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The forceful buzzing of his phone wakes him up. Groggily, Tyler reaches over and picks it up. The screen flashes 1:07 AM. It's Debby.
Tyler's heart sinks.
He picks up.
"Hello?" Comes Debby's hushed voice on the other end.
"Debs?" Tyler wipes his eyes and attempts to get up as quietly as possible. He can't wake Jenna.
"I-It's Josh," She starts and Tyler feels sick. "He's locked himself in the bathroom and he won't talk to me and I just thought I'd call you- you know, just in case," she says, too fast. "I'm getting the spare key, breaking in and all that," her attempt to joke is feeble as her voice breaks.
"Debs," Tyler repeats. He's successfully made it out of his bedroom, dressed in ratty pajamas and a hoodie that he thinks is Josh's.
"I'm so worried," she whispers.
Tyler hears shuffling and then a small noise of triumph as Debby finds the key.
"He's been fine lately, hasn't he?" Comes Debby's anxious voice again, "Like I haven't noticed anything off."
Tyler thinks for a second, trying to remember if anything has been off about Josh. "I mean we were together all day and he definitely seemed fine, maybe he's just fallen asleep in there or something?" Tyler tries.
"Yeah," They both know that's not the case. "Well I've got the key so-"
Tyler hears shuffling as Debby puts the phone against her ear with her shoulder. Then knocks and, "Joshua? Baby, I'm coming in," her voice is too soft, sugar sweet.
Tyler hears the door click and open with a squeak.
Silence.
Shuffling.
"Oh, darling boy."
Debby's voice shatters. Tyler thinks he might throw up.
There's no sobbing, no panicked excuses, no signs that Josh is alive on the other end.
Tyler can't get his shoes on fast enough, grabbing his keys and practically running to his car.
"I'll be there in five," he says, even though the drive over to Josh and Debby's takes ten minutes. "Talk to me debs."
Debby whispers something that Tyler can't quite make out as he speeds down the road.
"Debs?" He pleads.
"H-He's alright," She says, "You're alright, you're alright," her voice softens as she talks to Josh like he's a scared puppy.
"Okay, okay, okay," he mutters.
The drive goes by in a blur. He can't make out anything Debby's saying.
Finally he pulls into their driveway. He holds his breath as he steps out the car and walks to the door.
"I'm outside."
"Fuck," she breathes, "Have you got your key?"
"No," Tyler groans, "Spare?"
"With Mama Dun," Debby is quiet for a moment before she softly says, "I've gotta let Tyler in, sit tight Joshie."
Her feet thud against the carpet as she walks away. Tyler listens for any signs that Josh is doing something stupid but can't hear... There's a subtle change in his breathing.
"Hey, hey, Joshua," he tries, "I'm here."
Tyler hears sniffles. He jumps when the door unlocks.
Debby looks like shit. Her hair is all messed up, makeup smudged from the day, eyes red.
She surges forward, hugging Tyler tight, "Thank you so much for coming," she sniffs a little. Neither acknowledge how tired she sounds.
"It's fine, I just want him safe." It's the truth. This is far from the first time that this has happened. It's just been so long, Tyler had almost forgotten what it's truly like.
As they walk through the house, Debby fills him in.
"It's bad. Like I don't know if we have to go to the hospital bad. A-and I can't get him to leave the bathroom. He won't talk, so that probably means he can't. God, he barely acknowledged me when I came in. He's so out of it and I don't know what caused it but I thought he was better. He was getting better," her voice breaks and a few tears slip down her cheeks.
Tyler wipes them away with his thumb," Hey, hey, he's alright. We'll make him better again. And I'm sure this is just a small hiccup," he's trying to convince himself more than Debby.
"He's okay," She says to herself.
They stop outside the bathroom door, Josh barely looks up at them before returning his gaze to the floor.
"Hey Joshie," Debby whispers, "Tyler's here."
Josh doesn't look up again but his hands come up to cover his thighs.
"Oh, Josh," Tyler sighs. He takes a few steps into the cramped bathroom before sinking to his knees next to Josh.
Josh sucks in a harsh breath.
"Joshie," Debby repeats, now sat in front of him. "We're here to help but you have to listen, yeah."
Josh finally looks at her with round, sad eyes.
Tyler places his hand on his knee, squeezing slightly, "How are you feeling, J?"
"Small," they both breathe a sigh of relief. They have a gauge on how he's doing now.
"That's okay," they both say.
"We've got you," Tyler adds.
The dam finally breaks and Josh sobs. He removes his hands from his thighs. He covers his face.
"Oh, darling," Debby sighs.
Tyler takes the chance to get a look at the wounds. He gets why Debby said they're bad, styros litter both thighs. They're still bleeding, dripping onto the floor around him.
"It's bad," he whispers to Debby, "I don't think we need the hospital though."
Debby sighs in relief again, "I'm so worried."
"Me too."
Josh sobs harder, "I'm s-sorry! I'm sorry!"
"Hey, hey, no, it's okay," Tyler tries. He understands the guilt Josh is feeling far too well.
"I'll go and find the first aid kit then," Debby announces before quickly leaving the room. Tyler sees how her shoulders shake as she walks out.
Tyler pulls Josh into his lap, rubbing his back soothingly until his sobs lessen.
"You sh-shouldn't be here," Josh murmers, "Fuck, I'm so sorry."
"Hey, no," Tyler frowns, "I just want you safe, Joshie."
"No- shouldn't have to do this. I'm stupid- stupid." Josh's hands come up to his hair and he pulls.
"Don't say that," Tyler covers his hand, "You're not stupid. I love you."
Tyler runs his fingers through Josh's hair in the way he knows Josh loves. He feels Josh melt. He's still softly sniffling.
Debby returns with red eyes and a little mascara smudged down her cheek. Tyler can see where she tried to wipe it away on her fingers. She hands Tyler the first aid kit. She's always hated patching Josh up, hated seeing what he's done to himself up close.
Her mind goes back to the first time she'd found Josh like this. She had panicked, sobbed, called Tyler then forced Josh in the car to take him to the hospital. She'd had an awful panic attack when they got home. Tyler barely managed to calm her down enough to not wake Josh. She'll always remember the look on Josh's face when she found him. That empty, helpless stare. She shudders, coming back to herself and squeezes Josh's arm comfortingly.
"I love you," she says, pressing a kiss to a particularly thick scar on his arm.
"'ove you more," Josh whispers, his words failing again.
Tyler works quickly with practiced precision. He cleans the cuts, kissing Josh's knee when he winces, then bandages his legs. He always tries to be as fast as possible, knowing how embarrassed and tired Josh gets when he's like this. The vulnerable look Josh gives him shatters his heart.
"'M sorry," Josh whimpers when he's done, "didn't mean to."
Tyler frowns, "It's okay, you don't have to be sorry." He leans forward. He presses a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth.
"Get a room," Debby laughs, albeit shaky.
Tyler lets out a chuckle at the comment and rubs Josh's back.
They all sit there in silence. It's nearing two am. Tyler opens his phone, seeing a text from Jenna.
Dime piece wife: Where are you? You okay? Xx
Tyjo: At Josh's we're all alright :)
Dime piece wife: Joshie doing alright? Xx
Tyjo: Little hiccup earlier but better
Dime piece wife: Good good Xx
You staying the night? Xx
Tyjo: Probably will, sorry to leave you alone
Josh and Debby are both really shaken up
Dime piece wife: God, as long as they're okay now right? Love you Xx
Tyjo: Love you too honey
Tyler pockets his phone, returning his attention to Josh who is now half asleep on his shoulder. Debby is gently holding his hand, like he's made of porcelain. She kisses his knuckles.
"Should we get him to bed?" Tyler finally speaks.
Debby nods, "How's that sound Joshie? Get you off the cold floor and into the warm, comfy bed?" she ruffles his hair and kisses his cheek.
Josh whines in agreement. His fingers tighten around Debby's hand. She gives him a soft smile.
"Want Tyler to carry you?"
Tyler would usually comment on how Josh's thighs are the size of his arms but doesn't. He knows the fragile space Josh is in right now and silly jokes like that are enough to push him into another breakdown.
Josh nods timidly, "Don' wanna be ' burden."
"Oh, never, baby," Tyler brushes the hair out of his eyes, "You're never a burden."
Josh huffs in disagreement but doesn't say anything else. He's overtired, feeling small. All he wants is to be in bed with his favourite stuffy and his favourite people.
Tyler mentally prepares himself for a second before scooping Josh into his arms. He's lighter than usual. Tyler feels a little sick as he feels Josh's spine poking out. He thinks back to his Josh has been hiding in baggy clothes and too big hoodies lately.
He decides not to comment on it. It's a conversation they'll have in the morning.
Josh stuffs his face in Tyler's collarbone, nuzzling it slightly as they move to the bedroom.
Debby opens the door for him, closing it once they're all inside. He places Josh onto the bed in a way that he bounces a little on the mattress. It forces giggles out of him and Tyler rolls him over.
"Budge up, Joshie, you've got two of us tonight."
Debby slips in on the other side of Josh. He's sandwiched comfortably between them. She's far too quiet, the night having taken a toll on her.
Tyler reaches over and grabs her hand. Their eyes meet and he gives her a sympathetic look. Debby breaks the contact, searching for Josh's favourite stuffed alien.
It's a soft, green thing with colourful paws and antenna. Tyler bought it for Josh years ago for his birthday and he watched as Josh fell in love with the little thing.
Debby passes it to him and he happily takes it, stroking the back of its head.
Tyler strokes the hair out of Josh's eyes again, "Need a haircut, Joshie."
Josh hums, still clutching his alien. His eyes slip shut as Tyler plays with his hair. He's asleep in no time, softly snoring.
"What do we do?" Debby whispers once she's sure Josh is asleep. "I never want to see him like that again. He doesn't deserve this."
"I know," Tyler sighs, still playing with Josh's hair. "We've just gotta keep an eye on him. It'll take a little extra work but as long as he's supervised he'll be alright. We just have to make sure that he feels loved. That he knows he's loved," he presses a kiss to Josh's head.
Debby yawns, wide, exposing all her teeth and Tyler huffs out a laugh.
"Get some sleep, Debs, God knows you need it."
Debby hums in agreement, "Thank you for everything. Love you... Love you Josh." She gives Tyler and Josh a kiss before settling back down.
Tyler knows that they'll be okay.