When they were under the metaphorical interrogation lamp that was the vigorous press and media surrounding their band, Ryan (and probably Brendon, to more or less of an extent) had plenty of reasons to hide his relationship, all of which were rational in his head. He could be as unsubtle and touchy as possible, but weirdly enough drew the line at actually confirming peoples' suspicions - their saving grace was the fact that the rest of the band was fairly comfortable with each other anyway, all platonically hung over each other or using someone as a pillow because they were that close of friends. He was concerned about safety, firstly; if someone didn't like their relationship, it would most definitely come back to Brendon first and foremost just because he was the frontman, the most easily accessible. And then he simply didn't like sharing the parts of his life that were no one else's business. He didn't answer any other personal questions, either, so this one constantly forced on them was no different.

An extension of that, he knew interviewers would just get more inappropriate and intrusive if they were honest, and every boundary they'd carefully drawn out and tried to sustain would be for nothing. Plus, what about Jon and Spencer? If Brendon and Ryan became the focus just for this new development, their friends would fade into the background, and probably the [i]actual[/i] music they created. They were decidedly musicians before they were public figures. There was plenty more Ryan worried about, but the point was that hiding it was never out of not wanting to be associated with Brendon like that. In fact, [i]any[/i] descriptor that kept them in close ties was more than welcome to him. Anyway. As far as he knew, no one ever found out for certain until they actually reconnected, and Ryan had very rarely been approached about it thanks to the mere fact that he rarely went anywhere people would make a big deal of it or agreed to interviews. Brendon, though, evidently had gotten quite a few questions over time, but when Ryan noticed the trend of people wondering whether the split was because of them, he deliberately tried to avoid those parts of the interview if he even saw it in the first place.

It was just unfathomable that they'd come from that, to here. Years ago he'd be scared to hold Brendon's hand in public, or in the very early stages he'd even been cautious of walking too close to him. Now here they were, reliving the beginning of it all, except this time they were so secure with one another that everything was on the surface, completely receptive to one another rather than circling around subtext. Ryan would even say they were comfortable if Brendon hadn't been so nerve-wracked up to the actual proposal - thankfully it quickly faded with reassuring words and Ryan's eventual acceptance. What else could have happened? Ryan wasn't sure about fate, but some force was keeping them tied to one another. Like a Japanese legend he knew, where lovers or life partners destined to find one another were connected by an invisible red string tied round their little finger. The string could undergo duress, contract and stretch and tangle, but it didn't break. He might've thought it was sweet but too idealistic if he'd never met Brendon - now he understood the legend completely.

Brendon looked what words could not describe, smiling through the kiss he pressed to the back of Ryan's hand, but some words could come close; princely, enchanting, most importantly: devoted. He knew it before, but Ryan felt they were definitely in this for the long run, and he was about ready to make his vows, if only time could hurry up without letting him miss out on the engagement period. [i]You never know.[/i] Alright, the only reasonable situation in which he'd say no was if Ryan himself wanted to propose, turn it around on him. But he wasn't [i]that[/i] competitive. [i]Thought maybe you’d want revenge on me for dumping you for no reason.[/i] Ryan accepted him closer, wrapping his arms round his waist, and thought that he had a pretty good reason at the time. Why force him into something he wasn't ready for? The time let him think about it - and now, look, it was worth it. Ryan realized distantly exactly how proud he was of him and might've even droned on about it if he wanted to be even cornier. Alas, he rolled his eyes amusedly at Brendon's speculation.

[i]Since we met? I know I’m pretty, baby, but did you have that much of a crush on me?[/i] [b]"Pretty? You're selling yourself short,"[/b] he answered, even though he knew Brendon was just teasing. [b]"And it wasn't just that. I liked everything about you so fast - and, y'know, kind of got carried away thinking about what could be. So, yeah, sort of a big crush."[/b] He shrugged nonchalantly, like it really was something casual to just throw out there, laughing softly all the same. It was the truth; his first impression of Brendon was obviously fond, learning he was pretty much all talent, maybe 1% human. And when he got a better look at him, he instantly memorized Brendon's features, suddenly disinterested in everyone else; when he actually recruited him it just meant that he had more positive traits to show for - his sense of humor that shouldn't have but somehow went well with Ryan's, his constant energy, his endless empathy. The list went on. With all that in mind, of [i]course[/i] Ryan's mind would drift to ambitious places.

[i]All yours.[/i] He didn't really need the reassuring, honestly. But Ryan somehow felt even warmer from those two words alone, even more enthused about what was in store for them. [i]Forever. I love you.[/i] Brendon had revolutionized the word. Ryan was pretty sure he'd be finding it frequently in anything he wrote from now on, straight from the subconscious. [b]"I love you,"[/b] he returned softly, considering him closely with a reserved smile. God, they were sickly sweet - except for when it came to talking about Ryan's curse of a name. [i]Darling.[/i] Ryan prepared himself. [i]You know I love you more than anything, but if I had to take your name, I wouldn’t marry you.[/i] [b]"Understandable,"[/b] Ryan piped in, instantaneous. [i]I wasn’t meant to be Brendon Ready.[/i] Ryan shook his head, looking like this was such a tragedy. [i]Ryan Blake... That’s nicer.[/i] Hearing it from his mouth, voice all velvety, was something on a whole different level. Ryan looked touched, and then - [i]George Ryan Blake.[/i] [b]"Ouch. Didn't see that one coming."[/b] Somewhere in the back of his mind, he definitely did. Ryan grinned at him despite the urge to roll his eyes again, and pointedly did not tack on 'the third' to fuel his amusement.

Ryan had had plenty of time to fantasize in his own way about how they'd turn out, what they'd do, where they'd live, so on; now he was excited to hear Brendon's thoughts, to know how in tune they were should their visions be similar. Brendon's instant enthusiasm was infectious, and Ryan easily leaned back with his guidance, resting until he could gaze up at Brendon with what was apparently a permanent smile. He kept his hands on either side of Brendon's waist, absently drawing his fingertips in gentle circles with one hand. [i]Three dogs.[/i] Ryan liked the sound of that - and it wasn't just Brendon's hand coaxing through his hair that endeared him to the idea. He was certainly getting too relaxed from it, though, more serene by the second. [i]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.[/i]

By the end of it Ryan was very quiet, more engrossed in Brendon's voice the longer he continued - and, frankly, speechless. He was trying his hardest to control how obvious his delight translated to his expression, but it was near impossible, especially when Brendon pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth like Ryan would usually with him. Funny how that worked. [i]Cringy, huh?[/i] [b]"Very. And I love it."[/b] His busied hand at Brendon's waist migrated up to rest at the back of his neck instead, thumb brushing carefully over his hairline. [b]"Those dogs are going to be [i]so[/i] spoiled,"[/b] he laughed, already imaginative. [b]"We'll travel. See the world together, and this time it won't just be for a tour. And we'll always live somewhere where we can make music together, always have time for each other... and even if we're apart, we'll know we can come home to one another. As long as I have you, nothing else matters. I love you more than life -"[/b] He leaned up to press a kiss to Brendon's jaw, staying close to continue. [b]"More than music-"[/b] He moved to Brendon's cheek to kiss him again, with certainty. [b]"More than anything."[/b] He caught his lips last of all, lingering until he couldn't, and then lowered his voice to repeat after Brendon. [b]"Cringy, huh?"[/b]