By your side. -- TROYLER / INCOMPLETE

Before Lunch.

--Tyler's POV--

Troye’s face was completely red. I rolled off the couch and helped him sit upright again. He really was a cute twit.

    But also a sick one. A sick one whos family was about to see him, and I knew that he had to be nervous.

    I made sure that I had everything in my refrigerator to make dinner later.

Then there was a knock on the door.

    I knew it was them before I opened it.

“Hey!” I smiled at all of them as they said Hi back. We greeted each other with open arms and then I led them all into the living room where Troye was sitting.

    “Hi.”

That’s all the enthusiasm he can muster up? This is his family for Christ’s sake!

    I walked over to him and tilted his head up, pecking him softly on the lips in front of everyone. They could deal. I whispered in his ear.

    “Try to sound happier babe.”

His eyes showed he was internally scowling at me.

    Oh get over yourself.

I led Shaun and Laurelle into the dining room after they both hugged their son.

    “So he looks... okay?” Shaun said.

“He looks a lot worse usually.” I replied honestly.

    “And it’s tuberculosis? I don’t even know how he could’ve gotten it…” Laurelle said as she looked down. I could tell that all of them were trying to cover up how they actually felt about the situation.

    “I’m so sorry you’re having to take care of him for us.” said Shaun.

I raised my eyebrows. “For you? I’m taking care of him for me! Don’t worry. Don’t be sorry. I’m perfectly okay with taking care of him. I mean, he’s my boyfriend. It’s the least I can do.” When I said ‘boyfriend’ it was so hard for me not to blurt out ‘everything’.

    “It’s perfectly fine. It would be weird for you guys to have to do some of the things I’m doing, anyway. I wouldn’t want you to have to.”

    “Wait… what are you doing?” Laurelle asked. I felt so bad for her.

“Oh. Uh… You see; you know; showers?”

    Her eyes widened as she realized what I was speaking about. “Oh…”

Shaun just looked really awkward.

    I glanced behind myself to see Troye smiling while talking to Tyde. I’m so happy that he’s happier. Then I looked back at them.

    “Yeah. But it’s okay!”

“Not really, it’s not.” Laurelle shook her head. Shaun was just looking away.

    “I kind-of already figured.” He finally said.

“Well, we already.. You know. I don’t want to talk with you two about it. That’d be weird. But what I’m saying is that it’s not so horrible that I’m practically giving Troye a shower.” I felt so strange talking with them about this.

    “Ah.” Laurelle and Shaun both said together.

“Well anyway,” I decided to switch the subject. “We’re having pasta for dinner tonight. I’m going to start making it at around four pm… Just make yourselves feel at home.” I smiled at them and walked over to Troye.