Ryan's efforts to ease the tension raised by his 'favorite person' joking seemed to be met well, but it didn't mean he was taking Brendon any less seriously. Maybe it was Seattle itself that opened a new realm of possibilities to them. Although his initial drive to get to Brendon had, in fact, started in New York, it'd only been fond feelings once he'd crossed the country officially rather than the typical output of aggression he'd grown so accustomed to with regards to Brendon. When he got here, somehow there was less and less to hate, and everything he'd once disliked was turned on its head into some positive thing about Brendon. All of his initial 'sagely advice,' for example, would've just been dismissed as him being a smartass before, or something to that tune, Brendon being condescending as usual (not usual, really, just something between the two of them, predictably). Now Ryan had received it semi-gracefully, actually glad to hear someone's honest outside perspective on his relationship that had since, finally, gotten the plug pulled. Time of death: way too late.

As confusing as it was and incomprehensible as it'd always be, though, Ryan tried not to question it too much. At the moment he felt happier with Brendon than he had in the last six months with his girlfriend - [i]ex[/i]-girlfriend. Nevermind the part where there was no rhyme or reason behind all of this - he may as well enjoy the solace while it lasted, because with their history and his luck, it'd probably find some way to get ruined. Not that that was exactly on the forefront of his mind while he was staring at a Brendon bathed in sunlight and waiting for a breakfast feast. [i]You know what, that’s understandable.[/i] Ryan's own smile had been going off, unsure of itself, but Brendon lit up again and he did too, some swell of relief in his chest over the fact that Brendon hadn't just kept up the fight as they were wont to do. [i]Thank my mom, I guess.[/i] Weird to allude to his mom while they were still lying fairly naked next to one another after a not-quite-hookup, but sure. Ryan supposed he'd already heard those words in an interview before, anyway. Either way, he laughed in sort of bewilderment, charmed by how characteristically [i]weird[/i] Brendon was.
 
To keep that sort of gift around he'd have to work, not take this for granted, which he really, really wasn't used to. Ryan had sort of grown into his lifestyle, now, and even though he was, for the most part, humble - if you asked anyone aside from Brendon, and maybe Spencer who love-hated him in the way only best friends can - he didn't take well to things not coming easily anymore. It really hadn't started out that way, if he remembered correctly, if all the memories of a shitty childhood were intact. So maybe Brendon was dumbing him down to his roots already. Ryan caught himself thinking about boyfriends and potential and dumb, destructive things, so he promptly shut off his mind, instead opting to gaze down at Brendon as he'd peacefully been doing before his brain went into overdrive. 

Unfortunately despite his efforts to keep them strictly [i]not that far[/i] he was already making promises to make it up to Brendon, and he watched Brendon's face change to an expression of thoughtfulness blissfully unaware of what he was getting himself into all because he was so goddamn pretty. What did it matter that completely changing their dynamic so suddenly without any real measures beforehand to ease into it could potentially tear up their careers, or at least one of them? Thing is, it [i]didn't,[/i] and actually didn't even occur to Ryan while everything seemed so perfect staring down at someone he'd overlooked for so, so long. The pause after his question was almost nerve-wracking, but not quite, because Brendon could probably ask him to commit a crime and he'd up and do it under the circumstances. Especially when his hand was sliding up into his hair, fitting comfortably there and guiding Ryan into a kiss, vaguely biting and only serving to keep Ryan chasing for more. Brendon fell back against the cushions and Ryan's muscles gave in a little, leaning in closer to him to keep the distance as small as possible. 

Brendon's arms fell away but Ryan kept his hands confidently around Brendon, bracketing his waist, secure. [i]That’s a tricky one.[/i] Regardless, Ryan had already busied himself with giving Brendon tiny, lazy kisses on his cheek, apparently impatient, until Brendon was lifting his arm to fend off the light and he had to pull back a couple inches, affronted. His gaze followed Brendon's gesture, and before he'd even started to speak, Ryan's eyes were rolling knowingly. [i]First of all, close the blinds? I’ll think better without a headache.[/i] [b]"Sure,"[/b] Ryan mumbled, pressing his forehead against Brendon's chest and recuperating before he finally rolled off and away, pulling a comforter from their pile of various blankets to wrap around himself as he stood. It hung over his shoulders while he reached the window, studying their view momentarily before actually tugging on the blinds, letting them clatter shut. [b]"But it made you look [i]so[/i] pretty. I'm almost grieving."[/b] For good measure, Ryan tugged the curtains closed, too, because Brendon could make endless complaints.

He registered his aching muscles and almost gave in, collapsed back onto bed, before coming to terms with the fact that they'd get better if he walked it off at least a little. He hovered around the room with his comforter-shawl, feeling utterly silly but not really caring, and landed at the minibar across the bed - already cleaned out of all the shots. Above, he switched on a cheap electric kettle, prepared to ask Brendon if he'd like coffee - but he already knew Brendon didn't drink the stuff. His better judgment told him he probably shouldn't be giving him sugar, either, but he started on a cup of cocoa regardless, pouring himself out a packet of instant coffee. [b]"I'm making you hot chocolate. We should just start a list of my good deeds."[/b] Ryan turned and leaned against the counter, facing Brendon while he poured hot water into their little paper hotel cups. [b]"Remember we've got a show coming up? Are you gonna be able to, with, uh -"[/b] Ryan paused, gestured vaguely. [b]"Your ass? Every step is hell, over here. You might die."[/b] He looked incredibly sympathetic.