Travis was right. Eventually, Ryan and Brendon did click. It took a while. Getting Ryan Ross to open up and let someone in was not as easy as it should have been. And even though best friends is now an understatement of their relationship, Brendon knows that there's still something Ryan's keeping locked inside.

It'll be something he says or the way he reacts to certain things that'll trigger it. Ryan will either go really quiet or change the subject when it comes to Las Vegas, his family or, "that one bruise that totally looks like a kitten. Ryan, you have a kitten on your arm. Hahaha." And Brendon knows. He knows something's not right. And he's determined to find out just what it is.

The two of them are sprawled out on the grass at the local park, enjoying the somewhat warm weather while it lasts. The sun is setting, and both of them are testing their parents' patience and leniency by staying out after dark.

"Ry, our parents are so going to kill us when we get home," Brendon jokes.

Ryan doesn't laugh. "Yeah," he says, "they are."

Brendon turns his head to face Ryan and frowns. He considers asking what wrong, but Ryan looks detached and uninterested. Brendon takes it as a sign that he doesn't want to talk about it. And he has to respect that.

The silence is eating him alive. He can't take it. He's going to die if one of them doesn't say something soon.

"Ryan," he mumbles, "do you believe in love at first sight?" The second he says it, he wants to shoot himself in the face. He's positive he sounds like an idiot, and he's expecting, "No, you douche bag, what does that have to do with anything?" It's not what he gets.

"Yes. Why?"

"J-just curious," Brendon stutters, confused. Ryan turns to face him and they smile lightly at each other.

"What?" Brendon asks.

Ryan smile grows bigger. "Nothing," he insists.

"What's that smile?" Brendon persists, now grinning widely.

"Don't worry about it!" Ryan smiles.

Brendon shrugs. His eyes slip closed and he breathes in the slightly humid air. It carries Ryan's scent, and he smiles. It's perfect.

Ryan's insides are twisting just by looking at Brendon's flawless, serene expression. "I believe in love at first sight," he says quietly, "but I didn't before I met you."

"Ryan…" Brendon sighs, keeping his eyes closed.

"You're too good for me, Bren. You have no Idea. I can't-"

Brendon opens his eyes and frowns. "But, Ry, I-" He freezes as his phone vibrates in his back pocket. He winces as he reads his mother's name upon the screen.

"Shit," he curses under his breath, "Ryan, I have to go. My mom is going to be so pissed. Bye!"

He gets up and walks five steps before turning and running back. He bends down and kisses Ryan on the cheek and mouths a silent, "I love you," before running off again.

Ryan bites his lip as Brendon disappears. When he's completely out of view, Ryan sighs, "You can't. I don't want to hurt you, Brendon…"

***

Ryan stays at the park for another hour. He knows what's going to happen when he gets home. He's hesitant to have it happen again. But people are glaring at him suspiciously through lit windows and he decides he'll go home before someone calls the cops on him for loitering or suspicious behavior or something. Is love legal?

The walk home is uneventful. The people who had been worried about his presence have finally turned out the lights. Judging by the time-almost one in the morning-they've sunk into their sheets and allowed themselves a peaceful sleep. He wishes he could do the same.

As soon as he steps through the front door, he's greeted by his father's form. And he knows what's coming in the same instant.

"Sorry, Dad," he mumbles uselessly.

His dad doesn't forgive him.

Ryan doesn't show up at school the next day.