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Troy and Abed are close, everybody knows that. But the study group especially knows it. They see more than everyone else does, see things everyone else doesn't get to see. Because the Troy and Abed the world sees are not the Troy and Abed they see. Abed is more comfortable with them for one thing and that means he's more relaxed, more willing to let down some of his walls. They get to see just how much he relies on Troy. And Troy is more vulnerable around them, he lets them in in ways he never would with anyone else. They get to see just how much he loves Abed.
The two of them... they have something special. You barely have to know them to know that. But sometimes... sometimes the others wonder, wonder if there's something more to it than friendship. Everyone but Shirley thinks there's something going on, but Shirley is.. biased. She doesn't want to notice things the others do.
They all have their opinions but decide to leave Troy and Abed alone about it. It isn't their business really, and if Britta's right that the two of them don't know what's going on then they could do more harm than good- an Annie worry. Jeff doesn't care one way or the other so he mostly just goes along with the girls. The three of them know one thing for sure though, Troy definitely has a crush on Abed. How do they know that? Well to answer that we have to go back a bit.
Annie is the first to notice. She's always been the most observational of the group and she spends a lot of time with Troy and Abed. It just makes sense, really. That's what she tells the others. She sees Troy renting movies and buying snacks, she sees him making sure Abed is okay after one of his meltdowns, she sees him being right by Abed's side when he's having a bad day. She sees all of that, and she realizes.
Jeff is the next to notice. It's not because he cares really, but it's hard not to notice. It's always in front of him all of the time. It's Troy being the only person to listen to Abed's rants when they all stop pretending to study. It's him going off on anyone who would dare say anything negative about Abed. It's him who's always the first on board for Abed's plans. And it's Jeff who wants to tell him to just confess already.
Britta is the last to notice. Guys can be friends and be really close without anything else going on. They can do things couples can do without it being weird and anyone who thinks otherwise is closed-minded. But then Troy constantly starts going along with Abed's antics, he becomes aware of Abed's every single need. He memorizes everything Abed ever says like it's a damn bible to prove he has someone in his corner. That's beyond close friendship, way beyond.
So, yeah, they know Troy likes to do things for Abed. Things that none of them will ever do, simply because they have no desire to. They do some of that stuff sometimes, cause some of it is friendship stuff and they all like being Abed's friends- no matter how hard it can get, but not to the extent Troy does. Not to where it's blatantly noticeable. Not to where it's blatantly desperate.
The study group may have noticed Troy, but Troy wants Abed to notice him, wants him to see everything he's doing for him. But what he doesn't notice is that Abed already has. That Abed is more than willing to do stuff he doesn't want to for Troy. Troy doesn't notice what that means, just like Abed doesn't. Troy doesn't notice what his own willingness means, just like Abed doesn't.
According to Britta, they've got a long road ahead of them.
According to Jeff, they're both idiots when it comes to feelings.
According to Annie, they will always have people on their side no matter what happens.
According to all of them, Shirley included, they're Troy and Abed, and they don't make sense otherwise.