Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own

A/N: Ok here it is. Sorry it's been so long, but to be truthful I didn't know what I wanted to do with it, but I have reached the conclusion that it is not over. This next chapter is appalling short but I just wanted to Get back into the groove before writing longer chapters. Get what I am saying? I'm not sure if I actually like this chapter, and I'm sorry if it disappoints…but, there is still more chapters to come.

P.S. I'm slightly worried that this story might not appeal to anybody anymore because of the recent talks of every single RyanTroy story being too cliché.

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35 reviews for chapter 12. 167 reviews in total. On the favorites list of 43 members, and in the end I am still in disbelief. You really do not know how much your reviews mean to me. You keep me going. You keep this story going. You are all amazing, and a lot of your reviews brought tears to my eyes (In particular Allie's). Thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Much Love to you all!

Danielle (TillThatTime)

It Did

It ends quickly. Their lips pull away in one slow, rhythmic motion, but the kiss itself is short. Their breathing is erratic and hot tears still stain the skin of their cheeks. Their lips cease to touch but their faces are still close to one another. Their eyes never leave each others as Ryan slowly sits back on his hands. There is confusion and understanding wrapped all in one and it's hard to tell which is the more powerful.

Troy slowly reaches up to brush his fingers against his lips as if he is just realizing what has happened, though he knew all along and Ryan just continues to stare as if waiting for an unpleasant reaction that he hopes will never come. Troy is the first to break the silence.

"You kissed me."

"You let me."

It's so simple to view it that way. Ryan had kissed someone who had wanted to be kissed. It's so easy. Then why had everything changed?

"I know I did."

"Then do you regret it?"

Troy looks at him for a long while as if contemplating the correct way to answer this question. He reaches his conclusion and shakes his head slowly. The first smile of the day spreads across Ryan's cracked lips.

"Good."

"Good." Troy echoes the word as a small, tentative grins graces his lips as well. Troy slowly reaches his shaking hand out to Ryan and Ryan looks at him in bewilderment before understanding. He reaches his own hand out and their fingers brush lightly against each others before inevitably clasping together. No words are said for awhile as they stare down at their entwined fingers. Ryan does not attempt to kiss Troy again because both know that it's too soon. Just too soon, but the simple touch of hands is enough.

Time holds no meaning anymore as they sit in comfortable silence, lost in the thoughts of one another. Troy is still scared and Ryan knows it, but even the bravest of warriors have something to fear in the face of battle.

"But are you afraid, Ryan?" As if Troy had read his thoughts, the question cuts through the silence. Ryan does not hesitate in his answer.

"Terrified." Troy does not know how to interpret the answer because Ryan never shows his fear and Troy had believed he really didn't have any.

"Of what?"

"Of waking up."

Troy nods his head in understanding before slowly reaching over and pinching Ryan on the arm.

"Ow, Troy-"

"You're awake." A small laugh escapes Ryan's lips as he sees some of the old Troy shining through. The Troy that he had spent so many hours with, discussing life on a cold sink counter.

"You look like hell." Ryan says softly and Troy gives him a quizzical look.

"You're one to talk." Their laughter is quiet almost nervous, for both are unsure of how to act. They try to make it easier by cracking jokes. They try to cover up what has just happened without truly forgetting, because they need things to be easier. It's been so hard for so long and it just needs to be easy for once. They pretend that the kiss does not complicate things because in their mindset they really pray that it doesn't. They both know better, but it's easy to pretend. Troy looks down at his watch.

"It's getting late, Ryan."

"I know it is. Come on, I'll take you home." Ryan stands up slowly and helps Troy to his feet. Ryan moves to help Troy up the stairs but Troy stops him, staring at him seriously.

"This is going to be hard, isn't it?" Troy was asking a question that he already knew the answer to, and Ryan knew that he wasn't referring to getting up the stairs.

"It's never really easy." Ryan says truthfully.

"You know I thought the world would end."

"What do you mean?" Ryan asks, his confusion showing on his angelic features.

"I thought that if I let you kiss me that the world would end."

Another smile forms on Ryan lips as he leans up to lay a small kiss on Troy's forehead.

"It did." He replies shortly as he begins to help Troy up the stairs.