We Are Better Together (Joshler)

66

Jordan was worried. He didn't want to leave Josh alone. It was just an instinct to protect him. At some point he decided to check on the guys. The way Tyler acted that morning concerned him.

When he checked on them, they were sleeping, cuddled into each other. They looked so happy, just laying together. He craved that with someone.

He stayed a short while. They were out. He went to the management bus, and everyone asked how the guys were. "Sleeping like angels." That's what they were doing.

"Tyler's okay?" Worry laced Chris's tone.

"I'm sure he was just sleep deprived, and he'll feel better tomorrow. I think he was still worried about Josh." Jordan told him.

"How about Josh?" Mark asked for Jordan's benefit.

"I'm more worried than I should be. All things considered, he's doing okay. He's been through so much, so I get that he's tired. They look so happy together."

"I'm just glad my boys are okay," Mark admitted.

"Me too, and Josh seems to be doing a lot better," Chris added.

Jordan nodded, suddenly overcome with exhaustion. He'd been staying up worried about Josh, and had been having trouble sleeping. At the moment, all he wanted to do was sleep. His eyes slipped shut. Just long enough to worry Mark and Chris. Mark wrapped an arm around Jordan while Chris called out waving his hands in front of Jordan's face.

"Sleepy," he mumbled out.

"I know you are. Let's get you to bed." Jordan laid his head on Mark's shoulder. Chris silently asked Mark if he needed help. "I got you," Mark whispered to Jordan.

He tucked Jordan in, and tried to leave. Jordan reached his arms out.  "Don't go," Jordan groaned out, voice as tired as his body.

"I won't." Mark couldn't leave. Jordan was so tired and sweet and adorable. Mark laid behind Jordan, and pulled him close. Jordan fell into a peaceful sleep in Mark's arms.

Jordan slept through the night. He woke up still wrapped in Mark's arms. Mark had been awake, but didn't want to wake him up. "You feeling better?" Mark asked gently.

"Sleepy," Jordan yawned out. His eyes blinked, fighting off sleep. It was a losing battle. His eyes shut as Jordan snuggled into Mark's arms.

A little while later, Chris came in to check on them. Mark was running his hands through Jordan's hair as he slept.

"Everything okay in here?"he asked.

"Yeah, Jordan's just tired." Well he was more than just tired. Jordan needed the rest. Spending time taking care of Josh was fine, but he still needed to take care of himself. That he hadn't done.

"I got this. You should go check on Josh and Tyler. See if Tyler is doing better." Mark suggested.

Chris found them both still sleeping, wrapped in each other's arms. He smiled at that. They deserved to be happy. He envied what they had though. He wished he had someone who made him feel that safe and happy.

He sat down by the bed, and waited for them to wake up. Tyler woke up first, Josh still asleep on his chest. Josh deserved to rest. He was still in recovery from fighting his demons. Tyler's left him easily, fighting everyone around him. Josh, his had always been more internal, and the aftermath hit him the hardest. That's why he had the lingering insecurity Tyler would leave. It's all he could believe after constantly being told he wasn't good enough or nobody could ever want him.