The Gay Band Book

In Light Of The Moon [Ryden]

Ryan and Brendon were sitting in the middle of the floor of Ryan's room. It was around 1am, and both were pretty tired but didn't want to sleep quite yet. The lights were turned off, since they didn't want to get in trouble with Ryan's mom about staying up late. Ryan's mom was a bit strict with how late he could stay up.

Ryan looked up as the wind coming in through his open window rustled his curtains, making the moonlight pattern on his floor change. He watched it in curiosity, tilting his head to the side.

Brendon watched Ryan's face as he looked in fascination at the moonlight beams cast on his floor.  On his face is a small, relaxed smile.

He looks so happy,  Brendon thought. I'm glad. He deserves all the happiness in the world.

He also noticed when Ryan looked up at him.

"Hey."

"Hey," Brendon replied.

There was silence in the room, neither of them speaking another word.

Brendon continued to look at Ryan, and Ryan looked at Brendon. All they did was sit there, studying each others faces.

Ryan's face looked really pretty in the dappled moonlight sifting in through the curtain, Brendon realized.

Brendon debated for a few seconds whether or not he should tell Ryan what he thought. Why the fuck not.

"You look really pretty, in light of the moon," Brendon murmured softly, making Ryan blush and look away.

"Thanks," Ryan responded shyly.

Brendon nodded, not saying one word more.

Now, months later, Ryan is sitting on the floor in his room, looking at the pattern the moonlight made on his floor, remembering what Brendon said that night. He wished his best friend was there with him. But Brendon was gone, far, far away.

Ryan sighed softly and picked up his phone.

He composed a text.

to: Brendon
I miss you.

from: Brendon
Hey, Ry. Call me.

So Ryan did.

"Hey, Ryan. What's up?" Brendon's voice came in from the receiver.

Ryan ran a hand down his face and took a deep breath before saying, "I miss you, ever since you moved."

Brendon chuckled. "Ryan."

"What?"

"Look at the moon."

"What, why?" Ryan questioned, confused.

"Just look at it." Brendon instructed again.

Ryan stood up and held his phone in one hand while he used the other to draw his curtain back and open his window. Sitting on the edge of his open windowsill, he gazed at the moon and said, "Okay, I am."

"Good. Now, I want you to look at the moon whenever you're sad or lonely, and just remember that we're looking at the same moon."

Ryan smiled and sniffed. "Thanks, Brendon. You're more amazing than you know."

"No problem Ry."

"I should probably sleep," Ryan murmured. He actually wasn't tired, fact of the matter was that he actually wanted to cry, but he didn't want Brendon to worry about his emotional state.

"Yeah, you should. I'm glad you called me, you know. Goodnight, Ry. Sleep well." Brendon said before there was a click and Brendon was gone.

Ryan stifled a sob, burying his head in his arms. He shouldn't be crying, but hearing Brendon's voice and looking at the moon made him hurt more and make the longing to have his best friend there with him deeper.

He wiped his eyes and lifted his head to look at the moon. He breathed deeply, trying not to cry again. Brendon was probably looking at the moon, too. And that made a small smile grace Ryan's face, even as a tear slipped down his cheek.

~~~~~~~~~
I LISTENED TO CANCER ON REPEAT AS I WROTE THE SECOND HALF OF THIS AND I HAD TEARS IN MY EYES. I REALLY HOPE I CAPTURED THE EMOTION.