Destiny

Chapter One

Even plugging in my headphones and turning up the volume couldn't drown them out. They'd been going at it for what seemed hours now, taking turns screaming and slamming doors. I think they'd forgotten I was there. The minute they'd started raising their voices, I'd abandoned the living room couch, hurrying to the safety and comfort of my bedroom to wait while they argued.

"You knew I was working late today!" Troye's voice pierced the air and I cowered back further into the comfort of my bed.

"You never told me it'd be this late! How many times have I said, just send me a text if you stay in the studio after six?" Tyler sounded so mad. I hadn't heard him this mad in the eighteen years we'd known each other.

"I'm sorry, but I kind of had other things on my mind. Like work!"

"You couldn't find five seconds to text your boyfriend that you'd be late? Troye, I had reservations for us at that new restaurant in town. Do you know how hard it was to get those reservations?"

"I would have told you not to make them if I'd known that's what you were planning!"

"It was supposed to be a surprise. For your birthday."

"My birthday was three weeks ago, Tilly."

"Yeah, and today was the first day I thought you'd be home at a reasonable time."

"Look, I'm sorry, okay? But I'm so close to getting this album done. There's going to be a lot more late nights in the next few weeks."

"Jut tell me when you're coming home."

"I'll try. But you know how I get when I'm working. I just lose myself in the music." Their voices were slowly, finally, starting to drop back to a normal level and I turned down the music blasting from my iPod. Was it safe to go out? What would they say when they realised I'd pretty much heard their whole argument?

When the front door of the apartment slammed shut, I jumped a little, not having realised they'd completely stopped arguing. I tossed the iPod aside and carefully crossed my room, opening the door slightly to see if Tyler was still here.

"Ty?" I called quietly.

"Oh god. Connor!" He rushed from the kitchen to engulf me in a hug. "I totally forgot you were here. Troye and I just got so carried away..."

"It's okay. I'm used to it." He hung his head, stepping away from me.

"That makes me feel even worse."

"Why?"

"Because it means that Troye and I fight so much it's become normal."

"You guys are in a relationship. It is normal to fight."

"Not as much as we do." He sighed and leaned against the wall opposite my room. "I don't know when it got so bad. We never used to fight."

"I know. You forget that I've been living under the same roof as you since before you started going out with Troye. I've heard everything."

"Everything?" He raised an eyebrow at me and I smirked.

"Everything." I confirmed and he groaned.

"How do I fix it? It just seems like everything is going in the wrong direction."

"Maybe you need a break?" I suggested, shrugging. 

"Maybe. I love him, Con. I don't want to lose him."

"I know. But I don't think love is supposed to hurt you like this."

"You know, you're the best." He grinned, standing up on his own again. "You're always ready to listen."