døg/rabbit~~tysh/jøshler fic

Redemption/Epilouge

The days should be happier; they should. Tyler got his family back, his life back, his freedom back. He was living a normal life outside of captivity, but he still wasn't happy per say. He missed the silence and calmness of his old cell, of course he did, he was overwhelmed trying to readjust to normal life. He wasn't used to his brothers yelling at the TV during sports or his little sister screaming over boy bands. Nor was he used to his father's loud laughter that radiated through the house at the dinner table. He wasn't used to life outside of confinement, and he was starting to believe he never would be. He could make other's believe he was happy, he could. It's 'fake it till you make it', right? That's how it always is. No matter where you go you have to fake your feelings day to day to keep yourself protected. But the truth was, even though Tyler did miss the calming, silence of his cell he knows deep down that he misses a certain colorful haired boy.

There hasn't been a day go by that Tyler hasn't thought about Josh, about what he'd done, about what he said. Goddamnit, Tyler hated his every fiber for everything he did to the boy. He should have never gotten involved with the boy. Tyler knew he would only ruin the man's life, but he was selfish and wanted the comfort Josh offered. Now all he can remember is watching Josh's smile fade into a blank expression, his eyes no longer sparkling with life, his voice become more monotone than considered normal. He can only see what he did to Josh, and it eats away at his mind like hydrochloric acid eating away at his skin. He lays in his bed that's twice the size of the one in his cell. The sheets are softer and his pillows actually have cotton in them and offer support. His walls are painted a deep blue and the walls are still bare, but his parents have offered to help him decorate if he'd like. He is staying with them until he can get a job and move out in his own. He should be happy right? Freedom; a new start.

But he misses the small bed that barely had enough room for him and Josh, but they made it work. He missed the way Josh stacked his two pillows to lay his head on and allowed Tyler to use him as a pillow. He missed the plain rugged, gray sheets that was littered with holes that always caught his toes when Josh would cover them up. Oh, the heavenly giggles that they'd share as they laughed at one another. When you're find the things just to not fall asleep, because you know he'll be right there in your sleep - that's when he's more than a memory. He missed the way his sheets smelled of Josh and his body heat actually kept him warm unlike the sheets he was given. His door creaks as the golden light spills into his room as Madison peeks her head around the corner, looking at her brother with those big eyes. "Are you okay, Ty?" Tyler's never been so thankful for a soft voice in his life, he doesn't think he could handle anymore screaming ever again.

"Yeah, Madds, I'm fine. M'tired is all."She nods before giving her brother a small smile and shutting the door back leaving Tyler to his thoughts.

***

Three months have went buy since he's last seen Josh. He still thinks about him everyday, maybe he doesn't deserve love? He loves Josh. If he's ever experienced love it was with the colorful, curly haired man.The weather was turning cold as fall wind picked up and blew leaves all along the ground outside of his window. Pumpkins and gay littered his parents porch and yard, but he wasn't in the spirit this year. He wasn't in any spirit this year.He stayed laying on his bed as small puffs of air slipped pasted his chapped, pink lips. His sweater was way too big and slipped over his hands creating sweater laws. He was comfortable as the material of his leggings rubbed against his thighs with every move he made.The gentle sunlight offered little warmth as it spilled through the window and onto his sweater covered frame.A knock was heard at his bedroom door as he spoke a soft, "come in." He heard the door's signature creak and waited for the sound of one of his parents voice to fill his ears, but all he received was silence.

A small dip in the bed indicated someone has sat next to him and his eyes fly open out of curiosity.
He doesn't move at he stares into warm, hazel eyes-eyes that he's missed so much.

"Josh?"

A gasp followed by the smallest of voices cut through the air.

"Hi."

Oh Tyler was in heaven at the sound of Josh's voice. He hadn't heard that beautiful voice in months and now it was right beside of him, softly stroking his cheek.

"Oh my god, Josh!"

Tyler cried as ugly tears rolled down his face and he jumped up and threw his arms around the man's neck. No words were needed as Josh's hands flew up and wrapped around Tyler's noticeably smaller waist.

"How'd you find me?"

Tyler's scratchy voice broke through as he held tighter to Josh.Was this real? Had josh really found him? Was he going crazy?

"I asked Mel for your address," Josh shrugged as he pulled back and kissed Tyler with enough passion to make Tyler feel like his veins were finally thawing after a long, harsh winter. That's what's life was like without Josh; a long harsh winter. Their lips molded together perfectly as Tyler whined into the kiss. "Missed you," Tyler breathed as Josh moved his lips down the younger boy's jaw.

"I missed you so much, Tyler."

The words were muffled against Tyler's flustered skin as he relished in the way Josh's hands were gentle and his lips moved gracefully against Tyler's neck.

"Joshua, my parents..."

The boy laughed heavenly and placed a sloppy kiss on Tyler's jaw, making the boy blush and giggle.

"I know I'm sorry... God, I missed you." Josh searched Tyler's glowing eyes (THE FIRST CHAPTER WAS CALLED GLOWING EYES IM SO EMO RN OH nO). He couldn't stop himself from repeating it over and over, because it was true.

"Josh, do you love me?"

Josh looked directly into Tyler's eyes, connecting to something deeper in the boy, something more fragile than ever.

"Of course, Tyler. I would come up with something poetic and beautiful with a shit ton of similes and metaphors, but the truth is, I'm way too tired to think about big words," Tyler laughed heartily at the joke, "but also because, Tyler Joseph, you separate beauty from words. There is nothing to describe how much I love you, you trust have to trust me when I tell you that I love you so goddamn much, I would do anything for you."

Tyler shook his head with Mona Lisa smile gracing his lips. The man before him, the man he fell in love with, was telling him he loved him. And it was time Tyler told him the truth.

"I thought I lost you, Josh. I wasn't okay; I don't think I ever will be. But back at Pilotsview...I didn't mean the things I said. Joshua William Dun, I love you. I really do. And if you asked me to marry you right here, right now, I wouldn't hesitate to say yes and elope immediately. But I think we should take things slow. Getting back to normal is vital for me. My family...they're all here. They care still. And I want you to get to know them with me. And I want to know about your family and meet them. I want to know you.

"So with that said," Tyler breathed in, looking at the man with newly dyed red hair, shining teeth and a smile so wide you could see it from outer space. "would you like to go on a date with me?"

Josh sniffled a bit, tears stinging his eyes. He thought back to the first moments in which he met Tyler; the boy was a nutcase, pure insanity coursing through his frozen veins, yet that wasn't the only thing. Tyler had something in his voice that screamed "I need someone to help me out here, because I don't want to be this way". Josh tried to ignore it, but every time he heard the boy scream or whisper or sing, he heard it, and he wanted to take that pain and throw it from the top of the Empire State building and have it crumble to dust.

And now, when Josh heard Tyler speak, pain still lurked, but something definitely changed. It was like hearing the sound of nature at night in the forest with a city directly behind you; you mostly heard the sounds of bull frogs and birds and insects, but you could still make out the faint sounds of speeding cars and police sirens and squeaky brakes. It reminded Josh of home, and he wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

"Yes Tyler. I would love to go on a date with you."

FIN.
...