[i]Does that come naturally to you?[/i] Ryan was already playing on a laugh, his lips curling relentlessly despite his efforts to look more casually friendly than manic. In his defense, it totally wasn't his fault; Brendon was going to be to blame for when his cheek muscles eventually ached from constant use. It was both just because of his personality and because Ryan had become basically a mirror for him - he had a contagious smile, one that lifted his entire face alongside it, and all of his energy. Actually, Ryan was pretty sure that the population of the bar in full had become more spirited since the first moment Ryan had won a genuine smile from him. But maybe he was imagining things. [i]Something tells me it doesn’t. And, uh, you’re gonna need a little more than some khakis to convince [/i]anyone [i]that you’re straight.[/i] Ryan waved a hand in front of him to deflect his critical once-over, making a faux disapproving look at Brendon. [b]"You underestimate me."[/b]

He knew what Brendon was onto before he started speaking, settling onto his elbow against the bar and raising an eyebrow in preparation. [i]You poor thing.[/i] Ryan's gaze drifted down to watch his fingers tap, wondering if the skill in them just came from styling. He could usually tell when someone had his same interests... but surely Brendon would've alluded to it already. Most would've already promoted their SoundCloud, whatever. Then, Brendon wasn't that kind of guy. [i]You’re in the music industry, and- well. Is it a nightmare?[/i] Ryan shrugged one shoulder like it was nothing, looking a little ways away, but it wasn't nothing. [b]"Yes,"[/b] he answered honestly after a tiny pause, then laughed shortly, shaking his head. [b]"Yeah, it is. I mean - I date girls, too, it's not so bad. But if I'm ever interested in a guy, you know."[/b] He bit his tongue there, trying not to talk too much considering it was a subject he'd never really allowed himself to ramble about. If he started, he probably wouldn't shut up. But he had to be careful; unless something was actually serious, he'd never let it become public. If he did end up liking a guy enough, though, then his career would come second - Ryan tended to invest his entire soul in a person, no way he'd hide them for the sake of saving sales.

He looked a bit lost for a second, wistful, before reserving that emotion, setting it aside in favor of going back to their easy flirting. Thankfully, Brendon made that simple by being the most tempting place to put all his flirting towards. [i]You can hold me against anything you want.[/i] Ryan's breath rushed out in half a laugh, half the wind being knocked out of him, looking awed. Brendon looked almost embarrassed despite covering it up quickly, but Ryan took zero issue with his apparently impulsive comeback. He watched with slightly parted lips as Brendon tried to recover, clearly distracted. [i]Hi, I’m Brendon Blake, and I have no brain-to-mouth-filter. Can we, uh, start over?[/i] Ryan's gaze flickered between his eyes and his outstretched hand momentarily before he took hold of it, shaking once, firm, a fond smile on his face again. [b]"Sure. Hi, Brendon, I'm Ryan,"[/b] he said, then briefly looked thoughtful before pulling Brendon slightly closer by his hand. [b]"And I'm just glad we're on the same page."[/b] Wouldn't it be a perfect moment to kiss his cheek, or the back of his hand, or something? Ryan [i]wished[/i] he had a complete grasp on the bounds of appropriate social interaction. Then he'd know whether that was weird or not after such intense teasing. Probably very weird. He didn't, and just let go of his hand after a moment, relaxing back against the counter.

[i]I’m surprised it still fits you. Well- actually- it doesn’t.[/i] Ryan cracked up, lifting an arm only a little restricted by the now ill-fitting sleeves. He'd grown longer and leaner, but the leather hadn't stretched with him. The sleeves were too short and the coat itself too wide for his admittedly sort of waifish-if-fit figure - but he thought he'd gotten away with it. Damn Brendon for being observant. [i]I mean, only if you’re a paying customer. I’m not cheap, y’know.[/i] [b]"Of course I'd pay! I'll pay you to follow me around and correct all my mistakes, matter of fact."[/b] There was an idea. He was past the time of needing a crew of makeup artists for tour, but he still needed some professional better than him at making him presentable. It'd been a joke at first, but now he was really considering it; was it bizarre to ask so soon? Should he wait until he'd had an actual appointment with him? Should he even be hiring someone he was so obviously attracted to? Maybe him and Brendon would end up just being friends... but then he felt disappointed even thinking about that, so maybe not really. Quite a pickle, that. 

Here was his trial session if he was serious. Ryan straightened up when Brendon backed away, but unexpectedly he returned, pulling his seat closer until his thigh was settled between Ryan's and the other was bracketing. Ryan looked between them with his mouth parted dumbly again, and when his head lifted was caught more off-guard, Brendon's hand landing on his jaw gently and turning him for examination. Ryan promptly shut his mouth but couldn't help his eyelids half-shutting, a little too close for eye contact to be totally comfortable. [i]Well, your curls are cute, but like, five years younger cute.[/i] Ryan smiled, finally looking up to meet his eyeline again, and nodding a tiny bit, acknowledging the fact that he looked about twelve readily. He was sort of used to it, saw his ridiculous babyface in the mirror daily. [i]You need it shorter, but styled so that- if weight is taken away, it won’t just curl even more. Which means you’ll have to take care of it, style it every day, and have regular upkeep.[/i] Ryan was already cringing. He was impressed with Brendon's quick take, obviously a gift of his, but still. This was bad news. He couldn't even shower regularly. Or pay bills, or buy food necessary for survival, or drink enough water daily.

[i]Think y’could handle that?[/i] [b]"Hmm."[/b] Ryan's gaze dropped to his lips for a second and he hesitated, then tapped two fingers beneath Brendon's chin endearingly to perk him up before taking his hand back. [b]"Could you handle it for me?"[/b] He smiled sweetly, clearly the kind of smile you followed up asking for a favor with, a nonverbal pretty-please.