Although he'd become accustomed to having to read people rather than them be honest and forward with him, Ryan still couldn't tell exactly how Brendon felt about him in return. Or he was picking up on all the right signals correctly and it [i]wasn't[/i] his imagination. Still, Ryan highly doubted all the glimpses he'd been getting of Brendon looking for a few moments too long or the hints of interest in his gaze were [i]real,[/i] anything more than his imagination. He wasn't totally hopeless, but he was still not in Brendon's league by any measure of the imagination - first he'd known for sure this was true in respect to their individual appearances, and now, after only a few minutes of conversation, it was true for their personalities, too. For as experienced and worldly Ryan had become over such wide-reaching tours and his touching of so many lives, he really hadn't expanded his character all that much. He was still the same guy, just minus, maybe, five insecurities. Granted, five huge ones that solved a lot of his initial incapability to cope with this life, but the point stood. He just shouldn't have made the cut for Brendon.

And yet, here they were, skipping the usual normal/casual conversation stage and instead incorporating it into a gradually (quickly) heavier flirting session. It didn't feel weird at all, though, because somehow Ryan felt like he'd known him forever, like he was just uncovering some sort of memory of him rather than learning about everything completely new. It had to be who Brendon was, surely, his unique personality and his powerful charisma that Ryan hadn't even seen before in his industry (where 'charisma' and other such Machiavellan subtypes ran rampant) to such an extent. Brendon, fortunately, didn't seem too bothered by it either, but Ryan could tell that despite his clear [i]wish[/i] to not let this get past a certain point, he couldn't find a proper way out. Maybe Ryan would just spare him the grief, get a number, call him at some better time... but then that left the chance that he still wasn't hooked, and if Ryan tried calling him later he wouldn't get an answer. Screw mercy, he had to make sure he wasn't going to get ghosted if he left him alone. Was that inconsiderate? Maybe a little.

[i]You’d be surprised.[/i] Whoa. Ryan considered himself pretty innocent-minded, especially in comparison to his peers, but at this he raised his eyebrows at Brendon, smiling amusedly at how fast they'd gotten to this point. And, really, he was pretty sure he'd want that dinner first because he was kind of old-fashioned (although Brendon seemed talented enough to maybe have already convinced him otherwise, should the opportunity present itself), but this was very entertaining. Anyway. He didn't delve into the half-joking parents discussion, not because he didn't pick up on it or wasn't interested, but because this wasn't really 'first thirty minutes' conversation and he knew he wouldn't want to talk about it, either, should questions be returned to him. So he saved that look that crossed Brendon's face and his brief change in countenance for later, reminded himself that it was an eggshell subject, filed it away in the new mental drawer he was making for Brendon. He was pretty sure he was going to need a lot of headspace open for him later.

[i]Any chance you’ve got a Book of Mormon kicking about anywhere? Are you god-fearing, Ryan?[/i] Ryan perked up interestedly automatically, leaning in just as Brendon did like they were sharing secrets. He wasn't sure what was better- this 'Mormonism' deal or hearing Brendon say his name properly like that, realizing for the first time exactly how effortless and steady his speaking voice was. He'd gotten so instantly comfortable listening to him speak, he could probably do it for days on end. Now, though, Brendon was clearly imitating someone, parodying a speech he'd heard before. [b]"I see what you mean,"[/b] he said, nodding all faux-sympathy, understandingly at his standup. [b]"I [i]could[/i] get one. And, as I assume is necessary, wear a button-down shirt and khakis or whatever so that I look like your straight friend. See, I'm good."[/b] Hopefully shedding some light on what was clearly a strained situation was more helpful than it was annoying, but Ryan was rolling the dice here really. 

Maybe a bad transition, that to accidentally alluding to a hookup (then embracing his faux pas), but it happened, and Ryan was eternally grateful that it fared well with Brendon. Good thing he was easygoing. Ryan may not be awkward and uncertain anymore, like he used to be so terribly, but he chose the worst moments not to pick up on social cues. [i]I bet nobody’s turned down that offer before.[/i] Honestly if Ryan could get way with looking cool about that, he would have tried to, but as it were, he weighed his head to the side consideringly, looking entirely doubtful. Truth be told, his love life was tragic. He never did anything that wasn't at least a little serious, didn't partake in flings or hook-ups or one night stands, and that's, a surprising amount of the time, what people were looking for. So he got turned down quite a bit, yeah, by people who knew that he'd just be a burden or a scandal over a one-sided relationship sometime in the future or who thought he was too much.

Brendon looked serious, though, and he was touched, meeting his earnest gaze with a fond one of his own, speechless. [i]And, darlin’, I’m not about to be the first.[/i] Ryan caught his bottom lip between his teeth momentarily before deciding this was about time he got back to that drink, and he lifted the whiskey to his lips, taking another extended sip. He still kind of wasn't sure whether they were fucking around with subtext or if Ryan was really going to, like, sit him in a room with his guitar and shabby live unedited singing voice, but either way, it was more time with Brendon, so. He was grateful for the acceptance. [b]"I'll hold you to that,"[/b] Ryan returned, regaining his confidence and composure, but not quite enough to use a response pet-name for him like he almost wanted to. What the hell could he get away with without sounding stupid? 'Sweetheart' didn't quite roll off the tongue with a stranger, 'baby' was a little serious, something even joking like 'princess' totally sounded as if he was making fun of Brendon's obvious bottom status. Sensitive situation. He wasn't about to take a risk. 

He was almost proud that he could presumably make Brendon flattered, if the blushing was any indication, and it was beyond cute. Ryan tilted his head, completely charmed, couldn't help himself. [i]What do you think I’ve been doing?[/i] Ryan smiled, reserved, because mostly he'd thought it was something about pity, but he appreciated it anyway. Then Brendon was reaching over unexpectedly, looking at him for permission - for what? - and Ryan was nodding without knowing, his face turning from adoring to slightly dumbfounded while Brendon ran his fingers through his hair. He wasn't touch-starved, or anything like that, but he still closed his eyes and had to purse his lips to keep from sighing like it was the first time anyone had come near him in years, ridiculous. It's not like he'd been trying to get Brendon to play with his hair (or in this case 'judge' might be a more accurate word for what he was doing) but, yeah, this was totally cool, a great bonus. It really was too long, honestly. It curled at the ends, made him look at least five years too young - and he didn't have many years to spare.

Ryan let his eyes open again when Brendon's hand dropped, weirdly more comfortable with him. [i]What you’re doing works for me.[/i] Great - but Ryan apparently shared too much immediately afterward, because Brendon was looking shocked with him. [b]"Wait, no, go back to a second ago when you still liked me, pretend you didn't hear about the jacket,"[/b] he laughed, reaching across to squeeze Brendon's arm for a split second as if they were the bestest of friends if only to make the eyebrows go back down. [b]"So, hypothetically, if I were to schedule an appointment with you sometime, you'd make me look like a functioning person? Tell me your professional opinion, what would you do to fix this."[/b] Ryan settled in dramatically, already entertained. Maybe it wasn't the best to pick at a job the guy clearly was bored of at the very least, but still. Keeping it light, making the best of a bad situation, that sort of thing.