It was obvious to Brendon that Ryan had almost given up slightly in multiple ways, and just didn’t care anymore- he didn’t do anything with his hair so it was unruly and wildly curly (this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing- if the nature of their relationship was still the same, he’d have a lot to say about it that Ryan would probably like to hear), he tended to turn up with Brendon at important events in a hoodie, didn’t knock (but then he’d never had to and Brendon had never asked him to), and was just generally more passive about everything. It was a development that directly correlated with how they had tried to sweep everything intimate that had happened between them in the past under the metaphorical rug and not speak of it again, but the weight of that was always there, and it was difficult after months of them growing closer to just go back to square one. Or even before that- maybe Brendon just shouldn’t have hired him and this confusion wouldn’t happen. Brendon wouldn’t look at him an involuntarily think about the two of them, together. It was becoming a problem.

Ryan, on the other hand, didn’t seem bothered about it at all, and just sort of nodded mutely and half-shrugged when Brendon sort of suggested, sort of ordered that he moved all the stuff that had migrated over to Brendon’s apartment back to his own. His toothbrush, some of the clothes Brendon had actually stolen- it had gotten to the point where they behaved like boyfriends, lived like boyfriends, kissed like boyfriends, but they weren’t. Because Brendon had bumped into one irritating but admittedly attractive douchebag and decided he wanted that person to be his first real experience of an official, labelled relationship. But maybe it was less of one than Brendon and Ryan’s- 80% of the time, Shane just wanted something, and Brendon, generally willing to comply, let it happen, not really seeing that he was being taken advantage of and more expecting from the start that money and fame were more of an appeal than himself when people considered dating him. He had set himself up to be disappointed- but he had maybe chosen wisely; he didn’t actually have any attachment to Shane. He told himself that would come with time and shut away his doubts. 

So, because semi-living together and spending the majority of their time together was now second nature, Ryan just walking in was something they hadn’t thought to discuss. Or maybe Ryan just didn’t care. He wouldn’t put it past him at this point. Ryan was clearly used to walking in and out without having to alert Brendon to his presence- when Brendon tentatively told him that maybe he should start, he looked like he was being scolded and Brendon shifted a little, uncomfortable. It wasn’t that Brendon wanted to be having this conversation, but it was more for Ryan’s sake than his. [i]I get the picture. I’ll knock. Jesus.[/i] Brendon smiled, relieved, but noticed the hint of disdain to his tone and raised an eyebrow. [b]”Hey, is there a problem?”[/b] It sounded like an interrogation, but Brendon was more amused than anything, and there was nothing serious behind his tone. Still, he wondered if Ryan was wound-up because of annoyance, or jealousy, or both. Or maybe he didn’t care at all and Brendon was just hearing whatever he wanted to hear.

Brendon would have liked it if maybe Shane had spent a little longer in the shower, or stayed in the bedroom, or anything to give him and Ryan some alone time because they never got to be together any more. Shane was always there, and though that was Brendon’s choice most of the time, Ryan was his best friend and he missed being able to talk to him without Shane and Ryan almost starting a fight. But no, apparently Shane just sensed when Ryan was around, and walked straight from the shower out of the bedroom in one of Brendon’s fluffy white towels that wasn’t the one he had told Shane to use. Fucker. Brendon shrugged it off mentally- it wasn’t a big deal- and only half-engaged when Shane kissed him, just resting back into the sofa and wishing maybe Shane had an ounce of respect for Ryan. But that was wishful thinking, so he just looked at his assistant very apologetically. He knew that, even if he didn’t really care, this wasn’t something anybody really wanted to hear.

[i]You could go be productive, too, if I’m bothering you.[/i] Brendon stifled a laugh, running a hand through his unruly hair which was followed by Shane’s hand dragging through it and tugging slightly. He bit his lip- but also wondered who exactly raised him. [i]I was being productive.[/i] Brendon didn’t look, but he knew Shane was gesturing to him, so he elbowed him. Shane didn’t respond, just rested his hands on Brendon’s shoulders and announced his suspicions plain to everyone’s ears- that Ryan was trying to steal Brendon or something. Brendon was glad he hadn’t mentioned what had happened between him and Ryan, or he’d never hear the end of it and Shane would refuse to have him over. Not that it was his call to make. Speaking of which, Ryan apparently didn’t know it wasn’t common knowledge- or didn’t care. [i]Right. I’ve seen it all before, it’s fine.[/i]

Brendon’s eyes widened and then closed, and he dragged his hands down across his face before staring at Ryan, obviously wondering what the hell was wrong with him. It was true, but... he shouldn’t say it.  He mouthed ‘what the fuck’ in his direction. They were going to be talking about this later. [i]What does that mean?[/i] Brendon’s mind went blank as he panicked, but for once, Ryan was quicker on his feet, and semi-redeemed himself. [i]He’s my best friend.[/i] Aw. Brendon nodded reaffirmingly. [b]”Probably seen more than he wanted to.”[/b] He tried not to laugh, because this was so dumb and it was strange because Brendon and Ryan were still on the same team here. Brendon just felt obliged to keep the peace. [i]Dry off and get dressed, you’re ruining shit.[/i] Obviously Shane didn’t listen, and instead walked around to sit beside him. If he ruined the goddamn sofa, Brendon would kick his ass. Or get Gabe to do it. [i]I thought you had ‘stuff to do’. Maybe you should get on that.[/i]

[b]”Babe, he’s my assistant, not yours. Listen, you’re not even dry, could you just, like- get dressed? And maybe come back later?”[/b] Shane looked affronted, like he was about to argue, but Brendon thought fast and leaned in, making some kind of promise that Shane probably wanted to hear. You could see his tune change by his expression alone, and he was smirking. [i]Brendon. You should get him a muzzle.[/i] He shrugged a shoulder, mostly ignoring Ryan, and leaned over to kiss Shane, if only to console him. His boyfriend then stood up and went back into the bedroom, looking like he was using all his willpower to hold his tongue. The door shut. Brendon exhaled, laughing. [b]”I am so sorry. Listen, I promised him you’d leave before, like, five. I know you have a lot to do, but...”[/b]