[i]Ryan-[/i] came the inevitable scolding, and Ryan was partially affronted that he’d been interrupted, partially amused by the suddenness. He grinned lopsidedly, like he didn’t have a clue what was wrong with any of this, prepared to continue his tangent regardless of how many protests he heard. [i]Ryan, fucking hell, man.[/i] He still didn’t see a problem. It felt like he’d held this in for a [i]long time[/i] - he’d tell Brendon parts of it all, brief glimpses and summaries, but being able to say every stupidly thirsty thing that crossed his mind was nice. Recalling that he’d been drinking, and usually he did keep his mouth shut when he was sober, Ryan made a sudden resolution (as one was wont to do when they had enough alcohol in them): he was going to be more [i]outgoing[/i]. Yeah, that was the problem. He was going to remember this idea, not regret the entire night and therefore rule out that plan, and he’d change for the better. Presumably, drunk Ryan was better than normal.

And he was ready to impress his boyfriend with it all, if only he could get to him quicker, because this car ride felt like for-fucking-ever, but then. Brendon was [i]there,[/i] and suddenly life was one hundred percent better, Ryan wasn’t going to throw up and he was super capable of being fully functioning and this night was the best night ever. Everything, right side up. He had to hold Brendon still for a moment (though he was still, and Ryan was the dizzy one) before it fully processed that his nearest and dearest was here, that all his wishes had come true. Unfortunately, though his excitement was one-sided, his immediate physical intimacy was not. Ryan decided it didn’t make much of a difference to what he’d just been rambling about. Brendon was still [i]delightful[/i] to kiss even when it appeared he was just putting up with his boyfriend for now - and then Ryan pieced together that maybe he should step back, then, so he tilted his head away, waiting to read his tone.

[i]Were you really, that’s fuckin’ wild.[/i] Sounded very resigned. Ryan placed his hands on Brendon’s shoulders to lean himself slightly back until he could face Brendon fully, apparently unable to balance himself otherwise. [i]Nothin’ too personal, yeah, babe?[/i] Ryan paused, blinking once, twice, considering this. [b]”A little. Perhaps.”[/b] He raised his eyebrows, the picture of innocence, and awaited forgiveness that he hadn’t even remembered to ask for. [b]”I speak [i]verrry[/i] highly of you. Only the truth.”[/b] Which was completely different from ‘too personal,’ but alright. Speaking of, he was [i]just[/i] talking about how Brendon was the bottom, but being perched in his lap - albeit awkwardly, terribly mismatched - was oddly comfortable. Maybe he had a secret calling. Ryan didn’t voice that, for once, but he did, in fact, crack up audibly at the thought, unexplained.

Anyway, he had his priorities, and Zack - who he’d conveniently forgotten since Brendon’s arrival - didn’t seem too fond of them. [i]If you even touch it, I’m quitting.[/i] Ryan laughed again, rolling off of Brendon and aside. [i]It’s not like you haven’t seen it before, dude.[/i] [b]”That’s [i]true,[/i]”[/b] Ryan said, as if he’d only just realized, sounding vaguely put off by the thought. He seemed to forget just as quickly, though, maintained at least three inches of space between himself and Brendon for a moment before he reconsidered. Ryan very carefully fit an arm around his shoulders, manoeuvring so slowly it was like he was handling fragile property, and rested his head on Brendon’s shoulder. Which, given their heights, would again be beyond awkward if only he wasn’t leaning at a ridiculous angle. [i]As much as I’d love to, darlin’. Zack wouldn’t be happy.[/i] Ryan sighed, absent. He’d already figured as much a few seconds after he asked, enough time to play detective. [b]”[i]Zack.[/i]”[/b]

It was quiet for a long moment, a blessing for everyone aside from Ryan, while he chewed on his lip tentatively. [b]”Okay. So what are we gonna do when the king of cockblocks’s gone?”[/b] he asked, keeping his gaze ahead as if it was at all a nonchalant thing to say.