Amaranthine ✿ | Ryden

VII.

"You look like him, you talk like him too, but,"Ryan stops himself from continuing. In the back of his mind, Brendon wonders what he wants to say. He knows he shouldn't but the curiosity gets the best of him. Ryan looks at him for some seconds that feel like centuries. He lets out a small short breath escape his lips."you aren't Brendon."

Brendon snorts at this comment.

"You don't know me." Ryan doesn't look entirely convinced. "You don't know him."

It's a silly mistake to just admit that he's right. It's stupid, a rookie mistake that someone who doesn't think properly would do. Yet those are the only mistakes he seems to be doing at the presence of Ryan Ross. He never thought properly around Ryan so of course this habit would stick around to this very day.

Ryan Ross.

Ryan with that cocky smile and those cruel eyes who look at him as if he's an open book. He isn't an open book and Ryan has no idea to look at him like that. He doesn't know Brendon. He doesn't know this Brendon. What he does know is a kid from Utah that wanted to have fun-to live life. He isn't that kid anymore. Now he's a grown up that wants to make a change-that makes a change daily.

"I know he's a terrible liar."

"You should know." cruel words escape his mouth and Ryan looks slightly hurt. He quickly shakes his head and seems to not mind Brendon's bitter attitude anymore. He doesn't know if it's an act or the other boy is genuine but he doesn't seem to care.

(Truth is, Ryan Ross cares about Brendon's opinion above everything else but this tall guy with the weird haircut isn't the Brendon he knows.)

"Look, all I need to know is whether you have abducted our lead singer and are now trying to take up his place. I'll admit you two look very much alike but Brendon looks less fuckboy-ish."

"Hey!"Brendon yells offended"At least I don't look like the Beatles."

"Joke's on you, because the Beatles are amazing."

"Correction; they make amazing music."Brendon argues"No one talked about their style."

Talks like that seem meaningless, but they used to be very normal with them. A talk like that is all it takes for Brendon to calm down, for some seconds he's looking at someone he cares about-a friend, a loved one-not an enemy. A talk like that is all it takes for Ryan to see Brendon as Brendon.

"Well, that is something Brendon would say. Maybe you're a clone."Ryan laughs at the thought but Brendon doesn't. As soon as the older, was Ryan still older than him in a way though, boy realized that he paused."You are a clone?"

"No, no I don't think we have that technology yet."

"Then who are you?"

"Brendon Urie."

"Not the Brendon I know."

"I know you though."he continues"We were friends. Once."

"That's crazy, look, I don't know who--"

"Yesterday night, I got a divorce." Ryan wants to ask him something about it. He opens his mouth but at the last moment he regrets it. "I thought life couldn't get any worse than that but at some point I closed my eyes and when they opened again I was here. That was in 2017."

"But that's like--"

"Almost ten years in the future? I know. And to answer your question,"he makes a quick spin and sits on the cement next to a little amaranth"time machines have not yet been invented!"He presses his hands against his face when he feels a soft hand on his shoulder.

"That's a pretty shitty day."

"You have no idea."

"So figuring it out will be a pain in the ass."

"Yes."

"Well, you're lucky you have us then."

"Us?"

"You may not be 2008 Brendon. But you are Brendon, and you're family. I got your back and I'm not the only one."he patted his back"Back at the trailer there are two idiots who also love you and will want to help you."

Brendon smiles at that thought.

.

Biting your lip is a bad habit to have. Biting your lip while wearing a white shirt is even worse because the red stains is not easy to wash off.

Troye walks in circles in the waiting area. The hallway is narrow and grey, with each step he takes he feels the room getting even smaller. He's suffocating to the point he forgets how breathing felt like."Are you okay?"

He nearly trips on his feet after hearing the voice. He could swear he was alone in the room."Yeah,"he whispers quietly"it's just my friend. She's being interrogated."

"Oh."

"It isn't that bad, is it?"

"I don't know."the brunette girl answers honestly. Troye sighs and sits on a chair. The girl continues looking at him, she takes some of her hair and with a sweet hand movement pulls all her hair behind her. She takes off the denim jacket she was wearing and sits beside him."I'm sorry I couldn't be more comforting. I'm not really aware of the procedure."

"Then why are you here?"

"I'm getting my first book, History of Mesos. A friend, Clove, told me that this is the only place that could give it to me." Troye nods."I'm April, by the way."

"Troye."

"You look familiar."

"I'm a singer. Sometimes."

"When you're not busy with the universe?"

"Yeah, you could say that."

"Why is your friend inside?"

"They're assigning a new Mesos to us."

"Oh, you aren't,"

"I'm a little below that. You see---"

"Miss Maclean."April turns to the source of the voice and nods. She turns to Troye and mumbles a goodbye before going on her way. Seconds after, another door opens and Melanie steps out, her head glued to the floor.

"How did it go?"

"We're too late. He's already at the Mezona."

"No! There's must be a way."Troye yelled"They can talk to James, yeah, he'll get it. He can talk some sense to Manny."

"Manny is gone. Off to Pleasantville, James needs to follow the usual rules. Patrick is far too gone, he won't last even four days and I doubt Manny will be back that soon."Melanie explained.

"There must be a way to speed things up."

"We can't really go to Pleasantville, though."

Troye nodded. Melanie was right, Pleasantville-despite its misleading name-wasn't very pleasant. Then suddenly Melanie jumped slightly and shook Troye's shoulders."What if, and hear me out before you dismiss my idea, we fix his mistake?"

"I mean, his only mistake was trusting us with a serious problem."

"Okay, fix our mistake! You name it."

"What you're saying is--"

"Yes." Melanie announces proudly. Troye looks at her and sighs.

"This better bloody work."