back home
It's only when there's solid ground beneath his feet again that Troy opens his eyes. Warmth lingers in his skin.
In front of his is the familiar sight of the hallway wall. His bedroom door is open and he is standing before it, much like how he was hours and hours before. The sun was setting now, his shadow casted on the wall.
Troy stretches his arms before he starts to move. He drops his bag onto his bed and runs a hand through his hair. He sits down beside it as he takes his shoes off. He should shower, he knows, but the idea of being in a bathroom with the memory of that creature still fresh is appalling.
He's still seated when the sound of the bathroom door opening makes him jump, snapping him from his daze. Seconds later, Riley's there, standing in the doorway, a towel around his neck.
He glares.
"Where the hell have you been?" he asks.
Troy leans back, closing his eyes. His arms act as a pillow as he lays down. "I told you, it was a business meeting."
"In San Francisco?"
"Yeah. For a company."
There's silence for a moment.
"You're being so vague," Riley says.
"I don't have to tell you everything," Troy dismisses.
"But if it's about work, shouldn't I know? We work together."
"You work for me. What happened today isn't something you need to know about." He opens one eye and looks at him.
Riley looks ready to cry. "Are you cheating on me?" he asks suddenly.
Troy sits up. "No way," he says. But their eyes don't meet. "I wouldn't, ever."
A pause.
"...okay." He turns. "I'm sorry."
They spend the night with their backs to each other, silent.