tropes. [rylan villanueva]

synopsis: character a helps character b put on a necklace or bracelet.

note: why did this end up angsty, i'm sorry-

Rylan collects a lot of things. They also misplace a lot of things.

So when you gift them a ring—silver to compliment their undertone, wide enough that it could be considered dainty but still thick enough that it was durable, and embellished with nothing but a ruby rhinestone subtly punctured in the middle—they know they have to keep it safe.

Because while they may have convinced [A] to believe their constantly rotating set of rings is deliberate, it's really because they lose them so often. How something supposedly stuck to their fingers gets lost is a mystery that they've yet to solve. Until they do, they need to keep their valuables locked up.

But this is a gift they don't want to hide. The moment you pull it out, their eyes light up, dark brown glimmering with a thousand gold fireworks.

"It's beautiful," Rylan breathes.

And it is. Just like you. Not just your looks, but your heart for trusting them with something that was clearly an expensive purchase. Not that money matters. It could be worth one dollar or one thousand—Rylan will treasure it like it's worth a million.

"You like it then?" Your voice has a lilt of amusement to it, the kind that Rylan likes. They usually chase that thrill, keep the jokes going until they're leading the conversation and guiding you through hoops and circles, but this time, they're too distracted by the ring to think about doing so.

"Of course I do."

"Yeah?"

Rylan forces themself to smirk before they accidentally blurt out a love confession. They hold the ring up to their eyes, the ruby facing forward. "Yeah. Matches my eyes, don't you think? Did you pick the red because I'm a vampire, Hunter?"

"You know that's not it."

"I don't know. You can be quite funny sometimes."

You roll your eyes. "Like I said, you know that's not it. I know you like red."

Rylan hums appreciatively. They do like red. In fact, they'd go as far as to say it's their favourite colour, though they're so indecisive sometimes they don't want to make a permanent decision.

"Can I?"

You nod, passing the ring over. Rylan fiddles with their necklace for a second before taking the clasp off. Two rings are strung on the cord, but tonight, they want to add one more. It's the only way they can keep the ring on their person without losing it.

They slide your gift on, admiring how it looks with the other two. Those have their own story. One day you'll ask about it, they're sure, but tonight, you stay silent, watching as Rylan pulls the cord back up to fit around their neck.

"Do you mind?"

There's a slight hitch in your breath that Rylan tries to ignore. It's easier to tell themself that it was the wind or maybe you choking on your spit for a second than what they want it to be.

Your fingers grip the clasp, cold against the back of Rylan's neck. They repress a shiver as you brush against their skin. Better to pretend it was accidental. Better to ignore the way your heart is beating faster than it usually does than get their hopes up over something.

Rylan hears the moment the necklace clips together, but for a moment, you don't move. Instead, you stand there, trying to control your breathing as your fingers touch the nape of Rylan's neck. Rylan forces themself to swallow, tells themself to get it together lest they turn around and kiss you senseless.

"Hunter?"

"Hmm?"

Rylan forces a swallow again."Did you get it?"

"Oh, yeah. Sorry."

Rylan takes a step forward and away from you. The space is both a relief and an excruciating pain. Because they want to get further, but they also want to be closer. They want to tell you that they like you but they know it'll only cause the both of you pain.

That’s why when they turn to face you again, the grin that's stretched across their face is so false they nearly cringe. The façade they put up has quadrupled despite their desire against it. It's not fair to either of you, but they tell themself it's what's needed. It's what's needed and they know it.

Unfortunately, that doesn't erase their feelings.

"So? What do you think?" they ask.

Your eyes roam their collarbone, down to their neck and the new ring that's hanging on the cord. Your smile is forced, but Rylan has no right to call you out on it when they're doing the same.

"I'm glad you like it."

"It's from you," Rylan answers. Their expression turns sad, turning away before you can see the change. Already, the mask is breaking. Already, one glance at you and they feel like falling to their knees. "I would've liked it no matter what it was."

This time, they can't ignore your soft "oh." It makes them hate themself so much more.