Besides Ryan’s tendency to use extravagant metaphors, or sometimes unnecessarily complicated vocabulary with a more open, even ethereal edge to his songs as opposed to Brendon’s use of more fiery, passionate but sometimes straightforward lyrics, there was one thing that kind of chiefly separated their writing styles. Ryan, see, didn’t really write about himself, and if he did, everything was kind of guarded under three layers of tightly woven metaphors. Instead, he tended to write about other people and their effects on him, on action rather than being. For example, his father, or more often Brendon, because that’s where he drew a lot of his muse. Brendon usually took it as a compliment, and songs like Northern Downpour held a special place in his heart (though songs like Cape Town set him kind of frowning out of nothing but confusion). As opposed to Ryan’s indirect but insightful approach, Brendon used ‘I’ and ‘we’ much more, writing from experience and action rather than observation and emotion, for the most part. Brendon was motivated by such things, and though he did write a fair few love songs, most of his music varied- about the darkest and brightest times of his life, about the parties and extravagance, then the demons he never shied away from.

 When he did choose to write songs about other people, his cast of characters to choose from was vibrant- ex-lovers, people who, in a different life, would have perhaps been potential lovers, old friends, family, about a God he didn’t believe in and people that meant more to him than he could ever describe without music. Brendon had no skeletons in his closet; he’d dressed them up and put them into songs. This was why he was defensive, and independent. Sure, he’d allow strangers to hear it, but they all dismissed his party anthems as just that. No deeper meaning. Everything made more sense when he could control all the details. He felt that nobody had the right to his own personal tragedies and happiest memories. Even Ryan. Brendon didn’t know how to say this to him without hurting his feelings, so he just kind of dodged around it, even if that meant more aggressive and harsh ways of deterring Ryan from the band. He couldn’t really tell if it was working that way, but Ryan was definitely angry, so he supposed that was going relatively well.

Ryan was at the doorway, and Brendon was on edge, his shoulders tensed and his jaw clenched. He didn’t like this at all. This wasn’t like them. They argued, sure, like every couple, but they were just silly things, regular harmless bickering. If not, it was resolved in less than a day (because Brendon needed attention and Ryan couldn’t stay mad). This, though, was a step over that line. What he said about the songwriting was a step over the line, he could see it in Ryan’s eyes. [i]I didn’t realise you had such a problem with me writing about you.[/i] Brendon cringed internally, feeling sick. Of course he didn’t have a problem with it. But it was too late to back down- his pride forbid it. [i]I mean. I guess it is kind of pathetic. Being in love with someone, composing nearly whole albums about them...[/i] An unseeming rush of affection hit him at the worst possible time and he shook it away as quickly as he could. This was the man he was in love with. What was he doing?

[i]I figured if the feeling was mutual it wasn’t too pathetic, but maybe that was stupid thinking.[/i] Brendon was almost stunned at the implication there, and speechless for a second. Did Ryan just genuinely doubt that Brendon loved him, and express that doubt to his face? He was... unspeakably angry, and struggled to control that, trying to keep his face straight. [b]”What the f-”[/b] He paused. [b]“What the fuck did you just say?”[/b] Brendon kind of drew back against the headboard, suddenly cold. [b]”Jesus Christ. Fuck off.”[/b] [i]What the hell is wrong with you?[/i] That was rich, coming from him, Brendon thought, but said nothing. [b]”Fuck off, Ryan. You can’t just say that to me and expect me to forget it. We’re fucking adults now, we’re not in high school any more.”[/b]