Josh stopped abruptly in the middle of the hospital hallway, his eyes trained to Tyler's room. He couldn't see inside, but he knew that Tyler would be there, connected to wires and machines and almost definitely in pain.

Brendon had practically sped to the hospital, giddy with excitement. He had stayed in the car with Ryan, who decided to tag along and was also elated by the news that Brendon would be staying. Josh had marvelled at the sight of them in the back seat of the car, amazed by their love. He remembered wondering if him and Tyler could ever look like that.

Guilt was bubbling in Josh's stomach. What was he supposed to stay to Tyler? He still had replied to any of his messages. He had just read them, panicked and turned his phone off. What if Tyler was mad at him?

He took a deep breath and flexed his hand, shaking his shoulders in an attempt to brush off his nerves. He looked behind himself, hoping that a magical being could suddenly appear and make all of his problems go away. When no such thing happened, though, he sighed and headed towards Tyler's hospital room.

It had taken a while to get there, so it was pretty late. That was why it was no surprise to see Ashley curled up in the chair next to Tyler, asleep. There was a middle aged woman in another chair, and Josh assumed she was Tyler's mother. The only one who wasn't asleep was Tyler, who was staring at Josh as if he had a horn protruding from his forehead.

"Josh?" He whispered, his voice overflowing with disbelief.

Josh swallowed the lump in his throat and stepped forward. "Hey, Ty." He looked down at his hands. "Sorry I didn't come sooner, I just-"

"It's okay," Tyler interrupted. "I'm just glad you're here."

Josh walked over to Tyler's bed and pulled the boy into a hug, careful to not get caught in the tangle of wires twirling around Tyler's body. He let out a long exhale against Tyler's shoulder, feeling relief flood through his veins. Even the consideration of going back to a Russia floated away, and was replaced fully with butterflies and a warm swell in his heart.

He began to feel like shake in his arms, his whole body wracking with sobs. Josh pulled away and cupped his face, silently asking him what was wrong.

"Mom told you were leaving," Tyler sobbed, tears streaking down his face. "I thought you were gonna leave me."

"I'm so sorry," Josh mumbled, his eyes getting blurry. "Tyler, I- I was. I thought you would be better off if I wasn't here. I can't- I can't be around you anymore, Tyler. We can't be together. You finally have a chance to be normal, and I don't wanna stop that."

Tyler shook his head, but before he could speak, Ashley woke up.

She narrowed her eyes. "You made him cry."

Tyler's hand reached around the hospital bed's sheets to grab Josh's. "No, Ash. Happy tears."

Ashley raised an eyebrow before sighing. "Fine. Just don't leave him again, okay? That was a dick move, Josh."

Josh looked down at his and Tyler's interlocked hands. He hesitated, staring at them as Tyler's thumb brushed over his own. All he wanted was for Tyler to be happy. He wanted to stay with him; of course he did. But at what cost? If he stayed, Tyler would have to continue to lie, and Josh knew that he didn't want that. No one did. But Tyler was staring up at him, his eyes filled with so much desperation, and Josh knew what he has to do. What the right decision was.

He sighed and met Tyler's eyes. "I won't."

Tyler smiled, practically bouncing off the bed. "Really? You'll stay with me?"

Josh nodded and squeezed his hand. "Always, Ty."

Tyler pulled him down into the tightest hug of both their lives. Josh savoured the embrace, not minding the awkward angle he was at. All he wanted was Tyler. He mind was clouded with it, like mantra of Tyler Tyler Tyler and nothing else.

He pulled away and lowered his voice, whispering as if it were a secret. "I love you."

Tyler's lip trembled, and Josh didn't miss the way his heart monitor picked up. For a moment, for one terrible, dread filled moment, he thought he'd fucked up. Tyler opened his mouth, and Josh braced himself, readying for the worst.

"I love you too."