Ryan Ross had been able to hear Spencer Smith in his head for as long as he could remember. Well, not exactly hear. It wasn’t like he was telepathic, there was just sort of a buzz, a sense of Spencer Smith’s presence. Over the years, it had become like white noise, just there in the background. Ryan couldn’t imagine what it would be like not to hear Spencer all the time, anymore than he could imagine not longing after Spencer.

Pete sat on the hotel bed and tried to watch Patrick surreptitiously to see if Patrick was maybe surreptitiously watching him back. But he really, really wasn't. Pete knew he looked good – he'd made sure of that in the bathroom mirror before coming out into the room. The white hotel towel made his skin look even darker and his tattoos looked awesome against it all. He was clean and slightly – sexily – wet from the shower. His hair was pushed back (but messily rumpled too) and he smelled amazing. Patrick was straight in the most annoying way.