Chapter Text
Josh Dun pulled up to Cottonwood Café and got out of his dark red car, pushing the door closed behind him. While he walks to the back door his dark brown and red curls bouncing around his head, he thinks about the new worker going to be trained today. What was his name? Terry? Ted? Tyler? Yes, Tyler sounded right.
Once inside, looking at the clock across from the front entrance he sees its 8:12 AM, there's 17 minutes until the rest of the staff arrive, he liked his little trio, they'd been working at the café for almost 4 years together and finally, after their cafe finally gaining popularity they decided to try find someone new to help. Recently, Debby had announced her pregnancy so they'd need someone to step in while she's on leave.
After a few weeks of meeting people, Jenna had finally found someone suitable. Debby and Josh both liked the sound of him, but had not met him yet. Tyler was planed to come to the café today to try out the environment and for the others to see if they liked him and thought he'd be a good addition to their little workforce.
As Josh walked around placing chairs on the ground off the tables, Jenna came in the door and called out a cheerful greeting, wich Josh returned. She came over to him with a small, tired smile on her face "so, we'll be adding a new number to our crew today!" Josh never understood how she can always be so cheerful at such an early hour. "Yes, I suppose we are. I hope he's a good fit, I'd hate to turn someone down. You said he seemed so excited to get the job, and we really need to find someoneto have time to train them up before debby leaves."
Jenna had started to turn on all the machines on the counter, she was the barista of the group. "I think he'll fit in quite well, he seemed eager for the job and willing to work hard. He's a really nice guy, I knew him in high school. Popular, but the kind of popular that everyone knew him and he wanted to know everyone back. When he's doing things he enjoys and cares about, you can see he really concentrates and puts all his effort into it. That'll be good to have around."
After a few minutes of silence (except for the soft hum of the machines) Debby walked in the door. "Hi you two!" she said with her big, contagious smile. "Hey Debby!" Josh and Jenna's said in unison, looking over with laughter in their eyes from saying the same thing at the same time.
"So, new guy today? It'll be sttange having someone else around." "Yea" Josh said checking his watch. It was 8:38, the cafe opened at 9:30 normally it was quiet for the first 2 hours, so Tyler was supposed to come at 8:45 to learn about the café, routines, get into uniform (white shirt, black pants, dark red and gold apron) and just generally learn the ropes before there's any chance of customers.
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Right on time, Tyler walked past the front window, stopped for a second in front of the door, took a deep breath, and entered the café. He heard a little bell jingle somewhere above him and looked around the shop for someone to talk to. The first person he saw was a young man about his hight, looked to be about his age, and had short curly, almost shoulder length dark brown hair with the lower half bright red. As the man walked over to him, he extended a hand wich Tyler took and firmly shook. "You must be Tyler Joseph, nice to meet you. My name's Josh Dun." "Nice to meet you too, Josh."
"So, you've met Jenna, and this is Debby" Josh said, gesturing towards Debby who was standing by the front desk. They both waved, "Hello!" She said brightly. "Hi." Tyler answered shyly. "So first off, you're going to need to put on your uniform, then we can show you around the place then maybe try making some things. You said you've worked for cafes before so I assume you know how to make all the basic drinks and what-not." Tyler nodded and followed Josh to behind the front desk where he handed him a neatly folded bundle of clothes. "There's a bathroom just around the corner for you to change in."
While Tyler was changing, the three discussed the order of what they'll show their newest member of the team. They decided on the drinks counter, then the kitchen, then they'll make some drinks to find out his level.
In the bathroom after Tyler had put on his pressed white shirt and red and gold apron, he admired the look of his perfectly styled, bubble gum pink hair next to the gold trim of his apron. It looked good, stylish, and not too normal.
When Tyler had finished changing, he came back to the trio standing in front of the counter, and they started showing him around. While they did, they also talked a bit about previous jobs they'd had, and they learned Josh had worked at a music store, Debby a daycare, Jenna a small restaurant, and Tyler had worked at several cafés.
After they finished their tour and drink prepping, the four sat down at a table and sipped their drinks. It was 9:49 and still no customers had shown up. This was normal, it was only ever busy in the afternoon. Josh thought he quite liked Tyler and he'd be a good addition. They all seemed to get along nicely and laughed easily together. "Tyler, i think you'll make a good fourth member of the team." Josh said calmly with a hint of relief. At that Tyler's face lit up with a smile Josh had never seen before, and he couldn't take his eyes off.
For another 15 minutes they sat there talking, but Josh's eyes kept glancing back at Tyler, taking in every little detail. The way his nose came to a little point, the way he tipped his head back slightly went he laughed, the way his dark eyes crinkled when he smiled, the wa- No no no. Why was he thinking about him like that? "Josh?" He heard Debby ask.
"Huh?" He started. "Tyler asked if you play music." Debby said. "Oh yea, I play the drums. You?" "I was just saying to theese two, I've been playing around with singing and piano. Actually I've written a few songs, but none of them are very good." Tyler looked sheepishly down into he's drink. Then Josh said "that's pretty impressive! You should show them to us sometime!"
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A bit later they got busy and so didn't have much time to talk until closing time at 4:30. After they finished cleaning up for the day, and the girls had left, Tyler and Josh were left talking about random little things. "I should probably head out now. That was a fun first day, I like talking and working with you guys." As he spoke, his eyes couldn't help but linger on the broad shoulders and seemingly quite muscular chest hidden under the tightly stretched white shirt. "Yea, cool to meet you too." he said looking into Tyler's eyes "I'm glad you're a nice and kind person, I was getting a bit worried about finding someone soon enough to train them up to our way before Debby has to leave." Tyler's face suddenly reddened at the compliment and his stomach felt a little twist he'd never felt before.
"Do you live far fom here? I noticed you walked." Josh asked casually. "Not too far, about a 25 minute walk, I'm close to the Làshish café. That's one of the places I worked at." he said shrugging his shoulders. "Let me drive you, save you some time." Tyler hesitated for a second, but finally agreed. Josh held the back door for Tyler and gave a mock salute. That made him laugh in that same way Josh had noticed earlier, head tipping back a little, eyes crinkling at the corners.
When they were driving Josh put on the radio and loud rock music filled the car, while his fingers drummed on the steering wheel, they talked about music and other random things until they arrived at Tyler's place.
"Do you want me to pick you up tomorrow morning?" Josh asked as Tyler got out of the car. "Nah i'm good to walk." "You sure? You wont have to get up as early. To be frank, you looked really tired this morning." Tyler's face reddened slightly at that. "Ok fine. See you here at 7:45?" "I'll be there. Anything to hang out with a cute boy." Josh said, leaving Tyler frozen staring at him with that same twist in his stomach. Just before Josh drove away, he blew a kiss in Tyler's direction. Tyler just stood there watching the car drive off, probably a little longer than he should've. Then walking up to his apartment alone with his quickly spiralling thoughts.