The Only Difference Between Love and Envy is Press Coverage

The Mighty Shouldn't Fall

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.