smooth to the touch | ryden (hold)

close encounter

the boy locked eyes with brendon for just too long for it to be considered normal, but brendon just stared back. he was much prettier up close. a blush spread across the boy's face as he blinked and looked away, staring at the ground. brendon's eyes scanned him over quietly, admiring the thin shape of his body. he noticed how shaky the boy's hands were, and how long his fingers were as well. that was a little embarrassing to think about, but still.
"hey. are you alright? you seem really shaken up.." brendon said quietly, surprised at how nervous his own voice sounded. he raised a hand to put it on the boy's shoulder, but thought on it and replaced it by his side. "i'm..fine" he stuttered out, fumbling his hands together in a messy attempt to hide the panic rising inside of him. "you sure? you could probably talk to someone about leaving..just take a sick day" brendon offered, but was quickly cut off by the boy. "it's fine. i promise" he said hesitantly, flashing brendon the most pathetically broken smile he'd ever seen. his heart melted, and he stepped closer to him. the boy flinched lightly but didn't protest as brendon wrapped his arms around his frame, pulling him tight for a hug. he looked like he needed it. "my n-name is ryan, by the way" the boy said quietly, pressing his face lightly into brendon's body as he emitted quiet but racking sobs. brendon sighed and put a hand in ryan's hair, whispering soothing words to him. "nice to meet you. im brendon" he replied with a small smile, pushing ryan away gently and cupping his face with a hand, wiping the tears away. ryan blushed even more and sniffled. he really didn't want to move away from brendon at this point. he closed his eyes and sighed, jumping slightly when a dry paper towel was dabbed around his eyes, gentle and careful not to smear his makeup. "there you go. all better" brendon smiled, patting ryan's shoulder and tossing the paper towel in the bin. ryan muttered a "thank you" and looked up to meet brendon's eyes again, the same heat going directly to his cheeks. "this is a long shot, but.." brendon started, and ryan's heart sunk immediately. he knew what was coming. probably a "can i pay to touch you" or a "can i have a private sh—" "do you want to meet somewhere later and talk?" he finished, his voice calming and velvety smooth. he watched as ryan's eyes widened curiously, followed by a quick nod of his head. brendon smiled. a genuine, open-mouth smile that made ryan's heart rate increase four times its normal speed. "is my house okay?" he added, gaining another nod from ryan. brendon scribbled down his number and adress on ryan's hand, hoping it wouldn't smudge. "come whenever you like" brendon concluded with a pat to ryan's shoulder and a "good luck" as he glided out the bathroom door. ryan watched as he went, feeling something deep inside him that wanted to just...no. he thought to himself. don't fuck it up, ross. ryan sighed shakily and walked out the door, returning to his shitty job with an anxious heart.