Chapter Text
Tyler and Josh had just finished a show in somebody's backyard.
About a hundred people had been there, which was one of the largest numbers they have ever played for.
It was exhilarating.
Him and Josh were driving back to the shared two-bedroom apartment. It wasn't easy being a musician, and they certainly were not rich like everyone said they would be. This was the most affordable way for them to live.
They had exited out of the white van and were hauling the drums and keyboard back up. They had gotten used to it at this point and managed to get it all in one trip now.
They just set the wagon of wooden circles and white and black keys in the living room. It was late, they could unload it tomorrow.
"You did so good tonight" The short haired curly man spoke.
Tyler snapped out of his unconsciousness for a split second. "oh.. thanks, you too." he would dryly respond.
Joshua could tell something was off with the other. He brushed it off, assuming that he had been overstimulated from the night.
"You should get some rest" he states after a few minutes of silence and standing awkwardly.
"Yeah" The other responds, rushing to his room without speaking.
Josh retreats to his room shortly after, laying in his bed and laying around.
It had been probably a hour before he hears a loud bang from Tylers room. He gets up to investigate.
He knocks on the other's door. "Ty? Hey Tyler? You alright man?" he asks, opening up the door.
He sees Tyler's hair sticking up from beside his bed. He walks closer, shutting the door behind him. It seems the room has been trashed, with ripped sheet music scattered, and clothes thrown everywhere.
He sees Tyler sitting next to his bed, with a blanket draped over his left arm, and his face looked damp.
"Hey man?" Josh says, startling the boy from his dissociation as he crouches down.
"What's wrong?" he speaks smoothly.
Tyler looks over to him, before rubbing his face on the blanket to remove any possible drops on his face. He then soothes his face with his hands holding him there.
"I don't know.. its.." His breath shakes. "I'm fine." he states firmly.
"No, you're not" Josh is quick to state.
"You've lost your glow Tyler, your sway. I know it's not all okay. I will listen to you all day."
Tyler's breath shivers through his hands.
"I'm so alone. Even in a room full of a hundred people. Even in a room with just you. It's all the same as when others are absent. I feel like a shell full of cobwebs" He spurs.
Josh nodded, setting his hand on the others wrist. He completely understood that feeling, in fact, he was extremely familiar with it.
"Let me see those eyes, Tyler. Please?" he asks.
Tyler is quick to shake his head no.
"I want to leave. I'll never make it out there. I'm in a world full of thousands of more talented people than me."
"Tyler. I know, I know all of this. But you're so incredibly talented. I.. I love that about you. You have the ability to flip words nobody else can and turn it into something for others. I admire it."
Tyler glances up at him.
"And in a world full of billions of people, you are the one person I want to be with." Josh finishes calmly, taking his hand in his.
Tyler looks at him. That is all he can do. He knows he has fallen in love. He couldn't be with Josh though; he was his bandmate. If things went wrong, it would be all over.
Internally, he blames it on the time; he was vulnerable and upset, he didn't know what emotions he was feeling right now. It was all jumbled.
He seems to have been staring.
Josh doesn't mind.
He wipes a tear from Tyler's eye. He gifts a soft smile, with the same return.
Tyler was like a jewel to Josh. He was his pride and joy.
He truly made him feel something he has never felt before. It was a deep burning passion he would forever keep pent up.
But the way he looked right now, with his thumb on his chin.
Before he knew it, he was pressing a soft kiss against Tyler's lips.
Tyler's eyes went wide, before quickly melting into the other, laying his hand on his forearm as if he would fly away.
After a minute, they pulled away from each other, every other part of their body's stayed frozen in time.
Now, the mutual feelings were up in the air.