Broken - A Ryden fanfic

Chapter ten- Across the Universe

It took a lot of convincing, but Ryan finally got Dallon to let him wander around backstage while the band set up for their performance later that night. At first he wouldn't budge, but thankfully Kenny was on his side; saying "it wasn't fair to keep Ryan locked in the bathroom the entire time." He eventually gave in, but he had to be aware of where Brendon was at all times so he could stay away and one of the three of them had to have eyes on Ryan (Dan had found out about Ryan on accident when stumbling into the bathroom in the middle of the night).

"Sheesh, you guys are treating me like a plague victim under quarantine.." Ryan grumbled as he followed behind Kenny- the only one of the three he could tolerate for more than a couple minutes.

"Sorry Ry," Kenny replied, "if it were up to me I'd let you go talk to him, but Dan and Dallon don't think it's a good idea."

Ryan sighed, his eyes flicking between different areas of the stage. "If I can just get him alone... would you let me get over to him? Just for a couple minutes?"

"But—"

"It'll be just for a couple minutes, I promise." He interrupted, desperation laced in his tone. He couldn't handle the guilt of this any longer.

It was clear that Kenny was having a difficult time trying to argue with him, being evident in the way he bit his lower lip.

"Alright," Kenny whispered, "but you need to be careful. You've got about five minutes. Brendon's on stage right now, and I'm gonna be right over here watching."

A wide smile appeared on Ryan's face as he heard this, nodding quickly then dashed through the small clusters of stage crew to get to the stage. He peered out onto the stage, holding his breath as he tried to look for his old friend. When he didn't see him right away he took a couple steps forward and craned his neck to try and spot him.

Brendon was at a grand piano on a platform right in the center of the crowd, a couple beams of spotlight shining on him. As Ryan started across the stage but slowed down a bit as he heard the serene sound of the piano.

"Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup
They slither wildly as they slip away across the universe"

Ryan leaned against the doorway of his friend's dressing room, a warm smile on his face as he listened to his friend sing. Sure, he heard Brendon sing all the time when they were practicing songs for their album, but hearing him sing like this was special. Brendon always had a dreamy look on his face, acting as if he were all alone in the world. It was amusing to watch.

"Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind
Possessing and caressing me"

Brendon looked up from the piano, as if sensing that Ryan was there. The two of them stared at each other, unmoving. Time felt like it slowed down and stopped suddenly.

"Well, don't stop there." Ryan smiled warmly, strumming a gentle melody on the guitar he had in his hands.

Brendon smiled with him, pushing himself up out of his seat and taking a couple paces towards Ryan.

Ryan felt something stir inside of him, something urging him to continue the song. He kept his eyes locked on Brendon's, his mouth moving as if on its own.

"Jai Guru Deva, Om
Nothing's going to change my world
Nothing's going to change my world"

Ryan felt a wave of relief wash over him as Brendon continued the gentle melody. He smiled softly, moving closer to the piano.

"Jai Guru Deva, Om
Nothing's going to change my world
Nothing's going to change my world"

Ryan loved singing with Brendon, sometimes even more than he loved just listening. He hoped that they could do this together for as long as possible. He stopped singing but continued to strum the guitar so he could hear Brendon's voice again.

"Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes
They call me on and on across the universe
Thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letter box
They tumble blindly as they make their way across the universe"

Ryan was speechless as he listened to Brendon sing. Brendon's voice was the same, but it also changed since the last time he heard it. Obviously this wasn't the same teenaged boy that he met in high school, so he expected his voice to sound different. But it sounded.. like he had finally found his voice. He moved a bit more so he could see his friend better.

"Jai Guru Deva, Om
Nothing's going to change my world
Nothing's going to change my world
Nothing's going to change my world
Nothing's going to change my world"

The two of them were silent for a moment longer as they ended the song, the melody still echoing in Ryan's ears.

"Ry..." Brendon said quietly, a warm smile on his face, "how.. how did you get here?"

Ryan let out a little chuckle, using one hand to rub the back of his neck. "Funny story.. I got onto the tour bus before you guys left."

"Seriously? And I didn't notice?"

"Kenny kept me shut up in the bathroom so I wouldn't run into you. Apparently you were so mad that you threatened Dallon?"

Brendon let out a sheepish laugh. "Yeah.. I was pretty mad."

Ryan's smile faded a bit. He took a seat next to his friend on the bench. "Look, Brendon... I'm really sorry for all that. I didn't realize how that would've hurt you.. I-I know that I promised I wouldn't leave, but..."

Brendon shook his head. "No, /I'm/ really sorry.. I shouldn't have been that harsh with you. I realize that you want to go on and do your own thing... I should've let you, after all you're not in the band anymore..."

Ryan let out a little sigh, about to reply but then he paused. "Are you crying?"

Brendon let out a little laugh as a couple tears rolled down his cheeks. "Maybe.. it's just.. I really missed you..."

Ryan felt his heart shatter at this. He pulled his friend into a hug, tears beginning to form at his own eyes. "I really missed you too, Brendon..."

The two of them stayed in the hug for a little while, chatting back and forth as if nothing happened with them in the first place like old friends do.

"So... are we cool now?" Brendon asked.

Ryan smiled, nodding. "Yeah. We're cool now."

"Perfect.." Brendon's eyes lit up suddenly as a thought crossed his mind. "What if we played a couple songs together? Like old times?"

Ryan paused briefly before speaking. "You mean like, on stage? I don't think I could.. I've been gone for so long, what would everyone think? Besides, I don't know any of the new songs." He protested.

Brendon frowned slightly but nodded in understanding. "Yeah, you're right.. guess I didn't think about that." He said with a chuckle, his smile returning. "You should at least watch. I wanna show you how good I've gotten since the last time we performed."

Ryan nodded in agreement, grinning at how proud his friend looked. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."