Don't sexualize Patrick saying daddy and don't sexualize Josh saying he'll be there for Tyler. Don't sexualize anything that just shouldn't be sexualized.

A few minutes went by where Josh just held Tyler, letting him cry into his chest. He was obviously hurting.

After awhile, Tyler's cries turned into sniffles and he pulled away from his friend. "I'm sorry," he hiccuped.

"Don't be sorry," Josh smiled sadly. "You showed some emotion, which honestly I didn't think you had."

Tyler laughed as he wiped his eyes. "Shut up."

"I really am sorry about your dad," Josh said sincerely. "I can't be your dad, but I can be here for you."

"Why're you being so nice to me?" Tyler asked. "I've been a dick to you."

"Yeah, but I know that's not really you. I know you have a soft spot. You showed it when you gave me a ride home that day it was raining. You showed it when you came to Patrick's birthday party. You showed it to me just now," Josh explained. "You got hurt and it's not your fault. You just don't know how to positively heal."

"I don't want to do this anymore," Tyler shook his head. "I don't want to smoke. I don't want to sleep with girls. I don't want to drink anymore. You'd think that since my dad was hit by a drunk driver I'd despise alcohol but it's surprisingly really good conforming."

"Then I'll help you."

"What?" Tyler asked.

"I'll help you get sober and you can help me last in my foster home until my birthday. If I just stay until then I can leave and take Patrick with me."

"Deal," Tyler said instantly. "Just keep all drugs away from me."

"Of course," Josh nodded. "Step one: give me any weed you have on you."

Tyler sighed and took the bag of pot out of his jacket before giving it to Josh. Then, he pulled open the glove compartment and grabbed that bag out too. Finally, he reached into the backseat and grabbed his backpack, pulling more out from the front zipper.

"Dude," Josh laughed. "This is a lot."

"You sold most of it to me," Tyler said glumly. Josh frowned and shoved the bags into his backpack. "Step two: give me your cigarettes."

"What?" Tyler's eyes widened. "No."

"You said you want to get sober–"

"Let's take it one step at a time, okay?"

"Okay..." Josh sighed. He glanced at the time on the dashboard. "We should probably walk up and get Patrick and Madison."

Tyler took a shaky breath. "Alright."

"Do you want to stay here?"

"No, I'm good."

Josh gave him an encouraging smile before getting out of the car. He saw Tyler get out on the driver's side and beginning to follow him up to the front. They fell into a steady rhythm and Josh watched them walk in synchronization until he noticed Tyler's hand shaking out of the corner of his eye.

Instead of asking if he was okay– because he obviously wasn't –Josh just swiftly grabbed his hand and held it in his own, giving his friend a reassuring squeeze.

"What's this for?" Tyler asked.

"Sometimes physical contact helps," Josh smiled. "Is it? Helping?"

"Yeah," Tyler nodded. "Thank you."

"Anytime," Josh hummed, beginning to swing their hands back and forth in boredom.

When the two reached the front of the building, they noticed Madison and Patrick sitting outside next to each other, talking. "Joshie!" Patrick shouted excitedly, jumping up from the bench and running over to his older brother. "I've been thinking all day and I'm sorry for getting mad at you. Are you mad at me? Please don't be mad at me. You're my best friend," he rambled.

Josh released Tyler's hand in favor of bending over and hugging Patrick. "I could never be mad at you. I'm sorry for yelling, I didn't mean to," he rubbed his brother's back. "You're my best friend too."

"Dallon's gonna be pretty mad," Tyler cut in, making Josh laugh.

"I think he'll get over it," Josh smiled, pulling away from Patrick.

"Ty?" Madison asked.

"Yeah?" Tyler asked softly, looking at his sister.

"Can Patrick come over and play?"

"It's fine with me. But you gotta ask Josh."

"Josh?" Madison looked up at him, eyes holding hope.

"What time is it?" Josh asked.

Tyler pulled out his phone and checked. "3:30."

"If you can drive us to our house at 4:30 then yes."

"Can you Ty?" Madison pleaded. "Pretty please?"

"I guess," Tyler shrugged. "But don't complain for not being able to play for long."

---

Josh probably shouldn't be laughing, but it was hard not to. Tyler warned his sister that they wouldn't be able to play for long and the whole time Patrick was putting his shoes back on she was complaining.

"It's just not fair," Madison hugged, crossing her arms. "We didn't get to finish our game."

"Life isn't fair, Mads," Tyler laughed slightly. "You should've picked a shorter game."

"Can I ride with you to take them home? I don't want to stay with Zack, he's been grumpy lately."

"Uh–" Tyler began looking at Josh. He just subtly shook his head. "Not today, okay?" Madison groaned and fell backwards onto the couch dramatically, making the other three laugh. "Zack! I'm gonna go take Josh and Patrick home! I'll be back in a little bit!"

"Bye Madison!" Patrick waved stepping out of the house.

"Bye Trick," she grumbled back.

As they were walking out, they saw another car pull up. Josh looked over at Tyler in confusion but he noticed him getting annoyed. "Come on," Tyler said while grabbing Josh's hand and pulling him towards the car, Patrick quickly following behind in just as much confusion as his older brother.

Tyler's efforts didn't work though because a second later the car door opened and woman exited, looking tired. "Tyler?" she began softly. "Where're you going?"

"To run Josh and Patrick back home," he said shortly.

"Who?"

"Patrick is Madison's friend and Josh is my friend," he explained as he opened his car door.

"Oh!" the women said as if she just realized. "You're Patrick!" she said excitedly, walking over to him and Josh. "Madison's told me so much about you. And you too, Josh, she talks about you two a lot," she smiled. "I'm Kelly, their mom."

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Joseph," Josh stuck out his hand. She looked surprised for a second before smiling wider and shaking it.

"You're such a nice boy," she laughed. "Rub off on Tyler for me, okay?"

"Mom, we have to go," Tyler told her in an annoyed voice.

"Don't worry ma'am," Josh grinned. "I think I'm beginning to."