Two Weeks In Hawaii (ryden)

Day 7

  It had taken Ryan awhile to fall asleep, managing to drift off in the early hours of the morning when the moon began to fall instead of climb higher into the sky. His mind was whirling with a storm of thoughts, each of which held a different emotion, sprawled on the perfectly made bed of the hotel room with his hands folded over his abdomen and ankles crossed; staring blankly at the shroud of darkness between himself and the ceiling. Besides the distant crashing of waves and the all-too-expected noises from the room right beside his, Ryan would complain at about later, it was quiet which Ryan enjoyed as much as he hated it; left alone to the string of thoughts and rationalities keeping his exhausted body awake.

Ryan didn't know what annoyed him more; the fact that if he opened a dictionary and looked up the word 'perfect' that he would no doubt find a picture of Brendon, or the fact that regardless of his mental battling and futile resistance he was falling for Brendon. The only good thing was that at least Ryan didn't have far to fall because he was going down hard and quickly.

The biggest opposition Ryan had to falling for Brendon was that it was roughly two weeks ago that he was supposed to stand before a minister, dressed as nicely as he could, to exchange vows and a golden ring with who at the time he thought to be his true love. It was too soon for Ryan to even consider another relationship, let alone be prompted with one by the very essence of perfection; and he most definitely shouldn't have made out with said perfection while practically naked.

Ryan Ross was many things, but he was in no way a whore.

The side all for Brendon had more supportive details than Jon had cameras. Brendon was amazingly gorgeous with flawless skin and abs far past drool-worthy. His hair was shiny, lips tender and soft, eyes large and loving, and color the perfect blend of honey and caramel due to spending countless hours beneath the sun. But there was so much more to Brendon that Ryan would only be a fool to not consider in his mental fight with himself.

Brendon had every quality that Ryan not only wanted in a lover, but also what he needed. Regardless of how independent Ryan acted or made himself out to be, he, like most every human bearing the most ancient and primitive of instincts, craved intimate contact with another human being; physical, mental, and emotional. Though Ryan liked being alone, he also loved being held in someone's arms, knowing that he was loved and protected. Brendon did it perfectly; a strong yet still gentle grip around Ryan's body, holding him close yet still maintaining distance for each's personal space the night Ryan willingly stayed.

On top of that, a slew of words darted across Ryan's mind like gas particles that tipped the scale in the 'yes' favor of the situation. Brendon was kind, helpful, beautiful, sweet, charming, funny, supportive, loyal, trustworthy, cheery, bright, witty, loving, intelligent, generous; all of which were shown through Brendon's friends and belongings if not himself. Beside some shyness, Ryan only ever felt comfortable and ultimately relaxed around Brendon; something he never really got with Pete.

Ryan really had to stop comparing the two because they weren't a comparison. They were in no way equal or even remotely close to being anything such. Brendon was far more superior in every way Ryan's brain developed than Pete. Though knowing him less than a week, Ryan knew Brendon wasn't the type to cheat; unlike Pete. Plus, Brendon was more pleasing to look at, spoke kind and truly, and always seemed to hold Ryan's, or anyone involved, best interest when around; again unlike Pete. Pete only cared for and about himself.

Sighing, Ryan turned onto his side and pulled his knees to his chest, placing his hands beneath his head on the pillow. A meaningless yet heavy tear rolled from Ryan's eye down to his hand, his lids finally meeting at long last to seal the rest of the salty liquid inside. Despite his stomach clenching and his heart loudly thumping against his ribs, mind still spinning and body shaking with tiny chills, it didn't take long for sleep to claim Ryan; only blackness filling what were often pain-filled dreams.

******************************

Only a few hours passed before the sun was bright and Ryan awoke, pushing himself into a sitting position, rubbing his burry vision away and yawning. He reached absently for his cellphone which sat charging on the nightstand, flipping it open to check the time to find he had a missed call and voicemail from Brendon; smiling lazily because it was a good thing to see when first waking up. Instead of listening to the message though, Ryan deleted it and almost immediately located Brendon's name in his contacts, pressing the green phone button to call him.

"Hello?" Brendon's very-much awake but not so overly happy voice followed the first few rings.

"Hi." Ryan yawned, using his free hand to rub his eyes again. "S'Ryan. You called?"

"Oh, yeah, hey Ryan." Brendon's voice became a tad bit cheerier. "Did you listen to my message?"

"No; accidentally deleted it." Ryan smiled, getting a small, almost forced sounding laugh from Brendon.

"Well I completely forgot what day it was and I know I say you guys could use it, but I kinda need the car for a few hours." Ryan didn't miss the anxiety Brendon was trying to mask.

"Of course; it's your car." Ryan replied, covering his mouth as he yawned again; body only have gotten four, maybe five hours of sleep that night. "Where are you going?"

"To my, uh, sisters," Brendon said, voice heavy with hesitation. "She lives about an hour from here so I'll be gone probably the whole morning." Ryan felt his stomach turn. "I hope you don't mind. I forgot what day it was until I woke up this morning."

"No...yeah, of course I don't mind." Ryan shook his head even if Brendon couldn't see it. "Your sister is family so...yeah." he tried not to sound disappointed.

"Are you mad?" Brendon asked with a fearful sort of quiet.

"No." Ryan lied, a talent he was not-so-proudly skilled at. "Why would I be?"

"Because I didn't tell you I would be gone for a few hours until, like, five minutes ago, and we've been hanging out the past few days," Brendon replied.

"It's only a few hours." Ryan shrugged, trying to assure himself more, really. "We can always hang out when you get back. I'm sure I can find something to do."

"You sure?" There was still that fear and hesitation that Ryan couldn't help but smile at because just imagining the look on Brendon's face was what Ryan would definitely call adorable.

"I'm guessing you go to your sisters often-"

"Once a month." Brendon cut him off. "Every second Saturday."

"So it's your routine, Bren. I wouldn't stop you." Ryan got off his bed to try and walk off the heavy feeling he was getting from the conversation. It wasn't exactly a feeling of jealousy but more a feeling of possession; that he wanted Brendon all to himself every second of every day. "Therefore I'll have to wait for you to come back."

"Well...I mean..." Brendon exhaled slowly into the phone. "You could...if you wanted...come with me." Ryan stopped in front of the glass door, slowly allowing the slightly devilish smile to come over his lips. "It won't be the most adventurous or fun of trips or anything but..."

"Do you want me to come?" Ryan asked, tucking his right arm beneath his left elbow, holding it against his body while looking at the ocean sparkling in the distance.

"I've only tried to spend every minute possible with you since Bill introduced us." Brendon nervously laughed. "Just...my sister and I are very different and..."

"If you want me to come, I will." Ryan could tell there was tension between Brendon and his sister which would account for the ever present anxious tone throughout the phone call. "I don't mind. Car rides can be boring alone, anyway; especially long ones." Ryan didn't care if he sounded desperate.

"Yeah...yeah." Brendon exhaled more swiftly, Ryan imagining him nodding. "Okay; so, ten minutes?"

"Sure." A flood of excitement and endorphins washed over Ryan. He didn't know why Brendon went to his sisters once a month but he wasn't going to ask because Brendon sounded stressed enough. He would find out soon enough anyway.

"Alright; bye." And before Ryan could even reply, the line went dead. Still smiling, Ryan shut his phone and tossed it to the bed, going to the dresser holding his freshly cleaned clothes to find something to wear; most definitely not seeking clothes for hate he hoped the evening would play out to be.

************************************

Ryan was dressed and ready in record time; wearing only a white t-shirt with a low v-cut collar beneath a loose simple brown vest, unbuttoned, a pair of tight skinny jeans, a gray hobo hat, flip-flops he didn't even know he had with him, and the sunglasses Brendon bought him. He didn't bother telling Jon and Spencer that he was leaving because they would figure it out on their own, driving to Brendon's house with the car that Brendon requested for whatever reason.

Ryan wasn't going to argue.

When he arrived at the large, beautiful home, Ryan stopped in front of the porch and got out; switching the car off but leaving the keys in the ignitions since they would probably be leaving soon anyway. Ryan quickly adjusted his clothes and headed for the door, knocking twice then entering since the door was open. He was about to call for Brendon but noticed Gabe and William curled up tightly together on the couch, soundly sleeping beneath a blanket already gathering on the floor.

Ryan let his mind replace the two with him and Brendon; but only for a minute.

Taking his sunglasses off to have better vision in the low-lit home, Ryan moved quietly across the floor towards the kitchen searching for Brendon. It would have been a lot easier if Brendon's house wasn't such a grand, complicated maze. But every room was so beautiful that Ryan didn't mind winding around and through the rooms he was vaguely familiar with.

It was upstairs that Ryan finally located the man, Brendon emerging from a room always closed; pulling the door shut behind him. He jumped with surprise when he saw Ryan, smiling and walking to him a moment later. "So Hawaii has this really hot sun always shining down," Brendon placed his hands on Ryan's hips and kissed him, "But these jeans are way hotter." Ryan fought off blush, kissing Brendon back.

Fuck all his mental contradictions.

"You all ready to go?" Ryan asked, pulling back to keep his jeans from getting any tighter. Granted, beauty hurt, but Ryan wasn't going to make it any worse. Brendon drew a deep breath, exhaling into a smile and nodding, stealing one more kiss before releasing Ryan's hips and taking his hand; both heading back downstairs to the living room.

Brendon released Ryan and walked to the sleeping couple, grabbing the blanket and tossing it to the other couch; Ryan glad they were both at least in boxers. Standing to the side, Ryan watched Brendon bend over the two and loudly exclaim, "Wake up!" He instantly stepped back as both men jolted awake, William toppling over the side and to the floor. "I'm leaving now and taking Ryan with me."

"Fuckin' asshole," Gabe muttered as he relaxed again, William whining on the floor in agreement. "We were sleeping, Urie." he frowned, eyes falling shut once more. Ryan had to press the back of his hand to his mouth to keep quiet.

"You have a bed for a reason," Brendon said calmly, nudging William with his foot. "I'll be back in a few hours. And, again, Ryan's coming with me if anyone wants to know where he is." William only whined more, slowly sitting up onto his knees then pulling himself to the couch where he molded against Gabe as though nothing happened. Brendon rolled his eyes and shook his head, sighing. "You both better be dressed or upstairs when we get back." his stern tone almost scared Ryan.

Leaving his friends again, Brendon went back to Ryan, taking his hand and heading for the door as William and Gabe went back to sleep on the couch. Ryan let himself be dragged out the door and to the car, Brendon pulling the passenger door open for Ryan but preventing him from getting in as he suddenly wrapped his arms around the older man, pressing his face into Ryan's shoulder. "Thanks," he breathed into Ryan's shirt, the thin material allowing the warmth to pass.

"You're, uh, welcome?" Ryan answered confusedly, putting his arms around Brendon as well. Brendon hummed, pulling Ryan tighter against him, making Ryan's breathing a little more labored. They stood like that for a few minutes, Brendon breathing heavily against Ryan's shoulder, Ryan taking to lightly tracing absent patterns on Brendon's lower back. He knew that, for whatever reason, Brendon just needed the physical contact; Ryan had been there many times.

"Thank you," Brendon repeated before releasing Ryan and forcing a smile, Ryan smiling back for the sake of not upsetting Brendon more, getting into the car. Brendon shut the door then walked around the back, Ryan glancing in the rear view mirror and catching Brendon rub his eyes quickly as he made it to the other side, yanking the driver's door open and dropping into the seat; starting the car.

Ryan buckled up, putting his sunglasses back on, watching everything slowly start to pass them by as Brendon headed back to the road. From the corner of his eye he could see how Brendon was upset, on the edge some still, so he reached over and but his hand on Brendon's leg. Brendon looked at him, softly smiling after a moment, placing his left hand on the wheel and dropping his right down to Ryan's. He wove his fingers into Ryan's and lifted Ryan's hand to his mouth, softly kissing the pale skin then lowering both back to his leg; squeezing Ryan's hand momentarily.

The ride was silent and a little tense, but Ryan was just fine how he was because it seemed to be what Brendon needed and for once, Ryan was going to be the supportive one.

**********************************

After about an hour and a half of driving past small neighborhoods and tons of beautiful scenery, Brendon pulled into the driveway of a home drastically smaller than his own, releasing Ryan's hand to shut the vehicle off. "You don't have to," Brendon unbuckled himself, "But it'll probably be better if you stay back. I mean, you don't have to stay in the car the whole time but my sister..."

"It's okay," Ryan said quietly. "I don't mind." Brendon obviously didn't want Ryan to find something out inside the home, and it wasn't like Brendon was going to be disappearing. "It's nice out anyway." Ryan gave a tiny playful smile, Brendon returning the gesture with one of his own.

Brendon leaned over to give Ryan a light, quick kiss, pushing his door open. "Just please...don't hate me..." he practically pleaded in a quiet, fearful voice, not giving Ryan a chance to answer before slipping out and pushing the door shut again. Ryan watched him walk to the door, giving it a couple knocks before letting himself inside; shutting the door behind him.

Frowning, Ryan undid his own belt and pushed his door open to leave the car, walking around to the front of the driver's side, leaning back against the warm metal. Ryan crossed his arms and stared at the house, nothing how paint was chipping and things were cracked; curtains pulled tightly over the windows so Ryan couldn't see inside. The houses around Brendon's sister's were in similar condition, all livable but nowhere near as beautiful and fresh as Brendon's.

Loud voices drifted out in muted tones, Ryan shivering as he tried not to imagine what was going on inside. Just the thought of Brendon being angry was too much for Ryan to even contemplate, tipping his head back to look at the seagulls flying overhead in attempt to distract himself. Even through the tinted glasses though the sun was shining brightly down, forcing Ryan to drop his head back to a level position; just in time to see the door pull open.

Ryan was surprised to see Brendon emerge with not only an angry look but a young girl in his arms. He bit the inside of his lip to keep himself from letting his jaw fall in question. Brendon shifted to girl to one him and pulled the door closed behind them, the slam ringing out, muttering something beneath his breath as he headed back towards Ryan, kissing the girl's head. "Who's that?" she asked, pointing to Ryan.

"That is my new friend, Ryan," Brendon said, face relaxing to a smile. "Ryan," Brendon stopped before him, "This is my niece, Amelia. Mia, Ryan."

"You're pretty," Mia said in a light, high-pitched observing tone, studying Ryan over. "Like a girl." Ryan knew his face wasn't warm from just the sun, not knowing what to reply with. Mia was a cute little girl; she had very blue eyes, like Spencer, and extremely curly red hair pulled into two pony tails hanging down on either side of her freckle-covered cheeks.

"Mia, be nice," Brendon scolded her, lifting her up more. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you but Amelia comes to stay with me for one weekend a month." There was something in Brendon's voice that told Ryan not to ask any questions until the time was right.

"Do you like boys like Uncle B?" Amelia casually asked Ryan, catching him off guard. There was only curiosity in the young girl's face as she held onto Brendon's shirt for support, Ryan swallowing hard because he didn't know what to say to that either. He had never been asked that by such a young person before.

"Amelia Rose!" Brendon scolded her again, giving his niece a pointed look. "That's rude to ask someone, young lady." Mia huffed and scowled at Brendon who merely lifted an eyebrow, the sight rather amusing to Ryan. "Want to go see Uncle Bill and Gabe now?" Brendon's expression softened a few moments later, Amelia perking up again.

"Uncle Bill's here?!" she excitedly asked, squirming in Brendon's arms, causing the man to laugh.

"Yep." Brendon kissed the child's head, making her push his face away with disgust. "But you can't play with him if you're not nice to Ryan, got it? No more questions."

"One more?" Amelia gave Brendon the most ridiculously adorable pleading look, Ryan smiling softly despite his fear. Brendon looked to Ryan questioningly so Ryan silently sighed and nodded. It couldn't get much worse.

"One more and that's it because we need to leave." his tone was unmoving. Amelia beamed and looked to Ryan, making the man's stomach twist suddenly.

"Are you and Uncle B dating?" she asked, eyes sparkling with the reflection of the sun. Brendon rolled his eyes and pulled open the back door, sticking Amelia inside and trapping her in, ignoring her protests as Ryan thought the question over. He and Brendon weren't dating, were they? You don't have to date someone to make out with or touch or constantly kiss them. Right?

"I'm sorry about her." Brendon apologized to Ryan, leaning back against the door so Amelia couldn't open it. "She can be...difficult, but she's really a great kid." Ryan felt something tugging him towards Brendon, as though to hug him or kiss him or something.

"I think she's cute," Ryan said instead, because really, she was. And the way Brendon visibly relaxed told Ryan that he gave Brendon the reassurance he was searching for with the other man. "So; home?" Ryan asked, pushing off the car.

"Yeah." Brendon lightly laughed, getting off the car as well. "Home."

**********************************

No sooner did Brendon have the car stopped in front of his house did Amelia have herself unbuckled, jumping from the car and running up towards the door. Brendon laughed and pulled the keys out, shaking his head. "William is Mia's favorite person in the whole world." he explained as Ryan unbuckled himself.

"How old is she?" Ryan asked, the ride back being filled with more awkward questions despite her uncle's words and no answerers from Ryan who really didn't know what to say.

"Six," Brendon answered, leaning back in the seat. "Though she acts so much older." Ryan nodded agreement. Not too many six year olds understood and accepted a gay relationship; especially not someone related to them. "I'm sorry again for all the questions. Mia's very straight forward." he nervously laughed, the screen door pushing back to reveal William's dressed, tall form holing Amelia who looked like the happiest child ever with one arm.

He carried her to the car, the two men getting out, Mia's giggling filling the air. "Some wild animal wandered into your house, Bren." Bill teased, Mia giggling louder. "You might want to bring it back to the zoo."

"Uncle Bill!" Mia laughed, wiggling around and making William lift her properly so she didn't fall. "I'm not a wild animal! S'me! Mia!" she exclaimed, William pretending to be shocked.

"You can't be my Mia!" he shook his head. "My Mia is a lot smaller and doesn't have so much pretty hair!" The girl laughed even harder, Bill smiling and wrapping one arm around her waist to lift his free hand and tickle her. Mia kicked her legs and tried to push his hand away, bending backwards to let her long pigtails dangle towards the ground; face nice and red.

"Careful." Brendon warned, going around the car to stand beside Ryan. "I'm hungry and Mia needs something to eat anyway so back inside." he slipped his hand into Ryan's, squeezing momentarily as William adjusted Amelia to hold her in more of a cradling position; Mia slowly calming down as she curled against him. Brendon guided Ryan towards the house, both men missing the look Amelia shared with Bill; the man only smiling and nodding as he followed them back into the house with his favorite not-blood-but-still niece.

******************************

Lunch really didn't last long because Amelia begged Brendon to head down to the beach, Brendon finally giving into the child's whining and begging after she ate half a sandwich and some grapes. She insisted sitting between Ryan and William while eating too, Ryan finding it amusing how jealous Gabe looked about it all. Bill was giving Mia all his attention, making her smile and laugh everything he could think of, barely even looking in his boyfriend's direction the entirety of the half hour they had been back so far.

It also seemed to become a habit that Ryan didn't go anywhere without Brendon's hand in his; the younger man always grabbing Ryan's hand, holding it a bit tighter than he should, occasionally squeezing it but hardly looking at Ryan as they walked, or really, Ryan got led. Normally Ryan would have bitched or at least said something about not being some dog to get dragged around on a whim, but the way Brendon held onto him and walked, along with the subtle movements Ryan caught in the corner of his eyes, made him keep quiet and just go along with it.

When they all got down by the water, Amelia latched onto Ryan's free hand, already clasping William's, half skipping along the path, swinging both their arms. Gabe walked miserably behind them, carrying his bottle of vodka which sloshed around as he moved, muttering to himself indistinct words Ryan couldn't really hear. "Will you build a sand castle with me and Uncle Bill, Ryan?" Mia asked, glancing up at him.

"Uh..." Ryan looked down, cursing God for making children so damn irresistible when they used that coined 'puppy-dog' look which had been perfected over the years. "Sure; why not." he smiled, Amelia's face lighting up again. "As long as your Uncle Brendon doesn't mind." Ryan smirked at Brendon who looked out of it.

"Can Ryan build a sand castle with me?" Mia whined, looking around Ryan to her uncle.

"Of course he can." Brendon's smile wasn't exactly convincing. "As long as he wants to."

"Yay!" Mia chimed, thrusting her arms into the air, lifting Ryan and William's arms into the air as well. They got to the end of the pathway when Amelia decided to run to the muddy sand, ripping her hand from Ryan's and tugging Will along with her; Bill almost falling as his long legs made him stumble. Ryan stopped, making Brendon stop too, waiting for Gabe to absently wander to the shaded chair to sit down.

"Are you okay?" Ryan asked, looking to Brendon with concern.

"Yeah; why wouldn't I be?" Brendon gave a forced laugh, avoiding directly looking at Ryan.

"Bren..." Ryan's eyebrows pulled together some. "I know I've only known you a few days and all, but I can tell when something's...not right." he searched for the right words. "And, you know, it's weird not seeing you all happy and everything." Ryan shrugged, looking down as though he was embarrassed.

"It's...complicated." Brendon sighed, taking Ryan's other hand. "My sister just stresses me out sometimes." Ryan looked up at Brendon again, the man's smile completely gone and face slightly sunken. "No big deal."

"Well, you know," Ryan rubbed circles on Brendon's hands with his thumbs, "If you need someone to talk to..." Brendon let his eyes lock with Ryan's, a tiny sparkle of happiness flushing through them, giving a little genuine smile to Ryan; looking like he was going to burst into tears any moment.

"Thanks." he whispered, exhaling loudly then moving his hands to Ryan's hips and pulled the other man close. Brendon gently pressed his lips to Ryan's, locking him in the most passionate kiss Ryan had ever experienced; trying not to let his mind use the cliché term of 'fireworks' as a description. To keep him there, Ryan put his arms around Brendon's neck, neither moving until both their lungs were about to collapse. Brendon gave a bigger smile, laughing slightly, pressing his forehead against Ryan's and letting his eyes shut. "If only I never had to let you go." Brendon whispered more.

Ryan's heart skipped a beat; or several.

He was about to open his mouth to say something, anything, but was unable to get a word out before Amelia yelled, "Come on, Ryan," from where she sat in the sand with Bill. Brendon stood straight again, dropping his hands and pushing his bangs from his face; Ryan catching him quickly wipe his eyes at the same time.

"Go," he said, nodding towards his niece. "I've got to wax some boards anyway." Ryan felt his stomach drop because he wanted to feel that amazing kiss again and to just hold Brendon close to him more. "Mia really likes yo. She usually doesn't take so well to new people."

"I'll make sure she controls herself." Ryan teased, wanting Brendon to cheer up. He liked Brendon's peppy attitude and optimism, even if he wouldn't directly admit it. "So you don't have to be jealous or anything." Brendon wrapped himself around Ryan again.

"Mine," he muttered, kissing Ryan again. The strange part was that Ryan kind of liked how Brendon used a possessive tone; as though claiming him in an animalistic way. Ryan really kind of loved it. "At least for another week, you're mine," Brendon said, Ryan tensing at the words.

He forgot he was supposed to be on his 'honeymoon', or, as Spencer said, his 'vacation', and would be leaving in a week.

"Yours," Ryan mumbled back, feeling the world melt around them as their lips practically fused together.

"Ewwww!" Amelia's voice broke Ryan's serene mental state, Brendon pulling away to laugh to himself.

"Go play nice with my niece." Brendon turned Ryan towards the beach and gave him a tiny shove. "She'll only get more persistent the longer you ignore her anyway." Ryan didn't like children for this very reason; they always ruined the best moments. Young ones, at least. He was a high school English teacher so he had to at least like kids a little bit. Though, his students often irritated him too.

"C'mon, Ryan!" Mia yelled again, motioning him over, bright plastic toys scattered all around her and William who was already digging into the sand. "We're going to make the biggest and bestest castle ever!" she exclaimed, William offering a bemused smile as he looked up, pushing his long hair back behind his ear.

Laughing, Ryan looked back to see Brendon already heading off towards the little shed, posture less miserable than it had been, making Ryan feel lighter as he made his way through the moveable ground towards the two. Mia already had a tool waiting for him, holding it up in the air. Ryan fell to his knees, sticking his sunglasses on his head and used the shovel to assist William in the digging. "So, Ryan;" Mia prompted a few moments later. "Sure you're not dating Uncle Brendon?"

********************************

"Your building skills suck, Bill," Gabe said, eyes having been glued to William the entire morning. "I'm never letting you into a home improvement store. I've seen better looking cardboard boxes than whatever you're doing there."

"Be nice to Uncle Bill!" Amelia scowled, glaring at Gabe. "Our castle is beautiful!"

"Looks like a pile of sand." Gabe shrugged, taking another drink from his bottle. "For the past half hour you've been making a larger and larger pile of sand."

"Drinking's bad for you," Mia said, going back to her packing of sand into the castle-shaped bucket.

"Talking's bad for you." Gabe answered simply.

"Alcohol kills you." Mia stated a little harshly, flipping the bucket and tapping the sides to loosen the sand, slowly lifting the plastic as the sand kept the shape of the inside. "The more you drink, the faster you die."

"The more you talk, the faster you die." William shot Gabe a hard look. "It's true, Bilvy. Talking uses oxygen and oxygen is needed to survive. The more talking, the more oxygen used, and the less oxygen the body has to survive. Thus, talking kills you."

"Gabriel Saporta, if you don't shut your mouth very soon you will be sleeping on the couch, alone, for the remainder of this stay in Hawaii!" Bill warned him, both Amelia and Ryan tried to hide smiles as they worked. "Mia's right anyway. Alcohol is bad for you; especially the way you drink." Amelia turned back towards Gabe, sticking her tongue out. Gabe, frowning from being scolded, sneered at the child and stuck his tongue out as well; shoving the bottle into the sand next to him.

"Do you like alcohol, Ryan?" Amelia asked, looking curiously at him.

"Nope," he answered, shaking his head while creating a moat. Mia smiled and went back to working on another tower for the castle. It actually looked pretty nice; considering they were following a six-year-old's constructive instructions. Ryan liked working with Brendon better though.

"Good 'cause Uncle B doesn't like people who like alcohol." Mia set the tower beside the first. "There!" Amelia burst, making Ryan jump and look at the girl who was already on her feet. "It's finished! Isn't it beautiful?!"

"Best castle I've ever seen," Bill said, regardless of the cracks and crumbling areas where the sand was losing moisture.

"I'd love to live there," Ryan said after, Amelia flashing a big, uneven, slightly gapped smile.

"You can!" Mia chimed. "Uncle Bill can be the king, you can be the queen, and I'll be the princess!" She excitedly explained, Ryan and William exchanging a look before laughing.

"Guess we're married now," Ryan said jokingly.

"Guess we are." Will nodded, Gabe scoffing and crossing his arms.

"Still looks like a pile of dirt," he mumbled just loud enough for them to hear.

"Let's go get Uncle B!" Mia reached towards Ryan, implying she wanted his hand. Ryan obliged and took the smaller hand into his own, standing up and brushing the sand off his clothes, letting Amelia guide him towards the shed where Brendon was almost furiously spreading wax over his multitude of surfing boards.

"Uncle Brendon gets mad at my mommy because she drinks lots and sometimes forgets 'bout me." Mia suddenly told Ryan as they walked, swinging their hands; curly hair being pushed in the light breeze. "He also doesn't like mommy gettin' a new boyfriend lots 'cause sometimes they hurt mommy." Ryan really didn't know what to say; especially to such a young girl. "Mommy says Uncle Brendon wants me to live here with him so they argue lots."

"Your Uncle Brendon really loves you," Ryan said, trying not to stare at Brendon's bare chest.

"He loves you too." Mia caught Ryan off guard, his legs freezing almost as quickly as the rest of him. Mia was only six and just rambling; her words really didn't mean much since she couldn't understand such a complicated emotion anyway. Ryan's only known Brendon an astounding five or so days; that whole 'love at first sight' being a bunch of bullshit. "Do you love Uncle Brendon, Ryan?" Mia asked, Ryan looking down to see large blue eyes staring up at him.

"Well...I...I really like your Uncle Brendon." he hesitantly answered, brain not functioning. "But love...that takes awhile, Mia." Ryan tried to keep it simple for her. "We haven't known each other long enough to really love each other."

"But you will?" she asked, looking almost desperate. Ryan wished she wasn't so adorable. "You will love him after awhile, right Ryan?"

Ryan didn't reply.

********************************

The sun was setting when they headed back to the house, William and Gabe staying on the beach to 'make up' the lack of personal time with each other that day; Gabe continuously bitching until Bill gave in. Ryan picked up the toys and walked behind Brendon who carried Amelia on his back, thinking about what the child had told him earlier not only about her mother but about Brendon loving him and him loving Brendon. It's not that Ryan didn't want to be in love with someone, it was more he was afraid of it. Love was one of those things where you give yourself completely to someone else. He just didn't want to do that and be broken again. He was still healing from the last time.

"Can Ryan stay the night, Uncle Brendon? Please?!" Amelia pleaded as soon as Ryan stepped into the house, Brendon setting his niece on the wooden floors. "I've been a good girl today!"

"You'll have to ask Ryan if he wants to," Brendon said, heading for the cupboard, pulling out some cups then opening the refrigerator. "All of his clothes and everything are at his hotel." Brendon purposely added, giving Ryan a quick smirk then pouring some juice into each of the cups. Before Ryan could even step away from the glass doors, Mia was wrapped around his legs, chin pressing into his stomach and smiling up at him.

"Wanna stay the night Ryan?!" she eagerly asked, arms locked around his waist as though he didn't have a choice in the matter anyway. He probably didn't. "Uncle Brendon or Uncle Bill or even the other one has something you can wear tomorrow 'cause my clothes will be too small for you." Ryan had to laugh at how Amelia referred to Gabe as 'the other one'. It's not like she didn't know his name. "Please?!" she begged him.

"I guess." He sighed, smiling down at her. Amelia squeezed him for a moment, letting him go and running to the island in the kitchen, pulling herself into one of the seats. Ryan followed, setting the beach toys on the ground by the door, and sat in the seat beside Amelia as the girl sat on her knees to grab the drink her uncle offered to her before it was even able to reach the counter.

*******************************

Ryan found himself upstairs on the balcony right outside Brendon's room, lying in the hammock beneath the darkening sky with Amelia lying on top of him. Her head was on his chest, body between his legs, absently playing with his fingers as the sound of Brendon's angered voice drifted up to them. His sister called and it didn't take long for things to get loud and angry, Ryan noticing how silent Mia went, looking down at the counter they were sitting at in the kitchen, as though she was upset but used to the shouting. She probably was.

After a few minutes, Ryan couldn't stand not only listening to Brendon fight with his sister in the other room, but also seeing how upset Amelia looked beside him, and suggested they find something to do; a distraction. Mia just nodded and slid from the seat, taking Ryan's hand, and silently led him upstairs. He thought that maybe they were going to her room, but Mia led him to Brendon's instead, a room all-too-known to Ryan by now. And thus, they ended up rocking gently in the hammock on the balcony.

"Ryan?" Mia's voice was quiet and small, the typical tone of a fearful child.

"Hmm?" he hummed, staring up at the stars beginning to cover the sky as the sun disappeared.

"Where do you live?" she asked, pulling his fingers apart with her much smaller hands.

"Las Vegas," Ryan answered, knowing Mia was looking for something to drown out her uncle with.

"Like Uncle Bill," Mia said, Ryan humming a small 'mm-hmmm'."Where's Las Vegas?" she then asked, bending his knuckles.

"Nevada."

"Where's that?" Ryan smiled because, oh yeah, she's six and lives in a state comprised of islands.

"North America," he tried, knuckles cracking as Mia squeezed them. "It's where most of the United States are located, but North America also includes Canada and Mexico."

"Is Las Vegas pretty?" Amelia inquired after.

"Really pretty." Ryan nodded, thinking about the strip. "There are lots and lots of buildings that light up with a bunch of bright colors which look really nice at night when it's dark. There are even fountains that light up." Though he lived on the outskirts of the actual city, he'd been along the strip plenty of times. "Vegas is also very crowded and very busy."

"Do you like Hawaii?"

"Yes, I do," Ryan said honestly. "It's very pretty here too and I like how it's not so busy."

"Do you like Hawaii more than Vegas?" Amelia poked her fingers between Ryan's, weaving them as their palms pressed together.

"I like them both the same." Ryan did like Vegas, but he liked Hawaii a lot too. Of course, the latter part had part to do with a certain person he'd been spending the majority of his time with lately. Mia seemed content enough with the answer, Ryan feeling her wince when a loud crashing noise erupted beneath them.

"I wish mommy didn't get so mad at Uncle Brendon all the time," Mia said after. "She doesn't want me to see Uncle Brendon anymore but I like coming here." There weren't any words for Ryan to say because he was an outsider to the whole situation. "She already made daddy leave."

"How about a story; do you like stories, Mia?" Any longer listening to the child and Ryan would have started crying. She nodded, letting go of Ryan's hands to turn around and hug him instead, her cheek against his chest and arms around him. "What kind of stories do you like?" Being an English teacher, Ryan knew his fair share of tales.

"All kinds," she muttered, curling up as close to Ryan as she possibly could. Taking his hat off the little girl (she had kind of stolen it earlier) and letting it fall to the ground, Ryan put one arm around Amelia and one he used to somewhat pet her. "Tell me a princess story," Mia said as she nuzzled her face into his chest.

"I don't think I know any princess stories." Ryan gave a small laugh, staring up at the sky again.

"Make one up." Mia told him. "That's what Uncle Brendon does."

"Okay..." Ryan really had to think. "There was once a princess-"

"No;" Mia cut him off, shaking her head. "It's 'spost to start with 'once upon a time'." Ryan could only laugh again.

"Once upon a time, there was a princess who-"

"What's her name?" Amelia cut him off again.

"How about...Mia," Ryan said with a smile, the girl giggling into his chest. "Okay, so, once upon a time, there was a little princess named Mia who lived in a big castle overlooking all the land with her Uncle Brendon, who was king." He didn't feel like getting overly creative.

"And her Uncle's boyfriend, Queen Ryan." Mia added, voice lighter than it had been. Ryan rolled his eyes but didn't object or argue. He had seen how that went earlier with Gabe; he had no chance of winning.

"Sure, why not." he sighed.

"And her Uncle, Prince Bill, and the servant, Gabe." Ryan laughed more. Amelia really disliked Gabe.

"Alright; let's try this again." he exhaled loudly before drawing a deep breath. "Once upon a time, there was a little princess named Mia, who lived in a big castle with her Uncle Brendon, who was the king, his boyfriend, Queen Ryan, the Prince, Mia's Uncle Bill, and the servant, Gabe."

"Perfect," Mia said, pushing into his chest again.

"Princess Mia was the prettiest princess in all the land. She had long, curly red hair, big blue eyes, and cheeks covered in freckles or, as some people called them, kisses from the sun." Mia giggled again. "Everyone loved Princess Mia; except the servant Gabe. He was jealous that he wasn't as pretty as her." Ryan loved Mia's giggling; he hated seeing her so upset earlier that night. "But no one loved Princess Mia more than the king did.

"He did whatever he could to make sure Princess Mia was happy and safe, giving her what she wanted just to see her big smile and sparkling eyes." The stars now brightly shining mesmerized Ryan, letting his mind drift away as the words softly slipped from his mouth to create a world for both him and Mia to forget their problems in. "One bright beautiful day..." he didn't even realize he was still speaking, falling into a natural flow of words creating a story that eventually eased the child to sleep.

*********************************

"Ryan;" the silence that had fallen over the two was broken by a soft voice, Ryan turning his head towards the doors separating the balcony and Brendon's bedroom to see Brendon standing there; basked in the moon's glow. "How long's Mia been asleep?" he whispered, walking towards the hammock with a gentle smile. Ryan didn't even realize Mia was out; he had gotten lost in the story he created for her then just...drifted.

"Oh, uh;" Ryan looked down at Amelia who was still tightly curled around him. "Not long." he shrugged guessingly.

"She really likes you," Brendon said, stroking some of Mia's hair back out of her face. "I'll take her to her bed." He reached around Ryan's body to pull Amelia away, sliding his hands up to lift her into his arms, Ryan feeling a small chill from the temperature change. Brendon held Mia right in his arms, the small girl curling around her uncle subconsciously, still asleep. "Thanks for, you know, distracting her."

"Yeah, sure," Ryan said, moving into more of a sitting position, stifling a yawn. "I may have scarred her though with my attempt at a fairytale." Brendon laughed, rubbing Amelia's back with his free hand.

"I'm sure you did fine," he assured Ryan, kissing Amelia's head. Ryan fought with the hammock to get up, almost falling off as he flipped over the side; only staying up from having clutched the fabric tightly. "Don't fall Ross," Brendon said with a hint of laughter, Ryan sticking his tongue out as he properly stood.

Once he had his balance, Brendon led Ryan back through the house and into the hallway, heading towards the room Brendon emerged from earlier when Ryan first arrived. He stopped rubbing Mia's back to open the door, pushing it back and disappearing into the darkness before the light flipped on inside and Ryan joined him. Amelia's room was nothing short of the perfect little girls room; the only difference with hers to another girls probably being how neat and tidy it was. But Amelia only spent a weekend a month in it; if at all.

The walls were bright pink, as was the carpet, with a border of fairies around the top and bottom. Sheer pink curtains hung from the windows, the casing around the walls, doors, and windows being an eggshell white. Amelia's bed, which sat in the far left corner opposite the entrance, was decorated with a Disney princess blanket and a plethora of stuffed animals; hidden behind long pink drapes surrounding three of its four sides.

A closed chest sat at the foot of the bed, probably containing toys, with a large doll house sitting on top. A wooden bookshelf, small enough for Amelia to access, each shelf stocked with children's books, was pressed against the wall beside the dresser opposite the bed. The room was what Ryan always imagined a child's room to contain; gender specific, of course.

Brendon carefully laid Mia onto the bed, untangling her sleepy body from his. She rolled onto her stomach and grabbed the pillow, clutching it securely in her arms, whining only once when Brendon had to yank the blanket from beneath her to cover her up. He whispered a goodnight then kissed her head, walking back to Ryan with tired eyes, taking Ryan's hand loosely into his own and exiting; pulling Amelia's door almost all the way shut after extinguishing the light. "So; do you want to stay or do you want me to bring you back to the hotel?" Brendon asked Ryan quietly, trying not to yawn.

"I told Mia I'd stay," he said with some confusion. Brendon merely shrugged, leaning back against the wall. "Besides, I think all this lack of sleep is finally catching up with you." Ryan amusedly smiled in observation.

"'m barely tired," Brendon faintly replied; eyes already shut completely and head tipping forward some.

"Clearly," Ryan said with sarcasm; smiling all the same. "But if you want me to go back to the hotel..." he let his voice trail off, taking slow steps towards the stairs; not getting real far before Brendon grabbed his arm.

"No;" he half whined, pathetically tugging him back. It was nothing like the strength Brendon was more than capable of showing. He took a deep breath and pushed off the wall, heading off towards his room once more, muttering, "Bed." Ryan more or less supported Brendon as they walked, not wanting him to fall, amazed at how well he actually could function when half dead. Ryan would have become the bitch from hell, or beyond, if he was in the current state Brendon was.

When they reached the bedroom, Brendon pushed the door shut, the moonlight bright enough as it streamed in through the open glass doors to light up the major pieces of furniture. He dropped Ryan's hand and headed towards the balcony, stripping his shirt off to toss onto the bed and grabbing something from a shelf as he passed. Ryan silently watched Brendon strike a match, a little flame fluttering on the end of the small stick he held-bursting into much larger flames as Brendon held it to a torch near the hammock. Blowing the match out, Brendon went back inside the bedroom, throwing the matches at the dresser to deal with later, proceeding to take Ryan back to the balcony as though Ryan wouldn't have been able to navigate the path himself; pulling a blanket from the bed along the way.

Brendon stepped from his sandals then climbed into the hammock which began to rock from the movement, settling mostly on his back, pressed against the curve of the swaying fabric, before reaching out to Ryan like a sleepy child demanding a toy to cuddle. Ryan softly smiled at how cute Brendon looked, momentarily contemplating how not to go about getting into the hammock so he wouldn't make a huge idiot of himself or hurt either of them, eventually grabbing Brendon's hands for stability as he joined him.

He slid his body along Brendon's, matching the younger man's position, only more curled on his side, letting his body relax into the rocking motion with only the distant sound of the ocean and the crackling of the flame above them. Brendon threw the light blanket over their bodies, moving one leg between Ryan's so they were woven, and tugged Ryan as physically close as possible. "Sorry we didn't get much time today," Brendon mumbled, just barely above a whisper, looping his arms around Ryan's waist and pressing their foreheads together.

"S'okay," Ryan said just as quietly back, overwhelmed by a sudden sense of extreme comfort and exhaustion. "I had Mia." Brendon placed a soft kiss to Ryan's skin, Ryan feeling the curve of the other mans lips as he smiled in the almost-darkness, making Ryan smile and bury his face in Brendon's shoulder to make it his pillow. Brendon didn't say anything; only leaned his head on Ryan's, silence coming over them.

Just as Ryan was about to fall asleep, he heard Brendon softly begin to hum a tune he didn't recognize, the sound being soothing. It wasn't long, but it was pretty and made Ryan just want to move closer to Brendon; even if it wasn't physically possible as their bodies were already pressed tightly together.

Not long after the humming stopped, Brendon's chest pushing rhythmically against Ryan's, the still-cackling fire being the only noise accompanying the soft breaths both men emitted, Ryan peacefully drifted off completely.