Ryan wasn’t a nervous guy. He wasn’t awkward or at all unsure of himself; he was assertive and forward, was so confident that sometimes his attitude bordered on arrogance. This was just typical of most athletes - when you’re brought up praised for greatness by all your coaches, it tends to happen. He did, however, have a fairly significant weakness for guys he found attractive. He was so career-focused and driven that he didn’t get the chance to notice them very often, thankfully, and anyway most of his teammates could not even come close to fitting his ‘type,’ considering he usually took interest in those smaller than him. The ‘pretty boy’ cliché. Yeah, Ryan lost composure around that kind of thing. He forgot how to hold a conversation, couldn’t maintain eye contact, held himself in a shy manner rather than his usual strong, sturdy stance. It was... beyond frustrating.

This was definitely the case with Brendon. He was so [i]little,[/i] almost compact, funnily enough, and it immediately endeared him to Ryan. He had this signature pout that transformed easily into a wide, strikingly white smile, so genuine you could see it up to his eyes where they crinkled in the corners. Brendon simply had this softness about him that Ryan was completely unused to, and that was all only physical. It said nothing of his personality and abilities, and maybe Ryan didn’t know him [i]all[/i] that well, but he liked what he did know. Brendon was easy to talk to, sociable, had this mellow quality that complimented Ryan’s newfound timidness. Not just in a way that journalists had to be, he was sweet and charming, something that obviously just came to him naturally. Needless to say, he’d made a good first impression.

[i]I have a scar, too, on my eyebrow.[/i] Well, Ryan knew that already. He’d practically memorized the guy’s face. He looked at it automatically, a sheepish smile crossing his lips. [i]Not as cool a story behind it, though. Smacked my head on the curb when I was a kid.[/i] Ryan cringed for his sake, mouthing a sympathetic ‘ow.’ [b]”No, I think that’s about as cool as me getting shoved into the rink’s Plexiglas.”[/b] He grinned, his gaze wandering over Brendon’s scar again, thinking that it sort of matured him. It was out of place, what with the gentleness of the rest of him. That said, it was [i]definitely[/i] hot. Identical trains of thought, the two of them. The difference was that Ryan was the type who felt the need to exert his confidence (even when it’d been watered down), not as mellow as Brendon, so of course- he was saying it. [b]”It’s sexy.”[/b] He was totally lame. Regardless, Ryan was grinning as if he was the most self-assured person alive. 

Maybe it helped that Brendon had this incredibly calming air about him. Well - in reality it was a little mixed; he was so disarming that Ryan felt pressured to be his best self, but at the same time he seemed so at ease it was hard not to match his energy. God, Ryan was liking him more and more so quickly. [i]Hell yeah, might help us out a little.[/i] Ryan grinned, finishing off his glass while they awaited the server.
For a moment, reminiscing on the interview, Ryan let slip his shock about everything happening, totally forgetting he was supposed to be remarkably sure. He pursed his lips immediately, quieting for a beat. [i]You should be proud of yourself. I mean, I’m sure you are.[/i] [b]”Yeah,”[/b] Ryan said slowly, watching the way Brendon’s eyes lit up as he smiled, the way his whole face changed. Shit, he was stunning. Ryan barely even knew what he’d agreed with, totally on autopilot by now.

[i]I always do that much.[/i] Ryan made a mental note to look up more of Brendon’s work... like some fanboy watching all the movies of his favorite actor. He was so ridiculous. [i]I don’t just turn up and think up questions on the spot, y’know. Although- if turning up to interviews and getting dates with handsome men like yourself was a daily thing, I think I’d be a happier man.[/i] Probably moving too quickly, Ryan automatically went for his wine glass, knocking some back to avoid looking sheepish in front of Brendon. Again. [b]”I- that’s. You’re sweet.”[/b] He exhaled on a smile, setting down the glass and curling his fingers round the stem protectively. [b]”I’m surprised it doesn’t happen all the time, I mean, you’re...”[/b] He was speechless for a moment, gesturing lamely at Brendon after deciding there was no good descriptor for how hot he was. [b]”How long have you been a journalist? How’d you get into it?”[/b]