What Happens At The End Of Ryan And Avery?

The ending of Ryan and Avery's story in David Levithan's 'Two Boys Kissing' is one of those quietly powerful moments that lingers long after you close the book. Their relationship develops through this beautiful, awkward dance of first love—full of stolen glances, nervous texts, and that exhilarating terror of being truly seen by someone. The novel culminates with them participating in a marathon kissing session to break a world record, which becomes this metaphor for their vulnerability and courage. What struck me was how Levithan frames their ending not as some grand finale, but as this tender beginning. They're still figuring things out, still learning how to navigate each other's emotional landscapes, and that feels so authentic. The book leaves them in this hopeful liminal space where you just know they'll keep choosing each other, mistakes and all.

What I adore about their arc is how it contrasts with the other couples in the novel. While some relationships fracture or fade, Ryan and Avery become this quiet testament to gentle persistence. There's a scene where Avery—who's transgender—lets Ryan touch his binder, and the way Levithan writes that moment of trust absolutely wrecks me. The ending doesn't wrap everything in a bow; instead, it leaves room for their love to keep growing organically, which feels truer to life than any dramatic resolution could.