Title: Threadbare Pairing: Brad & Ryan friendship (uh, kinda); past Ryan/Colin implied Rating: PG Summary: "Does Colin ever talk about me?" "Does Colin ever talk about me?" Brad and Ryan had been sharing a companionable silence. Now Brad's not so sure he should have come outside. It's been a long time since he had a real conversation with Ryan. "In what sense?" The answer comes back, clipped. "You know." Of course he knows. But the answer probably isn't what Ryan wants to hear. Brad stalls and avoids. "We don't really sit around talking about our feelings." And it creeps me out a little that you want to, Brad keeps himself from adding. Ryan continues like he didn't hear what Brad said. "Does he still love me?" Brad doesn't hesitate this time. The answer is a simple truth, and he doesn't have to have heard it from Colin to know it. "He'll always love you." Ryan makes a sound of disbelief. "Why did I even agree to this tour," he says, and Brad's pretty sure it's not really directed at him. But apparently he's playing psychologist tonight, and he hears himself answer, "Because you still love him, too." Ryan grunts at that. It's a sound somewhere between angry and resigned. When the silence returns, it's far more uncomfortable. -- end --