When the sun shines, we'll shine together

Told you I'll be here forever

Said I'll always be your friend

Took an oath, I'ma stick it out 'til the end

~~~

"What you doing, B?" Spencer walked into the living room to see Brendon wrapped in a blanket, scribbling fiercely into a notebook. He quickly snapped the book shut and looked up at Spencer.

"Oh, hey Spence. I didn't know you were home." Spencer chuckled and threw off his jacket.

"I just got back. What were you writing?" Brendon looked down at his lap with a blush. Spencer couldn't help to snicker at the reaction. "You wouldn't happen to be writing about a certain someone now, would you?" Brendon clutched the book close to his chest, eyes staying down and his face only getting more red. Spencer sat beside Brendon and pushed him with the side of his shoulder, giving out a laugh.

"God, you've turned into such a softie."

"Shut up," Brendon muttered.

"Do I get to see?" Brendon shook his head.

"What? Why not? I thought I was your best friend."

"You are. I just don't want anyone to see."

"Fine," Spencer pouted. "Is it a song?"

"Maybe." Spencer grinned and leaned back on the couch. He crossed his arms behind his head and looked up at the ceiling. He let out a soft content sigh at the fact that Brendon was writing more. The brief thought came to his mind that maybe this would change things.

"No fair," he let out casually. "Why do artists always write about their lovers? What about the best friends? We deserve songs dedicated to us too." Brendon laughed and leaned back next to his friend.

"How do you know I haven't already written something for you?"

"Really?!" Spencer shot up straight and turned to the other. "Show me!" Brendon bit his lip to contain his laughter. "You're such a liar," Spencer huffed in disappointment, his posture slouching forward.

"Sorry bud."

"You know what, you owe me a song." Brendon nodded with a smile.

"Alright."

"I mean it. You can't leave unless I get my song and I want it to be fast. No, slow! And maybe have some awesome guitar in the chorus. No never mind, I want it to be played on the piano." Brendon nodded along as Spencer kept throwing suggestions at him only to change his mind and give a complete opposite idea.

"I miss you," Brendon eventually said, cutting off Spencer's endless ideas. He turned to his friend with a confused look on his face.

"What do you mean? We're always together whenever Ryan isn't around." Brendon shrugged and looked away.

"I know. It's just," he stopped to let out a soft sigh. "Ever since Ryan found out, we haven't spent any real time together." Spencer gave a sad smile, but didn't deny the fact.

"It's alright." Brendon shook his head. "It is. With everything happening, I understand. It's not like you're gone yet anyway." Brendon let out a small sniffle.

"But we're running out of time." Spencer couldn't look at Brendon, knowing that his emotions would get the better of him if he did.

"Let's do something today then. You and me, just like old times." Brendon perked up at the suggestion.

"What did you have in mind?" Spencer thought for a moment before a wide smile spread over his face.

"Well... It is Saturday." Brendon jumped to his feet, or well he tried but it ended up looking like slowly steady moves in his weakened body.

"I'll go get ready." Spencer couldn't stop smiling at Brendon's excitement even as he helped Brendon change his clothes. They got into the car ready to jam out.

After about an hour out, the pair were back at the apartment with a few bags of chips, soda cans, two large pizzas, wings and breadsticks. They sat in front of the tv with their snacks surrounding them. They each had a controller in their hand, staring at the screen in anticipation as Mario on a go cart rode onto the screen.

"Prepare to get your ass whooped."

"Pfft. Whatever. Remember that when you lose, you can't go crying to your mommy this time." The friends spent hours racing each other, eating and laughing together. Whenever Brendon would start losing, he'd push Spencer to make him jerk and drive off the road. At times like that, Brendon would get lucky enough to speed passed the finish line first. He'd throw his hands up in victory, ready to gloat.

"No fair! You cheater!"

"Or you just suck," Brendon smirked as he munched on the crust of a pizza.

"Alright, rainbow road next. Let's see who sucks after that." The time slipped by as they continued playing. Their snacks shrunk to a half opened bag of chips, a few pizza crusts and some stray wings.

They were in the middle of a tournament when Brendon stopped and lowered his controller. He hunched over slowly and clutched an arm over his stomach. When Spencer noticed, he ignored the race, letting the computer players pass him.

"Brendon, what's wrong?"

"Ba.. bathroom," he whispered. Spencer tossed his controller aside and helped Brendon up and guided him to the bathroom. Brendon collapsed in front of the toilet and let out the content of his stomach into the porcelain bowl. Spencer rubbed his back, a worried grimace on his face.

Brendon groaned as his stomach continued to contract. Tears involuntarily streamed down his face. His muscles ached the longer he kneeled on the floor. Eventually, he only dry heaved into the toilet, the remainder of his energy draining. He shut his eyes and placed his arms over the seat.

"Fuck," he mumbled when his body finally stopped pushing.

"You alright?" Brendon nodded and rested his forehead on his forearm. He spat a few time and stayed in the same position until he could catch his breath. Spencer helped Brendon back to his feet and led him to the sink. Brendon slumped forward and rinsed his mouth.

"Let's get you to bed." Brendon was ready to protest but decided against it, knowing Spencer wouldn't be in the mood to keep playing. He leaned against him as they walked. He welcomed the relief in his body when he laid down on his bed.

"I'll go get you some water. I'll be back." Brendon grabbed the blanket and pulled it over himself to suppress the chill running up his spine. Spencer came back quickly and helped him sit up to drink. Brendon laid back down with a heavy sigh.

"Eating all that junk isn't as easy as it was back in high school," he joked. Spencer stood for a moment, concerned for his friend. Brendon looked up and easily read the pitiful expression. "Heh. Sorry for ruining our little party." Spencer rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"It's alright." He sat down at the foot of the bed and crossed his arms. "I didn't expect anything less dramatic from someone who didn't want to keep getting their ass handed to them."

"What? I totally won more times than you," Brendon replied in the best offended voice he could manage.

"In your dreams." Brendon only smiled in response, eyes slipping closed.

"I had fun though, even if it was just "in my dreams"."

"Me too."

"We should do it again soon," Brendon let out in a drowsy voice. Spencer nodded and bit his lip to keep his own emotions in check. It was hard to keep the situation light after hearing how heavy Brendon's breathing had gotten.

"Yeah," his voice cracking as his spoke. He cleared his throat before speaking. "I don't mind beating you again." Brendon let out a weak laugh before his exhausted body pulled him into a deep sleep. Spencer stayed, watching the steady rise and fall of his friend's chest.

He wiped away the thin layer of tears that formed in his eyes before leaving the room. He made his way back to the living room, seeing the game still lighting up the screen. Their characters stayed unmoved, waiting for the race to finish.

Spencer turned off the console and tv before beginning to clean up their mess. He crouched down and starting picking up the empty pizza boxes. His mind kept replaying what just happened. To anyone else, someone throwing up only meant that person could've ate too much. Spencer wanted desperately to believe that was the case for Brendon but he'd seen how much that man could put away and knew that wasn't the reason this time.

He was pulled from his thoughts by a soft plop sound. Looking down, he noticed a few wet spots on the top of the pizza box. He frowned, confused at what it was. He ran his finger over the drop, smear it over the lid. He looked up at the ceiling, not seeing any indication of something dripping. When he looked back down at the box, a couple more drops hit the box.

He let out a quiet 'oh' when he realized what was happening. He brought a hand up to face and ran it over his cheek, feeling the tips of his fingers gets wet. He let out a steady breath and let himself sit completely on the floor. He leaned back against the couch, still holding the box in his lap. He kept telling himself things were going to be already, knowing they were all empty promises.

He eyed one spot over the tv that was slightly discolored compared to the rest of the wall. He thought about when Brendon accidentally putting a hole in the wall after playing ball in the house. They did their best of fix it and color matched the paint to hide it. If they ever moved out of the apartment, would the next person notice the spot? Would the next tenants even consider the reason he'd be leaving this apartment? Of course not.

Of all the reasons to move out, their situation wouldn't be the first one people would consider. This kind of thing happened a lot but no one ever thinks that it'll happen to them. They disregard the idea on the pretense that they would be lucky enough to avoid that circumstance. That's what Spencer thought too so he can't blame the next person to live here to think they are safe from this fate. Their experience would definitely be different than his own even if they were stuck with the same misfortune.

"-nce! Spencer!" Spencer shook his head, eyes focusing back on the small spot on the wall. "Spence." He looked up and saw Ryan kneeling next to him. He shouldn't be surprised to see him. The man practically lived with them and almost always came at random times. "You alright?"

"Hm?"

"I said 'are you alright'? I've been trying to get your attention for a while now."

"Really?" Ryan nodded slowly, looking Spencer up and down to make sure he was physically okay.

"You okay? You look like you've been crying." Spencer shook his head and turned away to wipe his face clean.

"Yeah," he said after a moment and climbed to his feet. "I'm fine. Thanks."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, of course. It's pretty late. I'm gonna head off to bed."

"Alright man," Ryan responded, worried about Spencer's odd behavior. "Night." Spencer went to move down the hall. He placed a hand on the wall as he stopped and looked back the other man.

"Hey, Ryan." The other looked up.

"Yeah?" Spencer paused, not really sure of the words he wanted to use.

"Treasure it," he decided on. "Don't take whatever time you have left with him for granted." Ryan just stared in confusion for a second, not sure where the advice was coming from. He eventually nodded.

"Of course." Spencer nodded and continued to his room, leaving Ryan to really think about what he just said.