This Is Bullshit (54/60)
Title: This is Bullshit (54/60)
Authors: howido_fics & youbrat
Pairing: Ryden
Rating: R/E
Summary: Return LA for Ryan's last time and the end of summer approaches
Disclaimer: *sigh*

The lyrics in the middle of this chapter belong to a band whom I love with every breath in me. Because they're kinda friends of mine and they don't know I write slash, I don't want to have their name all over this story so please ask me personally if you're interested in hearing the song or who the artist is.

Author’s Note: This is a co-write. howido_fics is Brendon and Spencer, youbrat is Ryan and Alex. Ryan's pov is blue, Alex's is red, Spencer's is green and Bren's is black.

We've decided to set an ending to this story. Our plan is to make it to chapter 60 and then end it. There is a slight chance that the last chapter number could change, but at this point we intend to end it at 60. We are not setting an ending to this because we don't like the story or anything of the sort. We still love this story and it is still very much our love child and we hope you enjoy what we have still in store for you.





It seems to have been a rush since we got here. We arrived last night and basically went straight to bed. OK, so maybe I went to bed right away, but my life has been even more none stop now that I only have one job. But getting ready for college and a vacation does take up a lot of time. Not that I was complaining. I would much rather be busy than sitting around. That was for sure.

Ryan and Alex spent most of the day together with internship things so we hung out with Spencer's cousin for the bulk of the day at the park. The guys even let us take little Lex along. He's getting so big and played catch fairly well. Once Spencer's cousin drove us back to the apartment, Spencer and I crashed on the patio furniture. Unfortunately we had no clue what was going on for tonight since we slept most of the morning and neither of us took the time to call Ryan or Alex because we didn't want to interrupt them.

It was a little past five, so we knew if they weren't home soon, we would call them. Neither of us minded what we did tonight, as long as it was the four of us together. We were up for absolutely anything. As we sat on the patio drinking water, we watched the cars and people fighting their way through rush hour, hoping that our boys would be back soon.

"Shit, I hate traffic, look at those idiots, they are like...crazy!" Spencer shook his head at me.

I laughed, sipping my bottle, "Well, they are idiots..."

Alex and I made our way into the apartment building and onto the elevator. I'd been moving around all day, walking here there and everywhere and doing everything the label had asked us to do. I busted my ass for our label because I wanted to have very good references from them for anything I did in the future; I wanted them to take notice of my hard work, especially considering the fact that I was doing it all after an accident and in a cast. I wanted it to be my work that stood out, not that I had to go home because of a car accident, so I busted my ass as much as I could and actually looked for things to do for the label. In the end though, they nearly shoved us out the door and told us to get lost for the rest of the day and that they'd see us tomorrow.

I was leaning against Alex with his arm around my waist, trying to not put any weight on my casted leg. It was bothering me a little but I refused to complain, luckily for me Alex just seemed to know and pick up on it and go about taking care of me anyway. I rested my head on his shoulder and smiled to myself.

"I can't believe this internship is almost over. You'll be moving back to Vegas next week and we'll be moving into our very own condo. You'll be going to school with me and everything...everything just is perfect, Lex!" I grinned up at him and he pressed a quick kiss to my forehead.

"I know. I don't really want to leave LA, but it'll be here next summer. If I can't get another internship maybe I'll apply for a summer job or I can get Patrick to let me work with him or something so I can get experience, but I'll always have Vegas to go back to. And there is always you. Wherever you are I know it's home, even if you move to Japan, it's home for me. So we'll need to see where all this takes us..."

He trailed off and ran his hand gently over my hip and I smiled softly and nodded a little at him, reaching down to place my hand on his. "There is always us, that’s for sure, and there’s no way I'd ever forget you even if you took off for the summer. I'd miss you if I didn't come with you though." I grinned as the elevator arrived on our floor and he helped me to the door. "I'd like to do this again next summer though."

Where you guys at? were bored Spence held his phone out to me after texting something and sending it to Alex once he was done. I shook my head at him and got up to stretch.

"What are you up for tonight? We have the whole city in front of us, we could do almost anything!" I bounced on my toes as Spencer shoved me.

"I don't care, you know me. But I am excited about the Dodgers game; I haven't seen them play since I was like 8 or something. Vegas really needs a baseball team."

Nodding, I spit over the balcony and watched it drop, "But then, the players would get kicked out of the town from all the drugs and gambling and prostitutes, so there would be like a trillion lawsuits and the taxes will be raised even more!"

"Jeez Bren, when did you become so political?" Spencer laughed at me, tossing his phone in the air.

I shrugged as I slumped back down in the chair, "We listen to NPR at work." Squinting, I tried to look through the sliding glass door, "I'm going to go wait inside, the sun is hot." I winked as I got up, Spencer following. A smile spread across my face as I heard the lock being messed with. Ry and Alex walked in as I made my way over to them, "There you are!" I kissed Ryan on the cheek once they were in and able to close the door, "We just came in to wait for you," I smiled, pulling him into a hug.

Laughing softly I hugged Brendon back and rested against him instead of Alex. "Uh, yeah, sorry we took so long we kinda got caught up in everything going on today and all and...well...we obviously took too long. I hope you guys haven't been around too bored today." I pulled away and made my way over to the couch and collapsed into it.

Chuckling, Alex went to the fridge, slapping Spence' ass as he passed him, and grabbed a bottle of water, taking a drink before bringing it over to me to let me have some. "Yeah, they eventually just kicked us out of the building and told us to get lost, so we did for a little while since we had a few things to take care of before coming back. Sorry we took so long though, it got to a point where I had to damn near carry Ry cause his leg started bothering him a little."

I smiled at Alex in thanks for the water and took a sip, sighing softly after. "Thanks...so...what did you guys do while we were gone? Were you bored?" I pouted a little at them, hoping that the answer was going to be a no because I really didn't want them to be bored while they were in LA, especially since the only reason they were there was for Alex and myself, they didn't really have any other reasons to be there like I did.

Alex's phone went off and he excused himself from us to go take the call in his room. I watched him leave before returning my attention to Bren and Spence, patting the couch beside me so they'd join me.

We sat on either side of Ryan, both of us sitting close to him like little lap dogs or something. I grabbed his hand and pulled it to my lap as I smiled at him, knowing Spencer wanted to talk. "We weren't bored all day, just like, the last 15 minutes or so. We, actually, slept most of the day, so that was good. But then my cousin picked us and Lex up and took him to the park. That was pretty cool. We played with him and got some food from a little vendor thing. Cause vacations ultimately equal crappy food." Spencer grinned from ear to ear as he tapped out a beat on his legs.

"Yea, but those hot dogs look nasty." I nodded to Ryan, "Seriously, when Spence bit into it, there was like, all these nasty juices that came out, but Lex was right there to lick them up, that was for sure." I laughed, then shuddered at the thought. "What all did you do today? And did they really kick you out? What are you going to do during school, you think you will be able to forget about the internship enough for two semesters until next year?" I teased as I kissed his cheek again, then whispered 'I love you' in his ear as I detached our hands.

Grabbing his leg since he looked wore out, I set it up on the mine so he could be elevated. In turn, he leaned more on Spencer who simply wrapped his arm around Ryan and tapped out a pattern on his ribs. Smiling at Ryan, I took off his shoe from his casted leg, and started to massage his foot, waiting to hear about his day.

"Mmmm..." I closed my eyes and just rested against Spence. If I was 'allowed' to think about it after our email conversations the other day, I'd have said it was a great start for a foursome if Alex walked back in, then again it could have just been a good start to a threesome, but that was beside the point and not what I should have been thinking about at the moment. I did have to admit though, being close with Spence was becoming something I valued almost as much as my friendship with Alex and my relationship with Brendon. I really loved how close he and I had become.

"My day huh? Well...we went to the label and had meetings and things most of the morning. We did a little street teaming for the concert tomorrow and when we went back to the label we worked in one of the studios until they kicked us out. Then Lex and I had a few things we wanted to do together here in LA before either of us head back home...little things really, things we'd talked about doing before the accident but never had gotten around to. We tried to make sure we got back before too late, but I think we got a little too caught up and lost track of time at our last stop...I'm sorry that you guys were bored for even fifteen minutes."

I reached up and stilled Spence's hand, playing my finger tips between his fingers to calm him. It was funny that I'd picked up on his habit. I didn't want to stop him from thinking in rhythm or anything but it was tickling me a little and I needed to stop him before I started giggling really badly and then went to full out into laughter and then ended up peeing my pants. Sometimes I could be just that ticklish. "As for next year...I don't know if I can forget about the internship, but I'll look forward to next year, that’s for sure. Just next year, no accidents to take me away from it. Maybe you guys should get jobs here too and join us."

I nodded as I looked over at Ryan with Spencer's hand, "Ry doesn't want to know your beats," I teased him.

Spencer flipped him off, "Oh, Ryan, just so you know, your boyfriend has been a real piece of work all day. Laughing at his own jokes, being a sarcastic prick most of the day."

Now it was my turn to flip him off, "I have too much energy." I pouted to Ryan as I removed his other shoe, working that foot as well, "I can't help it sometimes I come off as an ass." My bottom lip had reached a distance that I had never seen before, causing me to try to stare down at it, and my chin ending up in my chest. Giving up, I ran my hand up Ryan's thigh, "It's ok, we need to just sit around and wait sometimes, we have like an action packed week, so a break would be nice for a while, yes?"

Spencer was about to say something when Alex came back in the room. Smiling at him, Spencer offered Alex a place next to him, and if we all scooted, Ryan's head would most likely end in Alex's lap, "Come join the Ryan party!" Spencer laughed as he lifted Ryan slightly to wedge his bum against his hip. "He would make a good table, all flat and skinny..."

"Sure, now who's being a prick?" I raised an eyebrow at Spencer then winked at Alex.

I laughed softly and shook my head, grinning at Alex. "If things keep going like this, Bren will have me stripped naked and laid across all of you...at that rate you might as well all strip naked and we can have a fun night here on the couch...although the cast would probably end up getting in the way."

Alex chuckled softly and bent down to kiss my forehead before sitting next to Spencer. "Well, I'm up for stripping naked. If we had a pool I'd say we should all go skinny dipping, except there’s no pool so we'd have to go skinny dipping in the tub...that could certainly get interesting." He winked and glanced down at my hand with Spencer's as Spencer helped reposition us so that we all were on the couch. He slid a hand along Spencer's thigh and I felt it beneath me. I smirked up at him and shook my head a little.

"Okay, so tonight...we have no plans and nothing that we really talked about, so if that’s what you guys really want to do..." I grinned and wiggled my eyebrows a little. "Just ignore the cast and lets get going!" Alex laughed and shook his head at me. "Everything okay Lex?"

He nodded and smiled. "Yeah, everything’s cool. We're all set for everything. We got the tickets for everything and we're hooked up. Tomorrow night'll be a fun night and there’s a party after. I'm sure between the three of us we can take good care of you there." He looked up at the guys. "Did he tell you that tomorrow is The Academy Is...?"

I let my jaw drop, too carried away to see Spencer do the same. But at the same time, we shouted, me: "William FUCKING Beckett?" and Spence: "The FUCKING Butcher?" Then we all laughed. "Shit though, that's awesome, we tried to go the last time they were in Vegas, but remember Bren, we had that stupid graduation thing at school?" I nodded and pouted at the thought.

"I can't fucking wait! I never knew how much I liked Fueled by Ramen." I laughed. "So yes, tonight better be a lazy night, because I have to preserve a shit ton of energy for that show!" I was grinning by now, just staring down at Ryan's leg, thinking of the show. I loved concerts almost as much as I loved playing them. But lately, we've been on the stage or on the side, since the last show I went to was warped, and I couldn't wait to get in the crowd again.

Oh, but Ryan's leg...Shit. He could mosh with that couldn't he? I'd have to find out. But, really, as selfish as it sounded, Spence could come down with me and then Alex or some of the people from the internship or bands even could keep Ryan company if he didn't want to try out the crowd.

I was interrupted by Spencer, "You going to get naked with us over there Space Cadet? While you were daydreaming, we all voted for nudity, so you lost, come on now, strip off Bren!" he laughed as I stuck my tongue out at him, ignoring the commands to massage Ryan's feet some more.

I chuckled and shook my head, nudging Spence just a little. "I'm actually surprised he hasn't stripped already. You know how he likes to show off his ass." I smirked a little and closed my eyes, sighing in content. Bren was babying me, Spence and Alex were my pillows and I was beyond comfortable and getting very very relaxed.

"As for the show tomorrow..." Alex trailed off as I looked up at him, his eyes were on Brendon. "The tickets are a gift from a friend that I made within the label. Its possible anyone and everyone could be there because it's a pretty big deal going on right now with the LA labels and everything, so this show is a pretty big draw. I was lucky to get tickets to it really because it isn't something our label is sending us to." His eyes trailed down to me. "You want to tell them about the tickets to the other thing?"

I grinned and nodded before looking up at Spence above me. "So...Alex and I were thinking of the things we'd always wanted to do in LA and never got to do...one of those things was going and being at least in the audience of a game show. So...we got tickets to be part of the audience for the Price is Right."

I bit my lip and looked between the two guys to see what thought of that idea. I wanted them to be excited about it and into the idea, it might be cheesy and all, but I really was excited and I knew Alex was too. We'd actually been talking about doing it since we started talking about going to LA for the internship. It was also a childhood dream of ours and we wanted to share it with Bren and Spence. I bit my lip as I waited for their response, although I was sure it couldn't be as good as a TAI show, but I wanted them to still be excited about it.

"OMG! My grandmother is going to flip! That is like her favorite show ever!" I really hoped that Spencer wasn't getting too excited over this. Cause he was bouncing up and down in his seat, and Ryan really didn't need a boner attacking his back, although, that might be a nice massage...

I smiled at the guys and laughed at Spencer's excitement. "Oh, can we make matching shirts or something? And what if one of us got one? Then the rest of us can be all...'HIGHER!'" I laughed. "I loved that stuff. But, whoever might make it up there, they can't like, get mad at us if we steer them the wrong way. Cause that is just rude." I nodded as my fingers worked their way to Ryan's ankle, running and mending the thin skin over his bones.

"Seriously, I need to call my grandma, and can we have cell phones when they are taping? Cause if anyone does get onstage, then my Gram would be the best resource for getting the prices right." He laughed at his own joke. "But really, shit, I am so excited! Even just to be there at a live taping...."

Spencer could go on for days and days, I was quite aware of that. I looked over at Ryan then up to Alex shaking my head and smirking. And they said I got hyper...

I laughed at Spencer and shook my head a little. "Calm down there Spence...it's exciting, I know, but seriously...don't break my back here." I grinned at him and reached up to rustle Spence's hair. "You're adorable Spence, really. I hope, if any of us get on the show, you do, I think you'd be the most excited about it and it would be the best if you were. We'd totally cheer you on if you did."

Alex chuckled and played with my hair. "Yeah, and we'd sneak in a cell phone to call your grandma to get as much help for you as we could." He smirked and I nodded before closing my eyes and relaxing a little more against the guys.

"Seriously you guys, I could like fall asleep like this...which would be without dinner...Lex, you should go and order us some dinner so I don't have to move." I grinned lazily and opened my eyes again to look up at him. He looked back at me and shrugged before extracting himself.

"Okay, so, Thai? Pizza? Chinese? I think that’s all that delivers up here, or at least that’s all I've ordered. So...whatever you guys want, we can order from one place or from all three if we need a mixture of things." he moved into the kitchen to get the menus and bring them over to us. "I've spent most of the time out with the guys or eating at one of their apartments so I have like no food here, just some drinks and snacks mostly. Then after we eat...well...we can do whatever. But yeah, lazy sounds good, lazy and naked sounds even better."

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

I wasn't sure what made me the way I was right now. Well, ok, so I was aware. I was a guy and I had a dick, but even so, ever since Ryan and I were rushed out of the shower because we were 'going to be late'. Needless to say, I was NOT finished with Ryan. And my body still wasn't finished with the thought. Luckily it was dark in here.

Spence, Alex and I watched the first band in the pit. The crowd was pretty mellow. There were a few pushy little girls that yelled random cat calls and then covered their mouths and looked at their friends like they did something horrible...I never understood that. Although, I have to admit that I enjoyed those calls of 'Brendon I love you' and "You're hot' from random people (ok, so maybe the kid that was in my study hall).

We were waiting as the next band came out when I got a text almost the same time as Alex did. We gave each other a weird look and checked our screens. Mine was from Ryan, his was from Pete, we were to meet them near the side of the left stage to go backstage. Wait...what? I might get to meet Will? "Spence...Will is back there..."

"Yea, and prolly Patrick too!" he winked as we followed Alex, him pushing me in the middle. Shit. This could get interesting. Or embarrassing...

Pete had found me standing at the bar while the rest of the guys were in the pit, I had to damn near push them all to go and leave me where I was, but I was perfectly fine hanging out at the bar myself, nothing that I hadn't done before. I had just been standing there, leaning against the bar when a pair of very tattooed arms slipped around my waist and a head was rested on my shoulder, I knew it was none of the guys, it was obvious whose they were. He'd hugged me, bought me a drink, and started trying to convince me to go backstage with him. After telling him about the other guys we both texted them to get them to meet us by the backstage entrance.

I shouldn't have had the drink, I knew, but I wanted it and he bought it for me, and he helped me make my way over to the entrance without spilling it. We stood and waited for the guys to show up, I sipped my drink and used Pete to lean against a little because I couldn't get to the wall and all there was for support was Pete.

"...Seriously, Ry, I want to do it and I need you if we are. Please? Will you? It would be perfect!"

I bit my lip and looked at him, thinking about it before nodding a little. "Pete...I..." I glanced over at the crowd before back at Pete and nodded again. "Okay."

He grinned so big and gave me a quick hug before pulling away, excitement shining in his eyes. "So...I was talking to Bill and telling him about my amazing friends in Vegas. I didn't know you were going to be here though, Ry. I was standing on the side over there and looked up at the bar and I knew it couldn't be anyone but you...so, since he wants to meet you...you'll hang out with us backstage, right?"

I looked over at Pete, he looked adorable because he was giving puppy dog eyes and giving me the best innocent face as he possibly could. I couldn't help but agree without even talking to the other guys. "Sure. Are the rest of the guys here too? Or just you?"

He grinned mischievously and pulled me a little closer so he could speak softly into my ear. "Oh, they're here, and we've got a few surprises cooked up for tonight. I'm going to get you guys backstage passes for the show. Then I'm going to get you guys VIP passes for the after party. I'm so going to get you in on everything tonight!" I quirked my eyebrow as I listened to him and watched my three boys approach.

I saw Ryan and Pete and closed my eyes quickly taking a deep breath. Spencer must have sensed it because he leaned up to me, "Dude, he's Pete Wentz, he does whatever the fuck he wants, and shit, he's getting us backstage, just be cool ok?" I nodded to Spencer as I stepped forward smiling to Ryan then Pete.

"What's up guys?" I asked trying to smile and keep calm as Pete stood so close to my boyfriend. I knew he was Pete Wentz, and I knew he did whatever he wanted. And I knew that he could get us in with the guys. But I also knew that Ryan ate up every second of it. Ok, so I really don't blame him there. And I don't blame Pete either, because Ryan was officially the hottest guy in the whole damn venue right now. So who in their right mind wouldn't go after him?

I winked at Ryan and grabbed his drink, "What're ya drinking Ry?" grinning at him, I took a sip, "Not bad. You planning on drinking tonight?" I raised a brow. "You know." I moved next to him, handing him back his drink, "If you're going to get drunk tonight, it really wouldn't be complete without a dance floor, or, I guess all you need is music, and maybe." I leaned in, licking his ear so only he could hear, "You and me naked, wearing off that buzz..." I bit his ear and pulled back as Spencer spoke up.

"We going back stage? Is Andy here? I wanted to tell him about the new DVD I bought. It has some sweet beats!" I watched Spencer nod to Pete then look over at Alex and smile.

I shivered a little and leaned more into Brendon when he came up to me, practically snatching the drink back from him and pouting at him a little. "Mine!" I grinned and took a sip before continuing. "Pete bought it for me. I think he means to bribe me into doing what he wants, and he's using alcohol as the currency of his bribe."

Leaning against Brendon I looked at the other guys, luckily there was a lull in the music so I could actually talk and they could actually hear me. "So. Pete found me while I was hanging out at the bar, bought me a drink, and invited me backstage. When he found out all you guys were here he promptly decided to invite us all backstage, provide us with backstage passes and I guess introduce at least some of us to Bill Beckett. He also said he's going to get us VIP entry to the after party they're having. I already told him I'd hang out with him and the guys backstage."

I looked over at Spence and grinned. "And yes, Andy is backstage, as well as Patrick and Joe." My eyes slid to Pete and I grinned. "And apparently there's fun to be had tonight but Pete doesn't really want to let me in on all the details yet."

Pete stepped in then and nodded. "Okay, so, you guys are coming with me, anyone gives you shit, they can deal with me, it isn't your fault or anything. I've got some plans, and what most people don't know is that we're jumping on stage for a short set before Bill and the guys go on." He grinned at me and I just looked down with a small smile on my lips. "You guys better be side stage for that. And then we'll join you to watch Bill and the boys before the show ends and we have to head off to the after party. Stick with me and Patrick and we'll make sure you guys don't get lost. I don’t know who drove here, but we're going to have cars take us there. So you might want to see if someone can take your car home, cause there’s no fucking way I'm going to let you guys drive if you've been drinking at the party."

I shrugged my shoulders at Alex and Spencer, gripping Ryan's waist to give him balance, "Well, shit, Pete Wentz, LET'S GO!" I cheered. It was obvious I was the youngest one here, and it would most obviously be me acting like it. I couldn't wait! We have backstage passes, there are surprises on stage, VIP parties! Shit! I wish I had friends besides the ones here that would be excited about it.

OH! AMANDA! She is going to be so jealous! Finally for once, I get to hang with famous people at parties. This was like a dream come true.

We started to head backstage, and I slowed Ryan and I down a little, not too much to lose them, but just so I could talk to him, alone. Giving him a kiss, I walked a few steps behind Spence, "So, I'm overly beyond excited. And, like, I don't want you to have to baby-sit me or anything, but will you, I mean, if I start freaking out, or look like I'm going to throw up or I act all teen girl, will you tell me? I mean, nicely, but let me know that I am making a complete ass of myself. Because, like, Patrick's back there. And William Beckett and ...All these people who are my complete idols...and I just...I don't want to embarrass myself and act like a fucking twelve year old, and then everyone won't want to talk to me, and I'll be in the corner by myself. And you will be the life of the party and you won't acknowledge me cause I am a major loser and then..."

I let out a long sigh and pouted. "Just please promise me you would tell me if I start acting like that..." I motioned around to the back of us, signifying my huge monologue. "I love you. And as all these people are here, and I am excited that I get to meet them, and be close to them and party with them. the most important thing to me about tonight, well, unless I get to see Beckett naked or something, but the thing that makes me the most happy and excited and every good feeling ever, is that I get to share it with you Ryan." At this point we are pretty much backstage, but I didn't care. I gripped the back of his neck lightly and pulled him into a kiss. Resting my forehead on his, I smiled, "I love you Ryan," then reached down and slapped his ass, "Not let's go get FUELED!"

I laughed and shook my head, kissing Brendon again before hearing a very loud. "C'mon you two, no fucking in the backstage area right where everyone can see you. If you want to fuck, find an empty dressing room or something. But you'll miss the whole show if you do and what fun would that be?" Alex's voice chimed in with Pete's. "C'mon you guys, you've got the whole rest of the week to press each other up against walls and shit, we're backstage and a fucking huge concert and there are people waiting and plans waiting and Ry I won't forgive you if you and your boyfriend fuck this up!"

I laughed and kissed Brendon quickly before pulling away and looking at them. "We're coming, we're coming, well, not that kind of coming, but still, we're coming." I looked back at Brendon and smiled. "I love you too Bren, and don't worry, if you're off the charts I'll find a way to bring you down again. Just remember, they're all just guys, just like us, yeah they may be famous and they may be in bands we absolutely in love with, but they are just guys and they were exactly where you are in career and all and they just made it to where they are by hard work. But they're still just guys, and they're still just doing something they love. Believe that and it makes it much easier."

I grinned at him and tugged him after the guys. Alex gave me a smirk and I saw Pete lean in and murmur something in his ear. Those two had obviously gotten a lot closer since I'd had to return home and I wondered if Pete had sort of taken over my roll in Alex's life for day to day life in LA. I wouldn't have been very surprised, they got a long possibly better than Pete and I had, and Pete and I had hit it off very very well. I shook my head at the two and looked over at Spencer, nudging him when we got closer. "You're not going to scare Andy with drooling over his kit tonight, are you?"

"No, shit." Spencer looked around for Andy, I could tell. Poor guy. And poor me and the band that was all he talked about once he got back from LA. Andy this and Andy that. He even mixed up some songs and said, 'Andy does it like this' it was simply a school girl crush...wait, what was I talking about?

We made our way to the side stage, moving out of the way of all the techs and roadies. The second supporting act was gearing up, and I smiled at the bass player, then moved to find a spot to lean. There are a row of huge black boxes about waist height, so I lead the guys over, just as someone was coming through with a big speaker.

Sitting down, I spread my legs, bringing Ry between them so he could rest, at least until someone came and found him and took him away. Wait, he didn't have to work tonight, this was completely for fun! Wrapping my arms around him, I laid my head on his back, my fingers finding the hem of his shirt. I sat there, listening to his heart beat and the feeling the vibrations as he talked to the guys around us.

Then someone said hello to Will. My head shot up, and I let go of Ryan. Not because I cared that he saw or anything, I just...did. I looked up as Pete was introducing everyone. I completely froze though. "So," I heard Will's sultry, sexy, amazing. Ok, I'll stop, AND hold back onto my boyfriend, "What are all you beautiful people doing out here?" His eyes walked from the four of us, pausing at Ryan, then down his cast and to my hand (so, not protectively on Ryan's hip), "Why don't you come where the real party is, you can hear them just fine from our room." He nodded, turned and gestured for us to follow.

I gulped.

Alex was walking with Pete and talking about something quietly enough that no one else could hear. I pulled away for a moment to grab onto Spence and grin. "So...is this going to be a repeat of last time? Am I going to have to wipe drool from your mouth like I had to last time when you were looking at Andy and his kit? And by kit I don't mean...well, you know." I grinned and winked at him before realizing William was paying attention and then just grinned to myself and finished off what was left of the drink that Pete had bought for me. I saw a trash can and threw it in as we passed and headed down the hall, around a corner, up a few stairs, down a hall, I was starting to get dizzy with it all when we came to a door and were ushered in by William.

I stopped and grinned when I saw everyone that was in the room. Of course the members of Fall Out Boy were there hanging out with the members of The Academy Is..., but to make everything far better, Gabe Saporta and Travis McCoy were in the middle of an adamant conversation with Butcher. Vicki T was talking with Patrick and Mikey Way was talking with Andy. I had the feeling that Brendon was going to explode. Alex and I were pretty used to rubbing elbows with 'famous people' and Spence had at least had the opportunity the previous time with Fall Out Boy, but there were perhaps just a few too many in one room for Bren's head.

I reached over and squeezed Bren's hand before I heard my named called and I looked up to see Patrick excusing himself from Vicki and make his way over to us. Pete was smiling like a proud father (although it wasn't like we were his kids, in some ways he probably felt like we were). Patrick gave me a hug and smiled at Alex, I figured if Pete has spent a lot of time with Alex Patrick had to as well since the two of them were almost inseparable. He smiled at Spencer and shook his hand since he obviously had remembered him from the last time (he even remembered Spencer's name which I was a little impressed by because they'd only met once). Once the reconciliation was done, I introduced him to Brendon when I felt myself get tugged away from my boyfriend.

I stood in shock as Ryan walked away. The only reality of him leaving my side was that my hand was now still outstretched, somewhat holding an invisible one, and the warmth was gone. Letting my hand fall to my side, I took a deep breath before finally growing the courage to look around the room. Simple taking in everything I saw. I was completely mesmerized as one of the guys from TAI gestured me to the refreshment tables.

Thanking him, I walked over and grabbed, oooh, a Red Bull! Perfect! I popped the lid and downed about half of it when I heard my name being called. Making my way over to Spencer, I grinned at him, then stopped. He was sitting there with Andy, Butcher and Gabe. Like, THE GABE. Like, dude sang in Midtown Gabe!

I somehow managed to smile at them as I looked over to find Ryan, making sure not to lose track of him. He looked to be in an intense conversation when Spencer spoke again, "...yea, this is our lead singer, and he plays the keys, and shit, actually every instrument you put in front of him..." I blushed and looked down at my Red Bull like it was the most interesting thing in the world.

"He doesn't act like a lead singer." Someone joked.

Spencer laughed, "Oh, just you wait, you might actually even regret you said that..." I flipped him off as he changed the subject to drums. Taking a seat in the middle of the room. I just sat and stared.

Pete and I stood off to the side, talking quietly when he motioned Patrick to join us. The three of us discussed the set they were playing and made some decisions and plans. Pete put his hand on my arm and grinned before asking me if I wanted another drink. He didn't give me the chance to answer before he walked away again and over to find another drink for me. I was honestly worried about why he wanted me to drink so much before I found two arms wound around me and a very solid body behind me. Leaning back against my best friend, I sighed softly.

"I'm going to miss things like this, Lex...not like we did this all the time, but I'm going to miss it. At least we've made friends that hopefully will last longer than just one concert." I rested my head on his shoulder and took some of the weight off my legs as I leaned against him. I felt his fingers run over my stomach before he kissed my neck.

"You feel tense, Ry. You should relax a little, sit down, have a drink and just relax. Being tense isn't going to help you tonight and you know it." I nodded a little and let my eyes slide closed. He was right, I needed to not be tense or it would make things worse as the night went on, but it was hard to not be tense with two aspects of my life colliding in front of my eyes and me having the cast and no control over anything. For that matter I didn't think even Pete had control.

"I think I'm nervous, that’s all."

"Nervous?! There’s no reason to be nervous at all Ryan, drink up, lose the nerves, gain confidence. We're going to have so much fucking fun!" I opened my eyes and grinned at Pete as he handed me a drink. I looked at it before lifting it to my lips, coconut rum and coke, perfect.

"Thanks Pete, and I'll try."

He shook his head. "More than try, do. Fuck, look at Patrick, he couldn't get on stage and sing no matter what we did to convince him at first, but now look at him! Just lose the nerves. You'll be fine. C'mon, you need to meet Gabe."

I got up as Ryan made his way over to Gabe. It was funny watching them, they were like a pack together: Ryan, Alex and Pete. Ryan held another drink in his hand as I saw Alex sit down between Gabe and Spencer. He paused to smile at Spencer then drew his attention back to Pete as they were doing introductions.

I was intercepted by William who came up next to me, "Nothing but Red Bull huh? I think vodka would go quite well with that..." I looked up at from him to an even taller Travis who pouted out his lower lip and nodded. "You are here with Pete, right?"

OK, Bren, now was your time to talk. To form sentences and not make a complete ass out of yourself, "Yea, my um, my friends interned with him this summer..."

"Oh," Will turned to eye up the only three boys in the room he did not recognize, "Just friends, huh?" He quirked a brow as Travis came back with a cup half full of clear liquid. He took my Red Bull, poured the rest in, shook it around and handed it to me. "That should do it."

I eyed the drink and looked up, "What's with you guys liking to get people drunk?" I joked.

William through his arm around me, "Travie, I like this one, he's cute." They gave each other a knowing look as we headed over to Ryan and Co.

"Actually, I'm Brendon..." This only caused them both to laugh harder.

Alex pulled me down into his lap and I fell across him and Spencer. Luckily though I didn't spill my drink that would be a tragedy. I grinned up at Spence. "Hey Spence...fancy meeting you here. Have I told you lately your eyes look fucking hot in eyeliner and you should wake up wearing it and go to sleep wearing it and always have it on for the rest of your life? Cause if I haven't, I should have, and now I have...so follow what I say." I grinned and puckered my lips, pressing a quick peck to the nearest piece of skin before turning my attention back to the guys.

"Should I feel a little bad for Vicki over there? I mean...she's the only chick and everyone likes guys it seems...except Mikey of course, who...where are the rest of My Chem? Or for that matter his wife?"

Pete grinned and shrugged. "He's visiting and offered to help one of the bands out cause their bassist had to bail tonight." As he said it Mikey was called to one of the other rooms to get ready with the guys of the band he was helping out. I waved to him as he left and then returned my attention to Gabe.

"You should always dance. You dance like a mother fucking fiend!" Gabe grinned and leaned forward as if he was about to share a secret.

"I dance in my dreams and in my sleep, practice twenty four hours a day, that’s the key!"

I laughed and took another drink, looking up to see William come over. I had always been a bit taken with William. It was the hips and the hip bones, I was fascinated by them and attracted to them, and then the fact that his body was as long as or longer than mine. There was a part of me that always wanted to compare our bodies, naked of course, but compare them all the same. I could see a little skin peeking out of his very low jeans and I could see the slightest curve of his hip and the sight was almost as intoxicating as the drink in my hand, and thinking about the drink I took another sip because I didn't want to blurt out to William that his hips turned me on or anything of the sort.

I smiled at Ryan as I followed his eyes to William. He was so obvious even when he didn't mean to be. Me, I was obvious because I was stupid half the time, Ryan, he was just...I wasn't even sure. I took a drink of my Red Bull and whatever was mixed in it and licked my lips. Wasn't that bad. And I wasn't sure if that was a good thing.

Wiggling out of William's arm, I leaned down and whispered in my boyfriend's ear, "Ry, these boys are trying to get us drunk tonight..." I thought I said it quietly, but when I pulled back, Gabe was staring right at me with a smirk on his face. Shit, this couldn't be good. Or, it could be way to fucking good. You know what, I was only young once!

I stood up and chugged the rest of the drink, earning a cheer and a slap on the back from Travis. "Shit, I hope I'm not the one taking this one home tonight, I gave him some of my special love drug!" The guys who heard all laughed at this and I simply shrugged, holding up my cup as to ask for more. Travis shook his head and smiled, walking back over to the corner with my cup.

Spencer cleared his throat and looked between me and Ryan raising a brow, "Ok guys, it's not a competition to see who drinks the most, just have fun, and don't like, make me and Alex take care of you all night..."

Beckett swayed his hips, which I found instantly mesmerizing, "Oh, you don't have to worry about that Cutie, they'll be taken really good care of, hell." He grinned from ear to ear, his eyes almost complete slits, "YOU ALL WILL!" He shouted, "We're here to party!"

I laughed a little and looked at Spence. "Don't worry, I'm sure before we're too far drunk you and Alex will be off oblivious to the rest of the world...unless Andy and his drum kit are around." I smiled and then looked back at Pete when he offered to get me more. "Getting rid of nerves is one thing, getting me drunk right now...not a good idea."

Pete pouted at me and I laughed softly before struggling to try and get up off of Alex's lap, Gabe immediately got up and helped me up, causing me to pretty much land against him. I laughed softly and looked up at him. "Are you going to teach me to dance now? Cast and all?"

He shook his head but his eyes were sparkling and I felt that if we were left alone together too long I'd end up in a lot of trouble with myself and that boy's seductive hips. Only, Gabe's were more seductive when they were moving while he was dancing, William's were just seductive period. If I were single, and allowed to, I'd have already licked my way across William's hips and onto Gabe’s and ventured from there.

Pete grabbed William and pulled him aside to let him know why not to get us drunk yet, I could tell what he was saying because he kept looking at me and then back to William and he used his hands a lot. It was cute the way he used his hands. I was in a room surrounded by hot guys, and Vicki, and it was impossible for me to not think about a variety of different things, like hips and bodies and lips and hands. I bit my lip as my eyes skimmed over the two of them and then I realized I was still kinda in Gabe's arms and blushed slightly as I pulled away some.

Alex got up and took my glass, finishing off what little was left in it before putting it down on a table and going off to talk to Patrick after murmuring a quick 'be good' in my ear. I was a little worried about Brendon and him getting drunk. I we definitely worried about what Travis was giving him in his drink, but I wasn't going to spoil the fun and say anything, I just hoped that he didn't get too carried away because he'd miss some of the good stuff that was going to happen that night. We heard the bands change sets and Pete perked up. "Okay, we're next!"

I clapped as I helped Spencer get up, then walked over to Ryan, "Ry," I smiled, "I want to enjoy this with you, K?" I asked as I kissed his cheek, then nipped at his jaw, "You smell exceptionally well tonight, you know it?" Grinning at him, I held his hand, which was slightly shaking as we followed the bulk of the guys out.

The closer we got to the stage, the more alert Ryan got. "You going to be ok?" I asked him as we stepped aside for the last band to move their gear. We found ourselves about a few feet away from the rest of the guys, but behind a huge curtain or sorts. I was sure that people could still see the tops of our heads, and I knew, if not made sure, that we were not missing out on anything.

Smiling at Ryan, I leaned him against a solid surface, "What's up Ry? Why you so jittery? You need me to help take care of that?" I tilted my head to the side. Not to be cute but to get better advantage as I pressed my lips to his. I didn't even give him time to react as I opened my mouth, pulled at his bottom lip with my teeth and sucked on it until he awoke with the kiss, then slipped my tongue inside his mouth.

I made sure to keep quiet, even though I wanted this since the shower, and I also made a mental note not to mess with his hair either, cause, well, that would be obvious. My fingers stretched across his waist, sliding to touch his warm, no hot skin as our mouths moved together. Pulling back with a smack, I grinned at him. That kiss made me more light headed than any drink would ever...

"Ry, what ever it is. it will be ok, ok? Cause I am here and you are perfect, so no more worries, Ok?" I asked as I grabbed his hand, waiting for him to nod so we could join the rest of the guys again.

I laughed and shook my head at him a little. "I don’t know what Travie gave you...but I think you're already drunk Bren." I smiled at him and snuggled in against him a little. "Just...don't go over the top quite yet...there is still the after party and I wouldn't want you to be too drunk to not enjoy it." I kissed him again and then looked around as the band on stage was continuing. Pete and Patrick were talking to Andy and Joe, William and Travis were talking with Gabe, Vicki was talking to a few of the guys from The Academy Is and Alex and Spencer were watching the band on stage.

I looked back at Brendon and smiled. "I know, it'll be okay. I'm not worried...just...jittery I guess." I shrugged a little and smiled at him before pulling him a little to go and join Alex and Spencer watching the band on stage. We stood and watched until they finished their set and said goodnight. The roadies unloaded all their equipment and a curtain was set up to hide the stage. As far as the crowd knew, The Academy Is was next, not Fall Out Boy. I thought it was a pretty cool thing the guys were doing.

The roadies started setting up for Fall Out Boy and biting my lip I glanced over at the members of the band. Gabe, Travis and William had joined them. Pete saw me looking and beckoned me over to join them. Looking up at Brendon, I gave him a quick kiss and told him I'd be back. I pulled away and made my way over to the guys, they all let me into their little circle and we had a mini powwow. It was weird to be involved, but I noticed, while I was dazing out, they'd already pulled Alex in so it was kinda cool that we were getting included. I would need to know routines and preps and everything that bands went through before shows, why not get my first taste with Fall Out Boy?

Patrick went over the set list quickly. Gabe was going to 'show up' and join in on one of the songs they were doing, and Travis would show up as Fall Out Boy started doing the music for Cupid's Chokehold and he and Patrick would rock that one together. William had a gleam in his eye and I could only imagine what his plan was and how he would be crashing the set, although it would be a welcome crash. I glanced over at Vicki and wondered when Snakes on a Plane was going to be added into the show.

"Do you think I'm drunk?" I asked Spencer as we watched the guys. I didn't think I was, but Ryan did. I wondered if it was because I smelled like alcohol or something, We leaned against the same boxes we were on earlier. At the same time, we both pulled ourselves up and let our feet dangle.

Spencer patted my leg to get my attention. Staring at me intently, he shook his head, "You don't look drunk to me, why do you ask? Do you want to be already or something?"

I shook my head as I watched Ryan again. I was glad he was making friends. Not that I didn't think he could, but I remember one of the first times I talked to him, he mentioned how he didn't have many and he spent most of his time alone. It was quite a change through the summer. Hell, once Alex came alone, he didn't even want to be alone, which was excellent, cause I myself wanted to spend every waking minute with him.

"No," I took a sip of the drink, this time, luckily, it wasn't as strong, "Ryan thought I was, but really, I think it is all the excitement, and is it just me, or does Ryan look hotter than he ever has?" I took in the back side of my boyfriend. He was wearing the jeans that he finally broke down and cut to fit over his cast, and a shirt that clung amazingly to each muscle and bone on his back. His hair was perfect, even though he got to spend about three minutes on it. Hell, his makeup he applied mainly in the car was pristine.

He was beyond perfection. And somewhere inside me wanted to dance for joy because even with all these famous people. He was mine. I was the one who would fall asleep with him. And I was the one who would wake up in his arms.

We all broke off as they were given the one minute cue and were handed their instruments. Andy stripped off his shirt and grabbed a pair of drumsticks. Pete grabbed me by both sides of my face and grinned that thousand watt smile at me before loudly exclaiming 'We're going to Rock!' I laughed as he gave a smacking kiss to my cheek and then did the same to Alex, only without the loud exclamation. The guys then took off onto the stage, the curtain was raised and the crowd went more crazy than I could have thought would ever happen for a band.

I felt Alex beside me and glanced over to see Gabe, Travis and William too. It was surreal in some ways, sure I'd gotten used to being around such big names, but there was still that fan inside me and the butterflies were still fluttering over the fact that I was surrounded by them. I could reach out and touch Travis McCoy. I could pinch the ass of Gabe Saporta. I could caress the hip of William Beckett. There was just something about being that close and knowing that none of them would really blink if I did.

Alex wandered back to Brendon and Spence as I chewed on my lip and watched Pete perform and Patrick sing and Joe go crazy and Andy wail on his kit. I wasn't sure how long the set was, I knew how many songs, but timing wise I wasn't sure. The night already felt like it was speeding by and there was nothing we could do to stop it. I watched Travis make his surprise appearance. Then I watched Gabe make his surprise appearance. Before I knew it the set was half over even though it seemed like only seconds after it had begun, and Pete's voice rang over the crowd.

"So as many of you might know, we have a new song that’s being released tomorrow on an album with a bunch of other bands. We spent much of this summer working on it in a studio here in LA and we're so proud of it that we want to give you guys a sneak peak and let you hear it before the rest of the world can gain access to it tomorrow! We had to enlist the help of a very special friend of ours who happens to be here with us tonight and has agreed to help us out again." Pete looked at me and I nodded before taking a breath and walking out on stage. "I want to introduce you to my very very special friend, Ryan Ross and this is Fall Like the Stars!" Pete stepped away from his mic and the music started for the song, I felt the butterflies start to convulse in my stomach, Patrick gave me a smile of reassurance before he launched into the opening lines. Closing my eyes against the lights and the people, I listened for my cue before launching into the vocals I'd recorded with them on the cd.



Continue to Part 2