A/N: Ello, ello, ello! How are you lovely people that hate me for leaving out the Rylos (Yea, Rylos won) conversation that also won't be revealed in this chapter? Good? Great! Now, this chapter had to be cut short or it would've been WAY too long, but enjoy nonetheless!
HOLD UP. CAN WE JUST TALK ABOUT HOW KEN AND DUSTIN WERE JUST IN TAHOE BECAUSE HOLY FUCK I THINK I AM PSYCHIC. I WROTE THAT CHAPTER WAY BEFORE, AND NOW THEY ARE IN (well, they're leaving) TAHOE LIKE HOLY SCHMIDT. Okay, rant over.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything recognizable.
"Get up, get up, g-g-get up!"
Ryan stirred in her sleep as the familiar tune filled her ears and flooded her slowly waking mind. As the melody continued, she consciously turned onto her back, slowly opening her eyes and adjusting to the light pouring through the window. As her vision came into focus, she noticed five figures looming over her, four of which were singing. She jumped slightly, startled, before recognizing the five men standing beside her bed. The band broke the song as Ryan finally woke.
"Mornin' Sleeping Beauty," Alex smirked.
"Lookin' a bit more like Beast right now, dontcha think?" Logan suggested with a sly smile. The men laughed as Ryan sleepily flipped him off. James sat at the foot of her bed, shaking her leg.
"Get up!" She groaned but sat up nonetheless. Despite being woken up at the ungodly hour of 6:00 AM, she smiled at the sight of Carlos holding a cupcake and Kendall a balloon. Shaking her head, Ryan scooted up against her headboard.
"Well damn," she mumbled, the smile never leaving her face.
"You're welcome?" James responded with a confused chuckle.
"Yes, thank you." She rolled her eyes playfully. "But seriously y'all? It's 6 AM, why are you even alive?!"
"We have the day off," Kendall explained, handing her the smiling balloon.
"Thought we'd spend your birthday with you...?" Carlos asked more than stated, his voice trailing off as he shrugged sheepishly, handing her the purple-iced cupcake.
"Well," Ryan smiled a sincerely loving smile as she tiredly climbed out of the plush hotel bed, setting the treat on her night stand, "thank you." She delivered a hug to Logan first, then James, causing her to squeal as he picked her up and spun around, dropping her in front of a nervous Carlos. Ryan gave him a small smile before pulling him into a tight hug.
"Happy birthday, Ryan" he whispered in her ear before letting her go. She have him one last grin before embracing Kendall who winked at Carlos over her shoulder causing him to blush beneath his tan skin. Kendall kissed Ryan's cheek as she pulled away and stepped towards a grinning Alex.
"Sneaky little bastard." She slapped his arm playfully, not at all trying to hide her overjoyed expression. Alex chuckled, holding Ryan close.
"Only the best for my girl," he stated with a firm but loving tone as he dropped a light kiss on her messy brown hair, playing with the ends on the brunette waves that fell to her mid-back. Nuzzling into his chest, she squeezed him slightly.
"I love you," she mumbled into the flannel fabric of the grey plaid shirt he had on.
"Love you too, kiddo." As the two pulled apart Ryan re-addressed the remaining men present.
"And thanks, guys. Really, I know how hard it is to get Logan out of bed." They all laughed, Logan feigning offense. "So what exactly is going on?" Ryan asked, genuinely curious.
"Well you go get ready so that we can show these newbies our lake," Alex said, pushing a whining Ryan towards their shared bathroom.
"But but but bed..." Ryan pleaded, pointing to her bed as Alex pushed her into the bathroom and shut the door, immediately sliding the desk chair beneath the doorknob, locking her in. All five men laughed, hearing her groan when she couldn't open the door.
"But seriously, man. Was it necessary for you to wake us up at 5-fucking-AM?!" James crossed his arms.
"Well it got you here on time, didn't it?" James simply followed his eyes in response to Alex before falling backwards onto Ryan's slightly messed bed. The others talked of the day's plans amongst themselves before a loud banging was heard, coming from the bathroom.
"Y'all, let me out," Ryan hollered through the door.
"Are you dressed?" Alex asked as he approached the bathroom, ready to move the chair.
"No, I'm coming out naked- Yes I'm dressed, dipshit!" Alex rolled his eyes, opening the door to a newly-dressed Ryan, her thick black-rimmed glasses still perched on her nose, her wavy brown hair tied up. James sat up as she approached the bed, handing her a large bag he had hidden under her bed. She stumbled back in surprise as he thrust the bag in her hands.
"Guys, this wasn't neces-"
"Just hush up and open it," Kendall chuckled, cutting her short. She threw up her hands in surrender, removing three labeled and individually wrapped presents from within the bag. Opening the one labeled "From James" first, her eyes shot up in surprise at the sight of a leather journal.
"James, how'd you-"
"I might've gotten some help from Alex," James admitted with a smile.
"Keep going," Logan said, pushing the one labeled "With love, Logan" into her hands. She laughed as she unwrapped the present, finding a frame holding two pictures: one from the bookstore's reopening, and another from the Meet and Greet the previous night.
"That's the best, thanks Loges," Ryan said, giving the brunette a side-hug.
"Not done yet," Kendall reminded her, handing her the final gift marked "Yours Truly, Kendall" and waited for her reaction. When the bright green wrapping paper had been torn off, Ryan found herself staring down at a signed All Time Low CD.
"Jesus, Ken. How'd you manage to get this?!"
"I have my ways" Kendall smirked, pulling her into a short hug.
"And, uh," Carlos stammered, "You- you'll get my gift later tonight." Ryan nodded with a thankful smile.
"Thanks, you guys."
"Always," Logan promised, throwing an arm around her shoulder.
"So we ready to roll out?" Kendall asked excitedly. Ryan nodded as all six adults pulled on their coats.
Making their way to the lobby, the group chatted in pairs about what the day would hold. Throughout his conversation with Ryan, Alex noticed Carlos sneaking short glances at her, trying to hide his smile at her joyous demeanor. Alex chuckled at how oblivious Ryan was, feeling sympathetic towards the Latino. His focus was averted when the valet pulled up with his rental SUV.
"Don't you have to be 25 to get a rental?" Kendall asked as he climbed into the back two after Logan.
"Well I'll be 25 in less than a month, and my uncle works in the Tahoe branch, so he pulled some strings," Alex responded cheekily, closing the driver's side door as he sat down, Ryan beside him. "So Ry, you want to take 50 to 89 or 28?" he asked, only Ryan understanding what he meant.
"Hmm... 28. They need to see Incline Village." Alex nodded in agreement, starting the car and pulling out onto the main road.
"Pull over!" Ryan shouted excitedly as Alex complied, parking on the edge of the road. The group exited the car for the third time since morning, and they followed Ryan out as she carefully stepped across the slightly icy stone beach. Walking to the edge of the lake, she sat down on the small rocks.
"Her favorite spot," Alex informed the band as they followed her down.
"I can see why," Carlos whispered softly yet audibly as he sat beside Ryan.
"Looks like a good a spot as any to set up," Kendall suggested, receiving nods of agreement from Logan, James, and Alex.
"Set up what?" Ryan asked as four of the five men retreated to the SUV, opening the hatch. Carlos remained beside Ryan, watching her face contort into expressions of confusion, surprise, then excitement as she twisted around, watching the guys bring out two picnic baskets and a large white box. She stood up, slowly walking toward the rest of the groups
"What in the name of the Lord is all this?" she asked as Carlos approached her from behind, placing a careful hand on her shoulder.
"Well it's your birthday," he reminded her.
"And what's a birthday without cake?" Kendall stated rather than questioned as he signaled for Ryan to look inside the box he was holding.
"Well, I figured the cupcake..." Her voice trailed off as she looked into the box at the white, purple, and orange icing that decorated the quarter-sheet cake.
"Like hell we'd only get you a damned cupcake," Logan scoffed, approaching with one of two baskets, James with the other.
"Thanks guys," Ryan smiled. "Y'all wanna eat on the dock?" Glancing at the wooden dock where she was pointing, they nodded. Alex joined them with a small cooler as they walked across the cold stones to the medium-sized dock where he produced a blanket to cover the splintered wood.
Ryan sat between Alex and Carlos as the sandwiches, chips, and fruit was dealt out. Smiling, she watched as a conversation began amongst the five men she had grown so close to. She ate quietly, enjoying everyone's presence, but not noticing Carlos watching her out of the corner of his eye until he spoke, nudging her shoulder.
"You alright?" he whispered, not to draw any attention. She smiled and nodded.
"Perfect." He nodded once, satisfied with her response.
"Well then," he got the attention of the other four men. "Cake time?" Receiving a collective whoop of agreement, he chuckled, opening up the white box and placing it in front of Ryan. Alex produced two candles from the bottom of a basket; a 2 and a 4 which he gently placed on the cake, pushing down slightly. Kendall then reached for the matches, lighting the candles as Logan handed her a knife. When Carlos stood to take a picture, she posed, holding the knife up with a demonic smile on her face.
"Gorgeous," Carlos chuckled as he reclaimed his seat beside her. The group sang in perfect harmony as her knife sliced through the marble cake m
"Happy birthday, Ry!" Alex chanted, attacking her in a hug, careful to stay in the middle of the dock.
"Alex," she laughed, "let me go!" She laughed uncontrollably as Alex ran his fingers up and down her ribs. "Ricketts, let me go-o-o-o!" The band laughed at Ryan's struggle, chuckling when Alex stopped his torture, only to smear colorful icing on her cheek.
"I hate you all," she said, failing to hide her smile that spoke the opposite.
A/N: Mostly just fluff, but some important stuff happens in the next few chapters, I promise. And I know I am moving things really slowly, but I have to focus on this Tahoe trip. After the trip is over, there will be a small time skip. Anyways, hope you enjoyed. Follow/Favorite/Review por favor!