All Hail The King || Brendon Urie x Reader

XIII

As soon as Zack came back into the room, pizza box in hand, you realized just how hungry you were. Being up, walking and talking eased the queasiness and let you actually enjoy the food, but you still push your plate away. Brendon's lips twitch at the action, but he doesn't say anything.
"So," Zack says around a mouthful of food. He catches a piece of cheese before it falls, putting it in his mouth, and swallowing. "How's tomorrow going to work?"
Brendon wipes the grease off his fingers with a napkin. "Same as usual, I guess. Or I could drive myself-"
"That's not happening." Zack's tone is sharp. "You know I can't let you go alone."
"You can, you just don't want to."
The bearded man rolls his eyes. "Can you really blame me? 'Cause I know you remember what happened at DeVone's."
"Yeah," Brendon says crossly. "But I can handle myself."
"Then I'd what? Babysit?" You clear your throat, and Zack finally looks at you. "No offense."
You roll your eyes, leaning back on your hands as the boys argue. About what, you're not exactly sure.
"What happened at DeVone's?"
Brendon's expression darkens when Zack answers you question, shaking his head slightly. "Just a disagreement that led to hot-head here nearly getting his shit rocked."
"But I didn't-"
"Because I was there!"
"Even if you weren't, I would've been fine!" Brendon snaps. "I'm not seven, Zack. I can go to one damn meeting without adult supervision!"
Zack doesn't move as Brendon gets up, snatching his plate and empty bottle off the coffee table and storming into the kitchen. There's a clatter of metal as the dish hits the sink.
"Fine! We'll just leave Y/N here by herself!" His voice comes out sharp, but Zack's eyes roll with sarcasm.
Brendon reappears in the doorway, arms crossed and lip curled back. "That's not happening."
"Oh, she can't stay in an empty house alone, but you can go by yourself to-"
"I get it, Zack, but what if something happened to her?!"
"What if something happens to you?!"
"I get a boo-boo. So-fucking-what?!"
"It's not that simple, Brendon! DeVone would've decked you, you step out of line tomorrow and they will obliterate you!" 
"You say that as if I give a shit!"
"Enough!" Neither Brendon nor Zack looks at you, but they both bite their tongues. You look at the bearded man sitting on the couch. "You don't want him to go alone-" you look at Brendon, who's eyes flick to yours for a moment "-and you don't want me to stay here by myself."
"Yes," they both grit.
You sigh, picking the bridge of your nose, eyes squeezed shut. "And I'm going to assume I'm not welcome to go with?"
Zack deflates. "The safest place for you," he says quietly, his voice having lost its edge, "is far away from that meeting."
Brendon winces, looking outside. His lips purse tightly together, brows pinching together and jaw clenched. You know that look; there's something he so badly wants to say, but won't.
Resting your forearms on the coffee table, you draw patterns in the droplets of water from Brendon's once cold beer.
"I could get a cab?"
"All the way back to LA?" Zack clicks his tongue, scratching at his beard. "I wouldn't suggest it."
"Hotel?"
"That's a lot of people," Brendon says.
You cock your head. "I thought the problem with me staying here was there wasn't enough people."
"It's-" Brendon shifts his weight, scratching his ear "-it's hard to explain." 
"Try me," you say firmly, barely keeping yourself from rolling your eyes.
The tip of Brendon's tongue peeks between his teeth, sighing, "Someone broke in when I was at one of these meetings. Stole the TVs, some jewelry-" he tosses a hand up, letting it fall to his side with a dull slap against his thigh "-shit like that."
"Okay," you drawl.
"How I see it is that it's happened once, and I'd rather not have it happen again," he explains further. "Especially if you're here by yourself."
You chew on your lip. Letting your gaze fall to the floor, you pull your hands into your lap, playing with your fingers. "What about Dallon?"
"What about him?" Zack turns in his seat to look at you, leaning back into the couch cushions.
"You'd feel better if someone was here, right?"
Brendon nods, quietly adding, "Very much so."
"Dallon could probably spare a few hours," Zack thinks aloud. "And it's probably the best idea so far."
"Then neither of us are left unsupervised," you joke lightly, earning a roll of Brendon's eyes and a loosely contained laugh from Zack.
The latter pulls out his phone, tapping it's screen. "Did you want them to stay here or a hotel?"
Brendon looks to you, brows pinched in thought. You shrug lightly, barely shaking your head. "Here," he answers. "Less people than the strip. Lot less."
Bogart noses at your arm, wiggling a little closer to the table, his eyes trained carefully on the remnants of your meal. You smile when he puts his paw on your knee. Cupping his head in your hands, you scratch eagerly at his ears, letting him climb into your lap.
"Hi pretty boy," you coo softly, earning another couple thumps of his tail. He settles, tucking himself in your crossed legs, resting his head on your thigh. You hum, smiling.
"Dallons cool with that." Zack stuffs his phone back into his pocket. "You done?"
Zack ducks down, catching your eyes and you jump up. "Huh? Oh! Yeah, yeah I'm done." The corners of his lips tug upward, pushing his glasses back up his nose before grabbing your plate and walking towards the kitchen. You call after him, "Thank you!"
He gives a thumbs up, mumbling something to Brendon as he passes by. The brunette slowly shuffles towards the couch, all but flopping down with a quick run of his hand through his hair. A twist of the rings.
You let your eyes wander outside, watching the sun bounce off the pool, each ripple catching the light and throwing it back to the skies. The golden rays which bled through the windows basked the room in warmth. You close your eyes, taking a deep breath through your nose, and for a moment, the strangest sense of peace washes over you.