The Storm Comes Before The Rainbow

•20•

"Hello?"

Dear god.

Jason looks eerily similar to his younger self. Perhaps a little definition in his arms....

And a small beer gut.

Unlike you'd think, his gut doesn't protrude too far out. It's just a soft bump against his shirt.

"Jason?" Ryan finds his voice.

"Yeah? Who-" Jason freezes as his eyes freeze against Ryan.

Ryan squirms slightly.

"Ryan?" Jason's voice is light. "Ryan Ross?"

"Yes." Ryan's voice is small.

"Oh my god." Jason walks away for a little while and turns back to the door. "And Brendon!? You guys are still together after all these years?"

Brendon smiles and grabs Ryan's hand.

Jason's eyes then glance to Pete, who is standing slightly in front of Patrick.  "PE-" Jason's smacks the door ways and he has a bright smile on his face. "PETE FUCKING WENTZ!"

Pete flashes a quick, somewhat un-genuine, smile. Jason throws his arms around Pete. Pete slowly pats Jason's back.

"I fucking missed you dude. You were like my best friend." Jason grins and sways back and forth with Pete in his arms.

He doesn't notice Patrick.

Patrick's heart pounds. His palms sweat.

He can't do this.

Patrick steps away and brushes past Ryan.

"Wha...?" Ryan turns to see Patrick going down the stairs.

"Stay with Pete, go in, do things, I'm getting Patrick." Ryan whispers to Brendon.

"Where'd he go?" Brendon's eyes scan the parking lot. "Is he the shaking human over there?"

"Yeah." Ryan runs down the stairs.

"How have you been?" Jason smiles.

"Fine."

"Hey, uh...I really want to apologize for what I did. I don't know about Luke, but the time I spent in jail was enough for me to realize I fucked up." Jason shakes his head. He looks between  Brendon and Pete. "Tell it to Patrick too. I heard he made it through....thank god."

"He's right-" Pete turns but his boyfriend is nowhere to be seen.

"Ryan's gone after him." Brendon informs once Pete looks up to him, worried.

"You guys wanna come in?" Jason steps aside.

Brendon doesn't hesitate to walk straight inside. Pete shuffles behind, trying to look for Patrick.

"What're you doing?" Ryan whispers once he makes it to Patrick.

"I can't do it Ry, I can't. It wasn't as bad as Luke. He terrorized me my entire high school year, he's the one who pushed me in..." Patrick's shaking, hands against the side of his head.

"It's okay. Bren and I are here and so is Pete. We won't let him do anything. If he says anything, we'll fuck his shit up."

Patrick's hyperventilating. "Ry..." His voice cracks.

"It's okay." Ryan pulls Patrick into his arms. "I can text Brendon and Pete and say you can't be there. They'll get it. They can figure it all out without us."

Patrick looks up to Ryan, eyes glassy.

Game time decision.

To go or not to go.