The years went by, and before both of them knew it, Ryan was back for the final holiday of his senior year of college.

It was also him and Troy's first year together in their very own apartment together. Since Ryan's parents were going away on a cruise for Christmas and Sharpay was tagging along, He was invited, but declined the invite when he realized he got home the day after the ship left. Also, he couldn't leave school early because he had exams on the last day.

So he and Troy sat together in their("it still feels weird to say, doesn't it Troy?") apartment. They had a tiny tree, some ornaments, and very few lights, so nothing fabulous could be done, but still, it was theirs.

Troy and Ryan looked at the apartment the end of summer break, and bought it a week and a half later. Over Thanksgiving break Troy came by to fix up everything, and the week before Ryan came, he moved in.

"Baby, don't you think we should have sprung for a house?" Ryan asked, feeling a little cramped in a room that would fit in his closet. His hat closet.

"Ry, we're young, fresh, college students. Do you think we have the money for a house?"

Ryan stared at Troy. Obviously money was never an issue in the Evans household.

"Besides," Troy finished,"It's cozy, right?"

"mmhmm" Ryan couldn't agree more, the house was cozy. It was just small.

"Now help me put the presents under our tree. But no peeking, there's a special one you have to wait until Christmas for." He kissed the blond on the lips, putting the largest package far behind the tree.

Ryan couldn't wait for Christmas

As the days past, and Christmas came, Ryan bounced into the living room. He didn't care he was half naked(he was with Troy,after all) and waited impatiently for his special present. Troy was torturing him by making that the last present he opened. Every time Ryan rested his hand on the big box, Troy jerked it away and handed him another one.

The gifts were more so typical house warming gifts. He got a toaster, cups, dishes. The gifts weren't exciting, and for that, Ryan knew he was going into adulthood. As the last of the presents were unwrapped, Ryan reached for the biggest one.

"Now Troy?" He asked, grinning impatiently like a puppy.

Troy nodded, grinning handing Ryan the big box as Ryan tore threw it.

He stopped to see a smaller box inside of the large box. "Trying to trick me, eh?" Ryan smirked, unwrapping the box. He frowned as another box was inside the previous one. After ten minutes of boxes inside of boxes Ryan was getting annoyed. "Jesus Troy, how many boxes are inside on boxes?

Troy studied the boxes."Just one more, I promise."

Ryan opened the final box to reveal the smallest box. He opened the lid of the smallest box and frowned, seeing it empty. "There's nothing."

"That's because the present isn't in there. Turn around."

Ryan did as he was told, and gaped at the sight of Troy kneeling on one knee. "Ryan, we've know each other for a long time. Twenty years in fact. I just wanted to say these last ten years,-despite being on and off- with you have been so, awesome. " Ryan chuckled at Troy's vocabulary use. "And well, Ryan Vance Evans, will you marry me?

Ryan looked Troy in the eye and nodded. "'Course. One thing?"

"What?"

"We won't tell Shar until the week of the wedding. After all, she still is in love with you."

"Wouldn't have it any other way, baby. Not any other way."