Warnings: Angst, rude friends, brief alcohol use

Word Count: 1749

Summary: Tyler faces criticism from his friends about his choice to pursue music.

Author's Note: I've been wanting to write a fic for this song for ages and I figured why not do it now? So, as the title suggests, this fic is loosely based off of Come Hang Out by AJR. I hope you enjoy it :)

*     *     *

The elevator dinged as you reached the fourth floor, the mechanical doors shaking a bit as they slid open. You adjusted the backpack on your shoulder and stepped out onto the worn carpets. From your spot in the hall, you could already hear the loud laughter of your friends from a few apartments down.

Your knock on the door was met by a loud "Come in!" from inside. You pushed the door open and were immediately met with Anna holding her arms out for a hug. Behind her, all of your friends were crowded around the kitchen island as they had snacks and drinks.

"Y/N!" Anna said as she embraced you. "I'm so glad that you could make it!"

"Me too."

Everyone else said their hellos as you set your things by the door and joined them at the counter. Adam poured you a drink and slid it across the counter; you barely managed to catch it before it went sliding over the edge and spilled all over the floor.

"Thanks," you said before taking a long drink.

You looked around at your friends while you drank. The six of you - seven, if you counted Tyler who wasn't currently here - had been friends since your freshman year of college. A couple of you had a class together and the circle slowly grew from there as you introduced other friends. The people in it had fluctuated throughout the years, but once you all graduated, the seven of you had settled as the official friend group. Tyler was the one that you considered yourself closest to, but he was rarely around everyone else anymore.

"Woah, looks like Y/N is chugging their drink over there," Jack laughed.

You immediately pulled your cup away from your lips, "Sorry, my throat was really dry. I wasn't really thinking about what I was drinking."

"Need another one?" Adam asked.

"I'm ok, thanks. I still need to drive home tonight," you smiled.

"Is everyone here?" Jade asked. "Should we pick a game?"

"Tyler isn't here," Ryan answered.

"Oh, he's not coming," you chimed in. "He had a meeting with a label tonight."

"Of course he did," Adam scoffed.

You opened your mouth to defend him, but people started to talk over you before you had a chance to.

"He never comes anymore, what did you expect?"

"I thought he would have given up by now."

"I would if I were him."

"Don't you guys think you're being a little mean?"

"We're just being honest, Anna. Do you really think he's going to make it big?"

"Well..."

"Hey, you're close with him, Y/N," Ryan turned to you. "What do you think about Tyler's music?"

"I've heard better." It physically pained you to lie, but it was easier than trying to defend yourself against everyone else. As long as Tyler knew you supported him wholeheartedly, that was what mattered. "I really don't know what's going to happen."

"See, even Y/N isn't so sure about him."

"Why don't we pick a game?" Anna smiled. "Since everyone is here."

"Good idea."

*     *     *

You found Tyler bent over the dining room table, looking at a number of papers that were spread out over the top of it. He barely even looked up as you took a seat next to him.

"How did it go?" you asked.

His head immediately turned in your direction. You couldn't help but smile a little at the shocked look on his face, even if it hadn't been your intention to scare him.

"How did you get in here?"

"Mark let me in."

"I didn't know you were coming."

"I thought it was a good idea considering I didn't get an excited phone call from you. Or even a text, for that matter."

Tyler let out a long breath of air, "Yeah, they didn't sign us."

You reached out and rubbed at his shoulder, "It's ok, you'll find a label soon. It's only a matter of time."

"You think so?"

"One hundred percent."

"Thanks, Y/N," he smiled. "Hey, why don't we go up to my room?"

"Sounds good."

You helped Tyler gather up his papers and then followed him upstairs to his room. He tucked them away into his desk and then flopped backwards onto his bed. You set your bag by the door - you had learned that leaving it unattended by the door in a house full of boys wasn't always the best idea - and then joined him.

"How was seeing everyone?" he asked.

"It was alright. They were all asking where you were, they miss seeing you."

"I'll be there next time."

"Do you actually mean that or are you just saying that to appease me?" you smiled.

Tyler locked eyes with you and returned your smile, "Both."

"Can you at least promise me that you'll try to make it?"

"I always try to make it."

"Please, Ty? It would mean a lot to them... and me."

"You get to see me all the time," he laughed.

"Yeah, but you're more likely to follow through if you know I'll appreciate it."

"Ok, you got me."

"Speaking of which... have you figured out when you're going to take me on that date yet?"

Tyler sighed, "Soon, I promise. I just want to make sure that I have as much time as possible to give to you, and that's hard when I'm constantly in the studio and meetings and practicing. I want to give our relationship the strongest start that it can have."

"You know I've never cared about that, Ty. I would never want to take away from your music, but I do want us to be... I don't know, something. I care about you a lot."

"I care about you too." Tyler reached out and grabbed your hand, holding it tightly in his own.

"Then why wait?"

"Because you deserve the world, and I can't give it to you yet."

*     *     *

"They're going to be so happy to see you," you said as Tyler pulled up in front of Jade's house.

"You think so?"

"Yes! I'm telling you, Ty, they ask about you every time you're not there."

"I guess we should get inside then."

You stood on the sidewalk and waited for Tyler to join you. Once he was ready, the two of you walked up the path that led to the front door. Jade opened the front door as soon as you knocked.

"Tyler! I didn't expect to see you today."

"Hi," he smiled.

"Y/N! Come inside!"

All of your friends were already there, sitting around in the living room. You and Tyler sat in an empty spot on the couch, right next to Adam. Everyone expressed their surprise - and excitement - about finally seeing Tyler again.

"I was beginning to think you were leaving us behind," Adam clapped Tyler on the back as he sat down.

"I'm not leaving you behind, I've just been busy."

"Right."

"Do either of you want anything to drink?" Jade asked,

"I'm ok," you said.

"Me too."

"Ok," she smiled before sitting down in one of the chairs.

"So, Tyler, what have you been up to over the last month?" Ryan asked. "Last I heard, you were trying to find a label to sign you."

"That's still true," he nodded, "I've been busy trying to get meetings with labels, continuing to write, playing shows, that sort of thing. Anything to get some attention on the band."

"I'm surprised you haven't given up," Jade said.

"Why would I?"

Your heart sank.

"You're just working so hard and nothing has come of it yet," she frowned.

"Yeah, do you ever do anything besides work anymore?"

"Well, sometimes- "

"Do you even remember other things you like to do?"

"You know, you still have time to get a real job."

"Yeah, but I don't want- "

"I just don't think music is the right option for you."

"You've been missing so much too. Did you know Anna is engaged?" Anna held her hand out for emphasis.

"Congratulations," Tyler forced a smile.

"Hey, have you planned more of your wedding?" you finally chimed in.

The attention finally shifted from Tyler to Anna, who was happily talking about the most recent wedding planning events. Tyler reached over and put his hand on your leg: a silent thanks. You gently patted his hand.

As long as Tyler knew you supported him wholeheartedly, that was what mattered.

*     *     *

Tyler was silent as you walked down the front path towards his car. You were honestly surprised that he had stayed the entire night, if the situations were reversed you weren't sure that you would have been able to handle your friends' comments. Well... you were no longer sure that friends was the right word.

Tyler didn't immediately start the car when he closed his door. Rather, he leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes. You hesitantly reached out and put a hand on his arm.

"I'm so sorry, Ty. I didn't know they were going to act like that, otherwise I never would have made you come along."

"Maybe they're right."

"What?"

"Maybe I am missing all these important things for a music career that might never happen."

"It's going to happen, Ty, and think of all the amazing things that you'll get to experience when you do make it. Besides, are you really missing all that much?"

Tyler finally opened his eyes and looked at you, "Yeah, I think I am."

"Like what?"

Tyler answered by leaning forward and gently pressing his lips to yours. You were surprised at first, but decided to ignore the shock and deepen the kiss. If Tyler was kissing you, you weren't going to argue.

"Did I miss something?" you asked when he finally pulled away. "Did you get signed to a label and didn't tell me?"

"You didn't miss anything, but I decided that I was tired of waiting. I'm not going to put off our relationship for an indefinite amount of time when I want to be with you now. And nothing would make me happier than having you by my side for this entire journey, not just the easy parts."

"That's really sweet, Ty. I want to be here for you too."

You reached over and grabbed Tyler's hand, lacing your fingers between his.

"Speaking of which, I have another meeting with a label tomorrow."

"Which one?"

"Fueled by Ramen."

"Fancy," you smiled. "I hope it goes well."

Tyler squeezed your hand, "Me too."