Falling {Tronnor}

Six

"C-Con... Connor?" The shock was evident in Tyler's voice.

"It's me," Connor replied. "Do you remember that coffee shop down the street from my house?"

"I... Yes?"

"Meet me there tomorrow at 2 if you want to talk things through, okay? I'm willing to give you a chance since I know I stormed out and then started avoiding you. I don't want to do this over the phone, so don't try."

There was a long silence on the other end of the line, and Connor thought Tyler had hung up, but then, "I'll be there."

"Good," Connor said. "I'll see you."

Another pause. "I'm sorry."

"I know. Talk to you tomorrow," Connor said.

"Okay. Connor?"

"What?"

He could hear Tyler take a deep breath. "Thank you."

Connor bit his lip. "I never said I was doing this for you," he replied. "Goodbye, Tyler."

"Goodbye..."

He knew that Tyler wanted to say more, but Connor didn't particularly feel like he could handle it just yet. So he hung up, setting his phone down and crossing the room to flop down on the couch. He massaged his forehead, pulling his legs up to his chest as what he had done sunk in.

"That was really brave of you." Connor's head snapped up. Troye was standing in the doorway, his hair disheveled and a blanket wrapped around his shoulders.

"You heard?" Connor asked. Troye nodded, coming over to sit next to him.

"I'm actually surprised you called him," he said, putting his arm around Connor's shoulder.

"I just really wanted to move on," Connor replied. "Stop living in the past."

"That's good," Troye said. "I'm proud of you."

Connor smiled, because he knew that Troye really was proud of him. "I called Hannah and Ingrid too. Hannah is coming over at 8 and Ingrid at 10. I want to tell them."

"I'll get out of your hair by 8, then," Troye said. Connor shook his head, feeling his face grow redder.

"Um... well... if you don't mind... I mean... Troye..." He took a deep breath. "Would you mind sticking around? Like just hanging out in case I need help or to talk to you in between? I'd really appreciate it..."

"Of course I'll stay," Troye said. "I didn't know if I was welcome, that's all."

"Of course you are," Connor said. "You're always welcome."

Troye smiled, slowly removing his arm from around Connor. "Thank you. One day, you'll have to come over to my place. You're always welcome there, too."

Connor smiled back at him shyly. For a second, he got lost in his thoughts as he watched Troye. He couldn't stop thinking about how lucky he was to have Troye as a friend. He knew that he would probably still be hiding from himself if it wasn't for Troye.

And then he snapped out of his thoughts, forcing himself to look away and say "we should head to bed."

Troye quickly nodded. "It's late," he agreed. "And tomorrow's a big day."

"You can take the bed," Connor said.

"I couldn't," Troye replied, his eyes wide.

"Please." Connor stood, offering Troye a hand to help him up. "You're the guest."