Dislocated

Sam's small bungalow is buzzing. It's dim lights casting a calming hue on the surrounding yard. Cars line her drive way, Chris recognizes each of them, lining up beside Jess' CJ5. Bodies move in front of the open windows, tiny Christmas lights dangling over head.

Josh sits in his seat, positively jittery. His leg bounces nervously, chewing his bottom lip. Chris cuts off the engine.

"What do you think they'll say?" Josh asks.

"They'll say your scarf is stupid." Chris jokes, trying to keep his voice light.

"Dude, this scarf is amazing."

"You're like the Rapunzel of scarves."

Josh nudges him roughly. "Shut up."

They sit in silence, both staring at the door until it opens revealing Sam. She's in cut off shorts and that's probably the closest she'll ever get to pants. Her arm raises in exasperation. Josh chuckles softly.

"Busted. Let's go, Cochise."

The walk to the door is slow, Chris' steps heavy even as Josh laces their fingers together. Sam's house hadn't changed. Still dark blue walls with quilted accents that remind Chris a lot of a witch's lair. Jess sees them first when they enter, hopping up from her seat on the couch. She hurries over, hugging Josh immediately, knocking her shoulder against Chris and she's crying already. Chris tries to step away to give them so privacy but Josh's grip is bone crushing.

It seems appropriate for Jess to be first, after what happened on the mountain, she was the first to be dragged away. Ashley is standing beside the fireplace, watching the display with Matt, who nods at Chris in greeting. Mike has an arm around Emily while they stand nearby in the living room. Sam claps Chris on the shoulder.

Josh eyes Jess nervously. "This wasn't what I was expecting."

His expression changes when he sees her face, the fine red scars that mark her once flawless complexion. Pain ripples across his features and Josh touches his own, immediately self conscious. He moves to shift his scarf up higher but Jess is grabbing his hand and shaking her head.

"You're still as hot as the first day I met your annoying ass." Jess laughs, eyes wet with tears. "We can be hot twins."

Josh appears to be at a loss, slowly releasing Chris' hand. He averts his eyes. Jess cups his face in her hands, smoothing away stray tears that escape his eyes. She hugs him again, tighter, and Josh hugs back this time, burying his face in her neck and she's whispering softly in his ear.

It's a domino effect after that. Matt, surprisingly goes next, pulling Josh into a hug that ends with an awkward shoulder pat that leaves both of them laughing.

Chris wasn't expecting sappy because that's just not how they're group worked, he expected half hearted apologies despite the emotions running high. The reunion wasn't sappy, it wasn't half assed and when Mike is choking on a sob saying how bad he feels Chris knows then they were built to last.

Ashley pulls Chris to the side with a knowing look. The others are distracted by Josh, Emily chattering rapidly about how Mike almost shot her. Ashley shoves Chris into the small space of the kitchen.

"What?" Chris asks tiredly, tucking his hands into the pockets of his jacket.

"You. That's what. I thought this was what you wanted?"

Chris slumps against one of the counters, thick swells of laughter floating in from the hallway.

"This is what I wanted."

Ashley crosses her arms, eyebrow arched high.

"Okay then explain. Now."

Chris rubs the bridge of his nose. "He doesn't know that we, that I, left him tied up in a shed."

"You also didn't know about the wendigos. None of us did." Ashley points out.

"Yeah, I get that. I just keep thinking of how we should have left him tied up somewhere in the house, like the basement, instead. Josh was sick, I knew he was sick, and I left him like live bait."

Ashley reaches for him, arms pulling him into a tight hug. Chris accepts the embrace wordlessly, the familiar smell of cherries and green tea flooding his senses.

"You did what you thought was safe. We thought he was trying to kill us. You went back for him, Chris. You went back. You made a decision. Josh made a decision too."

Ashley holds his shoulder, leaning back to look at him. "And if he doesn't understand, if he's so angry then you have to accept it, Chris, and move on. Plus Sam already said you guys could share me as long as you never want a threesome."

Ashley winks for emphasis and Chris remembers why he ever looked her way. Ashley was the sun during spring, the rivers during soft rain. Chris wishes he could have given her everything, all of him but it wasn't their timeline. When Josh came back, the string that held them together severed, dislocated series of events that no longer held the value they once held. Josh came back and Chris left.

Someone clears their throat in the doorway. They startle, jumping apart. Ashley's cheeks tint pink, the beginnings of a "it's not what you think" on her lips. Josh waves a hand, eyes assessing before he smiles, slow and careful. A red solo cup dangles from his fingers. Chris realizes that Josh and Ashley still hadn't spoken.

"Interrupting?" Josh strides up to them.

Chris shakes his head. "Ash wanted to talk."

"Yeah," Ashley agrees readily. "To give him my blessing."

"Blessing?" Confusion is evident in Josh's face.

"You forgot you stole my boyfriend?" Ashley giggles, no trace of venom in her words. "I'm blessing him for his infidelity, his new relationship and sex."

Chris chokes on his own saliva. He feels his face heat up with embarrassment. Josh elbows him, taking a sip of his drink.

"Chill, Cochise."

"We haven't had sex. Just a lot of other stuff."

Ashley's eyebrows shoot up. "Really?! Even Sam and I have..." She trails off. "Never mind. Well may your first time be glorious."

"Shit. Thanks, Ash." Josh mumbles taking a swing of his drink.

"Someone's gotta have your back, Washington."

Watching them interact was weird. Josh didn't really know Ashley in high school despite his obvious attempts to set her and Chris up. But this wasn't high school, this was after.

"You can't have my girl. No take backs."

Sam is suddenly between Ashley and Josh, hooking an arm around her girlfriend's torso. Ashley hides her blush in her hair.

"You tell them about the foursome?"

Josh spits out of his drink. "Oh my god, Sam."

Sam smirks, waggling her eyebrows. "Possibilities."

"Is the actual party in here?" Mikes voice rings out from the living room. The kitchen crowds with the remaining few, too loud and too chatty, but Chris can see how much Josh missed this, missed people.

"I don't think we were ever this close in high school. Wendigos should be put on the list of bonding group experiences. Zombies next. I'm really feeling it." Matt supplies earning a playful jab from Mike.

"No zombies, Matt." Jess groans, holding Emily's hand.

"Wendigos?"

Everyone in the room shifts to Josh, different versions of confusion shuffling through the room. Chris meets Sam's eyes, who sighs and all he can think is that it's time.

"He doesn't remember." Chris tells the group. But Josh is staring at him, gaze burning with something he can't decipher.

"You left me in a shed." Josh whispers. "I-I still don't remember a lot. But I remember being tied up and screaming and Hannah?"

"We didn't know that the wendigos were real." Mike hurries to explain. "We made a shitty decision but we thought you'd had kill Jess."

"So it wasn't me who hurt Jess?" Josh asks softly, eyes focused on the floor. He looks at Mike before slowly turning his gaze to Chris.

"You left me," Josh swallows, arms curling around his middle. "tied up in a shed. And then you left me in the mines where my dead sister dragged me away?"

Mike steps up before Chris can respond, guilt coloring his face a shade paler. He moves to reach for Josh's arm but falls short, shrinking back into himself.

"For what it's worth, man. I'm sorry. I wouldn't- if it happened again, I'd go back for you."

"They aren't alone in this, Josh." Sam says, coming to stand beside Mike. She wraps a hand around Josh's forearm. Her expression is something Chris has never seen before, wrapped up in an expanse of warmth and adoration.

"We all left. It sucks, we know. But you know that better than we do." Emily adds on, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "We... We just want..."

"To move forward. Together." Emily shoots Jess a small smile as she huddles the group together. "We've been through a lot. What's a few more years going to hurt?"

They're crowding around Josh, who seems unbothered by the close proximity. He stares down at his shoes, affixed on a certain part area on the floor. Tears form in the corner of his eyes and Chris almost thinks Josh won't accept what they have to say because he can and even though they've forgiven Josh for his prank and unintentional involvement in the supernatural food chain, Josh didn't have to forgive them.

"Well it's nice to know I'm not some cannibalising mass murderer. I can rest easy." Josh jokes, earning small chuckles in response, his eyes locked on Chris who lingers behind the rest of them.

"The scar is kinda hot." Mike makes a gesture to his own face.

Ashley snorts out a laugh as Matt glares at Mike, making rapid eyebrow movements until Mike frowns, mouthing 'what'.

"You're both idiots." Emily huffs. "We're here for you, Josh."

"We also have three dogs." Jess beams, hands coming to rest of Emily's shoulders. "Three super cute balls of fluff, perfect for comfort."

"And Mike works at a bakery part time so we'll make sure to send you cakes and shit until you forgive us." Matt chuckles when Mike ears tint red.

"You work at a bakery?" Sam gasps, eyes crinkling in amusement and she's laughing.

"It's part time!" Mike defends, blushing bright red.

"Nah, babe. You like it a lot." Matt pats his back, shaking his head. "No need to be shy."

"It's gotta be organic bird feed." Sam adds and they're all looking at Josh. His expression is amused and he gives a half hearted shrug that has Jess whooping loudly.

They watch a movie, specifically Dawn of the Dead ("it'll make us closer without having to die!") after, squeezed to tight on Sam's couch until Matt and Emily slide to the floor hand in hand. Josh doesn't lean into Chris like he usually would instead he talks to Sam, earning soft giggles after certain scenes.

Chris isn't sure what to make of the situation. He didn't speak up during the conversation in the kitchen, didn't bother to defend himself like everyone else readily had. But he was also ready for the unexpected, Josh telling them to fuck off and storming away. Maybe Chris was just afraid Josh actually wanted to stay with his 'left you in a shed, yolo' ass. Chris felt tired, was tired and he didn't want to drag on any unnecessary awfulness.

Josh grips his knee and gives it a light squeeze, eyes still focused on the the TV. The protagonist on the screen are readying the trucks, preparing to live and make it to the end. Chris takes Josh's hand, nervous but the other intertwines their fingers easily.

Josh leans over to Sam, whispering softly and she's nodding before giving Chris a small smile.

"Let's go. I'm beat." Josh turns to him, standing up. The others don't seem to notice their leaving, Matt's head leaned against Mike's knee with Jess curled up into Mike's side. Emily texts on her phone from Matt's lap, sending up a waving finger. Ashley gives them a small wave as Sam makes kissy faces.

Chris allows himself to be pulled away from Sam's living room, out her front door and towards his car. Josh doesn't turn to him or say anything just climbs into the passenger seat, plugging his phone up to the AUX cable. Chris opens the drivers door, plopping down in the seat a bit too hard. He starts the car wordlessly.

"Can we go somewhere?"

Chris glances at Josh. "Where?"

"Anywhere. Don't want to go home." Josh says, selecting a song on his phone. The base of the song rattles the dashboard. Chris eases out of Sam's driveway, unsure of where to go so he drives until they reach the wide lake near the Washington's. Chris can't see Josh's house or any houses from the clearing they're in. It's not really even a clearing, just a small accessible place covered in heavy trees. Leaves brush against the windshield, moonlight dancing along the waters black surface.

"Was that why you wouldn't let me touch you?" Josh asks quietly, eyes following the trail of moonlight over the water. "Distancing yourself just in case I flipped."

Chris shrugs.

"Talk to me."

"I don't even know what to talk about."

"Anything," Josh shrugs. "The year after, how you managed. You leaving me behind, anything, Chris."

Chris takes off his glasses, a headache slowly forming. He sighs into his hand, staring out at the water.

"I had nightmares about it. Bad ones. About you becoming a wendigo and hunting me down and killing me because it would make us even. I left you in a shed, tied up knowing you were off your meds but I didn't know about the wendigos. I didn't know until we met this guy."

"The one who died?" Josh asks.

"Yeah, he died in front of me. We went back for you and you were gone." Chris whispers, setting his glasses on the dashboard. He slouches in his seat.

"I'm sorry, man."

Chris chuckles darkly. "It's me who should be saying sorry. I'm sorry, Josh. I'm sorry I couldn't get you back, but... But I went back for you."

"Sure did, Cochise." There's a smile in his voice. "I can't believe you were such an illusive shit. Because you thought I'd be mad? It's my fault we were there anyway."

"I was scared." Chris admits.

"Why?"

"Thought maybe you'd leave."

"That's kinda gay, bro." Josh jokes, leaning over to him. He reaches for Chris' seat, humming in content when it shifts back with ease Chris moving with it. "Really gay. And dumb. You were supposed to be smarter than me."

"No homo, man." Chris replies, tracing a small bruise on the other's exposed collarbone.

--
Josh hums again, deep in his throat, sliding over the center console. His legs straddle Chris' thighs, body curved as he presses their bodies together. Chris meets him halfway, lips parted and ready and he doesn't realizes how much he's missed this until now.

"I really don't want to fuck you for the first time in my car."

"Kinda the point here." Josh smirks against him, one hand working on the front of Chris' pants. "I happen to love car sex."

"You're impossible. It smells like cheese fries in here."

"This is an Ashley conversation." Josh whispers, unbuttoning Chris shirt, lips ghosting along the vein in Chris' throat. He bites down, sucking a bruise into the skin. Chris swears above him.

"This is not an Ashley conversation." Chris responds but he's pushing Josh against the steering wheel, hands slipping inside Josh's shirt. Chris slides their mouths together, shuddering when the edges of sharp teeth scrape over his tongue. Josh lets Chris lead, lazily shrugging out of his cardigan. His elbow hits the horn, which honks weakly. Chris bites his chin when he laughs.

"That was the weakest fucking noise."

"Shut the fuck up, Josh." Chris has Josh's shirt halfway off, teeth snagging on a loose thread. The shirt clings around Josh's head, arms bent back, nostrils flaring from where Chris can see.

"Did it get fucking stuck?"

Chris is not laughing, except he is. He does hurry to help, utterly amused by Josh in his lap, half naked, teeth tangled in the threads of his shirt.

"Brooo." Josh whines, tugging upwards but he winces, threads wedging themselves further between his teeth.

"Shoulda seduced me at home." Chris hums, moving to help. He pulls the shirt down a little, loosening up the tiny threads.

"We could've fucked in the foyer," Chris unravels a thread from one of the teeth, thumb purposely dragging along Josh's bottom lip.

"On the couch," Chris smirks, noticing the slight squirm the other has. He leans in, breaths mingling, his left hand sliding down Josh's stomach.

"Dude, really?" Josh huffs as Chris' bends down. His breath hitches, arching into the warmth of Chris' mouth as his lips close around his nipple. "Duuuude."

Chris bites the down on the hardening nub, rolling it around in his teeth, tongue sliding roughly along the skin. He can hear Josh above him, ragged and whimpering, a high static noise in his throat.

"Against the wall." Chris continues, moving to the other nipple as Josh curses above him. He gives it the same treatment as the other, Josh's upper chest glistening and pink by the time he's finished. Chris realizes if Josh actually wanted to, he probably could free himself, rip the shirt apart with his teeth.

"You gettin' off on this?"

"Fuck you." Josh hisses, voice hoarse.

"We coulda been doin' that, bro. Anywhere in my house." Chris kisses him soundly, palming the bulge in Josh's pants. Josh whimpers, pulling at his shirt again. Chris takes his wrists in his other hand, for once grateful that Josh is smaller than him. He holds Josh against the steering wheel as he unzips the others pants.

"You're a fucking-" Josh moans when Chris wraps a hand around his dick. He arches his hips, pressing into Chris' hand.

"Nice guy for letting you fuck my hand? Thanks, bro." Chris thumbs the slit, fingers curling along the base as he pumps, studying the way Josh's mouth slacks open, soft breathy noises escaping his throat. He's practically vibrating, tingles racing over his skin leaving tiny goosebumps behind and it takes a moment for Chris to realize the buzzing noise is Josh. Chris slows his hand, licking his way into Josh's mouth. The response is immediate, Josh panting against him, grinding down against his hand and it's so good, so so good. He makes a low keening noise.

"Please, please, please." Josh whimpers, groaning loudly when Chris takes away his hand.

"Still gotta untangle you." Chris unhooks the last couple of strands, barely able to concentrate because Josh keeps rolling his hips down. "You gotta stop."

Josh yanks his shirt off, tearing at it and tossing it somewhere in the passengers seat. His eyes are blown wide, pupils narrowed into thin slits and he's shoving Chris against the seat, legs widening as he grinds down again.

Chris holds his hips, angling to side as he moves to meet Josh's movements. Josh hisses, bristling in annoyance and he's whining again, fluttery and high.

"Please. Chris, please. Please."

"Okay, okay," Chris breathes, edging into the backseat. His back catches on the seat belt holder, digging painfully into his skin but he's not bothered by it especially when Josh is shimmying out of his pants, head hitting the top of the car. When Chris laughs, he glares at him.

"Coulda had sex at home." Chris ignores another glare, sliding his pants down enough to get his dick out. Josh is fumbling in the passenger seat, stupid slouchy cardigan flying in another direction. He makes a noise of triumphant that's really more clicking and chittering.

Josh is on top of him seconds later, naked, silvery scars glowing faintly in the light. There might be lube in his hands but Chris isn't sure, his attention focused more on the mouth on his, hot and wet and needy. Chris watches Josh sit up, watches Josh slide a slick finger inside him, tongue darting out to wet his lips. Josh adds another finger, shortly after another and he's fucking himself on his fingers, dick throbbing and red. Chris takes the head in his hand, running a finger along the vein and Josh's hips stutter.

"You have any idea how hot you are?"

Josh chuckles breathlessly. "Pretty fucking princess right here."

Chris slides back, caressing the curve of Josh's ass. He pushes his middle finger inside him, moving along side Josh's fingers. Josh's hips stutter as Chris slides in another finger, leaving marks on whatever piece of skin he can find.

"Okay, okay." Josh whispers, wedging one leg between Chris and the seat, the other straightening as he lines up with Chris' dick. Chris tries talking him through it but it comes out garbled and Josh is fucking sinking down on him. Chris grips his hips tightly, cursing out loud as he watches himself disappear inside Josh. He bottoms out, Josh whimpering out inhuman noises, breathing hard through his nose. Chris convulses beneath him, head hitting the door as he struggles to not move.

Josh sighs, face flushed red, nails digging deep into Chris' shirt. His hips shift, causing them both to moan, and he does it again, and again, Chris' grip bruising, establishing a rhythm, barely pulling up as he nudges the head of Chris' penis against his prostate. Josh releases a throaty noise, bottom lip bleeding from where he's bitten too hard. Chris bends Josh toward him, sloppily kisses exchanged, grunting deep in his throat as the other works against him, tiny moans escaping.

His insides are throbbing, veins singing and he's still kinda wishing that they waited but Josh is above him, hips riding down against him, narrowed eyes locked on, face so open and bottomless that Chris wants to drown in it. Josh stiffens, spine arching up and he braces himself against the window, coming quietly into the crook of his elbow. He clenches around Chris, hips still moving through the aftershocks and Chris is coming next, holding the quivering body above him close.

--

They stay like that, curled around one another, the soft lull of Josh's purrs filling the car. Chris slides himself out, tucking Josh into his side, who looks exhausted. He isn't sure how long they lie there, tangled in one another.

"You didn't even get undressed." Josh mumbles sleepily.

"That's a at home luxury. At least you made it to the bone zone."

"Fucking dick." Josh sits up slowly, wincing. He eyes his ripped shirt petulantly. Chris slowly removes his unbuttoned shirt, draping it over Josh's shoulder.

"This one doesn't have come on it."

Josh pulls it on. "Maybe we should've done this at home."

Chris presses a kiss to the back of his head. "Always later."

Chris finally has another reason, besides extreme cold, to wear multiple layers. He wipes up his come on the back seat, smirking as the white liquid slides down the back of Josh's legs.

"This is gross." Josh bitches, noticing Chris' state as he moves. "You're a sick freak. I'm learning a lot of shit about you today, man."

"You're the one who suggested barebacking in my car."

"You're the one who liked it." Josh mimics his tone, using Chris' already ruined shirt to wipe his thighs. He tugs on his boxers, then his jeans, grunting the entire time. Chris watches, still fully dressed. Josh flicks him off.

"Asshole."

"I'll make it up to you, bro." Chris climbs over him, trapping Josh against the door. They kiss, soft and slow, Chris wedged between Josh's legs. Josh sighs against him.

"'m tired."

"Definitely not sleeping here."

Chris moves away, climbing into the front seat. He starts the car, buckling his seatbelt over his chest. Josh slides into the passenger seat, bare feet on the dashboard.

"So what, did you think I was going to go crazy? Kill you in your sleep?" Josh snickers, rolling down the window. He sticks a leg out.

Chris shrugs, backing out onto the side road. "I thought you wouldn't forgive me."

"Well, lucky for you. It doesn't matter. I'm here now. I've got my meds and you. They don't hate me. Who could predict wendigos? I could of been a superhero."

Chris laughs this time. "Super wendibro."

"Wendibros and company." Josh gestures dramatically with his hand and Chris laughs again and it's freeing. Josh is looking at him as he does, face lit up with a crooked smile.

"You're a fucking dork, Chris."

"Shut up, man. I was nervous. I thought you'd hate me."

"Nah dude. But you owe me breakfast for a month. Real shit. None of that smoothie business."

Josh takes his hand, intertwining their fingers as he leans against Chris. He yawns, tugging the dumb slouchy cardigan over his body. Josh curls up in his seat, eyes sliding closed.

"Take me home, Cochise."

And it was done.