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They never made it back to the festival.
They never made it out of Alex's apartment.
"I'll get you a funnel cake," he promised; an empty promise now in hindsight. It was a promise he didn't mind breaking, he thought as Alex pushed herself taut against him.
They were supposed to go see Pike with the damning evidence that might get Typhon to leave their town. Well, she was. Ryan was going to go back to the festival and finally get to enjoy it. Maybe he could finally convince Steph to bob for apples this year.
They made it as far as the couch.
Ryan pulled away for a moment; he was still shining a vibrant gold, with even more flecks of pink peaking out from around his iridescent golden outline.
He glanced down at Alex, curled up on his lap. Her body made an s shape against his as she tucked her head under his chin.
"Alex, wait. Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked as she breathed in his flannel. It carried a scent she didn't know she missed: pine needles and bonfires, and maybe just a touch of diesel fuel. So distinctly Haven, and yet, something else she couldn't put her finger on.
"Well yeah, I kissed you, dummy "
"No, I mean this. Here." He made a motion with the one arm that wasn't holding her. "Now."
The pink was fading, leaving a very small outline of gold.
"It's probably better than on the rooftop," Alex said with a smirk, bringing her lips back to his.
He pulled away again, and Alex could swear she saw him flare purple.
"You're afraid," she said.
"When I said I wasn't prepared for the rose, I meant it. I have no preparation for this night, and I don't want to do anything that we'll regret in the morning."
His hands were resting firmly on her hips as the purple faded back into gold. She was smiling as she drew him into a hug.
"Just stay a few minutes longer." she murmured as she drew her face to his.
Shortly after Alex left, Ryan lay out on the couch, in the same state of disarray that she had left him in. His eyes darted around the apartment, and it began to sink in just how empty it was. It seemed like just yesterday he and Gabe and Steph would drink too much while watching whatever terrible movie Steph recommended or watching Steph lose at Foosball. She lost a lot. She also had extremely bad taste in movies. And then there was that scavenger hunt over New Year's Eve; a new tradition Gabe hoped would catch on. It would have been fun to put together for Alex, and he could be the surprise! Or maybe not.
He pulled himself off the couch and turned to the window. The lights from the festival lit up the waterfront. It had been a long time since he had seen it from the bar. Eleanor really outdid herself this year; it was beautiful!
Falling for his best friend's little sister wasn't something he planned. But Alex, Alex was something else. She was amazing! And that was without Gabe talking her up! From that moment in the record store, he was entranced.
"Bird call cd," he muttered with a laugh. "I can't believe she liked me after that--she thought I was hot! Even after Steph made me play the direwolf, and the snake...and the troll...and I looked like such a dork! Alex still picked me!"
He laughed until his eyes caught the shrine.
"It still hurts, man." He spoke to the picture, after looking around. Would Alex judge him for talking to a picture? Did it matter? "I wish you were here every day. I would have loved to tell you about this year's Spring Fest. I actually got a rose this year! Gabe, a rose! And your sister kissed me! Actually, those two are related-- Gabe, do you even remember the last time someone kissed me? It was actually on a dare...I don't think you were here yet. It was right after my mom died and I think it was a tourist who got stuck on the trail and one of her friends dared her to kiss me in thanks. It was a terrible time had by everyone."
He paused, realizing that he was rambling. He took a breath, and saw the pressed rose. Gabe actually saved his.
"I...I really like your sister, Gabe and I can see why you wanted her here. She's amazing! She's caring, and funny and talented, and....she likes me back!"
Ryan's phone buzzed in his pocket, interrupting his thoughts.
'Where are you?'-Steph.
He smiled as he slid his phone back into his pocket.
"May as well get this over with.” he announced to the empty apartment. “Steph is relentless."