Chapter Text
The start of September was always Tyler’s favourite time of year, the weather was still warm but not sweaty and gross, the oranges and yellows of fall slowly settling into the trees and shrubs. He loved it. The time of year marking a new year at college wasn’t the best but it meant he had the chance to catch up with friends that he hadn’t seen since the start of summer. As much as he hated to admit it he was looking for one in particular.
The thumping and crashing of furniture and cases echoed down the halls of the OSU dorms, a handful of returning students arriving a few days early to pick the best beds and get a head start on the first week partying. One of whom being Tyler Joseph, he and his roommate Mark had arrived to set up their dorm. Tyler had a case dragging behind him, he winced every time it bashed against the wall, already sensing the complaints he was going to get and the semester hadn’t even started.
He was wearing a loose grey hoodie with some black cargo shorts. Easy and comfortable to move around and lift his belongings from his truck to his room. His vans padded on the linoleum floors with satisfying rhythmic clicks. He smiled bashfully at the different students greeting him on the way to his own room. Tyler had made a few close friends his first few years he felt like that was enough. This meant he could leave the popularity and mass socialisation to his friends.
As much as he was shy engaging with the semi-familiar students, they looked at him like he was a whole new person. He had to admit it made his ego inflate a bit, seeing every other person eye him up or give him a small wave.
He’d taken up going to the gym to escape the mundane day to day back home. His features slightly sharper than the previous years, the stubble on his face highlighting his cheekbones and jawline. Despite wearing loose clothes like he was used to anyway his legs and arms were way more toned than they had been the last few years.
As he made his way down the corridor and the halls got quieter, his blush had subsided and he saw his door come into view, he assumed Mark would already be there.
“What’s up, dude?” He grinned bringing his final case to the door of the dorm, “We may be getting an angry TA at the door later, not my fault”
“Of course we will, can’t wait” Mark turned away from his laptop to acknowledge his friend, “I think Josh is just moved the last of his stuff in if you wanna go say hi. He’s literally just across the hall”
“No way! That’s the third year in a row!” Tyler dumped his case on the bed making a full 180 spin to see the door opposite him swung wide open. His eyes locked in on Josh Dun’s tattooed biceps. His eyes widened slightly before snapping back to reality.
Josh was moving around his own room, dancing to the music he had playing on his speaker. Tyler admired his admittedly stiff dancing, he had a tank top on that didn’t leave much to the imagination and a pair of shorts that showed off his toned, tanned legs.
“Josh! How’ve you been?” Tyler yelled over the music opening his arms for a hug, which was eagerly reciprocated. Josh grinned at the sight of his friend.
“Been good, summer was decent, spent a lot of time with Taylor”
Ugh, Tyler tried his best to stop his eyes from rolling, he fuckin’ hated that bitch. Bitch was not a word he used lightly either, he hated using it generally but it just fit her so well, he couldn’t help it. She was just..such a bitch.
“That’s..” Tyler cleared his throat “that’s awesome man, sooo.. you still with her?” Josh had been with Taylor for a few months before summer had started, a relationship that Josh’s friends had prayed would fizzle out. Nobody was brave enough to tell him that, however.
“Yeah man, going strong” Josh’s smile faltered, the mask dropping for a millisecond, Tyler saw but decided he’d prod later on, “Anyway, this is Ryan, my roommate this year” Josh gestured to the bed next to him where a guy around Tyler’s age lay, his shoulder length hair half tied up in a shitty bun. It looked good on him somehow.
“Hey man, good to meet you” he waved, “I’d get up and greet you but these small ass rooms get cramped so easily”
“You’re good man, you coming out later on? Think Debby’s having people over” Tyler pointed to the two roommates.
“Of course, wouldn’t miss it” Josh nodded, turning back to finish up his unpacking. “Haven’t seen Debby in so long it’ll be great to catch up”
“I’d be down, if that’s cool” Ryan looked to Tyler, sitting up and laying his phone next to him.
“Obviously dude, I’ll see you guys later” Tyler smiled, patting Josh’s shoulder as he turned to leave. His fingers lingering for a moment too long, he winced once he had fully turned hoping Josh hadn’t noticed.
“Maaaark, are you coming to Debby’s later?” Tyler sang as he made it across the hall, throwing himself onto his bed. Unpacking was not Tyler’s strong suit. He liked to annoy and distract everyone around him instead. It was just so much effort that could wait at least until the first three or so weeks into the semester.
“Uhh, I think so? Not much point coming here early if I’m not getting drunk, right?” Mark shrugged
“That is the right answer” Tyler pointed at Mark and turned his head “Joshuaaa! Mark’s going to Debby’s too, you wanna pre here and head together?!”
“You read my mind, Joseph!” Tyler could just about make out Josh’s face through the two doors, they smiled at each other before turning back to their respective tasks. Josh’s being infinitely more productive than Tyler’s.
—
Tyler rolled off of his bed flopping on to the floor with a dramatic sigh, “Ugh this is so boring Mark, is it time for pres yet?” He dusted himself off and didn’t wait for Mark’s answer (which was just as well he’d been ignoring Tyler for the last 2 hours). Tyler looked across the hall, seeing that the door to Josh and Ryan’s dorm had been shut over slightly. Enough to show off the Dunn and Dun sign they’d made for their door. Tyler smiled softly as he read it.
“Josh? I’m coming in, be decent!” Tyler called into the room before swinging the door open. His eyes met the piercing blue eyes he dreaded. His stomach sank, his heart slamming against his ribs as it picked up pace.
“Taylor. When did you get here?” He tried to put any kind of emotion into his voice but it came out flat. At least he wasn’t swinging for her yet.
“Tyler! So good to see you” her voice to Tyler was like a cheese grater on a chalk board “How was your summer? Looks like you were working hard” she eyed him up and down making him squirm under her gaze.
“Yeah it was fine thanks” he fumbled with the hem of his hoodie, suddenly very aware of his appearance “..how was yours?”
“It was so good, spent a lot of time with Joshie” she put her hand on Josh’s bicep, her thumb tracing circles.
“Such a good break” Josh grinned, looking his girlfriend in the eyes, like a lovesick puppy. Tyler just felt sick.
“Yeah yeah. That’s great. I was just saying to Mark thinking of doing pres soon, where’s Ryan?” Tyler suddenly looked around seeing a lack of the other Dunn.
“He stepped out to grab…something” Josh shrugged, his hand squeezing Taylor’s thigh, “Honestly don’t remember” Taylor giggled next to him.
“Awesome, do you have his number?” No response. “Okay, I’m just gunna camp at my door and see if I can catch him” Still no response. Tyler rolled his eyes and turned to leave, the sickeningly sweet energy was becoming unbearable. Especially if it meant he was just invisible. “Whatever man” he sighed and left, fully shutting the door as he went.
“She’s here already” he groaned and sat in his doorway, hoping others catch Ryan before he stepped into hell.
“Oh?” Mark looked up, furrowing his brows “She’s still a thing? That sucks”
“Right?? God I can’t stand her” Tyler huffed, “He could do so much better”
Mark raised and eyebrow “Uh huh, are you sure about that?” He knew exactly how to bait Tyler into giving everything away.
“Uh hello? What planet are you on? Of course he could. Have you seen him?? He could have anyone and he’s settling for that? Have you seen the skirts she wears? I don’t care how short they are, they’re ugly. She’s not even interesting and she’s-…you’re a dick you know that?” Tyler stopped his monologue when he heard chuckles from across the room.
“I knowww but it’s just so easy” Mark slammed his laptop shut and stood “Right, I’d say it’s about time to get wasted, what do ya think?”
“You’re a dick but you’re a god damn genius” Tyler stood, as soon as he did, he heard a little humming voice come down the hall along with clattering of bottles. “Ryan?” He poked his head out the door as the new friend plodded along.
“Heyy, is it safe for me to go into my own room yet? That girl showed up and the vibes got weeeeird” he gestured to the door with his bag
“Don’t go in there. It’s never safe when she’s there. Come in to ours, we were just about to start drinkin’ and getting ready to go” Tyler stepped aside to allow Ryan to come in.
“Sick, I’ve got a six pack of Budweisers and a bunch of vodka and red bulls if you guys are interested”
“I could kiss you right now. I might” Tyler made a pouty face at Ryan before grabbing a beer, starting off nice and easy.
He took his first sip, the ice cold liquid filling his mouth, thoughts of Josh and Taylor still present, quiet in the back of his mind. He was silently hoping the almost deadly amount of alcohol he’d be drinking tonight would help them subside.
A few chugs in and he was already one beer down. He shook his head as he finished the bottle, then went to make himself a vodka red bull. As he poured there was a scuffle across the hall. The thumping of furniture and what Tyler could only describe as screeches were penetrating his ears. “Jesus, what is he doing to her in there?!” Ryan exclaimed.
“I have a feeling you’re gunna be over here a lot this semester, dude” Mark sighed, “I really thought summer would put a stop to this” He subtly looked over to Tyler, whose face had gone bright red and was dumping way more vodka in a solo cup than was healthy for his second drink.
“God I hate her” Tyler mumbled “fuckin’ bitch”
All three of the guys started to get tipsy as they mutually agreed to try and ignore whatever Josh was doing in the next room over. Tyler decided he’d go to Debby’s in an old band tee that he let her cut into a tank at the end of last year, he threw on some jeans and downed his drink.
“Oh fuck!” He winced as the vodka hit his tongue “That’s fucking disgusting” it didn’t stop him from finishing off the drink and grabbing another.
“Well you did put like a quadruple vodka in it, that’s on you babe” Mark shrugged as he put on a shirt over his t-shirt, “Do you think he still wants to come with us, I’m kinda ready to boost and get wasted when we’re there”
“Way ahead of you, uber’s on the way. It’s nearly here” Ryan smiled, waving his phone “I’m so good to never hear these noises again”
“Let’ssfuckin go” Tyler made a wobbly bee line for the door, “Nearly here’s basically here”
“Dude’s a flight risk so just watch out” Mark whispered to Ryan as the trio walked out, he shot a quick text to Josh as they left to let him know where they went.
—
Debby’s place was already swarmed with people, familiar faces and strangers alike, Tyler felt a lot of eyes on him as they walked in. The tank he chose showed off a lot of his tanned skin. The alcohol in his system buried his anxieties deep inside allowing him to walk taller and with more confidence than he would usually.
He sauntered in, Mark and Ryan trailing behind him. Tyler let the music take over and swayed along as he made it to the kitchen, he gave little waves and winks to whoever he made eye contact with. He never got this kind of attention last year, he didn’t realise how much of a difference the summer had made.
The kitchen was just as crowded as the rest of the house, at the centre of the buzz Tyler could just about make out Debby. Sitting on her kitchen island, just watching the people around her dance and laugh with a grin on her face. When she clocked Tyler she made an effort to wave and beckon him over.
“Debbyyyyy, its so busyyy” Tyler practically yelled over the racket. He hopped up next to Debby, hip to hip and leaned his head down on her shoulder.
“Hi angel, I was hoping you’d show up soon” Debby rested her head on Tyler’s “I’ve got the good stuff hidden in the back of the refrigerator, help yourself okay? I know this has never been your vibe but try to enjoy it” She nudged him and hopped down, being summoned to another area of the party.
Tyler felt his head get fuzzy as he rolled it back letting the vodka settle in his system. He had no way of knowing how much time was passing all he knew was he needed to drink something ASAFP. He moved through the crowd smoothly, almost gliding.
Cold air wafted out onto Tyler’s face, he had to admit it felt good. He rummaged around Debby’s fridge and grabbed the bottle of tequila he was looking for. The smile grew on his face as he cracked it open. He let the cold, awful taste flow into his mouth for a few gulps, wincing he forced himself to stop before he threw upper body. The taste still prevalent in his mouth he grinned as his vision felt blurry.
He could just about make out Mark in the next room. He shoved the bottle back into the very back of the refrigerator and made a bee line for his roommate. The room turned into a spinning tunnel from a carnival fun house.
“Hey man, good party, right?” Mark stood against a wall chatting with some guys from his classes last year as Tyler rocked up next to him.
“Oh yeah, fantastic” Tyler glanced around waiting for someone arriving, “Bit crowded, no?” He chuckled slightly trying to alleviate some of his nervous energy. He was practically bouncing up and down as he spoke, trying to pass it off as dancing.
“Yeah I get you, want to take a step outside for a minute, catch your breath? You did go super hard super early, Ty” Mark didn’t wait for an answer, he led Tyler to the back yard and sat with him on the grassy lawn.
The grass beneath Tyler’s hands was weirdly soothing. He could feel every blade in between his fingers. His breath slow and deliberate. The alcohol coursing through him was really doing number on him already, his vision was blurry and the world around him was already starting to spin a little.
“Do you think he loves her?” The question came out as a whisper, as soon as he said it Tyler prayed Mark didn’t hear him.
“God, I hope not” Mark chuckled, either not sensing Tyler’s apprehension or choosing to ignore it, Tyler couldn’t decide, “She’s a cunt and all they did the last like week was fight and Josh was miserable”
“Ha..yeah that’s what I was thinking too”
A silence surrounded the pair for the next few minutes, comfortable and calm. Tyler laid back on the grass as a few party goers came out of the door chatting and singing loudly, and badly. He scrunched up his eyes at the sound.
He heard a faint conversation from two of the guys he knew from Josh’s classes “Yo, did you see Dun’s here?” Tyler’s ears perked up as he locked in to the conversation.
“Yeah man, with that same chick from last year”
Ugh
“I swear they broke up”
“Nah dude, they’re on and off. Super hot”
Tyler felt nausea settle in the pit of his stomach.
The two guys continued their conversation in blissful ignorance about Josh’s relationship, about how hot his girlfriend was and how every guys wants her. A new different type of nausea set in as Tyler rolled his eyes. He dug his vans into the ground and stood. He wobbled for a second before steadying himself and bracing for the rest of the night.
“Lets do this”
“If you’re sure, just take it easy okay?” Mark looked at his friend who was determined to get back out there.
“I’m gunna be fresh as a daisy tomorrow morning just you wait” Tyler smirked, knowing full well he wouldn’t remember a single thing and be bed bound for the full next day.
He started off in a march to the door, becoming less certain and less purposeful the closer he got. He finally made it to the handle and turned to face Mark, who only had an encouraging smile and a pat on the shoulder to make him feel better.
One more deep breath and he was in. The first person he locked eyes with was Josh, huge smile plastered on his face and speaking to Ryan and his friends.
Fuck.