Ok first off I would like to say sorry if I screwed up RENT. I have only ever seen and heard the motion picture version so I'm only guessing what the stage version is like. Second, thanks to all of my loyal fans (especially April) and would like to tell you now that I think this will be the last chapter only to be followed by the epilogue. So cry, scream, whatever. Maybe I'll change my mind…..

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This night was cold and stormy and Ryan lay in his bed, eyes closed, thinking about the brunette who had once more betrayed him.

Tap, tap, tap.

Ryan's eyes flew open as he heard the irregular tapping at his second story window. Half of him was afraid to look and see whom or what was making the noise and the other half of him was curious. This half got the better of him and he tiptoed over to his velvet-draped windows. He pulled back the sheet of red velvet and peered out to see none other than Troy Bolton staring at him. A bolt of lightning immediately illuminated Troy's face and he looked truly pathetic, all wet and sad like. Ryan opened his window and helped Troy into his room.

"What the hell are you doing…did you climb that tree?" said Ryan as he gazed at the old tree that had stood in the Evans's backyard since the birth of their twins. Troy nodded and Ryan noticed htat he was shivering.

"How long were you out there?" Ryan asked him.

A..a..while" said troy his teeth chattering. Ryan hastend to his bed and pulled from it his velvet comfortor which he proceede to wrap around Troy's shoulders. Then he wrapped his own arms around Troy's back.

"Wha..what…ah….are…ya…you…dddd….doing?" said Troy still shivering.

"Body heat." Ryan said simply. Troy could smell the sweet scent that was Ryan and he longed in his deepest desires that he could stay locked in Ryan's embrace for all of eternity.

When Troy finally stopped shivering, Ryan led him over to his bed and sat down next to him. For a moment, they both looked at each other, each searching, groping for something to say. They finally broke their gaze and looked to the floor. It was Troy who made the first move. He gently placed his head on Ryan's shoulder and for a split second, Troy was sure that Ryan would kick him out. But instead, Ryan leaned into Troy and rested his head on top of Troy's. They sat this way for nearly an hour before Ryan said,

"We cant go on like this you know."

Troy nodded and sighed.

"Ryan, I have to tell you something and I have to tell you now", he took a deep breath, "Please forgive me." Oh great, thought Ryan, here it comes, the "I just want to be friends" speech. But he was ever so wrong,

"Ryan Allen Evans," he began, "I believe, that from the first time we kissed, you and I had something special. Something that very few people find in a lifetime, true love. There's nothing about you that I would ever change and I want to spend my every breath with ou until the angels close my eyes forever." By this time, both boys were crying, "You are the most beautiful, talented, caring, giving, loving, and accepting person I have ever had the pleasure to meet. I wish that somehow you could find it in your heart to forgive me and to …to take me back. Now, and Forever." Through his tears Ryan whispered,

"So sure, so serious", He wiped Troy's tears away with his thumb. They stared at each other then, at the same time, they flung their arms around each other and sobbed into the silence.

When they finally calmed down, Ryan whispered,

"I love you Troy David".

"And god do I love you Ryan Allen." Troy replied with deepest sincerity.