So maybe Pete was right. Maybe Ryan was going off the deep end. And maybe he needed to slow his role a little bit. He wasn't the same guy he was before he met his ex. He realized that he liked quiet nights in the house. He liked missing parties to cuddle on the couch and just watching TV with someone. He liked being able to call someone his more than he liked having sex with random people. Maybe relationships were his thing.

So he got another boyfriend.

It was a freshman named William. He was tall and he was hot. Which were two things that were very important to Ryan. He was also rich. Not at rich as Ryan, but rich enough to mash well in his circle of friends.

It was easy to start dating him. He was completely smitten as soon as Ryan walked up to him. He automatically knew who Ryan was and what he could do for his reputation. So unlike Brendon, who'd made Ryan chase him. Who went running for the hills when he found out Ryan was the it man on campus. But everyone couldn't be his ex.

It wasn't like Ryan had lowered his standards at all. William was hot. Just not Brendon Urie pretty. William was smart enough. Just not Brendon Urie smart. William was charming and stylish and funny and just as superficial as Ryan himself. Maybe even more, if that were even possible. But no where near as charming and funny and unique as Brendon.

"Are you ready for class?" William asked as he walked out of the bedroom and into the kitchen. Rubbing Ryan's shoulders as he passed him.

Ryan pushed the untouched bowl of cereal away from him and stood up. That was something William and Brendon had in common. They both liked to force him to actually go to his classes everyday.

"Yeah, I'm ready."

"Are you driving or am I?"

"I'll drive. In case I want to leave early and you want to stay."

"Silly, silly, Ryan Ross." He rubbed his hand from his shoulder, all the way down his arm before stopping at his hand. He intertwined their fingers. "You're never going to get your degree. Do you know that?"

Ryan smiled genuinely. That was the same thing his parents kept telling him and he knew it was probably true. He'd changed his major a lot in the beginning. From art history to fashion. He wasn't even sure what it was right now.

"Degree smegree." He mumbled childishly and William giggled.

"It's a good thing you're extremely pretty."

"It's a good thing you have great eye sight."

He laughed again. Pulling Ryan out the front door with him. Ryan closed and locked his door behind himself. William grabbed his hand as soon as it was free again. He was always touching him. Letting everyone know that Ryan was his. It was annoying sometimes.

They got into the car and Ryan sighed. He wouldn't have to hold his hands if he was driving. He purposely placed both hands on the steering wheel. Knowing he could easily drive with just one. But that wasn't stopping William. He placed his hand on Ryan's thigh as they took off.

"I love you." He grinned confidently as he said the words. 

Ryan kept his eyes straight ahead.

**********

"That's it for today, rookie." Brendon's coworker slapped him on the back as he walked past.

"Is it really seven already?"

His friend nodded. But Brendon still glanced at the clock to make sure. It was ten minutes after seven. He untied his apron and lifted it over his head. He never knew how much he could enjoy working at a cafe. The first few weeks were hard. He didn't know anyone and customers were really rude to new people who messed up their orders. He had no idea how important coffee was to some people until he started this job.

But now things were better. The regulars knew him now. They greeted him in friendly ways. And tipped great. A few of them even flirted with him. He even had a new friend. The only coworker who was around his same age. The same one who closed with him almost every night.  And since he's mastered the art of making coffee, it was almost like doing no work at all. He was getting paid to have a good time with nice people.

"I guess time flies when you're having fun." His friend tossed his own discarded apron at him.

Brendon caught it easily. "I guess it does." He ran his hands through his hair and put his hat on.

"And since it's Friday and the beginning of our two week break." He snatched Brendon's hat and placed it on his own head. "Maybe you'd like to go out with me?"

"Or," Brendon jumped up to snatch his hat back. "Maybe not."

"Oh come on, Brendon." He followed him out the door. Waiting for him to lock up and put the key in it's place. "I know you're just going to go home and do all your work early. You don't have other plans."

"Maybe I do." He shrugged.

"Yeah right." He laughed. "Just one night. You won't regret it. I'll buy you flowers and tell you you're pretty."

"You've already gotten me flowers twice and you always tell me I'm pretty."

"See? I'm already a great boyfriend."

"But you're not my boyfriend, Dallon."

"Oh come on, why won't you go out with me? I'm handsome. I'm funny. I can dance." He began doing some weird twisting of his body.

"That's hardly considered dancing. Besides I'm not available."

"It's not like you're dating someone. Being in love with your ex doesn't count as being in a relationship."

The sound of his phone ringing saved him from responding to those unknowingly harsh words. He took it from his pocket. Glancing briefly at Patrick's name before answering.

"Hey, dude!"

"Hey! Are you still at work?"

"Just about to leave." He glance over at Dallon, who was making faces at him like a child. "What are you up to?"

"Just sitting in my car."

"That weird." He laughed.

"So is that hat you're wearing."

What?

Brendon pulled the phone away from his face to look around the parking lot. There were three cars. His, Dallon's and another one. The door to the last car opened and Brendon watched his best friend jump out. He ran towards him without hesitation.

"Hey!" He squealed. Pulling him into a deathly tight hug. "Oh my god what are you doing here?"

"It's spring break, baby. I came to party with you."

"Whose this?" Dallon walked up to where they were standing.

"This is my best friend Patrick. Patrick this is my-"

"Boyfriend." Dallon held his hand out.

"Friend." Brendon elbowed him. "Dallon."

"Nice to meet you, dude." Dallon laughed.

"You too." Patrick smiled at them. "Now let's party!"

**********

Ryan and Pete were both sitting on Ryan's couch. Staring at the TV screen that was playing Twilight.

Usually they would be partying and drinking themselves into oblivion. But neither of them were in the mood to celebrate the start of spring break. Pete was too busy thinking about Patrick and what he might be doing right now. And Ryan was too busy trying not to think at all. This is where he would normally go to his drugs for help, but he wasn't in the mood for that either.

"This movie sucks ass." Pete dug into the popcorn on his lap.

"I know." Ryan didn't take his eyes off the screen.

"Then why are we watching it?"

"I lost the remote."

"Damn." Pete sighed and turned to face Ryan. Placing the popcorn on the floor in front of him. "I know why I'm not out right now. Why aren't you?"

"Wasn't in the mood."

"And William was? You guys always party together or stay in together."

"He wouldn't want to party with me."

"Did you guys have your first fight?" Pete asked sympathetically.

"No." Ryan sat up straighter. "I broke up with him."

"What? Why?"

"He used the L word."

"The what?"

"Love, Pete!" He finally looked at his best friend. "He said he loved me."

"So you broke up with him?!"

"It wasn't mutual."

"Clearly! But you could have just said that and worked it out until it was."

"If it wasn't there. It was never going to be."

"How do you know-"

"Because I just didn't feel it, damn it!" He snapped. "I didn't feel the sparks or the warmth I needed to. I didn't feel all fuzzy and tingly when he said it! I want to feel the way I felt before. Like lighting's flashing in my head when he smiled. Or butterflies when he laughed. Or burning flames when he said my name. But I didn't feel it!" Ryan's rant ended and his voice lowered pathetically. "Why didn't I feel it, Pete?"

"Because your heart still belongs to someone else."

Tears were dancing around in Ryan's eyes. So Pete pulled him to his chest. Wrapping his arms around the broken man.

"He just wasn't him." Ryan cried quietly.

"No one's ever going to be Brendon, Ry." Pete rubbed his back soothingly.