:•: autumn :•: a Josh Dun fan fiction

t.h.i.r.t.e.e.n

I looked down at the ground, trying to hide the fact that my face looked like a tomato.

I heard Joshua chuckle behind me. He gently wrapped his arms around my shoulders in a gigantic bear hug from behind.

"I'm just kidding, Autumn" he whispered.

I'm pretty sure I completely stopped breathing. Also fairly certain that Joshua gives the best hugs on the face of the earth.

"I would absolutely love to hang out with you again" he pulled away and smiled at me.

I smiled back. How was I supposed to hike when I couldn't feel my legs. This may turn out to be a problem...

"This way!" I said as I led the way through the trees.

We walked together through the forest for about ten minutes until I found my secret trail.

I abruptly stopped right before leading the way onto it and turned around, facing Joshua.

"I've never shown anyone this before..." I started quietly, looking Joshua in his deep brown eyes.

He gently grabbed my hands and started rubbing the back of them with his fingers.

"Thank you for showing it to me then" he smiled. "I'm really excited".

I smiled back, regaining my energy. I absolutely loved the mountains, and I couldn't wait to show him everything.

"Come on!" I giggled as I grabbed his hand and led him through the trees and onto the small path.

Dark green evergreen trees and beautiful wildflowers of every color imaginable lined the narrow dirt path. Nothing was disturbed or out of place. It was so calm and quiet, the only sounds coming from Joshua's and my footsteps, and the occasional sound of a bird in the trees.

The dried pine needles crackled beneath our feet as we walked side by side in a comfortable silence, in awe of the nature surrounding us. No matter how many times I came up here, I would never get used to how beautiful it was. The mountains were my favorite place in the world.

We walked through the meadow until the flowers and evergreens gradually faded away as we started up the steepest part of the mountain. We were already above tree-line, and I checked to see if Joshua was doing ok.

"How're you doing?" I asked. "Has the altitude affected you yet?"

He nodded as he tried to catch his breath. "I...I'm not... I'm not used to having... so little air".

I tried to stifle a laugh. Here I was with this incredibly muscular and in shape man, and the altitude completely hindered him! I couldn't hold it back anymore, I started laughing uncontrollably.

He gave me a weird look that broke into a smile as he shook his head.

"You... you Colorado people..." he took a deep breath, "are insane!"

This only made me laugh harder. It had been a while since I laughed until my stomach hurt. It felt so good to be so purely happy and not worry about anything. I finally calmed down and smiled at him.

"How... how... do you have enough... air... to laugh?" Joshua asked with a completely shocked expression on his face.

I laughed a little more. "I was born in the mountains so I guess my body is used to it" I shrugged.

I took my backpack off and unzipped it so that I could grab a water bottle for Joshua. He smiled his thanks as I handed it to him. After he finished drinking, I put it back and we continued hiking. I had a smiled plastered on my face the entire time. The mountains and Joshua was the best combination ever. This day couldn't get any better.