Introverted Hearts // Josh Dun

chapter eleven :: simultaneous suffering

it's been two whole months sorry

ALSO LISTEN TO ATTACHED SONG FOR VIBES

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Josh cupped CJ's cheeks, slowly moving his hands down to her neck hand pushing her hair out of the way.

Jenna and Tyler stared at the pair in awe, both of them surprised due to their best friend's shared disorder.

Josh pulled away and looked down at her for approval.

CJ was staring downcast, her eyebrows furrowed as she chewed the inside of her lip, the same spot she always chewed that seemed to be permanently raw from her habit.

"CJ?" Josh said her name, almost in a whisper.

"I-um-" she did not know what to say or do, but she did know that the touch of Josh send feelings of comfort all throughout her body.

"You're okay," Josh assured her, letting his thumb trace her jaw line. "I promise you're okay." 

CJ shook her head before she began hyperventilating.

"Hey," Josh cupped her cheeks and forced her to look up at him. "Deep breath in." He demonstrated for her.

CJ followed suit with her eyes squeezed shut. 

"Hold it." Josh counted to three out loud. "Now let it out."

CJ followed Josh's method for a few minutes. When her breathing was finally normal and sufficient, Josh was definitely proud of himself.

"You're not dizzy, right?" He asked.

"No," CJ shook her head. "Not from hyperventilating, at least."

"From what?" With subtlety, Josh grabbed her hand.

CJ looked at him, then glanced over at Jenna.

Josh saw the chance to get CJ, and prove to Tyler that he would not be alone forever.

"Go on a date with me." Josh blurted out.

Jenna had more of a reaction than CJ did when she squealed and clapped her hands as she jumped up and down.

"Um.." CJ wanted to say yes, but the word just would not come out.

"Yes," Jenna nodded. "CJ will definitely go on a date with you."

"Before you decide that you wanna date me, I'm just gonna let you know that I just had my first kiss a-and nobody wants to date somebody who is in their twenties and total inexperienced." CJ rambled out of nervousness.

"My name is Josh," he said. "Not Nobody."

CJ let out a quick breath as her jaw dropped and she nodded. "Yeah. Y-You're Josh."

Josh flashed a quick smile before Jenna led a shook CJ down the hall into her bedroom.

"He kissed you!" Jenna squealed after she closed the door. "CJ he actually kissed you!"

"I know," CJ nodded. "I was there."

"He's yours," Jenna nodded. "Josh is yours. It's official."

"No," CJ nodded. "Do you know how scary this is for me?"

"Scary?" Jenna said. "This is Josh we're talking about. He may look scary with his piercings and tattoos and his big ass teeth, but he is the least threatening person I've ever met."

CJ rubbed her arm self-consciously. "I just don't want him to decide at the last minute that he doesn't like me. I could be delusional, for all he knows."