Troy found it surprisingly easy to tell his friends the truth about why he didn't tell them he was bisexual, at the start, but realized he was gay. Also that he'd been dating Hunter for three months until they fought and Hunter left Troy for not saying anything. It also came out that Hunter is the one who initiated them getting back together last night because he missed Troy and wanted him back. Hunter was also willing to keep the relationship private in order to allow Troy his own time, however long it took, to come out as gay. Thankfully, it had not yet been brought up if they were having sex; Troy and Hunter were grateful for that and knew they could say no if it got asked, but that would probably only make everyone more curious to if it was going on. The shocking part of tonight, though, so far; was Troy and Hunter learning from the those they thought only just learned a few days ago that they knew something was going on all these months gone by. So now, everyone was still sitting at their tables, which were close enough for them to chat among themselves.
"Wait a second…" Hunter started.
"You all knew something was going on between us?" Troy finished the question.
"We did," Griffin chuckled.
"Explain," Hunter invited.
"Well, for starters…It was when Jay was still alive, but I was in the bathroom when you two were arguing," Sean informed. "I heard Hunter confront you, Troy, and stayed hidden in the stall, watching through the crack of the door and wall." He added. "So I saw the kiss, and heard the accusation Hunter laid on about you liking him and that's why you bullied him."
"And I wasn't too far from when Jay and Hunter cornered Troy to talk about that kiss, suggesting he was bi or gay." Satomi mentioned.
"We all saw Hunter and Troy talking that day in gym. Never heard what it was about, but we know Troy left first and then Hunter was right behind him, having offered to take his backpack to him in the bathroom since he was headed there before next class." Hank revealed.
"We figured you were in there together because we'd been right behind you two and we never saw Hunter come out before we went in and all the stall doors were open except the last one Troy had to be in." Kody shrugged.
"Then there was the day Hunter left Glee practice and walked off. We saw Troy suddenly get a phone call and go off in the same direction as Hunter," Nadine mentioned.
"Oh, and when Hunter came back from being sick and you were all headed to the auditorium; we heard Sam and Blake talking in the locker room before practice started that night about how surprised they were Troy was bisexual and dating Hunter, but happy that you were both happy." Thaxter stated.
"And we know it was you and Hunter in the bathroom before the breakup happened. You'd both gone far too quiet after called out that Troy's bag was on the floor. There was too much overwhelming evidence something was going on. What confirmed the dating was Blake and Sam talking about it, though. The only thing knew for us to learn was you being gay and loving Hunter." Tucker informed.
"But it was pretty convincing that female voice Hunter used," Tristan laughed a bit.
"Point is…We knew something was up and we were just waiting for you to tell us yourself, Troy. Honestly…I only kissed you to see if you'd speak up about being in a relationship." Star enlightened softly.
"Well, I feel stupid now…" Troy mumbled.
"Don't babe. It happens, and you still had valid reason to believe they wouldn't accept things. In reality…Them not coming forward to confront you, also keeping secrets that they knew, is their own fault for you not coming forward." Hunter smiled.
"Yeah, he's right. Don't feel stupid, Troy," Becka agreed.
"We should have confronted you about everything we saw and heard," Brandon informed.
"And asked right out if it was all true, or what was going on." Brady nodded.
"Also let you know that we're your friends and we support your choices, and accept you as you are." Satomi added.
"Well, things went the way they did. Can't change the past or turn back time to do it differently," Madison chuckled. "All that matters is everything is out in open now and we're all still very good friends with one another."
"Maddie is right," Simon said.
"So…What is everyone's plans for after high school?" Serena inquired.
And from there, the conversation turned to summer plans. Some were just getting jobs, and others were going to college. Some were doing both. Hunter and Troy revealed they were applying to Barbarchi University, and planning to dorm together since you could choose your roommate when accepted. The others who were going to college were still picking where they wanted to go because there were a few places they could go, including community college. The time was slowly ticking away to 6:30 pm, but while the friends were laughing and having a good time, they stopped and looked behind where Hunter was.
"What's up?" Troy asked them.
"Someone here to see you, Hunter," Melanie informed.
Hunter looked over his shoulder to see Marcus. "What do you want?" Hunter questioned.
"A favor…" Marcus mentioned.
"You have no right to ask anything of me after what you did…" Hunter remarked.
"Come on, that was months ago…" Marcus reminded.
"Time passed doesn't mean I've forgotten that you had Jay drugged so you could sleep with him all because I told you no." Hunter folded his arms over one another, then a leg over the other. "Don't start with me tonight because I'll kick your ass and get hauled out in cuffs over it, but not before I tell everyone here what really happened."
"Alright, alright. Sorry…" Marcus sighed. "I don't want to fight with you."
"Then what do you want…" Hunter asked.
"Can I talk to you in private?" He asked calmly.
Hunter sighed and got up. "Be right back, babe," He pecked Troy's cheek and walked off with Marcus.
"Wonder what all that's about?" Felicity looked to the others.
"He knows he doesn't stand a chance in hell of getting Hunter to be with him even though Jay is gone. Hunter made that clear by kissing Troy and calling him babe," Steven said.
"I don't think it's about that," Lyla mentioned. "I just noticed that other members of Valhalla Harmonics are here too."
"The older ones who graduated last year?" Elijah asked as Lyla nodded.
"You think Marcus is gonna ask Hunter to get the group back together for a couple performances?" Oliver wondered.
"Why else would he ask to talk to Hunter, who just happens to be in charge of tonight's entertainment?" Wynter pointed out.
"She's got a good point," Jason shrugged. "Guess we'll have to wait and see."
After ten minutes, Hunter returned to the room as Marcus was breaking off to go towards the people Lyla had mentioned were there and part of the old academy group of singers. Hunter walked by the group of tables his friends were at.
"Get ready," He said lightly.
"All of us, or just the boys?" Natalie asked.
"We're mixing it up between some just boys, and others, all." Hunter continued walking towards the front and soon Marcus joined him on his left.
"Really surprised he agreed to do anything as a favor to Marcus," Fredrick said.
"It's probably not for Marcus. It's for President Morgan, who is Marcus's uncle…" Rachel informed.
"Likely," The others agreed.
. . .
The males of Valhalla Harmonics performed a song together and then Hunter brought over the girls to do another one. By the time all that was over, the guests were applauding and cheering while the group eventually made their way back to their tables to enjoy the dinner being served. There was choice of spaghetti and meatballs, or stuffed chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, also a choice of corn, broccoli, or carrots as another side. Troy and Hunter both got stuffed chicken, Hunter got broccoli and Troy got carrots. Hunter admitted he didn't do cooked carrots because it was a texture thing and there were too mushy for him. Troy got a chuckle out of it; they still learned new things about one another every day, or a few times a week. Dinner was pretty peaceful, everyone ate and chatted with their tablemates.
"This is so good," Addilyn beamed, having also gotten stuffed chicken, with corn and mashed potatoes.
"It is really good," Shane agreed. "What do you think Hunter?"
"I'm eating it, aren't I?" Hunter chuckled. "It's catered by a nearby restaurant." He added.
"I'm loving these mini-meatballs." Troy said. "Wanna try one, babe?"
"Sure," Hunter replied as Troy brought over his fork and let Hunter snatch the mini meatball from the tip. "Mm, that is good. Wanna try some of the chicken?"
"Okay," Troy responded as Hunter got a bite of the chicken and mashed potatoes for Troy to eat. "Juicy chicken, perfectly seasoned. And the potatoes are hand mashed for sure. I love them like that and with the skins in too…"
"Me too actually. But none of my other siblings will eat it," Hunter laughed a bit.
"Same." Troy smiled. "Your performances were really good with the others. It's like you never stopped being Valhalla Harmonics despite the year apart." He stated.
"Well we had worked together for years prior. It didn't take much for us to regroup when we all stayed practicing. Marcus and the others members have their meet-ups outside of college and work. And I've had the other members all this year for competition." Hunter explained. "Really not hard to regroup and go with stuff we know."
"Still sounded great." Troy informed.
"Thanks." Hunter continued eating.
"Are you doing more after we eat, big brother?" Hollie inquired.
"Maybe. Everyone seems to be fine with just the background music," Hunter said calmly. "But I do love performing too."
"You could totally make it as a professional singer, Hunter…" Nathaniel reminded.
"Nope. I'm good with doing it as a hobby," Hunter told them. "I was thinking of getting Soul Harmonics up there…Would you still sing with me?" He looked at his boyfriend.
"Of course." Troy answered. "We make a good pair, after all,"
"That we do…" Hunter laid his head on Troy's shoulder and he kissed his forehead. "Love you."
"Love you too." Troy hugged Hunter with an arm around his shoulders, then they got back to eating.
The meal continued until everyone was done and sitting back to relax while staff came around to collect plates from people. Music was still playing in the background while everyone basically stayed where they were to digest the amazing dinner. Hunter wasn't sure if he'd go through with having Soul Harmonics perform. The group was technically over now with competition done. Sure they were all friends and would probably be happy to perform together again, but at the same time; Hunter wasn't overly worried about it. At best, it would have just been another entertainment bit. It was only about 7:15 pm right now. Dessert wasn't due to be served until about 8 pm to give people time to sit with their dinners. As far as Hunter knew dessert was cake and ice cream with some little treats set out like cookies and brownies. Beyond all that, the party would likely stop at 10 pm. There was no need to drag it out longer. Hunter knew he had work tomorrow, then Troy's game, so he didn't want to be up super late tonight. By the time this event was over, and clean up, it would be about 11 when Hunter got home. Then he would probably shower before actually getting to sleep around midnight, since the drive back to Berk was thirty-forty minutes.
Hunter supposed he didn't care, it was a fun night. Hunter was happy to have won all the competitions in first place with Soul Harmonics, and that he was now back with Troy and getting to enjoy tonight with friends and family. It wasn't too much longer when Marcus approached Hunter to ask if he'd play some slower dancing songs, including a specific song where for his uncle and aunt to dance to because it was their wedding song. Hunter merely nodded and pulled out his phone to pick some songs as a new playlist that were both normal and slow for dancing to. The event picked right back up with people starting to move onto the dance floor and have a good time while dinner continued to get cleaned up and dessert was being set up.
"Wanna go dance, babe?" Troy inquired.
"What?" Hunter asked, surprised at the request.
"I said, do you want to go dance?" Troy repeated with a smile. "Practice before prom? I'm not that good of a slow dancer…" He admitted.
"I could teach you," Hunter offered. Then he got up and took Troy's hand. "Come on…" He pulled Troy to the dance floor and found them a spot where they wouldn't bump into anyone. "It's nothing fancy, babe," Hunter said. "We have to get closer, like we do when we make love…" Troy blushed but their bodies came together as Hunter put Troy's hands at his waist, then Hunter's arms went up and around the back of Troy's neck. "Now, we move…Nice and slow, in a sway but turning in a circle…" Hunter got it started and Troy found it was very easy. Eventually, Hunter closed his eyes and put his head on Troy's shoulder to relax while they kept moving together while the song played through.
"They really do look together," Lyla smiled.
"I'm just glad they're both happy," Steven chuckled.
"They deserve it," Jason agreed.
"I find it hilarious that it took this long for everything to come out," Blake laughed. "I'm glad it is now."
"I still can't believe Hunter made the first move the other night after competition and asked Troy if they could talk. I've never seen him make the first move before." Shane mentioned.
"Hunter understood that all relationships require sacrifice and while he hated the idea of keeping things quiet to stay with Troy; he knew that his sacrifice was waiting for Troy to come out to you on his own." Zayden remarked. "Just as Troy's sacrifice had been willing to lose friends to keep what he had with Hunter. Both of them knew that things were going good and they were happy, so sacrifices were necessary to keep things going. However, Troy ended up saying something on his own, in fear to lose Hunter for good during that shooting. And Hunter was willing to hide for Troy's sake." He explained. "Hunter will always love Jay; that was his first love and you never forget that no matter how much time passes. That is the person you first learn of what love feels like, hence why it's called a first love. So no matter how things ended, you never forget that person and like with many relationships; there will always be a part that continues to love that person."
"But while always loving Jay as his first love; Hunter has come to love another and as more time passes, he's moved on. Keeping Jay in his heart and mind as the past, but not holding himself back from a future with someone else." Fredrick continued.
"Exactly." Zayden nodded. "No one knows if they'll last, but they've already made it back to each other once. There's hope for the future that they share together."
"You mean like, forever?" Gabriella stated.
"Any person you're with you hope ends up being the one. There's just no way to tell until it happens. Even people who are married can get divorced and find love again." Zayden smiled.
On the dance floor, Hunter and Troy continued to dance together. Hunter's head was on Troy's shoulder as they moved together, soaking up the moment as it was. Hunter couldn't believe how his life had gone since leaving the academy; to think he was now dating the man who had bullied him, but then they became friends and now lovers. Hunter still missed Jay a lot, but it was getting easier. Hunter was happy with Troy; he very much looked forward to where things went for them. There was already the talk of going to college together; Hunter still had to help Troy fill out the paperwork. The male had good grades; it shouldn't be hard for him to get accepted. Even better if there was a sports scholarship involved, and the best part was sharing a dorm together. Of course, their friends didn't know of their plans yet; it would come out by the time the graduation party came around because there would be nothing but talk of where they went beyond high school.
"You're a really good dancer, Hunter." Troy complimented.
"Lots of practice," Hunter smiled up at his boyfriend. "You're doing just fine."
"You taught me," Troy chuckled. "I'm happy we're back together, Hunter."
"Me too, babe," Hunter replied. "I'm happy with you, Troy."
Troy smiled wide. "I'm happy with you. Happier than I ever thought I could be; you changed my life, Hunter. I'm eternally in your debt."
"You were just as much there for me, Troy. You owe me nothing," Hunter informed. "We helped each other this year and look where it's got us. You helped me heal and I helped you discover who you are and meant to be." He stated calmly.
"Your other friends could have done what I did," Troy reminded.
"But they didn't, Troy. They were all too scared to set me off, and they didn't understand my pain like you did. You knew what I needed and you pushed me to face it so I could actually mourn and start healing." Hunter explained. "You helped me far more than you could ever imagine, Troy. I'm the one in your debt,"
"How about we just call it even and keep on what we're doing? Being there for each other?" Troy suggested.
"That's an idea I can get behind," Hunter agreed as he looked into his boyfriend's eyes, and Troy returned the look.
Troy leaned in first, capturing Hunter's lips in a passionate kiss. Hunter closed his eyes and kissed Troy right back. The action held for a short time before they broke it and both laughed a little. There would be better times for them to get lost in their kiss, but it wasn't right now with so many eyes on them. The two only just realized they were the last ones on the dance floor.
"I love you, Hunter," Troy said gently.
"I love you too, Troy," Hunter replied.
The two held hands and walked off the dance floor together; the night was still young, but this was a fun night overall.