The thing about Troye

20

I immediately regret walking out the door that morning. I let out a yell as the light seeps into my skin, burning like scalding water upon my face and neck.
Troye gasps and pulls me by the collar of my shirt into the dormitory's lobby.
"Tyler, the hood." He says, quietly in concern. He examines my face and grimaces.
"What? What's the light done to my face? Am I still cute?" My eyes widen and my hands fly to my cheeks. Troye chuckles, pulling me by the arm to our room.
"You're still very cute, you dork. It's just like a sunburn, though.I bet you know what that feels like." I groan and open the door to the room. Troye rummages around in his wardrobe and tosses me a hooded jacket, which I gladly accept. I throw it on and put up the hood, smiling. Hand in hand, we skip outside, and down the cobblestone path. Nobody was out since it was the last day of school cancellation. It was a nice silence.
This time, the trip to the portal wasn't as scary. The woods were something out of a fairytale as Troye and I journeyed through them, smiling and laughing, momentarily forgetting about the task at hand. Neither of us really know what to expect, just that we're going back to the system for god knows what, but really, we could care less.
"So, Troye-boy," I start with a grin. I jump over a log, then balance on it, finally becoming taller than my boyfriend. He smiles up and me.
"What Tilly?" He asks with a smile. A real smile, with teeth. I melt a little.
"So, since you marked me, are we like? Married now?" I asked with a giggle. Troye laughs and throws his arms around my waist, keeping me steady.
"No, we're not married, well, like, I don't think so, but you're kinda just...mine, I guess. And it's a little unfair, because there was so little time, but you're kinda stuck with me now, I'm really sorry, I never really thought this through, and..."
I cut him off with a kiss, then hop off the log.
"I know it all happened fast, but I'm glad it was you, and nobody else. Don't feel bad, okay?"
Troye nods and kisses my forehead, stepping over the log himself and joining our hands.
"Thanks, Ty. I love you."
I lean into his side.
"I love you too, Troye-boy," I giggle.
I swing our hands as we walk, and we chatter about pointless things, perfectly content. Today the woods were sunny, a soft breeze blew colorful leaves along the ground in rainbow swirls. The sky was a nice shade of blue for being the day before Halloween, and the air wasn't too cold. We came to the door, and with a last glance at each other, we pull it open together and begin to descend down the staircase. We take down our hoods and the cool air of the portal calms me, and seems to soothe my irritated skin.
"Do I get to meet your family?" I ask quietly.
The Australian boy smiles softly and squeezes my hand.
"Yeah you will, don't worry."
***
"Troye! You're back!" He's enveloped in the biggest hug I've ever seen, then he steps back, revealing me. The woman's face is shocked, her mouth wide open, before she breaks into a grin, and laughs happily. I bring my hand up to wave at her, before being trapped in a huge hug. "You, you did it!" She says, letting me go, and slapping Troye on the back. "Shaun come here quick! He's brought Tyler with him!"
She ushers us inside and I smile, feeling oddly at home. She reminds me of Jackie.
There's wild stomping from what I presume is upstairs, then the bald man from before, Troye's dad, is skidding into the foyer. There's a wide smile on his face, and he examines me for a split second before his eyes flicker off elsewhere.
First, he hugs his son, then turning to me after, he shakes my hand and pulls me into a hug also- which I wasn't expecting.
"Tyler, we're so happy to meet you, I'm Laurelle, and that's Shaun." The woman says with a welcoming smile.
I back up until I bump into Troye's chest, and chuckle sheepishly.
"H-hi- there. I'm Tyler. Nice to meet you." I stammer, face turning pink.
"Welcome to the family."
I try to smile but it comes out as a pained grimace. Troye bites his lip and I look down. The bald man clears his throat and dusts himself off lightly before talking.
"I bet you have a lot of questions. Let's sit, shall we?" Shaun says politely, leading us to another room. I sit on a couch with Troye, opposite his parents.
"I know this is a lot, I'm sorry, I love you," Troye whispers in my ear, before kissing my forehead. I sink into his side and smile slightly, sighing, keeping my eyes on the floor.