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Josh plops on the couch, Tyler following close behind. Josh had been spending more time at Tyler and Jenna’s since the hiatus started, without tours to plan or photoshoots or meetings, the boys had a lot more time to hang out or just focus on making music together. Jenna was always so welcoming to Josh, insisting he come over whenever he wants, telling him to make himself at home, offering to let him stay over whenever he stayed after dark. She even had a house key made specifically for him, so even if one of them wasn’t able to let him in he could just come over.
Tyler turns on a movie, something they’ve seen a million times, they never ended up paying it much attention anyway, opting to scroll on their phones or talk instead. Jenna comes in a minute later, dropping a bowl of popcorn in Tyler’s lap before sitting on his other side, sandwiching the singer between them. Jenna pulls out her phone, typing quickly before shoving it under the pillow next to her. Almost immediately Tyler’s phone pings with a text, and Josh tries not to overthink the possibility of them texting each other sitting right next to him, maybe it was coincidence. Tyler pulls out his phone, sighs, tilts his head towards Jenna, then puts his phone away without responding. Josh tries to focus his attention on the screen, trying not to think about the fact that this is the fourth night in a row Josh has been at their house. Trying to ignore the gnawing thought that they are probably texting each other about him. Jenna grabs the remote and turns the volume down while Tyler sits up a little. Josh’s body tenses, he shifts his body towards the couple, twisting his fingers into the blanket in his lap.
“We need to talk to you about something.” Tyler says, his voice a little shaky and unsure.
“I’m sorry.” Josh says quickly, almost on instinct.
Both Jenna and Tyler furrow their eyebrows in confusion, “What? Why would you be sorry?” Jenna says, softly, reaching across Tyler to pat his knee lightly.
“I know I’ve been here a lot, I’m sure you’re tired of my constant presence in your house. Right?” Josh says, looking at his lap, picking at a spot on his cuticle.
“No.” Tyler says quickly at the same time Jenna says “Not at all.”
“Kinda the opposite actually.” Tyler says under his breath and Jenna smiles.
“What?” Josh says, now it’s his turn to furrow his brows.
Jenna and Tyler share a look, Jenna seemingly trying to soothe something in Tyler as she mimes for him to take a breath which he does before looking back at Josh.
“We wanted to talk to you about our relationship.” Tyler says quietly.
Josh’s brows furrow further.
“Obviously, Jenna knows about our… history.” Tyler starts carefully, Josh tentatively meets Jenna‘s eyes which are all warmth and softness.
They had been something more once upon a time, back when they were just four guys stuffed into a van trying to make dreams into reality. When they played shows where they barely made enough to get them to the next town, let alone to get hotel rooms and room service. But as the band grew, and the pressure increase, their relationship had changed, out of necessity, to protect what they had built. It had been mutual, a decision they had made after sitting together for hours talking about every what if and possible outcome. They chose to put the band first and push down their personal feelings. It was what they thought was best. It wasn’t always easy and sometimes, after a long day or a particularly stressful tour, they had found themselves slipping into old habits, and cuddling into one bed. Josh running his hands through Tyler’s hair to calm him and making him tea after shows. Tyler tracing shapes on Josh’s back in the big bedroom of their bus and making him cups of coffee in the morning. It had been so normal, so natural for them to take care of each other and lean into each other, especially on the road. So they made excuses, exceptions to the careful boundaries they’d put in place to protect the band and their image. They just couldn’t help but love each other.
Then Jenna came along, and she had loved Tyler so entirely. Along with that she had come to love Josh. From the get-go she knew that they were a package deal. That being with Tyler meant having Josh around practically all the time and she had been completely fine with that, even enthusiastic about it at times. She had slipped into the caregiver role so easily. After her and Tyler got married she came on tour with them and did everything for them, cleaned up the bus while they did soundcheck, she made Tyler tea after shows and Josh coffee in the morning. She scratched Josh’s back when he was anxious and Tyler’s scalp when he got frustrated with a song. Jenna had learned both of her boys like the back of her hand. Tyler told Josh it was just her instinct, she liked taking care of people and doing nice things. So he let her. He let her care for him like she cared for her actual husband.
And what Josh and Tyler had was put on the back burner but never completely disappeared. Jenna even made jokes about it. Casually joking about them going on dates without her and her being the third wheel. Everyone, even those who didn’t know Josh and Tyler’s actual history, were well aware that what Josh and Tyler had was different, special, unique. They weren’t what they once were but they were far from simply friends.
“What we had- what we have is very special to me, Josh.” Tyler continues, his eyes never leaving Josh’s face, “You’re very special to me. That was something Jenna completely understood from the beginning. The longer we’ve been together and the more you two have gotten to know each other I think she’s really started to understand what a special person you are. Not just in relation to me but just because you’re you, you know?” His mouth quirks into that small, half, soft smile that makes Josh’s heart flutter. The smile he reserves for him and Jenna alone.
“I really have.” Jenna adds, leaning into Tyler’s side, “You’re one of the most amazing people I’ve ever known Josh. You’re kind and gentle. You care about people and always think about others before yourself. I’ve never met someone with a bigger heart and I don’t think I ever will.”
Josh can feel his face heating up, it was embarrassing to hear Jenna talk about him like this in front of Tyler, even though it was all stuff Tyler had told him before.
“I knew from day one that you two were a package deal.” Jenna continues, ignoring Josh’s mousy posture, “That marrying Tyler meant marrying the band and the lifestyle and also you. Not only are you the second half of twenty one pilots but you’re Tyler’s other half.”
Josh stiffens a bit at that, they’d always joked about being soulmates and being made for each other especially in the early days but to hear Jenna, Tyler’s wife, saying it so bluntly made his skin clammy and his heart race. He opens his mouth to speak but Jenna continues before he can.
“It’s okay, Josh.” Jenna says gently, “I don’t mind. I want Tyler to be happy, that is all that matters to me. You make him happy. He needs you.”
“He needs you too.” Josh says quickly, his eyes darting between the two of them.
“That’s our point.” Tyler says, his hand now resting on Josh’s knee, “Jenna and I have talked. Really, really, talked. We’ve talked about everything and this is something that we both want. If it’s something you want.”
Josh blinked, once, then twice, his thoughts feel like they’re wading though jello, struggling to come to the front of his mind. They couldn’t be suggesting what he thinks they’re suggesting… right?
“Wh-What are you saying?” Josh stutters.
Tyler and Jenna exchange another look.
“We’re saying.” Tyler says, removing his hand from Josh’s knee opting to hold Josh’s hand instead, “That after much discussion, and much introspection. Many sleepless nights and tears and hours of conversations. I’ve come to realize that I still love you. I always will. But I love Jenna too. I love you both. I need you both. I want you both.” Tyler adds the last sentence quietly under his breath as if he thinks he shouldn’t want it but does.
“And I want you two to be happy.” Jenna says, smiling softly at her husband before turning back to Josh, “I don’t want to be the thing that comes between two people who are obviously meant to be together. I love Tyler with my whole heart, I would do anything for him, I knew that when I first met him. He’s not the kind of person you can love half-heartedly. I think you know that all too well.”
Josh’s mouth tugs into a half smile, he really does. Tyler is all encompassing, he’s overwhelming in the best way possible. He’s intoxicating and enamoring, he draws people in and make them fall for him. He remembers meeting Tyler for the time and feeling this insane, unexplainable draw to him. He knew right after they met that his life would never be the same because of that scrawny, manic, beautiful boy.
“I do.” Josh says quietly, eyes glancing quickly to Tyler who is pink in the cheeks and looking at him with glassy, sparkling eyes.
“I do too.” Jenna says, her eyes not leaving Josh’s, “We both know that Tyler doesn’t love carefully. He doesn’t dream small, he doesn’t live under the same limits everyone else does. He doesn’t think the same way other people do, which is one of our favorite things about him.” Josh’s breath catches at her casual use of the word ‘our’ but Jenna doesn’t seem to notice and continues, “When he loves someone or something he loves it hard, with his entire being. I know for a fact that Tyler loves me, I’ve never doubted that. But I also know he still loves you in that same way. He wants you the way he wants me, he needs you the same way he needs me. And that’s okay. There’s nothing wrong with loving more than one person, which is a big part of what Tyler and I have been talking about.”
Jenna looks over at Tyler who is still looking at Josh, “It felt wrong.” Tyler starts softly, glancing down into his lap, fussing with the fringe on the blanket, “It felt like I was betraying Jenna by still wanting you like that. I felt like such a piece of shit. I didn’t know how to even talk to her about it because how do you tell your wife that you’re still in love with your best friend.” Tyler looks up at Jenna, who gives him an encouraging smile, he looks back at Josh before continuing, “But we talked. And talked. And talked. And she’s had to spend weeks assuring me that she’s okay with this and that she will tell me if she’s ever uncomfortable with anything we do.”
“Which isn’t going to happen but I do promise.” Jenna adds, slightly rolling her eyes.
“But we’ve decided that this is something we both want.” Tyler says, “I miss you, Josh. I miss what we had. I miss holding you in my arms. I miss kissing you and feeling your lips on mine. I miss falling asleep next to you. I miss feeling you breathe.”
Josh stiffens, sitting up in his seat, eyes flashing to Jenna briefly who’s simply smiling and nodding along, not even a smidge of discomfort in her posture which makes Josh relax a fraction.
Tyler glances at Jenna, who nods encouragingly. “It’s okay, tell him Ty.” Jenna says softly rubbing her hand on Tyler’s thigh.
Tyler closes his eyes and takes a small breath before continuing, “I miss having sex with you.”
Josh takes a quick inhale of breath, he feels dizzy. He sways slightly in his seat and he presses his hands into the couch behind him to steady himself.
“I miss hearing you and making you feel good. Feeling your skin against mine and watching you fall apart.” Tyler says, breathing deeply through his nose with every word, “I miss being with you, Josh. I miss being your boyfriend. I love you and I want to be with you.”
Josh feels like the world is spinning and also standing still. His eyes flicker back and forth between Tyler and Jenna who are both smiling at him, Tyler’s smile smaller with a nervous undertone, Jenna’s more bright and encouraging. Josh couldn’t breathe, hearing Tyler say so many things he’s dreamt of hearing him say again makes him want to cry. He meets Tyler’s eyes and holds them. His expression is complicated, but Josh can read every emotion stacked on top of each other clear as day. Fear, worry, and apprehension clear as day but over that an openness, an affectionate haze that makes Josh want to kiss him. He looks at Jenna, although less practiced at reading her Josh can tell how she feels too, she’s nervous too, probably of how Josh is going to respond, but she’s looking at Josh with an expression he’s only ever seen on her face when she looks at Tyler, a calm, sure, fondness that makes Josh’s heart ache.
“I-I, Ty- Jen-” He stutters, his breathing shallow and uneven. He realizes Tyler is still holding his hand and looks down where their hands rest on the space of the couch between them. Nothing has ever felt more right than when he was with Tyler. Tyler makes the world make more sense to Josh. Tyler is the sun and Josh just revolves around him. Tyler squeezes his hand lightly and Josh meets his eyes. Tyler smiles, a small, innocent, shy smile and Josh mirrors it without meaning to.
“I love you too.” Josh says quietly, “You know that. I always have and I always will, but, this is unusual. You have to know that?”
“We do.” Tyler says simply.
“We know it might be hard to explain to people,” Jenna adds, “and might be difficult for people to understand but we’re adults, we get to decide how we live our lives and if this is how the three of us can be happy then everyone else can go fuck themselves.”
Josh blinks, surprised. He’s never heard Jenna curse before.
“What she means is that what we have as always been unusual to other people.” Tyler says, squeezing both of their hands, “What you and I have has always confused people and made them question what we are to each other. But I know what I want. We know what we want. And we want you. Always, in every way you’ll have us.”
Josh thinks for a minute, he’s not wrong. Tyler and Josh’s relationship has always thrown people off. What would really be the difference? The ambiguous, nebulous, nature of their relationship has always been outside of the norm. Even after Jenna and Tyler got together people still questioned what he and Tyler were to each other. Why not have a clear answer for them? Josh imagined the three of them going to a party and Jenna introducing him as her husbands boyfriend and he can’t help but giggle.
Jenna and Tyler both smile at him, “What is it J?” Tyler asks softly.
“I just imagined Jenna introducing me as her husbands boyfriend and it makes me giggle.” Josh says honestly.
Jenna and Tyler share a look, smile at each other before giggling themselves too.
“I know its weird and it’s unconventional but we’re weird, you know?” Tyler says, his thumb rubbing the back of Josh’s hand lightly, “We’ve never been normal and I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life. I’m sure I love you and I love Jenna and I know the three of us could make it work.”
“I am too. I think it would be nice to have someone else to cuddle up to when it gets cold outside and someone to help keep this one satisfied.” Jenna says, elbowing Tyler ribs gently.
“Hey.” Tyler says, mock offended.
“We both know you’ve got more drive than Jenna and I combined, don’t even try.” Josh says, leaning forward slightly, his mouth quirking into a smirk.
“Maybe.” Tyler says, looking at his lap, blushing lightly.
“I have another question.” Josh says tentatively, not quite meeting Tyler’s eyes.
“It’s okay Josh, this is a safe space. Ask whatever you want.” Jenna says, smiling encouragingly again,
“I need to know how it would work. Like how would the dynamics go?” Josh asks, looking at the space on the couch between them, “Like would it be just Tyler and I together and you two together? Like two seperate relationships that just so happen to have one person in common or would all three of us be “together”? Or would Jenna and I also have a seperate thing from what you two have?” His fingers wrap the edge of the blanket around his fingers repeatedly, anxiously fidgeting to avoid looking Tyler after basically asking if he was going to be dating his wife.
“Hey,” Tyler says gently, his tone making the tightness in Josh’s chest worse, “Look at me, baby.”
Josh looks up at him though his lashes.
“Nothing you can ask will be something we haven’t already talked about.” Tyler says calmly, “I asked Jenna the same thing and we talked about it. She loves you, maybe not exactly the same way I already do but she could, she wants to.” Tyler looks to Jenna and Josh’s eyes follow his, Jenna nods, smiling shyly at him.
“We would be open to exploring every aspect of the three of us being together.” Tyler continues, looking back at Josh, “Obviously there’s certain aspect of our dynamics that are already established and would be the easiest to integrate into our daily lives. You and I being together is easy and natural, Jenna and I being together is easy, natural. You and Jenna being together is totally fine with me and something she is open to exploring if that is something you’re interested in.”
Jenna nods again, “We’ve even discussed the three of us being together and doing things together. It’s an intriguing idea to us, if that’s ever something you’d want to explore.”
Oh dear goodness. That thought nearly knocks the wind out of Josh. He’d barely caught up to the idea of dating the both of them, now thinking of the three of them in bed together makes his head whirl again.
“Breathe Josh.” He distantly hears Tyler say, and he forces air into his lungs, taking a deep breath.
“Sorry.” Jenna says softly.
“Don’t be. It’s just a lot.” Josh says breathily. Tyler squeezes his hand, grounding him back into the moment.
“I know. It’s a lot to take in but we just want to be completely transparent with you.” Tyler says gently, “We’re laying all of our cards on the table and then we can take our time talking about it and see how we feel.”
Josh nods, gripping Tyler’s hand like a lifeline. His mind reels again, thoughts chasing each other in a desperate race to come to terms with his best friend and his wife not only wanting to date him but sleep with him, potentially, at the same time.
“Your wife is gorgeous, you know that.” Josh says quietly and Tyler smiles.
“She is.” Tyler agrees, leaning over the peck her on the cheek, making Jenna smile and blush a light pink.
“Thanks boys.” Jenna says, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear.
“I love you both.” Josh says, “I’ve always kept Jenna in a different place because she was your wife but I’d be open to seeing how our relationship develops without those barriers in place, but Tyler, you have to know that I would definitely follow your lead with her. I would never want to make you uncomfortable or question my motives with her. I just- you know?”
“I know,” Tyler says sympathetically, “I know. And I don’t think you’re capable of doing something you think I wouldn’t like which is why I’m okay with just going with the flow and see what happens between you.”
“Like Tyler said, we talked about it. We knew we needed to be sure about this before talking to you about it so we’ve talked about everything. Literally everything.” Jenna says.
“I can’t lie to you, man.” Tyler says, mischievous, dark look coming over his face, which makes Josh twitch in his pants, “When Jenna and I talked about it, it took me a minute to come around to but the more I thought about it the more I really wanted to see it. I think it would be kinda hot to see you two together. And really, at the end of the day, I can’t blame either of you for being interested in each other when I’m so into both of you.”
Josh opens his mouth to talk before snapping it closed, he didn’t know what to say to that. The idea that Tyler had fantasized about Josh being with his wife was beyond anything he could have imagined.
“That was my reaction too, Josh. He told me he thought the idea of us making out was hot and it literally left me speechless.” Jenna says a little breathlessly.
“Anyway,” Tyler says, rolling his eyes at his wife, “all of that to say that, I’m cool with you two wanting to be together or at least testing the waters and seeing what happens.”
“Right.” Josh says, looking between the two of them again, “So let me get this straight. I’d be dating both of you, we would be in a three-way relationship with very few limitations and boundaries between us, and you both are open to the idea of a threesome with me?”
Tyler and Jenna’s eyes meet again, then they both turn back to Josh and nod, “Pretty much.” Tyler says at the same time Jenna says “Yeah, that’s right.”
Josh nods absently, “Well, let me start by saying I did not think this was how tonight was going to go.” Josh says chuckling under his breath, shaking his head slightly, Jenna and Tyler nod, smiling gently at him, “But, um-I, uh-”
“Just tell us what your thinking about. Nothing is off limits, this is an open, safe space.” Jenna says softly.
“I’m a little overwhelmed but um, Tyler,” Josh says and Tyler sits up a little bit, “You are the love of my life. I’ve always known that, every since I saw you play for the first time. Something about you overwhelms me in the best way and I never want to have to miss you again the way I have the past few years. I miss being your boyfriend, too. I miss holding your hand and kissing you. I miss everything we had.”
Tyler squeezes his hand, “I miss you too, J.”
“And Jenna,” Josh says and Jenna sits up straighter too, “I’ve always known you were important. For Tyler to fall in love with anyone else meant that you were someone important. The way you’ve always had respect and enthusiasm for the specialness of our relationship made me feel so safe and seen by you. You’ve never made me feel replaced or unwanted. You’ve always included me and made me feel special. You’re beautiful Inside and out and I’d love to see what blossoms between us.”
“Oh, Joshua.” Jenna coos, his eyes sparkling with unshed tears in the low light of the living room.
“I’m scared out of my mind, don’t get me wrong.” Josh says, wiping his hands on his lap, “I’m barely keeping it together right now but I know I care about you guys.”
“That’s all we’re sure of too.” Tyler says, resting his hand on Josh’s knee again, “This is uncharted territory for all of us and we’re going to have to work it out slowly between the three of us but I love you two. That’s all I know.”
“We’re going to be careful and work out the issues as they come but I’m excited for this new chapter for us.” Jenna says.
“Me too.” Josh says, smiling softly at both of them.
“Jish.” Tyler says, scooting closer to him on the couch, his thigh now pressed against Josh’s.
Josh hums in acknowledgement.
“Can-can I kiss you?” Tyler says quietly, still holding Jenna’s hand next to him.
Josh looks at Jenna who nods, and then Josh whispers, “Please.”
Then Tyler’s lips are on his for the first time in over 3 years and everything in the world seems to fall into place. Josh lips move against Tyler’s on instinct and nothing else matters. Tyler hand still rests on Josh’s leg and Josh moves his hands to hold onto Tyler’s arms, his hand brushing against where Jenna and Tyler hands are still entwined. Jenna’s other hand comes to rest on Josh’s on top of Tyler’s arm, and nothing has ever felt so right. Josh tangles his fingers with Jenna’s and squeezes Tylers arm with his other hand. Tyler makes a high pitched noise in his throat and it makes Josh’s knees weak. They pull apart when they need to breathe, resting their foreheads together. Josh is the first one to break the silence.
“I missed that.” He says quietly, the tip of his nose rubbing against Tyler’s.
“I did too.” Tyler agrees, his hand squeezing Josh’s thigh.
“Okay, Ty, I get it now. That was pretty hot.” Jenna says from Tyler side, making both boys giggle.
“See, I’ll bet you two kissing will be just as hot.” Tyler says turning towards her and kissing her deeply.
Josh watches in awe, a different feeling than he used to have when watching them kiss, something stirs low in Josh’s stomach. Tyler still has one hand on his leg and the other wrapped around Jenna’s waist, Josh has one hand resting on Tyler’s arm and his other is still intwined with Jenna’s, now resting on Tyler’s leg. Jenna’s hand that’s not holding Josh’s is bent backwards, holding the nape of Tyler’s neck. Making them all an intertwined, mess of limbs and bodies that Josh never thought would happen but makes him entirely too happy. When they pull apart Jenna’s eyes fall on Josh and Josh squirms in his seat.
“Kiss her, Josh.” Tyler says lowly, “God, please, kiss her.”
Jenna scoots closer to them, her thigh pressed to Tyler’s.
“Only if you want to.” She says, holding Josh’s gaze.
Josh’s eyes flit to Tyler, who’s looking between them, his lower lip trapped between his teeth. When his eyes meet Josh’s he nods a few times, his eyes darkening making Josh’s stomach flip. He looks back at Jenna, who’s waiting patiently, watching Josh.
“Okay.” Josh says softly, scooting impossibly closer.
Jenna meets him halfway, their lips meeting over Tyler’s lap. Jenna’s lips are softer than Tyler’s, she tastes vaguely of mint and something sweet. Jenna moves her lips against Josh’s carefully, like she’s afraid he might jump away at any second. Josh feels Tyler move his hand up Josh’s leg, squeezing lightly. Josh makes a noise against Jenna’s lips, making her smile slightly into their kiss. Josh pulls away first, leaning back and gazing at Jenna. She’s all soft smiles and warm eyes.
“I was right.” Tyler says between them, “That was hot as fuck.”
Jenna rolls her eyes but smiles at him anyway. Jenna falls into him, her head coming to rest on Tyler chest. Josh hesitates before Tyler wraps his hand around his waist, pulling him into his side. Josh goes willingly, letting himself fall into his side, his head resting on Tyler’s chest. He feels his head brush against Jenna’s as he nuzzles into a comfortable place. Tyler’s hands rub comforting patterns on his side and kisses the top of his head. Josh hears him do the same to Jenna.
“I love you.” Tyler says softly.
“I love you too.” Jenna says quickly, her outside hand coming to rest on Tyler’s stomach.
“I love you guys.” Josh says, resting his hand on top of Jenna’s.
Jenna meets his eyes briefly, giving him a small, gentle, loving smile, tangling their fingers together before turning her eyes back to the screen. Josh’s gaze lingers on her for another minute before turning back to the screen, sighing softly. He closes his eyes briefly, listening to the sound of Tyler’s breathing, focusing on the scent of Jenna’s perfume, the warmth of Tyler’s chest under his head and the grounding feeling of Jenna’s fingers intwined with his. He had no idea this was how his night would turn out but he’s never been more thankful for unexpected twists in his life.