Ryan kept the gun steady in his hands. His breath came out in even intervals. His eyes stayed locked on his target. He could shoot at any moment if need be.

"Just put the gun down, Nick." The man across the room chuckled and shook his head.

"I don't think so." Ryan watched as Nick tightened his arm around his boyfriend's neck. Brendon was staring back at Ryan with tear stains on his cheeks. His hands were up gripping his captive's arm. He shut his eyes when a gun was pressed to the side of his head. "You think you can just fuck me over and get away with it?"

"I didn't do shit and you know it." Ryan focused on keeping himself calm and level headed. His eyes switched between Nick and Brendon. He saw Brendon's Adam's apple bob as he tried to swallow his fear.

He couldn't imagine what was going through Brendon's head. If he'd've just told his boyfriend about the people he was involved with, they might have been able to avoid this situation. Now the love of his life had a gun to his head because of his past mistakes.

"I want my money," Nick sneered. With one arm keeping the gun up, Ryan used his other arm to drop the bag that hung off his shoulder. He kicked it forward so it slid a few feet in front of him.

"It's all yours. " Nick grinned at the bag and looked back at Ryan. "Now, let him go."

"I don't think so. I think I wanna keep him for a little. He must be something special if you're willing to risk your life." Nick turned the gun to Ryan and nuzzled the side of Brendon's head.

"What so special about you that makes my top seller quit on me?" Nick addressed Brendon. Nick smiled when he noticed Ryan's anger. "You got a pretty mouth. I'd love to see my dick between those lips. You look like you could take it really deep."

Brendon turned away as Nick kissed his cheek. Ryan grip tightened around his gun as he watched Nick's movements. Brendon grimaced as fresh tears rolled down his face.

"I bet you like it fast and hard up your sweet tight ass." Brendon let out a whimper as Nick rolled his hips over Brendon's behind. Ryan cocked his gun when he heard the pained noise.

"Ah, ah, ah." Nick moved the gun back to Brendon's temple and hovered his finger over the trigger. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. Unless you wanna see your whore sprawled out dead on the floor, I suggest you put the gun down."

"Brendon baby," Ryan spoke just loud enough. Brendon opened his eyes. His bottom lip was trembling and his eyes were wet. "I love you," he whispered. "I'm so sorry."

"I love you too," Brendon replied in a hoarse voice. Nick jerked him earning a small yelp from Brendon.

"Shut the fuck up."

"Nick, please. This doesn't involve him. This is between you and me. Let him go."

"You're the one who brought him into this. Now, put the gun down before I blow his fucking brains out."

"Okay, okay." Ryan held one hand up and slowly dropped his gun to the floor. He kept both hands up as a sign of surrender.

"Kick it away." Ryan obeyed. He heard it skid away, but kept his eyes forward. "Keep your hands up and get down on your knees." Ryan turned his eyes to Brendon as he sunk down to the floor.

Nick threw Brendon to the side, but kept the gun trained on him. With Brendon still in harm's way, Ryan wouldn't try anything. Nick moved forward and grabbed the bag Ryan dropped. A smile spread across his lips when he revealed the money hidden behind the zipper.

He walked over until he was in front of Ryan. He shook his head in disappointment. The hand holding the gun collided with Ryan's face. When Ryan recovered from the hit, he glared silently up at Nick with blood trickling out from the gash now on his cheek.

"Fucking pathetic. I thought you were better than this. How could you let some slut distract you from the real prize? That doesn't matter anymore."

Ryan looked over to see Brendon frozen on the floor in terror. He didn't focus on the gun being raised to his head. He mouthed a final apology as the barrel pressed against his forehead.

He waited for the bang, the pain, the final darkness, but they never came. There was a crash, but that came from the door behind him. Soon, uniformed men rushed in and had Nick faced down on the floor.

A look of relief flashed over Brendon's face as a police man helped him up. The look didn't last long as he watched Ryan being pressed to the ground and handcuffs being put on his wrist.

"Wait! What are you doing?" Brendon looked panicked as he fought his way through the new crowd to get to Ryan. His boyfriend said nothing as he was being held down. "He didn't do anything. Let him go."

A policeman had a hold on Brendon before he could get to Ryan. He was struggling hard to get out of their grip. It pained Ryan to see the panic on his face, but he knew his boyfriend was safe now.

"Ryan." The man turned to look at the police officer who'd just handcuffed him. He looked down with a small sigh before looking back up.

"Hello, Mr. Urie."

"I told you you weren't good for him." Ryan looked over at Brendon who was still fighting. "You almost got him killed."

"I didn't mean for this to happen. I tried to stay away. I just love him too much."

"He's not safe with you." Ryan dropped his head.

"I know."

"I have to take you in." Ryan nodded. He could hear Brendon screaming to be let go.

"He's gonna be okay now, right? You'll keep him safe?"

"He'll be okay when you're not here to put his life in danger." Ryan nodded again.

"I didn't mean for this to happen," Ryan spoke softly.

"But with people like you, something bad is bound to happen. I tried to warn you. I could've lost my son and it would've been your fault." Ryan shut his eyes and let out a sigh.

"Tell him I'm sorry... please. And I love him." There was a pause where Ryan assumed Mr. Urie nodded.

"Let's go." He kept his head low as he was led away. From behind him, Brendon was yelling louder.

"Let him go! Dad, please. He's innocent. Just let him go! Ryan!"

---

"The council has reached a verdict." Ryan got to his feet and kept his head low. He tried to ignore the cuffs on his wrists and the orange jumpsuit he was wearing.

"George Ryan Ross the Third, you have been found guilt of all drug trafficking charges against you and are hereby sentenced to three years in prison." Ryan squeezed his eyes shut when he heard a soft gasp behind him. He knew who it was but hadn't dared to turn around once throughout the trial.

When security went to take Ryan away, he heard the voice speak up behind him.

"Ryan." It was soft and soothing just like it always was. Ryan let out a deep breath and let security guide him to the back door. He didn't turn around to see the hurt look on Brendon's face. He couldn't do it. Mr. Urie was right. He was being selfish to think he could be with Brendon. They were from two separate worlds and he'd never be safe with Ryan.

Ryan needed to let Brendon go, no matter how much it hurt. He would hold that mental picture of his love in his mind forever. He ignored Brendon's calls as they walking out the court room. It's what was best for Brendon.

---

"Ross, you got a visitor." Ryan sat up in his bed and looked at the guard standing by the bars.

"Is it him?" The guard gave a sad smile and nodded. Ryan laid back down and stared at the ceiling without responding.

"Still nothing?"

"Yeah," Ryan let out weakly. There was a loud sigh.

"You know you should tell him something. It's been over a year and he doesn't look like he's giving up anytime soon." Ryan stayed silent. He knew what he was doing. He was protecting Brendon. He couldn't risk putting Brendon in harm's way again.

"I'll tell him you're not taking visitors," the guard said after getting no response. Ryan rolled to his side and faced the wall. He glanced at the collection of tally marks he'd made and tried to ignore the loneliness it gave him.

This was what's best for Brendon.

---

"Be safe out there alright, Ry. Stay out of trouble. Don't hesitate to call if you need anything." Ryan smiled at the guard as he gathered his belongings.

"Thanks Spence."

"Feel free to visit me too. I get bored here." Ryan rolled his eyes.

"I'll think about it." They waved bye to each other as Ryan moved to the exit. He hesitated before pushing the door open and stepping out into the fresh, free air.

He took a deep breath and felt his eyes water a bit. He looked up and down the street before starting in a random direction. He didn't know exactly where he was going, but it didn't matter to him.

He didn't get far before a voice stopped him. He froze instantly. His body was tense as he refused to turn around. Footsteps came to a stop right behind him.

"Fucking look at me already." Ryan swallowed the lump in his throat as he obeyed. He didn't realize his eyes were closed until he had to force them open.

Slowly, he took in the man in front of him. His hair was a tangled mess and his clothes looked baggy on his thin figure. His arms were crossed and his hand was fidgeting with his loose sweater. He looked like he hadn't slept in a week. He still looked gorgeous to Ryan.

"Do I not get a 'hello'?" Ryan just stared at Brendon. The shorter man scoffed and shook his head. "After all this time, you can't fucking say anything to me. What the hell is wrong with you?"

"What are you doing here?" Ryan asked.

"So you can talk. Good to know. After years of silence, I was beginning to wonder." Ryan didn't answer and Brendon rolled his eyes. "I heard that you were getting out today."

"How?"

"Not that hard when your father is a police officer." Ryan nodded. Right. He forgot.

"That doesn't answer why you're here."

"I needed to see you." Ryan sighed and turned away.

"Brendon, we can't-"

"Yes we can," Brendon interrupted.

"You don't understand how much I was involved with. For all I know, people are still after me, people more dangerous than Nick. I can't risk you getting hurt."

"Well that's not for you to decide."

"You're not listening."

"No, you're not listening! Ryan, I want to be with you. I don't care about your past or the danger it caused. I love you and I want you in my life." Ryan squeezed his eyes shut.

"Because of me you had a gun pressed to your head."

"Because of you I'm still here today."

"Your father did that, not me."

"He told me you called him for help that day. You knew how much he hated you and you still called him because it's what was best for me. You called even though you knew you'd go to jail."

Ryan felt a hand cup his cheek and he leaned into the touch.

"Ryan, I miss you. I did try to get over you, but I couldn't. I cried so much when you wouldn't let me see you. I almost gave up." Ryan opened his eyes and stared into Brendon's.

"You should've given up. Things would've been better for you." Brendon shook his head.

"You can't get rid of me that easy." Ryan chuckled as Brendon smiled.

"You're a very stubborn man, Brendon Urie." Ryan smiled and circled his arms around Brendon's waist.

"And you are as well, Mr. Ross." Ryan leaned in and pressed their foreheads together. His eyes slowly closed. He took a deep breath and soaked up the closeness he'd been neglected of for three years.

"I don't deserve you." Brendon scoffed softly.

"You're right, you don't." Ryan chuckled at Brendon's tone. Arms wrapped around his neck and pulled him closer. "Too bad you don't have a say on being with me or not."

"Are you sure about this?"

"As long as we're together, that's all that matters to me." A smile spread over Ryan's face.

"I missed you, baby."

"I missed you more." Ryan tugged him closer and shook his head.

"Not possible." Before Brendon could respond, Ryan closed the gap between their lips in a short kiss. He could feel Brendon laugh against him. "I love you," he murmered into the kiss.

"I love you too," Brendon said when they pulled away. They grinned happily as they stood in each other's arms.

---

A/N:

Ryan started off as an officer in the beginning. I don't know what happened lol