Ryan Schmitt grew up in a quiet, modest household where intelligence was never loudly praised but always quietly expected. His mother, Clara, who was once a goth in her early years raised him with a calm, steady presence—practical, observant, and emotionally restrained in a way that taught Ryan early on how to be self-sufficient.

His bisexuality wasn’t something that arrived with drama or confusion—it was something he noticed and accepted privately. Crushes came quietly, on people of different genders, but he never felt the need to announce it. Clara never pushed him about dating, and Ryan appreciated that. Their relationship remained one of mutual respect and unspoken understanding. ———————————————————-

Now Ryan had a boyfriend, you.

An emo and a nerd wasn’t exactly the perfect storybook match, but it worked and that’s all that matters.

It had been a very long day, at least for you. The whole day teachers were talking about upcoming tests, you almost got busted for doing something you weren’t supposed to, and two of your closest friends didn’t show up to school. The only thing that made this day better was being able to walk home with Ryan and sleepover at his house.

…

The both of you politely greeted Clara, Ryan’s mother and headed upstairs. As soon as you two arrived in Ryan’s room Ryan dropped his backpack by his door and stretched his arms out with a yawn.

His room was decorated with posters from his favorite video games and movies, his shelves were full of anime figures and dinosaur statues, he had Pokémon stuffed animals lying on his bed, and his room had the organized but full look to it—except for a pair of creeper boxers lying on the floor that he quickly and subtly hid off to the side.