Tripping Down 12 Steps Into Malibu

Everyone's Good

"You look amazing." Brendon gushed as Dallon sat down across from him.

That wasn't just lip service. Dallon really looked fucking amazing. His dark hair was brushed away from his face. A pair of sunglasses resting on top of his head. He was wearing a simple white t-shirt with a pair of form fitting jeans. His blazer made him look more broad than he already was.

"You look better."

Brendon looked down at himself. He was wearing a pair of black sweatpants and a grey v-neck. His hair wasn't brushed and his skin was pale. But Dallon's lie still made him smile.

"I miss you."

"No where near as much as I miss you."

"More." Brendon leaned forward.

"Impossible." Dallon did too. "I don't have any one to make pancakes for anymore."

"Make them for yourself." Brendon laughed.

"It's not the same." He pouted. Brendon reached over the table to poke his lip. Dallon kissed the tip of his finger when he did. "I'm going insane sleeping in that bed by myself every night. It smells like you."

"I don't know whether that's creepy or not."

"It is." He grinned. "But in the most loving way possible."

"I'm honored."

"What about you?" He reached out to grab his hands in his.

"What about me?"

"I know you hate sleeping alone when you're sober. How are you coping?"

Brendon's mind automatically jumped to how he'd slept beside Ryan last night. They both did their best to keep their distance in the small bed. And it worked for most of the night. But when he woke up this morning, their bodies were wrapped around each other. Ryan was breathing lightly into his face. Wearing the most peaceful expression Brendon ever saw. He couldn't bring himself to move and possibly wake him up. So he laid there with his arms wrapped around the taller man. And one of his legs pushed between his.

It wasn't how he was used to laying. He always slept with his back pressed against Dallon's chest. Spooning made him feel safe. Like Dallon would always be there to protect him. But that's not how it was with Ryan. With him, they were holding each other equally. No one was the protector in that situation. It was mutual. And it wasn't that big of a deal. It was a one time thing that was never going to happen again.

Besides, Brendon preferred being held.

"Terribly." He sighed dramatically.

"Oh?" Dallon lifted an eyebrow.

"Yes. I go to sleep at night holding my pillow. Crying for your sweet embrace."

Dallon bit his lip to keep from laughing at the ridiculous response.

"I love you." He squeezed Brendon's hands. "Do you know that?"

"I know that." Brendon nodded. "Which is why I love you."

"How are you doing here? Really. All joking aside." He let go of his hands

"It's better than I thought it was going to be. Not great. But okay."

"So you're comfortable?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I've even made some new friends."

"Really?" It wasn't hard to note the disbelief in his tone.

"Yeah. Pete and Patrick. They're really great guys."

"So every one is being nice enough? I don't have to beat someone up?"

"No." Brendon laughed. "No need to take out the boxing gloves, Ali."

"What about that crazy guy? Your roommate."

"He's not crazy." The defense came too quickly. Making Brendon blush and Dallon frown. "He's just misunderstood."

"Just last week you said he was losing it. And now he's misunderstood?"

"Well, yeah. I didn't know him before."

"But you know him now?"

"Yeah." He glanced down at the table.

"Just four days later?"

"Sorta." He began nervously tracing the table pattern with his finger.

"And what makes you think he's just misunderstood?"

"I understand him." It wasn't completely true. But Brendon didn't like Dallon calling Ryan crazy. He wasn't crazy. He was hurting. He just hoped his fiancé wouldn't get offended by his defense of the man who was practically a stranger.

Dallon sighed heavily. Brendon glanced up slowly. When he did, he noticed the man was smiling. Brendon's chin was tilted upward by Dallon's gentle fingers.

"It's a blessing and a curse."

"What is?" Their dark eyes connected.

"Your ability to see the good in anybody."

"I just-" He froze. Trying to find the best way to organize all of the thoughts in his head. "I'd want somebody to always see the good in me."

"I do baby." Dallon's words were a promise. Soothing all of the negative emotions Brendon was feeling. "I always will."