>friend is a loner type who doesn't try to put himself out there because he feels like everyone will just reject
>his birthday is coming up
>decide to throw a surprise kick back for him
>order take out from his favorite places
>invite some friends, but not too many because he has social anxiety
>boyfriend will be working on his birthday, so friend doesn't have to feel awkward around me
>day of surprise
>pick him up after work and take him to my place
>no one else showed up
>have tons of food
>friend thanks me
>I don't tell him that others are supposed to be here, but he sort of picked up on it and got sad
>get him drunk and he lays on my shoulder and he starts venting about his loneliness and what he's been doing lately to cope with it
>kiss him on his forehead
>let him take a bunch of leftovers home
>makes a comment about how he'll have good food for the next couple of days and how all that matters was that I at least thought about him

All of the friends that were supposed to there had legit issues for not being there such as being called into work or helping out family so I can't be too mad at him. I just feel really bad for justifying his insecurity that no one will come to his birthday .