Measure in Love.
AN: Yes I know that I normally put this at the end but I just need to say two things. This has nothing to do with RENT, I was just listening to seasons of love when I came up with this idea and the lyrics fit the idea of a couple's first year, but anyway if that's what you came to read then go now unless you want to read anyway (which I suggest you do). Secondly, as mentioned in the summary, this is slash so if you're to ignorant and closed minded to look past that then go now because I don't have time for bigoted homophobe's flames or stupid opinions. Enjoy!
New Year's Day.
There was no way Troy Bolton would have expected what had happened to happen. He had no idea why one of his best friends would do this to him. His mind was in such a state of shock and now he had no idea what was going on inside his head. Obviously he knew that Ryan was gay, I mean it's Ryan Evans or crying out loud! He dressed gay, he acted gay, and he had been in 18 school musicals, but what had happened had changed everything. The event repeated itself in his mind, playing on the back of his eyelids every time he closed his eyes to figure things out.
Everyone was in the living room of the Evan's mansion in front of the TV for the New Year countdown.
"5!"
Ryan was shouting along with the countdown just like everyone else in the room. This year hadn't exactly been the best year ever. He had been outed by someone he thought he could trust and people didn't exactly accept him straight away. He had gone through quite a bit of bullying and exclusion until summer when he had made friends with Chad Danforth at his families country club and pretty soon after that he had also made friends with Troy Bolton. Chad and Troy were unexpectedly accepting of his sexuality and when he returned to school no-one messed with him anymore.
"4!"
Troy was holding a glass of champagne in his hand and was shouting along with everyone else in the room. He had a strange feeling about this year. This year just felt like it was going to be special. He couldn't understand why but he knew that this year was going to be the start of something very new.
"3!"
Ryan's feelings for Troy had gotten stronger over the course of their friendship. He definitely didn't want to be "just friends" anymore. He wanted him and Troy to be so much more. Late at night he would lie awake, thinking about Troy waking up beside him, stroking his hair as he woke and kissing him gently while Troy pulled him closer into his arms.
"2!"
Troy had had quite a strange year. Shortly after the summer he and Gabriella had come to a mutual agreement that it would be best for them to just be friends. They had made up after the whole talent show incident but the lateness and date cancelling had continued so they both decided to call it off but continue to be friends. After this he didn't really get with another girl despite numerous offers. He just didn't feel any attraction to any of them even though many of them were the most beautiful cheerleaders in the school. Even now at this party he remained dateless and spent most of his time with his three best friends: Chad, Gabriella and of course, Ryan.
"1!"
Ryan was sick of always wishing. He wanted to do something about all this he was feeling. He wanted his fantasies to come true and it was not just going to happen by itself. He had to do something and he was going to!
"Happy new year!"
The crowd was shouting and hugging but all this seemed to dissolve away because on the count of midnight Ryan pressed his lips against Troy's in a moment of pure courage and love. The music and shouting melted away and all that was left was this kiss. It seemed as if it had lasted forever even though it must have only been a few seconds. Ryan looked at Troy's face and did not see anger, he did not see disgust, all he saw was confusion. He tried to choke out a sentence but before he could Troy was already running out of the room and up the stairs.
So now Ryan found locked in the bathroom with no sound coming from inside. Troy was slumped behind of the door with his head in his hands, trying to make sense of that which carried on playing in his mind. Ryan slid down the other side of the door, waiting for Troy to come to terms with this in his own time.
Troy must have known who was on the other side of the door. He knew that he would eventually have to talk about what had happened so he thought it would be better when he couldn't see him, so this would not be any more complicated.
"Why?" Troy asked.
"Why do you think?" Ryan replied. He really did not want to say the real reason, even though he knew he must eventually.
"Look, I think I know… I just want to be sure."
"I did it because…" Ryan's voice trailed off as he avoided the answer that would turn everything upside-down.
"… I love you."
Silence…
Troy knew this was coming but he had no idea how he was going to respond. This was all too strange. He should have said for him to get away from him, he should have screamed at him, he should have done a lot of things but instead the most unexpected words came out of his mouth.
"I love you too." He replied, only to once again stun both of them into silence.
He didn't expect to say that and Ryan certainly didn't expect to hear it, but it was true. This is why Troy had turned down all those girls and why he had been spending more and more time with Ryan. This is why he knew this year was going to be so special; he now had the one he wanted.
He opened the door and pulled Ryan towards him into a tight embrace and had their second kiss of the New Year, knowing there would be plenty more to come.
