Situations like this usually followed a set pattern- Brendon tended to initiate (he was the more forward out of the two of them), Ryan tended to [i]seem [/i] hesitant but actually probably be the more eager out of the two of them (just with less driving force), and more often than not it ended up in bed and they slept in, because nothing else particularly mattered when they were together. This, though, was different; they were both kind of navigating troubled waters, Brendon pissed but simultaneously attention and touch starved, Ryan adamantly sticking to his own side but desperately wanting the pettiness and bitterness to be over so they could go back to normal them. Just minutes ago, Brendon had been legitimately hurt and angry enough that he wanted to switch rooms and couldn’t stand the thought of having to remain in the same room for an entire evening, night and morning. Now, he was considering leaving more for making a statement and to prevent a repeat situation on future shows. Ryan had also been uncooperative until now, and was probably the more motivated out of the two of them to reconciliate.

It would have been pretty easy- apologies, a kiss like Brendon wanted- but unfortunately he didn’t like finding the easy way out of things and, being just a little melodramatic, he seemed to be subconsciously drawing it out into more than it had to be. Not that he hadn’t overreacted in the first place anyway. Anyhow, it was apparent that Brendon wasn’t about to just drop it- but likely confusingly for Ryan, he changed topics, talking about how sweaty he was for some reason. Attractive. But it was all for a reason; he then reached down casually to unbuckle and remove his belt, letting it clatter to the floor in the tense silence. Ryan looked a little shellshocked and it was Brendon’s turn to try and suppress a grin- he was about to make some excuse about wanting to cool down and then shower, but honestly he was pretty sure he’d just get hotter because his temperate was already rising from the way Ryan was looking at him.

This was all he had wanted. This kind of attention on stage, this kind of reaction when he took off his shirt- Sure, it was an old trick (Brendon could take off his own shirt amazingly quickly), but he wished Ryan was still as affected by it as when he first started doing it. Alas, even Ryan, whom Brendon thought to be pretty easy, could grow to not be phased by such a sight. If he tried to think it through, he’d probably understand, but Brendon wasn’t patient enough to give opposing views the time of day even in his head and continued to be bitter about it. Brendon moved a hand down to his zipper just as Ryan stepped closer and drifted a hand to his waist. Feeling his chest tighten at the contact he had been missing all day, he flashed a smile and them remembered he was supposed to be angry. [i]I’m sure.[/i] Another hands against his back, and Brendon tried to straighten, having noticed that suddenly Ryan was standing much more confidently, hips hitting forward, even if every touch was fraught with obvious apprehension, like he was afraid of setting Brendon off again.

[i]No, I’m sure. Just, you believe me, right? I was never being an asshole on purpose. I really am sorry, baby.[/i] Admittedly, he was pleasantly surprised but still doubtful that Ryan actually would go along with what he was so shortsightedly promising. Every time he’d asked, he’d said something like [i]I’d slip and die[/i] (understandable) [i]I’d be way too vulnerable [/i](Brendon had seen Ryan sans clothing numerous times before, what was his point) or [i]showers are where you get clean[/i] (having two showers isn’t a crime the last time Brendon checked)- so now Ryan had actually suggested it himself you could forgive him for not holding on to too much hope even so. [b]”Yeah, I know,”[/b] He said kind of reluctantly, because it wasn’t like his bitterness had just dissipated into thin air. [b]”I know you wouldn’t and I know you are.”[/b] Ryan leaned in to kiss his forehead and Brendon closed his eyes briefly, savouring it and staying silent only to keep the facade of being annoyed beyond reconciliation alive.

[i]And I think I prefer my days mostly revolving around you like they usually do. Life’s kinda lackluster otherwise.[/i] [b]”I’d say stop kissing my ass, but actually, keep talking.”[/b] He replied, raising an eyebrow, about to speak again when suddenly Ryan’s hand was down at his zipper and he had hooked a finger in Brendon’s waistband, drawing him closer, and Brendon was again finding it tremendously difficult to stay actually angry. [i]Like I said- I won’t, if you’re mad.[/i] Of course he didn’t, but he planned on milking ‘striving for forgiveness in any way’ Ryan as much as possible. [b]”And I’m defintrly not getting ignored, but you know what would make He absolutely positive?”[/b] Brendon tilted his head and leaned in, speaking close to his ear in a hushed but lax tone of voice, speaking with rather flowering detail before moving back and pulling the zip down, stepping away.

[b]”That would be ideal. But, I feel like I’m still kind of bitter. I’ll talk to you after my shower, Ry.”[/b] He said, almost casually, not bothering to stop himself from grinning smugly. He then whirled around and did step out of his jeans, expecting Ryan to still be there when he turned around because although he sounded serious, he was joking. Brendon thought he knew that.