Brian isnât usually one to let things slip. He carefully measures his words and deeds, typically holds things close to his chest until the time is right. But thereâs something about Ross that flusters Brian. Thereâs something about being around him that eliminates the carefully constructed filter between Brianâs brain and mouth. Itâs both freeing and frightening and it makes recording with Ross more difficult than it has any right to be. Luckily Ross laughs off every dumb thing that Brian says, every overtly-sexual comment and every silly compliment and they slide into a teasing, flirtatious dynamic and it works. Right up until it doesnât anymore. Right up until theyâre recording a special, one-off episode and what Brian intends as a joke-y compliment comes out sounding a little too sincere.
Ross actually tears his eyes away from the game to turn and look at Brian. From the corner of his eye, Brian can see Rossâ grip on the controller tighten. âYou⌠Would you? Really?â he asks, tone flat. Deliberately unreadable.
Brian keeps his gaze stubbornly trained on the TV. He takes the opportunity to steal first place while Ross is distracted. âAbsolutely,â he says, and flounders for a way to regain his footing, to turn it all back into a joke. In the end he fails, and what comes out of his traitorous mouth is, âYouâre cute, funny, talented- whatâs not to like?â
Ross finally remembers to hit pause on the game. The abrupt silence is overwhelming.
âBrian,â Ross says. Just that.
Brian slowly relaxes. He sets the controller gently down on the arm of the couch. There are nervous butterflies in his stomach that heâs intent on ignoring. âAre we scrapping the episode?â he asks innocently, and finally turns to look at Ross. Heâs greeted by a searching, hopeful expression. Itâs warm bordering on hot in the recording room and Rossâ cheeks are pink as a result. His hair is pushed to one side because heâs been putting off a haircut and itâs so long it goes into his eyes now. His shirt matches the blue of his eyes which, quite frankly, is a detail Brian wishes he didnât notice.
âWe canâŚâ Ross gestures. âEdit.â
Theyâre sitting very close on the couch. Brian doesnât remember meaning to sit so close. âOkay,â he says, simply. âSoâŚ?â
âSoâŚâ Ross leans closer still. He bites his lip, releases it. âI just wanna say, if youâre joking⌠Cool. If youâre not jokingâŚâ A very small smile curls at the corners of Rossâ lips. Brianâs eyes dart down and back up and Rossâ smile widens. âThen back atcha,â he finishes with a cheeky wink.
He picks up his controller, hits play, and loudly declares that heâs going to take first place back. Brian blinks, blinks again, and only snaps out of it when he hears the triumphant sound of Ross crossing the finish line.
âNo fair!â Brian complains, reaching for his own controller. âCheater.â
âHypocrite,â Ross fires back, but heâs grinning. âRematch?â he sweetly suggests, but thereâs mischief in his eyes. âThis time, loser takes the winner out to dinner.â
Brian smirks. âYouâre on.â
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