Jigoku Gakuen 19
Title Jigoku Gakuen
Author: deadoralive0013
Pairing: Ryden, a bit of Joncer, a bit of Gabilliam (yes… it’s official now)
Rating: PG13
POV: 3rd
Summary: (High school AU) Ryan just wanted to finish high school and make it to college so he worked (sometimes even odd jobs) to save up. When he transferred to Vegas for his final year, he found out that sometimes, money is the least of one’s worries. Like in his case, it was his face.
Excerpt for this chapter:
“You are now my slave,” he said as he shook Ryan’s hand.
“Employee,” Ryan corrected him.
“Whatever. Call it what you want but they all mean the same thing.”
Warnings: Beware. Overused plot. Beware. Straight guy turning gay. Beware! UNBETA-ED!
Beta: lilbunnybooboo thank you! ^__^
Disclaimer: I own the plot but nothing else...
Notes: At the end of each chapter
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19
“What the fuck?” Gabe said as he scrolled down the webpage he loaded on his computer, his eyes narrowed.
On his computer screen was a guy with brown paper bag on his head with a big and very inexpertly drawn smiley face in black marker on it. He was wearing a plain white shirt over a very thin frame while his hand was gracefully positioned to give the finger to the unsuspecting stalker of his page. At the bottom of the picture were four words in bold red letters, equally inexpertly done inWindows Paint.
“I rule you all,” Gabe read shaking his head. This was William Beckett’s Facebook page alright.
He read the profile page with a frown. William’s friends list was full of people with more or less the same picture as him, varying from wearing a very stupid Halloween mask to having a white bedroom blanket tied around the neck to give the effect of being a king or something but like everyone else, only managing to look stupid. If only the dude had chosen a less striking color than bright yellow and pink...
William’s wall was a long spread of exchanges about different games Gabe had never heard of before with people who call themselves names which scream ‘dork’ in twenty different frequencies. He smirked reading through some of them.
You are going down, Dark Prince! was the comment of one ‘KingoftheZombies to which William replied this: ‘I’ll pretend I didn’t read that and save you the humiliation of defeat.’
“This guy is hopeless,” Gabe muttered to himself frowning at the million more messages like it. William was getting threats and challenges here and there in different games. There were also messages of game invites, congratulations, and even game dates.
“A game freak,” Gabe said smiling slightly while he continued to scroll down and explore the eccentric Facebook account.
So what was Gabe doing in William’s Facebook account? He had no idea. He was just checking his own account when a very out-of-the-blue and I-don’t-have-anything-better-to-do idea struck his mind. Because yeah, when you’re on Facebook and no one was commenting on you because they’re all busy falling in love like Brendon and Jon, and all other people were too stoned or too wasted (Ryland, etc.) to post anything interesting, what should you do? Know your enemy of course and Gabe’s first thought at the word ‘enemy’ was William Beckett. And after spending hours ‘knowing’ his enemy, Gabe found out that he can sum up William in one word: gamer. At least for now.
He yawned. It was almost two in the morning after all. He was about to give the page a last look before closing the window when a particular comment made by William caught his eye. It was made about a week ago.
Eat my dust losers. I just got a copy of Left4Dead so you can expect a more spectacular display of gaming prowess in the coming battle. Haha, that’s right. Hide you shameful beasts!
I give credit to a particular person who gave me this game which I would call ‘asshole’. Thank you asshole though you’d probably never know... I’m not thanking you in person anytime soon.
Gabe both laughed and interjected ‘damn you’ after reading the message. William was right, he would have never known had he not taken the time to search his account on Facebook and read through a thousand comments on the wall.
“You thought wrong,” he said and continued reading William’s wall, all plans of shutting his computer off and going to sleep forgotten. Pshh... 2 am? He had stayed up a lot later than this.
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“What’s Mt. Charleston like?”
Spencer shrugged before looking up from his laptop where he had been busy typing his paper, doing some research and downloading music. “I don’t know. Like a mountain I guess,” he answered uncertainly.
Ryan nodded his face unreadable as usual. He paused, thinking about whether to ask Spencer more questions before deciding that he’ll do it later and go back to his own homework instead. Spencer sensed it.
“I’ve never been to that place before but I can do a quick search on the net,” he told Ryan.
His cousin smiled before walking over behind Spencer to look at the computer screen. Spencer clicked the pictures and sites that had descriptions of Mt. Charleston to let Ryan look and read through them.
“You seem like you’re looking forward to the school trip,” he commented as Ryan continued to go through the pictures.
Ryan smiled shyly. “Yeah. I know it’s kind of stupid to feel all excited about a field trip but it’s been a while since I went on a trip,” he said rubbing the back of his neck.
The last time Ryan went on a trip, he was in preschool and it was in a zoo. Ryan couldn’t remember much of it except that he saw lots of cages and for reasons he couldn’t remember, he was sure he felt really happy. Those were the times that Ryan’s parents were still alive and as much as Ryan hated himself for being so young and forgetting everything, the feeling of unexplainable happiness remained with him through the years and gave him a faint idea of how it must have been living with his parents.
Since the accident, Ryan never got the enthusiasm for going out anymore so he convinced Lisa to let him not join the school trips. She was worried Ryan was withdrawing himself from the world but he told her not to worry. He’d have to use the money in more important things anyway.
“Don’t be ridiculous. That’s perfectly okay,” Spencer said. “I feel a little excited myself.”
Ryan closed the windows about Mt. Charleston and went back to Spencer’s study table where he left his unfinished homework so that his cousin can go back to his own homework. “Would be greater if I were going there without having to be Brendon’s PA.”
Spencer raised an eyebrow. “You’re working for him during the school trip? That’s...”
Ryan sighed. “Exactly. I received the final draft of my working contract earlier and I’m signing it tomorrow morning, then I’ll officially start work. Six days and my debt will be paid. Sadly though, the school trip days will be included in it.”
Spencer blinked. He didn’t know how to react at knowing that his cousin actually agreed to be some sort of worker for Brendon and if actually having a contract for it was a good thing. He decided it was a good thing since he was betting it was Ryan who wanted the contract. That’s all he needed to know. For now.
“Can’t you ask him if you can sign the contract after the school trip so you can enjoy it as a free man?” Spencer asked putting the laptop aside. He’ll ask about what work Ryan will do later.
“I’ve thought of doing that but Brendon has made it clear in the contract that he wants me working immediately,” Ryan answered.
“But that’s unfair,” Spencer protested. “You should have a say when you want to work.”
“That’s right and the contract said I can choose to postpone the start of my ‘employment’ but for everyday that I choose to delay it, twelve additional hours will be added to the six days,” Ryan explained indifferently. “And in case you’re wondering what he’ll have me do, it was stated in the contract that it will be ranging from clerical, to educational, to accompaniment, and others that will not involve life threatening situations or degradation of human dignity.”
Okay, that sounded safe, Spencer thought. But considering that this was Brendon they were talking about, one can never be sure. “Sounds like Urie will take this opportunity to take advantage of the situation, A.K.A. ‘you’. I feel bad about this,” Spencer said seriously. “I don’t think you should sign it.”
Ryan laughed a little. “The moment I found out Brendon paid for my school trip, I knew he had been thinking about something like this happening. He knew I wouldn’t let him pay for my trip with just a ‘thank you’ and he was right. I told him I’ll work for him and honestly, I don’t mind if I start today or tomorrow or during the school trip. The sooner I start it, the faster this will be over.”
Spencer scratched the back of his head. “If you knew Brendon was planning something, why didn’t you do anything to avoid it? Why agree to a contract even?”
Ryan shrugged. “I see no reason why I shouldn’t work my debt off. However way I look at it, I think I’ll get more from the deal than Brendon ever will. I have no way to repay him too so really, it’s my only option. And the contract was my idea. It may seem scary to sign a contract but if you think about it, the contract can also protect the employee as long as it is worded fair and clear. I reread Brendon’s contract at least four times and I don’t think he’ll be able to pull anything funny with it.”
Spencer still looked unconvinced. “I don’t know Ry. It’s Brendon we are talking about. He has a thing for you and he has a reputation for getting what he wants.”
He nodded understandingly. Despite thinking through the situation a dozen times and convincing himself that it was a good idea, Ryan arrived at the same conclusion as Spencer. He read the contract and it was obvious that Brendon knew a lot about workers’ contracts than him which put Ryan in a risky position. There were items that Ryan couldn’t decide if he should worry about or not but for the most part, Ryan thought it would do. But no matter how many times the contract was read and revised, it all boiled down to one thing only. That was whether to trust Brendon or not and as logical and rational as Ryan was, he found himself trusting Brendon. He’d have to kick himself in the head if this decision brought him to a situation he’ll regret.
“I know,” he told his cousin. “But what else can he do? Push me off a cliff? There’s nothing Brendon could think of that could be worse than what he already done to me.”
Spencer frowned. “Just be careful.”
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Brendon could barely contain the happiness when Ryan returned the final draft that night with a PS saying he’d sign it tomorrow. Imaginary confetti was everywhere in his mind with his victory song playing in the background because what could be better? Seriously, it was like Ryan had agreed to marry him or something.
It was already five in the morning and Brendon spent all night listing down possible things to make Ryan do starting tomorrow. He smiled goofily at the paper as he wrote down ‘help me find a present for Jon’, imagining the many possible ways he could make it look like an innocent gift-hunt and then drag Ryan to the movie house or better yet, his home theater downstairs. This along with the sixty-seven other things he had thought of were more or less designed to make Ryan spend more time with him but Brendon made sure that he abided by the damn contract.
Brendon bit the tip of his pen while thinking of other things to add to his list. He shrugged before scribbling down ‘help me find a present for Gabe’. Gabe’s birthday wasn’t for another two months but hey, Jon’s was a month ago.
“Bren?” a voice called from the other side of his bedroom door followed by a knocking sound.
Brendon smiled before getting up from his bed and opening the door. Zack’s tired face came into view, his eye bags angrily bulging from lack of sleep.
“I got you the dog,” Zack announced.
“Good. Put it in the basement or wherever,” Brendon said.
“Okay. Anything else?” Zack asked wondering how in the world this kid can stay up all night and still manage to smile. What was he doing in his room and what was he up to?
Brendon rubbed his chin. “Do you still have that flash drive with a gazillion viruses in it?”
“I think so, why?” he asked confused.
Brendon smiled. “Bring it to me.”
“In case the lack of sleep has gotten to you, I would just like to remind you that the viruses will destroy your computer,” Zack said.
He laughed. “Exactly! It will ruin my hard drive and it will need reformatting and those kinds of shit the programmer does for me!”
“Should I call him?” Zack asked completely lost.
Brendon placed a hand on Zack’s shoulder. “Just do as I say my friend. I already got a person to fix everything.”
Oh this will be fun.
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The zombies are closing in. His companions were two floors down. He really should feel panicked by now but he had been in this exact same situation many times before. He knew what to do. Just as the suckers were rushing in from all directions, he brought out the weapon he had been saving for times like this. He lit the dynamite and threw it to the horde which was blasted into pieces in a blink of an eye.
“Eat that!” William exclaimed throwing his fist to the air before exiting the game network with another victorious night.
He was back at his desktop which was littered with shortcuts to different online games. William was about to open another one when his messenger popped up a window with a message from a person he never talked to before. He smiled at the message.
Play with me.
It wasn’t the first time he got an anonymous message for a game challenge. Like all the others, nakedCOBRA must have found out about him from one of the gaming forums he was a member of. He was making a reputation for himself in the gaming world and challengers were seeking him out. Might as well give what these losers want...
I don’t know where you found my messenger ID but alright. I have to warn you though, I’m quite a handful. You might not be able to keep up.
It was barely a moment when nakedCOBRA typed in a reply.
I’m sure I can handle it. It’s YOU I’m worried about.
“Really,” William said out loud. He snorted at the other’s confidence while he typed in his reply.
Server 22. The name is Santi. You’ve been warned.
He smirked satisfied at his reply. He had just accepted a game challenge from this person, probably the seventh one this night but William felt like something was different about this challenger.
Pleasure, Santi. Wait for nakedCOBRA and... just bring it.
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It was things like this that had to be videotaped.
Brendon watched each movement Ryan did as his hand carefully scribbled a barely readable signature on the contract he printed last night. Barely two seconds and the contract was sealed. He extended his arm to Ryan.
“You are now my slave,” he said as he shook Ryan’s hand.
“Employee,” Ryan corrected him.
“Whatever. Call it what you want but they all mean the same thing.”
It was still early and the school corridors were wide and clear save for Ryan, Brendon, Spencer, and a few other people who had nothing else better to do than to go to school early.
“As a symbol of your employment I will require you to wear this,” Brendon said as he extracted from his pocket a red, flat rubber bracelet with seven pieces of black and white cubic beads with letters on them spelling ‘BRENDON’ in bold letters. Ryan looked at it with wide eyes before he gave the other a disbelieving look.
“This isn’t a part of the contract,” he told Brendon.
“I know but this is something I want you to do. You have to wear it,” Brendon insisted and grabbed Ryan’s wrist to put the bracelet on.
“This is embarrassing! I will not wear that,” Ryan argued as he pulled his arm. Spencer just watched, looking amused.
Ryan fought but Brendon still managed to put the bracelet on. “There, and don’t you dare take that off,” Brendon said. “Consider it your uniform or something,” he added quickly, looking at the floor and restraining a smile. Ryan was wearing a bracelet with his name on it!
“I don’t believe this,” Ryan said looking at the bracelet like it was going to explode anytime.
“Just wear it,” Brendon snapped. “Now my slave, I allow you to spend the first two periods freely as you are not in the same class as me but your work will resume at chemistry where you will help me with...err... everything.”
Ryan rolled his eyes. “I always help you in chemistry with everything.”
“Even so,” Brendon said shrugging. “Now that I left you with directives, I must now go to my first class and expect a happy worker by third period.”
Ryan and Spencer watched with mixed amusement and confusion as Brendon walked down the hallway with his hands in his pocket and skipping merrily every after three steps while the other students turn their heads to his direction.
“He seems happy,” Spencer said.
“He is,” Ryan agreed.
“Before, I was really worried but now that I saw him, I think he’s quite harmless. He seems so in love with you it was too cute,” Spencer said laughing lightly.
“Shut up,” Ryan snapped.
“Was that Brendon Urie bouncing off to somewhere or was it just my head? Again,” William asked as he walked towards Spencer and Ryan.
“It was Brendon,” Spencer answered. He and Ryan turned to the new arrival and were surprised to see William more tired-looking than usual.
“No wonder your head’s playing tricks on you. You look dead,” Ryan told him.
“Thanks but no need to lecture, Ry. I just stayed up a little longer last night. I had a really interesting match,” William said as he rubbed his eyes sleepily. “Do you think Ms. Collins will notice if I skip her class?”
“She will. You’re her favorite student,” Spencer said.
“I guess so,” William agreed sleepily.
It was almost time for class when Patrick finally came to meet them. He had broke into a run to their first class where they were all in, nervously looking around for the teacher who was fortunately summoned to the principal’s office.
“Gabe is a dick,” Patrick announced as he took his seat.
William shook his head. “I thought we’ve established that he’s an asshole? He’s not a dick but a fucking asshole.”
“Dude, what’s the difference?” Patrick asked annoyed.
“I don’t know,” William answered.
“What did he do?” Spencer asked Patrick.
“Well he told me he would show me where he got those limited collectibles of this vintage band. He was supposed to show me last night but he held me up and texted three hours later to say he couldn’t make it because of a ‘family emergency’,” Patrick explained, making air quotes with his fingers. “As if! And this morning I was hunting him because I gave him a copy of this extinct game that he likes but I couldn’t find him! He didn’t hold his end of the deal. Fucking dick,” Patrick ranted.
“Asshole. Gabe is a F-U-C-king asshole,” William repeated.
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“Welcome back my slave,” Brendon greeted as Ryan took his seat beside him.
All morning, Ryan was careful not to show anyone his bracelet by putting his hand in the front pocket of the hoodie which he fortunately chose to wear instead of his pocket-less vest that morning. He had tried to get the bracelet off during the first period but he failed. Apparently, Brendon had had this bracelet custom-made because no one from Spencer, Patrick, or William had ever seen anything like it let alone open it. Ryan sighed deeply.
“Don’t call me that,” he told Brendon seriously who just grinned at him.
“It’s either that or baby which I know you hate,” he said and then glanced at Ryan’s wrist which was hidden inside the hoodie. “Are you hiding the bracelet?”
“No, I’m warming it,” Ryan answered. “Why can’t I get it off?”
Brendon laughed triumphantly. “Because there’s a certain way to open it. I’ll teach you on the night of your last day as my sla-employee.”
Ryan huffed and gave him a tired look. “Whatever.”
The class was a mess as usual, with everyone having their own little worlds in their small groups. In front, Jon was playing the guitar with Ryland while Hayley sang and Gabe... snored. What?
“Looks like Gabe does have moments of rare silence,” Ryan said.
Brendon followed the direction he was looking and then nodded. “He won’t tell me what kept him up all night but don’t mind him. We have a more important matter to discuss.”
“Yeah? What?”
“My chemistry lessons. You’re supposed to give me some, remember?” Brendon asked.
“Oh right,” Ryan said thinking. “How about... Saturdays and Fridays?”
“You are doing this outside the contract. Ms. Roberts asked you to do this so it doesn’t count as ‘work’ and you’ll still do it even after six days,” Brendon told him.
“I know. I still have another two to three weeks to teach you before the exams. Maybe we can start after the class trip,” Ryan suggested.
“At my place,” Brendon added.
Ryan rolled his eyes. “Here we go again.”
“As your boss, I order you to teach me chemistry at my place,” Brendon said in a singsong voice.
“Psshhhh...” Ryan hissed.
“Starting tonight,” Brendon added.
“I have work tonight!”
“I’ll wait. Then we’ll go at my place so you can teach me,” Brendon explained. “We’ll finish early and then I’ll give you a ride home. Spencer’s parents won’t have to worry about anything because we’ll tell them about what Ms. Roberts asked you to do and that I will be giving you a ride home.”
Ryan breathed deeply. His patience was running out fast. “What are the chances that if I say ‘no’, you’ll order me into agreeing anyway so that you can have what you want?”
“Do you want me to answer that? It seems like a rhetorical question.”
A sharp pain at Brendon’s shin made him wince. He glared at Ryan who unflinchingly glared back. He smirked. “Whatever. To answer your question anyway, I order you to teach me chemistry later after your shift at my house. Your work hours end at ten according to the contract right? We’ll be done before then so I won’t be violating your rights.”
Ryan racked his brains for something to retort to this. Why oh why did he agree to this? He did see this coming and yet he chose to be stupid and idiotic... Why? He could think of no answer to his question or to Brendon’s. He breathed deeply and yes, now he knew. The thought that would sustain him through this ordeal would be the contract’s duration. Just six days of suffering and it will all be over. Every passing day would be a countdown to freedom. Six days? He’ll live.
“I still haven’t heard you say ‘yes’ Ryan,” Brendon said snapping his fingers in front of his face rudely.
“Yeah, whatever.” Maybe he won’t.
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After explaining to Spencer about his task after his shift and his cousin’s numerous attempts to dissuade him (and William and Patrick restraining him to prevent him from physically forcing his cousin to go straight home), Ryan left the school with Brendon for the bookshop.
Pete burst singing the chorus of Love fool as soon as Ryan and Brendon entered making Ryan glare at him while Brendon just laughed. He kept on making side comments and mumbling things to Brendon whenever Ryan was out of earshot which earned them eye-rolls and nasty looks from the other. It went on for a several minutes until Pete realized he was late for his night class and dashed out of the door shouting, “Don’t give up! Hard work always pays off!”
The girls from the previous night did not come tonight which meant Ryan had to endure it while Brendon babbled on about stories and other stuff he had given up listening to after the first fifteen minutes.
“You talk a lot,” Ryan told him one time, wishing that a costumer would come in so that he’ll have something else to do other than listen to Brendon.
Brendon who was in the middle of telling Ryan about his last ski trip paused and sneered. “And you don’t talk at all. No wonder nobody at school finds you... sociable.”
“I don’t care much what other people think of me,” Ryan said offhandedly as he rested his chin against his palm on the counter and staring at the shop’s door.
“I already know that,” Brendon said.
“Time is being wasted. Let’s start chemistry here,” Ryan told him.
Brendon raised an eyebrow. “You are working, Ross. You cannot tutor someone while you’re on your shift.”
Ryan massaged his temple. “There are no costumers. I want to get this done already because in case you’ve forgotten, tomorrow will be the school trip and call time is an hour earlier than our first period.”
“Oh yeah,” Brendon said genuinely just having recalled about tomorrow. Bummer. Now he can’t trap Ryan in his basement like he was planning to do. “Then we can make later’s session shorter. Half an hour.”
“That would make the whole thing useless. I can’t teach you anything within thirty minutes,” Ryan said. “Not much.”
“That’s okay. I have to learn something before this trip or else my mind would be on vacation mode before I even memorize anything,” Brendon said.
And so they did go to Brendon’s house. Ryan couldn’t help but remember bits of flashbacks of his last visit here making him feel suddenly awkward. They entered the house with the familiar troupe of Brendon’s servants greeting both of them politely. Brendon’s house still manage to impress him even though it was his second time to be here already.
“Come on Ross,” Brendon called him from the stairs where Ryan not so long ago collapsed on from exhaustion.
“What?” Ryan asked from the living room. He was already thinking of settling on the couch. “Go ahead and change. I’ll wait for you here.”
“We’re not studying there,” Brendon said as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. “We’ll study in my room.”
Ryan stared at him but said nothing. Brendon understood.
“My computer’s upstairs. We’re just studying so don’t worry. You’ll be on your way before nine,” Brendon said smiling before resuming his climb.
Reluctantly, Ryan followed Brendon up the glass stairs. He had almost forgotten how beautiful this house was but seeing it again made Ryan thought that it was even more beautiful than he remembered it. He wondered how it must be like to have everything and so much more. Brendon had everything. Ryan couldn’t think of anything that could possibly worry him. It must be great.
“Put your bag anywhere. I’ll just change my shirt or something,” Brendon said motioning towards the general direction of his bed as they entered the bedroom.
“Okay,” Ryan said while Brendon continued walking towards a door at the far corner of the vast room which Ryan assumed to be a bathroom or a walk-in closet.
The door shut and Brendon disappeared behind it leaving Ryan to observe his bedroom. He felt a little weird at how casual Brendon was acting. This was exactly how Ryan would be treated if he were at William’s or Patrick’s. They did agree to be friends but somehow, he can’t help but feel awkward and tensed.
“Stop being stupid,” Ryan told himself out loud. He walked over to a chair near Brendon’s study table where his computer and stacks of CD’s and lots of other random things were messily scattered. He looked through some of the stuff before putting his bag down.
“Okay,” Brendon said as he reemerged from the door. “I’m ready to become a little smarter.”
He walked over at Ryan’s side and hastily pushed aside the things on his table to make room. Brendon dragged another chair and sat on it, motioning for Ryan to do the same with the chair that was already there.
“Okay. Do you have your notebook with you?” Ryan asked taking a seat and bringing out his notes.
Brendon extracted a notebook and a pen from his school bag and placed them on the table beside Ryan’s. “I do and it doesn’t have much in it.”
“That’s okay. You can copy my notes after I explain them to you. But before that, I need to know what topics you are finding difficulty so that I’ll know where to start.”
Brendon gazed at his ceiling. “Everything?”
“That’s impossible,” Ryan said before opening his notebook. “Here are all the topics we have discussed in class so far. Now which of these do you find hard?”
If this were the tutor his father had hired him sometime ago, Brendon would have said he find chemistry easy and that the he should stop wasting his time but it wasn’t. He was Ryan and Brendon was really glad he sucked at chemistry because now he had a reason to make Ryan stay. He moved his chair closer to Ryan.
“I told you, everything. I think I understood bits and pieces of some of the lectures like that one about acids and bases that we did together but for the most part, everything’s mixed up and too complicated,” Brendon said truthfully.
Ryan sighed and determinedly uncapped his pen. “That’s alright. Since I don’t know how much you understand on the topics, we’ll start with the very first one and work our way to the last.”
Fifteen minutes into the lesson, Brendon couldn’t believe he was actually making sense of the letters and the arrows and the ‘aq’s. It amazed him how Ryan can phrase such complex ideas into simple words easy enough to understand. He was the best teacher Brendon ever had.
They lost track of time and before they knew it, it was already ten past nine but Ryan didn’t mind much. It felt surprisingly rewarding to see Brendon’s progress.
“Is there anything you can’t do?” Brendon asked as he closed his notebook he had just filled with Ryan’s notes.
Ryan smiled. “I can’t fly.”
“That can be arranged,” Brendon said.
Ryan leaned back into a slouching postion and closed his eyes. “I mean fly, like a bird.”
Brendon stared. His study light was casting a peculiar yet warm glow on Ryan’s face. He traced Ryan’s profile with his eyes. Ryan’s hair, eyes, nose, cheeks... lips. Brendon swallowed. He had kissed those lips before and he would give anything to feel them against his own again at this moment. “I’d give you wings if I could.”
Ryan’s eyes snapped open. He looked at the other who was giving him an intense stare.
“Don’t go yet,” Brendon said quickly before Ryan could say anything.
Unsure of what to do, Ryan stayed on his seat but quickly broke eye contact. He could feel his heart rate getting higher while the familiar warmth around his collar and the unsettling feeling in his stomach started to surface. He couldn’t tell whether he was ecstatic or terrified. Maybe both.
Friends, Brendon kept reminding himself but it wasn’t registering anymore. All he knew was the great urge to feel Ryan against him and the awareness of their proximity. Slowly, Brendon reached for Ryan’s face and leaned closer, his eyes hypnotized by the hazel orbs. Ryan’s eyes widened but did not make any effort to struggle when Brendon angled his head to face him. Brendon could feel Ryan’s nerves which excited him all the more.
“Please don’t kill me,” he whispered quickly before completely closing the gap.
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NOTES:
I am alive... but maybe not for long after leaving this chapter there. Next chapter will contain the school trip (or at least the first part of it) and a very... big surprise. I hope you’re all still there...?
Credit to skyline_xx for helping me decide on where the gang will have their school trip. I don’t have any idea of what school trips are like in the US so I thank her for giving me some insights. ^__^
Additional notes:
I have to tell you about my schedule since it explains a lot about how I was gone... Basically, school gets in the way. I am now wondering why my professors always give us exams... it's the only thing they do... and yes, another round of exams next week and the one after that. I'll try my very best to update since I also want to write...
The new fic's first chapter has already been beta-ed but is still untitled. I don't want to post it until I've made up a title for it so... yeah. Maybe I'll post it after JG's ending? XD
That's all... and thanks for the wonderful comments! I'll answer individual comments later...
Author: deadoralive0013
Pairing: Ryden, a bit of Joncer, a bit of Gabilliam (yes… it’s official now)
Rating: PG13
POV: 3rd
Summary: (High school AU) Ryan just wanted to finish high school and make it to college so he worked (sometimes even odd jobs) to save up. When he transferred to Vegas for his final year, he found out that sometimes, money is the least of one’s worries. Like in his case, it was his face.
Excerpt for this chapter:
“You are now my slave,” he said as he shook Ryan’s hand.
“Employee,” Ryan corrected him.
“Whatever. Call it what you want but they all mean the same thing.”
Warnings: Beware. Overused plot. Beware. Straight guy turning gay. Beware! UNBETA-ED!
Beta: lilbunnybooboo thank you! ^__^
Disclaimer: I own the plot but nothing else...
Notes: At the end of each chapter
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19
“What the fuck?” Gabe said as he scrolled down the webpage he loaded on his computer, his eyes narrowed.
On his computer screen was a guy with brown paper bag on his head with a big and very inexpertly drawn smiley face in black marker on it. He was wearing a plain white shirt over a very thin frame while his hand was gracefully positioned to give the finger to the unsuspecting stalker of his page. At the bottom of the picture were four words in bold red letters, equally inexpertly done inWindows Paint.
“I rule you all,” Gabe read shaking his head. This was William Beckett’s Facebook page alright.
He read the profile page with a frown. William’s friends list was full of people with more or less the same picture as him, varying from wearing a very stupid Halloween mask to having a white bedroom blanket tied around the neck to give the effect of being a king or something but like everyone else, only managing to look stupid. If only the dude had chosen a less striking color than bright yellow and pink...
William’s wall was a long spread of exchanges about different games Gabe had never heard of before with people who call themselves names which scream ‘dork’ in twenty different frequencies. He smirked reading through some of them.
You are going down, Dark Prince! was the comment of one ‘KingoftheZombies to which William replied this: ‘I’ll pretend I didn’t read that and save you the humiliation of defeat.’
“This guy is hopeless,” Gabe muttered to himself frowning at the million more messages like it. William was getting threats and challenges here and there in different games. There were also messages of game invites, congratulations, and even game dates.
“A game freak,” Gabe said smiling slightly while he continued to scroll down and explore the eccentric Facebook account.
So what was Gabe doing in William’s Facebook account? He had no idea. He was just checking his own account when a very out-of-the-blue and I-don’t-have-anything-better-to-do idea struck his mind. Because yeah, when you’re on Facebook and no one was commenting on you because they’re all busy falling in love like Brendon and Jon, and all other people were too stoned or too wasted (Ryland, etc.) to post anything interesting, what should you do? Know your enemy of course and Gabe’s first thought at the word ‘enemy’ was William Beckett. And after spending hours ‘knowing’ his enemy, Gabe found out that he can sum up William in one word: gamer. At least for now.
He yawned. It was almost two in the morning after all. He was about to give the page a last look before closing the window when a particular comment made by William caught his eye. It was made about a week ago.
Eat my dust losers. I just got a copy of Left4Dead so you can expect a more spectacular display of gaming prowess in the coming battle. Haha, that’s right. Hide you shameful beasts!
I give credit to a particular person who gave me this game which I would call ‘asshole’. Thank you asshole though you’d probably never know... I’m not thanking you in person anytime soon.
Gabe both laughed and interjected ‘damn you’ after reading the message. William was right, he would have never known had he not taken the time to search his account on Facebook and read through a thousand comments on the wall.
“You thought wrong,” he said and continued reading William’s wall, all plans of shutting his computer off and going to sleep forgotten. Pshh... 2 am? He had stayed up a lot later than this.
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“What’s Mt. Charleston like?”
Spencer shrugged before looking up from his laptop where he had been busy typing his paper, doing some research and downloading music. “I don’t know. Like a mountain I guess,” he answered uncertainly.
Ryan nodded his face unreadable as usual. He paused, thinking about whether to ask Spencer more questions before deciding that he’ll do it later and go back to his own homework instead. Spencer sensed it.
“I’ve never been to that place before but I can do a quick search on the net,” he told Ryan.
His cousin smiled before walking over behind Spencer to look at the computer screen. Spencer clicked the pictures and sites that had descriptions of Mt. Charleston to let Ryan look and read through them.
“You seem like you’re looking forward to the school trip,” he commented as Ryan continued to go through the pictures.
Ryan smiled shyly. “Yeah. I know it’s kind of stupid to feel all excited about a field trip but it’s been a while since I went on a trip,” he said rubbing the back of his neck.
The last time Ryan went on a trip, he was in preschool and it was in a zoo. Ryan couldn’t remember much of it except that he saw lots of cages and for reasons he couldn’t remember, he was sure he felt really happy. Those were the times that Ryan’s parents were still alive and as much as Ryan hated himself for being so young and forgetting everything, the feeling of unexplainable happiness remained with him through the years and gave him a faint idea of how it must have been living with his parents.
Since the accident, Ryan never got the enthusiasm for going out anymore so he convinced Lisa to let him not join the school trips. She was worried Ryan was withdrawing himself from the world but he told her not to worry. He’d have to use the money in more important things anyway.
“Don’t be ridiculous. That’s perfectly okay,” Spencer said. “I feel a little excited myself.”
Ryan closed the windows about Mt. Charleston and went back to Spencer’s study table where he left his unfinished homework so that his cousin can go back to his own homework. “Would be greater if I were going there without having to be Brendon’s PA.”
Spencer raised an eyebrow. “You’re working for him during the school trip? That’s...”
Ryan sighed. “Exactly. I received the final draft of my working contract earlier and I’m signing it tomorrow morning, then I’ll officially start work. Six days and my debt will be paid. Sadly though, the school trip days will be included in it.”
Spencer blinked. He didn’t know how to react at knowing that his cousin actually agreed to be some sort of worker for Brendon and if actually having a contract for it was a good thing. He decided it was a good thing since he was betting it was Ryan who wanted the contract. That’s all he needed to know. For now.
“Can’t you ask him if you can sign the contract after the school trip so you can enjoy it as a free man?” Spencer asked putting the laptop aside. He’ll ask about what work Ryan will do later.
“I’ve thought of doing that but Brendon has made it clear in the contract that he wants me working immediately,” Ryan answered.
“But that’s unfair,” Spencer protested. “You should have a say when you want to work.”
“That’s right and the contract said I can choose to postpone the start of my ‘employment’ but for everyday that I choose to delay it, twelve additional hours will be added to the six days,” Ryan explained indifferently. “And in case you’re wondering what he’ll have me do, it was stated in the contract that it will be ranging from clerical, to educational, to accompaniment, and others that will not involve life threatening situations or degradation of human dignity.”
Okay, that sounded safe, Spencer thought. But considering that this was Brendon they were talking about, one can never be sure. “Sounds like Urie will take this opportunity to take advantage of the situation, A.K.A. ‘you’. I feel bad about this,” Spencer said seriously. “I don’t think you should sign it.”
Ryan laughed a little. “The moment I found out Brendon paid for my school trip, I knew he had been thinking about something like this happening. He knew I wouldn’t let him pay for my trip with just a ‘thank you’ and he was right. I told him I’ll work for him and honestly, I don’t mind if I start today or tomorrow or during the school trip. The sooner I start it, the faster this will be over.”
Spencer scratched the back of his head. “If you knew Brendon was planning something, why didn’t you do anything to avoid it? Why agree to a contract even?”
Ryan shrugged. “I see no reason why I shouldn’t work my debt off. However way I look at it, I think I’ll get more from the deal than Brendon ever will. I have no way to repay him too so really, it’s my only option. And the contract was my idea. It may seem scary to sign a contract but if you think about it, the contract can also protect the employee as long as it is worded fair and clear. I reread Brendon’s contract at least four times and I don’t think he’ll be able to pull anything funny with it.”
Spencer still looked unconvinced. “I don’t know Ry. It’s Brendon we are talking about. He has a thing for you and he has a reputation for getting what he wants.”
He nodded understandingly. Despite thinking through the situation a dozen times and convincing himself that it was a good idea, Ryan arrived at the same conclusion as Spencer. He read the contract and it was obvious that Brendon knew a lot about workers’ contracts than him which put Ryan in a risky position. There were items that Ryan couldn’t decide if he should worry about or not but for the most part, Ryan thought it would do. But no matter how many times the contract was read and revised, it all boiled down to one thing only. That was whether to trust Brendon or not and as logical and rational as Ryan was, he found himself trusting Brendon. He’d have to kick himself in the head if this decision brought him to a situation he’ll regret.
“I know,” he told his cousin. “But what else can he do? Push me off a cliff? There’s nothing Brendon could think of that could be worse than what he already done to me.”
Spencer frowned. “Just be careful.”
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Brendon could barely contain the happiness when Ryan returned the final draft that night with a PS saying he’d sign it tomorrow. Imaginary confetti was everywhere in his mind with his victory song playing in the background because what could be better? Seriously, it was like Ryan had agreed to marry him or something.
It was already five in the morning and Brendon spent all night listing down possible things to make Ryan do starting tomorrow. He smiled goofily at the paper as he wrote down ‘help me find a present for Jon’, imagining the many possible ways he could make it look like an innocent gift-hunt and then drag Ryan to the movie house or better yet, his home theater downstairs. This along with the sixty-seven other things he had thought of were more or less designed to make Ryan spend more time with him but Brendon made sure that he abided by the damn contract.
Brendon bit the tip of his pen while thinking of other things to add to his list. He shrugged before scribbling down ‘help me find a present for Gabe’. Gabe’s birthday wasn’t for another two months but hey, Jon’s was a month ago.
“Bren?” a voice called from the other side of his bedroom door followed by a knocking sound.
Brendon smiled before getting up from his bed and opening the door. Zack’s tired face came into view, his eye bags angrily bulging from lack of sleep.
“I got you the dog,” Zack announced.
“Good. Put it in the basement or wherever,” Brendon said.
“Okay. Anything else?” Zack asked wondering how in the world this kid can stay up all night and still manage to smile. What was he doing in his room and what was he up to?
Brendon rubbed his chin. “Do you still have that flash drive with a gazillion viruses in it?”
“I think so, why?” he asked confused.
Brendon smiled. “Bring it to me.”
“In case the lack of sleep has gotten to you, I would just like to remind you that the viruses will destroy your computer,” Zack said.
He laughed. “Exactly! It will ruin my hard drive and it will need reformatting and those kinds of shit the programmer does for me!”
“Should I call him?” Zack asked completely lost.
Brendon placed a hand on Zack’s shoulder. “Just do as I say my friend. I already got a person to fix everything.”
Oh this will be fun.
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The zombies are closing in. His companions were two floors down. He really should feel panicked by now but he had been in this exact same situation many times before. He knew what to do. Just as the suckers were rushing in from all directions, he brought out the weapon he had been saving for times like this. He lit the dynamite and threw it to the horde which was blasted into pieces in a blink of an eye.
“Eat that!” William exclaimed throwing his fist to the air before exiting the game network with another victorious night.
He was back at his desktop which was littered with shortcuts to different online games. William was about to open another one when his messenger popped up a window with a message from a person he never talked to before. He smiled at the message.
Play with me.
It wasn’t the first time he got an anonymous message for a game challenge. Like all the others, nakedCOBRA must have found out about him from one of the gaming forums he was a member of. He was making a reputation for himself in the gaming world and challengers were seeking him out. Might as well give what these losers want...
I don’t know where you found my messenger ID but alright. I have to warn you though, I’m quite a handful. You might not be able to keep up.
It was barely a moment when nakedCOBRA typed in a reply.
I’m sure I can handle it. It’s YOU I’m worried about.
“Really,” William said out loud. He snorted at the other’s confidence while he typed in his reply.
Server 22. The name is Santi. You’ve been warned.
He smirked satisfied at his reply. He had just accepted a game challenge from this person, probably the seventh one this night but William felt like something was different about this challenger.
Pleasure, Santi. Wait for nakedCOBRA and... just bring it.
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It was things like this that had to be videotaped.
Brendon watched each movement Ryan did as his hand carefully scribbled a barely readable signature on the contract he printed last night. Barely two seconds and the contract was sealed. He extended his arm to Ryan.
“You are now my slave,” he said as he shook Ryan’s hand.
“Employee,” Ryan corrected him.
“Whatever. Call it what you want but they all mean the same thing.”
It was still early and the school corridors were wide and clear save for Ryan, Brendon, Spencer, and a few other people who had nothing else better to do than to go to school early.
“As a symbol of your employment I will require you to wear this,” Brendon said as he extracted from his pocket a red, flat rubber bracelet with seven pieces of black and white cubic beads with letters on them spelling ‘BRENDON’ in bold letters. Ryan looked at it with wide eyes before he gave the other a disbelieving look.
“This isn’t a part of the contract,” he told Brendon.
“I know but this is something I want you to do. You have to wear it,” Brendon insisted and grabbed Ryan’s wrist to put the bracelet on.
“This is embarrassing! I will not wear that,” Ryan argued as he pulled his arm. Spencer just watched, looking amused.
Ryan fought but Brendon still managed to put the bracelet on. “There, and don’t you dare take that off,” Brendon said. “Consider it your uniform or something,” he added quickly, looking at the floor and restraining a smile. Ryan was wearing a bracelet with his name on it!
“I don’t believe this,” Ryan said looking at the bracelet like it was going to explode anytime.
“Just wear it,” Brendon snapped. “Now my slave, I allow you to spend the first two periods freely as you are not in the same class as me but your work will resume at chemistry where you will help me with...err... everything.”
Ryan rolled his eyes. “I always help you in chemistry with everything.”
“Even so,” Brendon said shrugging. “Now that I left you with directives, I must now go to my first class and expect a happy worker by third period.”
Ryan and Spencer watched with mixed amusement and confusion as Brendon walked down the hallway with his hands in his pocket and skipping merrily every after three steps while the other students turn their heads to his direction.
“He seems happy,” Spencer said.
“He is,” Ryan agreed.
“Before, I was really worried but now that I saw him, I think he’s quite harmless. He seems so in love with you it was too cute,” Spencer said laughing lightly.
“Shut up,” Ryan snapped.
“Was that Brendon Urie bouncing off to somewhere or was it just my head? Again,” William asked as he walked towards Spencer and Ryan.
“It was Brendon,” Spencer answered. He and Ryan turned to the new arrival and were surprised to see William more tired-looking than usual.
“No wonder your head’s playing tricks on you. You look dead,” Ryan told him.
“Thanks but no need to lecture, Ry. I just stayed up a little longer last night. I had a really interesting match,” William said as he rubbed his eyes sleepily. “Do you think Ms. Collins will notice if I skip her class?”
“She will. You’re her favorite student,” Spencer said.
“I guess so,” William agreed sleepily.
It was almost time for class when Patrick finally came to meet them. He had broke into a run to their first class where they were all in, nervously looking around for the teacher who was fortunately summoned to the principal’s office.
“Gabe is a dick,” Patrick announced as he took his seat.
William shook his head. “I thought we’ve established that he’s an asshole? He’s not a dick but a fucking asshole.”
“Dude, what’s the difference?” Patrick asked annoyed.
“I don’t know,” William answered.
“What did he do?” Spencer asked Patrick.
“Well he told me he would show me where he got those limited collectibles of this vintage band. He was supposed to show me last night but he held me up and texted three hours later to say he couldn’t make it because of a ‘family emergency’,” Patrick explained, making air quotes with his fingers. “As if! And this morning I was hunting him because I gave him a copy of this extinct game that he likes but I couldn’t find him! He didn’t hold his end of the deal. Fucking dick,” Patrick ranted.
“Asshole. Gabe is a F-U-C-king asshole,” William repeated.
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“Welcome back my slave,” Brendon greeted as Ryan took his seat beside him.
All morning, Ryan was careful not to show anyone his bracelet by putting his hand in the front pocket of the hoodie which he fortunately chose to wear instead of his pocket-less vest that morning. He had tried to get the bracelet off during the first period but he failed. Apparently, Brendon had had this bracelet custom-made because no one from Spencer, Patrick, or William had ever seen anything like it let alone open it. Ryan sighed deeply.
“Don’t call me that,” he told Brendon seriously who just grinned at him.
“It’s either that or baby which I know you hate,” he said and then glanced at Ryan’s wrist which was hidden inside the hoodie. “Are you hiding the bracelet?”
“No, I’m warming it,” Ryan answered. “Why can’t I get it off?”
Brendon laughed triumphantly. “Because there’s a certain way to open it. I’ll teach you on the night of your last day as my sla-employee.”
Ryan huffed and gave him a tired look. “Whatever.”
The class was a mess as usual, with everyone having their own little worlds in their small groups. In front, Jon was playing the guitar with Ryland while Hayley sang and Gabe... snored. What?
“Looks like Gabe does have moments of rare silence,” Ryan said.
Brendon followed the direction he was looking and then nodded. “He won’t tell me what kept him up all night but don’t mind him. We have a more important matter to discuss.”
“Yeah? What?”
“My chemistry lessons. You’re supposed to give me some, remember?” Brendon asked.
“Oh right,” Ryan said thinking. “How about... Saturdays and Fridays?”
“You are doing this outside the contract. Ms. Roberts asked you to do this so it doesn’t count as ‘work’ and you’ll still do it even after six days,” Brendon told him.
“I know. I still have another two to three weeks to teach you before the exams. Maybe we can start after the class trip,” Ryan suggested.
“At my place,” Brendon added.
Ryan rolled his eyes. “Here we go again.”
“As your boss, I order you to teach me chemistry at my place,” Brendon said in a singsong voice.
“Psshhhh...” Ryan hissed.
“Starting tonight,” Brendon added.
“I have work tonight!”
“I’ll wait. Then we’ll go at my place so you can teach me,” Brendon explained. “We’ll finish early and then I’ll give you a ride home. Spencer’s parents won’t have to worry about anything because we’ll tell them about what Ms. Roberts asked you to do and that I will be giving you a ride home.”
Ryan breathed deeply. His patience was running out fast. “What are the chances that if I say ‘no’, you’ll order me into agreeing anyway so that you can have what you want?”
“Do you want me to answer that? It seems like a rhetorical question.”
A sharp pain at Brendon’s shin made him wince. He glared at Ryan who unflinchingly glared back. He smirked. “Whatever. To answer your question anyway, I order you to teach me chemistry later after your shift at my house. Your work hours end at ten according to the contract right? We’ll be done before then so I won’t be violating your rights.”
Ryan racked his brains for something to retort to this. Why oh why did he agree to this? He did see this coming and yet he chose to be stupid and idiotic... Why? He could think of no answer to his question or to Brendon’s. He breathed deeply and yes, now he knew. The thought that would sustain him through this ordeal would be the contract’s duration. Just six days of suffering and it will all be over. Every passing day would be a countdown to freedom. Six days? He’ll live.
“I still haven’t heard you say ‘yes’ Ryan,” Brendon said snapping his fingers in front of his face rudely.
“Yeah, whatever.” Maybe he won’t.
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After explaining to Spencer about his task after his shift and his cousin’s numerous attempts to dissuade him (and William and Patrick restraining him to prevent him from physically forcing his cousin to go straight home), Ryan left the school with Brendon for the bookshop.
Pete burst singing the chorus of Love fool as soon as Ryan and Brendon entered making Ryan glare at him while Brendon just laughed. He kept on making side comments and mumbling things to Brendon whenever Ryan was out of earshot which earned them eye-rolls and nasty looks from the other. It went on for a several minutes until Pete realized he was late for his night class and dashed out of the door shouting, “Don’t give up! Hard work always pays off!”
The girls from the previous night did not come tonight which meant Ryan had to endure it while Brendon babbled on about stories and other stuff he had given up listening to after the first fifteen minutes.
“You talk a lot,” Ryan told him one time, wishing that a costumer would come in so that he’ll have something else to do other than listen to Brendon.
Brendon who was in the middle of telling Ryan about his last ski trip paused and sneered. “And you don’t talk at all. No wonder nobody at school finds you... sociable.”
“I don’t care much what other people think of me,” Ryan said offhandedly as he rested his chin against his palm on the counter and staring at the shop’s door.
“I already know that,” Brendon said.
“Time is being wasted. Let’s start chemistry here,” Ryan told him.
Brendon raised an eyebrow. “You are working, Ross. You cannot tutor someone while you’re on your shift.”
Ryan massaged his temple. “There are no costumers. I want to get this done already because in case you’ve forgotten, tomorrow will be the school trip and call time is an hour earlier than our first period.”
“Oh yeah,” Brendon said genuinely just having recalled about tomorrow. Bummer. Now he can’t trap Ryan in his basement like he was planning to do. “Then we can make later’s session shorter. Half an hour.”
“That would make the whole thing useless. I can’t teach you anything within thirty minutes,” Ryan said. “Not much.”
“That’s okay. I have to learn something before this trip or else my mind would be on vacation mode before I even memorize anything,” Brendon said.
And so they did go to Brendon’s house. Ryan couldn’t help but remember bits of flashbacks of his last visit here making him feel suddenly awkward. They entered the house with the familiar troupe of Brendon’s servants greeting both of them politely. Brendon’s house still manage to impress him even though it was his second time to be here already.
“Come on Ross,” Brendon called him from the stairs where Ryan not so long ago collapsed on from exhaustion.
“What?” Ryan asked from the living room. He was already thinking of settling on the couch. “Go ahead and change. I’ll wait for you here.”
“We’re not studying there,” Brendon said as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. “We’ll study in my room.”
Ryan stared at him but said nothing. Brendon understood.
“My computer’s upstairs. We’re just studying so don’t worry. You’ll be on your way before nine,” Brendon said smiling before resuming his climb.
Reluctantly, Ryan followed Brendon up the glass stairs. He had almost forgotten how beautiful this house was but seeing it again made Ryan thought that it was even more beautiful than he remembered it. He wondered how it must be like to have everything and so much more. Brendon had everything. Ryan couldn’t think of anything that could possibly worry him. It must be great.
“Put your bag anywhere. I’ll just change my shirt or something,” Brendon said motioning towards the general direction of his bed as they entered the bedroom.
“Okay,” Ryan said while Brendon continued walking towards a door at the far corner of the vast room which Ryan assumed to be a bathroom or a walk-in closet.
The door shut and Brendon disappeared behind it leaving Ryan to observe his bedroom. He felt a little weird at how casual Brendon was acting. This was exactly how Ryan would be treated if he were at William’s or Patrick’s. They did agree to be friends but somehow, he can’t help but feel awkward and tensed.
“Stop being stupid,” Ryan told himself out loud. He walked over to a chair near Brendon’s study table where his computer and stacks of CD’s and lots of other random things were messily scattered. He looked through some of the stuff before putting his bag down.
“Okay,” Brendon said as he reemerged from the door. “I’m ready to become a little smarter.”
He walked over at Ryan’s side and hastily pushed aside the things on his table to make room. Brendon dragged another chair and sat on it, motioning for Ryan to do the same with the chair that was already there.
“Okay. Do you have your notebook with you?” Ryan asked taking a seat and bringing out his notes.
Brendon extracted a notebook and a pen from his school bag and placed them on the table beside Ryan’s. “I do and it doesn’t have much in it.”
“That’s okay. You can copy my notes after I explain them to you. But before that, I need to know what topics you are finding difficulty so that I’ll know where to start.”
Brendon gazed at his ceiling. “Everything?”
“That’s impossible,” Ryan said before opening his notebook. “Here are all the topics we have discussed in class so far. Now which of these do you find hard?”
If this were the tutor his father had hired him sometime ago, Brendon would have said he find chemistry easy and that the he should stop wasting his time but it wasn’t. He was Ryan and Brendon was really glad he sucked at chemistry because now he had a reason to make Ryan stay. He moved his chair closer to Ryan.
“I told you, everything. I think I understood bits and pieces of some of the lectures like that one about acids and bases that we did together but for the most part, everything’s mixed up and too complicated,” Brendon said truthfully.
Ryan sighed and determinedly uncapped his pen. “That’s alright. Since I don’t know how much you understand on the topics, we’ll start with the very first one and work our way to the last.”
Fifteen minutes into the lesson, Brendon couldn’t believe he was actually making sense of the letters and the arrows and the ‘aq’s. It amazed him how Ryan can phrase such complex ideas into simple words easy enough to understand. He was the best teacher Brendon ever had.
They lost track of time and before they knew it, it was already ten past nine but Ryan didn’t mind much. It felt surprisingly rewarding to see Brendon’s progress.
“Is there anything you can’t do?” Brendon asked as he closed his notebook he had just filled with Ryan’s notes.
Ryan smiled. “I can’t fly.”
“That can be arranged,” Brendon said.
Ryan leaned back into a slouching postion and closed his eyes. “I mean fly, like a bird.”
Brendon stared. His study light was casting a peculiar yet warm glow on Ryan’s face. He traced Ryan’s profile with his eyes. Ryan’s hair, eyes, nose, cheeks... lips. Brendon swallowed. He had kissed those lips before and he would give anything to feel them against his own again at this moment. “I’d give you wings if I could.”
Ryan’s eyes snapped open. He looked at the other who was giving him an intense stare.
“Don’t go yet,” Brendon said quickly before Ryan could say anything.
Unsure of what to do, Ryan stayed on his seat but quickly broke eye contact. He could feel his heart rate getting higher while the familiar warmth around his collar and the unsettling feeling in his stomach started to surface. He couldn’t tell whether he was ecstatic or terrified. Maybe both.
Friends, Brendon kept reminding himself but it wasn’t registering anymore. All he knew was the great urge to feel Ryan against him and the awareness of their proximity. Slowly, Brendon reached for Ryan’s face and leaned closer, his eyes hypnotized by the hazel orbs. Ryan’s eyes widened but did not make any effort to struggle when Brendon angled his head to face him. Brendon could feel Ryan’s nerves which excited him all the more.
“Please don’t kill me,” he whispered quickly before completely closing the gap.
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NOTES:
I am alive... but maybe not for long after leaving this chapter there. Next chapter will contain the school trip (or at least the first part of it) and a very... big surprise. I hope you’re all still there...?
Credit to skyline_xx for helping me decide on where the gang will have their school trip. I don’t have any idea of what school trips are like in the US so I thank her for giving me some insights. ^__^
Additional notes:
I have to tell you about my schedule since it explains a lot about how I was gone... Basically, school gets in the way. I am now wondering why my professors always give us exams... it's the only thing they do... and yes, another round of exams next week and the one after that. I'll try my very best to update since I also want to write...
The new fic's first chapter has already been beta-ed but is still untitled. I don't want to post it until I've made up a title for it so... yeah. Maybe I'll post it after JG's ending? XD
That's all... and thanks for the wonderful comments! I'll answer individual comments later...