Ryan had been looking forward to going out with Pete, especially when he'd suggested they go to this new bar, Jinxxd, but now that he's here and he's seen him, he just wants to go home. Seeing him here, sitting with the slimeball he'd been sleeping with while they were still together, makes him feel like he's about to throw up.

Pete and Ryan somehow manage to snag a barstool each, sitting close together so that they can be heard over the music. Ryan still has his eyes on Brendon, and Pete, who's talking about something that happened at work, eventually realises that his attention is elsewhere. He glances over, shooting Ryan a confused look. "Who's that? Not eyeing up other boys I hope?" He's joking, but the thought of Pete being jealous that he's looking at other guys makes Ryan finally tear his eyes away from the happy couple.

"I wish," he says, gently brushing his knuckles against Pete's stubbled jaw. "You're the only one I've been looking at."

"You're so cute." He takes Ryan's hand, kissing his palm. "So if you aren't staring at them because you wanna make out with them, then who are they?"

"That would be my ex-boyfriend and the man that he cheated on me with." His jaw clenches, his nostrils thinking as he thinks about it.

Pete whistles. "Seriously? Which one? The one on the left?" Ryan nods. "Huh. You're better looking than that other guy, that's for sure."

"I'm sure you're biased, Pete."

Pete hums, shrugging, as he leans over and connects their mouths, kissing him slowly and passionately. He pulls Ryan from the barstool to stand between his legs, his arms around the younger's waist. Ryan moans into his mouth, his fingers playing with the ends of Pete's ponytail, and even though he knows that Brendon is still staring at him, he feels all tingly, the sensation spreading right to his fingertips. Kissing Pete like this makes him feel good. So good, in fact, all he wants to do now is take him into the bathroom and give him a quick blowjob.

He decides against it, though, because there's alcohol to drink and dancing to be done, and unfortunately, air that needs breathing. They break apart, and Ryan's so breathless that he feels almost dizzy as he sets himself back onto his barstool, but not before he's whispered obscenities into Pete's ear. Pete inhales sharply, muttering something that sounds like I'll hold you to that, Ryan Ross, and when he looks over at Brendon again, he's looked away, talking to his fiancé. But Ryan sees the hard line of his mouth, the way his jaw is clenched. He knows those signs better than anybody: Brendon is jealous. And making Brendon, his ex-boyfriend, jealous makes him feel higher than any drug could.

~~~

Ryan's outside smoking when Brendon steps out onto the balcony, lighting his own cigarette. He sees Ryan and stops, looking at Ryan and then away and then back again, before taking the cigarette from his mouth.

"Ryan." he says, his voice clipped.

Ryan's face is expressionless, although Brendon does see the ever-so-slight arch of an eyebrow. "Brendon." He replies, just as curtly.

He's preparing himself for whatever insults or mean comments Brendon feels like making, as he smokes in silence, avoiding eye contact. He's just about to make some benign small talk when Pete comes to the rescue, walking over and grabbing a handful of his ass as he kisses him deeply.

"Hey, gorgeous," says Pete, taking Ryan's cigarette and putting it in his own mouth.

"Hey, yourself," Ryan smiles, running a hand through the elder's hair. Then he suddenly remembers Brendon stood there, and he clears his throat. "Um, babe, this is Brendon," he gestures towards his ex, and he doesn't miss the arch of Pete's eyebrows as he looks him up and down. "my ex-boyfriend." He winces and hopes that nobody sees. "Brendon, this is Pete, my boyfriend."

They aren't boyfriends, of course, but Ryan figures that it'll make Brendon more jealous if he sees that he's got another boyfriend, instead of just sleeping with his boss. He's not sure yet why he wants to make Brendon jealous, but he'll figure it out. For now, he's just thinking about getting out of this awkward conversation, and maybe riding Pete's cock at some point tonight.

"Good to meetcha," Pete says, holding out a hand for Brendon to shake, still keeping a hold of Ryan's ass as he does so.

"You too," Brendon replies, shaking Pete's hand, and then he thrusts his chin in the air, a look Ryan knows all too well. That's Brendon's I think Ryan's lying to me and I'm going to prove it look, and it always, without fail, drives Ryan up the fucking wall. "How long have you two been together?"

"Almost a year," Pete answers before Ryan can speak, taking a drag of the cigarette. Ryan's glad that Pete's taking charge of the conversation - he feels like he's going to faint. Seeing your ex for the first time in two years is one thing, but immediately introducing him to your new 'boyfriend' is enough to make him want to jump over the railing, even if he does break his foot. "We met on the subway; the seat next to Ry's was the only one left, and dude, it was love at first sight."

"Uh-huh..." Brendon folds his arms, tapping ash into a nearby beer can. "And then what?"

Pete shrugs, kissing Ryan's temple. "I just had to have Ry-Ry's number, didn't I, baby?" Ryan nods dumbly; Pete's such a good liar, even he kind of believes that that's how they met. "He wasn't sure at first - apparently he's not had someone ask for his number on public transport, can you imagine? - but I can be incredibly persuasive, and we went on our first date thirteen hours later."

"Huh." Brendon nods slowly, finishing his cigarette before straightening his shirt. Then he looks behind Pete and Ryan, his face breaking into a grin. "Hey, baby!"

Ryan's blood runs cold as Dallon comes into view, giving Brendon a large, wet peck on the cheek. He's met Dallon before, but it doesn't mean he's eager to see him again. The first time they met, it hadn't even been a week since he and Brendon had broken up, and Ryan was at the store, trying to decide on vodka and rum, when he'd heard Brendon's voice and turned around to see him walk down the aisle, hand in hand with Dallon.

Ryan had flipped out, causing a scene, and Dallon had said something along the lines of wow that's a lotta crazy, no wonder you left him, B which caused Ryan to punch him in the face. He hadn't seen either of them since. Which is absolutely a good thing.

"Hey, I was wondering where you'd got -" Dallon stops, his eyes meeting Ryan's as Ryan's jaw hardens. Pete's arm tightens around Ryan's waist, as if he's worried Ryan's going to launch himself across the balcony. "- to." Dallon nods once, sharply, standing close to Brendon. "Ryan."

Ryan says nothing as he stares down the only man he hates more than himself. He fucking knows it's Brendon he should be mad at; after all, Brendon was the one in a relationship when he cheated. But no matter how ugly their fights got, Ryan still sometimes misses sleeping next to Brendon. Only sometimes. Like once a month. And besides, if Dallon didn't exist, Brendon wouldn't have cheated. It's simple, really.

Dallon rolls his eyes and turns to Pete, holding his hand out. "Hi, I don't believe we've met. I'm Dallon, Brendon's fiancé." He emphasises the word to make sure Ryan knows who he's dealing with, but Ryan's not listening; it's taking all of his self-control for him to not punch Brendon's stupid fiancé in the face.

And Pete, the people-pleaser he is, shakes Dallon's hand, smiling warmly. "Hey, I'm Pete. I'm Ryan's fiancé."

Ryan hears this, though, and he spins to look at Pete with wide eyes just as Brendon shouts what?!. "Pete?" he whispers, but he gets a wicked grin in return as his boss gets down on one knee.

"Ryan Ross. I am a firm believer in taking chances, but I want you to be the one to take a chance on me. Will you do me the honor of making me the happiest man in the world and being my husband?"

It's fake, it's all so, so fake, yet Ryan can't help but feel breathless as he nods. "Yes! Fuck yes!" He cries, flinging himself at Pete and wrapping his arms around him. "I hate you," he murmurs into Pete's ear, feeling the older man chuckle against him.

They break apart and get to their feet, looking around to see that Brendon and Dallon are nowhere to be seen. Ryan turns to face Pete, who crushes his mouth against his own, holding him as close as he can possibly get.

"You," he says, moving his mouth to Ryan's ear, feeling him shiver. "are in big trouble, Ryan Ross."

Ryan giggles, biting down on his lower lip. He's very tipsy, his head swimming with alcohol, which gives him the confidence boost that he wouldn't ordinarily have. That, combined with the adrenaline rush he's got from seeing Brendon after all this time, makes him feel high. He flutters his eyelashes at his new fake fiancé, in an attempt to be flirtatious. He's not sure if it's working or not. "Are you going to punish me?"

Pete almost growls, kissing Ryan again, making him dizzy with want. He breaks the kiss long enough to say don't fucking tempt me, you idiot, before they go back to making out as if the world's going to end in five minutes. To Ryan, calling Pete his fiancé (however fake it may be) has felt like a big fuck you to Brendon. He hopes it hurts.