Idk abt you but i LOVE me some secret relationship au so imma merge that over into starstruck and give some hc for the group 😌
A large part of the reason it's a secret is cause of the whole Being Gay thing would prob affect tom's image when honestly after like 3 months of dating he's so down bad he's willing to risk it (also he's Tom Ryder it's impossible to hate him) but ryland still doesn't want to put anything at risk for him also he doesn't like being in the spotlight so tom respects his wishes and doesn't force any coming out stuff
See now. You would think that they'd be doing fine because even though they can't be in public they can still be together around sets right? Wrong. Ryland is so afraid that Colt will like try and kill Tom and Tom is 100% sure that Colt will succeed in killing him so they ain't risking it.
Meaning they have to sneak around on set as well. When they're not at each other's places, Grace is going onto set with colt because while he does actually want to watch his brother work (and make sure he's okay) he also wants to spend some time with Tom who is mostly unavailable while shooting films.
Turns out this was a terrible idea and should never be repeated (they do it so many more times) because as long as ryland is there, Tom is just incapable of focusing. And not just that but seeing Tom in action Does Things to grace so you can imagine how that goes.
The only person who knows abt them is Gail – who has been fighting tooth and nail to keep them a secret (they really ain't subtle). So whenever Ryder ditches work to make out with Grace in his trailer she has to come up with excuses and barricade that door like someone's (cough toms cough) life depends on it.
Eventually colt does find out though, and it is just. in the worst possible way imaginable. You may be thinking "Oh, he walked in on them making out (or more)" and you would be wrong. What colt discovered was much much much worse. They. Were. Cuddling.
Colt was trying to track down Tom for jody and he opened the trailer door to a lovesick Tom Ryder smiling all dopey down at a very sleepy Ryland Grace who was curled up on the other man's lap. Maybe if it was literally anyone else, colt would find it cute. But NO. That is his baby ("by two minutes!!") brother all cuddled up to his obnoxious asshole boss.
Tom and Ryland freak out a bit, jumping away from each other and making up terrible excuses while colt just kinda..🧍🏼♂️... before he cuts off their babbling with a single question directed at ryland.
"Is he treating you well?" Colt asks, a bit desperately, protectiveness for his brother sinking in a bit.
Sensing this, ryland takes a tentative step forward and carefully reaches for tom's hand. "Yes. And I'm just really happy when I'm with him, and we wanted to tell you but we were a bit worried but now I see that we shouldntve kept it from you so long so I'm sorr-"
Rylands rambling is cut off by Tom squeezing his hand a bit, bringing him back from his spiral. They smile softly at each other before looking back to colt who is. Not yelling?
They watch as his shoulders loose a significant amount of their tension and he gives a slow nod with an almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips. "Alright. I'm really happy for you then."
Ryland and Tom also relax at that and colt turns to leave before throwing quickly over his shoulder, "also I'm real close with the pyrotechnition here so dont even think about hurting him."
He turns and walks out the trailer letting the door swimg closed behind him while Tom and ryland look at each other trying to figure out wtf just happened.
@idontknow-howtointernet here you go, as promised
dailybridgerton
theartofmadeline
amandla
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