I'm baa-aack. Ok, so I didn't actually go anywhere. I've even posted a couple of other Jyder fics while I've been waiting to write this. One of them is some one-shots from this 'verse from Jake's POV. So check those out if you're interested.

I'll be updating this slower than I did last time. Hopefully that way I won't have to take anymore breaks before the end of the season. And if I'm lucky, I might even have an episode or two of buffer.

I'm posting this a few days earlier than I planned to, so hopefully that doesn't mess up my timing too much.

So, for this chapter, I figured the Ryder/Unique feud wouldn't happen. Since they're both under the LGBTQ umbrella in this fic, I think Ryder would be more understanding. Also, obviously, the drama about kisses wouldn't happen either.

In this fic, I'm really not concerned about who Katie is. In fact, she's prob completely legit. She also lives in a completely diff state. And I'm not sure whether she'll even appear in other chapters. Also, I didn't put in any spelling mistakes for Ryder as I don't know enough about dyslexia to have mistakes that would seem legit. So just pretend there are mistakes.

It's a Sunday evening, and Ryder's bored. He's texting Jake, but he has to wait ages for each reply since Jake's playing COD at the same time. It's not enough to keep him occupied, and he doesn't know what else to do. He casts his eye around the room, landing upon his laptop. Maybe he could go on Facebook, he hasn't been on there in a while. It always takes an effort to decipher everyone's shortened words.

He opens the browser, logging in quickly. When it loads, he sees he has three notifications, a message, and a friend request. He clicks the button. Katie Jensen. That doesn't ring any bells. It wouldn't hurt to have a look at her profile though.

A few minutes later, Ryder is clicking the accept button. He feels a bit awkward about it since he doesn't actually know her, and they don't have any mutual friends. But they have a lot in common, liking similar movies and music. She even likes the Three Stooges as well, which he's sure Jake will appreciate. And it doesn't hurt that he absently notices that she's vaguely good looking.

Ryder clicks through his other notifications. The message from Jake is over a week old – 'Hey cutie. Just wanted to let you know how unfairly hot you are in your dp. Miss you, I'll see you tomorrow.' Ryder laughs, amused at how much more expressive Jake is in writing. He replies quickly before poking Jake back, and reading the two conversations from posts he'd commented on.

He's just beginning to wonder what to do next when a chat window pops up.

Katie: Ryder, I'm so glad you accepted me.

Ryder: Sorry it took so long. Why did you add me tho?

Katie: I saw your comment on the New Girl page. It was funny. And you're cute :P

Well, that was pretty blatant, as far as flirting went. He would have to set her straight. Although there was no way he could tell her about Jake. Yet.

Ryder: Just so you know, I'm in a relationship. Friends tho?

Xxx

A few days later, Ryder's logging back into Facebook, which is unusual for him. He had a really good chat with Katie the other day though, so he's hoping she'll be online again. When the page loads, he's excited to see that she is. They talk casually for a while before Katie's changing the subject.

Katie: So tell me about this girlfriend of yours.

Ryder thinks for a moment, trying to decide what to do. Can he risk telling Katie? At worst, she'll decide she doesn't want to know him. That's not too bad he supposes; he hasn't really known her all that long. And she doesn't know anyone from Lima, so it's not like she can out him. Eventually, he replies.

Ryder: Actually it's my boyfriend. Jake. He's pretty amazing.

Katie: How long have you been together?

Ryder: Nearly 3 months.

Katie: That's sweet. I'm just looking at his photos, he's a real hottie!

Ryder: Yea, he is. I feel so lucky.

Katie: I bet everyone at school's real jealous of you.

Ryder: No one really knows. Just our glee club.

Katie: You're not out?

Ryder: Nah, not yet. We've both decided we're not ready to tell our parents or anyone else yet.

Katie: That's cool. I guess when you're both ready, right?

Ryder: Yea, exactly. Thanks for being so cool about this.

Xxx

Jake and Ryder are curled up on the couch in Ryder's lounge, rewatching a movie they're studying in English. Well, they're kind of watching, but Ryder's feeling distracted by the patterns that Jake is drawing into his palm. He's not sure, but he thinks Jake might be writing something out. It's hard to tell though, much harder than trying to read words off a page.

Suddenly, Jake is turning on the couch, his grip on Ryder's hand now firm. 'I want to tell my mom about us.'

Ryder looks up, starting to panic. 'What? No, please, we can't.'

'But I'm sick of hiding it from her.'

'Yea, but we agreed we'd tell our parents at the same time,' Ryder reminds him. 'So we can go through the experience together. And I can't do it, Jake. I can't tell them.'

'Because you're ashamed of me.' It's not a question. Ryder can't stand how hurt Jake looks.

'No, no, definitely not. I – '

'Really?' Jake's voice is hard now, cruel almost. 'Because that's what it seems like. Like you want to hide this away from the world. Pretend like this doesn't mean anything.'

Ryder's trying to fight back the urge to cry now. 'What, no, babe, this means everything.'

'It doesn't seem like it,' Jake tells him, getting up. He's nearly at the front door when Ryder reaches him, clutching at his arm.

'Jake, please stay. No one's gonna be home for an hour. I was thinking – ' He trails off, not knowing what to say. With the mood shift, it doesn't seem like the best suggestion anymore.

And Jake's laughing now, a harsh, sharp bark. 'And let me guess. When they get home, we'll pretend we were just studying. Pretend your tongue wasn't in my mouth, and my hand wasn't down your pants.'

'Jake.' He's pleading now, but he doesn't know what else to say. Jake just looks him over one last time before letting himself out the front door.

Ryder heads back to the lounge, collapsing back onto the couch and wrapping his arms around a cushion. As he inhales the lingering remains of Jake's scent, he feels his tears start to fall. This is awful, truly terrible. Jake hates him now, and Ryder really doesn't know what to do about it.

It feels like his life is over.

Xxx

The next day, Friday, Jake is avoiding him. All day. And it sucks. Ryder's never felt so alone. Because suddenly it feels like no one will talk to him. Have they just automatically sided with Jake?

At lunchtime, Ryder heads to the library, nothing else to do. He logs into a computer, and quickly discovers that Katie is online. He's relieved, finally someone he can talk to. The conversation's casual, and for that Ryder is relieved.

He looks up when someone drags a chair next to his. It's Jake. To be honest, he's pretty surprised.

Jake seems shy, nervous. He's tangling his fingers together, and Ryder can't help but notice his wrist, which is bare. He's not wearing his bracelet. He always wears his bracelet.

Jake looks like he's about to speak, when there's a noise from the computer. He looks over Ryder's shoulder, and his expression instantly changes. Hardens. And suddenly he's sneering.

'I came over here to apologise for overreacting,' he spits out. 'But seems I don't need to. It's bad enough that you're ashamed of me, Ryder, but you don't have to make moves on the first pretty girl. You can't just hide from it Ryder. You're not straight. And that's never going to change.'

Jake's stalking off before Ryder even has a chance to say a word. He glances around the library, sees a few people are watching him curiously. Fortunately though, Jake managed to whisper, so none of them would have heard anything.

He turns back to the computer, reads the new comment from Katie. The one that made Jake react so badly.

Katie: Does anyone ever tell you how handsome you are?

Ryder grimaces at that, at the fact that Katie's so generally flirty. He types out a reply, willing himself to not get too upset.

Ryder: Normally Jake would. But I don't think he will be today.

Katie: Why? What happened?

Ryder: We're having a fight.

Katie: Do you want to talk about it?

Ryder hears the bell go, cursing his misfortune. And he has a class with Jake now.

Ryder: Yea. But I have to get to class. Maybe some time over the weekend?

Xxx

The weekend is miserable. Absolute hell. He tries to text Jake a couple of times, but he's not replying. Ryder just throws his phone across the room and buries himself back under his covers. There's no way he's gonna get out of bed.

His parents are nagging him. Nagging him to get out of bed. Nagging him to do some homework. Nagging him to go outside.

Finally, on Sunday morning, he does get out of bed. Even drags himself downstairs. He parks himself on the couch with the tv blaring, and logs into Facebook. He hopes that will be enough distractions.

Half an hour later, he sees that Katie's finally online.

Ryder: Hey

Katie: Hi. How're things with Jake?

Ryder: No better. He's refusing to talk to me.

Katie: So did you wanna explain now?

So Ryder does. He tells about how Jake wants to come out to his mom. About how he's not ready to tell his parents. Why he's not ready to tell his parents. He tells her about the misunderstanding about her. How he's never thought of her as anything more than a friend. How he never even gives anyone a second glance. How Jake is the only one he could ever be interested in.

Eventually, he runs out of things to tell her.

Katie: Have you told Jake all this?

Ryder: No, he won't talk to me. Remember?

Katie: You need to make him listen. Need to explain it all. Relationships need good communication.

Ryder: You're right. Do you think I should go and see him?

Katie: It's worth a try. At least with his mom there he shouldn't be able to throw you out.

Ryder: How are you so smart and so awesome at the same time?

Xxx

When Ryder arrives at Jake's house, his mom answers the door.

'Oh, Ryder, I'm so glad you're here. Jake's been moping all weekend. Do you think you could talk some sense into him?'

She lets him into the house, sends him in the direction of Jake's room. He taps at the door, before letting himself in.

Jake looks up from his bed, glaring the moment he sees Ryder. 'What are you doing here?'

'We need to talk,' he explains. Jake goes to argue, but Ryder keeps talking. 'Well, actually, I need to talk, need to set you straight.'

Jake's still looking hostile, but he isn't actually arguing anymore. He's even sat up in bed, leaning against the headboard. Ryder perches awkwardly on the end of the bed.

'Firstly, Katie is just a friend. There's nothing going on. I don't want anything to go on.'

Jake doesn't seem convinced. 'I saw that comment Ryder. How do you expect me to believe you?'

'I can show you all our conversations.' He's already getting up, grabbing Jake's laptop. Once he's logged in, he passes it over to Jake who slowly starts to read.

'Ok, I believe you,' Jake reluctantly admits when he looks up. 'But I'm still kinda worried. How do you know Katie's not some pedo?'

Ryder thinks for a moment, lets it sink in. The idea hadn't even occurred to him. 'I – I don't.'

'Yea, well, a small part of my reaction was because I was worried about you. Mostly I was jealous, but I was also concerned.'

'Do you want me to stop talking to her?' Ryder kinda hopes Jake will say no, even though he would be willing to.

'Maybe, unless you find out she's legit.' Silence falls for a moment, and Jake looks back to the screen. 'Y'know, you talk about me a lot.'

Ryder quirks a smile, pleased that they've got through that. 'Of course I do. Anyway, there's more to explain.'

Jake's shaking his head. 'No, if you're talking about the coming out, you don't have to. I was out of line to try to pressure you about that. It was just my insecurities getting in the way.'

'I still need to explain,' Ryder insists. 'I want you to know that I'm not ashamed of you. I would shout it from the rooftops, if I wasn't so scared. That's why I can't tell my parents, babe. I'm scared if I do, they won't love me anymore.'

Jake's reaching out for him now, his fingers locking with Ryder's. 'Of course they would. How could they not?'

'My parents are good Christians. They hate Obama, they hate abortion, they hate premarital sex. They probably hate gays too. They'd probably hate me.' And Ryder can feel his tears spilling over. He's getting good at crying.

Suddenly, Jake's tugging him forward, tugging him until he's lying down with his head on Jake's pillow. Jake slides down the bed until he's lying next to Ryder, arm wrapping protectively around him.

'I'm so, so sorry, baby,' he whispers. 'I didn't even think. I feel so bad that I got mad at you for this. You don't have to tell them, baby, not until you're ready.' Ryder smiles weakly back at him, the tears coming slower now. 'Well, so long as you invite them to our wedding.'

Ryder's not sure whether Jake is joking or not. But it's enough to stop the tears. Before he can get too confused, there's a tap at the door. They quickly scoot away from each other before it opens, Ryder hiding his face in a pillow.

'Boys, I'm going to work now. I'll see you later.'

Once she's left, they both let out a sigh of relief, just watching each other for a few moments.

'What should we do now?' Ryder asks quietly.

Jake acts like he's thinking for a moment. 'Well, I think I might be owing you a make out session.'

I hope I didn't offend anyone with the stereotyping of Ryder's parents. That wasn't my intention at all. I just wanted to make sure that Ryder has a legit reason to be nervous about coming out to them.

Also, I hope you feel that the feuding was properly resolved.