Amaranthine ✿ | Ryden

II.

The entire world slept peacefully that night unaware of what tomorrow will bring. Even Spencer slept without any care in the world and Linda safe in his arms. He planned on seeing Brendon  the next day-he was a grown man after all, he couldn't get in many troubles-to check on him and perhaps spent the day together. After all these years they spent together, Spencer finally understood that his best friend had abandonment issues.

Now that Sarah was gone, these issues and fears were bound to become worse. He needed to be ready and there for Brendon before he did something stupid. Which he wouldn't because as I mentioned, he was a grown man. Then again he was Brendon Urie and this was an entire game changer.

Spencer tried to ignore these thoughts and continued his sleep. What was the worst thing that could happen? Except, of course, a tear opening in time and space ready to devour everything and everyone. Yet this wasn't really Brendon's fault, maybe his behavior had played a small part but it was both the Man on the Moon and Sarah who started this chain. Brendon and Spencer were just going to find themselves in the middle of it.

.

Spencer drove to the Urie household early in the morning. Mainly because he feared that Brendon hadn't returned and was passed out in some local bar. If that was the case, he hoped that he was at least safe thanks to a kind bartender and not throwing up just around the corner. Not that it happened that often. Maybe three times per year. You'd expect someone who drank as much as Brendon would be more used to the alcohol and even expect them to have developed an immune system to hangovers. Unfortunately, Brendon did not belong in this category and was a rather awful drinker. And now, Spencer would be left to babysit him.

He knocked the door twice before Brendon opened up. He still had his eyes closed-probably a rough night-and his hair were messy and tangled. It kind of reminded Spencer of 2008, also known as the era of bad hair, costumes and a ridiculous amount of make up. The other man did not even greet him or invite him inside rather opened the door and later collapsed on his couch.

"Morning, Forehead." Spencer greeted and made his way to the kitchen counter leaving a bad of food on top of it. Brendon just groaned in reply. If Spencer didn't consider himself an amazing as well caring friend he would have laughed his ass off. Brendon was almost thirty and he still couldn't handle drinking."I made you breakfast. Well no, Linda actually made you breakfast but I brought it."

Brendon let out a sound-that Spencer was pretty sure it didn't make sense in any language in the entire world-as he held a pillow on top of his face. Spencer raised an eyebrow in return and began unpacking the food. Brendon finally raised his head and rubbed his eyes before turning to look at Spencer.

"Who is Linda?"

"I didn't know that you're hangover was that bad."

"I'm not,"Brendon began with his voice trailing off"My head is just heavy. Who is Linda?"

"My wife."Spencer chuckled slightly confused"You were my best man, remember?"

Brendon laughed in return and got up from the couch."Wow man, you almost got me. But we both know that Ryan would have been your best man, he's your best friend."

At that moment, Spencer finally saw  Brendon. As he truly studied every little detail that make his friend who he was. He was skinny, awful hair and a hint of innocent that Spencer knew Brendon had lost long time ago. But he wasn't the only one making realizations, Brendon too observed his friend. Spencer was skinnier than what he remembered, he had a small beard and short hair. He looked older.

"That's a good prank, Spence."

"Hopefully."

"Did you and Ryan thought of this?"

It only took Spencer that name to realize that something was wrong. Brendon spoke fondly of Ryan as if they were best buddies, as if everything were okay and as if he had no more than a day since he last spoke to him. Which wasn't the case. In fact, it was far from it and that terrified Spencer.

"Brendon."

"Yes."

Spencer got closer to the boy and start examining his face. There weren't many differences, but his skin was softer than before and his forehead was slightly smaller. Sure he could have fixed the others but how would he manage to make his forehead smaller? If there was such a trick, Spencer was certain that his friend would have used it earlier.

"Who am I?"

"Spencer Smith."

"And how do you know me?"

"We're in a band together."

Strike one.

"Where are we?"

"A house."

"I mean place."

"I don't remember. But we're on tour."

Strike two.

"What's the last album we made?"

"Last? Spence, we only have one album. A fever you can't sweat out. But we're planning on dropping Pretty. Odd. on March."

Strike three.

"What's the date?"

"Monday 24th January,"for a moment Spencer smiled and prayed that this was indeed a horrible prank by Brendon who wanted to blow off some steam",2008."

Or maybe not.

Probably not.

Spencer began pacing around the floor earning puzzled looks from Brendon. Did that mean time travel was possible? And what could have Brendon done to find himself in such a situation? Maybe time travel wasn't possible and this younger version of Brendon was Brendon himself with amnesia. Spencer couldn't really figure it out.  He just knew that it couldn't be good, this also made him wonder, if this  Brendon from 2008 was somehow here.

Then where the Hell was this year's Brendon?

And in what messed up era?