On the drive back to Ryan’s place, Brendon had gone from sad to extremely angry. From sobbing to fuming in a matter of minutes. Because Ryan ruins everything and he’s absolutely positive that love is not supposed to be like this. When they pull into the driveway, Ryan seems as calm as ever, but Brendon knows now not to trust his outward appearance.

Because on the inside, he’s probably the same monster he’s always been.

As they walk (or in Brendon’s case- stomp) through the front door, Ryan asks, “Are you pleased with yourself?”

“For what?” Brendon shouts, immediately shocked by his own behavior. He continues to yell nevertheless. “For finally escaping this cage and doing what I want for once? Yes. I am.”

“I didn’t mean that. I meant for cheating on me.”

Brendon laughs. “Cheating on you? Is this even really a relationship?”

“I’d say it is, considering-”

“I kissed him. Because he’s worth kissing. I don’t know why I wasted my time on you. You’re nothing.”

***

Jon fishes in his pockets for the keys that are hopefully still there. He sighs, relieved, when he finally pulls them out. The drive to Ryan’s house is quick and quiet. The empty air would be so much nicer if it was filled with Brendon’s laughter.

There’s no more room in the driveway, so Jon parks Brendon’s car by the curb and climbs out of the driver’s seat. He almost locks the door, but decides against it because whatever’s going on inside- well, he doesn’t want to allow Ryan to feign innocence after he hears the beeping signal.

Quietly and slowly, Jon sneaks up to the front door and presses his ear to the cool wood. He hears muffled arguments and can hardly make them out, but when he does, he’s shocked to hear that Brendon is the one yelling.


***

“What did you just say?” Ryan fumes.

“I said that he’s more worth kissing than you are,” Brendon replies. “You always hated it when I lied, didn’t you? I’m finally being honest, because now there’s not a single thing you can do to me. You want more fucking honesty? You’re even more worthless than I am.”

Ryan stands frozen, his eyes disbelievingly scouring the suddenly bold boy before him. No one has ever talked back to him like that, and at first he doesn’t know how to handle it. But then he chooses to do what he always does. That’s never the best for anyone.

Brendon doesn’t stumble back when the blow comes quick across his face. His head turns to the side with the force of it, but he says nothing. After a moment of silence, he chuckles. Not because it’s funny. He’s relieved.

“That doesn’t hurt as much as it did when I was actually in love with you,” he laughs. He’s nowhere near hysterics, but anyone would think he’s crazy now.

Slowly, he turns his head to stare Ryan down. He knows what he should do. He should fight back, and he should throw some of his own punches. Maybe try at a kick or two. But he’s better than that. As he backs up toward the door, he whispers, “I don’t need you anymore. This? It’s done.”

Before he can take another step back, the door swings open and Jon is grinning at him like a crazy man.

“I thought I would have to do that for you,” he smiles.

Brendon returns his bright smile. “Jon,” is all he says.

“Brendon.”

They’re polite enough to close the door on Ryan when they kiss. They take their own cars this time to drive back to the place they call home. It’s the same house for both of them.

Ryan will deny crying himself to sleep that night.

***

Jon and Brendon don’t show up at school on Monday. They’re absent on Tuesday, too. But when they arrive on Wednesday, hand in hand, they’re flooded with “where have you been?”’s and “what happened?”’s from their two favorite people in the world (not counting each other).

“Road trip,” Jon states simply. “Can’t expect us to cope without taking a break every now and then.”

William drags them to the table where Pete is waiting for them. He smiles when he sees them and William shouts, “They’re back, Pete!”

“Yeah, I can see that, Bill,” Pete says. “So what’s the deal, kids?”

Jon and Brendon sit down at the table. William and Travis seat themselves across from the couple.

“We took a little time to find what’s right,” Brendon sighs, snuggling up against Jon.

“So you’ve finally seen what’s always been meant to be, huh?” Travie says.

“Travis, you are so deep,” William swoons.

“Um. Ew, too much lovey dovey,” Jon jokes. “So Pete, where’s the girlfriend.”

“You mean the boyfriend?” Travis laughs, raising his voice suddenly. Pete pulls his hood over his eyes and shakes his head.

“Trav, come on, man,” he pleads.

“He broke up with Ashlee because he found out that men are sexier than women,” William says. “He may or may not have been cheating on her the whole time. He refuses to spill.”

“Ooh, show us the boy, Peter!” Brendon demands.

Reluctantly, Pete stands up and walks away from the table. Brendon and Jon are worried that they’ve made him angry, but a few moments later, he returns with a boy on his arm.

“Patrick, these two are Brendon and Jon. You know Will and Travie,” Pete introduces. “Brendon, Jon. This is Patrick. He’s amazing, basically.”

Patrick smiles and waves and offers a shy, “Hello.”

Pete convinces Patrick to sit with them for lunch. The table is finally crowded again. As it should be.

And everybody is too busy talking and laughing about important things to notice Ryan’s sad glances from his new table.