Spencer/Brendon
Title: Hello! I have made a Spencer/Brendon Manifesto for you! Or: Kisses On the Necks of Best Friends would have been too cheesy, right? (Or: In my head, this is called Move Together, but I couldn't figure out how to explain why I thought that this poem was an appropriate thing to include in a pairing manifesto, even though, for some reason, it's totally a Spencer/Brendon poem in my head.)
By: Laura
I've been fussing about this for a while now, so thank you so much to everyone for being patient with me. I appreciated all of the hand holding! ♥
~ * ~
Spencer/Brendon
Okay! So! A bio! There's Brendon and there's Spencer and they're in a band called Panic at the Disco. If it helps you to get more excited, you can pretend that they're still from a band called Panic! at the Disco. I do that, inside of my head, all the time.
Spren said that I should introduce them, so here's Brendon:
His jizz ruins coffee tables. That might stop being funny one day. I don't know, it hasn't yet.
And here's Spencer:
In my head, it's canon that he's good in bed.
This is Panic at the Disco:
You guys probably already knew that.
This is also Panic:
I was a little worried about including this picture because I realize that you might end up just staring at if for hours instead of reading the rest of this post. It's actually the hottest picture I have ever seen in my entire life though, so look at me including it anyway!
Spencer was in a band with Ryan and Brent, and they needed another guitar player, so Brendon auditioned. Brendon did Gollum impressions, and apparently he was pretty awesome, because they let him into the band.
This is Ryan:
Eventually they got rid of Brent and picked up a Jon and now they seem like they're high, all. Of. The. Time. So, I mean, correlation can't prove causation, etc. etc., but--
I was supposed to give a little mini-history, but I'm actually the worst person ever to do that, so just bare with me.
This is Jon:
This is Ryan and Jon:
Good lord that is a whole lot of attractiveness in one picture. I mentioned this because it has recently come to me that you could totally have Spencer/Brendon AND Ryan/Jon in the same story, and that that would be amazing.
Brendon sings:
And plays guitar:
And plays piano:
He can play the bass too.
Spencer plays drums.
Spencer playing drums >>>>>> any porn I've ever seen.
Sometimes he's forced to play the tambourine.
Spencerrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Sometimes Brendon plays drums, too.
The drumline was the greatest thing ever.
... And that concludes my "bio". \o/
Spencer gets characterized as being a bitch, because sometimes his face looks like this:
I don't think that Spencer's a bitch though. I think that Spencer's a gigantic dork.
Brendon's a dork, too.
This works out very well.
Because they can be dorks together!
And anyway, COULD SOMEONE WITH A SMILE LIKE THIS BE A BITCH?
NO. I THINK NOT.
Spencer and Brendon are buddies.
(Pssst, I included this picture so that you could note the height difference here. Hi. WHAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS THAT KINK DON'T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT.)
I DON'T HAVE TO EXPLAIN MYSELF TO YOU.
WHAT.
I think I have made my point.
Buddies that sometimes like to hold hands.
These screencaps are from the Panic! DVD.
I'm not sure who took the caps, but I would like to offer them my firstborn child, as now I'm able to stare and stare and stare and I don't have to attempt to pause at the right moment.
There's no reason for Brendon to touch Spencer here. Expect that they are adorable and like to make my heart happy, maybe.
Also, because Brendon doesn't believe in having separate personal space with Spencer.
Spencer has an idea for when they get back to the hotel room. Brendon is considering it. (Hint: I bet he will say yes!)
Sometimes they go on hikes together.
Sometimes they go on dates.
Sometimes they play concerts together.
![]()
Brendon goes over and giggles with Spencer. It's like Prozac for the soul.
I realize that this is a music video for The Cab, however! At 1:50-ish, Brendon starts waving his hand around to DEMONSTRATE SOME DRUMMING THING TO SPENCER. AND BOPPING HIS LITTLE HEAD. Ugggh, I want that documentary Making Of the Album now.
I think that my favorite thing about them is how they sometimes long-distance flirt with each other.
Like they've thought of something so funny that they can't wait until they're actually close together to tell each other.
Look at how Brendon makes Spencer smile! Ahhhhh!
LOOK AT THEM SMILING AT EACH OTHER! !!!! BECAUSE THEY MAKE EACH OTHER HAPPY.
So happy!
Guitar Hero also makes them happy. Brendon's the best. "Of course."
They play together, as Ryan and Jon have boycotted the game.
This pictures is almost obscene.
I love it.
Brendon really likes to be close to Spencer's neck.
I don't blame him.
I'm pretty sure that Brendon is sitting on Spencer's lap here. Good times, boys. Good times.
Also, remember that other time when they were tiny...
... and they went to a sleepover and slept on the same fold-out couch together? (P.S. OH HAI, SPENCER. WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO HIDE BY CROSSING YOUR ARMS LIKE THAT? IT'S ALL BRENDON'S FAULT? OKAY! IF YOU SAY SO.)
YEAH. THAT.
I think Spencer looks scared. Don't you think Spencer looks scared?
They just always look so happy in pictures together! ♥
Spencer let Brendon do this to his hair:
And then, apparently, wore it like that for the rest of the meet and greet. Sometimes, people say that Brendon and Spencer don't work because Spencer would never put up with Brendon. This is obviously not the case. Spencer is a giant dork! He probably thinks that Brendon is hilarious. They have a lot of fun together, I think.
Hugging! Ack! That's a real hug!
As is this one!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! HOW ARE THEY SO PRECIOUS? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Look at Brendon's little fingers curling around Spencer's side. And how Spencer's hand must be resting on Brendon's lower back. And how they are tilting their heads together. (Just... ignore the monstrosity on Spencer's face. We're all hoping that he shaves soon.)
Someone (*coughmecough*) who is completely shallow might be fond of all of the prettiness. [ETA: I totally wrote this before bexless posted the amazing Gerard/Frank Manifesto. \o/ for liking a pairing because they're pretty! :D )
But mostly, it's the way they're always smiling together.
And the way that Brendon made a video of Zack air-drumming for Spencer's birthday. Happy Birthday Spence! Love You!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, Spencer belongs to Brendon...
... and I love them a whole lot. ♥
~ * ~
TL;DR
I have no explanation for why I love Spencer/Brendon except that I really like Spencer, and I really like Brendon. And I really like thinking about them together.
Spencer seems to have it almost entirely together. Before the VMAs, the interviewing people where liaising with a Panic contact, who ended up being Spencer on his cell phone. That *gestures dramatically* is Spencer to me. Not some big control-freak, bitchy, scary dude. Just, the kind of guy who'd chat on his cellphone while arranging the time for an interview. Spencer's been friends with Ryan for one hundred million years, he worked with his mom at a doctor's office, he still picks up his little sisters from school. I just... I really like Spencer, you guys. He's blunt and honest and no bullshit and maybe sometimes that comes across as bitchy in interviews, but how many printed interviews have there been where the writer has made specific mention to how polite Spencer was? I remember in that interview he did for the drumming magazine, the writer mentioned how Spencer laughed politely at all of his jokes. Spencer laughed at the guy's jokes! And it meant enough to the guy that he mentioned it. That's amazing, okay. Amazing.
At the same time, Spencer seems really young to me sometimes. The way he slouches and sniffles while on tape? He's not trying to be a rockstar, he's just trying to be comfortable. He tells completely dorky stories about making bombs with Ryan when they were babies and is still impressed by the fact that there was a stripper next door. He seems completely un-jaded, and kind of sweet. There haven't been any pictures of him at the Playboy Club (that I remember, anyway); I don't think he's big into fame. He just seems like a kid that's really into music, and that somehow lucked out and gets to do it for a living.
Brendon, to me, seems like he's not quite as solid as Spencer, but is actually more like a grown up. He had to leave (or was kicked out, I don't know that we're sure exactly what happened) his family and lived in a shitty apartment, working while he was still finishing high school, and still managed to get a friggen record deal.
I think he pays a lot of attention to other people. He never seems to zone out during interviews. He always seems like he's listening to every word out of his bandmates' mouthes, and that he's thrilled by what he hears! Brendon laughs so hard at every stupid joke they make. It's ridiculously adorable.
Brendon seems completely eager to please. In interviews, unless something has happened which made him cranky, he's always 'yes yes yes'-ing the whole time. He's not aloof, he's painfully earnest. And, when something has happened to make him cranky, *hands* there's that too! Brendon's not happy and energetic all the time. I bet he has mood swings as strong as anyone else in the band. I would bet that he's actually quite easily offended. I'm sure that he can be incredibly annoying at times, but I don't think he's ever unaware of it. He's the first person to say that he's the most annoying one in the band. If he were really, truly getting on someone's nerves, he'd know it. And, unless the annoying was intentional, I think he'd stop.
I have never seen any canon where Spencer looked annoyed with Brendon. Who know what's happening behind the scenes, but as far as I've ever seen, Spencer seems really fond of Brendon, and Brendon seems really fond of Spencer. Brendon is always laughing at Brendon's jokes. And Brendon makes Spencer smile that light-up-the-world smile of his. In terms of Spencer/Brendon as a pairing, there's definitely not a whole lot of canon, but what canon there is, Spencer and Brendon always seem like really good friends that laugh and play together. It seems, to me at least, like they get along really well. I've never seen anything that would make me think that it's a struggle for Spencer to put up with Brendon.
My favorite part about (the way I see) Spencer/Brendon together is how I think they would completely respect each other. I'm not sure if this makes me a sap or a pragmatist, but in my head you can't have love without respect. I think that Spencer and Brendon would both completely respect and value each other as musicians and that music is central in both of their worlds. My greatest hope is that in the DVD Making Of The Album thinger we get to see them making music together and taking about their artistic vision. Maybe Spencer sings something that he likes and Brendon plays it back on the piano. Maybe Brendon goes over and waves his hand at Spencer to illustrate some drumming thing, and maybe Spencer gets up so that Brendon can play it. Maybe Spencer will sing! Maybe Spencer will harmonize with Brendon! I have to stop now because I'm overwhelmed just imagining that kind of awesomeness. I know that this isn't the sexy stuff about the pairing, but when I think of Spencer/Brendon, so much of what I love is the way that I can imagine them connecting over music. And, you know what? It totally is sexy! Have you seen Spencer drumming?
Yeah. That's what I thought.
I think that they both find the other one to be genuinely funny. They'd be laughing while everyone else was rolling their eyes. I think they'd value each other's input, and that they'd be able to hear suggestions without taking it personally, because they'd trust each other enough to know that it wasn't a personal attack.
The power balance between Spencer and Brendon just blows me away because it seems like a power balance. Brendon's got a huge personality, but I don't think that he dwarfs Spencer at all. I think that Brendon is randomly easily hurt, but that Spencer's bluntness isn't offensive to him. In the Spin interview in the summer, Spencer apologizes because he and Brendon fucked up, and Brendon just says that he'll totally take the blame. I'm not a huge fan of people communicating in stories (pssh, talking it out? When does that actually help anything?) but I do think that Spencer and Brendon could have some fantastic communication. If that's what you're into. *g* I think that there's something about the two of them together-- they'd never be able to be anything but honest with each other. There would be so many ways that they gave themselves away. I think that they could talk about things and understand each other. They'd care enough to listen.
I think that they have the same interests and really similar values and that it's easy for them to relate to where the other one is coming from. I think that family is pretty important to the both of them. Brendon had some rough patches with his family when he was younger, but it seems like they've gotten close again. (His mom likes Tina Turner's legs. She was giving Brendon tips on how to sound straighter! Brendon, I love you.) And as recently as last spring, Panic was still hosting interviews in Spencer's mom's house. They're similar people! They want the same things! They understand each other! They could be so incredibly in love! Ahh! My heart!
There's something about Spencer/Brendon that makes me absolutely ridiculous. I'll imagine them getting married and sit there picturing them as adult people together with a house and a kitchen and two gigantic dogs, while hearts fly around my head and explode like fireworks.
That said, I can just as clearly imagine the many ways that they wouldn't work out. I was trying to figure out how often they end up happy together in my stories vs. how often they don't. I couldn't actually figure out a ratio because I didn't know how to count the 'this doesn't end well inside of my head but in the story it's reasonably hopeful' stories. The point is, I don't love them as a pairing just because I think that they could be amazing for each other. I love them because I think they could be amazing for each other under the right circumstances.
Brendon/Sexuality Angst is my secret OTP, and Spencer/Brendon/Sexuality Angst might be my OT3. (Although, Spencer/Brendon/Ryan, you guys. NRG.) Brendon seems 'gayer' than Spencer (in that there seems to be some suggestion that Brendon could actually be gay in canon, whereas Spencer's had the same lovely girlfriend for a bazillion years), and I can see that playing out so many ways.
Brendon could self-identify as being gay, and Spencer could be incredibly confused. Spencer could be a cheerful bisexual and Brendon could be conflicted and slow on the self-realization. Brendon could really, really want something that he didn't think he was allowed to have. Spencer could have a Brendon-exception that throws his previous world view off kilter. Brendon could be head-over-heels and Spencer could be experimenting. Spencer could have never done anything with guys before, but Brendon knows what he's doing.
They could both be in love but not have any idea where to begin.
I think that Spencer's an incredibly interesting character and that Brendon's an incredibly interesting character and I just want to shove them into countless situations and see what happens.
I think that both Spencer and Brendon are capable of incredible depths of emotions and that they could be deliciously hurtful together just as well as they could be painfully romantic. I think that they have so much to give each other, but that there could also be times when they needed something that the other one wasn't ready to give.
They're my OTP because I'm fascinated by everything they could do for each other and to each other and with each other. I love thinking about the different ways that they could be together. I think that if they got their shit together, that would be it. That it would be them, together forever, and that they would never need anything more than what the other one would happily have to give. I think they'd have scorchingly hot sex together (even if they didn't have the emotional stuff, I always think that they'd have incredible physical chemistry). They seem incredibly compatible to me. Imagining them trying to navigate the start of a relationship is amazing to me, because I think that the pay off in the end would be incredible.
I love them when they're hurting each other, when they're really just hurting themselves. I love them when they're being so sweet that it makes my teeth hurt. I love them when it's really just all about Spencer because I think that detailing how Spencer is with Brendon is an incredible way to show Spencer's characterization. And vice versa. I love them when one of them is more solid than the other one, because regardless, I think that they both always have so much to give each other. I can always imagine that the something that one of them needs, really needs, even if he wasn't able to ask for it, would be a something that the other one was completely able to give. And then I can imagine a situation when he can't. Or he doesn't. The possibility for the depth of connection between them makes any failure of such doubly heartbreaking for me.
I don't have any reason why anyone else should like them. I can't explain why anyone who's fond of them feels that way. It's not a pairing with a huge amount of canon. I just know that every time I see them smiling at each other, I smile too.
Onwards to the recs
By: Laura
I've been fussing about this for a while now, so thank you so much to everyone for being patient with me. I appreciated all of the hand holding! ♥
~ * ~
Spencer/Brendon
Okay! So! A bio! There's Brendon and there's Spencer and they're in a band called Panic at the Disco. If it helps you to get more excited, you can pretend that they're still from a band called Panic! at the Disco. I do that, inside of my head, all the time.
Spren said that I should introduce them, so here's Brendon:
His jizz ruins coffee tables. That might stop being funny one day. I don't know, it hasn't yet.
And here's Spencer:
In my head, it's canon that he's good in bed.
This is Panic at the Disco:
You guys probably already knew that.
This is also Panic:
I was a little worried about including this picture because I realize that you might end up just staring at if for hours instead of reading the rest of this post. It's actually the hottest picture I have ever seen in my entire life though, so look at me including it anyway!
Spencer was in a band with Ryan and Brent, and they needed another guitar player, so Brendon auditioned. Brendon did Gollum impressions, and apparently he was pretty awesome, because they let him into the band.
This is Ryan:
Eventually they got rid of Brent and picked up a Jon and now they seem like they're high, all. Of. The. Time. So, I mean, correlation can't prove causation, etc. etc., but--
I was supposed to give a little mini-history, but I'm actually the worst person ever to do that, so just bare with me.
This is Jon:
This is Ryan and Jon:
Good lord that is a whole lot of attractiveness in one picture. I mentioned this because it has recently come to me that you could totally have Spencer/Brendon AND Ryan/Jon in the same story, and that that would be amazing.
Brendon sings:
And plays guitar:
And plays piano:
He can play the bass too.
Click to viewSpencer plays drums.
Spencer playing drums >>>>>> any porn I've ever seen.
Sometimes he's forced to play the tambourine.
Spencerrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Sometimes Brendon plays drums, too.
The drumline was the greatest thing ever.
... And that concludes my "bio". \o/
Spencer gets characterized as being a bitch, because sometimes his face looks like this:
I don't think that Spencer's a bitch though. I think that Spencer's a gigantic dork.
Brendon's a dork, too.
This works out very well.
Because they can be dorks together!
And anyway, COULD SOMEONE WITH A SMILE LIKE THIS BE A BITCH?
NO. I THINK NOT.
Spencer and Brendon are buddies.
(Pssst, I included this picture so that you could note the height difference here. Hi. WHAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS THAT KINK DON'T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT.)
I DON'T HAVE TO EXPLAIN MYSELF TO YOU.
WHAT.
I think I have made my point.
Buddies that sometimes like to hold hands.
These screencaps are from the Panic! DVD.
I'm not sure who took the caps, but I would like to offer them my firstborn child, as now I'm able to stare and stare and stare and I don't have to attempt to pause at the right moment.
There's no reason for Brendon to touch Spencer here. Expect that they are adorable and like to make my heart happy, maybe.
Also, because Brendon doesn't believe in having separate personal space with Spencer.
Spencer has an idea for when they get back to the hotel room. Brendon is considering it. (Hint: I bet he will say yes!)
Sometimes they go on hikes together.
Sometimes they go on dates.
Sometimes they play concerts together.
Brendon goes over and giggles with Spencer. It's like Prozac for the soul.
I realize that this is a music video for The Cab, however! At 1:50-ish, Brendon starts waving his hand around to DEMONSTRATE SOME DRUMMING THING TO SPENCER. AND BOPPING HIS LITTLE HEAD. Ugggh, I want that documentary Making Of the Album now.
I think that my favorite thing about them is how they sometimes long-distance flirt with each other.
Like they've thought of something so funny that they can't wait until they're actually close together to tell each other.
Look at how Brendon makes Spencer smile! Ahhhhh!
LOOK AT THEM SMILING AT EACH OTHER! !!!! BECAUSE THEY MAKE EACH OTHER HAPPY.
So happy!
Guitar Hero also makes them happy. Brendon's the best. "Of course."
They play together, as Ryan and Jon have boycotted the game.
This pictures is almost obscene.
I love it.
Brendon really likes to be close to Spencer's neck.
I don't blame him.
I'm pretty sure that Brendon is sitting on Spencer's lap here. Good times, boys. Good times.
Also, remember that other time when they were tiny...
... and they went to a sleepover and slept on the same fold-out couch together? (P.S. OH HAI, SPENCER. WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO HIDE BY CROSSING YOUR ARMS LIKE THAT? IT'S ALL BRENDON'S FAULT? OKAY! IF YOU SAY SO.)
YEAH. THAT.
I think Spencer looks scared. Don't you think Spencer looks scared?
They just always look so happy in pictures together! ♥
Spencer let Brendon do this to his hair:
And then, apparently, wore it like that for the rest of the meet and greet. Sometimes, people say that Brendon and Spencer don't work because Spencer would never put up with Brendon. This is obviously not the case. Spencer is a giant dork! He probably thinks that Brendon is hilarious. They have a lot of fun together, I think.
Hugging! Ack! That's a real hug!
As is this one!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! HOW ARE THEY SO PRECIOUS? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Look at Brendon's little fingers curling around Spencer's side. And how Spencer's hand must be resting on Brendon's lower back. And how they are tilting their heads together. (Just... ignore the monstrosity on Spencer's face. We're all hoping that he shaves soon.)
Someone (*coughmecough*) who is completely shallow might be fond of all of the prettiness. [ETA: I totally wrote this before bexless posted the amazing Gerard/Frank Manifesto. \o/ for liking a pairing because they're pretty! :D )
But mostly, it's the way they're always smiling together.
And the way that Brendon made a video of Zack air-drumming for Spencer's birthday. Happy Birthday Spence! Love You!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, Spencer belongs to Brendon...
... and I love them a whole lot. ♥
~ * ~
TL;DR
I have no explanation for why I love Spencer/Brendon except that I really like Spencer, and I really like Brendon. And I really like thinking about them together.
Spencer seems to have it almost entirely together. Before the VMAs, the interviewing people where liaising with a Panic contact, who ended up being Spencer on his cell phone. That *gestures dramatically* is Spencer to me. Not some big control-freak, bitchy, scary dude. Just, the kind of guy who'd chat on his cellphone while arranging the time for an interview. Spencer's been friends with Ryan for one hundred million years, he worked with his mom at a doctor's office, he still picks up his little sisters from school. I just... I really like Spencer, you guys. He's blunt and honest and no bullshit and maybe sometimes that comes across as bitchy in interviews, but how many printed interviews have there been where the writer has made specific mention to how polite Spencer was? I remember in that interview he did for the drumming magazine, the writer mentioned how Spencer laughed politely at all of his jokes. Spencer laughed at the guy's jokes! And it meant enough to the guy that he mentioned it. That's amazing, okay. Amazing.
At the same time, Spencer seems really young to me sometimes. The way he slouches and sniffles while on tape? He's not trying to be a rockstar, he's just trying to be comfortable. He tells completely dorky stories about making bombs with Ryan when they were babies and is still impressed by the fact that there was a stripper next door. He seems completely un-jaded, and kind of sweet. There haven't been any pictures of him at the Playboy Club (that I remember, anyway); I don't think he's big into fame. He just seems like a kid that's really into music, and that somehow lucked out and gets to do it for a living.
Brendon, to me, seems like he's not quite as solid as Spencer, but is actually more like a grown up. He had to leave (or was kicked out, I don't know that we're sure exactly what happened) his family and lived in a shitty apartment, working while he was still finishing high school, and still managed to get a friggen record deal.
I think he pays a lot of attention to other people. He never seems to zone out during interviews. He always seems like he's listening to every word out of his bandmates' mouthes, and that he's thrilled by what he hears! Brendon laughs so hard at every stupid joke they make. It's ridiculously adorable.
Brendon seems completely eager to please. In interviews, unless something has happened which made him cranky, he's always 'yes yes yes'-ing the whole time. He's not aloof, he's painfully earnest. And, when something has happened to make him cranky, *hands* there's that too! Brendon's not happy and energetic all the time. I bet he has mood swings as strong as anyone else in the band. I would bet that he's actually quite easily offended. I'm sure that he can be incredibly annoying at times, but I don't think he's ever unaware of it. He's the first person to say that he's the most annoying one in the band. If he were really, truly getting on someone's nerves, he'd know it. And, unless the annoying was intentional, I think he'd stop.
I have never seen any canon where Spencer looked annoyed with Brendon. Who know what's happening behind the scenes, but as far as I've ever seen, Spencer seems really fond of Brendon, and Brendon seems really fond of Spencer. Brendon is always laughing at Brendon's jokes. And Brendon makes Spencer smile that light-up-the-world smile of his. In terms of Spencer/Brendon as a pairing, there's definitely not a whole lot of canon, but what canon there is, Spencer and Brendon always seem like really good friends that laugh and play together. It seems, to me at least, like they get along really well. I've never seen anything that would make me think that it's a struggle for Spencer to put up with Brendon.
My favorite part about (the way I see) Spencer/Brendon together is how I think they would completely respect each other. I'm not sure if this makes me a sap or a pragmatist, but in my head you can't have love without respect. I think that Spencer and Brendon would both completely respect and value each other as musicians and that music is central in both of their worlds. My greatest hope is that in the DVD Making Of The Album thinger we get to see them making music together and taking about their artistic vision. Maybe Spencer sings something that he likes and Brendon plays it back on the piano. Maybe Brendon goes over and waves his hand at Spencer to illustrate some drumming thing, and maybe Spencer gets up so that Brendon can play it. Maybe Spencer will sing! Maybe Spencer will harmonize with Brendon! I have to stop now because I'm overwhelmed just imagining that kind of awesomeness. I know that this isn't the sexy stuff about the pairing, but when I think of Spencer/Brendon, so much of what I love is the way that I can imagine them connecting over music. And, you know what? It totally is sexy! Have you seen Spencer drumming?
Yeah. That's what I thought.
I think that they both find the other one to be genuinely funny. They'd be laughing while everyone else was rolling their eyes. I think they'd value each other's input, and that they'd be able to hear suggestions without taking it personally, because they'd trust each other enough to know that it wasn't a personal attack.
The power balance between Spencer and Brendon just blows me away because it seems like a power balance. Brendon's got a huge personality, but I don't think that he dwarfs Spencer at all. I think that Brendon is randomly easily hurt, but that Spencer's bluntness isn't offensive to him. In the Spin interview in the summer, Spencer apologizes because he and Brendon fucked up, and Brendon just says that he'll totally take the blame. I'm not a huge fan of people communicating in stories (pssh, talking it out? When does that actually help anything?) but I do think that Spencer and Brendon could have some fantastic communication. If that's what you're into. *g* I think that there's something about the two of them together-- they'd never be able to be anything but honest with each other. There would be so many ways that they gave themselves away. I think that they could talk about things and understand each other. They'd care enough to listen.
I think that they have the same interests and really similar values and that it's easy for them to relate to where the other one is coming from. I think that family is pretty important to the both of them. Brendon had some rough patches with his family when he was younger, but it seems like they've gotten close again. (His mom likes Tina Turner's legs. She was giving Brendon tips on how to sound straighter! Brendon, I love you.) And as recently as last spring, Panic was still hosting interviews in Spencer's mom's house. They're similar people! They want the same things! They understand each other! They could be so incredibly in love! Ahh! My heart!
There's something about Spencer/Brendon that makes me absolutely ridiculous. I'll imagine them getting married and sit there picturing them as adult people together with a house and a kitchen and two gigantic dogs, while hearts fly around my head and explode like fireworks.
That said, I can just as clearly imagine the many ways that they wouldn't work out. I was trying to figure out how often they end up happy together in my stories vs. how often they don't. I couldn't actually figure out a ratio because I didn't know how to count the 'this doesn't end well inside of my head but in the story it's reasonably hopeful' stories. The point is, I don't love them as a pairing just because I think that they could be amazing for each other. I love them because I think they could be amazing for each other under the right circumstances.
Brendon/Sexuality Angst is my secret OTP, and Spencer/Brendon/Sexuality Angst might be my OT3. (Although, Spencer/Brendon/Ryan, you guys. NRG.) Brendon seems 'gayer' than Spencer (in that there seems to be some suggestion that Brendon could actually be gay in canon, whereas Spencer's had the same lovely girlfriend for a bazillion years), and I can see that playing out so many ways.
Brendon could self-identify as being gay, and Spencer could be incredibly confused. Spencer could be a cheerful bisexual and Brendon could be conflicted and slow on the self-realization. Brendon could really, really want something that he didn't think he was allowed to have. Spencer could have a Brendon-exception that throws his previous world view off kilter. Brendon could be head-over-heels and Spencer could be experimenting. Spencer could have never done anything with guys before, but Brendon knows what he's doing.
They could both be in love but not have any idea where to begin.
I think that Spencer's an incredibly interesting character and that Brendon's an incredibly interesting character and I just want to shove them into countless situations and see what happens.
I think that both Spencer and Brendon are capable of incredible depths of emotions and that they could be deliciously hurtful together just as well as they could be painfully romantic. I think that they have so much to give each other, but that there could also be times when they needed something that the other one wasn't ready to give.
They're my OTP because I'm fascinated by everything they could do for each other and to each other and with each other. I love thinking about the different ways that they could be together. I think that if they got their shit together, that would be it. That it would be them, together forever, and that they would never need anything more than what the other one would happily have to give. I think they'd have scorchingly hot sex together (even if they didn't have the emotional stuff, I always think that they'd have incredible physical chemistry). They seem incredibly compatible to me. Imagining them trying to navigate the start of a relationship is amazing to me, because I think that the pay off in the end would be incredible.
I love them when they're hurting each other, when they're really just hurting themselves. I love them when they're being so sweet that it makes my teeth hurt. I love them when it's really just all about Spencer because I think that detailing how Spencer is with Brendon is an incredible way to show Spencer's characterization. And vice versa. I love them when one of them is more solid than the other one, because regardless, I think that they both always have so much to give each other. I can always imagine that the something that one of them needs, really needs, even if he wasn't able to ask for it, would be a something that the other one was completely able to give. And then I can imagine a situation when he can't. Or he doesn't. The possibility for the depth of connection between them makes any failure of such doubly heartbreaking for me.
I don't have any reason why anyone else should like them. I can't explain why anyone who's fond of them feels that way. It's not a pairing with a huge amount of canon. I just know that every time I see them smiling at each other, I smile too.
Onwards to the recs