Drowning : Troyler AU

Chapter Ten - Tripping

*Tyler’s POV*

God I hope they like him. They will like him. I mean how could they not, he’s amazing. I just hope he doesn’t get to nervous around all these new people. I know how he feels in crowds.

My friends are the most welcoming people you will ever meet but they don’t exactly give people personal space. I remember the first guy I introduced to them as my boyfriend, the poor thing he was honed with endless questions about our relationship, if I was a good kisser, if he had met my parents yet. Especially when they ship us together so hard and they haven’t even met him. This is all Zoe’s fault; she has been cooking up this plan of how to get Troye and I together since we met. They are all in on it. Marcus, Alfie, Joe and Louise; plotting against

I say against us, they are really plotting for us but still. I realize I have been neglecting Troye, he must be nervous. I look over at him and discover my suspicions correct. He face is wracked in panic. I slid my hand in to his, intertwining our fingers. I wanted to support him, let him know that he has nothing to fear. I gave his hand a small squeezed before leading round the back of Zoe’s house.  He grips me back tightly, trying to pull me to the front door.

“Anyone close to Zoe knows she is never up close enough to the front of the house to hear the door bell, or anyone knocking their knuckles bloody. Learn from my mistakes Troye-boy.” I give him a warm smile.

It started off sarcastic, but I really was concerned and it was becoming harder to pretend that I wasn’t worried about my friends reaction to Troye.

“Oh. Okay.” He lets out shakily, sounding even more apprehensive then I thought possible. “So it’s fine to just come in unannounced?”

“One of the many benefits of being in with the host.” I wink over zealously at him. As I lead him down the dark corridor beside her house.

“What are the other benefits?” he asks his tone full of sass. I knew a little bit of playful banter would lighten his mood.

“You’ll find out later if you’re lucky.” I can’t see anything in here. It’s almost pitch black, I walk confidently though as I have walked this path a thousand times. My foot catches a stone and I trip. I don’t remember that being there.

Troye tries to stifle and giggle; his hands clasped over his mouth. But it escapes. At least he tried. I join in with him. Soon we have broken down in to an all-out laughing fit. Both of us gasping for air, holding our stomachs, eyes watering.

‘Ty, get your butt out here. I know it’s you I can tell by your laugh!” I hear Marcus yell. I pick myself up off the ground. Look over at Troye. I give him a reassuring smile and walk out.

I take in the view. It’s beautiful; Zoe never goes to this much effort. She has strung fairy lights all across the patio and put out a few candles. Candles at a house party? Could she be any less subtle. The light is warm and peaceful. I hear some music being played in the background. Calm, quite, I don’t think I’ve ever heard it before but from behind me I can hear Troye humming along. Good, I think, might put him at ease.

Thankfully I didn’t walk into a bunch of people all staring at us. Instead they are just chatting in small groups. A few look up and smile, but they wait for us to approach them.

I love Zoe so much at this moment. She has instructed them all to stay calm and give us some space, not wanting to freak Troye out. Knowing that he doesn’t like crowds and respecting it. I hold my hand out behind me to Troye. He takes it. I can tell it’s him without even looking, because his fingers intertwine perfectly with mine. I give him a reassuring squeeze before taking my first steps over to Zoe and Alfie.