Ryan's main issue here was staying more than a couple of inches away from Brendon's skin, always intent on pressing another kiss to whatever skin was available with no consideration for the fact that both of them had to talk eventually. In fact the only thing keeping him from leaving another very obvious lovebite to accompany the last was Brendon reaching up to explore it, and Ryan was left grinning at him somewhat sheepishly. [i]Good thinking. But if you think I’m gonna need any prompting to think about you, you’re very wrong.[/i] His guilty smile turned to a fond one, endeared to that sentiment, and it once again felt so strange to be in the middle of a gradually drunker crowd of partygoers when they were talking like this, so vulnerably. And he understood exactly what Brendon meant, 'cause he was pretty much always on Ryan's mind anyway, even if not in the forefront. After this it would [i]definitely[/i] be worse, and far more tangible, so basically he was screwed until they got used to each other again. Ryan didn't see that happening any time soon.

Ryan always felt a little cheesy after saying things he intended to be sweet but came out more like a bad rom-com line, but Brendon just validated his words with a good-humoured laugh and a chaste kiss. No space for judgment when they were both kind of useless in these situations anyway. [i]Like what, baby?[/i] That was just an invitation for more corny drabble - [i]like when I first saw you again here, or whenever you genuinely smile, or whenever I hear your voice even in recordings[/i], so on - but Ryan managed to keep it in his head until their lips met again to help shut him up. Sure, it wouldn't be a bad thing to get ridiculously over-emotional given their circumstances, but the openness would still be just a little embarrassing. And whenever he shared what exactly Brendon did to make him weak it always came back to haunt him, 'cause then later Brendon knew what exactly to do to make him turn red and stumble over his words. Totally unfair.

Speaking of. [i]Aw, you’re all flushed. Is it hot in here, or is it just me?[/i] Ryan rolled his eyes, because he was very correct in his observation and Ryan had absolutely no comeback for it. [b]"Definitely you,"[/b] he said, and felt even more warmth. Again - embarrassing. He looked away to hide how dumb his smile must look at this point for a moment before turning back, missing the comfort of seeing Brendon again. [b]"It's not fair. You came wearing [i]this.[/i] I had no chance."[/b] He pinched the lapel of Brendon's jacket, running his fingers down until his hands could once again settle at the small of his back. [b]"Did you plan all of this with Gabe? You very conveniently showed up looking better than anyone else here."[/b] Then again, although Ryan's question was in jest, Gabe would not appreciate that kind of opinion, 'cause they were probably going for 'best dressed.' Anyway, Ryan was sort of biased.

Ironically, in response to what could only be described as Brendon's kiss against his pulse, Ryan felt his heart hum harder, so easily influenced by him. [i]You’re definitely alive now. Sound like you’ve sprinted somewhere, though. That my doing?[/i] Before Brendon was here, it was probably the fault of such a large amount of people in one space, or his tendency to worry what people thought of him even when it was more likely no one was paying him any attention. Now, though, he was definitely very much affected by not only Brendon's presence and everything he was doing, but also any of the incoherent and overheated thoughts running rampant through his head. 'Disappointed' was an insufficient word to describe how he felt about not being able to go him with Brendon or vice versa. [b]"I'd tell you not to be so cocky, but really..."[/b] He laughed sort of helplessly, his breath short. 

Ryan's thoughts went back, involuntarily, to minutes ago when he was so uncertain about all of this, apprehensive to accept any of Brendon's tipsy-confident advances. When Brendon so much as touched his suit jacket he'd wanted, partially, to pull his hands away, save himself from potential hurt; when all Brendon had for him was compliments the only responses he could initially conjure were awkward smiles and stunted 'thank you's. Now they were undoubtedly on the same page again, and although obviously his lovestruck heart rate disagreed, Ryan was at ease for the first time in a long time. He'd slowed down, his haste to cover Brendon in kisses and never let him go not dissipated but definitely feeling less life-or-death, and now his reflecting forced him to turn his gaze to the floor, staring at the tile.

[b]"Thank you,"[/b] he said gently, knowing full well that was the strangest thing to say given their situation, but. It felt necessary. [b]"I thought, maybe... I was afraid you didn't feel the same, after all this time."[/b] And he was dumb as hell for it. His original, insecure suspicion that maybe Brendon had approached him out of any place other than an affection that'd lived beyond their breakup was ridiculous; not a totally unfounded fear but still not something that should've weighed on him so heavily, considering Brendon's character. He placed another forbearing hand against the side of Brendon's face, still committing his features to memory as he'd tried moments previous. [b]"Now it's like nothing ever changed."[/b] Basically it didn't - they were both still in love, after all.