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tyler and josh just stepped off stage after performing in front of 65,000 people in mexico city. the two had the privilege to be able to professionally film both their show as well as some behind the scenes footage of them preparing for the concert as well as just talking honestly to the camera about their career.
after changing out of their show clothes and slipping on more comfortable attire, the boys were ushered to their car by security. when they entered the car, they were expecting to be able to sit in silence and allow the adrenaline from the show run its course until it left their skin silently buzzing.
however, when they opened the car doors and were immediately met with the overhead light on and two males holding cameras in the seats in front of them, they both shot knowing glances at each other. tyler just shakes his head with a small huff before reluctantly slipping inside the car, josh following soon after.
"why are we still filming?" tyler asks, sparing the two cameramen a glance as he reaches towards the small cooler at his feet to grab a water bottle.
"mark wanted us to get your thoughts after the show. doesn't have to be big, just honest reflections," one of the males say, the camera in hand pointing towards josh.
tyler hums with a small nod. he spares josh a quick look as he cracks open his bottle of water.
the drummer, taking the hint to start the conversation, shifts so he's half pressed against the car door before he starts talking softly about how the two of them didn't expect to be performing in front for such large crowds. tyler chimes in here and there, nodding along and adding his thoughts when needed, but allowing josh to talk.
"i just think that," josh starts, his voice soft. "accomplishing something like this and putting in the work and feeling the reward of it, it's worth it."
comfortable silence falls between the two for a moment before a small smile tugs at the corner of tyler's lips. "say, how much money did we make tonight, do you think?"
josh hums softly and leans back against his seat. "hopefully fifty each. fifty bucks," he turns to look over at tyler, who turns to look directly into his camera.
"we have to figure out a way to pay for these freaking cameras," the brunette says, staring straight into the lens with a deadpan expression.
"i doubt it." josh smiles softly.
"how much do you think it would take for us to hand these guys…" tyler trails off, directing his gaze out the window for a moment. "to get out of our faces?"
tyler smiles softly and looks over at josh, who laughs softly and tilts his head back, a wide grin plastered on his lips.
tyler turns back to his camera before suddenly leaning forward, his arms out in front of him. "what do you want from us?" he suddenly exclaims, startling his cameraman, who instinctively leans back a little. "what do you think happens after a show? do you think we're like.. WOOO!! AAAAH! let's party let's keep it going, keep it going!!" tyler continues to shout softly, throwing his arms up and pumping up in the air a few times.
josh laughs at his friend's sudden burst of energy, his eyes crinkling at the edges as he smiles. "no!" tyler adds, pointing at the camera with his free hand. "we're ready for bed." josh nods his head firmly, a smile still clear on his lips. "it's not cool. we're not cool."
tyler leans back in his seat finally, the remaining bits of both his sanity and energy fully draining out of him after his sudden outburst. "thanks for watching guys," he finishes, his voice significantly softer as he nods firmly.
"goodnight." josh adds, smiling just a little harder as he raises his bottle of water to his lips. it was only then that the staff cut the cameras, bidding the two a small thank you before facing foward in their seats.
tyler exhales heavily from his nose, thankful that the cameras are finally off them after days of filming. he leans forward and raises a hand to switch off the overhead light in the car, the cool darkness filling the space causing his shoulders to drop.
leaning back in his seat, tyler screws the cap back on his water bottle and settles it between his thighs as he leans his head against the headrest. he stares out the window next to him, silently watching as the streets of mexicty city fly by them in bright flashes of light.
he's never been so grateful and full of love after a show. sure, him and josh have been on tour for years and traveled around the world playing for crowds as small as 100 to nearly 100,000 and even more for festivals, but this particular show just hit harder than the rest. the energy from the crowd and overall love and pure admiration he felt from fans was overwhelming in the best way possible. fans in mexico never failed to bring the energy that the band craved for the most.
being able to run around back and forth on such a large stage and scream his heart out into the mic knowing that not a single ounce of judgment would spill from the people watching was extremely comforting in every way possible.
he would never trade this career for anything in the world. the fanbase that was constantly behind them and always there for them, no matter what, was everything the band could ever wish for and more.
casting a glance at josh, who's also gazing out his window, tyler sighs softly, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"hey," he calls out gently, reaching out to gently nudge josh's bicep.
"what's up?" josh turns his head, his face barely visible in the dark apart from the brief flashes of light coming from the city lights surrounding them.
tyler doesn't say anything for a moment and just stares at the drummer. the latter in turn raises his eyebrows, patiently waiting for the brunette to continue. when he doesn't, he speaks up again. "you okay?"
tyler nods and turns away. "yeah. just… extremely grateful."
a soft smile spreads across josh's lips, and he reaches out to comfortingly pat tyler's thigh. the car falls into comfortable silence shortly after, the two boys getting lost in their own thoughts as they replay the show they just played in their minds.
~~~~
"tyler. tyler!"
tyler's eyelids flutter open, the world slowly coming into focus as he lifts his head. he can't help but squint at the sudden bright light shining into his eyes, an irritated grunt escaping his lips as he raises a hand to cover them.
"dude, we're at the hotel. come on, you gotta get up." josh says softly, softly shaking tyler's shoulder.
"what..?" tyler mumbles, his words slurring as sleep still wraps tightly around his mind.
"come on," josh laughs softly at the clearly confused expression on his friend's face. "don't make me carry you inside."
tyler suddenly turns his head to look at josh, his eyebrows raising as he sends him a look.
"is that your way of telling me yes?" josh asks, raising a brow.
tyler softly nods his head. "i can't feel my legs. or my arms. i think i'm going into the light."
"dude, i'm pretty sure that's the light behind me."
tyler shakes his head firmly, dramatically draping an arm over his eyes as he leans his head back against the seat. josh waits outside the open car door for a few minutes, patiently waiting to see if tyler would budge or even make an effort to move. however after a long minute passes and the singer has made no further movements and is seemingly drifting off again, josh sighs softly and crouches down.
"come on." he says as he pats his shoulder.
a smug grin immediately creeps onto tyler's lips as he turns his body enough so he can wrap his arms loosely around josh's neck. grabbing hold of tyler from under his knees, josh stands with a soft grunt. he takes a glance back at tyler and shakes his head when he sees him grinning widely into his shoulder.
"you're unbelievable," he mumbles softly as he shuts the car door with his hip.
"hey, i've done the most running i've ever done in my life tonight, cut me some slack." tyler huffs as he swings his legs out.
josh simply shakes his head before walking towards the entrance of the hotel, tyler staying pressed close to his backside. after having a quick meetup with mark about their flight late the next morning, the director hands them their room card and bids them goodnight before walking off.
josh makes a beeline to the elevator shortly after, tyler pushing the second floor button for him since his hands are actively preoccupied. when the doors slide open with a soft ding, josh steps inside and pushes a button to have the doors shut quicker.
it only took a few seconds for the elevator doors to open back up and for the two to make their way down the long, carpeted hallway. stopping in front of their room, josh leans forward slightly to allow tyler to slide his key into the small slot above the handle before josh pushes the door open. immediately, the two are met with cold air blowing against their faces.
"oh my god," tyler breathes out, his eyes fluttering shut as he takes in the conditioned air nipping at his neck.
"i don't think i've ever felt such a cold hotel room," josh says, walking past their luggage cases pushed against the wall to stand between the two single beds. "alright, which one do you want?"
tyler lifts his head from it's place against josh's shoulder to peek down at the two beds. "right one."
"alright," josh says softly as he turns on his heel and carefully drops tyler onto his bed. the brunette wastes no time in flipping onto his stomach to lie face down on the crisp hotel sheets, his limbs completely spread out.
turning around, josh gazes down at tyler and softly chuckles at him. "you're gonna get blurry paint on the sheets."
"that's a problem for later," tyler mumbles, his voice muffled as he buries his face into the cool mattress.
josh shakes his head, his smile not leaving his lips. "are you gonna change? take the paint off? shower maybe?"
tyler simply shakes his head.
josh shakes his head and takes a step forward so he can latch onto tyler's left shoulder and push him so he's lying on his back. when he manages to successfully turn him over, his gaze immediately shifts up to tyler's face, his expression softening as he gazes at his closed eyelids and slightly parted lips.
seeing how exhausted the brunette is, josh decides to help tyler out by grabbing onto the hem of his hoodie and pulling it over his head. tyler barley lifts his arms to help, clearly drifting between that weird half-asleep and fully asleep state that makes his limbs feel significantly heavier.
"does the water need to be a specific temperature so your paint can come off?" josh ask as he folds tyler's hoodie and sets it behind him on the dresser.
"no," tyler mumbles.
josh nods his head and slips into the nearby bathroom, not even bothering to flick on the light as he grabs the nearest towel (that's not white) and dampens it with warm water. stepping out, he makes a beeline to tyler and gently grabs his jaw with two fingers. "i'm gonna wipe it off, okay?"
tyler barley manages a nod in response, already tilting his chin up so josh would have better access to his neck. josh quickly gets to work on drawing gentle circles against tyler's skin, the half-dried and already chipping paint coming off with ease to reveal smooth and tan skin underneath. after getting the back of his neck, josh gently guides tyler's head back down against the mattress.
"do you want me to get your hands too? i know you get sensory issues sometimes when jenna wipes them down for you."
tyler's eyes flutter open and he sends a tired and soft gaze to josh. he hums for a moment, the sound momentarily getting caught in his throat as he tilts head to the side. "just don't go near my nails please." he murmurs, voice thick with sleep.
josh nods and carefully picks up tyler's left hand and resumes the gentle drawing of circles against his skin. he's extra careful around his nails, as per request, and in between his fingers. when the back of his hand is clean, josh flips his hand over and begins to wipe down his palm. when tyler flinches and pulls back suddenly with a sharp inhale, josh stops and picks his head up.
"did i hurt you?" josh ask, worry flashing over his features.
"no, no, you didn't," tyler mumbles, gently shaking his head. "just tickled."
"oh," josh chuckles softly. "too gentle?"
"yeah, but it's fine." josh hums softly in response and continues to wipe down tyler's palm, this time using a little more pressure. after his hand is fully clean, he sets it against tyler's stomach and grabs the other before repeating the same process. after a couple more minutes of wiping the caked and half-dried paint off tyler's other hand, he gently folds the dirty towel and sets it aside for the time being.
and just because he can't help himself, he gently skitters the pads of his fingers against tyler's palm, the soft and sudden touch causing the brunnete to yelp and pull his hand away with a startled giggle.
"don't start," tyler whines softly as he cradles his hand to his chest. "i'm vulnerable."
"sorry, couldn't help it." josh says with a small smile before he slips back into the bathroom, used towel in hand, to change into more comfortable clothes.
padding back into the room, his gaze immediately shifts to tyler, who now has his eyes open and is gazing out the large window directly in front of him. walking over to him, josh sets a gentle hand on his shoulder and bends down slightly to get a better look at his tired face.
"why aren't you asleep?" josh asks softly, his thumb gently brushing back and forth against tyler's clothed shoulder.
tyler shrugs halfheartedly and slowly turns to lie on his back. his barley open eyes gaze up at josh for a long moment, his eyelids drooping before slotting back open every so often. after a long minute, tyler hesitantly reaches out to grab onto josh's wrist.
the drummer immediately raises a brow at the sudden touch. he opens his mouth to ask what's going on, but a startled half grunt half yelp escapes his lips when tyler suddenly tugs his arm to get josh to lay on top of him. clearly taken off guard, josh freezes for a moment before slowly lifting his head and turning to look at tyler.
"dude," he starts with a soft laugh. "are you okay?"
tyler lifts his head just long enough to send a confused glance to him before lying back down against the cool pillow beneath him. "what do you mean?" he mumbles tiredly.
"you're just…" josh trails off, trying to find the right word to use. "soft, i guess? and you're never this clingy."
tyler hums softly. "just wanna be near you."
at the singer's sudden confession, josh's face softens, his expression morphing into an endearing expression as he gazes at his friend. "i'm right here, ty."
"i know. it's just-" tyler cuts himself off, shrugging when he's not able to think coherently enough to finish his sentence. "i don't know."
comfortable silence blankets over the two for a long minute, the sound of the air conditioning blasting cold air into the room filling the space.
tyler breaks it suddenly, his voice raspy and thick with sleep. "can you move? you're crushing me."
"oh, sorry," josh quickly moves off tyler, shifting slightly so he's lying next to him instead of on top of him. when he pulls the cold, thick blanket over the two of them, tyler slowly rolls onto his side, eyes still shut, and tilts his head every so slightly so his forehead is just inches away from josh's chest.
catching onto his friend's hesitance, josh raises a hand to gently cup the back of tyler's head to guide him so he's fully leaning against him. tyler immediately hums contentedly at the contact, his body shifting closer out of instinct.
"you can lean against me, ty. we've cuddled before, no need to be shy about it now." josh teases softly.
"i know. just feels different, you know?" tyler mumbles. "we're older. haven't done certain things in a while. especially this." after a beat, tyler quietly adds, "i miss it a little."
josh practically melts at that, a soft smile creeping onto his lips as he gazes down at tyler's, who's pressed against him. "you're killing me here, dude." he says softly. "you didn't take anything, did you?"
"no."
josh hums and raises a hand to set it atop of tyler's hair. he hesitates for a moment but slowly begins to run his fingers through the soft and short tuffs, occasionally scratching at his scalp every so often. every muscle in tyler's body seems to completely relax as he melts at the touch, a content yet sleepy hum sounding from his throat as he subconsciously leans into josh's palm.
josh can't help but smile widely at the boy, his heart swelling as his friend completely lowers his guard and allows himself to let go and relax. josh continues the scalp scratches for a minute before his hand shifts down to his jaw. his fingers subconsciously drift to below his chin, settling there for a beat before he starts scratching the stubble there gently like he would a cat. immediately, tyler hums again, this time a little louder, as he melts into josh's hand.
"keep doing that," tyler mumbles, his words slurring together as his eyelids grow heavy.
"so bossy," josh mumbles half-heartedly. "you're never beating the cat allegations by the way. this isn't helping your case at all."
"don't care."
josh laughs through his nose at tyler's honesty, his eyes softening as he continues the gentle scratches under his chin. not even a full minute passes, and josh immediately clocks the way tyler's head slowly becomes heavier in his palm. he's not even surprised when just seconds later, a heavy exhale leaves his nose before his breathing evens out and he goes completely still, his head becoming deadweight in his hand.
josh chuckles softly under his breath and keeps up the gentle scritches under his chin as he leans forward to rest his head against the top of tyler's. for a long minute, josh relishes in the quiet of the hotel room, as well as tyler's deep and even breaths as he sleeps soundly against him. when his eyelids grow heavy and he allows his eyes to flutter shut, his fingers never still under tyler's chin even as he falls asleep.