teeth ↣ joshler ✓

33. Cover

Accidentally published this with a note I forgot to write in and edit out. I hit publish instead of save. Here's the final version lol sorry!

The awkwardness continued into dinner that night when the four Duns were sat around the kitchen table.

"So," their mom began. "How was school?"

"Fine," both Josh and Jordan replied.

"How's Tyler?"

"Fine," Josh spoke alone that time.

"How's Rylee?"

"Fine," Jordan copied, playing around with his fork as he poked and prodded the food on his plate.

"Are you alright, Jordan?" Their dad asked worriedly. "You haven't been eating much since you've gotten over your sickness."

"Yeah, Jordan," Josh piped up with an innocent smile on his face. "Everything okay?"

Jordan shot him a look that if could kill, would send him six feet under. Well, Josh knew Jordan could actually kill him but he also knew he wouldn't. "Yeah," Jordan responded, his smile tight. "Just don't have much of an appetite anymore."

"But you love sweet potatoes," their mom pointed out. "I made them tonight specifically for you. Josh hates them."

"That I do," the mentioned hummed. "Mom makes a good point, Jor. Why aren't you eating your favorite food?"

Jordan blinked, silently telling him to shut up. "I'm not very hungry," he repeated.

"Okay..." their dad trailed off. "Your mother and I need to talk to you two about something."

"Yeah?" Josh asked.

"We've been noticing that the past week or so that one of you guys have been sneaking out after curfew," their dad continued sternly. "Would either of you like to confess?"

The two Dun brothers were silent for a moment. Jordan let out a sigh and was about to open his mouth when Josh remembered what Tyler said about him being happy. He cut his brother off. "It was me," he lied. "I've been sneaking out to see Tyler."

"Josh..." their mom said disappointedly. "We expect better than that for you. Your father and I both thought it was Jordan."

"No, it was me..."

"Well," their dad sucked in a breath. "That leaves us no choice but to ground you for a week. You're only allowed to go to work and school. We'll let you keep your phone this time."

"What?" Josh looked at that them incredulously. "That's not fair! I've never done anything like this before!"

"Because you know better," their mom added.

"You can take the punishment or we can up it," their dad finalized.

Josh groaned. "Fine. I'll take it. Can I be excused?"

"After you rinse your plate."

Josh did as he was told and once he was done, made his way down the halfway and to his room. He shut the door a little louder than needed and fell back into his bed. It wasn't fair he couldn't see Tyler it Jenna for a week outside of school just because he decided to be a good big brother.

A few moments later his door opened and he glanced up to see who it was. Upon noticing his guest, his let his head fall back into his bed with a scowl on his face. "Go away."

"No," Jordan shut the door behind him. "Why did you cover for me like that?" He asked seriously, coming to sit on the end of Josh's bed.

Josh let out a sigh and sat up so he could talk to Jordan better. "Because as much as I'm annoyed by Rylee turning you, you look happy. I'm not gonna let you fuck it up."

"You're happy with Tyler too. Just because you're the odd one out doesn't mean you don't get to be happy either."

Josh let out a snort and looked at him. "The odd one out? The only one alive?"

Jordan let out a laugh. "Yeah, basically," he nudged Josh's shoulder. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it," Josh smiled. "I'm glad you found a girl that made you happy, even if it led to unimaginable circumstances. I'll get over it. I have to. If I'm gonna support you then I'm gonna do it the right way. You're right. I support Tyler and Jenna. I'm gonna support you too."

Jordan looked at him sincerely. "Really?"

"Yeah. It's not your fault. You didn't know what you were getting into. You went through something that took a lot out of you and you're gonna go through more. I'm gonna try to stick around as long as I can to help you with that."

Jordan wrapped an arm around him and gave him a side hug. "Thanks, J. What made you come to this conclusion?"

"Tyler. He's grown a lot in these past few months and is trying to have a better outlook on things. It's not fair for me to give them a chance and not you. Just as long as you don't kill or turn anyone."

Jordan held up his pinky finger which Josh grabbed with his own. "Rylee's not like that. Neither are her parents. Her brother's an asshole though."

"Yeah. He turned Tyler and I think he turned Jenna."

"Really? Damn," Jordan replied sadly. "I'm sorry. No her parents are really nice. Y'know, for bloodsuckers," he joked, making Josh laugh. "She's been really good with showing me the ropes. I've had to feed from people a lot more lately but once I get used to things more it'll only be every two weeks or so. That's what works for us. But neither of us ever have any malicious intentions."

"Good," Josh smiled. "Proud of you, Jor. You're growing up."

"Yeah I'll have a lot of time to do that," he laughed. "I hope this brings us closer, y'know. I wouldn't wanna lose my relationship with my big bro."

"Well," Josh began, having to break the news to him. "You'll lose it at some point," he let out a sad chuckle. "I won't be around forever like you and Rylee and Jenna and Tyler," he continued, his throat tightening as he continued on down his list.

Jordan could obviously sense something was bothering Josh. "Hey, what's up?"

Josh leaned forward and put his head in his hands. "It's just so hard," he sighed. "Y'know, knowing being with Tyler is pointless. I love him and I love being with him but you know the saying— if you're not dating to be with someone forever, you're dating for heartbreak," his eyes filled with tears. "And the latter's looking pretty likely. Especially with us going to separate colleges after we graduate."

Jordan nodded. "Well, talk to him about it," he paused. "I promise I was going to do anything to you or try to force you into anything but... if you ever decide to want to be like us... that's okay. I want you to know if you want to get turned so you can be with him forever— whenever you decide —that's understandable. Rylee told me about this feeling, before she turned me, that felt definite. Like we were meant to be together. Maybe he feels that way about you? I felt it after she turned me. So I think you should talk to him and see what he says. Tell him exactly what you told me. Plus if anyone should turn you, it should be him. You get a special bond with the person who turned you. It would be beneficial for you guys."

Josh gave him a funny look. "When did you get to wise?"

"When I died."

Josh let out a laugh and gave him a side hug that time. "I love you, Jor."

"I love you too, Josh."

"One more thing."

"Yeah?"

"If you're gonna sneak out, don't be so shitty at doing it."