(one week later)

There was a soft click from the front door unlocking. Spencer didn't bat an eye as his second roommate walked in.

"Hey Spence." He couldn't help the little chuckle that came out. He wasn't sure when Ryan snagged one of their keys, but even after this long it still amused him how natural Ryan was at their place. Spencer kept his attention on the pot of sauce in front of him, adding some parsley before going back to stirring it.

"Smells good. What are you making?"

"Chicken parmesan."

"Special occasion?" Spencer's hand froze before he put the spoon down and turned to Ryan. The man rose his eyebrows and smirked. "It is, isn't it?" Spencer took a deep breath.

"Linda's coming tonight." Ryan's eyes went wide and his mouth dropped open.

"You serious?" Ryan worked to contain his excitement. Since Spencer first told him about his girlfriend, he would talk nonstop about her. Ryan was happy for him and was thrilled to meet the woman that's been able to maintain Spencer's smile. Being able to listen about their relationships allowed the two men to get closer as friends. Spencer scratched the back of his head and nodded with a shy smile.

"Dude that's awesome. I can't wait to meet her." Spencer let out a quick sigh, releasing some of his nerves that have been brewing inside him. He'd told Ryan about his worried about this meeting and with plenty of encouragement from his friend's boyfriend, Spencer finally decided it was time. "When's she gonna be here?"

"I don't know, ten minutes maybe?" Ryan giggled, ready to see this mystery girl. His smile slipped as he turned to look at the dinner table. He turned back to Spencer with a worried look sitting on his face.

"How are we gonna..." They were silent for a moment. This hadn't been a problem before because dinner wasn't this important.

"We could do it in the room," Spencer suggested. "It'll put that little bed table to good use." Ryan signed and chewed on his lower lip for a second.

"He hates that thing." Yeah, this was never a problem when Brendon could at least walk. Now, he could barely manage standing up for a few second by himself. He's been forced to spend most of the time confined in the four walls of his room. There were times when Spencer or Ryan would go into his room and find him sitting up but those times also involved Brendon looking beyond pale and trembling from exerting himself.

The price to pay for simply sitting up was getting to be to great for Brendon. With help, he'd be able to sit up and be fine for longer, his body being conformable with the support. It was almost as if he were a baby again, needing help for things that were simple to Ryan and Spencer.

"It's fine. We'll figure it out," Ryan concluded in hopes that this wouldn't make Spencer more nervous. Spencer had to trust Ryan's word but it was validating to know Ryan has been handling Brendon's situation well enough.

Soon enough, there was a knock at the door and Ryan raced to open it until Spencer shoved him out of the way. The two fought for who got to welcome the guest first, ending with Spencer doing the honors with a professional neurosurgeon on his back trying to put him in a chokehold.

"So that's what all that ruckus was," Linda joked when the door swung open. Ryan jumped back to the floor and pushed passed Spencer. He took Linda's hand and kissed the top of it.

"Dr. Ryan Ross. It's a pleasure to meet you." Spencer yanked him back by the collar of his shirt.

"Get your hands off her and say hello to your own boyfriend." Ryan laughed and nodded at Linda.

"I must go now. My beloved awaits me." Spencer rolled his eyes and leaned in to give his girlfriend a kiss.

"Hey babe."

"Hi," she smiled. "Smells good in here."

"Thanks."

"Ryan seems charming." She motioned to the hallway were Ryan disappeared to.

"He's been waiting to meet you. He also thinks Brendon seeing me with someone will help lighten everything." Linda nodded in understanding.

"Are you nervous?" Spencer nodded aggressively making Linda laugh. "Well don't be because I know it'll be great tonight. I can feel it." That didn't really help Spencer feel better but he smiled anyway.

When Ryan got to the room, he saw Brendon sitting up and watching tv. He stood at the doorway, waiting for the few moments Brendon would grin at the screen when some joke was told. He knocked on the door to get Brendon's attention and the way his boyfriend's eyes widened and a genuine smile took over made his delay to present himself worth it.

Brendon reached his arms out, calling Ryan forward to fill them. Of course Ryan couldn't refuse that motion and climbed onto the bed, landing a kiss on the other's cheek. His heart warmed at the giggle coming from his man.

"How's my baby doing today?" Ryan pulled away just slightly. Brendon leg his hands hanging around Ryan's shoulders and shrugged.

"It's a good day," he answered with a smile. Ryan nodded and laid his head on Brendon's lap. His arms wrapped around Brendon's lower body. Brendon immediately started brushing his fingers through Ryan's hair as they started talking about their days. All too soon, Ryan sighed in disappointment and spoke up.

"As much as I love being like this with you, we need to get you ready." Brendon frowned and pulled away.

"Ready for what?" Ryan pushed his body up to look at Brendon with a smile.

"Spencer wants you to meet someone." Brendon tilted his head to the side.

"Who?"

~~~

"I can't believe you had a girlfriend this whole time," Brendon said for about the eighth time that night. Just like the other times, Spencer looked over at Linda with a proud smile.

"Did you really think I was working that much overtime," was his response this time. Brendon shook his head in disbelief. It was humorous to watch him process that his friend was in a relationship.

One thing that these random outbursts from Brendon did was distract everyone from the seating arrangement. Spencer and Ryan had brought in a long table to put beside Brendon's bed while Linda was introducing herself. Ryan gladly volunteered to be the back rest so Brendon could sit and face the other couple. With Brendon between his legs, Ryan ate his dinner over his shoulder and even fed Brendon when he noticed the man wasn't eating enough.

When the plates were cleared, Ryan wrapped his arms around Brendon's stomach and rested his head on his shoulder. The night went on with Brendon asked questions about their relationship, some inappropriate, earning himself the lightest smack on the side of his thigh. Soon enough, the night came to an end.

Spencer left to walk Linda to her car. Ryan helped reposition Brendon to lay down and held him tightly. Ryan snuggled into his body, sighing in content when Brendon would comb his fingers through his hair.

"I like her," Brendon thought out loud.

"Yeah? More than me," Ryan hummed. Brendon chuckled and shook his head.

"Never." Ryan smiled and kissed the man's collar.

"Good because I won't hesitate to kill her if she tried to take you away." Brendon giggled again.

"You're an idiot but seriously, I think she's good for him."

"I think so too."

"Yeah," Brendon sighed. "He'll have someone to look after him when I'm gone." Ryan felt the hand stop in his hair. He bit the inside of his cheek to keep him from saying anything to ruin the night. Brendon yawned and nestled into his pillow. "Now we gotta find someone to look after you too," he mumbled. Ryan pulled away slowly, seeing Brendon's eyes closed and him drifting off to sleep.

Ryan went to say something but wasn't sure if Brendon would even hear him anymore. Even if the man were still awake, Ryan probably couldn't get any words out anyway. It wasn't because he wouldn't know what to say. He actually had too much to say but not enough time to get it all out.

He stayed silent and got comfortable beside Brendon again. He reached over and brushed the other's hair away from his face so he could watch him sleep better. He let out a slow sigh and pulled Brendon close to kiss his forehead. He rested his head against Brendon's as his eyes fell close. A tear slipped down his cheek as he placed his hand over Brendon's heart, feeling the subtle pumps.