16 years old

Tyler sniffed into Josh's shirt, clenching his fists around the older's shirt.

"It'll be okay, T. I'll be right here for you every time you need me," Josh spoke calmly, lovingly rubbing Tyler's back with gentle fingertips.

"I-I feel guilty," Tyler cried.

"Why, T? It's not your fault."

"I k-know but I didn't say g-goodbye!" The boy cried, drenching Josh's shirt with his tears.

Tyler's grandma had passed away while they were in school. Tyler wanted to go to school instead of visiting with her. The doctor said she could've made it until tomorrow, and Tyler truly thought she would.

"Shhh, it's okay baby," Josh cooed, making Tyler's heart flutter. Josh rarely called him that.

"I miss her..." Tyler said sadly, looking up at Josh through his wet lashes.

"I know you do. Just think about this; she's watching us right now. She knows you miss her. She knows you wanted to say goodbye and that you love her. Trust me."

"I love you," Tyler said through a sniffle.

"I love you too, T," Josh smiled, placing a gentle kiss on his forehead.

"You really think she forgives me?"

"Of course, but you don't have to be sorry for anything."

"Okay," Tyler mumbled, eyelashes dropping against his cheekbones.

"Look at me," Josh said.

Tyler lifted his eyes back up to Josh.

"You look so sad, baby," Josh laughed glumly.

"Sorry."

"Don't be, it's okay to be sad. Just let me kiss the sadness away."

Tyler nodded his head, letting his eyes fall shut again when his lips met Josh's. The kiss was wet and salty, but Josh ignored that as his lips moved against Tyler's. He cupped the brunette's cheeks, pulling him onto his lap.

Tyler broke the kiss to rest their foreheads together. His arms were thrown around Josh's neck while Josh held onto his sides.

"Did it work?"

Tyler felt the corners of his lips raise in a smile. He nodded.

"You make everything feel so light."

"Light?"

"Yeah, I can't really explain it. Everything feels so heavy when you aren't around, but you take all the weight off of me."

"That's good," Josh smiled, loving that he could make Tyler feel this way.

"It is," Tyler agreed. "It's really good."

"Don't ever forget that I love you, okay?"

"How could I forget?" Tyler asked, amused.

Josh shrugged. "I just know how down you get sometimes, and I want you to remember how much I love you and want you here on earth with me."

"Okay," Tyler nodded, heat rising to his cheeks. Josh made the boy feel so good about himself.

"And," Josh continued, "I want you to come to me whenever things start to feel heavy, even if it's about something small. I'll be here to make it light again."

"I will."

"Good," Josh placed a quick kiss on the boy's pink cheeks.

"I'm glad I have you, Joshie."

Josh grinned, thinking about how adorable Tyler sounded.

"I'm glad I have you too, T."

The two boys spent the day curled up on Tyler's bed. Josh kept most of the weight away, but Tyler occasionally was reminded of his grandma and the cycle would start all over again. Josh didn't mind, though. He understood Tyler needed him. Josh could only imagine how much he would need someone to comfort him if something were to happen to Tyler.