Believe it or not, basketball season was Ryan's favorite part of the school year. Those few months were his guilty pleasure. His dirty little secret. Though not much of a secret. Him showing up for the games had stopped being a surprise somewhere around the fourth game of the season sophomore year. Now Wildcat fans just expected him to be there. It probably would have been more shocking if he hadn't shown. You could count on one hand how many games he'd missed in the last three years, and it was just kinda expected that he'd be there.
Yes, his presence was expected and accepted, but people still wondered why he was there. Even with his loyalty to the East High Wildcat Varsity basketball team, he was still considered the consummate musical theater geek. He was still pigeon holed into that role. And folks were curious as to why the openly gay, theater lover would be so obsessed with a sport.
If only they knew.
Troy Bolton knew. He knew all about it. In fact, he knew all there was to know about Ryan Evans. Knowledge just kinda comes with the title of "Boyfriend." He still remembered the first time he'd asked Ryan about it. They were lying in the grass at the Evans estate. Troy on his back with Ryan using his belly as a pillow. He was playing with Ryan's fingers as they talked.
"So what's with the basketball fascination, huh? You've been coming to the games for years."
Ryan rolled over and propped his chin on Troy's belly. "What? I can't come support my boyfriend?"
Arching an eyebrow Troy lifted his head to look at Ryan. "You were coming long before I tripped out of the closet and landed at your feet." Ryan chuckled, thinking about the day Troy was referring to. Troy had literally tripped out of the janitor's closet he'd been using as a hide out while skipping English and fallen at Ryan's feet. That fall had led to the friendship that had been a precursor to Ryan's first real relationship. "Come on babe. Tell me."
Sighing Ryan sat up. He didn't really want to tell Troy why he'd been at all the games. "Don't laugh, ok?" Troy nodded and Ryan continued. "I went to all the games because…well…I liked to watch you do what you're good at. It's sexy watching you be all powerful and in charge and…and…sweaty."
Surprised Troy sat up and took Ryan's hand. He leaned forward to steal a kiss whispering, "I understand. That's exactly why I signed up for drama."