Chapter Text
Trauma Bonded 4 Life!
6:03
Pirate Dylan: Morning sunshines
tired of werewolves: morning! ☀️
Badass Bitch: You Guys Are Up Way Too Early.
Pirate Dylan: Youre awake too
Badass Bitch: Because I’m Asian, It’s Like Customary.
Pirate Dylan: Awake thinking about @RyanErzahler 😍
[😒 2] Badass Bitch; The Incredible Sulk
tired of werewolves: please stop with the emote istg 😭.
Pirate Dylan: RYAN! GOOD MORNING! 😊
Badass Bitch: Dylan, You’re On The Main.
Pirate Dylan: When have I ever been subtle
The Incredible Sulk: I can’t believe I woke up for this.
The Incredible Sulk: Going back to sleep.
Pirate Dylan: No please dont go 😩
Badass Bitch: A Few Days Ago This Man Was Moping And Being Depressed Over Ryan And Now He’s Like This.
Pirate Dylan: Im still very much on my daily dose of medication and I have one hand, let me be embarrassed later, Kaitlyn.
tired of werewolves: been meaning to ask, how’re you typing with one hand, dylan?
Pirate Dylan: Pure unadulterated will
Pirate Dylan: I type slower now though cause Im just one handing this bitch.
Badass Bitch: That’s Slow Typing?
Pirate Dylan: You know those how quick can you type things on the internet? Well, Im a pro at all those so 😊
Pirate Dylan: I cant be bothered to type out the extra shit though so forgive the lazy grammar
tired of werewolves: that’s admirable in all honesty
[❤ 1] Pirate Dylan
Badass Bitch: Can Any Of Y’all Come Visit This Man? Can’t Come Today, Uncles Asking Me To Help Clean Up Our Garage.
tired of werewolves: i can come. been meaning to visit.
tired of werewolves: i’ll also ask @EmmaMountebank
Pirate Dylan: Hooray visitors
10:25
SEPTEMBER 4 | DYLAN
QuickCure Medical Hospital
Abi and Emma finally decided to visit. Turns out, Nick had been planning to visit as well, so the three met up in Dylan’s hospital room in a surprise coincidence. He has never seen his room this crowded before. His only regular visitors would be his mom, Kaitlyn and now thankfully Ryan.
“How are you feeling?” Emma sat on the free space on the bed.
“Well, my bare ass is on this crusty hospital bed and my left hand is unusually light so… Feeling great.” Dylan replied sarcastically. He didn’t really mean to sound so jokey but in his defense- humor is his coping mechanism… and occasionally the uncontrollable sobbing and crying.
“Genuinely…” Emma shifted her expression to a soft stern glare. I guess she doesn’t need the sass right now.
“Well… I’m doing better. But being stuck in a hospital bed while conscious isn’t exactly any better than me being stuck in a hospital bed in comatose. It kinda makes you realize just how slow time goes and no matter how fast it can go, I’m still just stuck here.” Dylan’s reply held a slight sadness, but he’s honestly glad he’s actually conscious, well now that he actually has a support system that isn’t his mother.
“That sounds so… weirdly philosophical in a sense. It sounds so weird coming from you.” Abi hopes it didn’t sound rude. It’s just that Dylan is most definitely comedic and laidback, hearing critical perspective coming out of a jokester makes you think he was a completely different person. She wasn’t far off.
“You’d be surprised. One time while we were hiking in the woods, he hit me with this hypothetical whether I’d prefer being constantly resurrected with my memories still intact from previous lives or if I wanted to be an amnesiac immortal.” Nick replied quickly. This wouldn’t be the first time Dylan would be so quote-on-quote weird. They got even weirder whenever he and Dylan would pull all nighters back at camp.
“I did not understand a single thing he said but okay.” Emma had a strained smile on her face, slightly confused.
“Don’t worry, Ryan was just as confused when I asked him the same question.” Dylan smiled while he said those words, almost proudly.
“Speaking of Ryan… How are you two?” Emma sang those drawled out words, trying to get a rise out of Dylan. Just as she is an avid supporter of Abi’s romantic endeavors, she’s just as much of a fangirl trying to get Dylan and Ryan together. Such was evident when she made that dare back at the campfire.
“Emma…” Abi nudged her shoulder in disapproval. She doesn't think that’s what Dylan needs right now.
“I know what you’re all thinking- but no… We aren’t a thing.” Dylan held up his hands, well… hand- singular, in mock surrender. He doesn’t need this to be a big thing.
“What!? But why?” Emma frustratingly complained, Ryan and Dylan are seriously the slowest burn she’s ever seen. And she’s seen basically all drama shows with the longest drawn out romances.
“Because!” Dylan paused. In all honesty, he and Ryan are a little complicated to describe right now. Not the bad kind, don’t worry. He can’t exactly find words to say to justify it.
“Me and Ryan agreed that we both probably need a little more time to process things before rushing into a relationship. And if the stars align, maybe he’ll consider it.”
“Maybe!?” Emma sounded genuinely pissed. “I swear I hate both of you. Mr. and Mrs. Smith over here are already making googly eyes at each other like lovebirds and you two need time? This is like a situationship you’d see in a bad rom com series.” Of course, she pointed behind her, referring to Nick and Abi.
“What? Why am I in it all of the sudden?” Nick held his hands up in a complaint. Abi just sighed, pretty much used to Emma being like this.
Dylan scoffed and lied against the headboard of his hospital bed. What makes you think Dylan doesn’t want to make googly eyes with Ryan? He wants to so badly. A night of werewolves will not change that. But Dylan considers himself a gentleman, Ryan says he needs time to reflect, Dylan will respect that, that’s just how he is. Then again, Ryan wasn’t exactly helping Dylan when he sent him mixed signals yesterday.
12:16
SEPTEMBER 03 | DYLAN
Cup of Jo Rodney’s Donuts and Tea
Ryan and Dylan decided to have lunch at the cafe. Kaitlyn “mysteriously” disappeared, actually she decided to lounge at the competing scone shop just a block away to give him and Ryan their precious alone time. Kaitlyn’s a good friend like that.
Dylan ordered a Bavarian donut cream puff thing while Ryan just ordered plain old chocolate donut with… colorful sprinkles? He didn’t expect Ryan to be a sprinkle guy, especially not the colorful ones. Dylan stared blankly at the donut before looking up at Ryan, who shot him a confused look.
“What’s that look for?” Ryan raised his eyebrows as he narrowed his gaze.
“I didn’t say anything.” Dylan pretty much held back a giggle, but a smile escaped his lips.
“I’ve seen way too many people give me that exact look, so I know damn well you’re judging me.” Yeah, maybe he was judging Ryan but that’s just Dylan being an immature guy. Let him laugh that the brooding emo he has a crush on likes colorful sprinkles on his donut.
“Okay so what if I am? Suddenly, you’re worried about what I think?” Dylan replied sarcastically, as usual.
“You’d be surprised.” Ryan gave him that same old blank expression as he nonchalantly takes a bite of the donut, his eyes don’t leave Dylan. Why is he staring at me like that? Jesus.
Dylan could feel himself getting flustered, so he decided to distract himself by chomping down on the cream filled donut. Of course, you don’t just bite down into a Bavarian donut, the cream basically splattered out of the bite like a drop of paint, dirtying his face and his clothes. Dylan examines the damage and sighs, of course he embarasses himself in front of Ryan. Again. “Why did I think that was a good idea?” Ryan held the biggest smile on his face, like when he basically fell out of the rolling chair back at camp. Does he always like laughing in Dylan’s misery?
“What’s so funny?”
“Oh. I didn’t say anything.” Ryan took another bite of his own donut. Dang it, Dylan doesn’t like it when people use his own words against him. Nevertheless, he shared a laugh, guess it was a little funny.
“Want me to help clean you off?” Ryan offered, placing his donut down on his plate.
“Yes please. Can’t exactly clean everything off with one hand.” Dylan gestured to his bandaged stub.
Ryan stood up from his seat and sat next to Dylan. He grabbed one of the paper towels lent by the waitress and carefully wiped away the cream on Dylan’s face. Unfortunately, neither party realized just how intimate this would look. Dylan stared into Ryan’s face with the biggest eyes, Ryan got a little lost staring into Dylan’s cheeks, and/or the man’s lips.
Ryan was so close, Dylan wanted to kiss him so badly. One dare kiss at camp was not enough. He wants to kiss Ryan almost everyday, as long as he is comfortable with it of course. As easy as it was to just push himself forward and lock lips, he hesitated. Because even though Dylan wanted to pursue his feelings, he needed to think of Ryan. He probably wouldn’t like it when he’ll force it like this. And so, Dylan just sat there, meeting Ryan’s eyes.
Ryan had accidentally brushed his thumb over Dylan’s lips trying to rub off the filling near his lips. It felt soft. Dylan wasn’t exactly joking when he said he was squishy. Dylan’s cheek went warm, blushing slightly. He tried his best not to make it seem like a big deal but to him, this felt like Christmas morning.
Ryan pulled his hands away quickly. “All clean.” Ryan covered his mouth with his palm as he averted his eyes from Dylan’s. He can’t exactly show just how embarrassed he became and how dark his face had become just trying to clean Dylan’s mess.
Ryan returned to his seat, Dylan looked at the soles of his shoes completely flushed red. At this point, you could see him releasing steam. Is this how it felt for characters in those romance movies? Fuck…
The two ended up eating the rest of their food in silence.
1:02
SEPTEMBER 03 | RYAN
107 Mudbrick Avenue
Ryan and Dylan were walking down a whole neighborhood block. He had his sister’s donuts with him. He figured he’d get her extra considering he spent 3 hours away from her, she must be pissed.
“So why am I here again?” Dylan asked, walking side by side.
“I don’t know. You offered to come with me.” Ryan looked to his left, he didn’t mean to make it sound so aggressive.
“Right, right. Sorry… Where are you going?”
“Back to my grandparents’ house. My sister’s still there waiting for the donut she asked me to buy.”
“Ooh. Taking me to meet the folks already, Ryan? Aren’t we moving a little too fast?” Dylan remarked with a smug smile plastered on his previously anxious expression.
Ryan smiled slightly at that. “Once again, you asked to come. I’m not taking you there.”
“Lighten up. Just being charming.”
“Is this Blase Dylan talking?”
“A little bit of both. My personalities kinda merged after being almost killed by werewolves.”
“Hm. Can I talk to the Dylan Dylan part then?”
“Nah. He’s still asleep. Dreaming of you.” Dylan winked at Ryan. Dylan could easily hide behind this facade of confidence whenever he tries to flirt. But because he had told Ryan about his little personal secret, Ryan could now easily tell what Dylan meant when he'd retreat to this sarcastic nihilist persona whenever he’d get nervous. This was one of those moments.
In fact, Ryan was nervous too. Dylan being the biggest green flag guy who most likely shares mutual feelings with, they can easily get together like squat. But he doesn’t exactly know how to handle all that. One part of him believes Dylan is way too good for him, especially with how he’s treated Dylan so far. Sure they talked it out and he “forgave” him but that’s just because Dylan’s too nice. Not to mention all of the other problems Ryan has in his own head, he was a little conflicted whether he’d be willing to subject Dylan to all that bullshit.
On the other hand, he knows Dylan would support him through it. He’s that kind of guy. Dylan’s genuinely one of the sweetest people he’s met. He never usually cared for most people or what they’d think but Dylan was one of the few exceptions. Sometimes, Ryan wishes he could easily return the favor, but with the stuff he’s pulled, Ryan may owe Dylan for the rest of his life.
The walk back to the house was silent, but it wasn’t awkward. Okay, maybe it was a little awkward, blame the bears. Ryan could basically sense Dylan’s hand just hovering over his. Does he take it? Maybe he wants to. No, he really shouldn’t. Not right now.
But just as he thought that, he had already grabbed Dylan’s hand, locking his fingers between the spaces. Dylan immediately jumped and looked down at his hand, then back at Ryan, who had looked away. Ryan can’t see it, but Dylan was completely red. Not the first time today but not the last of many I guess.
Ryan doesn’t even know why he just decided to take Dylan’s hand. He likes to think it’s bad to lead him on, but is he really leading him on when his innermost desires want to court Dylan? Shamefully hopelessly to an extent but that’s a whole other thing he doesn’t want to address right now.
Okay, now it’s awkward. The boys are holding hands, neither of them looking at each other nor addressing it at all, but none of them made the effort to even pull away. Maybe it’s because Ryan’s conscience believes this is how it should be, but then why can’t his mind just agree with him?
They arrived at the front door, Ryan knocked on the door slowly, waiting for someone to open it. He finally looks at Dylan for the first time since they held their hands. Maybe it was because of the romantic tension but Dylan looked really handsome right now. He was definitely high on something , when did his little romantic crush get this distorted?
“Do I let go?” Dylan nervously referred to their still connected hands.
“Oh… Sure.” Ryan tried sounding indifferent but he was definitely slightly relieved. It was getting a little too intense.
Dylan’s right hand left Ryan’s left. It felt so empty. He never realized how empty it felt until he held Dylan’s hand. Maybe Ryan had yearned for things like this for his entire life, maybe he had envied those young couples who just seemed to enjoy life so casually with another person. Maybe he was always scared he would never get those things because of how he is.
He had embarrassingly asked Chris for advice about this once, the old man advised him that the right one would come along someday, that when he or she does, he should take it before it goes running out. Chris was wise about a lot of things, it’s why Ryan looked up to him so much, he was a role model, he was the father he needed when he had died early. And now that the opportunity presented itself, would he take Chris’ advice and follow through? Satisfyingly, the answer is yes.
Ryan had immediately grabbed Dylan’s hand again in a hurry, holding it tighter this time. He was determined, he had never been this sure of something in his entire life. Dylan was confused but he didn’t exactly have the time to question him when a sweet old woman opened the front door.
1:09
SEPTEMBER 03 | DYLAN
109 Mudbrick Avenue
“Ryan? There you are, your sister told me you were out and- Oh… You brought a friend?” The old woman greeted Ryan casually, this must be his grandmother. After immediately addressing Ryan, she turned to the taller man beside him.
“Right. Gran, this is Dylan… He’s a friend I met at camp.” Maybe Dylan was hallucinating but he definitely felt Ryan change his tone when he addressed him as a “friend”.
“How lovely. It’s nice to meet you, Mr…”
“Lenivy! It’s also nice to meet you, Mrs. Erzahler.” Dylan smiled at her. While he introduced himself though, he made sure to hide his missing left hand into his pocket. He didn’t need to spook the woman.
“Please. My name’s Julia, call me that at least. Any friend of Ryan’s is welcome here.” Ryan’s grandmother seemed like a sweet soul, Dylan always had a soft spot for old people. It’s why he loved The Golden Girls so much.
“Is Grandpa back yet?”
“You know your grandfather, he’s still with his bar friends shooting pool. He promised to be back before lunch though. You guys should come in and eat with us!”
“Thanks, Gran. But me and Dylan had already eaten, I’m planning to spend the day with him some more.” Dylan looked at him even more confused now. He was?
“That’s so sweet, good for you, Ryan. Making friends” Julia had pinched Ryan’s cheeks, she always does whenever Ryan does something out of his comfort zone to tease the poor boy. Ryan sighed but he still smiled at her.
“Can you please drop this off to Sarah?” Ryan held out the donuts he had bought for her.
“Oh of course. You two have fun!” Julia carefully took the bag out of Ryan’s hands.
“We will.” Ryan and Dylan turned back, walking back to the curb. As Julia was about to close the door, she spotted Ryan and Dylan’s connected hands.
“Ah…” She was happy for Ryan, who knew he’d have found sweet love back at camp? She smiled for him as she went back inside.
As the two men reach the curb, Dylan takes the time to ask. “So what was all that about?”
“What was what about?”
“Well… All that. ” It’s not like Dylan wasn’t happy, he was fucking ecstatic. He was just very, very confused.
“I didn’t lie, I meant everything I said there.” Ryan didn’t seem to be lying but Dylan could swear he was dreaming.
“Really?” Dylan’s voice went quiet. He can’t believe how nervous he’s become.
“I feel like I owe you a lot more time than I gave you before. So why not make up for it now?” Ryan smiled slightly. Dylan never noticed it before but he could see just how nervous Ryan is feeling right now, but simultaneously… he looked so sure. He was sure he wanted to spend time with Dylan. Dylan had never felt so reassured before.
No matter how outrageous it seemed, Dylan was always scared his feelings, both romantic and platonic, would be rejected. He would always get so close to people only for him to realize they weren’t as close as he thought. So when for the first time in his life, Ryan reassured his doubts, Dylan felt… liberated. He had a big cheeky smile on his face as he blushed, not out of embarrassment, but out of awe and genuine affection.
As they stared at each other, a loud beep snaps them both out of their trance.
“Yo! Idiots! Done flirting with each other? I still gotta take your injured ass back to the hospital before the staff gets suspicious.” It was Kaitlyn. She was leaning against her motorcycle. Dylan forgot Kaitlyn was with him for a moment, Ryan kinda distracted him, let’s hope she wasn’t angry.
“How’d you find us?” Ryan asked.
“I followed you, duh.”
“So wait you heard-”
“I’m not that much of a creep, I was like far enough not to eavesdrop obvs”
“Oh.” Dylan was relieved. Whatever went down with him and Ryan was hardcore blackmail material.
“Now get on, you two.”
“Is there even space for us three on that thing?” Ryan was skeptical, sure Kaitlyn was tiny, no offense, but can her motorcycle support two guys almost twice her size?
“Bud, I live with a big family, if this personal motorcycle couldn’t support three people, I’d be ashamed.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
“Wait, are we seriously riding that thing?” Dylan nervously asked, he was still traumatized from earlier.
“What other choice do we have?”
“Well, I mean you and I could walk back there together?” Dylan cheekily asked, he was secretly hoping Ryan would agree.
“I think I’m tired of walking.”
“But Ry…”
“If we ride the motorcycle, I can let you hold on to me.” And to that Dylan was speechless. His expression turned blank as he thought about it. All so suddenly, the motorcycle wasn’t exactly that scary anymore.
“On second thought, the motorcycle doesn’t sound so bad.”
“Unbelievable…”
5:14
SEPTEMBER 3 | DYLAN
QuickCure Medical Hospital
Him and Ryan had just left the little group conversation. Dylan put his phone down on the bed lying down slightly trying to relax. Ryan sat down on the chair next to him, pocketing his phone back into his pocket.
Ryan faces Dylan. He clicks his tongue before speaking up. “So, what’s up? You wanted to talk right?” In fact, Ryan is just as eager to talk as well.
Dylan sat up, putting his arms down on his lap. “Figured we needed to address the elephant in the room, no? We kinda spent the whole day being all… mushy and I’m going insane.”
“What are we, Ry?”
Those words carried some sadness. The whole afternoon, his feelings were thrown around a roller coaster ride, it was jarring. He was relieved and happy spending time with Ryan like that and Ryan did seem to return his feelings but he needed to get it out there before he fully dedicated himself.
“I… I actually don’t know. I mean, I’m not so good with labels.” Ryan replied
“Are we like boyfriends? Mutuals? A situationship?”
“Never really thought that far, Dylan. I’ve been kinda just riding the flow of this thing.”
Dylan didn’t exactly know how to reply to that, it’s not the answer he was scared to get but it wasn’t exactly the answer he wanted.
“What do you want us to be?”
Dylan was just as hesitant to answer that, even he doesn't know what he and Ryan wanted to be. It’s kinda why he asked Ryan in the first place
“Look, I’m just as lost as you are, man but… I really, really like you, Ry… I don’t know what to do.”
Ryan and Dylan stared deeply into each other, maybe this little crush thing was getting out of hand.
“I like you too, Dylan… If that’s what you wanted to hear.” Ryan smiled at him, that smile could basically lift Dylan’s spirits up. He returned the gesture with his own smile. It’s not like Dylan didn’t know Ryan liked him, especially not after today but he always puts Ryan’s feelings first, he doesn’t want to scare him off by being too eager by saying they were boyfriends.
“I did. I just wanna make sure I don’t overstep your boundaries.”
“Dylan, I felt like I completely ran over my boundaries today. For you, it was worth it.”
Dylan could feel himself heat up because of that, when did Ryan get so romantic? It was embarrassing to the point the heart monitor connected to him started beeping fast, but it seems Ryan hadn’t noticed.
“Look… Maybe we should start slow? See where it goes and maybe we’ll figure it out from there.” Ryan compromised. In all honesty, he felt happy Ryan was willing to try it out with him.
“Would it be bad if I said no?” Dylan replied sarcastically.
“Would you though?”
“You know me too well.”
The boys shared a slight laugh, he doesn’t know how long but they kind of just ended up staring at each other for a while. And to Dylan, maybe that was just enough of an answer.
10:35
SEPTEMBER 4 | DYLAN
QuickCure Medical Hospital
Okay, so maybe it did work out and he is boldly lying to his friends. But they don’t need to know just yet. He and Ryan are still working things out so let’s wait until they could draft a memo.
“Look, why don’t we talk about someone else’s relationship? Like what about our good old buddies Abi and Nick?” Dylan tried to shift the topic to the other parties, Emma is bound to see through his lie if he continues to act indifferent.
“Don’t drag us into that!” Nick replied a little shy, looks like he’s just as anxious about his thing with Abi as usual.
“What he said.” And shortly after Abi agreed with him.
“Don’t worry, Dylan, I’ll make sure to get you and him together.” Emma was on a mission, just as she was on a mission to get Nick and Abi hitched together. In truth, Dylan had nothing to worry about, at least he hopes so.
“Appreciate it.” Dylan lies back down on the bed, relaxing and drowning out everyone else’s voices. It seems Emma has now shifted focus back to both Nick and Abi. Dylan looked up at the ceiling thinking about Ryan, and his handsome beautiful face. It’s embarrassing, yes, but can you blame Dylan for thinking about the guy that churns his stomach butterflies like cream cheese. Hell, blame Ryan for pushing all the right buttons with him.
Dylan slowly drifts back to sleep as he retreats into a dream, totally not dreaming about romantic scenarios with Ryan.