Gift for fools_game
Author: applepiecrust
Recipient: fools_game
Title: Of Planning, Fabulousness and African Rivers
Pairing(s): Chad/Ryan
Summary: Ryan plans. Chad is oblivious. Africa has long rivers.
Rating: PG (for some boy on boy kissing)
Warning(s): Bad puns. Oblivious boys. Cannibalistic mummies. .
Word Count: 1808
Disclaimer: All High School Musical characters herein are the property of Disney. No copyright infringement is intended.
Author's Notes: My first fictional story since eighth grade. No kidding.
Ryan Evans, East High theatre star and one-time Little League baseball player, was gay and everybody knew it. Ryan made no efforts at hiding his fabulousness, whether it was his flamboyant hats, his delicious choreography moves, or his not-so-secret celebrity crushes on Aston Kutcher or Orlando Bloom. Chad Danfoth, East High basketball, baseball and track star and all-round jock, was gay too. This latter fact, however, was not known to anyone, probably not even to the man in question (because, really, Chad believed in flowing smoothly down that long river in Egypt, and did a wonderful job at it).
Oddly enough, these two Albuquerque homosexual teens, one out and proud, the other closeted and seemingly in denial, were very good friends, bonded as they had over a staff baseball game at Lava Springs the summer before their senior year. Ever since Chad had broken up with Taylor because things just didn’t work out between them (no, elements of African topography most certainly did not have a role to play), Chad and Ryan had become even closer. Ryan tried his best to support and comfort Chad (who oddly enough, didn’t seem much in need of comforting, but Ryan appreciated this excuse to spend more time with Chad anyway).
They spent much of their time hanging out together when with their fellow Wildcats, but for some reason it was never just the two of them. Chad tried to get Ryan to come over to his place or out bowling or to a movie or for meals every occasion he could, but Ryan was just never available to hang out. Ryan was always just so very busy when Chad asked him to hang. Ryan’s refusals, as Ryan tried to convince himself, had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that he wouldn’t know how to deal with the awkwardness that could ensue.
Now, since Ryan was so fabulous, he was also in possession of the best gay-dar in the entire state of New Mexico. Therefore, he had identified Chad’s gayness from the get-go, had shamelessly flirted with him over the summer, but because the poor Afro-ed boy was nearly drowning in an African river somewhere near where ancient Pharaohs awaited their after-lives, Ryan’s best efforts proved entirely fruitless. This was why Ryan kept pushing off Chad’s attempts at “buddy time” with him, because he knew Chad was not ready to acknowledge that he didn’t just want buddy time, but more. A lot more.
Finally tiring of his little school-boy crush (because unrequited love, dramatic is it was, just did not befit an Evans) Ryan came up with A Plan to get Chad Danforth to recognize his gayness. This plan, which Ryan referred to simply as “A Plan,” was going to be so simple that it had to prove flawless - after all, simplicity and sharpness was the order of the day, which also explained all the new Michael Kors ensembles in Ryan’s wardrobe.
He decided to invite Chad out to dinner, in an ambiguous “is-this-a-date-or-is-this-just-buddies-hanging-out?” manner. Now this sort of “i-t-a-d-o-i-t-j-b-h-o” ambiguity called for the most conscientious planning. First, a location had to be picked. All of Ryan’s favorite restaurants were ruled out because the poor jock would feel completely out of place amongst the fancy hoity-toityness of it all. It couldn’t be a gorgeous outdoor spot because that just screamed “I brought you here to make out” (not that Ryan didn’t want that, he definitely did. But screaming it would not be subtle. At all. And this plan had to rely on subtlety). Then it hit him. The Evans’ Estate would be perfect. Ah, the perks of the fabulous life - mansions at one’s disposal, butlers at one’s beck and call, and the most privacy any place could afford. All this at a place that Ryan could simply refer to as Home. So, they were to meet at the Ryan’s place, watch a baseball game together, their team would undoubtedly win, and in his excitement, Ryan would kiss Chad, apparently accidentally, but not really. Really, the plan was flawless. And if the outcome were to be as perfect as the execution, Chad would kiss Ryan back, they’d get together, run off to California to get married (if the amendment didn’t get voted for, of course) and the 21st century fairy tale would end with the two princes living happily ever after.
So on the Monday after the weekend Ryan drew up “A Plan,” he was ready to ask Chad out (no, really, to just ask him to hang out as buddies. Or something). After lunch that day, Ryan left the drama table, adjusted his delectably sharp navy blue fedora at just the right jaunty angle, and sauntered up to Chad’s locker where the jock was struggling with his oversized backpack. Ryan tapped him lightly on the shoulder, making him jump.
“Oh, hey!” Chad exclaimed, a bright smile quickly replacing the earlier annoyance. Then, as Chad looked at Ryan, his face took on a thoughtful look (which, Ryan thought, was an excellent look for him). “Something on your mind, dude? You look like a man on a mission.”
Oh no. Chad could read his expressions just too clearly. That would not do. Ryan Evans was known for his acting abilities and that is what he had to bring into play just then. All right, then, time to school his features into a look of the coolest nonchalance.
“No, not really. What’s up with you? Do you know where you’ll be catching the big game on Saturday?”
“Oh, the gang’s getting together at Gabi’s place to watch it. Can’t pass up on an opportunity to have her mother’s brownies, after all! You should join us, dude”
“Brownies would be fantastic, but you know what would be even more amazing? Our home theater’s gigantic high definition plasma screen. It’s seriously better than being at a real match, and I would know because we Evans always get the best seats at matches. Why don’t you come watch at my place?”
“Hey, that’d be sweet, man! You’re awesome! I’ll get the gang to the Evans Estate on Saturday. Anyhow, got to run. See you?”
Oh no. Oh no! Who said anything about inviting the gang? There went the fabulous plan. Darn it all. Now Ryan Evans was a man without A Plan and with an unfortunate crush. Things were certainly not looking good.
Ryan stood there absently fiddling with the buttons on his turquoise silk shirt. He was deep in thought. He needed a new plan now, and he needed it soon, what with senior year and all, and graduation (they were graduating already? Really?) being only three months away. Chad Danforth had to be convinced of his gayness before he graduated high school, and he had to be convinced to go out with Ryan before they left for college. This was really of the utmost importance for the world, more important than fighting AIDS or eliminating poverty, because this was part of the fight against oppression of marginalized groups. No, it really was.
Lost in these revolutionary thoughts as he was, Ryan almost missed someone calling his name.
He turned to see Chad practically skipping back towards him. No, really, the boy was bouncing almost as much his stupid orange basketball bounced around the court.
“Guess what, Evans! The gang can’t make it to your place on Saturday. Troy has to go out of town, Taylor and Gabriella have some scholarship thing, Jason said…” Chad rambled off. He continued “I don’t know, everybody seems to have other plans or something. Isn’t that awesome?”
Ryan brought his acting abilities into play again, and asked with a most incredulous look, “And why does that make you so happy?”
“Dude, we can finally hang out together, like just the two of us! I’ve wanted that to happen since summer, but you’d always blow me off or something.”
“Oh.”
Chad’s face dropped at Ryan’s lack of excitement or elation or any emotion of any sort at all. “Darn. You don’t seem too happy about it. If you don’t want to hang out with me, that’s all right. I mean, yeah, I can see why you mightn’t be too comfortable hanging out with just me, so really, it’s ok. No sweat.” Chad was rambling again.
Wait, what? Why would Chad think Ryan would not be comfortable hanging out with him? Was he onto something? Had he stopped being oblivious and realized that Ryan had a massive crush on him? But, if he had, and he still wanted to hang out alone that could only be a good thing, right? Besides, the boy looked miserable. Why must he confound Ryan so with his unpredictability? His head was asking too many questions, and Ryan wanted answers. So he asked Chad “What do you mean, exactly?”
“Well, it’s obvious that I have been crushing on you, for like, forever. I mean, since summer, at least. I kept trying to ask you out, and you never agreed, and I still kept trying, stupid me. I just… I just thought we could finally maybe spend time together… oh, I don’t know. I’m sorry Ryan, I’ll just go now.”
With that, Chad walked off dejectedly. Had he been a dog, his tail would certainly have been tucked under his legs.
Once again, Ryan was left standing there, not knowing what hit him. Chad Danforth had been crushing on him? Chad Danforth had asked him out? How had he managed to miss that? But, wait, wait, wait. Chad Danforth already knew of his own gayness? This new development called for a New Plan. A little voice inside him told him “No more Plans, Ryan. You’re no good at them. Just go get your boy!”
So Ryan ran after Chad, caught up with him, swung him around, and kissed him. The kiss lasted just a moment, or maybe it lasted a few hours, Ryan couldn’t really tell. All he could tell was that he was kissing Chad Danforth, who was kissing him back, and it was all wet and intense and raw passion and hidden emotions and unspent angst, and clenched shirts and twisted buttons. When it ended, both were panting for breath.
“Wow! That was…” Ryan began.
“Yeah, it was…. everything I imagined my first kiss would be.”
“Your first kiss? In 12th grade?”
Chad just nodded, probably too overcome for words.
Ryan smirked wickedly, “Then we definitely need to make up for all this lost time!”
With that they kissed again. So, Ryan’s Plan had actually worked, and it worked better than he’d ever expected it to, even if it didn’t work quite the way he thought he would. But, really, the point of any plan is the result, not the process, isn’t it? And, boy, was the result fabulous! Yeah, California weddings might still be on the cards.
Recipient: fools_game
Title: Of Planning, Fabulousness and African Rivers
Pairing(s): Chad/Ryan
Summary: Ryan plans. Chad is oblivious. Africa has long rivers.
Rating: PG (for some boy on boy kissing)
Warning(s): Bad puns. Oblivious boys. Cannibalistic mummies. .
Word Count: 1808
Disclaimer: All High School Musical characters herein are the property of Disney. No copyright infringement is intended.
Author's Notes: My first fictional story since eighth grade. No kidding.
Ryan Evans, East High theatre star and one-time Little League baseball player, was gay and everybody knew it. Ryan made no efforts at hiding his fabulousness, whether it was his flamboyant hats, his delicious choreography moves, or his not-so-secret celebrity crushes on Aston Kutcher or Orlando Bloom. Chad Danfoth, East High basketball, baseball and track star and all-round jock, was gay too. This latter fact, however, was not known to anyone, probably not even to the man in question (because, really, Chad believed in flowing smoothly down that long river in Egypt, and did a wonderful job at it).
Oddly enough, these two Albuquerque homosexual teens, one out and proud, the other closeted and seemingly in denial, were very good friends, bonded as they had over a staff baseball game at Lava Springs the summer before their senior year. Ever since Chad had broken up with Taylor because things just didn’t work out between them (no, elements of African topography most certainly did not have a role to play), Chad and Ryan had become even closer. Ryan tried his best to support and comfort Chad (who oddly enough, didn’t seem much in need of comforting, but Ryan appreciated this excuse to spend more time with Chad anyway).
They spent much of their time hanging out together when with their fellow Wildcats, but for some reason it was never just the two of them. Chad tried to get Ryan to come over to his place or out bowling or to a movie or for meals every occasion he could, but Ryan was just never available to hang out. Ryan was always just so very busy when Chad asked him to hang. Ryan’s refusals, as Ryan tried to convince himself, had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that he wouldn’t know how to deal with the awkwardness that could ensue.
Now, since Ryan was so fabulous, he was also in possession of the best gay-dar in the entire state of New Mexico. Therefore, he had identified Chad’s gayness from the get-go, had shamelessly flirted with him over the summer, but because the poor Afro-ed boy was nearly drowning in an African river somewhere near where ancient Pharaohs awaited their after-lives, Ryan’s best efforts proved entirely fruitless. This was why Ryan kept pushing off Chad’s attempts at “buddy time” with him, because he knew Chad was not ready to acknowledge that he didn’t just want buddy time, but more. A lot more.
Finally tiring of his little school-boy crush (because unrequited love, dramatic is it was, just did not befit an Evans) Ryan came up with A Plan to get Chad Danforth to recognize his gayness. This plan, which Ryan referred to simply as “A Plan,” was going to be so simple that it had to prove flawless - after all, simplicity and sharpness was the order of the day, which also explained all the new Michael Kors ensembles in Ryan’s wardrobe.
He decided to invite Chad out to dinner, in an ambiguous “is-this-a-date-or-is-this-just-buddies-hanging-out?” manner. Now this sort of “i-t-a-d-o-i-t-j-b-h-o” ambiguity called for the most conscientious planning. First, a location had to be picked. All of Ryan’s favorite restaurants were ruled out because the poor jock would feel completely out of place amongst the fancy hoity-toityness of it all. It couldn’t be a gorgeous outdoor spot because that just screamed “I brought you here to make out” (not that Ryan didn’t want that, he definitely did. But screaming it would not be subtle. At all. And this plan had to rely on subtlety). Then it hit him. The Evans’ Estate would be perfect. Ah, the perks of the fabulous life - mansions at one’s disposal, butlers at one’s beck and call, and the most privacy any place could afford. All this at a place that Ryan could simply refer to as Home. So, they were to meet at the Ryan’s place, watch a baseball game together, their team would undoubtedly win, and in his excitement, Ryan would kiss Chad, apparently accidentally, but not really. Really, the plan was flawless. And if the outcome were to be as perfect as the execution, Chad would kiss Ryan back, they’d get together, run off to California to get married (if the amendment didn’t get voted for, of course) and the 21st century fairy tale would end with the two princes living happily ever after.
So on the Monday after the weekend Ryan drew up “A Plan,” he was ready to ask Chad out (no, really, to just ask him to hang out as buddies. Or something). After lunch that day, Ryan left the drama table, adjusted his delectably sharp navy blue fedora at just the right jaunty angle, and sauntered up to Chad’s locker where the jock was struggling with his oversized backpack. Ryan tapped him lightly on the shoulder, making him jump.
“Oh, hey!” Chad exclaimed, a bright smile quickly replacing the earlier annoyance. Then, as Chad looked at Ryan, his face took on a thoughtful look (which, Ryan thought, was an excellent look for him). “Something on your mind, dude? You look like a man on a mission.”
Oh no. Chad could read his expressions just too clearly. That would not do. Ryan Evans was known for his acting abilities and that is what he had to bring into play just then. All right, then, time to school his features into a look of the coolest nonchalance.
“No, not really. What’s up with you? Do you know where you’ll be catching the big game on Saturday?”
“Oh, the gang’s getting together at Gabi’s place to watch it. Can’t pass up on an opportunity to have her mother’s brownies, after all! You should join us, dude”
“Brownies would be fantastic, but you know what would be even more amazing? Our home theater’s gigantic high definition plasma screen. It’s seriously better than being at a real match, and I would know because we Evans always get the best seats at matches. Why don’t you come watch at my place?”
“Hey, that’d be sweet, man! You’re awesome! I’ll get the gang to the Evans Estate on Saturday. Anyhow, got to run. See you?”
Oh no. Oh no! Who said anything about inviting the gang? There went the fabulous plan. Darn it all. Now Ryan Evans was a man without A Plan and with an unfortunate crush. Things were certainly not looking good.
Ryan stood there absently fiddling with the buttons on his turquoise silk shirt. He was deep in thought. He needed a new plan now, and he needed it soon, what with senior year and all, and graduation (they were graduating already? Really?) being only three months away. Chad Danforth had to be convinced of his gayness before he graduated high school, and he had to be convinced to go out with Ryan before they left for college. This was really of the utmost importance for the world, more important than fighting AIDS or eliminating poverty, because this was part of the fight against oppression of marginalized groups. No, it really was.
Lost in these revolutionary thoughts as he was, Ryan almost missed someone calling his name.
He turned to see Chad practically skipping back towards him. No, really, the boy was bouncing almost as much his stupid orange basketball bounced around the court.
“Guess what, Evans! The gang can’t make it to your place on Saturday. Troy has to go out of town, Taylor and Gabriella have some scholarship thing, Jason said…” Chad rambled off. He continued “I don’t know, everybody seems to have other plans or something. Isn’t that awesome?”
Ryan brought his acting abilities into play again, and asked with a most incredulous look, “And why does that make you so happy?”
“Dude, we can finally hang out together, like just the two of us! I’ve wanted that to happen since summer, but you’d always blow me off or something.”
“Oh.”
Chad’s face dropped at Ryan’s lack of excitement or elation or any emotion of any sort at all. “Darn. You don’t seem too happy about it. If you don’t want to hang out with me, that’s all right. I mean, yeah, I can see why you mightn’t be too comfortable hanging out with just me, so really, it’s ok. No sweat.” Chad was rambling again.
Wait, what? Why would Chad think Ryan would not be comfortable hanging out with him? Was he onto something? Had he stopped being oblivious and realized that Ryan had a massive crush on him? But, if he had, and he still wanted to hang out alone that could only be a good thing, right? Besides, the boy looked miserable. Why must he confound Ryan so with his unpredictability? His head was asking too many questions, and Ryan wanted answers. So he asked Chad “What do you mean, exactly?”
“Well, it’s obvious that I have been crushing on you, for like, forever. I mean, since summer, at least. I kept trying to ask you out, and you never agreed, and I still kept trying, stupid me. I just… I just thought we could finally maybe spend time together… oh, I don’t know. I’m sorry Ryan, I’ll just go now.”
With that, Chad walked off dejectedly. Had he been a dog, his tail would certainly have been tucked under his legs.
Once again, Ryan was left standing there, not knowing what hit him. Chad Danforth had been crushing on him? Chad Danforth had asked him out? How had he managed to miss that? But, wait, wait, wait. Chad Danforth already knew of his own gayness? This new development called for a New Plan. A little voice inside him told him “No more Plans, Ryan. You’re no good at them. Just go get your boy!”
So Ryan ran after Chad, caught up with him, swung him around, and kissed him. The kiss lasted just a moment, or maybe it lasted a few hours, Ryan couldn’t really tell. All he could tell was that he was kissing Chad Danforth, who was kissing him back, and it was all wet and intense and raw passion and hidden emotions and unspent angst, and clenched shirts and twisted buttons. When it ended, both were panting for breath.
“Wow! That was…” Ryan began.
“Yeah, it was…. everything I imagined my first kiss would be.”
“Your first kiss? In 12th grade?”
Chad just nodded, probably too overcome for words.
Ryan smirked wickedly, “Then we definitely need to make up for all this lost time!”
With that they kissed again. So, Ryan’s Plan had actually worked, and it worked better than he’d ever expected it to, even if it didn’t work quite the way he thought he would. But, really, the point of any plan is the result, not the process, isn’t it? And, boy, was the result fabulous! Yeah, California weddings might still be on the cards.