Tyler was bored out of his mind.

It was Sunday and he had just gotten back from church. His dad decided to stay over at Jenna's house to hang out with her parents but Tyler said he had too much homework and opted to head back home, his father dropping him off before leaving.

He had attempted to do his homework but he didn't have the energy to do it so he just gave up and is now laying in his bed, staring at the ceiling.

Letting a sigh escape his lips, he got up and went over to his windbreaker, digging through the pocket and pulling out his cigarettes and lighter. He cracked open his bedroom window and lit one of the cigarettes, allowing the smoke to drift outside.

A few inhales into it, he reached over and grabbed his phone. His eyes lit up when he saw he had a text from Josh.

Josh
What're you doing

Tyler laughed at the lack of punctuation before typing back a response.

Tyler
Sitting in my bed bored out of my mind

Josh
Me too. Ashley is out fucking some guy and Brendon and Dallon are hanging out and I don't want to third wheel

Tyler
Do you wanna come over?

Josh
Sure

Tyler did as Josh said and was left on read. He smiled, knowing Josh didn't mean it in a petty way. Tyler flicked the cigarette cherry just like Josh had showed him before tossing his phone on his bed.

A few minutes later he stubbed the cigarette out on the windowsill and threw it into a bush. However, he didn't leave his spot by the window. It was pretty cold that day but the slight breeze entering the house and mixing with the low heat felt nice.

Tyler's heart started beating rapidly once he saw Josh pull up in his loud, beaten down, rusty truck. He closed the window and began walking towards the living room, reaching the door just in time for Josh to knock on it.

Tyler swung it open and beamed, seeing Josh waiting there. He looked bored when he saw Tyler standing there he smiled slightly. "Hey."

"Hi," he stepped to the side. "Come in."

Josh walked in and Tyler shut the door behind him. The two stood there awkwardly before Josh spoke. "So..." he paused. "What do ya wanna do?"

"I dunno," Tyler shrugged. "Watch TV?"

"Sure," Josh nodded. Tyler walked over to the couch and plopped down, Josh doing the same behind him. The younger grabbed the remote and turned on the television. It was last left on the news apparently because that's what began playing.

"Breaking news: man in early twenties found dead outside Scarlettesville. More on the topic tonight at five," a voice narrated as it showed a picture of a man smiling, looking happy.

Tyler tuned out what was being said after as his stomach churned. He felt sick. His dad hadn't gotten any closer to figuring out who was doing these disgusting things. The death toll was rising.

He felt his hand get grabbed and he looked over to see Josh leaning over and turning off the TV before settling back down, his hand intertwined with Tyler's. "Ya good?"

"Yeah," Tyler lied, trying to ignore his body shuddering.

"No you're not."

Tyler let a sigh escape his lips. He didn't really wanna talk about it but his heart warmed at the way Josh noticed his discomfort.

"There- there's something wrong with this town, Josh. People are dropping dead left and right. I'm scared. I'm so scared. What if I'm next?"

"Tyler, I ain't goin' let anythin' happen ta ya. I promise."

Tyler looked up with teary eyes to see Josh staring at him with the most serious look on his face. "You promise?" His lip quivered. He was trying hard not to cry, really hard, but it was difficult when he was just so scared. He didn't know if he was going to be next. Why wouldn't he?

"I swear on my life," Josh replied, rubbing Tyler's knuckles with his thumb. His other hand reached up to wipe away the tears that had fallen on Tyler's face.

The brunette melted into the touch and when Josh pulled away he looked at the older seriously. "Josh?"

"Yeah?"

"What are we?" Tyler asked. "You kiss me and hold my hand and lay with me. You make me feel safe. Despite all the shit going on—" he paused, deciding not to mention his slip-up with cussing. He honestly didn't care about it anymore. It was like Ashley said. There are worse things. "—you make me feel like everything's going to be okay. You make me feel like I'm not a freak and that I belong. I don't think we're just friends anymore."

Josh nodded, his calloused finger still rubbing Tyler's hand. "What do ya wanna be?"

"I want to be a couple. Do you?"

"Yeah," Josh smiled. "I do. I like bein' around ya, Tyler 'nd I like ya as a person too. You make my life better."

"Same goes to you," Tyler found himself smiling back since the pink haired's action was contagious.

"Ty, do ya wanna be my boyfriend?"

"Yeah," Tyler nodded happily and Josh let go of his hand in favor of pulling him in for a kiss. When the broke apart Tyler was blushing which was nothing unusual.

"Here," Josh stretched his legs out on the couch and grabbed the remote on the table, turning the TV back on. "Lay down," he gestured to the space in front of him and Tyler obeyed, cuddling up next to Josh.

Josh flipped to a show the both of them could agree on and they stayed silent as the watched it. Tyler heard Josh snoring softly and his own eyes began to flutter closed as well.

However, before he completely fell asleep he thought of one thing in particular...

How moving to Scarlettesville was one of the best things to happen to him.