Ryan is falling asleep at his desk.

It's just hit 9pm, and he's been here for over twelve hours already, trying to get this report Just Right for his boss to send to his boss (a report on how many pencils were bought in the past year, nonetheless), and if he didn't have such a huge crush on his boss, he wouldn't have tried so hard. But he does have a huge crush on his boss, and even though he knows he has absolutely no chance, for some reason he still wants to impress him.

Ever since the ex left him, he's been working his way up the ladder at an office supply company, ending up as a personal assistant in the marketing department. His job is to take calls and forward emails to his boss, but every so often he offers to take on one of the bigger jobs to relieve some of the pressure his boss is under. And he does a good job, too, if he does say so himself.

He's just drifting off when he feels hands on his shoulders, making him jump in his seat. "Hey, busy bee," his boss says in his ear, giving his shoulders a gentle squeeze. His voice is soothing, and makes Ryan melt every time he talks. Especially like this, when it's quiet, just the two of them.

"Hey, Pete." Ryan rubs his eyes, leaning into his touch. Pete's like this, sometimes. Occasionally touchy-feely and a little too close to be strictly professional. It's nice, though, not overbearing or weird. Comforting is the word Ryan would use, as Pete leans his cheek against his head.

"Are you going to be leaving here any time soon? I know there's a sleeping bag somewhere in the break room, but I know you're technically not supposed to stay here overnight."

Ryan spins in his chair to look up at Pete as he steps back, whose normally tidy hair, pulled back into a ponytail, is loose and messy, falling into his dark eyes. "Well, unfortunately I've missed my last train, so I guess I'll have to stay here overnight." He shrugs, a smirk playing at his lips.

Pete rolls his eyes, smiling. "Well I'll drop you home, stupid. You can't sleep in the break room."

"Says who?"

"Says me."

"And who are you to tell me what I can and can't do here?"

Pete grabs his hands and pulls him to his feet, but he doesn't let go, and Ryan's skin is on fire, just like it is every time Pete grabs his hand, or brushes lint from his shoulder, or tucks a strand of hair behind his ear. He's been doing it more and more recently, especially since Ryan's been staying later at work more, but Ryan doesn't mind. In fact, it makes him feel good.

"I'm your boss, and what I say, goes."

Ryan smiles up at him, before reaching up to brush hair out of his eyes. Pete's eyes close at the touch, and his hands drift to Ryan's waist, pulling him closer. "But Pete, have you considered that I can do what I want?"

Pete hums, shaking his head ever so slightly. "I'll let you believe that for now, honey. Now come on, turn your computer off. It's time to go home."

Ryan pouts but doesn't argue, and once Pete has stepped back, he saves his report and shuts his computer down. While he waits for it to turn off properly, he glances over at Pete in his office. There's a big window next to the door, and usually the curtains are drawn during the day, but now they're wide open and Ryan can see inside. Pete looks up from his desk to see Ryan watching, and he smiles widely, throwing him a wink. Ryan rolls his eyes but he's grinning as he turns away, his face heating up.

He's been in this company for at least two years now, starting off as a simple salesperson back when he was with the ex. He worked 9-5, Monday to Friday, but after his relationship fell apart he started to work weekends and late into the night. Then a management position opened up in the next town over, so he went for it, got the job, and worked forty hours a week just so he could distract himself from how lonely he was. He was soon promoted from assistant manager to manager and then was asked if he wanted to start working in the office. And then that led him here, to Pete, and the fluttering in his stomach that he feels whenever he sees him. And the weird flirty thing they have going on at the moment.

Once his computer's shut down, Ryan shoves his notebook and empty coffee cup into his bag, and then he turns off the light that sits on his desk. He looks up to see Pete locking his office door, and he waits for him to make his way over.

"Ready?" Pete asks, nudging him with his elbow, his hands in his pockets. Ryan nods, biting his lip ever so slightly. Pete's close enough that he can smell his cologne, woody with a hint of citrus, and Ryan doesn't know much about pheromones, or biology, but he reckons that it's one of the things that attracts him so much to his gorgeous boss. "Let's go, then."

Pete takes Ryan's hand, and he leads him out of the office and into the elevator, Ryan hoping that the older man can't hear how fast his heart is beating. Sure, Pete's given him lifts home before, but never this late, never ever this late. Sometimes it would be early enough so that they could sit and talk for an hour, maybe grab a coffee, and Pete's been offering lifts more and more as of late. But it's always at 6pm. Never this late. It would be the perfect opportunity for something to happen. Ryan's mouth is dry, and the small space is making him feel hot. But soon enough, the elevator doors slide open, and they step out into the coolness of the lobby, heading straight for the front door. Once in the car, with their seatbelts on, Ryan feels like he should be relaxing, as he's done so many times before, but this time feels different.

"Have you got much planned for the weekend?" Pete asks, in an attempt to make small talk. Ryan usually hates small talk, especially after the ex, but with Pete he doesn't mind. He feels privileged that Pete even wants to speak to him, the PA that just blends into the background. He guesses he's kind of important, but he's nothing special. There are more important people in the office.

He shrugs. "Not really, probably more work."

"You gotta switch off sometimes, Ry. You're gonna burn out, and you won't be any use to me burnt out." Pete flashes him a smirk, before concentrating on the road. Ryan takes a deep breath, deciding how to reply.

"I didn't realise I'm of use to you in the first place." he says, eyeing Pete from the corner of his eye.

"You're my PA, you're of great use to me." They pull up to a red light, and they lock eyes. "For more reasons than you think."

Ryan makes a show of wetting his bottom lip, and he swears that, just for a split second, Pete's eyes dart to his lips to follow the motion. And then the lights turn green and they're off again, Ryan's heartbeat thundering in his ears.

They pull up to Ryan's apartment block, and all is quiet. Ryan looks at Pete, and Pete looks at Ryan, and it takes four seconds for them to unbuckle their seatbelts and meet each other halfway. Pete's mouth is hot and rough, his hands large on either side of Ryan's head. He grabs a hold of Pete's tie and pulls his body closer as their tongues collide. It's been so long since Ryan's kissed someone, it feels so good. He's not kissed anyone since the ex, and the thought strikes him like a thunderbolt to the heart.

He pulls back, gasping for breath, and he locks eyes with Pete, who looks just as wrecked as him.

"Ryan," Pete says, Pete, with his messy tie, his red lips. He wants to lean back over, and kiss him again. It's all he wants right now. He's started to think about him, and he needs a distraction. This could be his distraction. Pete reaches over and brushes Ryan's bottom lip with his thumb. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that. Are you okay?"

Ryan nods, offering a smile. "I'm fine," he takes a deep breath, breaking eye contact and reaching over to straighten Pete's tie. Without looking at his face, he says, "Would you like to come inside? For a beer...or something else?"

Time seems to slow as he waits for an answer, and he truly fears the worst. What if he's just fucked his entire career up? What if Pete goes to HR, tells them that he tried to make an advance on him, or worse, what if he fires him himself?

"I shouldn't. I really shouldn't. We could get in so much trouble." He takes Ryan's hand, presses his lips against his knuckles. This makes Ryan look up, meeting Pete's eyes. "But I can't stop thinking about you, about what it would be like to be with you...if you catch my drift."

Ryan's breath catches in his throat. Everything, the hand-holding, the occasional touches, the almost-kisses, has all come down to this. "Come inside with me and I'll show you what it's like."

Pete nods, and once they're out the car, Ryan takes his hand, leading him up to his apartment. He's nervous, rightfully so, but with a quick squeeze of Pete's hand as he unlocks the door, he calms a little. He knows Pete will take care of him.

~~~

Ryan wakes up much later than he wanted to, finding the bed empty beside him. He's naked, and sore, and he can feel scratches on his back, but he's still surprisingly well-rested. He rubs his eyes and sits up, stretching as he grabs his phone from the nightstand. The first thing he sees is the time - 11:44am - and the second thing he sees is a few texts from Pete. He opens them up, his heart skipping a beat.

Hey Ry, sorry I left without saying goodbye, I had to go into the office and you looked like you needed the rest. Last night was fun, still can't stop thinking about you, wanna do something tonight? Could pick you up, take you back to mine, spend the night together? ;)

Let me know, I won't be offended if you don't want to, I promise :p xx

Like cross my heart, I won't even fire you if you don't want to, you have every right to say no

Fighting a huge stupid grin, Ryan gets up to pee and make coffee, holding his phone to his chest. His boss, Pete Wentz, the guy he's had a ridiculous crush on for at least six months, wants to see him outside of work! And maybe have sex! Again! His boss! And him! Sex! Everything has come down to this, wanting to see each other outside of work, actual kissing! He feels like a teenager again, all giddy and excited. He feels the same way he did when he met him.

He shakes his head, keeping the grin firmly on his face, and while he waits for the coffee machine to finish pouring, he types a text back to Pete.

Oh? What is it about me you can't stop thinking about? I think I have a pretty good guess but I want you to say it

Go on, baby. I promise I won't laugh.

You're cute. I literally had my dick in your ass last night, for a long time - I don't think we have any boundaries anymore, Ry

He sips his coffee, heading into the living area to find his clothes. He has no idea if Pete likes him, or just wants to fuck him, but either way, Ryan's grateful that he wants to see him - just him! - outside of work. He adds to his previous message, before picking up his underwear from the floor, slipping it on. He should really shower, but Pete won't be here for at least a couple of hours, so he's got time. He's got loads of time.

He sits on the couch and scrolls through Facebook while he drinks his coffee, waiting for Pete's reply. It comes half an hour later (god you're so cute <3) and it leaves him feeling warm and fuzzy inside. He's almost giddy with excitement. It's been so long.

He's mindlessly scrolling when something catches his eye, making him stop. He slowly puts his mug down on the coffee table, nudging his t-shirt out of the way, and scrolls back up to find it. Two friends of his from high school, Mikey and Gerard Way, both of whom he hasn't spoken to in at least four years or so, have liked a post, causing it to show up on his timeline. A post from Dallon Weekes. A post from Dallon Weekes with a picture of himself and his boyfriend. A post from Dallon Weekes with a picture of himself and Ryan's ex-boyfriend, who has his hand held up, a shiny ring on his ring finger.

And the caption says: he said yes!!