It's been three days since Ryan's date with Brendon, three days since Ryan's heard from Brendon, and three days full of worry and a hint of anger for Brendon. Ryan tried texting and calling, but never got a response back. If he knew where Brendon lived, he would've gone to his house for answers already. 

Ryan ran a hand through his wavy hair as he sat at the edge of his bed, staring down at his phone. Frustrated, he tossed the phone on the floor and threw himself back on the bed. He did nothing but stare at the ceiling. The silenced bounced throughout the apartment, screaming heavy nothingness that pinned him to the bed.

He couldn't take it anymore. The silence and his scattered mind were eating him alive. The only time he left the house was to go to work. After work, he visited the diner, but Brendon wasn't there so he just stayed home. 

Today being his day off, Ryan decided he needed some fresh air. Ryan pulled on a pair of skinny jeans and a red shirt. After throwing on some converse and pocketing his keys and phone, he made his way out the door and outside. He walked aimlessly down the sidewalk with his head hanging down, keeping clear of cars as he crossed streets.

The sun beat down on him, momentarily distracting him from his thoughts and focus more on the heat. The sound of screaming children brought Ryan out of his thoughts completely. Peering through the holes of a chain linked fence, he could see children playing at the local park. 

He took a minute to watch the children running around carefree and happy. Just as Ryan was about to continue his walk, he noticed a man sitting alone on a bench facing the jungle gym. He wore dark skinny jeans and a leather jacket. He had on a pair of black sunglasses that prevented Ryan from seeing the brown eyes he knew too well. Ryan's legs took him over to Brendon. Before he realized what he was doing, he was standing in front of Brendon, blocking the man's view of the playground.

"Why haven't you answered any of my calls or texts?" Brendon looked up to meet Ryan's gaze, but with the shades on, Ryan couldn't read his reaction too well. The way the rest of his face remained motionless, he guessed Brendon wasn't all that surprised by running into Ryan. Maybe Brendon was expecting the man to find him at some point. When Ryan didn't get a response, he questioned again, getting impatient. "Why have you been ignoring me? I've been worried sick." 

"Ryan.." Brendon tried talking but was cut off.

"You haven't been to work. You shut me out completely. Don't you think I deserve an explanation at least?"

"You do. It's just you don't..," he trailed off.

"I don't what? I wouldn't understand? You didn't want to hurt my feelings? If you didn't want to be with me Brendon, you should've just said so." Brendon got to his feet and took off his shades to properly look Ryan in the eyes.

"Don't say that! Of course I want to be with you. Things just came up." Ryan wished he could pay attention to what the other was saying, but the dark bruise consuming Brendon's eye demanded all of his attention. 

"Bren, what happened?" Ryan reached a hand up to Brendon's face. Brendon put his glasses back on and turned away quickly.

"N-nothing," he stuttered.

"Is that why you haven't been talking to me? To hide that?" Ryan frowned at the thought of someone hurting his sweet boy. Hatred began flowing through his body. "Who did this to you?" He only got a head shake in response. "Please say something. Are you okay at least?" 

"I'm fine." Brendon wrapped his arms around his stomach. It was then that Ryan payed attention to the jacket. It was burning hot outside. 

"Brendon, it's burning out here. Take that off." Brendon's grip tightened on his jacket. Ryan reached out to grab onto Brendon, but the boy took a small step back. Ryan let out a shaky breath. "Do you have marks under the jacket too," he choked out his theory willing Brendon to tell him he's wrong. He watched a tear fall from behind Brendon's shades. 

"It's okay. I'm used to it." Ryan pulled him quickly into his arms as Brendon let out a small whimper. Ryan held up carefully against his chest, hoping he wasn't causing any discomfort. Ryan wanted to hug away all of Brendon's pain, but he knew that wasn't possible. 

"Daddy!" Brendon's head turned quickly. Ryan pulled away as a little girl ran towards them. Her dark brown hair was pulled into two high pigtails. She wore a light blue Disney princess shirt. She had knee high leggings peeking from her matching blue tutu. White high tops with pink outlines covered her small feet. Ryan watched the girl confused as she ran up to Brendon. Quickly wiping away his tears, Brendon squat down to her level as she repeated. "Daddy." 

"What is it princess?" She opened her mouth then shut it quickly when she noticed a tall stranger next to them. She stepped closer to Brendon. "Don't mind him, sweetie. What do you need?" She kept her eyes on Ryan before dropping her head in embarrassment.

"I needs to go potty," she whispered shyly. Brendon stood smiling, offering his hand to the child. Her small hand held onto Brendon's pointer and middle fingers tightly. 

"I gotta take her to the restroom." Brendon informed Ryan as he walked to the public bathroom. Ryan sat on the bench and watched Brendon walking with the little girl. The stubborn child apparently didn't want to go into the bathroom alone as she crossed her arms and pouted up at Brendon.

Brendon kneeled and started, what Ryan could only assume, bribing the child. With a boop to the nose, the girl was giggling and nodding. Brendon waited outside the door as she went in to do her business. 

She came out not long after and made grabby hands at Brendon, wanting to be carried. Brendon happily complied, lifting her effortlessly into his arms. Her small arms wrapped around the boy's neck.

They made over to the bench to sit down. Brendon sat the girl on his lap as he sat down. He pulled out a packet of fruit snacks from his pocket and opened it for the girl. She immediately shoved her tiny fist into the bag to devour the gummies.   

"You're a dad." Wrapping his arms around the girl's stomach, Brendon nodded with a smile. 

"I was gonna tell you the other night after I told you how I felt. I didn't see much of a point of saying anything if you didn't feel the same way." Brendon ran a hand through his hair as he sighed. "But you did and you took me on a date and we kissed then..." he cut off, "but I wanted to tell you about Sky." The little girl looked up at her dad with her fingers shoved in her mouth. He kissed her forehead. "My little Skylar."  

Ryan watched Brendon gazing lovingly at his daughter in his lap. Skylar leaned back into Brendon's chest and finished her fruit snacks. She waved the empty bag in his face, which Brendon took with a small chuckle. "All gone," he told her. She gasped in surprise. 

"All gone?" She questioned. "Hmm. More?" 

"Not until we get home baby." She frowned at the thought of having to wait that long. Then the sound of children playing caught her attention. She pointed at them. 

"Play?" Brendon smiled and let her off his lap.

"Sure sweetie." She ran as fast as she could to an open slide. Brendon kept his eyes on her and let out a heavy sigh. "I understand if you don't want to be with me anymore. A three year old probably wasn't something you signed up for."

Ryan moved closer to Brendon and carefully took his glasses off so they could look eye to eye. Bringing his hand up to cup Brendon's face, Ryan ran his thumb over the edge of his purple mark. Ryan pulled Brendon's face closer to his and pressed their lips together. Brendon sighed contently and deepened the kiss. 

Ryan watched Brendon's face when he pulled away and the way he glowed with happiness. Ryan smiled. "Tell me about her." Brendon's eyes snapped open, simultaneously gasping in surprise.  

"Are you serious?" Ryan nodded as Brendon smiled and pressed their lips together for another quick kiss. Ryan pulled Brendon's hand into his and locked their fingers securely. "Her birthday was a few weeks ago, which she insisted had to be Pokémon themed. Her middle name's Grace, named after my mother, who she adores greatly. I think that's partially because my mom always gives her sweets when she babysits. My mom always gives her skittles, which at the moment is her favorite candy. She's never good at setting her mind of things, changes it constantly. Her favorite color was red, but as of this morning it changed to yellow because she was 'feeling yellow.'" Brendon had the biggest grin on his face as he told Ryan about his baby.  

"It's hard for her to stay focus on one thing for too long, but I'm pretty sure she gets that from me. And Oh My God. She is the biggest drama queen in the whole world," Brendon stated with a giggle. "She demands so much attention and gets so pouty and sassy when she doesn't get her way." He sighed and looked at her concentrate as she climbed up a ladder onto the jungle gym. "But I love her no matter how dorky or moody she can get. She's my princess."  

"What about her mom? Is she still in the picture?" Ryan felt Brendon tense beside him. Brendon tried to pull his hand away, but when Ryan held on tightly, Brendon settled with just leaning away from him. 

"She, uh. She doesn't have one... a mother I mean," Brendon softly replied. His hand grew clammy in Ryan's. Ryan held tightly onto Brendon, not wanting to let the boy go. 

"What do you mean?" Brendon was no long looking at Ryan. His body shook slightly and he spoke to his lap.

"I can.. I was... I had h-her.." Brendon stuttered nervously. He'd told Ryan a great deal about himself that he was sure would make Ryan run for the hills, but there he sat. Ryan finally released Brendon's hand, leaving the boy missing the warmth and comfort it gave him. He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding when Ryan wrapped his arm around his shoulder, pulling him close. 

"Well, is her dad around?" Ryan didn't want to press the topic that obviously made Brendon uncomfortable to share with others, but apparently he just brought up another topic that made Brendon more uncomfortable. Brendon grabbed his glasses and put them on, effectively hiding his black eye again. Ryan gave Brendon's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Brendon whimpered in pain. Ryan loosened his grip, frowning at what Brendon hid under the jacket. "Bren?"

"Don't ask." Brendon buried his face into Ryan's shoulder. "Please don't ask." Ryan nodded and placed a kiss at the top of his head. He looked out and spotted Skylar waving over at them from the top of the slide. He waved back and saw her laughing as she slid down. He leaned his head on top of Brendon's. Ryan held onto his damaged boyfriend, making a promise to himself that he'll be there to help Brendon get better. 

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A/N:

Sorry for the mpreg mention for those who are uncomfortable with the idea. I needed to do it for what I have planned later. Might bring up Brendon's pregnancy with Skylar again, but there will not be a new one in this story.