Chapter Text
One more day.
One more day before this beautiful and so alive person would be gone. Tyler watched as Josh laughed at something that happened on television. Tyler admired the way his eyes lit up. the way the sunlight cast pretty shadows on his skin, the tattoos that crawled up his arm. Everything about Josh was so real and vibrant. It was weird to think of him in any other way.
Tyler was going to make it the best day of his life.
With nervous excitement and fear, Tyler gripped the key that Josh gave him tightly, holding it close to his heart, before inserting it into the lock. Quietly, Tyler entered Josh’s apartment. All needed ingredients were in a small sack that he held tightly. He shut the door and locked it before entering Josh’s kitchen. Quickly, he set up everything he needed to make pancakes. He made some actions complete themselves to speed up the process. Tyler heightened his hearing like he did on the second day he’d known Josh, so he could tell when the man was awake.
Tyler threw some bacon on the stove and stacked the completed pancakes on a nice plate. He carefully arranged common toppings on the counter. (He had to Google everything. It was harder than he thought, and by that he meant that it took him awhile to learn how to use Google.) When finished he focused on Josh’s room. Oh. Josh was awake. Tyler stopped the items that were making themselves and made it look like he had to focus on everything at the same time. Josh walked in a few seconds later, clad in nothing but loose basketball shorts. Tyler averted his eyes.
Josh’s eyes widened when he saw Tyler in his kitchen. His eyes widened even more when he saw his kitchen. “Ty… Tyler? What is this?”
Tyler grinned sheepishly. “I just wanted to do something nice for you. Have a pancake.”
Josh’s face split into a cheery grin. “Oh, man, thanks! Everything looks delicious.”
Tyler attempted to not look smug. “Really? Thank you. I hope they taste as good as they look.”
Josh shrugged. “Even if they weren’t all that good, I’d eat them.”
“Really? Why?” That’s not what humans normally do, is it?
“Because you made them. I just can’t seem to say no to you,” Josh poked Tyler’s cheek on his way to steal a piece of bacon.
Tyler smacked him with a dishtowel as he walked away, receiving only a laugh in response.
;;
They were lying in the soft grass when Tyler felt a hesitant hand in his. He looked over to be greeted by intense mocha eyes. He merely squeezed Josh’s hand. Josh smiled and turned to look back up at the clouds.
;;
“I really like this place,” Tyler commented from his spot on the couch at the cafe. “It’s nice and cozy.”
There was a sudden crash and the sound of a distressed Patrick wailing, “Pete!”
Tyler shrugged. “Cozy.”
Josh snorted.
;;
“I like your songs,” Josh said as he pulled a blanket over himself on Tyler’s couch.
“Thank you,” Tyler smiled.
“I really liked the one with the trees, and how you’re standing in them. I felt like I could relate in a weird sense,” Josh informed him.
Tyler froze. “Really?” He remembered the lyrics vividly. Especially the “I can feel my death” parts in particular. He sat down at the end of the couch, placing Josh’s feet in his lap. “That’s cool that you can relate.”
Josh nodded. “We really aren’t that different.” He wiggled his toes for a second before continuing: “I also like ‘Truce’. It was pretty. I liked all of them really.”
“Thank you,” Tyler whispered.
Three hours and four minutes.
Tyler could sense it. He was going to say for them to go do something, but he decided them being together was the best option. Now he just had to wait for Josh to do something leading to his—
“My work starts in three hours,” Josh suddenly spoke. “I have a job at this hidden record store across town. You can come with. For now, I think I’ll take a nap.”
Tyler nodded and began to run his fingers through Josh’s hair.
;;
Twelve minutes.
Tyler was in full-fledged panicking.
Internally, of course.
Josh was smiling at him, shaking him into reality, and Tyler smiled back before standing. “You’ve got to get to work, yeah.” His voice was scratchy. Josh nodded and grabbed Tyler’s hand.
On the way there, Josh began telling him more stories about all of his friends. Josh had released Tyler’s hand a block or two ago, and now was walking a bit ahead of Tyler, his words only slightly quieter. They were at a quiet intersection when all of a sudden it was just Josh in the middle of the road and a truck heading straight towards him.
That was when Tyler knew.
Josh had to die.
“No!” Tyler screamed, legs pushing him forward, shoving Josh out of the way, his wings breaking from their hiding place under his shoulder blades. “I’m sorry!” he cried before the truck hit him full-on. His entire body felt like it was on fire. Everything felt dulled. He could feel his vision darkening, and he allowed his eyes to close.
When his eyes opened, he wanted to throw himself back in front of the truck. He reached down and felt the smooth cloth of his robes; he heard his wings flapping leisurely. He smiled though because at least Josh was alive. Tyler looked out across the barren area around him until his eyes landed on Emanuel, standing a foot or so away from him. The angel was shaking his head at him. An apology broke through Tyler’s lips before he could stop himself. Emanuel merely continued to shake his head.
Tyler hung his head in shame, though he wasn’t sure if it was completely sincere. He didn’t exactly regret his actions.
“He’s disappointed in you,” Emanuel said. “He’s disappointed in your actions. You shouldn’t have saved Joshua. He was supposed to die. That is what He wanted.”
Tyler had felt his anger growing as Emanuel spoke. Finally, he snapped. “You know what, Emanuel? I don’t care what He thinks. I always listened to him. I’ve done everything he’s wanted me to do. Yes, I did not follow his orders this time, but I don’t care! I’ve done all these things for him and never once has he said, ‘Thank you!’ I’m so sick of it.”
“Your ‘thank you’, Tyler, is getting to serve Him!” Emanuel retorted. “That is the biggest thanks you could get. What more could you want?”
“A life with Josh!” Tyler shouted, shocking himself. His hands flew to his mouth as his eyes widened. Shakily, he brought his hands down. “A life with Josh,” he repeated, calmer.
Emanuel flapped his wings in anger. “You would trade a beautiful life, a beautiful relationship with Him for some pesky mortal who is supposed to be dead? I can’t believe this!”
Tyler’s wings also flapped, causing harsh winds to start around them. The angel’s cheeks were bright red, a crease forming between his eyebrows. “Yes! I would trade it actually! You wouldn’t understand. You don’t understand.”
Emanuel’s wings lifted him off of the ground. “You’re right. I don’t understand. But if that’s what you want!” Suddenly, he flew towards Tyler, elbows bent before shoving forwards, pushing Tyler into the pond behind him. Pushing Tyler down to the Earth below.
Tyler flailed madly for a second, his arms finally reaching upwards. He could see dark shadows across Emanuel’s face. He screamed for the angel to grab him, to pull him back up. He couldn’t be tossed out of his home, could he? He watched as the pond became blurred until it became blue sky and cloud. He watched as the Sun blinded him. He closed his eyes.
When he opened them, they landed on Josh’s face above him. Tyler released a loud gasp. Something felt off. He reached upwards, towards Josh. Said man released a choked sob. “Tyler. You’re okay. You’re okay. Tyler, you’re okay.” Tyler wearily nodded.
Josh gently pulled him into a proper sitting position. “You scared me so bad. How are you alive?”
Tyler couldn’t answer with anything other than an, “I’m sorry.” He stood up fully before turning to look at where he landed. Dark shadows in the shape of wings covered the road. He felt tears pool into his eyes. He reached behind him and gingerly felt his back. There was nothing there except smooth skin. He lost his wings. He held back a sob. His eyes rose to the sky. “I’m sorry.”
He felt a steady hand grip his tightly. He turned his head to look at Josh. Releasing a shaky breath, he collapsed into the man’s warm embrace. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
He kept rambling as Josh shushed him. Tyler leaned back in Josh’s arms before pressing his lips to Josh’s. Tyler felt himself loosen up. He pulled away softly. “I made a mistake, but I don’t regret it.”
Josh looked down at the ground, and Tyler didn’t know what he saw, but it might’ve been the same thing he’d seen because Josh abruptly met his gaze. “You saving me was the mistake, wasn’t it? You were an angel.”
Tyler nodded. “I was an angel.”