[i]He is.[/i] Okay, great to know, and Ryan was over talking about him, but he remained patient, shifting his weight to one side and regarding Brendon with an expectant eyebrow. [i]And yeah, he would. Sometimes we don’t know when to stop. And we wonder why people think we’re dating.[/i] Ryan chewed his lip, reserved, and thought about how that was kind of like them even at their worst because more casual fans didn't see through the stage act or the faux-friendly interviews where that infamous subtext was the only thing keeping them in line. He opened his mouth to ask 'why aren't you,' because of course he was on edge and bold interrogating was his specialty when he was like that, then decided against it - if the answer was anything like Brendon just not wanting to pursue anything with anyone, Ryan didn't want to hear it. He hadn't hit that point just yet, and he probably never would, if how he felt just seeing Brendon again was any indication. As it were he just laughed, softly, slightly belatedly, and dropped his gaze along with the topic.

Jon, ever his savior, came to replace any mention of the new bassist, ironically enough. Brendon seeming happy to hear about him was good news in Ryan's book. There'd always been that possibility that maybe, even though nothing bad happened to cause the split, he still held the missing members to a lower regard, didn't want anything to do with them. With Ryan, maybe that would be understandable, but Jon had been his best friend, too. And now, apparently, he still was one of them. Ryan was glad the whole new reinvention hadn't totally gone to Brendon's head. [i]Tell him the feeling’s mutual.[/i] Ryan didn't see through the lie entirely, but he also desperately wanted to believe that Brendon had heard the new stuff they were so proud of, so he did. Ryan nodded obediently, a little smile returning to his face. [b]"Sure - but give it a night, you'll be able to tell him yourself."[/b]

[i]I’ll admit, I had my doubts about this tour. Seemed like the label wanted to feed off the ‘drama’ or whatever they fuckin’ hoped would happen.[/i] Oh, so they weren't going to ignore that whole thing. Ryan nodded again, this time cynical, almost scowling. [b]"Yeah, I did too. Jokes on them - guess they weren't expecting us to have had a clean split."[/b] And they probably weren't expecting for Ryan to pretty much instantly come running back to Brendon for - whatever this was. It had initially just been to reconnect, he swore, and on some level he'd anticipated one of their old fashioned, quiet shouting matches, for whatever reason it may have ended up being, not that he wanted that at all. This was a little heavier than what he came to do, or at least it was once he'd realized that just looking at Brendon again settled a weight over his heart. No one should like anyone that much, it dawned on him. It got in the way of ambitions, of life, and maybe Ryan had gotten himself out of it the first time with the split, being able to take up another group with Jon fairly quickly, but here he was sinking back into the same ditch.

He was predictable to himself, at least, and felt a little sorry when Brendon laughed his disagreement. [i]God, I wish you were.[/i] Ryan smiled at that - at least after all this time he could still surprise him; God knows Brendon could do it, too, the other way around, after seeing this new stage show, his new self. But it wasn't a bad surprise. In fact, the stunning new-and-improved Brendon played a part in bringing Ryan suffocatingly close again, both of them wrapping around one another in record time, lustful words spilling from Ryan's lips as if he were back out giving a show. [i]Y’gotta be more specific.[/i] Ryan melted into his hold, sinking against him when his hands came around his jaw. [i]I do a [/i]lot [i]on stage. Better tell me straight, or I’ll end up miming blowing you and call it a day.[/i] Ryan tilted his head consideringly. [b]"Miming wasn't exactly what I had in mind. We've got plenty of time to make up for, may as well do everything."[/b] He was grinning, almost like he was kidding, but really. Ryan could not think of a joke to make here if he tried.

Suddenly, though, and very typically of them, the scene turned softer, this kiss the most contained they'd been in - probably ever. Brendon seemed somewhat distracted but Ryan couldn't bother to question it; it felt like he'd been waiting for this, even despite thinking they wouldn't see each other again this close up. When they parted, Brendon's eyes were wide, and Ryan sort of braced himself again. [i]I- Ryan...[/i] Ryan pulled a little further away, holding Brendon at length almost if only he could actually physically bring himself to do that. It's just that Brendon was never one to stammer over his words like this. [i]I- I missed you. But, baby, I don’t know what you want. What is it that you want from me this time?[/i] Baby. Ryan searched his face, wondering if that was really what Brendon took him for, as someone who just... wanted something from him. He supposed he did - want his presence, companionship, whatever - but this made it sound like a business deal, as if Ryan had taken something from him before. He was speechless for a moment, then Brendon was already backtracking.

[i]If it’s just the late nights, I think we can work it out.[/i] Ryan watched his face while his hands moved over his shirt, not stopping him but not quite helping, either. [b]"Just you,"[/b] he answered after another beat, lifting a hand to fit around the side of Brendon's face, stroke a thumb over his cheekbone. [b]"I'm not saying boyfriends, I know, it doesn't work."[/b] Ryan seemed pretty disappointed by that fact, though, and 'yet' echoed in his head. They could totally turn that around by the end of tour. Probably. Just had to put in the effort. [b]"I just want you. Whatever you can offer. See, I'm not picky."[/b] He grinned, amused, but couldn't help wondering why Brendon asked - was he hurt last time? Was he actually avoiding relationships like Ryan was worried about? Either way it seemed like this wouldn't go quite how he'd like.