[Summary: Brendon is upset, and Ryan tries to cheer him up by tickling. Fluff/Angst.]
[Trigger warning: homophobic slur?? like only once-twice.]
Ryan looked down at the floor as Brendon walked in the motel room. Something had been up with Brendon the past few days. He had been acting...well, strange. He wasn't bubbly. He wasn't hyper. He wasn't himself. His normal, teenage self. Ryan didn't like this Brendon. Don't get me wrong, he loves Brendon to death, but this isn't him. Something is wrong, and Ryan doesn't want to make it worse. Jon said to just leave it be. Spencer said that Brendon is going through a phase. But Ryan doesn't want to just wait around and wait for something to magically make Brendon better. Ryan doesn't want to believe its just a phase, because it's not. Its something more, and Ryan wants to know what it is. Lost in thought, Ryan didn't notice Brendon making his way over to him, and sitting next to him. Feeling the weight on the couch, Ryan broke away from his thoughts and looked over at Brendon, who seemed to be very careful at what he was doing. Brendon looked over at Ryan.
"I-is it alright if I sit here?" Brendon said, let alone, mumbled, due to how quiet he said it. Ryan smiled softly, trying not to show any conflict.
"Of course." Ryan said, trying not to sound anything but nice; something Brendon seemed to need. Brendon had a very small smile creep on his face, but that quickly vanished as he went on his phone. As every minute went on, and as every scroll Brendon did on his phone, Brendon's frown grew larger and larger. As much as Ryan didn't want to pry in, he had to ask,
"Hey, Bren, you- uh, you okay?" Brendon looked up quickly, as if he'd been yelled at for doing something utterly horrible. He kept looking forward, and not at Ryan.
"Uh, yeah I'm fine." Brendon said, followed by a small gulp. The more paler Brendon got, the more color seemed to go into his red jacket, which was awfully pale as it is. Ryan knew though. He knew something was wrong. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out. He didn't want to give up though. He wanted to know what was wrong. Sure, it wasn't any of his business, but as selfish as it sounded, he sure as hell wanted to know. He had to. He felt useless with Brendon like this.
"C'mon Brendon, I know that's not true. Just tell me." Ryan put his hand on Brendons shoulder. He felt Brendon shudder.
"Ryan. I'm seriously okay. Nothing is wrong." Brendon looked at Ryan and weakly smiled. Ryan was going to get an answer out of him. One way or another. He thought for a minute about what he should do, then it came to him; tickles. Brendon always did that with Ryan when he felt like utter shit. Ryan didn't like it, but it did make him feel better. Strangely. Ryan turned his body sideways, facing Brendon.
"Okay. You made me do this."
"Ryan, plea-" And before Brendon could finish, Ryan lurched at him and started to tickle Brendon. His stomach, his neck; everywhere Ryan thought was the appropriate place to tickle. It seemed to be working, because Brendon was giggling like a school girl.
"R-Ryan, stop- I'm gonna pee! Ryan! I-" Brendon was laughing to the point where he couldn't finish his sentences from laughing so hard. Brendon fell back, which led Ryan to tickling him more, now that he had the advantage. This was the happiest Ryan had seen Brendon in awhile. This was the happiest Ryan had been also. Brendons happiness was Ryan's happiness. Sounds cliche, but it was the truth.
After about 5 minutes of tickling Brendon to death, Ryan decided to stop. Brendon, having a very large smile on his face, was staring at Ryan, possibly just to make sure he doesn't tickle attack him again. Ryan got up so Brendon could breathe. After a few minutes of Brendon trying to catch his breath, he finally spoke.
"It's criticism." This caught Ryan's attention.
"Huh?"
"It's criticism. That's whats wrong." Ryan was confused, but understood once Brendon showed him his phone. All his phone was, was negative reviews about the band, especially Brendon. Ryan looked up, to see Brendons frown again. Ryan was like that. He thought every negative thing said about him, or the band, was everyone's opinion. Ryan grabbed Brendons hand, with his only available hand.
"Bren, its okay if some people don't like us. Or you, for that matter." Brendon frowned even larger at the last part. Ryan quickly spoke again. "But that's okay, because there are some people out there who love us. You can't just let someones opinion destroy you."
"But did you see how many fucking people hate me?!" Brendon blurted. Ryan was at shock for the sudden outburst. "What if I start agreeing with them? What if I do really suck at singing? What if I really am some stupid fag?!" Ryan was speechless. Who on earth would really say that about Brendon? He was the kindest thing that ever walked the planet. This made Ryan angry. If only people weren't pricks and tried to understand Brendon. Brendon spoke up, quiet, but audible enough for Ryan to hear.
"What if its all true?" Brendon choked out. Ryan looked up at Brendon, who was trying not to cry. He didn't know what to do. It wasn't true. It wasn't. Brendon was a blessing, and a gift to this world. But Ryan was speechless. It's weird how the best people can look down on themselves, when really, they're everything in another persons eyes. Ryan did what his mind told him to.
"Well," Ryan began to say, leaning in to kiss Brendon's cheek, "I think you're pretty great." It wasn't enough, but it's all Ryan knew. Ryan leaned back, to see Brendon smiling. It wasn't a big smile, but it was a genuine 'that means a lot' smile. Brendon mouthed the words 'thank you' before going in for a big hug with Ryan.
After that, Brendon started going back to his normal self. His happy, bubbly self. He was still hurt by some peoples opinions, but like Ryan told him, there's some people out there who love them. Brendon knew his fans, his friends, Ryan; he knew they had his back.
And to think, all Ryan had to do was tickle Brendon.
(THE FIRST DRAFT DELETED SO I HAD TO REWRITE THIS SO THIS ISNT AS GOOD AS I COULD MAKE IT??? BUT YEAH SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING MUCH. this isn't really about tickles and more about Brendon being sad, but ??? i hope you enjoyed nonetheless!!)
