Something odd about this sort of confrontation was that he really didn't mind Gabe no matter how critical or vindictive they got; they had a way of speaking and acting that made them charming regardless. Which is why Ryan was surprised that he couldn't quite remember ever talking to them at length before or being around when Gabe and Brendon actually hung out beyond a few passing moments - he knew he would've actually enjoyed Gabe's company, and that was a first for one of Brendon's friends. Usually he had to pretend to be interested in some guy who looked like he just got kicked out of his fraternity, or one who wanted to advertise his SoundCloud record, or one who bragged about all his bought social media followers. It was like a breath of fresh air to meet Gabe, who apparently only wanted to talk about keeping Brendon safe and comfortable.

Brendon, though, apparently had little to no trust in him. Ryan felt sick just thinking that. [i]Not completely. He did start to, but- you said all that to him and it was a hard blow.[/i] Fuck. Ryan wondered when that would ever stop haunting him. Well - at least it was a lesson in not speaking before thinking ever again. As long as he wanted to be a good friend again, he really needed to make some improvements to himself. [i]If he wanted to, he’d have completely cut you off by now, so- don’t worry. And don’t take it personally. Just- be honest with him, but not patronizing.[/i] As far as he understood from all of Brendon's '[i]Virgo[/i]' accusations, being patronizing was a facet of his personality that he could not avoid, but Ryan could at least try. Anyway - it was reassuring that he wasn't cut off, but only to a point. After all, it's not like Ryan was as easy to just cut off as everyone else. Brendon would have to fire him, which would take some explaining to his father, and then he'd have to sever all the connections Ryan had to his business, et cetera. It was a lot of work - maybe he wanted to cut Ryan off but just didn't want to go through the effort.

That was a reach, though. Probably. [i]Fuckin’ brat isn’t used to criticism.[/i] Ryan smiled with them, a little more at ease, and found that Gabe's happier expressions really made the situation a lot more hopeful. In fact, he felt this weird sense of approval/encouragement just from the fact that Gabe was sort of joking around with him. Odd how quickly he wanted to impress a near-stranger. He alluded to his, uh, situation with said near-stranger, though, with no issue, and Gabe kind of laughed at him. Ryan had the decency to look sheepish. [i]You’re not complaining about that, are you?[/i] This was about as good as Ryan could ever feasibly do. He shook his head profusely, knowing that was probably a rhetorical question but entirely unable to leave it alone. [b]"Of course not,"[/b] he said quickly. He'd probably be complaining if it was, like, bad in addition to torturing his psyche. Alas he was only suffering from the latter issue.

[i]I know, dumbass.[/i] Jeez. Ryan was again on edge, basically controlled by Gabe's reactions at this point. [i]I know that rich asshole, personally, and he and Brendon are nothing alike. Brendon is better. He deserves better- than me, than his dad, than you, than anyone.[/i] Ryan was nodding absently all the way through, knowing Gabe was right and wishing everyone else realised it, too.[i] But there’s something about you he obviously can’t shake because he’s kept seeing you. You’re clearly important to him.[/i] Looking hopeful again, Ryan levelled his gaze with Gabe's, trying to take this in. So here was someone actually sensible, and they thought Brendon considered Ryan an important part of his life. He was truly elated, but it seemed too unrealistic for him to react in any way other than being stunned. [i]Just don’t fuck it up. I mean it.[/i] Ryan nodded slowly, eyes softer. [b]"I won't,"[/b] he murmured, then tried more carefully. [b]"I won't."[/b]

There was a pause where Ryan again stared at his moving fingers, but jumped a little when the door opened and Gabe stood like they'd practiced looking innocent. They looked enthused as ever, and Brendon looked beyond suspicious, but Ryan couldn't pull any innocuous act other than looking slightly ill. [i]Hey, Gabe... hey, Ryan. What’re you guys doing here?[/i] Ryan had an excuse. He looked to Gabe to see how they'd get away with this, since they obviously [i]would[/i]. They moved to him breezily, and Ryan remained seated, looking on resignedly - he didn't even offer a greeting beyond a nod in Brendon's direction, figuring Gabe's presence was more random and therefore them talking was more a point of interest. [i]Just stopping by. Ran into your little boyfriend, too! Small world.[/i] Ryan's eyes widened as Brendon's rolled, trying not to stare too much after that comment - especially hard to do when Brendon looked the way he did today. Still very Brendon, perfect and put together, but sweeter, more casual. He glanced away as his jacket came off and landed over the seat back, leaning forward as if it had hit him on the way over. 

Predictably, though, Gabe got away with it. [i]Whatever, Gabriel. I’ll see you around, yeah? Text me.[/i] Not a question. Ryan couldn't imagine talking to them like that and looked on in wait for the argument - but there was none. He met their gaze for the last  time before they started heading out. [i]Try and keep it in your pants, Bden. Adios![/i] Ryan looked embarrassed once again, even running his hand over his face like it could expel any blush that threatened to rise to his features. [i]God fuckin’ damn, maybe I need to set stronger boundaries.[/i] Ryan finally looked up again, catching Brendon's smile a bit dazedly before remembering he really wasn't allowed to be like that and gave a nervous smile back. [b]"Maybe. I liked them,"[/b] he offered, watching as Brendon approached and placed his hands, gentle as ever, on Ryan's shoulders. Ryan's smile faded by a fraction and he turned his head somewhat, almost looking away but not quite.

[i]Uh, so- what was that about?[/i] Ryan paused, trying to squash the spark of every dumb scenario playing in his head: Brendon leaning down to kiss him, or Ryan taking one of the hands on his shoulders, or standing to be closer to him otherwise. Stupid. [b]"Um,"[/b] he murmured, realizing belatedly that he hadn't come up with a good lie as of yet. [b]"I think they just wanted to see what all this 'new PA' business was about. Gabe's really cool."[/b] He said that last part carefully. On his new 'trying not to sound like Brendon's mom' venture, there was no way he could blurt out his original [i]Gabe's a really good friend, I'm glad you're close to them[/i] or something like it. [b]"Anyway, uh, I got your suits, they're on the back of the door."[/b] Ryan brought a knee up to his chest and wrung his hands together around it, looking away again. [b]"So, why're you back early? I thought you had things to do?"[/b]