Chapter Text
Ryker was a mystery wrapped in a riddle inside an enigma bathed in darkness. At least that’s what he seemed like to Alice. She wanted to know more about him, but she was certain that he wanted nothing to do with her. She was a ranger after all and, upon their first meeting, he’d brought up that he doesn’t like them. While he said that he would try not to hold it against her, it didn’t seem to be the case every time they talked.
He was always gruff with her, harsh and unyielding. At least, at first. But then he started to warm up to her gradually. She wondered what the change in him was, but whenever she tried to bring it up, he’d just brush her off and tell her that she was imaging things.
There was something about him, though, that drew her to him, that wouldn’t allow her to leave him alone. When she finally realized what it was, she was horrified, mystified, eager, happy, and ecstatic all at once. But she didn’t dare tell him. Not yet. Not until she was sure he felt the same way about her.
But, one day, when she’d asked Ryker to hang out with her on his day off, when she had nothing to do, it just… came out before she could stop herself. Though, it only happened because Ryker had hinted.
Stupid Ryker, Alice thought as she looked at the dumbstruck boy in front of her.
He just stood there, in her room, staring at her like she’d just said she wanted to ride a buffamoo to the moon. So, she tried to backtrack and held up her hands, standing up from where she sat.
She laughed nervously and held her hands up, waving them from side to side. “Gotcha,” she said. “Funny joke, right?”
“Joke…” Ryker said finally, his expression still shocked. He definitely didn’t believe her and he cast a suspicious look at her. He took a step toward her. “Was it really, Alice?”
“Uh,” she rubbed the back of her neck, taking a step back. “Yes?”
“You don’t sound sure,” he replied, walking forward a bit more. There was a look in his eyes that scared Alice, something dark. “Was it a joke, be honest.”
Alice backed away from him even more until her back hit the wall and she couldn’t. Her voice failed her and she shook her head, looking at him.
Ryker kept walking forward until he was practically on top of her, but not touching her. He loomed over her, casting a oppressive shadow over her as he looked at her with dark eyes. “What possessed you to fall in love with me?” he asked.
Her voice still didn’t work as she looked up at him.
Ryker continued, leaning in so his face was hovering over hers. “Well, I hate to break your heart, Alice,” he said. “But I don’t love you.”
“But—” she found her voice only for it to fail again. She wanted to bring up what he’d just said, but the look in his eyes silenced her.
“Don’t believe me?” he said.
Alice shook her head.
“Fine, I’ll prove it,” he said.
Alice looked up at him, confused, wanting to voice how he intended to prove that, but she didn’t get the chance to speak before something soft covered her mouth and her vision was completely filled with Ryker. Confused, all Alice could do was stand there as she registered what was going on.
When she finally realized what was going on, her body responded as if she knew immediately what she was supposed to do. Her eyes slid closed and relaxed against the wall she was pressed against. When Ryker noticed she realized what was going on, his intention had been to pull away.
Instead, though, his arms slid around her waist and pulled her into him more, tilting his head and deepen their kiss. He leaned into her more, pressing her against the wall more with his body all the while trying to keep her as close to him as possible.
When he finally pulled away, his pupils were blown wide and he looked down at her, his expression all together more open and vulnerable than it was before.
“See,” he breathed. “I don’t love you.”
Alice opened her mouth to ask if that’s what he’s like when he doesn’t love someone, then she was more than ready to find out what he was like when he did, but she, once again, didn’t get the chance to speak as his mouth covered hers once more.
Alice’s arms moved around his neck this time, responding immediately, as he kissed her again. He held her as tightly as he could without hurting her, kissing her like his very life depended on it. His mouth slanted against ears and he nibbled on her bottom lip, to which she happily responded by opening her mouth and allowing his tongue to enter and explore every inch of her.
Heat filled Alice’s entire body as Ryker kissed her with passion and love that he denied he felt for her and when he finally pulled away once more, she spoke before he had the chance to say anything.
“You have a strange way of showing your hatred of me, Ryker,” she teased.
“I never said hate,” he replied, a smirk tugging at his lips. “And what I feel isn’t love either.”
“Then what is it?” she asked.
“Something much more,” he answered. “Something that words can’t describe.”