Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

CHAPTER ONE: GETTING BACK TOGETHER.

The year was 2023, nearly 2024. It had been 12 years since Tally hall had last performed together, and they had racked up quite a large community. Andrew Horowitz sat at his desk, tapping a pen. It wasn’t often that he didn’t think, I mean who doesn’t. But this was different. This was… personal. He missed his friends, his band mates. He missed when Joe would sit and write, explaining his lyrics in an admirable amount of detail. He missed Rob joking around yet still being so incredibly talented. He missed Zubin, who always kept a cheery attitude. He missed Ross being a cheerful and caring guy. He missed who he considered family. But getting back together was impossible. Joe was worse for wear, in the middle of a schizophrenic episode. Ross had gotten into a small controversy that most seemed to forget. What joe did surprised Andrew. Joe had missed tally hall more than anyone, attempting to bring them back multiple times. He watched, like a child whose parents were divorcing, as the band went their separate ways. He eventually stopped taking his meds, and did a lot of unforgivable things. He really needed someone to help.

Andrew thought more. He still knew where Joe lived, and he could always drop by. He just didn’t know if it was the right thing to do. He didn’t want to just hurt him more. As he thought more, he remembered the exact prescription that Joe used to take. He wanted to help somehow, but he didn’t know what to do. Still filled with doubt, Andrew grabbed his car keys and headed for Michigan.

Around 10 hours later, Andrew’s car slowed in front of the house of Joe Hawley. He stepped out, holding a brown paper bag, filled with the medication Joe needed. He knocked on the door, nervously stepping back and forth. The door opened slowly, and Andrew was face to face with the one and only Joe Hawley. He looked slightly worse for wear, but not as bad as he was expecting. Joe greeted him with a wide smile and pulled him into an awkward and uncomfortable hug. He seemed jittery and nervous. Andrew cleared his throat, and said “Hi, Joe. Long time no see. Can I… come in?” Joe nods. Andrew stepped into the house, and looked around. Little had changed. It looked much like it did back in 2011, only slight noticeable changes. Andrew sat down in an armchair, Joe sitting opposite. Joe pulled out a baggie of something, most likely weed. Joe had always been a weed smoker, a habit he needed to get out of. He rolled up a joint and was about to light it before Andrew interrupted and said “Joe! Hey, buddy. Can I talk to you about something?”
Joe seemed surprised, and looked up before saying, rather harshly, “what.”
Andrew was taken aback, but wasn’t surprised. He simply replied “Could you do something for me?”
Joe’s eyes darted up and down. “What?”
“Could you… take these? Just one for now. One every day, yeah?”
Joe looked angry.
“WHAT, YOU THINK I’M NOT NORMAL?!?”
“No, Joe-“
“YOU’RE JUST LIKE THE REST! THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH ME!”
“I just want you to feel better!”
Joe stuttered. He never thought about it like that.
“Make… me… better…?”
“Yeah!”
“Fine.”
Joe reached out and took the bottle. He read the label, and nodded.
“Okay. I-I can do that.”
“Good, thank you.”
Andrew stood up, but before he could go anywhere, Joe said “Stay here! I have a spare room!”
Andrew complied, and walked to the oh so familiar spare room. He slept there that night.

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 2: GETTING TOGETHER PART 2

The next morning, Andrew awoke to a slightly clearer minded Joe, one who had begun to take his medication once more. Andrew knew it would take a while to help him get fully back to his former self. Joe had clearly seen what he had done while in this episode, and looked incredibly guilty. He apologised to Andrew as soon as he awoke. Andrew, being the man he is, accepted the apology and got ready, making the Andrew Horowitz special, coffee with a tea bag brewed in it. It was slightly bitter, but that was because Joe didn’t have milk. The two ate toast together, and caught up on everything. They naturally got to the subject of tally hall and agreed on one thing. They needed to get back together.

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Rob Cantor was in his home studio, making another nursery rhyme album for Disney. It wasn’t much, but it paid well, very well. Suddenly, his phone rang. Andrew’s voice could be heard on the other end, as Rob excitedly picked up.
“Hey Buddy! How’s it hangin’?”
“Hey Rob. I’m not too bad. So, I’m back in Michigan-“
“Really? Why? Are you with someone?”
“Yeah, I’m with someone right now. I’ve got good news.”
“No… you didn’t…”
“Yeah, I did. Joe’s back! Well, mostly. We just need him to stay on top of his medication.”
“That’s amazing!”
“I know! You wanna talk to him?”
“Of course!”
Andrew passed the phone to Joe.
“Rob?”
“Joe! How you doing, buddy?”
“Better. How’s life?”
They proceeded to catch up for another 2 hours.
“So, Rob, swing on down maybe?”
“For sure, buddy. I’ll sort everything out and be there by tomorrow.”
“Sweet, bye.”
The phone is passed back to Andrew.
“Bye, Rob!”
“Bye Andrew!”
The call ends.

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 3: GETTING TOGETHER PART 3

Rob arrived the next day, parking his car near Andrew’s. He similarly walked up to the door and was let in by Joe, who was already looking better. They laughed and shared greetings. Soon after, they rung up Zubin, who rang them back when he got on his break.
“Hello?”
“Zubin!”
“Andrew?”
“Yep.”
(The dialogue will be labelled for this part for your reading comfort)
Joe: “and me.”
Rob: “me too.”
Zubin: “woah, jeez. You’re all there together?”
Andrew: “we’re all back in Michigan!”
Zubin: “that’s amazing!”
Rob: “do you want to come down here?”
Zubin: “i mean, of course, but I’m spending time with family.”
Joe: “ah.”
Rob: “hmmm…”
Andrew: “you could always call them while you’re away. We can pay for your travel too.”
Zubin: “Ok… but it’s gonna be a while, I think a day or two?”
Joe: “we can wait.”
A similar conversation was had with Ross.