Ever since discovering Brendon had a boyfriend, Ryan knew he needed to make some serious changes in order to cope with this. That made it sound a little overdramatic, really, but it was true that it threw his whole routine for a loop. He'd been used to finishing everything business-related in his own apartment, hurriedly and efficiently, then spending the rest of his time socializing with Brendon and following him to events because that was the fun part of the job. And, of course, he'd become pretty comfortable with sleeping around with his boss - but that came as no surprise. His day-to-day was, naturally, making calls to people who actually had structured lives and professions they could move up in before all their offices closed, heading out to Brendon's or whereever Brendon had found himself this time, and then staying the night, leaving in the morning to restart the cycle. Generally, there was little variation in that schedule.

When he'd first seen Shane he was a little caught off-guard, only because it was rare that Brendon brought back someone who wasn't him lately, but an easy encounter to brush off. When he began to see the familiar face in Brendon's place again and again every time he stopped by, he realized there was definitely something up - and he had no idea how. How Shane got through that barrier, how Brendon saw anything that spoke 'relationship material' unless he just liked to take the bare minimum, how they started... More importantly, though, there was no way he was going to continue their affair (though it'd become less and less frequent anyway over the time Shane had been here) and Brendon seemed to adamantly agree. Ryan's approach to the end was to not look at all affected; if he looked hurt or sad it'd seem like he thought there was something more than what they actually had. If he reacted angrily then he'd just be an asshole, 'cause it's not like Brendon wasn't allowed to date.

So after nodding blankly and getting all of his clothes and his toothbrush and [i]whatever[/i] from Brendon's penthouse, he went to his own apartment and dropped down on the couch, looking around and realizing he much preferred a place where Brendon was written into everything. But Brendon had never been over, and Ryan tortured himself thinking that now he probably would never be. That was how it was for a while, Ryan acting like he was in some sad romance movie where the one he loved found someone else, except he wasn't necessarily in [i]love[/i] and neither was Brendon and they'd never been dating and he didn't see some happy kiss-in-the-rain ending in their future. He didn't see Shane lasting, obviously, but he didn't see himself coming after him, or after the next partner, or the next, or the one after that. Maybe Ryan had been the one to warm Brendon up to the idea of a semi serious relationship (alongside Gabe, he suspected), but that didn't make him entitled to Brendon's newfound comfort.

A month in he wasn't as bad, though, and in fact had completely detached himself... all right, almost completely. He was still attached enough to get pissed at the slightest slip-up from Shane, and he definitely hadn't stopped liking Brendon although his feelings were gradually fading, lucky him. For the most part though, Ryan had become more forward, more blunt, seemed less wound-up if only for the fact that his anxiety didn't get to him as strongly as before. In some ways the emotional distance was probably good for him; he was no longer on the brink of blurting out weirdly intimate sentiments to Brendon at any given time or getting way too personally involved in Brendon's unexpressed feelings. Either way, he was just glad he wasn't Shane, who only got away with being shitty eighty percent of the time because during the other twenty percent - and that was generous - he could schmooze like a pro. Brendon probably caught on, because he wasn't blind, but he evidently needed and appreciated the affection even if it was superficial.

Anyway. The 'not caring' thing extended into not realizing when he wasn't welcome - or realizing and just disregarding. [i]You know, I didn’t even say ‘come in’. And you didn’t knock.[/i] Ryan stared at Brendon, like a teenager being chastised, then hastily shrugged one shoulder because he hadn't, like, asked. [i]If you don’t start, you might see something you don’t wanna.[/i] Okay - good point. Maybe Ryan had been quick to jump to the conclusion that Brendon's opinion was irrelevant. He cringed a little, scrunching up his nose and looking away. [b]"I get the picture. I'll knock. Jesus,"[/b] he said, and it would've sounded immensely annoyed if only he didn't let out a soft laugh behind the final word. As gross as the idea of [i]them[/i] together was, Brendon's approach was beyond amusing. 

He caught Brendon looking back, lip trapped between his teeth, and realized before he'd even said anything what was going on. Fuck. [i]Shane is in the shower.[/i] He should've known, honestly. Ryan stopped moving for a moment, hands hesitating over his paperwork, and he debated just going back home - but the squeak of the shower knobs being turned round sounded and he was kinda fucked. Ryan leaned against the edge of the coffee table, watching as Shane came out of the shower - Brendon's shower - in a towel - one of Brendon's towels - and approached Brendon. He looked away in time not to witness their fond display, shifting his gaze then turning his head back to his work. Unfortunately, he didn't have any convenient device to block out his hearing. [i]Why’d you get dressed? Didn’t realise you’d had enough.[/i] Ryan scowled, meeting Brendon's apologetic gaze just as Shane took notice of him. [i]Who let that in?[/i] Ryan turned his head away again, already irritated. 

[i]He let himself in. Assistant, remember?[/i] If he was twelve he'd probably be saying a retaliatory 'ha' by now. He came pretty close. [i]Well, can he go? He’s ruining my plans.[/i] Ryan had by now let his gaze drift back over, deciding he could just deal with whatever sight there was to behold, but, praise God, Brendon was practically dodging his gestures. [i]No. He has stuff to do.[/i] [b]"You could go be productive, too, if I'm bothering you,"[/b] Ryan added unhelpfully, sending an artificial smile his way when he was met by Shane's suspicious look. [i]Put a shirt on, then. He’s ogling you.[/i] Ryan wondered how deluded he had to be, what exactly there was to be threatened by when he looked at Ryan. He'd barely looked at Brendon since he got here, much less ogled.

[i]No. You get dressed. You’re the one in a towel.[/i] Ryan knew Brendon was looking at him now, but he stupidly couldn't hold back. [b]"Right. I've seen it all before, it's fine."[/b] A little contradictory, but whatever. This seemed to prompt some confusion from Shane, whose suspicious expression grew slightly more bewildered. [i]What does [/i]that [i]mean?[/i] Oh. Ryan opened his mouth, trying to come up with an excuse on the spot, because he hadn't realized Shane wasn't clued in on what had happened between them. With slight alarm, he looked at Brendon, then shrugged as casually as he could. [b]"He's my best friend. Dry off and get dressed, you're ruining shit."[/b] He gestured impatiently at the hardwood tracked with water and the fabric of the couch he was leaning over, but Shane clearly didn't care, as he was circling around to sit beside Brendon. [i]I thought you 'had stuff to do.' Maybe you should get on that.[/i] Ryan had forgotten all about it, really, but arched an eyebrow before looking at Brendon, like he was in the middle of a sibling rivalry and needed a mediator. [b]"Brendon. You should get him a muzzle."[/b]