cant take it on my own (joshler)

introduction, part 6

hes sleeping

Savior: is that a yes then

yea

Savior: you do know it's four am

i had a nightmare

he came over initially because i texted him when i was having a

more panic attacks whoop de fucking doo

Savior: someone as nice as you shouldn't have gone through that

are you flirting

Savior: maybe

do u really wanna go out for coffee with a trauma case

Savior: don't be so harsh on yourself

Savior: besides the coffee can always be brought to you

fair enough

the appointment hasnt been scheduled yet bc it's 4:15 in the am but ill text u when I know when

Savior: I'll get you coffee afterwards

deal

Josh's head is spinning.

He has an unofficial date. It's not actually a date because they're not going anywhere together for what would be considered a date, but...

Okay. He wasn't expecting this.

He wouldn't mind dating Tyler, though. Not at all. Tyler is... Nice. He has nice hair and nice eyes and nice tattoos and a nice face.

He considers dating anyone, though, for a few long minutes.

Is he ready? He just got out of a basement, he's been missing and hurt for months.

He doesn't want to be alone, though, and he likes Tyler.

But they're not dating. Tyler is just buying him coffee. That's not dating, like official dating with the whole boyfriends label. He's not ready for that, not yet.

Josh ends up pondering what type of guy he's tended to date and how much Tyler fits in that category until dawn. He spends a lot of time doing this, and he's only jolted out of his thoughts by Chris walking in texting someone on his phone.

"The appointment is at noon." Chris says, looking up at Josh.

"Tyler's coming with us." Josh is still getting used to the whole talking thing.

Chris nods.

noon. u free?

Savior: yeah I don't have work today anyways

Savior: still buying you coffee?

u might have to also buy chris coffee otherwise hell not like u

Savior: noted

also why were u up at 4:15 in the am i want answers

Savior: got caught up in my work

Savior: I don't think you know how that is since u work at a music store

tru

"Hey Josh?" Chris says, and Josh looks up.

"I'm hungry. Want to go out for breakfast?"

Josh nods and tucks his phone into his pocket before standing up.

"A new place opened up recently, they have really good waffles. Come on." Chris doesn't grab Josh's wrist to pull him along like he normally would. He instead walks towards the door and looks back to see is Josh is following.

Josh does follow.

It's a short walk to the place. The inside looks like a diner. Josh likes it.

The server's eyes flick to the fading bruises on his throat when they first enter, but no comment is made, and Josh is grateful.

Chris talks while they wait for their food and while they eat, talking about anything and everything. He talks about Halsey's latest boyfriend, about Debby and how she finally got a girlfriend but won't say who (Josh says maybe it was the girl she'd been gushing about. Chris nods slowly and says it probably is). It's like Josh hasn't been missing for five months, like old times except with less talking on his part.

"Oh, hey." Chris says around a mouthful of bacon. "You know Nick Thomas?"

Josh nods. If you're Chris's friend, you know all of his other friends or you meet them at one of the events Chris holds.

"He got a service dog recently. Named her Fluffy. Responds entirely to hand signals. Isn't that cool?"

Josh nods, smiling slightly.

"She's helped him a lot over the past month, actually. He's doing much better. She wakes him up before his nightmares get too bad."

"Maybe I should get one." Josh wonders aloud. It's the third time he's spoken the whole time they've been eating.

Chris studies him for a second. "Yeah. Maybe you should talk with Nick about it, he can give you advice."

Josh nods.

Chris checks the time on his phone. "It's about nine. Want to wander around before your appointment? I'll buy you some stuff."

Josh smiles and nods.