echo; adopted by twenty one pilots

»epilogue«

this song will never be on the radio. even if my clique were to pick and the people would have vote. it's the few, the proud, and the emotional.
☘️
i walk down the empty streets, counting the streetlights. i remember not wanting to live past 2014. i remember being happy when i had 'cured' my anorexia almost completely, with only a few slip ups.

i remember the day my brother, my sister, and i celebrated christmas with tyler and jenna for the first time.

i remember the first time i looked into the mirror and saw myself as beautiful.

i remember the day i found out that i actually only liked that boy because he had feminine qualities.

i remember the day i could stop therapy. i was so, so happy.

everyone says i've grown. and i have. if ten years ago, someone asked me what my life would look like, i would definitely not say this.

-

as i finish one of my last songs, i decide that this is the time.

"who's still with me?" i ask, earning a roar from my crowd. i smile in glee and then call them up to the stage.

"these are some of my favourite people on the planet. first up is my dad, tyler. remember him? ten years ago he was a lot of people's inspiration to keep living on."

"then jenna, my mom. she's  the mother that everyone needs. of course, i gained several pounds by her countless desserts, but i still love her."

"now, josh. he's like a brother to me. literally. the amount of times he's stolen my phone charger is unreal."

"last but not least, robin. the love of my life. we've been together for twelve years, married for nine. but i remember, ten years ago, when i was seventeen, i couldn't look at her without getting lost in those eyes, it was actually quite annoying and still happens to this day, damnit."

i take a deep breath before continuing.

"i remember back when i was a scared fourteen year old. these people made me safe. i was so lost until mom and dad took me under their wing. which brings me to the next thing i'd like to say."

i feel slightly dizzy. i play with my fiery red hair to calm myself down.

"i-i'm going to put a hold on my music career and adopt a child, in fact, robin and i already have. here's adrian. he's 13 years old."

a thin, feminine boy with curly black hair and green eyes slowly walks across the stage, shaking. i put a hand on his shoulder to calm him down.

he whispers something in my ear and i nod, handing him the microphone.

"h-hi, i'm adrian. i-i've b-been diagnosed with several things, including anorexia and a-anxiety and whatnot. which, by the way, i feel like i'm going to throw up. don't forget the fact that i'm nearly 100% deaf. and 100% completely transgender. b-but e-echo and robin continue to support me a-and empower me by doing a-amazing things for me and the world. i've n-never been in such a good place."

"i'm going to finish off this concert singing a very good song, that my dad sung a while back, of course."

i let the music play and smile, heading over to the piano with my family.

i sit, the crowd goes silent with the occasional 'i love you echo's. my hands begin to press at the keys, forming a rhythm.

next, the sweet sound of both tyler and mines voices filled the silent auditorium.

wise men say
only fools rush in

i smiled. this, right here. this moment, this life, is exactly where i belong. surrounded by the people i love the most.

but i can't help
falling in love with you

my family begins to sing along. it's beautiful. i love all of them.

shall i stay?
would it be a sin.

the crowd begins to sing, now, too. it makes my begin to tear up. back then, i thought i was all alone. now i'm surrounded by only love and happiness.

if i can't help
falling in love with you.

we finish the song and the crowd cheers, and for once in my life, i finally feel completely and one hundred percent at peace.

»T H E E N D«