chapter 3 - turning point

In order to get some routine back in his life, Luke made sure Ryan got up every morning by serving him breakfast. Thick pancakes in syrup and hash browns were his favorites. As if this wasn't enough to keep full for hours, Ryan kept snacking out of boredom or habit which often became an entire day of shoveling and slumbering. The snacks Luke bought these days were often gone by the end of the day when he arrived back home. Luke kept serving great meals which Ryan enjoyed heartily. If there were any leftovers Ryan used to ask; "are you gonna eat that?" before getting his hands on it. The amounts Luke cooked for supper increased when Ryan started to ask the same question before Luke was even finished eating.
Luke joked: there doesn't seem to be a way to get you satiated is it? Ryan just smiled shyly. Getting Ryan to smile had become a purpose in itself for Luke, and he was glad to see something like peace in his eyes.
After a week or so, Luke thought about getting Ryan out of his misery and denial, he had to get back to a living. At least to get some structure and social life back again. So he tried to ask Ryan to go along shopping. He refused at first, but after Luke had treated him twice at an all you can eat meal, he came out more and more.
Their meals at home never decreased in size, Ryan was still craving for Luke's cooking. He became less stressed and at a certain moment after dinner he even started to talk.
R: Well, uhh Luke... there's something I want to say to you
L: sure man, whats up?
R: uhh, you do a lot for me you know, and nobody told you you had to or...
L: no worries dude
R: no, let me finish, I really appreciate it and just wanna thank you man. You always take care of me even while I'm a piece of shit all the time. And I wanna say sorry for acting so indifferently and being such an *** and...
L: just forget about it Ryan, you're going through tough times, the least I could do is try and help you a bit. It's not that much asked really.
R: thanks man, you're the best roomie ever.
L: never mind, still got room for desert? I made a chocolate cake.
R: could I even say no to my favorite?
Luke thought: do you ever say no to food at all?
While Ryan's depression seemed to fade, his appetite stayed fully alive. After several weeks of following this scheme, Ryan reached the point of getting chubby. Luke didn't quite understand why but found himself becoming more and more attracted to this growing guy. Ryan had also grown more fond of Luke's presence, but never let him get too close. Not daring to say something about Ryan's weight at first, Luke found he had to when Ryan reached 280 lbs. It was when he had come into the bathroom and he had heard Ryan whispering the numbers on the scale. He had suddenly jumped off when Luke entered. Ryan was wearing a snug t shirt and his boxers, revealing some of the damage.
L: Hey man, weighing in? what does it say?
R: oh uhh, well uhh...
L: don't have to be shy man, it's just me, your roomie huh?
R: yeah, but well I...
L: oh, I see, it still shows; 280 .... whoah man, you really ate well haha. Good to see you like my cooking, Luke joked. "Needless to say you are a tall guy off course". It was Luke's way trying to act breezy about it.
R: uhh well, I guess so... Don't you think I'm fat?
L: I'm not here to judge you, but to be honest no, I think you wear those pounds quite well. What do you think?
R: I think I might slow down a bit I seem to have gained a lot lately, and I wasn't even aware. I might join you going to the gym again.
L: sure that's ok, I wouldn't bother to much about a few pounds though.
Luke was happy to hear that Ryan wanted to get into the gym routine again. This way he would have something to do during the day, perhaps he could even get some purpose in life again.
Ryan enjoyed going to the gym more than could be expected. At first it had been hard, but after two weeks he already experienced slight improvements. He started lifting weights again and soon became stronger. His weight didn't seem to change at first, but that was mainly caused by the amount of muscle he was adding. He slightly cut back on the meals he ate, but you certainly couldn't call it a diet still.
After a month and a half, of going to the gym 5 times a week, Ryan seriously started to show a better physique. His arms were way thicker, his shoulders were broader and his pecs started to get more carved.
Luke had complimented Ryan for being so dedicated and off course for his stature. Ryan clearly didn't like to be commented on his body by his gay roomie and shrugged it off. Luke secretly liked what he saw especially when the young stud came home in his trainers still sweaty and pumped. But honestly he liked the chubby version of Ryan even more, and kept thinking of the image of an even bigger Ryan.
Another month went by and Ryan had lost 10 pounds bringing him at 270 lbs. He had truly been transformed, and showed off his muscles in tighter shirts. Or actually the same shirts which had gotten a lot tighter around his chest and arms. He was an imposing broad shouldered beast standing at 6'7. Combined with his good looks he could be considered a babe-magnet by now. Many girls (or guys) would have dated him if they could. Ryan was exceptionally huge but very well proportioned. And Luke just had to watch this guy in silence.
From that point on he tried to maintain his physique but his goals had mainly been achieved by getting this muscular and beefy. His strive got tempered a bit and he kept going 3 times a week.
With that he started wondering what else to do with his life. He decided he was still not completely ready to try studying again. And so he thought about looking for a part-time job.
Luke was happy to hear the news and gave a lot of tips and advices about where to look and how to apply for jobs. He helped Ryan writing emails and kept surfing for suiting applications.
After a few days without any success Ryan got irritated. His irritation was no less caused by the noise coming from downstairs. A company had come to the vacant space at the ground floor and was completely refurbishing it.
Luke was afraid that bad luck would threaten Ryan's new found lust for life, and therefore encouraged him to keep searching, keep sporting and being healthy / active. Fortunately he saw that his appetite hadn't decreased and hoped he would gain a bit of fat on top of his already thick posture again, if only just a slight bit...