#but then I remembered Ryne's suffering-conga-line backstory so I think I got a good fit to the emotion from that

[angst-fairygodmother]

Song #6 and Derek/Ryne? Not as a reader-insert 😘😘

A/N: I have a confession: I cheated. But only because the song that came up was Alan Parson’s Project’s “Cask of Amontillado” and uh...I don’t really see Derek or Ryne walling the other into the basement. Anyway, new song is “This Isn’t Love” by Karliene. Word Count: 432 Rating: T - canon typical language, angst, implied but vague bad past relationship

Ryne’s movements, or lack of them, caught Derek’s eye as the latest couple got out of their car. He frowned, watching her go pale as she stared, wide-eyed, at the man who wrapped his arm around the young, attractive blonde. He handed his keys over with a smile.

“Thank you young man,” his tone was passive-aggressively polite (as many of them were). Then as they walked past, he spotted the girl with them, and he looked momentarily as shaken as she was. “Kathryn...how...it’s good to see you. It’s been...quite a while.”

She remained stiff and silent where she was, nodding curtly after a long moment. Derek exchanged a puzzled look with Sean who shrugged. After the couple had gone inside, Sean volunteered to be the one to “park his car,” giving Derek a moment with his girlfriend. 

“Ryne,” Derek said softly, taking her hand, concern deepening as he felt her trembling. “Baby girl, what’s wrong?”

She opened her mouth and closed it again several times, struggling to find words and force them through lips that felt numb. Tears welled up in her eyes, and his arms wrapped around her just in time. He held her close, her face pressed to his chest just as a sob slipped out of her throat, the first sound she had made since whoever the guy was appeared. Derek pressed his cheek to the top of her head, letting her cry and cling to him. He hated this, hated that guy, even without knowing what happened. 

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled eventually, still sniffling, wiping at her puffy eyes. “I just…”

“Who was he?” Derek was afraid to ask, but felt like he should anyway, part of him needing to know why the mere sight had been enough to shake her so badly. 

“He’s...he…” she shook her head, looking guilty and voice barely audible. “I can’t, Derek. Please don’t ask me to…I’ll tell you another time but not...not tonight, please?”

“Okay, baby girl,” he drew her into another hug, less tight than the last. “Whatever you want.” 

She snaked her arms around his waist and rested her cheek on his shoulder. “Thank you.”

“Of course.” 

Just then his phone rang.

“This guy is technically close enough that I could hit his place,” Sean said, “what do you think?”

“I know you’re really callin to see if Ryne’s alright, man,” Derek said bluntly, glancing over at her questioningly. When she nodded permission, he made a quick decision. “She will be, but listen, dawg, this guy’s a total douche. You got time. Fuck him up.”