A/N: It's been a while since I last updated this, huh? My sincerest apologies. I've been busy preparing this story for publication, which it will hopefully see, soon. Of course, alterations had to be made, but it is ultimately the same story, which I hope you guys will be willing to purchase from a store whenever "Don't Let Me Drown" gets published and hits the market.

Disclaimer: I own nothing pertaining to the "High School Musical" franchise. All related characters and locations are © of Disney.

Chapter 32: Payback

The halls were filled with the shrill ringing of bells. Students poured out into the hallways. With one strap of his book bag slung over his shoulder, Troy left his Pre-Calc class, muttering discontentedly under his breath.

Not long ago, Ryan had despaired over not comprehending the subject material. Being the ever dutiful boyfriend, Troy offered to assist him. Now, the brunette athlete found himself unable to grasp the concept of graphing exponential equations and quadratic polynomials, or whatever they were. He nearly laughed as he recalled something Chad had said, when their tests were passed back.

The bushy-haired athlete had let loose a groan of protest at the angry red "F" scored across the top of his paper. "Whoever invented this crap should have been strung up by their sac and sentenced to hang!"

While the teacher hadn't been so accommodating, Troy had cringed jestingly, pleased with his then, B-minus. "Ooh, harsh, dude."

In the present day, he more than agreed with his friend's sentiments. "Strung up, sentenced to hang, and drawn and quartered!" He added with fervency. The athlete made his way down the hall, moving his legs in long, swift strides, eager to see his trim, petite lover. Of course, Fate was notorious for pulling the wildcard.

Chace Cooper stepped out of the chemistry classroom. "Bolton," the slim brunette sneered. Contempt flashed in his hazel eyes.

"What do you want?" Troy inquired, his tone mild in spite of the fury that inflamed his innards.

"Do you know what I want?" Chace drew forward and the sea of students disappeared as the bodies that composed it diverged, trickling into their designated classrooms.

A glance around confirmed it; the golden boy and the boy hellbent on ruining him, were the only ones left in the hallways. The air about them crackled in anticipation of flinging fists.

"I want to see your "pretty" face so bloodied up, it's beyond recognition!" Chace snarled, stepping into Troy and giving the basketball player a shove.

Troy maintained his balance, his hackles rising at the assault. It would take a lot more to throw his momentum out of whack, but he couldn't be too sure just how much power the other boy was packing, and with his arm still messed up…"Look, Chace," he started slowly. "I don't know what your deal is, but you need to chill the fuck out. You need to think very carefully about the next thing you do. I'm the school's star basketball player. The principal loves me. You make a move against me, and you're the one who's going to-!"

His words only seemed to rile Chace incomprehensibly as the leaner boy dove forward, attempting to tackle Troy to the ground. Just barely keeping his footing, Troy extended his arms and seized Chace by the wrists. Chace struggled to escape, squirming and writhing, using his fury to torque Troy's wrists.

Gritting his teeth to bite back a cry of pain, Troy wondered how much longer he could hold out before Chace would be employing his deep seeded contempt to live up to his threat.

- - Don't Let Me Drown- -

Inside of the auditorium, Ryan was in the process of playing Canon in D, his slender fingers elegantly pressing down on the keys with precision and refined expertise after years of developing the skill. He busied himself with playing the lovely melody while waiting for Troy.

With the performance that would give them their grade for the first nine weeks of the semester in Drama right around the corner, they needed the time to fine tune several steps in their choreography. Troy's a little unsteady on the ball change in the second measure. And the timing of our shuffles could stand for a bit of tweaking, but other than that, we're pretty much set, Ryan noted to himself. A spark of confidence warmed his insides.

The other groups had been asking him for advice on how to jazz-up their own performances. While he appreciated being recognized for his abilities in the art of dance, he almost regretted being unable to rely on his ability to blend into the crowd and disappear.

It's still difficult. To deal with people, sometimes. His peers could be so boisterous, and, at times, he unwittingly exchanged the clamor for mocking jeers. He was terrified that they would ask him questions, reminding him of what he wanted only to put behind him. I almost wish I was still invisible to them. There was only one person at school that he felt truly comfortable with, the person who had seen all of him, and accepted it without question.

As he played out the final chords, letting their sound resonate before dying out, the lack of his partner began to eat at him. "Where is Troy?" He wondered out loud. Dropping his hands from the keys, he sat back on the stool, his eyelids falling pensively over his eyes. He remained that way for a moment, attempting to expand his consciousness. Utilize the mystical ability of spiritual location, he mused.

Despite his antics, Ryan was well aware that he was no psychic, he possessed no supernatural abilities. He was only human, and his human instincts told him that Troy's tardiness had a cause. A red flag was raised and an alarm flared. His pulse racing, he jumped put of his seat and sprinted down the aisle and out through the double doors.

Fear hit him with the force of frigid water splashing into his face and soaking through his clothes, chilling him internally. He had been here before. It had been but a week ago that he had traced this path, rushing to Troy's aid only to find his lover laying broken beneath a box. He could still picture it, every heart- wrenching detail seared into his brain.

But now. Now, would be different. He was presented with the opportunity to rectify the situation before it became irreparable. I fucked up once, but not this time. As long as there is life in my body, I won't, I can't let anything break you twice! Break you, or break us!

- -Hurry- -

Troy took a step back as his ailing limb failed him. He felt his bruised arm throbbing, but there was no time to tend to it.

It was Chace who threw the first punch, just as predicted. Troy just managed to dodge it by swerving out of the way at the last minute. Another jab was aimed at his throat. Ducking out of the line of fire, the jock wrapped his arms around the other boy's midsection, trying to immobilize him. Again, his arm proved to be a liability.

Chace struggled once more. He rammed his elbow back into Troy's taut stomach.

Troy grimaced. His brain sent out a frantic message to his arms to let go. His body responded with his pulse quickening and adrenaline levels skyrocketing. Relinquishing his grip, he stepped back.

Chace advanced on him, slamming the golden boy into the set of lockers adjacent to them. "Just you wait, you faggot." He brought his knee upward, jamming it into the taller boy's groin.

Troy barely stifled a groan, his eyes watering. Fuck.

"When I'm done with you," Chace growled near his ear, "I'm going to fuck up that limp-wristed, sashaying boyfriend of yours. Yank on his blond hair. Slam him into lockers. And maybe, he'll like it, that dirty little cum bucket."

That was it. Rage scored throughout Troy's body. He flung Chace off, the mist of tears replaced by a red haze. "You shut your fucking mouth!" He roared. Charging forward, he pinned the green-eyed boy into the lockers.

"Get the fuck off of me!" Chace spat, kicking Troy in the shins. His fist collided with the athlete's cheek.

Unleashing a cry of pain and outrage, Troy reached for Chace's fists, grappling with him the best he could. Breaking free again, Chace seized a clump of Troy's hair and yanked on it, tossing him into the opposite row of lockers.

Before Troy had time to recover from the impact of his shoulder blade hitting the metal door of the locker, Chace was on him. Hate darkened the lean brunette's eyes, contracting his pupils into slits of abhor. He took Troy by the collar of his shirt and slammed him into the lockers.

The golden boy clenched his teeth, nearly biting his tongue as pain shot through his body. He struggled as hard as he could, but it was futile. Chace tightened his hold, constricting his windpipe, and cutting off the oxygen supply to the athlete's lungs. Troy's back repeatedly met the red painted metal of the locker, the sensation shooting along his spine, his skull. His vision swam and nausea assaulted him. The laceration was unrelenting. He could feel himself slipping away, sinking, even as he fought to stay afloat. Black spots danced before his eyes.

He wasn't sure how much time had passed, but he became aware that the intense discomfort had been ameliorated. "Troy!" He heard a muffled voice calling to him. "Troy, please stay with me!" It was panicked, but familiar.

His vision gradually clearing, wearily, he looked up. A pair of sky colored eyes set in a soft, fair face came into focus. Stretched wide with terror, they peered into his own. He attached an identity, a name to their owner, his rescuer. His lover. "Ryan."

Those blue eyes, burning with concern, looked him over, surveying the damage. "Oh, Troy. I should've gotten here sooner! I-!" Lean arms swept Troy into an embrace, drawing him into the silky, shimmering material that covered the performer's shuddering chest. A muffled sob sounded next to the brunette boy's ear.

Still slightly dazed, Troy looked past Ryan to find Chace lying sprawled out on the floor, unmoving, and easily inferred after a moment's examination, that the overly aggressive boy was unconscious. There was no doubt in his mind who was responsible. Warmth swelled in his chest at the thought.

Ryan's delicate hand stroked through the athlete's silky hair. "It's alright, Troy," he choked out, his steady voice cracking as the revelation sank in. "It's going to be okay…!"

Troy felt tears sting his eyes. His chest swelled with adulation for the blond male. In spite of everything, Ryan had proved strong enough to take Chace out. He's stronger than me! And here he is, comforting me when… when he's the one who needs comforting. He raised his arms, wrapping them around the theater king's slender form. "You saved me," he managed with a smile. "Ryan, it's alright. You saved me."

"I-I had to…" The smaller boy's voice dwindled off. "I had to!" He repeated, his self-control abandoning him as he faced the significance of his deed. He had knocked a boy unconscious, he had physically harmed another human being with strength that frightened him. But it was for Troy. He had done it to save Troy.

"I know you did." As soon as Troy uttered those words, validating everything, the dam broke. Every emotion that had been repressed, surged forth, sweeping them up in its tide. Tears spilled over Troy's eyes, running down his cheeks and Ryan's body shuddered with sobs, tears streaming down his porcelain face and dampening his dress shirt. All that they had been through, all of the insane ups and downs of their relationship, the unthinkable that had nearly happened, all of it was relived through every tear shed.

And with Chace down, the struggle would be over. They would go to Troy's father who would take the situation straight to Principal Matsui. Then it would be Chace's word against that of East High's golden boy and theater king. Just like Troy had threatened earlier, Chace was going to pay the consequences. It's one of the only advantages of being "one of the divine", Troy mused drily to himself.

Several moments passed. The flow of their tears ceased. Troy wiped away the remaining ones on Ryan's face. "Thank you," he murmured.

"You don't need to thank me," Ryan remarked. His chest was suddenly so much lighter. The two of them emerged, not unscathed, but victorious all the same. They would not bask in the glory and spills of victory quite yet. Instead, the blond let out an awkward chuckle. "Look at us, look at me. I look utterly ridiculous, like a soap opera reject, sobbing on the hallway floor in school." He wiped at his reddened eyes, a wry smile on his face.

Troy's gaze flitted over the boy's smooth face, taking in his red, puffy eyes and tear stained cheeks. He imagined that his own face mirrored his blond partner's. He saw past the aftermath of the crying episode and his eyes were met with the roundness of Ryan's cheeks, a welcome contrast to the gauntness that had greeted them at the end of the summer. He saw the sparkle in Ryan's eyes, a brilliant luster that reflected the illumination of his soul. Could that face, those eyes belong to the same boy who, not even a month before, had resigned himself to wasting away, awaiting a sweep of Death's scythe to remove him from the earth? The boy who's gaze had been listless and hollow? It seemed unfathomable, and yet, it was all that the brunette basketball player ever could have asked for. "Ryan, you look absolutely breathtaking," he said, with the merest hint of incredulity to his voice.

"'Breathtaking', huh?" Ryan brushed fresh tears, ones that Troy recognized as tears of happiness, from his eyes, smiling slightly. He let out a peculiar laugh. "I probably look like a damn mess."

"Not to me." Troy cupped the blond's chin, tilting it as he pressed a kiss to the other boy's candied lips. "You're beautiful, Ry. Always."

Ryan's eyes glowed, the words making his heart liquefy and his stomach flip over.

With a noise between a groan and a sigh, Troy made to lay his battered body against the lockers. He was physically and emotionally exhausted, and nothing sounded better to him than drifting off to sleep.

Ryan would have none of it. "No you don't. You could have a serious concussion. Here." Sitting himself upright, he situated himself near the lockers and patted his shoulder, indicating that it serve as a pillow to the athlete.

Troy inquired, "You sure babe?", more than aware of his muscle mass.

"I couldn't be more sure if I tried. I want you to stay awake and talk to me, okay?"

"Alright." Troy leaned against Ryan's shoulder, his cheek resting against the silky material covering it. "That bastard wanted to freaking attack you after he dealt with me," he said, his lips curling and nose crinkling as though he had tasted something particularly foul. "I did everything I could to hold him off."

"You did everything you could," Ryan interjected gently, his heart thudding at the thought of the merciless whaling he had seen. There was nothing Troy could have done in that position. "My brave warrior, my protector, fallen in the line of duty," he fretted, his inflection taking on a slight English accent. "I shall seek out the aid of the finest medical practitioners in all the land to nurse you back to health."

Troy laughed in spite of himself and the stinging on his cheek. "Never you fear, my handsome prince." He, too, took up the English accent only to drop it as he assured the boy, "I'll be fine tomorrow."

Ryan shook his head, an amused smile curling the ends of his pink-lipped mouth.

Troy picked up the accent once more. "I entrust my body to your capable hands."

The performer blushed at the double-meaning of the basketball captain's words. Under any other circumstance, he might have playfully swatted at the boy for ruining the mood, but he simply couldn't bring himself to this time. His heart melting as well as the rest of his body, he opted instead for embracing the virile brunette. I have every intention of taking care of you, Troy. Together, we'll heal until every bruise, every hideous battle scar is nothing more than a bad memory. "I'll do my very best," he promised resolutely.

"Do you think Chace is gonna rise from the dead anytime soon?" Troy asked. The motion of his jaw could be felt against the younger Evans's neck.

"No, I…" Ryan trailed off. Taking a breath, he summoned his strength and spoke in a strong, full voice, owning up to his deed. "I t-took care of him."

"Good," Troy said with a tone of pleased dismissal.

Ryan was not all that surprised to see pride gleaming in the boy's ocean blue eyes. As silence settled in, the blond began to hum softly, melodiously. Words took form on his lips.

A ray of golden light

You shine through the night

I'll keep your flame glowing

Never dimmed, forever alight

Together, we'll fight off the shadows

Of cruel memories

Now that I have you,

I live again

And it's you that I'll never leave

When the bell rang and students poured into the hallway, the three males were still there; one lying on the floor, rendered momentarily immobile and seemingly lifeless, and the other two sat upright, snuggled into each other's arms. The only thing that all three of them had in common was that they were all off in another world.

A/N: The next chapter: The Boltons find out about Troy and Chace's fight. Stay tuned!