we're not all stand-our-ground soldiers
josh knew that tyler's parents weren't at home and were out with their siblings for a few days. all he didn't know was why they didn't bring tyler.
he picked the lock to the front door somehow and ended up getting in a few moments later, closing it shut and running upstairs to tyler's bedroom. they were sitting there, curled up in a ball and sobbing. josh would be lying if he said he didn't see a blade and small drops of blood.
the boy's heart skipped a beat at the sight of his boyfriend like this. josh crawled across tyler's bed and right to them, pulling them close and examining their slightly bleeding wrist. "baby," he whispered, tears blurring his vision now as well, "why..?"
"i'm so sorry josh," tyler sobbed. "i-i know y-y-you want me t-to stop but i c-can't.. it's s-so hard and - a-and i've been h-having bad days l-lately and i'm j-just so f-f-fucking sensitive... i'm s-so sorry i have to w-worry you like this.. i-i wish i c-could be better t-than this.."
josh's heart ached for tyler. they were so fragile now, and if they were diamond glass, they'd be cracking all over and almost shattered. he knew they self harmed, and they promised him that they'd stop, but here both of them are... and it's okay. sometimes things don't stay perfect forever, and you just gotta accept what goes on. because with time, it gets better. more so temporarily than permanently.
"shh.. tyler, it's alright, i'm not mad," he reassured the brunet softly, kissing their ear. "i know how hard it is. and believe me, if i love you, i worry. if i didn't worry, then i wouldn't love you as truly as i really do. but i do love you, and care about you, and worry for you. i know you may think that no one actually gives a shit, tyler, but sweetheart i promise i'll always be here for you. we'll marry someday, and be happy, and not care about what others think. and ashley is very sorry about how she hurt you. it's okay to be emotional, it's okay to get hurt by things. we're not all stand-our-ground soldiers, still alive when others are shouting battle cries. we're not all made of steel. and it's okay."
tyler sniffled, resting their head against josh's chest as josh played with their fluff brown hair gently. "thank you joshie," they squeaked, closing their chocolatey brown eyes. "i love you so much... you're so caring. and kind. and adorable. and hot.. and... talented and smart... and supportive.... i love you so so much... i don't know what i did to deserve you."
josh chuckled, smiling wide. he heard tyler giggle as well, and that's all it took to put some of these colorful puzzle pieces back together. "oh, love.." he murmured in a happy tone.
"what you did to deserve me? you were born into this world. with all those difficulties you had, and everything that went wrong, you kept falling. and i went over and picked you up whenever you needed me. i don't know what i did to deserve you, but i see so much more positive in you than negative. and hell, just having you makes me happy."
that earned some giggles from tyler. and it made josh happy.
"god.. you're so charming, man. i can't." they laughed, and sooner or later the two of them fell asleep tangled in each others' arms and legs, but it was peaceful.