'what happened?'
A lightbulb lit up in Troye's mind when he remembered that he had a frozen pizza base he could make for the two of us. I set the oven to preheat while Troye took it out the box and getting some ingredients out the fridge.
He got me to grate the cheese while he spread a sauce over the base and put a few other things on top while I added the cheese. While we waited for it to finish Troye sat himself up on the counter, his legs swaying like he was five or something.
We fell into a comfortable silence, I could see Troye was deep in thought. Whenever he did so he would actually would just close his eyes, despite it making no apparent difference, but he didn't look like he meant to actually do it. It was more a habit of sorts.
I know he probably will feel my eyes on him again but I can't help myself, I swear he is angel.
The angel smiled and laughed.
"What about taking a picture Bixenman?" I looked down in embarrassment but smiled.
"The real thing is always better you know," he chuckled again and hopped off the counter when the oven made a noise to say the pizza was done.
"I think it is ready," he said excitedly, reaching for the oven mitts to his right and putting them on. I would be lying if I said I was not nervous to watch him take that out the boiling hot oven. But my worrying was for nothing when he took it out with no doubt swifter than I ever could.
We waited for it to cool a bit before I took a knife and cut it into slices for the two of us. He took a seat back on the counter while I sat on one of the spinning stools at the kitchen island, watching him intently as always.
"I hate it when people watch me eat," he said with a teasing smirk.
"I'm sorry," I said again laughing while he chuckled as well. "Troye?"
"Yeah?" he said taking another bite.
"Were you born blind?" I saw him tense slightly as his smile fell, my own heart clenching. "If you don't want to talk about it I totally get it," he shook his head.
"No it's fine I will say. I wasn't born blind, no. I lost my eyesight when I was ten. I got in a car accident and uh...I will leave out the details because they not something I want revisit but I will say I was the only one to make it out the car alive...I'm grateful but I think survivor's guilt sometimes makes me wonder if living was even a blessing, because it makes you feel like I shouldn't be here."
My mouth fell slack. It is one thing to be born blind and to not actually know what you missing out but for you to lose something, and when at such a young age, I can't imagine what it must have been like for him to go though. Not to mention the fact that survivor's guilt seemed to be eating him alive, I could see how it pained him to mention it.
"I'm so sorry Troye. Even though you do, you should not be feeling guilty okay? You can't control how things play out," he nodded and I dropped the subject, perhaps it is something for when we are closer.
They way he spoke about it showed me it's still a fresh wound for him, I don't want to make him upset.
I
left Troye's place about three hours later, getting absolutely carried away with conversation about the most random of things that night.
.......
I
t was now Saturday night, Troye and I spent the day. He showed me his favourite places in this part of New York, and he showed me some real nice places that I no doubt will go to in my own time. Or with him, yeah that will be better.
I lay in bed, getting home at around six and saying goodbye to Troye. Now it was about ten and sleep didn't seem to be happening for some reason. I sighed; there wasn't even anything on my mind that was to cause me insomnia.
I made my way downstairs after getting fed up of just lying there and decided to get a glass of water. I went to the window and looked out onto the city skyline, lit up by the lights of New York. I was really happy to be here and I didn't think I would enjoy it this much.
My thoughts were interrupted by a familiar scratching at my door. I smiled in recognising Bruno when I opened the door but my smile fell when I found the dog looking distressed.
"What is it boy?" I asked, scrunching my eyebrows. My answer was when he ran behind me and nudged me forward, looking to the door of Troye's apartment. My mind immediately started racing, thinking something must be wrong with Troye for Bruno to act so strangely.
I walked briskly up the hallway and then making my way in.
"Troye?" I called warily. Bruno ran in after me and ran up the stairs while I followed him, knowing he must be leading me to where Troye must be. "Troye?" I called again but got no response. Bruno then lead me to the bathroom door but it was shut closed.
Bruno sat aside looking up dependently at me.
I knocked a couple times but all I heard now was stuttered and broken breathing.
I was thankful that the door was unlocked and rushed in just to look to the space between the toilet and sink were, Troye sat in a grey shirt and sweatpants. His knees tucked up to his chest and tears streaming as he rocked back and forth, muttering things to him I could not make out.
"Troye," I whispered again when I carefully kneeled in front of him but he did not seem to notice my presence. I placed my hand warily on his forearm. He flinched away, turning to press himself impossibly closer to the wall. My heart was breaking yet racing at the same time.
I tried calling him again but he didn't hear me and didn't stop muttering things and remove himself out of his position.
I resorted to all I could think of. I pulled him close and wrapped him in a hug, whispering soft, reassuring words to him. He seemed to then calm down, recognising me almost immediately.
"J-Jacob?" he said softly, his tone so fragile.
"Yes it's me, you fine Troye, you going to be okay," his breathing started to then even out. He then wrapped his arms slowly around my neck and tucking his face into my shoulder. His tears were still flowing and they were hot against my skin.
I stood up then with him in my arms, taking him to his bed, Bruno following after me still looking very concerned as he was so quiet and slow. I lay Troye down and pulled the white duvet over his body that now shivered when I let him go.
Bruno hopped up and lay beside Troye yet still gave him space, his tail was low and his eyes looked pained.
"Troye, you alright?" I asked, taking a seat on the other side of him.
"Y-yeah I think so," he said. He reached out, looking for my hand. I held his quickly to which I could see he appreciated as he visibly calmed down.
"What happened?"
"I just...I remember waking up from a nightmare and going to wash my face but then I thought about it again and that's last thing I remember till you came," he said, his eyes wide trying to figure out what was going on.
"As long as you are fine now though," I said, taking my other hand and trailing it through his soft curls, he closed his eyes at my touch and smiled slightly.
"Thank you, I am. But...but how did you know to come?"
"Bruno came scratching on my door and then nudged me to your apartment and lead me to the bathroom and I followed. He amazes me," I said, looking to the dog who watched Troye with so much sorrow.
"Oh Bruno," Troye said with a huge smile, letting go of my hand and sitting myself back while Troye opened his arms to the dog. Bruno stood up and wagged his tail as he saw this while his eyes lit up again, rushing into Troye's arms.
Troye hugged him close even when Bruno licked the side of his face lovingly and then lay down beside his owner and calmed down, clearly relieved to see Troye okay as well.
I watched on with a soft smile.
"That is probably the cutest thing I have ever seen," Troye giggled, stroking Bruno who rested by his side.
"Thank you Jacob," he said softly.
"No problem at all Troye, I told you I would help wherever I possibly can and if that includes Bruno coming over to fetch me to rescue you then I will do so," Troye smiled and blushed. "Night Troye," I said, getting up from the bed and going over to Troye to hug him once more.
"Night Jacob," he said softly in my ear, making me shiver slightly. I then found myself kissing him softly on his temple before I even thought about it.
Then I gave Bruno a pat on the head before going back down the stairs and making my way back to my apartment.
Remember to comment and vote guys! I also have another tracob fic, an eye for the innocent, if you haven't checked it out yet!
bai! thank you all for the support this is getting!