"Do you think we actually make googly eyes to each other?"
"Yes." Replied Abed, blasé as always, "We do share a bromance, after all. A real relationship between us has sort of always been on the cards."
"Wait, what? You think so?" Troy was definitely not expecting that kind of answer.
"Well, yes." Now Abed looked baffled. He scrutinized his friend's face, trying to understand what he was feeling, "Have I made you uncomfortable?" he continued.
"No, I- I just. I had never thought of us like… that. You have?" Asked the youngest curiously.
"Sure. The dynamics of our relationship create a perfect environment for a romantic relationship to develop." Abed's face still robotic, as if he was talking about a show and not real life.
Troy had to think about it. Meanwhile, his best friend kept an expectant silence. "Ok." He finally uttered. "How do we know if we can be? are gonna be? a couple?"
"We kiss." replied the older man confidently.
"Oh. OH. Ok." They kept silent for a while. Abed looked at him like expecting something "Wait. Like… now?" Asked Troy, uncertain of what to do.
"Now is as good a time as any." Replied the older one.
Troy got up from the armchair and stood there, in front of the still–sitting Abed.
"Aren't you gonna… stand up?" You could practically taste the awkward in the room.
"Right. Yes. Standing up." Announced Abed. But clearly Troy had not calculated the distance properly, because once they were both standing in front of each other, their noses were an inch away.
"So, yeah." Troy said and smiled awkwardly, "Hmm, do you want me to–"
But Abed didn't let him finish. With his sealed lips, he kissed an open–mouth Troy and… it really wasn't too romantic. As soon as the kiss ended (instead of getting even more uncomfortable), Troy let out a little chuckle, grabbed Abed's face and kissed him again. Tender touch, eyes closed.
"Now that's a kiss." Said the former athlete as he took a step back to leave more space between them.
"But did you like it?" Always Abed with the awkward questions. Yeah, of course he had liked it. That second kiss had been freaking awesome. And he definitely wouldn't have kissed Abed back if the fist one had been unpleasant. But… what if Abed wasn't as into it as him? He hadn't considered that possibility. What if now they wanted different things and their friendship was ruined? Troy's mind was now scaring him so he stopped thinking.
"So?" Abed tilted his head and waited for an answer.
"Did you?" replied the younger one, rather defensively.
"Yes." Said Abed, as if he had been asked if he wanted Lucky Charms for breakfast. "What about you?
"Oh, thank God." Troy's voice filled with relief, "Yes, I liked it, too."
"Cool. Cool, cool, cool. So we're boyfriends now?" Bluntly asked Abed.
Troy was used to his friend's behavior, so he didn't mind. "Well, I guess we are." He said, and smiled at the realization. A sudden beam from his (boy)friend was simply too cute to ignore. He cupped his cheek again, and kissed him tenderly. But this kiss was longer and more passionate. Troy knew that his partner could kiss really well (Annie's words), and thought that now he had all they time in the world to actually experience it for himself.