Atlas: FTWD (Nick/Troy) Fanfiction

01 // overture

"even after everything we've seen, we've barely caught a glimpse of what it means"

overture, sleeping at last

overture - an introduction to something substantial.

    The amazing thing about embers is that they are the last coals clinging to life as their fire, their life-source has now faded. Embers are strong, beautiful last memories of something now gone too soon. But they cling on as long as they can. As long as they can to a dying fire, a sinking ship. He knew his due-date was coming.

    But Troy held on. Just like embers do. But like fires, eventually the embers go out as well. In time, they all go out.

Troy

    I need you to hear me on this before you immediately create a judgement for me as all people seem to do nowadays. Okay, listening?

    I never intended for him to fall for me. Never. Did I love him? Of course. But could I have ever been enough for him? Never. Was it my fault that he didn't realize that until it was too late?

    Yeah, I guess it was.

before...

    "Seriously, dude, when the hell are you gonna get her in bed? She's so fucking hot, man, if you don't get her-"

    "Yeah, yeah, you've told me this shit before, I'm aware. You're gonna get to her first. Well too bad she's my fucking girlfriend, dick," I noticed the guy currently reminding his friend of his girlfriend's relationship status from far away, never having really seen him before. His lip was slightly upturned in an annoyed look and I knew, I just knew there was something slightly off by the way he rolled his eyes at the mention of his girlfriend. I slipped by the group of guys to get to my class, not really giving a shit what was inside it, just wanting to hear more of this conversation.

    "Alright, alright, I'm just reminding you man...you gotta tap that before-"

    "Someone else does! Yeah, man, I get it," The shaggy haired guy rolled his eyes once more, this time catching my stare and sending me a half-smile to accompany his exasperated chuckle. There was just something. Something in the way he looked a bit too uncomfortable in discussing his girlfriend. Why have I never noticed this guy before?

    The better question would be: why am I noticing him now? Three years into college and people are usually pretty set on who they hang out with around campus. Ignoring the way the mysterious guys' playful eyes remained on mine for a beat too long, I move along to my next class, shaking off that odd look the guy gave me. As I stroll into my American Literature class right as the teacher does, I can't help but find my eyes latching onto someone who's seated in the back row. It's  the guy. The guy from literally five minutes ago. How did he get there before me?

    "Take a seat anywhere, kid, they don't bite," The professor gestures towards the arrangement of seats and I quickly shakes out of it as I move towards the only empty seat - the one directly next to that guy. After seating myself and lying my head down on my arms, I notices some movement off to my right and shifts my head only to see the shaggy-haired kid already etching his name into the side of the desk. I smirk slightly at the immediate act of defiance, and - without thinking - follow suit. He chuckles as I whip out a pen, garnishing the otherwise bland table with my name.

    "Nice to meet you, Troy," He smirks, and I look over, smiling back slightly as my eyes trail over to see Nick sloppily written on it in fresh, black ink.

    "You too, Nick," I return, chuckling and that's when the two of us realize that our new professor had already begun talking.

    "Come on, guys, don't make me have to move you guys like you're back in grade school," The rest of the class shares a low chuckle and I notice Nick look down awkwardly with a blush creeping onto his cheeks.