on blane and the hunter.

synopsis: Blane's relationship with the hunter, from N's pov.

Before [N], no one had ever believed in Blane. A sad statement, but unfortunately true. After [N], though, came a few others. Some that were there to begin with, but didn't yet have the privilege of knowing Blane to be able to believe in them.

[N] says privilege, because it truly is a privilege to be friends with Blane. Both in their eyes and [N]'s. People have told them that they're too nice for considering their friendships as such, but [N] doesn't think so; having such strong bonds is rare. They intend to keep them.

It's because of this that you'd assume they're worried about being replaced. As Blane's group of friends grow from one to two to three and possibly four, will [N] be left behind?

If it was anyone but Blane, then sure. But Blane is Blane, and their loyalty is unwavering, even if it doesn't seem like that at first glance. So [N] watches with fondness as you push your way into their life. At first maybe without knowing, but as the months go on, definitely on purpose.

You shove. You kick down doors and knock down walls that Blane keeps building. And sometimes, Blane grows enough to let you in personally, make you another copy of the key that [N] already has themself. Other times, you have to resort to knocking them upside the head. It doesn't work all the time, of course, but Blane has come to learn that they don't really have a choice.

[N] can admire that.

It's strange to watch someone go through the exact trials [N] did. Strange but also interesting. Because while [N] settled for being Blane's friend, sometimes, [N] thinks that you want more. And so does Blane. Whether this is on purpose or simply just how your actions come across, [N] wasn't sure at first.

They watched your relationship grow from going at each other's throats to Blane grunting in acknowledgement when you sat down to Blane leaning into your touch when you patted their cheek.

They saw the two of you go from Blane rolling their eyes every time you spoke to Blane gritting their teeth on the occasion that your words still grated them to Blane watching you shyly, eyes following your every movement as they soaked in whatever story you were telling.

They were there when Blane picking fights with you every time you crossed paths changed to flushed cheeks when they made eye contact with you across the room changed to seeking you out when they wanted company, alternating with [N].

And sure, it was a little hurtful at first. [N] went from being Blane's only outlet to one of two. But at the same time, [N] was delighted for their friend. Especially because you were so reciprocative.

What's best about your relationship is that it was a product of time. Had it been any faster, Blane would've shut it down immediately. But because it was so gradual, it let Blane get used to it, which only worked to your benefit. [N] always predicted that Blane was a slow burner and they have yet to be wrong.

They're not entirely sure that Blane knows what you have yet. [N]'s quite sure that you're pushing for something beyond friendship—and if that's the case, [N] will be your loudest supporter—but Blane is so oblivious in the romance department that [N] thinks you'd have to kiss them to let them know you're into them.

Or maybe Blane is more seasoned in that department than [N] gives them credit for. They don't know. Blane hasn't exactly mentioned anything about it.

If [N] was more cruel, maybe they'd tease their friend about it. Do that wink-nudge thing that Rylan loves to do so much. But they're content enough to sit back and see how this plays out.

They like the light flush you bring to Blane's cheeks or the small smile that tugs at the end of their lips when they look at you and think no one is watching. They like seeing Blane play with their fingers underneath the table when they talk to you and hearing Blane's grumble, soft grumble, when [N] brings you up.

They like sneaking pictures of Blane being flustered around you and sending them to [A], who almost always sounds exasperated about how oblivious Blane is. [A] berates Blane sometimes, complaining about how they're the "least romantic person they know" and "the Hunter really knows how to pick 'em," but [N] knows they're as fond of this developing relationship as much as they are.

Because [A] sends pictures too. And while half of them look like nothing on the outside, [A] and [N] know better. Slowly but surely, Blane is opening up.

One day, they're going to realize how much they like you.