Flushed (Troyler AU)

Chapter 12

Love y'all lots and lots <3 <3

Troye's POV

For the first time in four years, somehow the world had brought us together under one roof. There is no liable explanation for the force that pushed him my way, especially today-of all days. One part of my brain was yelling at me, demanding, to run, bolt out of there, yet the other was clouded by an overshadowing stain. It kept me in my haze, conjuring me to remain in place. I didn't feel though, the numbness layering over my skin, creeping through the definite paths of my veins in a slow and steady pace.

Did he still hold that same grudge over me, after all these years?

I could wonder for eternity, but could not care less for the answer. Or perhaps, it was just in this moment that my listless mindset escaped through my usual unsettling and torturous system. Either way I refused to budge, to let the remorse slither its way back up into my conscience.

He knew of everything; my internal struggles, my distractions and the ever-present taunting voices whispering into my ear in utter silence. It was never his fault though, I agreed to carry the overbearing weight on my shoulders, exactly where it belonged. And once his heart was mended, patched up and ready for new beginnings, he sat back and watched me crumble into cipher.

Still, no matter the sense of pride that overpowered every other emotion, I knew that if he got too close things would not end well for either of us. And so, I plummeted through it all as his gaze held with mine, daring me to take the first step.

"S." I muttered and instantly a dark shadow fell over me, my burly bodyguard shielding me from any potential harm. I breathed a sigh of relief, whispering a description of my ex into his ear. Receiving a curt nod, I turned back to face the bar, shooting the warm liquid down my throat once again.

My night continued this way, most of the time spent just staring down at the bar table, counting the sparse cracks inscribed into the dark wood. I did not dare turn back and see that smug look etched on his face. But the more I pondered over the situation I established that his strong enmity towards me should have subsided, especially now as he sat giggling with some guy across the room. If Tyler was here, in Australia, that would undoubtedly be us as well. Each day spent with him was another small part of me restoring the jovial sensations I had jilted years ago.

I spun around on the bar stool, my eyes scanning over the blurred faces. When I did not notice him anywhere, I grazed my fingers over the black suit sleeve of my bodyguard, wordlessly letting him know it was alright to step away. He moved aside and stood to my left. With his muscular arms clasped together at the front and his glowering expression, he definitely looked intimidating.

Sitting there, I remembered my unprofessional behaviour on an inebriated night, similar to this one. Instead of taking home one of the guys from the club, which were desperate for my attention I decided to seduce my bodyguard. Now as my eyes traced the curves of his body, I could only picture him without the black suit. As the alcohol finally had an impact on me, I placed my hand up on his bicep, squeezing slightly. When no reaction came, my fingers ran down to his hips causing him to shift uncomfortably under my suggestive touch. I continued though, ignoring his shuffling farther from me. Suddenly my hand dropped from where it rested, on his ass, as he abruptly pulled away and shook his head at me disapprovingly.

Did he mean not here?

Not really sure of what I wanted myself, I walked to the men's restroom, curious if he would follow me inside. I could sense his presence behind me as I advanced to the door, but upon entering it disappeared, meaning he remained waiting outside. His loss.

I stood in front of the mirror, staring blankly at my appearance. Lewd noises resonated throughout the room from under a stall, but I was not mindful, my brain too hazy from the injected poison flowing through my veins. I was completely unware of my surroundings, yet the loud click of a stall unlocking caught my attention. I glanced at the reflection of that particular stall in the mirror and instantly regretted it. My sight was met with the wicked grin of possibly the last person I wanted to see. And with every passing second it only grew, mocking me. He whispered something into the other man's ear and winked before opening the heavy door for him and stepping back in.