Chapter Text
They’d spent most of what time was left in the day simply talking. Mark was someone Josh could always count on to understand what was going on in his head with as few words as possible. It felt good, if Josh was honest, to tell another person, someone who wasn’t directly involved.
By the end of the day, Josh had felt something of a weight off his shoulders, waving goodbye to Mark. He stood by the door for a little while, just thinking, until something snapped him out of it.
“Hey!” Josh jumped a little, turning aimlessly in circles until he found the man who’d called out.
“Hey, Ty,” he smiled as his best friend jogged over.
“Sorry, I never learn my lesson, do I? Gotta stop surprising you.” Tyler locked eyes with him, staring as though trying to read his mind.
“It’s alright, man. Are you all done now?” The man seemed to decipher something and threw an arm around him, casual yet grounding.
“Yeah. Soon as we finished, I took off the costume and the paint and came straight here to find you.”
“I can tell. You’re still wearing some makeup.” He brought his finger up to poke Tyler’s cheek. “It’s pretty. Should let me do your makeup sometime.”
“Guess I have to. Since we’re…us…now.” Tyler chuckled. “C’mon, lemme take you home.”
“Since you asked so nicely,” Josh smiled sweetly.
Tyler looped his arm around Josh’s waist and led him out to the car. He even opened the door for Josh, like he was playing at being a gentleman, before jumping around to the driver’s side.
“How was today? How was your chat with Mark?” Tyler asked casually, starting the car.
“Good. He knew something was wrong. I mean, obviously. Everyone saw me freak out. I didn’t tell him everything, but I guess I didn’t really need to. He’s really…perceptive. And obviously, he’s been my friend for years, he…he saw what happened to me after I found you like that.”
Tyler tensed up noticeably, gripping the steering wheel.
“Relax, Tyler. I never told him exactly what happened, but you know, he was around when you… Mark helped me to help you, even if he was a little more ‘behind the scenes’, I guess. I showed up at his door crying one time because I had this horrible panic attack driving home from your place. So I just turned up at his house, and he let me in. We never really talked about it.”
“I didn’t know,” Tyler mumbled.
“Yeah, I didn’t really want you to. More focused on your recovery.”
“Right.” Tyler glanced at him awkwardly. “Music?”
“Sure. Ty, don’t worry about this. Getting through it,” he assured. The last thing either of them needed was another breakdown. On either side.
Josh scrolled through Tyler's playlists, landing on a good one. Transatlanticism faded in.
“Oh, Josh? What was the song?” His tone was light, casual.
“Hm?” Josh frowned. Tyler definitely knew this song.
“The song from last night, that freaked you out. I recognised it, but I can’t place the name.”
“Uh, 20th Century Towers. Death Cab.” It wasn’t as hard to say as he’d thought it would be.
“If you don’t mind, take it off all my playlists? I don’t know which ones it’d be on, but it’s a decently long drive, so it might be good to look around.”
Josh sat in silence, processing the words. Tyler was a good friend. That much he was sure of.
“You okay?” The man rested a hand on Josh’s leg.
“Yeah,” he said quickly. “No, it’s all good, seriously. I was just…thank you. That’s all.”
“Don’t mention it,” Tyler brushed it off. “Pizza for dinner?”
“Sounds great,” Josh replied easily. It was nice, feeling semi-normal again.
They drove for a bit before eventually placing an online order to pick up from the nearest Domino's, only pulling over for about five minutes. It went without saying that both men were keen to get home tonight.
And so Josh ended up curled up in his seat, sitting almost sideways until he was comfortable. He’d balanced a pizza box on the console between them, steadying it with one hand.
“We can just eat when we get home, you know,” Tyler laughed. “Save you from that weird setup.”
“But I’m hungry now,” Josh whined. He swore he saw something akin to pride flash across Tyler’s face.
He thought he might understand that. Josh knew he’d felt the same way when Tyler started voluntarily making food again after his last depressive episode. It was a unique sort of pride to feel that way because someone you love is, in some small way, returning to themself.
“Fine,” Tyler smiled. “Hand me a slice? Actually, just put it straight in my mouth.”
Josh did so, holding the slice up to Tyler as he awkwardly took a bite. The car hit a pothole, and the pizza hit Tyler square in the face, sending both men into hysterical laughter.
“You missed,” Tyler cackled.
Josh took the opportunity to try again, this time getting most of it in his mouth.
“Got it that time!”
|-/
The drive that night felt far too short, when Josh was savouring every moment with his best friend. Even though they’d kissed, he still wasn’t sure if he’d be sleeping on the couch tonight. Or the bed, more likely, by himself. Tyler had a reputation for being arrogant and selfish, but when the time came, Josh always found himself being prioritised. It just showed that a lot of people didn’t truly understand Tyler.
“Tired?” Tyler spoke up. “Or do you wanna do a movie before bed?”
“I’m not really tired, but I do just wanna go to bed,” Josh decided. “I’ll take the couch, don’t-”
Tyler stared at him, wide-eyed.
“You absolutely will not. What do you take me for, some heartless monster? I kissed you, I’m not making you sleep on the couch.” Josh blushed.
“I wasn’t sure, I-”
“Of course you’re sleeping in the bed with me.” Tyler’s face fell noticeably. “I-I mean, if you want to, of course, I’m not gonna…”
“I do want to.” Josh smiled, teasing his best friend. “‘Course I want to. Nothin’ I want more than to go to bed with you, pretty boy.”
It was Tyler’s turn to blush.
“Let’s…let’s go then.” He was adorably flustered, unlocking his front door.
Josh grinned. Everything sucked, but he finally had something he’d always wanted. Maybe he could make it through with the help of his best friend. His best friend, who also kissed him sometimes.
He followed the man through the house, feeling a profound sense of relief. This was somewhere he was safe. Sure, it held the occasional bad memory, but it was mostly good. He could do this.
“I just realised,” Tyler spun on his heel to face Josh. “We were supposed to go to your place and get your stuff.”
“I didn’t forget. I chose not to remind you.” Josh watched his best friend, adorably confused. “So what, I like stealing your clothes. We can go tomorrow. I just wanted to relax tonight.”
“Fair enough,” Tyler grinned, failing to disguise how excited he was.
They climbed into bed together, sparks burning Josh’s skin where he brushed against Tyler. He pulled his shirt off casually, tossing it at Tyler. The man yelped and threw it onto the floor.
“You’re a menace,” he grumbled.
“Didn’t think you’d be complaining about seeing me shirtless,” Josh teased.
The man stared pointedly at his chest, blinking slowly. He shook his head ever so slightly and made eye contact. Josh smirked.
Tyler blushed and pulled the blanket over both of them, awkwardly tucking it around Josh’s shoulders.
“You know, if you told me ten years ago that I’d finally got Josh Dun to come to bed with me, I probably would have said ‘finally!’ and like, cheered or something,” Tyler chuckled. “Honestly, I thought this would have happened when we were way younger, or like, not at all.”
Josh completely agreed. He had truly given up hope at some point, after that brief period years ago when he really thought something could happen between them. Then it hadn’t, and he’d lost hope that a relationship past friendship would ever come into being. But something had drawn them back together these past years, and honestly, the transition felt more than natural.
Sure, they weren’t exactly young anymore, but it was probably better that way. Josh had never had much luck with teenage love, and he’d hate to have ruined something with Tyler.
Best friends of many years becoming lovers was the most natural thing in the world for them.
“Me too, actually. I mean, we’ve sort of always been those guys that everyone thinks are dating ‘cause we’re so…weird…about each other.” Josh smiled to himself.
“Yeah. Maybe we kind of have been dating, in a way, for years. Hear me out,” Tyler protested against Josh’s confused hum. “Seriously, think about it. In what way have we ever been normal friends?”
It dawned on Josh that Tyler was right. He was totally, completely, unbelievably right. They’d always been so weird. It was just a joke to both of them, but completely serious at the same time. While they’d practically been half-dating the entire time, the chances of it ever becoming a real, true thing were tiny. But here they were, sixteen years after they first met. Best friends forever.
“Oh. I guess…I guess I see it.”
They lay there in silence for a moment before Tyler groaned loudly.
“Aw, man, I just realised. We gotta tell the fans.”
“We don’t have to…” Tyler stared at him, raising an eyebrow. “Fine. Maybe we do have to.”
“I think half of them already know. I mean, they’ve had suspicions for years!” Tyler grimaced, clearly thinking back to every fan interaction where they’d asked about Joshler, or whatever.
“Well, that’s only because you encourage them! At every single opportunity. Always talking about how hot I am.” Josh complained, but he didn’t mind it. Honestly? It fuelled his ego like nothing else.
“Yeah, but that’s just stating a fact. Can’t believe I got the world’s hottest drummer for a boyfriend.”
Josh blushed furiously and jokingly punched Tyler in the arm.
“Mm, lucky you.” He rolled over to face the man, studying his face. Pretty…
“So how do you wanna approach this? We could do something on social media, or at a show?” Tyler brainstormed.
“Or,” Josh added. “We could just let them figure it out. Enjoy a little bit of peace, maybe a couple of them notice us being a little extra weird, let it be a weird theory until someone finally catches us.”
Tyler nodded, smiling deviously.
“That sounds like fun. I’m sold. I don’t think it’ll take long, though. Not sure I’ll be able to keep my hands off of you at shows, God, you’re so hot when you’re drumming-”
“Shut up!” Josh punched Tyler’s arm again. This man…
“Aww, you like it. My boyfriend likes being called hot. Do you also like being called pretty?” Tyler teased. “Pretty drummer boy.”
“I can’t stand you,” Josh muttered under his breath, leaning in for a kiss.
“You know you love me,” Tyler giggled.
“I do.”
|-/
Josh must have fallen asleep, because he woke up some time later to silence.
“Tyler!” He gasped breathlessly through the sudden stillness, sitting straight up in bed and clutching his chest.
Josh groaned into his hands and rubbed his face. There was a noticeable lack of Tyler by his side, the way there normally was after a nightmare. He thought the noise would have woken the man by now… He looked over to Tyler’s side of the bed, finding himself completely alone.
The panic set in instantly.
“No, no, no,” he mumbled. “Please no…”
Josh’s eyes darted around the dimly lit room, searching for his best friend. Warm morning light streamed through the blinds.
His breath caught in his throat when his gaze settled on a folded piece of paper tucked under an empty glass on the side table.. Shaking fingers grabbed it, dread settling in his stomach as he unfolded it.
Josh - don’t panic!
Just getting food, 20 minutes tops !!
Everything’s ok i promise
Love, Ty <3
Josh’s anxiety evaporated. He took a deep breath in, and collapsed back into his bed, cradling the note to his chest. Everything’s okay. Not that kind of note. Never again.
“You’re the worst…” he murmured to no one. “Love you…”
Weary eyes fluttered closed, and Josh let himself drift off again.
|-/
Josh woke up to fingers in his hair. He fought to wake up properly, blinking sleepily. Tyler laughed, clearly trying not to be too loud. Simply the presence of his best friend made everything feel a million times better.
“There’s my sleeping beauty.”
“You’re back…” Josh mumbled, squeezing his eyes shut again and curling into the touch. He reached out clumsily, resting one hand on Tyler’s leg.
“Yeah. Did you wake up while I was gone?” Tyler absentmindedly brushed through his curls, twirling them around.
God, Josh could get used to this. Waking up to his lover right beside him… Maybe everything was worth it just to have this.
“Mm.” Josh pulled the folded-up note from under his pillow, fiddling with it.
“Oh, you saw the note!” Tyler seemed anxious, fingers twitching a little in his hair. “Was it okay? I should have just waited, right? I wasn’t sure-”
“It’s fine, Ty.” Josh fought to open his eyes again, looking up at Tyler. “I’m glad you did that. I did…panic a little. The note helped.”
Tyler visibly relaxed at those words.
“Good. Now, come on. I got us these croissant things, and they’ve got bacon and cheese on ‘em, you’ll love it.”
Josh chuckled, sitting up slowly. He grinned lopsidedly at his best friend and leaned in for a quick kiss. He dropped his head to the man’s shoulder, breathing in the scent of Tyler. Here, and real, and alive. What more could he want?
“You don’t wanna get up, do you?”
“Nope,” Josh murmured into Tyler’s shoulder stubbornly.
“Fine. We can have breakfast in bed. One time only,” he warned. “This is not gonna become a habit.”
His voice was stern, but his eyes sparkled as he pushed Josh back against the headboard and retrieved a bag of pastries.
It occurred to Josh that this was almost certainly some sort of treat, that Tyler had gone out of his way to wake up early and get something special for him. His fingers strayed to the note in his hand, idly folding and unfolding it.
Josh almost missed Tyler handing him a croissant, too absorbed in fiddling with the small piece of paper.
“You okay, man?”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m good.” Josh traced his fingers over the ink letters, mumbling the next part to himself. “Loyalty in pen.”
“Hm?” Tyler stared at him, questioning.
“Nothing.” He set the paper down. “These look great, Ty. Love you so much.”
“Love you too. Now eat, you’re seriously gonna love them. Possibly more than you love me.”
“Impossible, and implausible,” he quipped, grinning.
Yeah, things were going to get better for Josh, with Tyler by his side.
A promise in pencil, but loyalty in pen. He could get used to Tyler’s loyalty.