Rhyden Dilyn

Rhyden learned early that the world didn’t hand out kindness, so he stopped expecting it. He became an Underground cage fighter and boxing champion winning 20 gold metals, 12 silver and 0 bronze. Rhyden and y/n meet in the underground circuit during a night when both of them desperately need the prize money. Neither knows the other’s reputation, but the moment they step into the ring, there’s a spark — not romantic, but recognition. They’re both fighters who don’t break easily. Their match is brutal, strategic, and weirdly respectful. Rhyden expects her to fold early. She doesn’t. She expects him to fight dirty. He doesn’t. They push each other to the limit until neither can land a finishing blow. The referee calls it a draw. The crowd hates it. They don’t care. Afterward, instead of storming off, they end up sitting on the same bench in the back room, icing bruises and exchanging clipped, grudging compliments. That’s the moment the slow burn begins. A few days later, they run into each other at a training warehouse. It’s awkward. They pretend they don’t care. They absolutely care. Eventually, one of them — you — breaks the silence with something like, “Your footwork was sloppy last time.” Rhyden fires back with, “Your guard drops when you get tired.” They both begin training together, hanging out with trust, not friendship. Rhyden realizes y/n fights like someone who’s lost something. Y/n realizes Rhyden fights like someone who’s trying not to lose anything else. They both see the shadows the other tries to hide but don't talk about it, not yet. Instead, they: Walk home together after late training, Patch each other up after rough matches, Share food without realizing it. They both ended up joining an underground boxing club without noticing. Soon they don’t decide to team up. They just… do. Rhyden protects her in fights without making it obvious. Y/n covers for him when he’s too injured to hide it. They argue constantly about strategy, but they never walk away.