"I didn't think you'd agree to talk to me."

"Why wouldn't I?"

The vintage-looking café isn't as crowded the moment he and Ryan arrived. There seems to be no sign of Brendon too. He would have figured the younger man was still on his shift. He doesn't see Dan either.

A cup of warm coffee for Ryan and a Dr. Pepper for him. Not a likely choice for a serious chat, but it doesn't matter. What matters is the person talking to him right now.

He watches the slender brunette shrug sheepishly, staring down at his coffee. "Spencer told me about you. I'm sure Brendon must have told you about me."

"A bit." He knows about how he left Brendon without proper reason. But honestly, as sees the said man in front of him right now, shoulders slump with what seems like guilt written in his posture, Dallon couldn't seem to judge him right now. "I can't judge you from a past experience, though."

Jordan has always said he's too soft. And maybe it's not a bad thing.

Ryan pauses to stare at him, looking contemplative. He then huffs a smile, looking at Dallon with an amused gaze. "I was worried Brendon might hook up with a shady guy." The brunette's eyes soften as he continues. "I'm really glad it was you. I think you're good for him."

"You barely know me." He says out of confusion. "How do you know I'm good for him?"

"If anyone can get Spencer's approval wholeheartedly, then they must be something else. Believe me, Spencer isn't easy to trust anyone." Ryan says with a chuckle, still looking sheepish. "And the fact that we're talking right now without you screaming at me even with what you know is more than enough."

Dallon smiles, unable to say anything from such a compliment, let alone approval from Brendon's former boyfriend.

"You're the guy he confessed to that night, right?" Ryan notes, taking sip of his coffee.

He makes a small nod, his thumb brushing on the cold moisture of the smooth, tin can of soda.

"I'm guessing you like him back?" Ryan asked. Dallon would assume the brunette would look unhappy with the idea, but it's baffling to see such a hopeful look from him; hoping that he returns Brendon's feelings.

When Dallon says yes, Ryan's expression morphs into a blinding grin. He wonders if this is suppose to be a normal reaction from a past lover. There's always that sort of bitterness that a person has when they talk about a past relationship. He's seen Brendon's expressions before; there's that hint simmering anger and bitterness in his chocolate brown eyes.

None of those resemble any emotion from Ryan's honey-browns as he responds with a tone of genuine relief. "I'm glad."

Dallon blinks at him, absently sipping on his carbonated drink. Ryan's amused smile at Dallon's reaction just indicates that he knew what the taller man was thinking.

"You must be wondering why, right?"

Of course he is. Why else would they be talking?

Before he could say anything, Ryan raises his hand to reveal the same thing that he saw from Patrick's hand—a glimmering gold band on his finger.

"I'm married, you see." Ryan says sternly, as his eyes gaze on his ring.

Dallon just stares at him; too stunned to even form a response. He's trying his best not to judge the brunette's choices too soon without an explanation.

He watches the way Ryan's jaw clenches, his eyes averting Dallon's expectant gaze as he admits his words in a small voice, hinting a tone of bitterness lacing in from his lips. "But I never really had a choice."

Dallon opens his mouth, trying to form his words. He wanted to ask why, why, why. What does he mean he doesn't have a choice?

But even the question that he let out from his lips surprised him. "Did you love Brendon?"

Ryan doesn't seem fazed by the question. It's as if he already knew the answer from the bottom of his heart. "I never stopped."

I never stopped. If things were different, if Ryan wasn't married, he knew he had no chance. Dallon smiles at Ryan, trying to hide how it made him sad at the thought.

"But why did you leave him?" Dallon questions, changing the saddening thought in exchange of genuine concern and curiosity. He feels like this is something familiar for him, and before Ryan even spoke the answer, he already realized the answer.

"Because I'm doing it for him. I needed to protect him, at that time my..." Ryan trails off, clearing his throat, looking down at his coffee. "...my Dad knew about our relationship."

"Does your father not agree with your relationship with Brendon?"

The brunette shook his head, smile up at Dallon with a bittersweet smile. "My family is terribly religious. I'm sure you understand how that all goes."

He really did. Dallon understood. He lived in a household raised with religion. It just so happens that he was lucky enough to have the family who understood him, religious as they may be.

"Dad threatened to ruin Brendon's life if we continued the relationship." He says grudgingly, his fingers turning white at the pressure of his clenched hand. Dallon can see the resentment in Ryan's eyes as he explains himself.

"Brendon's Dad is a powerful politician, and my Dad is actually one of his opponents in the Senate." Ryan explains, looking up at Dallon with an expectant gaze. "Can you imagine how much it'll ruin Brendon's life if his Dad's reputation is at stake because of us? I don't want that. I never want that to happen to him."

"So I made the choice that I think would be best for Brendon, no matter how much it'll hurt us both." Ryan concludes softly.

Dallon realizes that he's seeing love in it's truest form. Enduring pain and sacrificing one's desires for the person they love.

"Don't feel bad, Dallon." Ryan notes with a small smile upon noticing the taller man's expression, assuring him. "Sure, Brendon and I didn't end up together, and this ring that I have isn't his, but that doesn't mean I'm not happy as to how things turned out, you know? Because I know that you'll take care of him for me."

The brunette sounds so sure of it. How can Ryan believe so much in him even though they just met? He doesn't understand it.

But for Ryan and Brendon, he will.

"Thank you." Ryan say with relief as he nodded.

And so, the silence envelops them in a peaceful bliss as both men turn to the window, watching the flurry of people passing by the cafe. The world never really stops for anyone. But somehow, Dallon can imagine Brendon and Ryan, watching the glimmering stars. The world didn't stop for them, but for the two of them, their time stops for each other as their fingers remain intertwined.

Dallon still felt bad for them. But he wonders if Ryan is really happy.

"I am. Believe me." The brunette confirms when Dallon asked the question. He had this blinding grin as he talks about the woman that became his wife. He watches the little shy smiles and wide grins of Ryan as he talks about his other half; all genuine with eyes sparkling with affection. He's in love.

And somehow, Dallon smiles in relief that things didn't end up as sad as it would be. But it would sure be nice if Ryan and Brendon at least end up as friends at the very end.

The shrill ringing of the phone disturbs their conversation. He sends Ryan an apologetic look as he answers the phone.

"Dallon?"

"Brendon?" Dallon shifts his gaze to Ryan, who raised a questioning look. "Where are you? What's wrong?"

"I-I'm going to the hospital. Mom, she... Can you come with me? I'm scared."

"Y-Yes, of course. Tell me which hospital and I'll catch up as soon as I can." Dallon says soothingly over the phone as he hears the younger man's shaking plea.

He drops the call once he got the information, turning to Ryan who looks at him expectantly.

"Brendon's mother has been rushed to the hospital. I'm sorry, I need to go." Dallon excuses himself.

Ryan stood from his seat. "I can take you there, Dallon."

"A-Are you sure?"

The brunette shrugs with a sheepish smile. "Of course. And besides, I think it's time Brendon and I talk, you know?"

He nods at the brunette, answering with a smile. "Yeah. I get it."

Both men leave the cafe. And as Dallon takes each step towards the brunette's car, his thoughts fill him with dread at the idea of hospitals. He never liked it. He hated hospitals.

But for Brendon's sake, he'll go.

****

"Both of you planned this, didn't you?"

Both women giggle at his affronted look at the situation. His mother looks as cheerful as ever as she sit up on her bed. It was nothing serious, really. She just had fatigue from overworking herself. She only needs some rest and she'll be out in the morning. He's thankful it wasn't anything grave.

While he doesn't appreciate looking like an idiot, seeing his mother again made him feel warm that he couldn't even get mad.

"I just wanted to see my baby boy again. I miss you so much." His mother cooed as she affectionately pats his flustered cheeks.

"Missed you too, Mom." He says, huffing a smile from his Mom's playfulness. He's very sure he knows where he got it now.

"Thank you for bringing him, dear." Brendon's Mom turns to Sarah, who was watching them fondly.

The raven haired girl raises a thumbs up at his mother's acknowledgment. She then giggles at Brendon's suspicious gaze. Sarah can be as terribly mischievous when she wants to be.

"I'll give you two some privacy." Sarah says with a smile, giving a small wave at the both of them before she left the room, closing the door softly behind her.

"I expect a story from you, young man." His Mom mockingly chides him, her eyes twinkling with anticipation that made Brendon yearn for his mother's affection. "Tell me all about it."

And from there, Brendon starts from how he ran from the wedding, and how he stumbled upon Dallon. Just how many people has he told about this story? Honestly, he will never get tired of telling it.

"Is he cute?" His mom interrupts.

"Mom!"

"What? You seem to really like this Dallon fellow. You did tell him you have feelings for him, right?"

"Y-Yeah—"

"And he liked you back?"

"Y-Yes..."

"But he's cute, right?"

Brendon scratches the back of his head, trying to keep the blush from his cheeks in control. He must look dumb right now. "Y-Yeah, he really is."

His mother pauses at his admission to look at him, staring at his eyes as if she's searching for something. It seems she found it when she gives her winning smile that he always loved to see. "This is the happiest I've ever seen you." She says softly, her hands holding on his son's cheeks with affection.

"I was so scared when you left. I don't know what I would do if anything were to happen to you. But it looks like I had nothing to worry about." His mother admits softly. "Tell me more about Dallon?"

Before he can answer more of his Mom's interrogations, a knock interrupts them to reveal Sarah, a stricken expression painting her face.

"Brendon, you have company."

Sarah opens the door wider, to reveal a familiar boy he hasn't seen in years, standing in the doorway of his mother's room. He heard his mother gasp at the sight of the new arrival.

"Long time no see, Mrs. Urie." The brunette greets with a smile, before his honey browns turn to him. "Brendon."

He felt like screaming, pushing away this man that left him without word for years, only having to return as if nothing happened at all. How dare he?

Another knock from the doorway reveals Dallon, looking at all of them hesitantly. Somehow his presence softens his simmering emotions. In the taller man's hands is a bouquet of white flowers, handing them shyly to his mother.

"Are you Dallon?"

"Y-Yes, ma'am."

His mother always had that habit of knowing things about a person at first glance. She always said that it was important to know what you're dealing up against. But Brendon knows she'll like Dallon a lot.

And her words just confirms it.

"Thank you, for looking out for my son." His mother said, taking the bouquet of white flowers from his arms and smiles at him.

Dallon's flustered look makes him giggle, and he just knows his Mom found it charming as well.

"How long have you been here, Ryan?" His Mom acknowledges Ryan's presence, who just watches them from a far.

"For three days." The brunette responds with a smile. "How are you doing, Mrs. Urie?"

"Oh, it's nothing serious. I'm just fatigued from work." She waves off his concern, making sure not to worry about her too much. That's just like her. Brendon thought.

"I was wondering if I could borrow Brendon for a bit." Ryan's eyes look straight at his, and honestly he wants to say no. He doesn't want to hear any explanation from the brunette. He scowls at him, opening his mouth to muster hurtful words...

But a hand on top of his stops him.

The warm calloused hand of Dallon wraps around his with an assuring squeeze. His eyes pleading the words that he cannot say: Talk to him.

His mother couldn't see the gesture, but knowing his mother, he just knows she has an idea.

"I-I'll just... go out and talk to him, Mom." Brendon turns to his mother with permission. His mother seems surprised at his reaction, raising an eyebrow at him with a knowing gaze that he expected but he just shook his head with a smile.

Dallon throws him an understanding gaze, then smiles at him as he stood up from his seat and leaves with Ryan.

He looks back at Dallon and his Mom, both of them watching him. Brendon gives them a small wave before he closed the door behind him as Ryan waits for him expectantly.

Brendon steels himself as the brunette suggest they talk outside. He complies, mentally preparing himself at what's about to come.

****
[A/N: not my best chapter, to be honest. But I was having a bit of a writer's block, and I know I need to push through it if I want to finish the chapter, so it isn't as well written as I wanted it to be, but I still hope you liked it.

(Adding the frustration of Brendon unfollowing Dallon in instagram, but I try not to care anymore and move on from it. Still bitter though.)

Note: I was listening to Passenger's Beautiful Birds during Ryan and Dallon's talk so if you wanna

I hope I got my point across in this chapter? My mind isn't functioning properly at the moment. Work has been quite a burn out for me too when you have a night shift schedule for 1 ½ months. So, sorry for taking too long and grammar mistakes.

Thanks for reading and enjoy your day!]