Ryan didn't really know what he was doing here. He didn't expect an instant reconnection, or even for Brendon to still be interested in him or want his friendship - friendship? Companionship? - but he was lucky that Brendon was merciful in that all he did was return pleasantries, stay friendly. Really it would be understandable if he'd just reverted to how they used to be; after all it's not like the connection they'd had, or had been so close to having, was so foolproof it would survive the distance and the split itself. Ryan had just... clung to it, he supposed, and he thought it was just him. He couldn't help looking a little grateful, relaxing with relief when Brendon smiled at him, didn't look particularly perturbed or bothered by his presence. There was a while there, the awkward stage between Seattle and actually getting comfortable with each other, where he'd walked on eggshells because he didn't know where he stood. Afraid of going back to that despite the progress they'd made, Ryan was sort of prepared for the worst, and now he could let all of that worry go.

Still - there was a chance that this was just a good beginning, and maybe Brendon's kindness was only extended through the exhileration of a fantastic show. So Ryan didn't take the steady, easygoing mood for granted just yet. [i]I intend to.[/i] Ryan's gaze followed the bowtie tossed seemingly randomly, and wondered distantly, fondly, whether Brendon would grow out of that, the careless way he did some things. Either way. Ryan bookmarked the location of the accessory in his head, considering Brendon would probably forget in some twenty minutes despite whatever he was telling himself. [i]Maybe I’ll even take it a bit further. I’m thinking: fully just- make out with Dallon onstage.[/i] Ryan's smile subsided without his permission, and he was glad Brendon was looking down rather than at the disappointed expression that crossed his face. He was practiced at hiding all of that, though, so he quickly fixed it, trying for 'vaguely amused' before Brendon glanced up again.

[i]Have you met Dallon? You know Ian, but- Dallon, my- our bassist.[/i] Yeah, he knew Ian. Ryan hoped to high hell that Dallon wasn't... on the same page as Ian, as far as his relationship with Brendon went. It made no sense that Ryan was almost [i]jealous,[/i] because they weren't and never had been exclusive, and they hadn't even seen each other in months, nothing was going on between them except for in the back of his head trapped in distant memories - but the 'my' that Brendon almost let slip cut into him somewhat. He wasn't sure if he was annoyed by it or sad, conflicted, but either way it wasn't something he was going to let slip to Brendon, because it would be one hundred percent unfair to make it out as if Brendon didn't have the freedom to do whatever he wanted just because Ryan was an overly sensitive ass. He chewed his lip for a second, internally calming down before responding. [b]"No, I haven't, not yet."[/b] He's tall, though, from the looks of it. Brendon had a thing for that, Ryan remembered. [i]Damn[/i] it. [b]"He looked cool, though. He'd play along."[/b] Ryan's smile was a little stiff. 

[i]Remind me to reconnect with Jon. Everything’s so hectic, I hope we all get to hang out more.[/i] It sounded like some fake sorority girl speech but Ryan knew Brendon was genuine, and he agreed. To an extent. Maybe hanging out more would not be good for them - but he was kidding himself if he was trying to play it like his imagination wasn't already getting the best of him. He hadn't approached Brendon with anything specific in mind, nothing except for talking to him, but. His brain was certainly creative. And Brendon's current state of undress was not helping. [b]"I'm sure he'll find you first. He's been gushing about both of you and your new music ever since the label told us we'd be on this tour together."[/b] Ryan carefully, wisely, made no mention of his initial reaction to learning that, one very opposite of Jon's enthusiastic one. He'd changed his opinion since then, but still - it wasn't helping anybody to out himself as a bitter old soul.

Like before, Ryan really hadn't been planning anything. He didn't have an ulterior motive here. But apparently Brendon's presence alone was enough to send him spiralling back to history and he was maybe sort of a little bit hitting on Brendon again, totally out of his control. Ryan would've regretted it - but Brendon wasn't showing any signs of total disgust or rejection yet, so. He supposed he was in the clear for the time being. [i]I dunno, I was just trying not to jump to conclusions.[/i] So maybe he wasn't being rejected, but Ryan could tell he'd caught him off guard, still watching him intently while he looked back down and dusted himself off. [b]"I'm predictable,"[/b] he said gently, searching his profile and deciding that, yeah, this was the point of no return. He couldn't train his mouth to shut up before and here were the repercussions. Ryan braced himself for impact, because Brendon was sometimes the smarter one and knew when to cut him off first, and although he'd been astoundingly pleasant thus far, there was no reason for him to reject Ryan in a merciful way. After all, he'd come over sort of unwelcome, with barely any easing into this.

Honesty from Ryan appeared to still be appreciated, because when he told Brendon he missed him, he caught the little half-smile and met his gaze again, easy. He did catch the almost reluctance - Brendon was an open book when he wasn't too guarded - and felt an edge of unease, bracing himself a little more. [i]I missed you too, Ry. We’ve got all tour now, though, s’awesome.[/i] Ry. He could've cried with relief, really. Brendon was still staying casual and maybe that was a hint for Ryan to return to surface-level where Brendon might be more comfortable, maybe this was the gentle let down, but. If he had to do that it'd truly fucking suck, so he stayed earnest, would rather be told outright to back off than assume he had to. Mostly, though, Brendon just looked suspicious of his advances, and Ryan sort of understood. Maybe he thought this was another scenario where Ryan had some warped state of mind, or he thought Ryan was still the type to search for an upper hand, but either way it was wrong- Ryan himself was pretty surprised at how quickly he'd fallen back into this vice. Wasn't his fault. Brendon left a legacy, truly. 
 
After a moment Brendon stepped closer, and Ryan stayed in place, returning his other hand to his pocket and keeping them there withholdingly. It's not like they'd really grown up but after seeing Brendon's uplifted confidence onstage today - for the brief time he did - he'd somehow forgotten the height difference, and now he was slanted over him, a few scant inches he had to tilt his chin down to really regard him through. [i]Not at all surprising.[/i] Ryan grinned. That confidence. He could already feel the swell in his chest, and really he wasn't intentionally letting his mind wander, it just...  [i]Luckily for you, I was getting changed anyway. Feel free to stay, I’ve done this in front of thousands.[/i] As if there was a magnetism keeping them both in balance while they stood parallel, when Brendon stepped away Ryan swayed a little, lifting his head again and watching him with interest. An invitation to stay? Sweet. The fear of rejection eased off and he felt a tiny rush of breath leave his lips, observing as Brendon started removing layers, all the way down to his shirt dropping to the floor. He looked leaner, clearly the effects of more drive, a more passionate stage presence - which before he'd thought was impossible. 

Ryan didn't really believe him until his hands were on his belt and suddenly the weight of the situation was on him, fully realizing what was happening. Well. Not really. He had no fucking idea what they were doing, nor had he anticipated anything to happen if you'd asked him five minutes ago. [i]Or leave. Up to you.[/i] For the first time Ryan hesitated, uncertain, gaze flickering between Brendon's face and where his hands rested before he was closing the gap again, removing his own hands from his pockets and replacing them at Brendon's waist. [b]"I'd be pretty stupid to stay,"[/b] he replied in a surprisingly level tone, considering he was already helping undo the clasp on Brendon's belt. Hey, even if nothing was going on here really, he may as well get Brendon into something more comfortable. [b]"But I'd be even more stupid to leave."[/b] Belt undone, Ryan's hands travelled up to hold him close, aligning their bodies and angling his head down to Brendon again. [b]"Hey, what you did up there, on stage... I'd be pretty interested to see how that'd look with me."[/b] Ryan honest to god didn't know where this was coming from. It's like he was having an out of body experience. Whatever the case may be, Ryan wrapped a hand around the back of his head incredibly gently, the other at his jaw, and searched his gaze for permission before trying to meet him in a tender kiss.