(whoop, longest chapter. let's go.)

"Steady, steady," Pete mumbles as he balances a load of plates in his hands.

Dallon, sitting on the counter and slacking off as usual, tears his eyes away from the latest Pete (Davidson) and Ariana drama to see if anything interesting were about to happen.

He looked up just in time.

Not paying attention to the wet spot on the ground, Pete steps right on top of it and his foot swings out from underneath him. The dishes fly up into the air and the boss slams back on the ship's wet floor. The dishes clatter to the ground around him, and one bowl manages to fall right on top of Pete Jr.

Dallon snorts before breaking into full on laughter and clutching his stomach. Pete whines and grabs his crotch tenderly.

"Where the h**l is the wet floor sign?!" Pete mutters.

He sits up, still holding on to his crotch in pain, and spots a small piece of paper lying on the wet floor. He reaches over, picks up the paper, and reads what is scrawled on it.

"Floor is wet! :) PS, our "wet floor" sign is broken! Sorry :(  — Josh."

Pete groans and flops back on the ground.

—

Josh: What? I put up a sign! [frowns] Now that I think about it, it was kinda tiny.

—

Ryan places down an order on the table and smiles politely at the elderly couple, "can I get you anything else?"

The woman smiles gently, "I think we are good! Thank you, dear."

He nods, "just let me or anyone else know if you need anything! Enjoy!"

He sends them another smile then heads back to the counter. Ryan sighs and throws the towel down on the counter before trying to wipe the exhaustion out of his eyes.

—

Ryan: Finals are just around the corner, and I have been studying my a** off that past few days. Tonight is going to be another night dedicated to Red Bull and a lot of algebra. [whines] F**k me.

—

"Ryan! My favorite gay coworker!"

Ryan looks up and glares, "you're too loud for my liking right now Weekes."

Dallon grins, his face is radiating with amusement. He slides next up to Ryan and bumps shoulders with him. Ryan just rolls his eyes and attempts to slide away, but Dallon manages to wrap an arm around his shoulders and press the younger employee to his chest. Ryan groans in defeat as his face is buried in Dallon's chest.

"What do you want Dallon?" Ryan asks. His voice is muffled due to Dallon's chest.

"Well, I am glad you asked dear Ryan. As you know, I have decided to give Brendon Urie, Mr. Five-head himself, a second chance," Dallon says.

"Mmm-hmm. How does this concern me?"

"Before we go on our first date or try anything, Brendon has to do a few things. One of them is apologizing to you my friend!"

"Um, what?"

—

Dallon: Yes, I have decided to give Brendon a second chance. Yet, we made an agreement that before we do anything he would have to buy me Green Day and Ariana Grande shirts, prank call Pete for me because I'm too lazy to do it, and apologize to Ryan for being a huge dick to him. Oh! [pulls notepad and pen out] I need to add public humiliation.

—

Ryan furrows his eyebrows, "I don't understand?"

Dallon steps back from him and shrugs, "listen, we can consider ourselves friends now."

"I guess? Although, you still pulls pranks on me."

"They're not as aggressive!"

"You put an egg on my sea-!"

Dallon clamps his mouth over Ryan's mouth and shoots him a look to quiet down. He rolls his eyes and pushes Dallon's hand off. His nose catches whiff of a familiar smell and he licks his lips.

"'Winter Candy Apple'?" Ryan asks.

Dallon nods, "yeah!"

"Nice."

"Thank you."

Dallon sits down in the stool next to Ryan. He rests his forearms on the counter, and looks at Ryan. His face is more serious than usual, which throws Ryan and the camera crew off guard.

"Listen, I consider as friends now and as your friend, I want any a**holes who hurt you to apologize and make up for it. Brendon is not an exception," he says.

Ryan smiles slightly, "that's really sweet, Dallon. Yet, Brendon doesn't have to apologize. I'm over it."

"Too bad. I'm making him," Dallon says. "So, you two are hanging out tonight!"

Ryan's eyes widen, "tonight? Dallon, I have to study for finals and I'm sure he has to as well!"

Yet, the older shakes his head, "nope! Tonight! You both need a break from studying anyway, and that break is today!"

"Dallon!"

"Get ready! He's picking you up right after work!"

—

Dallon: My new friend and the guy I'm seeing going to hang out! [grins] Is this my best idea, or what?!

Ryan: This is Dallon's worst idea, and I kinda want to stab him.

—

Ryan whines as he spots Brendon's car outside the shop. He turns to Dallon and roughly grabs his arm.

"Dallon, I will give you fifty bucks if you don't make me go out with him tonight!" Ryan says.

Sadly, Dallon shakes his head. He spins Ryan around and pushes him outside. Even with all of Ryan's struggling, Dallon manages to get him straight to the car.

Brendon rolls the window down and grins, "well, hello handsome."

Ryan rolls his eyes and gags. He spins around in Dallon's arms to escape, but Dallon is stronger than him. He turns him around, opens the car door, and pushes Ryan inside the passenger's seat.

"Well, you kiddos have fun tonight!" Dallon says.

Brendon grins, "oh, we will."

Ryan sinks down in his seat.

—

Ryan: Maybe if I jump out of the car I will tumble into a creek and left there to die. [pulls out his phone] I just need to search for one nearby.

—

Unsuccessful in finding a creek, Ryan remains seated in Brendon's car. He is staring out the window and not bothering to start any sort of conversation.

Neither is Brendon.

The car ride is spent in uncomfortable silence.

Brendon bites his lip nervously and looks over at Ryan, "want to play some music? You can plug your phone into the aux cord."

Ryan looks over and gives a polite smile, "it's fine. Your car, your music."

"But you're my guest."

"Brendon, stop. You don't have to make small talk or be polite. We can easily tell Dallon that I forgive you and we had a great night together. Just take me back to campus."

Brendon frowns at Ryan and turns back to the road. Ryan turns back to the window and lets his eyes slowly drift shut. He leans his head against the window and sleep takes over.

A few minutes later, a hand gently shakes his shoulder.

"Hey, wake up! We're here!"

Ryan's eyes flutter open. He yawns and sits up before stretching his arms. He rubs his eyes and looks out the window to see familiar campus ground.

Except, he doesn't see familiar campus ground.

He sees a bar instead.

"Um, this isn't campus," Ryan says.

Brendon nods, "you are correct! It is a bar! Come on!"

Brendon turns the car off and jumps out. Ryan just stares in disbelief.

—

Brendon: Sure, it would be easier to lie to Dallon and tell him that we had a great night. Yet, I'm not going to do that! I really like Dallon, and I want to make him happy. So, if this will make him happy then I am willing to do it. [bites lip] Even if this night is going to be filled with awkward silence.

—

"I can't believe you brought us to a bar. Let's just go back to campus!" Ryan whines.

Brendon shakes his head, "no. I promised Dallon I would make it up to you and we would have a good night! I am not going to let him down, so suck it up!"

Ryan scoffs and crosses his arms. He glares at the camera before—reluctantly—following Brendon to the entrance.

Brendon grins brightly at the bouncer, "what's up my man?!"

The bouncer grins, "Brendon! Haven't seen you in a while, and you brought a guest! Is this that Dallon dude you won't shut up about."

Ryan smirks as Brendon becomes a blushing and fumbling mess.

"Nope! It's actually a friend of his. Promised to take him out for the night."

The bouncer nods, "well, you two have fun!"

He moves out of the entrance. Before Ryan could ask any questions, Brendon drags him inside.

"He didn't ask for our ids," he points out.

Brendon just grins, "I know."

Ryan sighs and lets himself get dragged further inside.

—

Ryan: This night can't get any worst, right?

Brendon, from the bar: Hey Brian! Come meet my friend, Jon!

Ryan: [eyes widen, turns around]

[Camera zooms in, revealing Jon at the bar staring at Ryan in shock, Camera pans back over to Ryan]

Ryan: [turns around to camera] Is it too late to ask my mom to abort me?

—

Ryan keeps his eyes on the ground as he heads to the counter. He keeps his head down as he slips into a stool and as Brendon begins to ramble.

"Brian, this is Jon! Jon, this Dallon's friend, Brian!"

Jon just smiles, "we've actually met before, Bren. His name is Ryan."

Brendon gapes, "oh yeah! Thanks for the reminder buddy!"

Ryan's cheeks flush from embarrassment.

"Anyway, two beers Jonny!"

Jon nods, but his attention is really on Brendon. He's still staring at Ryan while Ryan is still staring at the ground. He sighs, grabs the beers, and hands them to Brendon. Brendon hands one to Ryan, but he rejects the drink.

"I don't drink," Ryan says.

Brendon just shrugs, "more for me then!"

Then he takes a sip of his drink.

—

Ryan: Seriously, I need to find my biological mother so she can abort me. Like, now.

Jon: Ryan is still so freaking gorgeous. [small smile] His hair grew longer, it's so cute.

Brendon: TIME TO GET WASTED! [downs his second beer bottle]

—

By the end of the night, Brendon is on his sixth beer and draping himself all over Ryan.

"You're really, really skinny! L-Like a skeleton!" He giggles.

Ryan just rolls his eyes and slams his head on the counter. He would have winced, but he's done so many head slams at this point that he is used to it.

"Every time I see you, your head is always making contact with a counter."

Ryan looks up at a smiling Jon offering him a glass of water. He takes the water and drinks it all at once. Jon whistles in amusement.

"Wow, should I grab you a refill?" He asks.

Ryan nods, "I have been living off coffee and only coffee that past few days. Water sounds like heaven right now."

Jon nods and grabs the glass. He refills cup with water, but doesn't give the drink to Ryan right away. He walks around the counter and slides into the seat next him and hands his drink over.

"Here," he says.

Ryan smiles politely and takes his drink. He takes tiny sips of his drink this time while Jon watches. He looks off into Brendon's direction to avoid eye contact with the other man.

"Ryan, I'm sorry."

Ryan spins around in his seat, "what for?"

Jon bites his lip, "at the party. I didn't give you a chance to explain everything. Brendon told me what really happened."

Ryan looks down at his lap. He rubs his hands against his thighs to calm his nerves. Jon must have picked up on what he was doing.

"Ryan, drink your water."

Immediately, Ryan takes another sip of his water. The nerves in his body seem to lessen with each sip, but do not completely disappear. He sets the glass down, and looks up at Jon.

"You shaved," he notes.

Jon chuckles and rubs at the light stubble on his chin, "ah, yeah. Although, I don't know how I feel about it."

"You look nice."

"Do I?"

Ryan nods, "although, I really do like your beard."

Jon smirks, "maybe I'll grow it back just for you."

That makes Ryan smile for the first time that night.

Crash!

Ryan turns around and groans at what he sees.

A very drunk Brendon lying on the floor with broken, dirty dishes and giggling nonstop. Ryan stands, runs over to him, and struggles to pick him up.

"Jesus, he's heavy!" he says.

Jon runs over, "I'll take him."

Without any objections, Jon picks up Brendon and throws him over his shoulder. The drunk man giggles and pats at his back.

"Yay! I like Jon!"

Jon just laughs and carries Brendon out of the building. Ryan follows behind, his eyes wide and face very red.

—

Ryan: This is probably not the best time to think this, but I kinda want Jon to carry me like that. H**l, I want more than that. [blushes] I'm going to shut up now.

Jon: [still holding Brendon] Yeah, I was showing off for Ryan. [smirks] I think it worked.

Brendon: [giggling, kicking feet lazily] Jonny, I'm going to puke!

—

With Ryan's help, Jon manages to sit Brendon in the backseat of the car. Brendon is still giggling and swaying from side to side.

"Jon! Jon! I think Ry-Ryan wants to f**k you!" He giggles.

Ryan groans and buries his face in his hands. Jon, of course, just chuckles at his embarrassment. Brendon giggles at the pair one last time, then flops back in the seat. Snores were the only sounds coming out of his mouth now.

"The one time he gets my name right, he's drunk," Ryan mumbles.

Jon smiles, "it's kinda funny when you think about it."

Ryan sticks his tongue out and walks around to the driver's side of Brendon's car. He starts up the car and turns the heater on to have it warm up for a few. He leans over the console and opens the passenger door for Jon.

"Come on, the car needs to warm up for a few."

Jon nods and slides into the passenger seat. He shuts the door and rubs his hands together to help warm himself up. Ryan leans back in his seat and releases a long sigh. He watches the cloud that escaped from his mouth.

"Why don't we turn on the radio?" Jon asks.

He reaches out and turns on the radio. He searches through a few stations until he settles on one he likes. "Iris" by The Goo Goo Dolls begins to fill up the car.

"Good song," Ryan comments.

Jon nods in agreement, "yeah. Really good."

He looks over at Ryan and notices that he's muttering the lyrics to himself. Jon smiles fondly and continues to watch. It doesn't last long though since Ryan looks over and catches him staring.

He smiles at Jon, "what?"

Jon shrugs, "nothing. You just look..."

Ryan bites his lip and patiently waits. The song continues to fill up the silence as Jon just stares at him. Ryan's cheek heats up again for probably the hundredth time, but it isn't from embarrassment this time or from the heat of the car. The red in his cheeks is from affection. All thanks to Jon.

Jon smiles when sees the cheeks turn a rosy shade. He reaches out and cups one of them with his hand and rubs his thumb across the skin gently. Ryan leans into his touch.

"You're stunning."

As the final chorus of the song takes over, Jon leans over and presses his lips against Ryan's.

Immediately, Ryan kisses back. His hands cup Jon's neck and pull the older man closer to him. He grins and giggles into the kiss while Jon chuckles and playfully bites his bottom lip. Jon's other hand moves down to Ryan's hip and grabs it gently. His hand slips under the shirt and rubs tiny circles into his skin. Ryan laughs at the contact and pulls away.

"Sorry, that just tickles," he whispers.

Jon smiles, "it's okay. I like hearing your laugh."

He smiles back, "you just know the right thing to say, huh?"

"I'm just telling you the truth, Ryan."

"You're amazing, Jon."

They kiss again.

—

Ryan: [smiling to himself] I take back what I said earlier. This is probably Dallon's best idea ever.

Brendon: [peeks head out from his car window] Ryan! I want to go inside!

Ryan: [eyes widen] S**t! Right! [runs back to the car]

—

(this might be my favorite chapter)