Ryan wished distantly that there was a way to jump ahead in time, to a point where they didn't have to go to different apartments with different friends and try to meet again without interference. He was sure he couldn't leave with Brendon or vice versa, anyway; Ryan knew at least Spencer would be very much against the reunion and they had a better chance explaining themselves sometime that wasn't late in the night, when everyone had had a few drinks. That went hand in hand with the 'different friends' issue - they were now in distinctly separate social circles, like they'd gotten  divorce and their kids all had to pick sides, or whatever. Ryan at least would be glad to bring everything together again, but he wasn't sure how quickly others would adapt to it. 

Mostly, though, Ryan was disappointed that the possibility of them instantly joining each others' lives again was slim. Brendon was probably busy with the band, Ryan had picked an apartment slightly out of the way, there were people to get around unless they were going to be open about getting back together - it was messy. If they had only one night and no other meeting planned in the foreseeable future, he'd try to fit everything in all at once, no regard for how appropriate it might be for some theme party. And in the [i]kitchen,[/i] no less, although it was marginally better than their previous location just on the outskirts of all the action. Ryan considered the fact that Gabe had a huge house with probably at least five rooms that would suit their need for some space away from the party itself... but they probably wouldn't appreciate that. And he didn't trust himself to remember to actually leave the place if they got comfortable. So maybe he was a little desperate.

Anyway. Ryan couldn't plan out their future or [i]whatever[/i] - not that he was so concerned about anything beyond a handful of weeks - right here, not when he was determined to spend their limited time properly. Without really being conscious of what he was actually doing, Ryan's apparent first choice was to leave a reminder on Brendon's skin, purple and red and kind of obvious against the pale canvas. At first Brendon was too distracted to care, and Ryan realized he probably should have, like, asked first, or something, once Brendon woke up from his daze to actually feel his bruise, not looking particularly pleased about the placement. [i]Yes.[/i] Ryan tried not to laugh at the weight of his tone, instead suppressing it behind a grin. 

Deciding he really didn't have the same concerns as Brendon, he let his gaze drop to his mouth, watching him briefly catch his lip. [i]That’s fuckin’ high. What was the ulterior motive?[/i] He made a show of trying to adjust Brendon's shirt collar to hide it, smoothing down the suit jacket that rose with it all the same. Amused, Ryan shrugged a shoulder, giving up on his endeavor. [b]"Thought you'd see it later and think of me,"[/b] he said contemplatively, although he was fairly certain neither of them would need a reminder. In fact Ryan's mind would likely not drift anywhere else over the next [i]week[/i] - but that was assuming they didn't get to make another memory. When it seemed Brendon wasn't too upset about the matter Ryan had already started painting a little constellation of kisses against his skin, utterly out of place when they'd acted with such urgency moments before.

He didn't think the gesture was anything particularly special, but Brendon's reaction said otherwise. [i]I love you.[/i] Ryan was thrown off for a moment, watching him move away with a sort of awed fondness, and he realized this was the first time in months either of them had said that to each other. It felt so natural and easy, but given the time, the meaning was so much heavier, and it took him a beat to regain his voice. [b]"I love you,"[/b] he echoed, quieter, speaking almost into Brendon's hair before tipping his head back to give him easier access. [i]Fuck, I never stopped.[/i] He laughed softly, breathlessly, and was tilting his head back down just as Brendon pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth, just as off-center as Ryan tended to be. It occurred to him that he had plenty to say, plenty of things he wanted to do, but more than that, Brendon had his full, undivided attention when he was talking this way. So all he could do was listen, charmed, his jaw a little slack.

[i]This is like fucking... the cabin, all over again. My feelings for you have remained consistently the same.[/i] Ryan was a little startled by his clarity but it was completely fitting, an accurate description of his own feelings. He nodded just slightly, still virtually immobilized by the sudden change in mood. [b]"I know what you mean,"[/b] he said as casually as he could, a half-smile playing on his lips. [b]"And you just keep giving me reasons to love you more."[/b] Like, right now, for example. It's not like Brendon starved him of these kinds of moments and that was the reason for his surprise - it's just. It'd been a while, and in that while, this was exactly the sort of thing he'd imagine and daydream about. It was in the midst of a party, no less, although Ryan had forgotten all about their surroundings some time ago.

All of the tiny centimeters of space between them disappeared and still Ryan didn't feel like they could be close enough. He melted into the kiss, relying completely on Brendon's guidance because at this point he'd lost the capability to think or function at all. [i]I love you.[/i] Ryan's brain struggled to turn back on and somewhere in there he was thinking about every invitation he'd ever declined, so glad that this wasn't one, and also he'd have to thank Gabe later with, like, the contents of his bank account. He let their foreheads rest together for a second, smiling, before pulling back, taking his features in again as if he hadn't been looking the entire night. [i]I’ve missed you, and I talk too much too.[/i] Ryan laughed again, briefly and almost silently, shaking his head. [b]"I could listen forever. I love you so much,"[/b] he answered, warmth flooding him before he realised he was probably dumbly blushing. He couldn't really muster up the energy to care, though.

The hand in Brendon's hair dropped, joining the other at the small of his back, and he sort of swayed both of them, his lips pressed to Brendon's forehead for a long moment before he could bring himself to pull back. [b]"I don't know how we survived. Actually - I think I died and you brought me back to life tonight."[/b] He cracked up a little, tilting his head to one side and studying Brendon again, unable to stop smiling.