trench oneshots

Pet Cheetah

Tyler was walking around the campground. For the first time in a while, he and Josh had a night off from patrol. So, of course, instead of getting sleep, Tyler was walking around at 2 am. His thoughts were getting to deep and dark and he needed some way to calm them.

It was a nice night. No clouds so he could see all the stars, the ground was lit up just enough that it wasn't obnoxious but he could see where he was going without a torch. He didn't want to be seen. He had promised Josh that he would get sleep tonight, as he actually had a chance too for once. But now Tyler was reaching the dema border. He knew he should turn around and head home but he kept walking.

Josh is gonna be worried if he finds me gone. I promised him I would sleep tonight. But this god damm headache won't go away. I wonder if we have any-

Tyler's thoughts were cut off with the sound of rustling leaves. He reached in the pocket of his jacket and pulled out his yellow switchblade, the marbled pattern shining in the star light. "Who's there?" Tyler asked, looking around as he heard it again.

He looked down and saw a small bundle of leaves, again rustling. Tyler bent down and moved away a few of the leaves with his knife. "Oh my god." He gasped when saw the animal underneath. "Hi, baby." He cooed, putting his knife back in his pocket and gently petting it before picking it up. "You're so tiny. Imma name you Jason." He held Jason, baby style, in his arms as he pet it's head. Soon, he fell asleep again and Tyler was heading back to the campgrounds.

Oh my God Josh is going to kill me. First lie about sleeping. Next I'm bringing home a cheetah. I can't just leave him though. He's a baby and he can't survive by himself. I mean, he could help us maybe? Once they get older they're really fierce and fast. He could help us-

"TYLER!"

Oh shit. Tyler looked up from the ground to see a very angry Josh running towards him. He ran even faster towards Josh, which caused his pace to falter. Josh was going to say something but stopped when Tyler passed him, heading towards their tent.

"TYLER GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE!" Josh yelled, running towards his husband.

Finally they had both reached their tent and Josh stormed in. "Tyler what the he-"

"JOSH I FOUND A BABY CHEETAH AND WE HAVE TO KEEP HIM! HIS NAME IS JASON!" Tyler blurted out in one breath, holding the animal from under the armpits.

Josh's mouth gaped as he looked at his husband and the small furry animal in his hands. "Ty wh-" he was cut off when Tyler shoved Jason into his arms. Josh looked down at the cub. Petting its head gently with his thumb. When he looked up he found Tyler stripping the extra bed they never used and putting the sheets in a bundle on their own bed.

Tyler rushed over and grabbed the cub again, gently placing him on the bundle of sheets. "I don't know if he can see yet. He seems really calm." Tyler said, trying to push the point across that he was keeping it. He waved a finger back and forth in front of Jason's eyes. When his eyes followed the finger and one of his paws reached out and grabbed it, rubbing it across his face, Tyler smiled and spoke again. "I think he likes me." He hummed with content before jumping out of skin.

Josh had stomped his foot on a pot that was on the ground, effectively scaring Tyler. "Tyler what the hell?" Josh asked quietly, not wanting to wake up the rest of the camp, despite the noise he had just made. He stood with his arms hanging at his sides, legs standing a little to close together, making Josh wobble a little bit. For the first time that night, Tyler got a good look at his husband.

His hair was messy and sticking up every which way. He had bags under his eyes. Does he hide those with his bandana or did I cause those? He was wobbling while standing up and he was slouching more than usual. He must've been terrified when he saw me gone.

Tyler walked over to his husband and hugged him. "I'm sorry. I know I promised to sleep tonight but my head got loud and I got a headache along with it and I just needed to calm myself. I should've left a note or something." Tyler stopped when Josh kissed him.

"Its ok Ty. I was just really worried." Josh whispered tiredly, resting his forehead on Tyler's shoulder. After a minute he placed his chin on his shoulder. "What are we gonna do about Jason?" His voice was small, quiet. Tyler could tell he was tired. "I mean how're we gonna feed him? And he's gonna have to stay on the guest bed. Or on the floor but what happens when he pees or poops on the sheets?" He kept rambling on for a few minutes, letting go of his husband and sitting by the pile of blankets. He started to pet Jason's head with his thumb again.

Tyler walked over to his husband and sat behind him, hugging his waist. "I'll give him some of my food, I'll clean his sheets when he pees or poops, I'll try to potty train as best as I can. He can stay on the floor next to the bed." He leaned in and kissed Josh's shoulder before setting his chin on it. "I promise I'll take care if him."

Josh hummed in response, leaning his head on Tyler's. "We'll take care of him." He smiled as he felt Tyler give a tired hum.