Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in big bang theory.


Chapter 5

A week passed and neither Leonard nor Priya had mentioned anything about Raj and Stuarts date. They of course had discussed it with each other but neither had the courage to ask Raj or Stuart about it.

"I should discuss this 'relationship' with Raj, Priya casually mentioned one evening over dinner with Leonard.

"Well why haven't you?"

"I don't want to spoil it, he seems so happy." Priya explained.

"You're right there." Leonard sighed. "It's a little strange; I didn't know he was into men."

"He isn't, I guess it's just Stuart."

A month passed after that conversation and finally Raj was comfortable enough to talk to Priya about him and Stuart. He decided sooner rather than later would be better, so that morning he got up early to ensure he wouldn't miss Priya on her way out.

"Hey, you're up rather early. Something you want to discuss?" Priya enquired upon seeing Raj seated on the sofa.

"I need to talk to you about me and Stuart."

"Go ahead you know I support all your decisions."

"Thanks. Well I'm stuck. I really like him but I don't know what to do about it. We go out in public, he's acknowledged that he's my boyfriend albeit not on facebook, and we've been physical."

"Too much info there, but you're happy?"

"Yes very, but it's been almost two months now, what's the next step. Only you and Leonard know out of our friends."

"OK here's my advice, and you can take it or leave it. Tell him how you feel and hold a party for your two month anniversary, then you can tell all your friends, but ask him about it first."

"Thanks, that was good advice." Raj said gratefully.

"You sound surprised."

"Stuart?" Raj said tentatively.

"Yes," Stuart replied sitting up from his lying position on the sofa, removing his head from Raj's lap.

"Hey you don't have to move." As Stuart laying back down, Raj began stroking his hair absentmindedly. "How would you feel about having a small gathering for our two month anniversary?"

"That sounds good, who would be coming?"

"My sister and friends, and anyone you want to invite. I want people to know about us."

"I'm ready for your friends to know but are you? They might think differently of you."

"I know, I know but," Raj hesitated for a moment, "I, well, I."

"Spit it out, your selective mutism covers women not me."

"Well the thing is and I don't know if it's too early to say this, and I'm really happy and I don't want to mess things up it's just that."

"You're rambling; say what you want to say."

"I love you," Raj finally whispered.

"Was that all? I love you too and I want everyone to know. So let's have this party tell your friends and then we can go on triple dates and you will not be left out."

"Thank you. I'm so relieved to tell you that."

"Hey you can tell me anything. I love you and that's what matters." Raj bent down to kiss Stuart and effectively ended the conversation.

Two days later and Raj had to invite his friends to the party; it was now that he had to tell the truth or come up with a pretty convincing lie. Penny had refrained from eating with them that day as she had been informed by Priya that Raj had to talk to the guys about something important and was she free next Saturday.

"I'm assuming no one has plans next Saturday," Raj opened with.

"No, way do you want to know buddy." Howard asked.

"I'm holding a party and I would like you to come."

"A party? What sort of party," Sheldon enquired, "I call flash if it is fancy dress."

"No Sheldon it's not fancy dress it's a formal occasion."

"Formal?" Leonard asked.

"Yeah come in suits, Priya and Bernadette are of course invited as well."

"What's it for Raj?" Howard asked confused as to why his friend would be having a formal party.

"It's my two month anniversary on Saturday and my partner wants to meet you," Raj casually explained, leaving out the gender of said partner.

"You've been hiding a girlfriend from us?" Howard asked shocked at the news.

"Well I didn't know if it was serious and I didn't want you mocking me if it went wrong."

"Hey, we wouldn't mock you Raj," Leonard informed him.

"Thanks."

"Raj can I talk to you in the kitchen for a second?" Leonard asked standing up. Raj got up to follow him curious to what Leonard wanted to say.

Once they were out of earshot of Sheldon and Howard Leonard asked, "When you said partner you didn't mean a female did you?"

"No Leonard I didn't."

"Well, can I ask is it Stuart?"

"You remember. Yes it is."

"Are you sure about this? Are you happy? You do know people will talk and be uncomfortable around you?"

"Yes I do but so long as I have Stuart I can cope and I know I have Priya and I hope you."

"I'm fine with it but what about you're other friends?"

"Do you mean Howard?"

"Yes."

"He'll be fine I know we were close but he won't think I was trying to come onto him. I mean yes we saw each other naked in the arctic but that was for warmth, nothing more."

"If you're sure."

"I am. Now I'm going to enjoy the rest of my food and then go and prepare a party."

Saturday came and Raj was full of nervous energy, he'd yelled at everyone who was trying to help and only Stuart could calm him down. The aforementioned helpers were Leonard and Priya as they were the only ones who knew, other than Penny. Fortunately for Raj Stuart was understanding about Raj not telling the others and didn't mind it being a surprise for them.

Eventually their guests arrived, Howard and Bernadette arriving first, then Penny and Sheldon, Penny having to give him a lift as Leonard was already there, she'd promised him a comic book if he didn't complain about the check engine light. The surprise was when a few of the people Raj had seen at the comic book store arrived.

"You invited your customers."

"Friends Raj friends." Stuart corrected, "I do have a few of those. I wasn't completely lonely before I met you."

"Fair enough now go and mingle before the big announcement."

As Stuart left him Raj took a mouthful of the beer he had with him and hoped nothing would go wrong. Over in the corner Raj could see Penny talking to Stuart.

"Are you ready for this?" Penny enquired politely.

"I am and I think Raj is too."

"Good, that's good." Penny enthused. "Well I'm going to go find Raj, see how he is and if he can talk to me."

"Sure."

"Hey Stuart," Stuart heard someone say. Turning round he saw that it was Howard.

"Hi, how are you?"

"Good. I didn't know you and Raj were friends. Do you know when his friend is coming?" The way Howard said friend made Stuart a little on edge.

"Yeah, we got talking at the store and bonded over Young Avengers." Stuart explained, casually ignoring Howard's question.

"I didn't know Raj liked Young avengers," Howard said.

"Young Avengers is an abomination, a rip off of the original Avengers, which made no sense in the first place. Why would the world need so many superheroes, when one will do?" A voice exclaimed from behind Stuart.

"Young Avengers is not an abomination, it's a one of a kind comic book that shows off the eagerness of youth and the Avengers team show how team work is important and sends a good message out to its readers." Stuart countered as Sheldon came into view.

"As a comic book store owner you should know what makes a good comic book, and Young Avengers is not one."

"Is Sheldon annoying you Stuart?" Stuart heard a familiar voice say.

"Yes he is Raj but don't worry we're having a friendly debate about Young Avengers."

"I'm with Stuart on the view of Avengers Sheldon. Now if you would like to gather round I have an announcement to make." Raj turned to leave picking up his glass and tapping it gently to get everyone's attention, turning to his small audience Raj began his speech.

"As you all know this is an anniversary party and some of you may be wondering, where is the lucky lady. Well this is the reason I held the party. Please don't judge me, Priya and Leonard haven't neither has Penny so no one else should either. I would like you all to meet my partner." Raj paused for a moment, his eyes wandering around the room. Upon seeing Priya's smile and Leonards thumbs up Raj continued. "My partner who you will all know from the comic book store, Stuart. I know some of you will be shocked others may be thinking 'but Raj you're not gay, you like women' and I'm not Stuart is an exception, he's like no one else I've ever met." Raj didn't know what the reaction would be but of all the scenarios that he had come up with cheers and clapping were not exactly one. He liked it though, the acceptance, the relief the washed through him was overwhelming and only Stuarts hand clasped in his was stopping him from fainting.

"Raj," he heard someone say, "Raj buddy can you hear me."

"Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" It was Howard who was trying to get a response from Raj.

"I was scared you would judge me."

"You really thought I would. You're happy I don't care who it's with. Yes I'm a little weirded out and surprised but judge you, never." To say Howard was surprised when Raj almost knocked him over with the force of his hug was an understatement, he didn't know Raj was strong enough.

"Thank you," Raj said quietly, "Thank you."

Once his big announcement was over Raj found that he could relax, however after all the congratulations from people and having the same conversation many times Raj started to become tired and just wanted to go to sleep. Stuart was now well accustomed to telling how Raj felt and quickly ushered everyone out of the apartment, barely listening to the praise he was receiving of the party, and ordered Raj to go to sleep. Once Raj was in his room Stuart collapsed onto the Sofa as Priya came over to talk.

"Tonight went well."

"Yes it did. It's a relief that people know now. We don't have to hide or pretend." Stuart told her.

"Anyway, I'll let you get some sleep and I'll see you and Raj in the morning."

"Goodnight."

"Sleep well Stuart and we'll clean this up tomorrow."


A/N: Hi, everything may seem fine at the moment but not everyone may be as tolerant as they seem.