"i can't believe you."

tyler rested his head against the car window, head spinning since he was still drunk out of his mind. apparently, ryan called josh because he panicked and didnt know what else to do. josh showed up a few minutes after the fight ended, which tyler was not proud to say he lost.

he'd gained a black eye and a busted lip which was still bleeding but josh was holding a paper towel to it. when josh showed up, well, let's just say tyler was right to think josh would want to kill that guy. after yelling at tyler, he asked for him to point out who did it to him. tyler did, and josh marched over and shoved him up against the wall, holding the guy by the front of his shirt.

the look on his face was priceless. josh loomed over him, a good 6 inches taller. even in the dimly lit room, tyler could make out the veins popping out of josh's forehead as he yelled, which thankfully couldn't be heard over the music. after josh let go of the guy, he just had to hit him, which knocked him out. tyler smiled at that. even if he didn't do a good job sticking up for brendon, at least josh avenged him.

"ssssorrrry," tyler slurred after he finished replaying everything that
had happened in his mind.

"god, you're so dumb sometimes. you know that?"

"yeaaaah."

josh pushed the paper towel down harder on tyler's lip, making him wince. "owwww!"

"you're fine."

tyler sighed, knowing he should keep his mouth shut so he didn't make josh more mad. instead, he let himself watch as the yellow-haired man took care of him. even though he looked pissed off, tyler could tell he was concerned. he was scowling, and tyler felt bad, so he leaned forward to kiss him.

josh kissed back, removing the paper towel from tyler's lip so it wasn't in the way. his lips were chapped, and he tasted like booze, but it still melted josh's heart nevertheless.

"m sssoo sorry," tyler frowned, pulling away quickly to not get his blood on josh's lips. he took the paper towel and held it himself so josh could just take him home already.

"i know," the older sighed, feathering his fingers over tyler's cheek. he knew tyler felt bad, and that he probably regretted it. josh wasn't even mad he was at a party, he was just mad that he lied.

"m the wwworst boyfriend e-ever."

"no you're not, baby. i still love you. i'm just disappointed in you for lying."

"m sorry... you can brrreak up with me ifff you want."

"ty, look at me."

josh sighed, seeing tears streaming down the boy's face. he gently wiped them away with his thumbs, planting a kiss in the middle of tyler's forehead. tyler leaned into josh's touch, whimpering as he started to cry harder.

"want me to take you home?" josh asked softly, cupping tyler's wet face in his cracked hands.

"n-n-nnoo.. y-yyyour house."

"okay, want me to turn on the radio?"

tyler nodded as he shrunk in his seat. he wanted to music to drown out the sound of him crying. he felt pathetic, he felt horrible for disappointing josh. he wished he never lied. he wished brendon didn't invite him to that stupid party.

✨🌸✨

surprisingly, tyler didn't fall asleep during the ride to josh's. his head hurt too bad, but it was nothing compared to his heart. he was still crying, the paper towel in his hand wet with tears along with his blood. josh parked before turning to tyler.

"want me to carry you?"

"d-dont d-deserve it."

josh frowned. he ordered for tyler to stay there while he got out and walked to the other side. josh opened the passenger door and gently scooped tyler up. instantly, tyler curled himself against josh's chest, relieved that he wasn't so mad at him anymore. his eyes were shut, but he felt josh bouncing as he walked inside. even though tyler sobered up some, the bouncing made his head spin and his stomach ache.

"i have to puke."

josh quickly set him down, so he ran off to the bathroom and made it to the toilet just in time. he was a puking, crying mess. josh was upset with the sight of the love of his life having a breakdown, but knew he wouldn't be if he weren't so drunk. he rubbed his back until tyler's stomach was empty.

josh got him a glass of water and stayed with him while he brushed his teeth. it didn't help get rid of the acid taste in tyler's mouth or the burn in his throat, but his breath definitely smelled better. josh noticed his lip had finally stopped bleeding, and didn't look as bad as he thought it would be. the bruise surrounding his eye looked bad, ugly hues of purple and yellow mixing in with the color of his skin. bruises did not suit tyler. he still looked gorgeous, but definitely not as attractive as he did without a black eye.

josh scooped the boy into his arms and carried him to the bedroom, being careful to not bounce him so much. his clothes had blood stains on them, so josh carefully removed them. he worked cautiously, nimble fingers brushing against tyler's sticky skin. once the brunette was sitting in only his underwear, josh took the time to examine the rest of his body for any bruises. thankfully, he only had a couple. both of his elbows were bruised and a spot near the top of his spine.

"are you okay?"

tyler frowned. he didn't know why josh was being so gentle with him. he should be mad at him.

"i'm fine. i want to go to bed."

josh nodded, retrieving one of his shirts for tyler to wear to bed. he knew how much tyler liked to wear his oversized clothing. tyler gratefully slipped the shirt on over his head.

"do you still love me?"

"of course i do, tyler. i'm sorry for yelling at you earlier."

"s'okay. i deserved it."

"doesn't mean i should've done it."

the smaller shrugged, crawling under the warm blankets and patting the empty spot next to him for josh. he smiled, getting in next to tyler.

"are you too mad to cuddle?"

"i'm not mad anymore," josh assured, taking the action of pulling tyler against his chest since he knew tyler would be stubborn about it.

"you still love me the same?"

"i love you more every day, tyler."

"why're you being so nice to me?"

"because i know you're beating yourself up over this. just go to sleep, okay baby? i'll be right here when you wake up."

"okay."

"rest up. you're going to have a hell of a hangover in the morning."

"night, josh."

"goodnight, baby."

josh pressed his lips to the top of tyler's head, making the boy cuddle closer to him. josh sighed in content, laying his head back against his pillow. god, even being in a drunken, sad state, tyler was beautiful.