assistant // tyler joseph

eight.

it's been six months since the hookup between assistant and boss. a very long six months. the tour was about over; there was only one festival and the hometown shows left. in the last six months, tyler's mental health has gone down hill. he's been secluding himself quite often; insisting that he's okay and just tired. but that's not true. well, he is tired... but he's not okay. he doesn't feel like himself. he has no desire to do anything besides write and perform. the few hours every other night when he is on stage performing are the highlights of his life right now. those are the only moments where everything seems okay. 

josh and the rest of the crew have been really worried about him. but only josh knows the full reason why he has been so depressed, and the reason is veronica. he knows that tyler is feeling rejected and alone ever since everything went down with veronica. josh knew that tyler had a thing for veronica even before all this happened, but he didn't know that veronica would actually give him the time of day. he's happy that tyler got some of his emotions out with veronica because that's better than holding it in, but he's not happy with the outcome. he was rooting for those two, everyone was. 

veronica on the other hand; is also not feeling like herself. she feels sad and responsible. it's her fault and only her fault that tyler is feeling so depressed. she wants to help him but she knows that she needs to give him space. she can't get his, or her, hopes up. she feels alone too, and she often thinks about how life would be different if they would have given each other a chance. she can barely see tyler without feeling her heart get heavy. she's very close to leaving her position as their assistant, for her mental health. she is need of time at home in boston with her friends.

who knew that one night could change everything so fast? 

~ 

"so, are you excited?" josh asked veronica. everyone (josh, tyler, and veronica) were sitting on the couch on the tour bus. they were about two hours away from the festival, which just so happens to be in veronica's hometown of boston, massachusetts. the festival was boston calling and twenty one pilots were the headliner for the night. greta van fleet was also performing, which veronica was very excited for. she loves that band and is so excited to see them live. 

"yes!" veronica cheered to josh with a big smile. "i just wish that claire could come, but she works." 

"you miss her?" josh asked.

"so much. she's my only person, besides you guys. and i haven't seen her for months, maybe a year. it hurts my heart that we'll be in the same city so close to each other but won't get to hangout." veronica admitted, her smile going to frown immediately. tyler felt his heart hurt for her. 

"i'm sorry, ronnie." tyler said truthfully. 

"it's not your fault!" veronica perked up at the sudden conversation contribution from tyler. he had been sitting there for an hour with them and hasn't spoken a word. 

tyler looked away, signaling that he was done with the conversation. veronica sighed and stood up to go to the bathroom. 

"dude," josh whispered to tyler and made sure that veronica couldn't hear him. "she wanted to be normal and not awkward, remember? you agreed. but you've been awkward for six months." 

tyler looked down, "i can't help it." 

josh put his hand on his shoulder, "how can i help?" 

"i just," he paused and shook his head. "i need a break. i want to go home and really be there. for awhile." 

"what are you saying, ty?" 

"i think our band should take a break. maybe a few months, maybe more. to just live life. i'd like to focus on writing and make the next record the best it possibly can be. i want to make it all on my own. no producers or studio sessions. i just want to be home. i need to be." tyler admitted, feeling tears in his eyes.