Split (Tyler Joseph x Reader x Josh Dun)

Five

"You heard me," Josh says with a shrug. "I promise, it won't be that big of a deal."

Tyler raises his eyebrows, obviously thinking otherwise, as do you. "No big deal?" you repeat incredulously. "Josh, everything your band does is a big deal."

Josh frowns. "Well, yeah... right, I'm sorry. I probably shouldn't have done that. Sorry," he says quickly, looking a bit embarrassed.

You look to Tyler, who gives a noncommittal shrug, which you take to mean something along the lines of: "It wasn't a great move, but I know you know he didn't mean any harm."

You roll your eyes and try to suppress a smile. "It's fine, you big dork. Don't worry about it."

Josh grins at you as you turn to face Tyler again. "So..." you begin hesitantly, "you really liked it? It wasn't awful?"

"Of course it wasn't awful, Y/N," Tyler answers softly. "It was pretty darn amazing. You've got a, uh, a beautiful voice. You should use it more."

Not for the first time today, you feel your face begin to turn red. Even after knowing Tyler for years, it's still an honor and a bit of a surprise for you to hear him compliment you like that. He tends to be more subtle towards you, although you aren't going to complain about him being so nice. "Thanks, Ty," you mumble. "That's really sweet of you."

While Tyler beams back at you, you can't help but notice Josh shifting from foot to foot uncomfortably, his eyes looking anywhere but you two. Something is off, just the way it had been last night. Unease lingers in your head as all three of you head back to Tyler's car. You get in the backseat, Tyler starts up the car, and Josh climbs into the passenger's seat.

It's relatively quiet as you all head back to the home shared by Tyler and Josh. When you arrive, you gather your things and give your friends a hasty goodbye, making up some excuse about needing to go clean your apartment. Both of the boys give you a warm hug, and soon enough you're driving away, leaving behind the anxiety of confused feelings.

***

"What am I going to do without you two? How am I going to make it for three months straight without seeing you?"

"Y/N, you know we can still text and call and Facetime and-"

"You know that isn't the same, Tyler," you whisper dejectedly. "Look, I'm happy for you both, you know I am but..." You couldn't bring yourself to finish your sentence nor a complete thought.

You're across from Tyler and Josh your own apartment. About thirty minutes ago, you had gotten a text from Josh, vaguely explaining that he and Tyler wanted to come over and talk. Already beginning to worry, you hastily texted back, and ten minutes later they arrived. Your friends came bearing the best news them, yet the worst for you:

It was time for Twenty One Pilots to go on tour again.

Now you're standing at the kitchen sink, scrubbing away frustratedly at the dishes you had started to clean when they first arrived. Tyler and Josh are sitting at the table, neither looking very happy.

"Y/N." Josh says your name softly, as if he's afraid that saying one wrong thing might be the last straw for you. "Come sit down for a second. Breathe."

You feel tears begin to well up in your eyes and your throat begin to burn, which only makes you more upset with yourself, they love going on tour and only because you'll miss isn't a reason to cry, it would be selfish. You sigh to yourself and dry your hands on a dish towel, then sit down in a chair to face the boys. Taking a deep breath, your eyes begin to wander, determined to focus on anything but them.

Were there always so many scratches on the table?

Josh reaches out and holds your hand, gently rubbing it with his thumb to calm you down, while Tyler does the talking.  "Josh and I are gonna miss you like crazy, too. But, there's something else both of us wanted to talk to you about. And I know it's irrational to even ask, but... is there any way you could come with us?"

Your heart soars at those words, but it isn't long before you come back down and realize how unrealistic that is. What about the apartment? you question yourself. And the bills? And even my job? There's no way in hell I could manage to do that, I'd be screwed by the time we got back, which could be god knows how long. So you shake your head slightly, unable to form the words that would let down not only your friends, but also yourself.

Tyler and Josh both look sideways at each other, as if they're trying to read the other's mind, which you're sure they could with their many years of friendship. "Well... why not?" Tyler finally breaks the silence, but his question only makes your heart sink more. I don't have even close to the same amount of money as them. What if they think I'm weak or... or stupid for not being able to afford this place? you panic.

"I don't know, guys," you sigh. "What about this apartment? What about my job? I-I don't think I can manage it." Again your voice trembles, and you feel the fear continue to make your thoughts race.

But the boys react in a way that's completely different from what you expect. They smile at each other, then look back at you. "I mean, are those the only things you're worried about? Like, you'd come if all that was out of the picture?" Josh asks with a hint of hope in his voice.

You nod nervously, unsure of what he's implying.

"You know Tyler and I would never just leave you without a job or money?" Josh laughs slightly. "We can afford to give you money to pay rent in advance. As for your job... do you even like working there anymore?"

You're quiet as you think about this question. It's true, the past month or so at your job has been miserable for you; an incredibly large amount of work with an incredibly low income, not to mention all of the uncomfortable business around David. Your job is in no way ideal, but you need to get money somehow. "Well, not really," you say slowly. "But I need the job, and besides, you two don't have to-"

Tyler cuts you off. "Y/N, you know Josh and I would give anything for you. We're telling you we can make this work. Just think about it? Maybe?" he pleads with wide eyes.

You close your eyes, and stay that way for a little while, thinking things over. "Okay," you say with an exhale. "I promise you both that I'll think about it. I'll call you in the morning, okay?"

When you open your eyes, Tyler and Josh are beaming brightly at you. "Sick!" they exclaim in unison. "We'll see you tomorrow, Y/N!" Josh says happily, standing up from the table. "I- uh, we love you so much, you're literally the best."

You grin back and watch as the boys leave your apartment. You've gone through a whirlwind of emotions already, and you can't help but feel that there's only more to come.