Better Together (Troyler AU)

Chapter One

Tyler's POV

"The next song I have for you is Zedd's new single 'Papercut' featuring Troye Sivan. Enjoy!"

I lean back in my chair lazily, turn off the microphone, take off my headphones, close my eyes and start humming along to the piano intro of the song. I keep my eyes closed when I hear the door slam and I start smiling when I hear someone whistle behind me, knowing it can only be Korey.

"Hey Ty, I know it's already 5pm and I'm feeling awful for being late. I totally forgot I had to take Toby's work shift today. Don't be mad at me, I got you Starbucks. Your favorite order. Sorry?"

He gives me an apologetic smile, letting himself fall onto the chair next to me and handing me a cup of coffee.

"It's fine, Korey. But now shut your mouth, I wanna listen to the song."

Korey chuckles. "Still obsessed with Troye Sivan, huh?"

I roll my eyes at him, blushing. "Mh"

Korey knows me too well. He's one of my best friends and my favorite co-worker at the radio station. One night we were doing a radio show until 1am and we were wide awake after drinking 3 liters of coke so we babbled like crazy while the music was playing. We came up with the theme celebrity crushes and I told Korey about Troye. He wasn't really surprised by me having a crush on a boy. He had been knowing that I'm gay since my first day of work at the radio station when I unintentionally flirted with him.

My mind snaps back to the present when I feel Korey's hand on my shoulder.

"Ty, your work shift is over and so's the song. Don't you wanna go home?" He looks at me with a slightly concerned expression. "Are you okay? You look lost."

I shake my head rapidly. "Uh, no I'm fine, don't worry." I flash him a smile. "And you're right. I should go home and when I'm home I should probably eat something. I'm starving!" With an overly dramatic gesture I get up from my chair. "See you on friday!" I grab my jacket and my keys and head to the door.

Korey turns around and waves at me. "Yeah, see you!"

When I open the back door of the studio, a cold breeze hits my face and I take a deep breath. After 7 hours of talking into a microphone and breathing the gross studio air, this is pretty refreshing. I close the door behind me and head to the bakery across the street to grab something to eat. I'm just about to take the first bite of my croissant when I hear my phone ringing in my pocket. I'm still debating whether to answer it when I see Korey's caller ID on the screen.

"Korey, what do you want? I left the studio like 10 minutes ago" I let out an annoyed huff.

"Well, it was actually 12 minutes ago. And besides that I just got an important phone call and I have to tell you something that will most definitely give you a heart attack. So you better sit down and listen." Korey sounds so excited I get curious.

"Okay wait, there's a bench three feet away. Now I'm sitting. Tell me what has gotten you so freaking excited."

I have no clue what Korey's gonna tell me but something in my stomach makes me not able to eat the rest of the croissant in my hand. My heart jumps when I hear the next words Korey says.

"You are flying to Los Angeles tomorrow because you are going to interview... Troye Sivan!" My jaw drops open and my eyes go wide in shock.

"Are you serious?! Oh my god!!" I realize that I'm yelling and I also realize that almost every person in the street is watching me but that's the last thing I can care about right now.

Korey chuckles. "Yes, I'm being completely serious. Go home and pack your stuff, your flight leaves at 9am tomorrow. I can take you to the airport if you want."

I can't believe what's happening. As soon as the first moment of shock is over and I'm able to move again I get up and run home as fast as my legs can carry me.

This is most definitely the best thing that could ever happen to me.

Troye's POV

I get out of the car and head to the front door of my family's house. Today has been a long day of recording and songwriting, I'm glad to finally be home. Just as I start searching for my keys in my bag, I hear someone call my name.

"Troye!"

With my hand still in the bag I spin around and face Kayla, my best friend and neighbor. "Troye, I've tried to call you but you haven't answered your phone. I wanted to say that your family isn't home, we're having a barbeque at our house with the Whites, your family and my grandparents." I stop searching for the keys, considering I won't need them now. "Oh okay, thanks for informing me, I probably would have spent the evening alone in my room eating nutella or something" I answer, grabbing Kayla's hand and flashing her a smile. She just grins. "I know. Not that I would have begrudged it to you, I mean your day was most likely two times as debilitating as mine. But I'm really happy that you join us, I mean we haven't seen each other in, like, two weeks! Oh and and by the way, I got the role in the tv show I went to the casting for" Kayla bounces on the sidewalk, talking like a waterfall. I'm only listening half hearted, too tired to really concentrate on what she's saying. It's only when I see the expectant look on her face that I realize I have to give her an answer that doesn't make her notice I didn't listen.

"Yeah, cool. I mean, it all makes a sense somehow, things always are a certain way for a reason." I crunch up my face in distaste of what I've just said.

Kayla is looking at me, trying to keep a straight face while her eyes are already telling she's laughing inside. "Oh my god, Troye, you have no clue what I have told you, am I right!", she giggles. I nod and open the gate to the garden of Kayla's family. After greeting all of the people, I let myself fall into one of the huge, comfortable chairs on the lawn. I close my eyes with the intention of getting some rest when I hear my father speaking up, mentioning my name.

"I just want to say that I am very, very proud of my wonderful son, Troye. He has done an amazing job with the new song and with his music career so far. I mean, guys, he's 18 years old. When I was 18, I spent my time doing dumb shit and my son is so successfull at his young age. I want to celebrate the release of 'Papercut' by thanking my wife, Laurelle, for giving our family such a precious human. A toast to everything we have achieved and to everything we will achieve in the future!" Everyone in the Horwitzes garden raises their glass and looks at me. A little overwhelmed by my father's speech and all the attention I suddenly have, I don't really know how to act so I just raise the glass from the little table next to me like the rest of the people. "Thank you, cheers" I drink the whole glass of champagne at once and look around the garden for my siblings. I spot my little brother Tyde at the pond, talking to Ben, the boy from the White family. "Tyde!" I shout, gesturing for him to come to me. "What time is it?" I ask, pointing my head towards Tyde's watch on his wrist. "9pm, why do you ask?" he answers. "I'm just very tired and stuff, you know? Do you think the people would mind if I go home?"

Tyde shakes his head. "No, I mean the party is practically for you but since they all seem pretty preoccupied I think you can go if you want."

"Okay, and where's Sage? I'm pretty sure she was the one who borrowed my front door key yesterday and I need it now." I answer.

"I don't know. Maybe she's inside the house with Kayla or something. However, good night, Troye!", Tyde beams and runs back to Ben who he immediately starts a conversation with.

I find my sister Sage's handbag on my way to Kayla's room so I just grab the key out of it and head to the front door. "Troye, are you leaving?" I hear my mother ask behind me. I turn around. "Yeah, I'm tired. Today was a hard day..." I mumble, not sure whether me leaving now would make my mum sad.

"That's okay, honey. Just go to sleep. And don't forget the interview tomorrow, you have to be fit so get enough rest."

"What interview was that again?" I scratch my head in thoughts, trying to get an overview of my upcoming appointments.

"The one with the radio guy from San Francisco. Be ready at 2pm tomorrow, ok?" my mum answers and pulls me into a hug. I nod against her shoulder.

"Good night, Troye."

"Good night, Mum."