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Rating:
Explicit
Archive Warning:
No Archive Warnings Apply
Categories:
F/MM/MMulti
Fandom:
Twenty One Pilots
Relationships:
Josh Dun/Tyler JosephJosh Dun/Original Male Character(s)Tyler Joseph/Original Male Character(s)Tyler Joseph/Original Female Character(s)
Characters:
Josh DunTyler Joseph
Additional Tags:
Alternate UniverseAnxietyAttempted Rape/Non-ConCasual SexDepressionEating DisordersImplied/Referenced Self-HarmMinor ViolenceMiscarriagePartyingPast Suicide AttemptPublic SexRecoveryRecreational Drug UseSelf-DestructionSuicidal ThoughtsTrans CharacterUnplanned PregnancyWatersports
Language:
English
Stats:
Published:2016-09-24Words:14827Chapters:1/1Comments:88Kudos:161Bookmarks:43Hits:2197
Mustard
edy

Summary:

The one where Tyler sits on street corners and plays his ukulele for money and Josh hates his life.
Notes:

translation into русский available: mustard by gronery
(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Work Text:

He's playing the ukulele. The chord progressions are enchanting, reaching the stage of ethereal with the voice accompanying it. No words are produced, just a steady increase of low moans and gentle hums. He is magical, full of quiet vulgarity and harsh whispers. He is magical and interesting, but the crowd around him isn't filling the instrument case with money. Instead they're supplying their wide eyes and parted lips as they gaze onto him and his bleeding hands.

It started with his fingers, little cuts that didn't mean anything at all. Then, it dripped, dripped, drips down his palms, his wrists, and finally pools onto the legs of his jeans, unable to stain the dark fabric. The bystanders are aghast, and some stick around to witness the end of the song. It comes suddenly, no build up, no hint; it comes with a hiss, a wince, and a tired voice going, "Sorry, I'm not very good." He pops those fingers in his mouth, sucking off the blood.

The audience scatters, no eye contact, not wanting to make eye contact and force small talk. A few dollar bills flutter into the case, which he smiles at before grabbing a ratty book and turning it into a paperweight. A woman with blonde hair and sunglasses personally hands him a twenty dollar bill, most likely as a co-payment for a doctor's appointment. She means well, and he gives her a smile, but once she leaves, he grimaces and clutches his ukulele as if he's ready to beat something with it.

Josh is the only one still standing, and begins to pray he won't be the victim of the ukulele-pummeling. They meet eyes, him holding his ukulele, his fingertips pink and sore, his arms and torso covered by the ugliest jacket Josh has ever seen. It's mustard-colored, an old yellow that belongs in the back of a grandmother's closet. He must have gotten it while thrifting; Josh doesn't think any store appealing to the masses would sell this sort of jacket.

It's not even appropriate weather to wear it. It's almost seventy, nearing the end of summer, but summer still has its grasp on them. He's in the shade, though, so it might be cool. Josh has no money with him, as he does every day he stops to watch the performance. This has been going on for weeks, maybe a month, and that ugly jacket has always made an appearance. Josh hopes he has good deodorant.

Since Josh has no money, he smiles, and is even smiled back. Josh decides to call the musician Mustard in the meantime, until he gets the courage to ask for a name. Josh doesn't see that happening for some time.