Øverturning the lies (a twenty one pilots fanfiction)

~Mari~

Mari's sitting. 

She's supposed to be doing something, supposed to be remembering something, but she can't think of what or how or where-

And then Josh sits next to her, interrupting her from her thoughts. 

"So," he says, "Who's that boy you keep looking at?

"What?" Mari looks at him. "I'm not-"

Oh.

She's certain her cheeks are bright red and tries to look anywhere but at Josh-or Xavier.

Finally, desperate to change the subject, she says, "You know, rumor has it you and Tyler-"

This time Josh looks uncomfortable. "Wait-rumor has it that what, exactly?"

"Wait. I literally just made that up," Mari admits. 

To get the attention off me...but they have been acting a little weird lately...

"Are you telling me something actually happened?" she asks.

"Well..." Josh says.

"Well, what?" Mari demands. "I thought he and Jenna-"

Josh sighs. "Yes. They are. Nothing-nothing happened. Not like that."

"Oh," Mari says. "Okay."

"We're just friends," Josh says. "Good friends-" 

"Really good friends," Mari says. 

"Yes," Josh says, "But nothing more." 

"Are you talking about me?" Tyler asks suddenly, sitting next to Josh. 

He seems to be in an almost good mood, which makes Mari happy.

He seems to notices Mari a moment later. "Oh. Hi."

"Hi," Mari says, looking at Josh with an innocent smile.

"Wait," Tyler says, looking back and forth between them. "What-" 

"Nothing," Josh says. "Nothing you need to worry about, anyway."

Silence falls over them, and it's only broken by Mari whispering, "Joshler..."

"Wait," Josh says, "Did you just-" 

"Come up with a name for what you would be called if you were in a relationship?" Mari asks. "Yes. I suppose I did." 

"Hold on," Tyler says. "Wait. Me and Josh-wait. You mean-" 

Mari bursts out laughing. "Yes, that's exactly what I mean." 

"You," Tyler says, finally laughing too, "Are something else, Mari." 

"Why, thank you," Mari says, and Josh just looks at both of them like they're crazy, which makes them laugh even harder. 

Eventually, though, Tyler's expression grows serious. "He did save my life, though." 

"Really?" Mari asks. 

Tyler nods, absentmindedly running his hand against his arm.

Mari realizes she does the same thing without even thinking about it.

Realizes what that means.

That hits her. Hard.

Then she realizes what he said. "Wait. You would have...?"

She can't even say it.

But Tyler nods.

Mari looks at him questioningly, and he shows her the fading mark on his palm.