Inbetween frequent shows and writing sessions, one of the main task that occupied the band’s time were showing up reluctantly to interviews and panels they were heavy-handedly coerced into doing. None of the four members were particularly confident or eloquent in the beginning, but then Brendon turned up and he quickly got the hang of it, doing most of the talking until maybe Jon or Spencer dropped the odd comment and Ryan was forced into answering a lyric-based question. They never seemed very enthusiastic during these interviews- in fact, they’d probably rather be anywhere else- so, to make them a little less mind-numbing and repetitive, they all tended to get high beforehand (as with everything during the entire era of the second album), though this was obvious, and probably risky considering the nature of some of their more frequently asked questions- for example, there always tended to be one that was basically [i]are Brendon and Ryan together[/i] but worded more delicately each time. First, it was something like ‘[i]you’re four young guys trapped together on a bus most of the time, is there ever tension between any of you’-[/i] it was said carefully, but the interviewer looked plainly at Brendon and Ryan. They never entertained them with a straight answer, and just tended to shrug or avoid it or make jokes.

As time went on, when Brendon and Ryan actually were dating, the questions began to become more bold and straightforward- things like [i]there are rumours of Brendon and Ryan being in a relationship[/i] and [i]have you ever dated a bandmate/which one would you date if you had to[/i], and finally a straight question- [i]are you and Ryan dating.[/i] Again, they tended to laugh awkwardly, shrug it off, dismiss it all as some joke, a rumour- when really, the reason Brendon and Ryan arrived at interviews up to an hour late wasn’t traffic, the reason they were so touchy was by no means platonic, and they were dating, had kissed, had fallen in love, and were completely besotted with eachother. They denied, denied, denied, but it was obvious, really, even if somebody wasn’t really looking. They could be at interviews and they’d be sat way too close to eachother on the couch, with Brendon’s fingers tapping against Ryan’s leg, or it could be a judging panel, and they kept leaning in to talk into eachother’s ears and pass notes that nobody else could see. Neither of them really knew the meaning of subtle, they never had, and eventually, they stopped caring completely- especially after they got back together.

Brendon was asked repeatedly about Ryan right after the band’s breakup, and whenever his name was mentioned, his chest tightened agonisingly and he felt a dull ache of pain because he was still in love, he missed him, missed his skin, his eyes, his kisses and his embrace. When they reunited and very quickly got back together, thanks to a certain Gabriel as well as Brendon’s tipsy forwardness, they decided it would just be easier to make their relationship public for once. It sort of worked, because they were no longer asked speculative questions about rumours- but then again Brendon was mostly asked about whether the band split was because of him and Ryan, whether dating a bandmate was hard, do you have any plans to get married. That last question was one he did indulge in, gushing about marriage and future and domestic bliss and hoping Ryan didn’t watch [i]every[/i] single one of his interviews because, as had been revealed in the past, he sometimes wasn’t too reliable when it came to huge commitments. And marriage was a huge commitment- even if he had already decided he wanted to remain with Ryan for the rest of his life, the concept was extremely daunting.

Nevertheless, he was sold on the romance of it all, and even though he wasn’t usually so sentimental, he was unbelievably excited about the death of his bachelor self. He couldn’t wait to be married, introduce Ryan as his husband, share a surname. It was all so domestic, so perfect- Brendon couldn’t believe it would be happening to him. He thought he would be alone for a very long time when he was younger, and then after he broke it off with Ryan. Both times, the love of his life had proved him gloriously wrong. Ryan saved him from cardiac arrest during the proposal, too, rebuking his nervousness. [i]You sound like I could have said anything else.[/i] Brendon smiled against Ryan’s hand, and then lifted his head, blinking gently, eyelashes fluttering because Ryan was too pretty and he couldn’t look at him directly for too long without being rendered dumb and speechless. [b]”You never know,”[/b] He said softly, eyes studying Ryan intently, enamoured, [b]“Thought maybe you’d want revenge on me for dumping you for no reason.”[/b] He grinned, moving forwards into Ryan’s lap.

[i]Me, too.[/i] He imagined Ryan’s proposal. He’d be so much more nervous, because of Brendon’s sketchy history with huge, sudden steps forward. He’d probably struggle to find words, but the ones he did say would be so profound- Ryan had a way with words, when he could get them out, then Brendon could never dream of matching. But he did his best, and he hoped it was enough for his English major boyfriend- no, fiancé. They were fiancés. Brendon felt his heart swell. [i]Pretty much since we met. But I’m glad you beat me to the chase... this is so beautiful, baby.[/i] [b]”Since we met? I know I’m pretty, baby, but did you have that much of a crush on me?”[/b] He teased, just as Ryan rested a hand behind one of his shoulders. He then leaned in as he was coaxed forwards, joining him in a gentle, familiar kiss, trying not to freak out too much and get all hyper from the happiness and ecstasy surging through his nerves.  [i]You’re corny, but sweet.[/i] Shrugging haughtily, Brendon didn’t grace him with a response, but had to forcefully prevent a smile when he met Ryan’s eyes.

[i]It’s a good thing I get you to myself.[/i] Brendon nodded, enthusiastic about that concept, arms still thrown over his shoulders and crossing over loosely behind his neck. [b]”All yours,”[/b] He agreed, shifting a little to get comfortable. [b]”Forever. I love you.”[/b] Was it overkill to say it so often? Brendon didn’t know. In some kind of romantic cliche, he wasn’t sure whether he said it too often or not enough. Ryan didn’t seem to complain. [i]We’re keeping your last name, right?[/i] Instantly, Brendon pulled back, regarding him with an emotion akin to shock and mock annoyance. [b]”Darling,”[/b] He began, his voice soft and low and velvety, [b]”You know I love you more than anything, but if I had to take your name, I wouldn’t marry you. I wasn’t meant to be [i]Brendon Ready.[/i]”[/b] He smiled fondly. [b]”[i]Ryan Blake...[/i] That’s nicer,”[/b] He murmured, testing how it sounded on his tongue. [b]”[i]George[/i] Ryan Blake.”[/b]

[i]Tell me about it, how we’ll be. Married life. I vote: lots of dogs.[/i] Brendon nodded, enthusiastic, and then decided to gently push Ryan backwards so he could settle over him, hand carding through his hair while he told him what he had thought about so much over the past few months especially. [b]”Three dogs,”[/b] He suggested, tugging gently on a curl of Ryan’s hair. [b]”They’ll wake us up in the morning and we’ll stay in bed for as long as we want. We could be in silence, on separate sides of the bed, or together, kissing til we’re breathless, and it wouldn’t matter because we have hundreds of mornings to vary and each one will be perfect as long as I spend it with you, my husband, my love.”[/b] He paused, grinned, kissed the corner of his mouth. [b]”Cringy, huh?”[/b]