hoopsandharmonies

Because I'm a lot more subtle than you. Also capable of multitasking, I can swoon and thing at the same time.

So?

So...nothing. Coach and I fought about stuff, just like Ryan said. I handled it, don't worry about it.

Troy.

...look man, he just said a lot of stuff I didn't like and I was sick of it.

Sure, but why wouldn't you tell me?

You didn't need to know. It's not a big deal and you were doing your Ryan thing and it's not important. I handled it, don't worry.

You 'handled it'. Way to not be cryptic as hell.

I can fight my own battles and I know you can fight your own, but that's more like our battle.

I didn't need it to be our battle because you've already got your own battle with your own parents about coming out, okay? You don't need everyone else's crap, too. Let me take care of this one.

It's not anyone's crap, it's your problem and anything that's your problem is my problem, alright? That's how it is, Bolton, you can't just change the rules on me because I'm gay now or whatever.

I wanna be there.

And I'll let you be there next time, I swear. I'm not changing the rules, I'm just...I can fix it. It's fixed for now, everything's fine. You're not mad are you?

No, I'm not mad. Just at myself for not noticing earlier.

I don't want you to have to deal with that stuff alone. I know you already did that on Facebook while I was up in California and this is worse.

There was nothing to notice, dude. It's normal stuff, you know that.

I did what I had to do to make sure people knew not to mess with my brother.

I know and I appreciate that and I'd do the same for you, but fucking assholes on my Facebook are one thing.

This is the Coach. And you not talking to me isn't normal stuff.

You knew a looot of assholes, man. I think we finally got rid of all of 'em.

It's. Fine. Coach just said some stuff that was out of line without thinking and I'm not letting you take the heat for my problems too, okay? That's not what Captains do.

The world's full of assholes, don't think we can actually get rid of all the racist and homophobes, but blocking them on FB is a good first step.

He said stuff that was out of line about you? I'm Co-Captain, we're all in this together, don't bullshit me.

Nah but I can dream, right? I've got a lot of high ambitions for tolerance, I guess.

Do we really have to talk about this? I know you're Co-Captain, you've always been my Co-Captain and you've always had my back but this isn't your fight. I'm not bullshitting anybody. It's fine, everything's okay.

You're idealistic. It's great.

I wanna know what's going on with you. What did your father say?

...look, he just wouldn't stop going on about how you're wasting your potential chasing after some passing whim. And then he was grilling me for information about your relationship with Ry and if I knew you were gay and if I was gay and if you and I ever did anything and why this was coming up now and about how experimentation's great but not when we've got commitments and expectations and how I needed to work harder to steer you back on track.

Did you know he found out about me and Gabi? I don't know who told him or how he found out but he found out and then he started asking if it was worth throwing away everything we've been planning since I was a kid and how now you were throwing everything away and what a big mistake everything was when it came down to Ryan and how you and me are still idolized as Captains for the Wildcats but we needed to start acting more like it and did I give you the stupid idea to give up the game to chase someone you think you love because just because one son didn't follow the right path doesn't mean the other one had to follow suit.

Okay? Are you happy now?

No, I'm not fucking happy, why would I be?

But I don't want you dealing with shit like that by yourself. You'd not want me to deal with stuff by myself, either. And I haven't, really, I mean, once I came clear on the whole thing. And I know that's my bad for not telling you sooner, but that's over now and I don't want you not telling me stuff to protect me or whatever the fuck.

I have no idea how he found out about Gabi, but you're back with Gabi now, that's what's important. You're with Gabi and I'm with Ryan and even if your father's being a fucking asshole you're still my brother, alright?

If you did give me the idea to chase someone I love that's the best thing you ever did.

It's different and you know it's different, Chad! You and I will have each other's backs for dealing with everything else but this is bigger than you and me, okay? You're my brother and I love you and I love that you're finally happy with Ryan and Gabriella and I are working on solving our problems. I know you want to help but you CAN'T, Chad. Okay? You can't.

...you and Ryan are okay, right?

It's your father who has to change, not you.

Yeah, we're okay. Feeling mixed up now, but not about Ryan. We're okay.

Right.

I'm really glad you guys finally get to see each other though! That's an awesome Christmas present.

It's our lives, not his, and our happiness, too. If he wants me to pretend I'm not gay for the rest of my life just so he can have me play pro, that's the most selfish thing since wanting you to deny who you are and what you wanna do to focus only on basketball. I'm not as brave and shit as you, if I had more of a choice about it, you bet I'd have denied it and just not danced so people wouldn't think I'm uncool. But I didn't get the choice, because being gay isn't a choice, it's like being black and it's something that I can't get away from. And anyone who cares for me wouldn't want me to try and do that.

I was a fucking douche to you at first about your dancing and singing and Gabriella, but that was in junior year and it still didn't take me that long to realize what I was trying to do. I love you the way you are, not the way I wish you were. And that's what brothers do and what parents should be doing, too. It's not our fault if they don't manage that, it's theirs. I know it hurts. But we don't have to feel guilty about this.

You're right. Being gay isn't a choice, but the way that people see you is. I don't like it. I'm going to fix it though okay? Don't worry about it.

...dude that was a while ago. And you apologized and we're still cool. I appreciate it though.

[Troy Bolton, once again, is just avoiding the entire point.]

Don't worry about it okay?

You're going to fix how everyone thinks about me being gay, but you won't let me help with your father? That seems fair.

I worry. I don't think you're really listening. Your father isn't perfect, Troy.

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