Unfortunately, Brendon did see the humiliating truth behind Ryan's personality. It's not that he necessarily lied about who he really was or had some kind of façade up - it's just that he never had any reason to show how vindictive and critical and mean-spirited he could be, not to anyone outside of his immediate circle who were conveniently there whenever it shone through. Well. 'Conveniently' might even be the wrong term. The only convenience was that Brendon was also present, and bothersome enough that he could dig and dig and dig all the way under Ryan's skin, all the way under his surface of sweetness and timidness and gentleness. In fairness, those were all kind of true as long as he was a safe twenty-foot distance away from his lead singer and otherwise had no reminders of him within sight. Whatever the case may be, it annoyed Ryan to no end that Brendon had that special privilege of seeing past him, and it was especially annoying that, as a result, Brendon saw no reason to give Ryan any kind of special treatment. 

Since he'd found fame, all people wanted to do was protect and care for him, this dainty and boyish thing that got too big too quickly and looked doe-eyed and lost in the limelight. Brendon was not one of those people. To be as eloquent as possible, they'd fought and fucked and flirted and fussed, and now Brendon knew just about everything he needed to know to hold a constant upper hand over Ryan's head. Not even Spencer had come that close and they'd known each other longest. Their new situation was difficult and complex, sure, but it was something of a relief to know Brendon more intimately; now they had a secret to share that kept them from the edge of totally snapping and betraying the other, and Ryan didn't have to watch himself so much. Coincidentally there wasn't a whole lot to 'watch' anymore, either, considering their massive fights had dwindled into petty bickering, and when Ryan was annoyed with him he no longer put it on massive display for anyone else around - just approached Brendon to kiss him quiet when no one was looking. It was still messy, yeah, just not as bloody.

This incident, though, might end up saying otherwise. In the right, rational part of his mind, Ryan knew he was overreacting, he looked stupid and protective and too damn affected, but he couldn't stop himself. They hadn't even agreed to... not see other people, god, and that made it sound like they were seeing [i]each other,[/i] and Ryan couldn't even think of any terminology he'd feel comfortable applying to their situation. They were nowhere near 'boyfriends,' that's for sure, but that's how Ryan was acting. He hated himself for it. More than that, he hated Brendon and his new toy, watching Brendon move off his lap but let one arm remain thrown over the line of his shoulders. [i]Calm down, princess.[/i] Ryan's shoulders tensed even more, expecting him to be that irritating, of course, but without any comeback prepared. Funny- he was almost certain he'd used that nickname for Brendon under very specific circumstances.

He felt a bizarre sort of power in the way Brendon appeared to recoil at him moving closer, eyes trained carefully on his hands even when he made himself relax - clearly Ryan was successfully making his point. [i]Ryan, this is Ian. Ian- this is [/i]Ryan. Ryan paused, thinking nothing of it until Brendon caught his eye and he realized there was an underlying message there. Keltie. When was that relationship going to quit fucking haunting him. If he'd have started with someone better - if he'd have gotten off on the right foot with Brendon... whoa. Ryan crashed that train of thought before it could spiral out of control. He scowled, catching the way Ian looked at him and instantly deciding he hated the guy worlds more than he'd thought possible. [i]Yeah, whatever, he only picked you because you look like me.[/i] They both stood and approached and Ryan held his ground, taking his hands from his pockets and turning his chin up challengingly. Odd, he hadn't had this sort of fight with Brendon in a minute, the kind where the air was so thick it felt hard to breathe. He wasn't sure that he'd missed it - but it's not like he could resolve it in their new way with Ryan 2.0 here. 

He felt another flare of possessiveness at the sight of Ian's arm around Brendon's waist, and it's not even like Ryan had ever shown that kind of gesture to him. In terms of sweetness or any kind of romance, they'd only ever skimmed the surface and quickly jumped away as if they'd been burned. [i]Who said anything about cheap?[/i] Ryan glared while he looked more smug, amused, and hated how easygoing Brendon could be in the face of him being genuinely pissed now. In the beginning Brendon couldn't hold his ground nearly as well. Ian looked like he was listening, though, and Brendon let him off the hook. [i]Okay, babe, call me.[/i] Or don't. Ryan looked triumphant for half a second before Brendon was turning and leaning up and - he was turning himself before he could see them kiss, pushing his hand through his hair and facing the wall tiredly. He kept his gaze carefully away until Ian came through his line of sight, walking through the door and letting the door fall shut behind him. Ryan didn't relax, just turned to Brendon again resignedly, feeling his fingers itch.

Brendon looked about as sick of him. Ryan watched him wipe his face, fold his arms, and it had been so quiet for a few moments that the exact extent of how ridiculous he'd been settled over him. He refused to feel bad about it. [i]What's your fuckin’ problem, huh? Can’t stand missing out?[/i] Ryan let out a short, mean laugh, disbelieving. [b]"My fucking [i]problem[/i] is that anyone could have walked in. You're being an inconsiderate asshole."[/b] Even he knew that was weak. Ryan paused for a second, trying to choose his words carefully but unable to think straight. [b]"What, everytime you reject me lately you're going to that asshole? What is it? Enlighten me."[/b]