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Abed stared out the window of Jeff’s Lexus with heavy eyelids, watching Troy escort an inebriated Britta to her apartment. Abed was worried though, the events of that evening had left him self conscious, which was a rare occurrence. Troy returned to the driver's seat and soon the hum of the engine was the only sound as he steered them out of the parking lot. Just like that, they were alone together, as they so often were and Troy wanted to check in on him.
“So what happened tonight?” he asked, glancing at Abed in the rear view mirror. “I mean, you seemed kinda bummed out, and I thought you didn’t drink.”
Abed averted his gaze from the window.
“Well it was necessary that you were the only one sober, so you could learn a lesson about alcohol and maturity like…” he trailed off, trying to pull a media reference through the fogginess of his tipsy mind. “I don’t think the person writing me right now knows any good references, this must be some sort of fanfiction.”
“Or you’re drunk,” Troy suggested. “Seriously though, are you sure nothing’s wrong?”
Abed knew, of course, it was just embarrassing. He had never been upset when other people found him agitating, but something about tonight was different.
After a moment, he blurted out, “Can I ask you something about our relationship?”
“Oh,” this clearly took Troy by surprise. “Of course.”
Abed hesitated, “Do you actually like talking to me?”
Troy gave him a look of confusion in the rear view mirror.
“Um… yes?” He seemed almost amused. “Abed, talking to you is the highlight of my day. I love talking to you more than anyone else in the world, I… thought that was obvious.”
“Oh okay, that’s good,” Abed furrowed his brow. “Why are you laughing? I didn't say anything funny”
“I just…” Troy gathered his thoughts. “What made you think I don’t like talking to you?”
Abed let his head fall back on the headrest.
“Well that’s what confused me about the guy at the bar; he’s the one who started the conversation about Farscape, and I was excited to have someone new to talk to, but then he got mad at me. He threw a drink in my face because I didn’t want to sleep with him. It just made me wonder because I thought people felt informed or even appreciated when I talked to them about the shows that they’ve watched. Like I’m sharing something with them that they wouldn’t have thought of without me. Then it occurred to me that you might just be nicer than him, that you only let me talk to you so I don’t feel bad. And I usually don’t care if people like being around me because I know I’m weird, but what you think of me actually matters because I love you.”
“Oh-” was all Troy could reply as they arrived at Abed’s dorm.
“Well, would you look at that, my heartfelt confession was the perfect length for the car ride,” Abed observed, clumsily opening the car door. “I still got my moves.”
It was all Troy could do not to grin like an idiot while they walked to Abed’s dorm. He had almost adjusted to sober Abed’s matter-of-fact way of flattering him but drunk Abed was a whole new challenge.
“I think,” Troy said as they stopped at his door, “that you are the overthinking kind of drinker.”
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure the audience saw that one coming,” he replied, resting his hands on Troy's arms and kissing him goodnight.
Troy’s eyes widened and he stepped back.
“I love you too.”
“What?”
“I forgot to say it back earlier, when you told me.”
“Oh yeah, that,” the alcohol hadn’t left Abed in a particularly attentive mood.
“And I really do love talking to you, what you have to say is always so interesting and I know that’s how you show you care.”
Abed cracked a small smile, feeling reassured.
“Thank you, Troy.”
“Of course,” was his reply as he pulled Abed into an embrace.
Abed tightened his arms around Troy.
“Happy Birthday.”
“It is now.”