After The Confetti Falls {Joshler}

Chapter 1: Angels and Mix-tapes

Soundtrack (to Josh):

Who's Gonna Save Us - Gavin Degraw: 

"We've been way too cool with this, but it's just too strong to fight."

In My Life - The Beatles: 

"Of all these friends and lovers, there is no one compares to you and these memories lose their meaning when I think of love as something new."

Daydream Away - All Time Low: 

"I wouldn't know what to say if I had you. So, I'll keep you a daydream away; just watch from a safe place so I never have to lose."

This Town - Niall Horan: 

"Over, and over, the only truth: everything comes back to you."

Black Car - Gregory Alan Isakov: 

"Well, time has a way of throwing it all in your face."

Edge of Desire - John Mayer: 

"I want you so bad I'll go back on the things I believe. There, I just said it. I'm scared you'll forget about me."

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Tyler could hear the roaring of the crowd echoing in his ears; feel the beat of Josh's drums in his chest.

There was an endless sea of faces stretched out in front of him, each one he was acutely aware had a story and each one was there for him, but only one face in the room mattered. He gripped the microphone tighter as he screamed out every pain in his chest. Whenever his fears got a little too loud, which they did, he'd just look over to the man with the pastel pink hair putting every ounce of passion in his being into the rhythm, and he knew with all certainty the most earth-shattering thing: he was loved. Then Josh looked over at him, and if Tyler could've cemented that moment in time with those deep brown eyes looking right into his soul like he knows that it's his, then so help me God, he would've. And he knows that after the confetti falls he can fall into those strong arms and stay there forever. Or at least a thousand years. But right now he is here, and here is quite alright with him. He closes his eyes and takes it all in. The roar of the crowd, the rhythm of the drums, the flashing of the lights, his heartbeat like a battle cry. He screams out the words "and now I just sit in silence" then he hears something off. It grows steadily louder, and then he blinks. The next moment he's staring at his bedroom ceiling with the sound of his alarm blaring on his bedside table. He reaches over and slams the off button, then sits up and breathes out a long sigh, putting his hands over his face. If only he hadn't blinked. If only...

"Hey, baby"

The sweet sound of Jenna's morning voice momentarily pulls him out of his regrets. She props herself up a bit to run a hand through his short, brown, sleep-tousled hair and looks into his dark, storm-weathered eyes with concern. "What's the matter? Did you have another nightmare?"

Tyler glances around the room like he's just realized he's in it. Mostly white. White sheets, white brick walls, white curtains with sunlight seeping through. Plants, his guitar and ukelele hung on the wall by a chair.

"No,"

"Well. Sort of. Not like the other ones." He replies with a distant expression; his teeth tugging solemnly at his lips.

"Do you want to talk about it?" She asks, stroking her thumb gently across his face. He looks down into her sparkling blue eyes, then takes in her every feature. Soft, beautiful blonde hair, perfect lips and teeth, perfect everything. Perfect. He leans down and kisses her forehead.