falling; a tronnor au

ILYSB; LANY

epilogue -

"Oh, my heart hurts so good; I love you, babe-- so bad, so bad."

--

Today was the day.

The distance between the two would finally be gone.

Troye took cautious steps into the vast airport. So many things had happened here.

Things he'd rather not revisit.

A tap from behind startled Troye, making him jump. He turned and found himself facing the love of his life.

"Connor," he breathed, and the two closed the distance between them.

Connor pulled away first, wrapping his arms around the skinny boy. "I've missed you so much."

"So have I."

After a minute of embracing and I've-missed-you's, the couple hurried to Troye's jeep.

"So, where are we going after we drop off my bags?" Connor asked, his hands folded in his lap.

"Back to where it all started," Troye replied, not taking his eyes off of the road. "I'm so excited. Aren't you?"

"Mhm" was all Connor said. He seemed extremely tense, and Troye understood why.

He took hold of one of Connor's balled up fists, rubbing it gently. "Don't worry. He's gone."

"What? You mean he's, like, dead?"

"No! He's moved to South Africa for some movie or something. Probably to hide the fact that I kicked him out."

"Oh. Well, good enough."

The two drove in silence, listening to the music blare from the radio. Suddenly, Connor perked up. "Troye! Troye!"

"Huh?" Troye glanced over, wondering what his boyfriend was so excited about.

"Listen!" The American turned up the radio volume.

i want to sleep next to you

and that's all I want to do right now

"So, you finally finished the 'thoughts' in your journal, eh?"

"Lyrics." Troye grinned goofily.

"Troye Boy, you have no idea how proud of you I am right now."

"Show me."

"You're driving!" The two laughed.

and I want to come home to you

but home is just a room full of my safest sounds

"We're almost home." Troye smiled.

"I can't wait," Connor bounced up and down in his seat.

The younger man paused. "Are you still upset for..."

"No. I don't regret my decision. Do you?"

Ever since the edited video issue came out, Connor and Troye had tried to avoid social media. In the end, they decided that it was best to leave it entirely. Leaving YouTube was especially difficult, as many didn't understand why until the couple's relationship was revealed. It was for the better; the two went on to accomplish their own things and go their own way. Connor had become a professional photographer, and Troye an artist.

"No."

so come over now

and talk me down

"We're here," Troye turned off the radio and took Connor's luggage while Connor waited in the car. He marveled at the small house in front of him.

Their very own house. Just the two of them.

Connor would've gotten out, but before he could do anything, Troye was back.

By the time the two turned on the radio, Troye's song had stopped playing.

"Aw," Connor pouted. "I wanted to hear you sing."

"I'm right here, Connie," Troye laughed as he drove. "I'll sing if you want."

"Ugh. How many times am I going to have to remind you-- you're driving, Tro!" Connor complained. "Serenade me when we get home, yeah?"

"Yeah," the Aussie replied. "Home. We can finally say that now, can't we?"

"Yes, we can," Connor replied, taking his boyfriend's free hand in his. "How are Tyler and Steele, by the way? Y'know, after the incident?"

"Good, actually. I heard that they're The Trevor Project's OTP."

"That's great! At least it all turned out well."

Troye nodded, then pulled into a small parking lot. "You remember this place?"

Connor took in his surroundings. "The coffee shop?"

"Remember when I-- no, we, worked here?" Troye chuckled.

"Mhmm," the man nodded in response. "I didn't think it was still here."

"Me neither. Looks like we were wrong."

The two walked inside, hand in hand.

The shop had been remodeled completely to suit the new managers' desires, but the atmosphere felt familiar. Troye intertwined his fingers with Connor's and took a look around. The place was barren, except for a young cashier standing anxiously at the register. It reminded Connor of how he and Troye first met. (Y/N) was written on the name tag.

"Hi, how may I--" the cashier looked up from the register with wide eyes. "Aren't you Troye-- a-and Connor?"

"Yeah, that's us," Troye nodded. "Nice to meet you, (Y/N)."

"You, too! I didn't expect you to be here." (Y/N) still seemed shocked. "I just heard your song on the radio, Troye. Oh, a-and your photographs are all over our walls, Connor."

Connor glanced around, suddenly noticing that the beautiful pictures hanging on the wall belonged to him. "That's really cool," he nodded. "Y'know, Troye and I worked here before."

"You did?"

Troye nodded. "I was just like you: a nervous cashier, just doing my job so I could get through the day. You're doing pretty great, by the way."

"Oh, uh, thanks! And w-what can I get for you two?" (Y/N) asked, glancing down at the register.

"Just two Double-Shot Espressos, please," Connor smiled.

(Y/N) nodded, hurrying to prepare the drinks. After handing one to each man, the cashier said, "that'll be $9.75, please."

Troye gave Connor a knowing look as he pulled a ten dollar bill from his pocket.

The couple took their drinks and thanked the cashier as they handed over the money. "C'mon, let's go home," Troye nudged his boyfriend, giving him a small peck on the lips.

"Wait!" (Y/N) called, making the two stop in their tracks and turn. Connor half expected a shy "can-i-get-your-autograph" sort of thing, but instead, the cashier held up a few coins and blushed. "Sorry-- um, I just owe you twenty five cents."

Connor turned, a silent chuckle rising in his throat. He and Troye exchanged a knowing glance, both of their faces lighting up. Connor looked back at (Y/N), cleared his throat, and gave one last grin.

"Keep the change."

--