for a few moments. Tyler looked over and glanced out the window, making Josh notice he was spacing out. Tyler stared attentively and Josh decided to stare at all his features. He looked at his soft, long eyelashes. His small, perky nose. His rosy cheeks that never seemed to not be blushing. His cute, pink lips. The fact that those lips could go from a scowl to a smile and vice versa in half of a second.

"You're so pretty, Ty," Josh mumbled out.

Tyler looked away from the window and back over to Josh. His face scrunched up in confusion. "What? Boys can't be pretty."

"Yeah they can," Josh assured. "You wanna know how I know they can?"

"How?"

"Because you're a boy and you're damn well the prettiest person I've ever seen so yes, boys can be pretty."

Tyler blushed a deep, scarlet red and covered his face with his hands. Josh chuckled and pulled his hands away. "Joshua..." he whined.

"You're adorable when you blush. Don't hide your pretty face."

Tyler rolled his eyes but there was a smile on his face. "Thank you for saying I'm pretty. You're very handsome yourself."

"I know," Josh joked, making Tyler giggle.

"I miss you," he said seriously. "It's weird not to see you every day anymore."

"It's weird for me too," Josh replied sadly. "But I'm glad I do still get to see you. I'm glad your mom agreed to let you come with me to practice on Saturday too," he smiled.

"Me too," Tyler agreed. Suddenly, he let out a yawn and blinked tiredly. "I'm exhausted."

"How come?"

"Ever since I took that nap my sleep schedule has been off. I haven't gone to bed before 8 since the day before then. I just act asleep until I know I'm good."

Josh let out a playful gasp. "Is my baby Tyler being a rebellious teen?" He asked, tickling Tyler slightly.

He let out another giggle and pushed Josh's big, calloused hands away. "Stop," he laughed out. "Maybe a little."

Josh smiled and leaned as forward as he could without his body screaming at him to press a kiss to Tyler's lips. "C'mon, you should probably get started on your homework so your mom doesn't beat me."

"You need to begin yours as well, Joshua," Tyler responded.

"How will I be able to watch you concentrate and look all cute if I'm doing my homework?"

Tyler rolled his eyes once more and crawled off of Josh. "I'm going to laugh when you fail all your classes."

Josh offered him a toothy grin. "You already laugh at me anyway and I'm already failing all my classes so I don't see anything new here."

Tyler shook his head with a smile on his face as he got his binder out of his bag.

That afternoon made Josh think of one thing in particular.

How incredibly lucky he was to have Tyler in his life.