Crushing (Joshler)

14. Bat

***Trigger warnings for mentions of periods/endometriosis, mentions of vomiting, mentions of drug use (marijuana), PTSD symptoms, and mentions of past child abuse (sexual).***

Start the song. It's Vanilla Pines by Tow'rs.

Josh wasn't as exhausted when he came home tonight as he had been for the past few nights before. The freshman who'd been earning their team extra punishments all week had finally learned to keep his mouth shut, so things went a lot smoother today. Still, he was tired when he came in after dark, wanting nothing more than a hot shower, a beer, food, and to make sure Ashley and Tyler were okay.

The first item he was able to cross off of his checklist was making sure his people were okay. Tyler was sitting on the couch, still wearing Josh's clothes, and tiredly watching the TV. Ashley was lying with her head in Tyler's lap, curled up in the fetal position with her heating pad nestled against her lower stomach as she slept. It was pretty clear from the look on her face that she was in pain, but what little remained of the cookie sitting on the coffee table proved she'd taken more than enough precautions to try to counter that pain.

Tyler's eyes shot to Josh as soon as the door opened. Josh didn't really know if Tyler's expression was supposed to convey anxiety or relief, but his quiet voice trembled slightly as he informed Josh, "Her pain started to get really bad an hour an a half ago. It was making her throw up for a little while, but the weed helped a little. I didn't really know how to help though."

Josh set his bag down by the door before walking over to the couch, crouching down so he could look Ashley over himself. "Not a lot we can do if she ain't telling us what she needs us to do. Weed, heat, distractions, and physical contact are usually her preferred treatments, so I'd say you did a good job. This is probably what I would've done too."

Ashley remained fast asleep, but relaxed more when Josh pressed a kiss to her forehead and brushed her hair off of her face with his fingertips. He soothed his hand along her back too, lessening the pressure of his hand against her back the further down it went in case she was starting to feel pain there too.

"You're really good at knowing what she needs when she's sick like this, huh?" Tyler noted.

Josh smiled slightly, looking up at Tyler amusedly. "I don't really have an excuse not to. I'm the one who bought her her first box of tampons, and I've been sitting on bathroom floors with her while she throws up from pain since we were ten. I've had lots of time to learn how to take care of her."

Tyler smiled too, but something still seemed weird.

"You feelin' okay?" Josh asked Tyler before the discussion about Ashley could drag on long enough to make him forget to ask.

Once again, Tyler's smile seemed off. "I'm okay."

Josh hesitated before deciding to state simply, "No, you ain't."

Tyler's smile faded, and his eyes were no longer meeting Josh's. "I'll be okay," he rephrased.

"Yeah, you will," Josh agreed, "especially after you tell me what's goin' on so I can help you out. Come on, Bambi. You ain't all alone, remember? And I'm mean and scary, so I'll keep you safe."

Tyler almost smiled at that before he was looking at Josh with tears forming in his eyes. "I-uh-I've been wanting to tell you everything that's going on, but I'm too afraid of you never talking to me again or hating me or thinking I deserve what's going on with my ex once I tell you. I love you guys, and I trust you, but I'm terrified of losing you if I tell you everything."