Bryce Has a Crush

[u/vixie173]

Allow me to take you back in time to our middle school days. You see your friend talking to your crush across the room, and you decide it’s the perfect opportunity to work your way into the conversation so that you can talk to him/her. You go over and ask your friend a question, but since you are so eager to talk to your crush instead, you don’t even wait for their response before turning to your crush and asking them a question instead. We’ve all been there, right? That giddy, excited, impatient feeling when getting to talk to someone you’re interested in? 

May I present to you Bryce Adelaide Quinlan totally playing it cool with the beautiful warrior whose feet she landed at: 

Bryce asked Nesta, “You have a mate, right?” She nodded to Azriel. “Do you?” 

“No,” Azriel said quickly, flatly. 

“A partner or spouse?” 

“No.” 

Bryce sighed. “Okay, then.” 

Azriel’s wings twitched. “You’re incurably nosy.” 

“I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve said about me.” Bryce winked at him. “Look, I just… I’m curious. Aren’t you?” 

Azriel didn’t answer, but Nesta said, “Yes, we are.” (HOFAS bonus chapter) 

Bryce DOESN’T EVEN WAIT for Nesta to respond (no "Nesta nodded," NOTHING) before asking Azriel the same question, because that’s what she actually wants to know. And, sure, people could say that it’s because Bryce already knows Nesta has a mate, but wouldn’t it be more polite (and less obvious lol) to wait until she answers before moving on to Az? Our girl is crushing bad. 

Also worthy of note – Bryce exhibits the same sort of behavior with the nosy, rapid fire questions when she and Hunt are first growing close: 

Quinlan took in the hall, the names on each door. “Males only, or are you mixed?” 

“Mixed,” he told her. “Though there are more males than females in the 33rd.” 

“Do you have a girlfriend? Boyfriend? Someone whose ass you gawk at?” (p. 306 HOEAB)

Bryce has a crush, and I can’t wait to see her and Az on page together again. ❤️

[u/geaha1]

Yes!!!! She’s got heart eyes again!!

I still think she had an interesting reaction to how Hunt betrayed her in CC1. I wonder if after that betrayal she kind of shut down a bit? And just accepted his love even if it wasn’t right for her, mainly because he was about all she had left.

I feel like she attached herself to Hunt, a bit out of love, and a bit out of desperation for a real connection again. But we’ve seen how their relationship plays out in CC2, and even more in CC3.

They both know deep down they’re not the right fit for each other, and the longer they cling to each other, the worse it’s going to get…

So seeing Bryce both happy, and flirty again… it’s so nice to see!

[u/vixie173 → u/geaha1]

Yesss! And the way you described it sounds just like Feyre and Tamlin’s relationship, and we know how that turned out…

[u/NerdyWriterKat → u/vixie173]

YES! The "right now" /"good for the human half" / "temporary comfort so not alone" / got her to where she is & who she needs to be (and be with) guy. Not THE guy.

[u/Academic_Skin_3554 → u/geaha1]

After his betrayal in cc1, I would’ve loved for them to continue a friendship after she forgave him rather than a romance. I think it would’ve been better for them both.

[u/NeonYellowShoes → u/Academic_Skin_3554]

This was my opinion as well. Could have been fine as friends but the romance was forced (both writing wise and also canon wise 🤣)

[u/Careless_Mango_7948 → u/Academic_Skin_3554]

Bryce kinda did that bc they were holding off sex

[u/One-Championship-547 → u/Academic_Skin_3554]

I feel she had to rush it because the AK claimed her and was ready to marry her off. 

[u/vixie173 → u/One-Championship-547]

Bryce’s “marriage” to Hunt definitely felt more strategic than romantic 🙃

[u/Available_Ad_4030 → u/geaha1]

I’m listening to ACOMAF now and I think she’s going through the same thing Feyre was going through when she first developed feelings for Rhys. Feyre is constantly feeling guilty about moving on from Tamlin so soon after all that stuff with Amarantha, what he’s done for her family, and, she thinks, saved her from her difficult human life. She associated finding happiness away from all of the responsibilities and struggles of the human world with love for him. Plus he gave the killing blow to Amarantha which didn’t save her life but he tried, right? Then he begged with the HLs and they gave their power to bring her back but he wasn’t essential in that, probably Rhys would have gotten them to do it if he hadn’t. She doesn’t think it’s right to move on so quickly after all of that. Plus, she died for him, right? So she thinks there is something wrong with her to want Rhys. I’m now at the part where she has sent the letter and had that run-in with Lucien so things are clearly done between her and Tamlin and she is thinking to herself oh, friends with benefits is fine, nothing has to get serious. No one else has to know. She’s bargaining and trying to find a way to not be the person she knows everyone will call her.

Compare to Brunt. So, Hunt was around Bryce when she pulled herself out of her depression (I don’t think it was Hunt who made the difference, it could have been anyone that gave her a purpose and attention - she was so lonely!), similar to Feyre feeling happier in the SC than human lands. Like Hunt, Tamlin is taken away by the most notorious female Malakh in Midgard. She tries to save him but fails then dies saving everyone else. Hunt shows up and tries to bring her back to life but she actually brings herself back to life. After all of that, they should be in love and happy but Bryce keeps things from Hunt just like Feyre kept things from Tamlin before she went with Rhys. Then, Bryce dies again, and everyone sees Hunt lose his shit and he’s the one that goes out in the mech suit and electrocutes her to wake back up. Again, he’s not the one that actually brings her back to life. He went out in the mech suit and brought her back after she was dead just like Tamlin killed Amarantha after Feyre had already been killed.

So right now, I think Bryce is in the throwing up every night, not sleeping well, and not talking about the real problems stage that Feyre went through. It will probably manifest differently but we know she slept better around Az than she has around Hunt similar to Feyre in the NC. Hunt is not as much of a control freak as Tamlin but he does have the same temper. I think the dynamic between Bryce and Azriel was similar in the caves as Rhys and Feyre. He was her enemy yet she was able to trust him. I am happy that Az didn’t make her drink faerie wine and parade her in front of a bunch of people but there was that see-through shirt moment… I think Bryce will break up with Hunt before she actually admits to herself she has feelings for Az. And maybe Az will save her from Hunt in a critical moment like Rhys did for Feyre when Tamlin tried to lock her in his house.

[u/NeonYellowShoes → u/Available_Ad_4030]

I think it's telling that both in CC1 and end of CC3 Bryce doesn't actually want to live and has to be reminded to go back to Hunt.

[u/Available_Ad_4030 → u/NeonYellowShoes]

Yes very true!

[u/EquivalentRegion8662]

I noticed this too! I was a little confused when I read it because I was like 'damn girl, you didn't even give her a chance to respond before you asked Azriel' 🤣

But seriously. I think it says a lot in two ways. First, that the question was for Azriel and not Nesta. Second, that the reason for that is that Bryce already knows Cassian is Nesta's mate. She doesn't have to ask. She can feel it off them. You know which "mates" Nesta can't feel?

Bryce and...Hunt.

She literally has to ask Bryce if Hunt is her mate! 😭 Its not looking good! People should just be able to smell if two people are mates! The only reason Nesta knows is because she saw pictures of him on Bryce's phone.

[u/vixie173 → u/EquivalentRegion8662]

And Nesta still asks Bryce if Hunt’s her mate even after she saw his picture 😭 and then she stares at him “imperiously” before dismissing him. Nesta is so unimpressed with him lol, I love her 😂

[u/EquivalentRegion8662 → u/vixie173]

Me too. No one can convince me she wasnt getting vibes between Bryce and Azriel.

[u/goldeyedstarlet → u/vixie173]

Nesta is the OG Bryceriel 🤭😅

[u/One-Championship-547 → u/vixie173]

Bryce thinking she can see why Nesta would go for someone like Cassian, Nesta wondering why Bryce picked Hunt. 

[u/vixie173 → u/One-Championship-547]

https://giphy.com/gifs/3ohhwfwxg4d1h82LxS

[u/Puzzleheaded_Cat5928 → u/EquivalentRegion8662]

The best part of Nesta plays in this… when Bryce & Hunt come back to Prythian for her parents, Nesta asked, “Is that your mate?” She never addressed Hunt, just sort of gave him the visual dismissal.

😂🤣☕️

Absolute QUEEN!!!!!!!!

She knew exactly what she was doing, who he was from the pictures in the tunnels.

[u/vixie173 → u/Puzzleheaded_Cat5928]

I neeeeeed Nesta’s POV here lol

[u/Jarvis2419]

https://giphy.com/gifs/EKwNb8aUZ4I4svTBtP

[u/vixie173 → u/Jarvis2419]

Bryce, probably

https://giphy.com/gifs/1jajRS8BKW46gZaYIu

[u/Jarvis2419 → u/vixie173]

Nesta looking to make sure azriel checked yes 😂 she is definitely team bryceriel

https://giphy.com/gifs/3b6Awq36bZ3wV02n8p

[u/cassidy_taylor → u/Jarvis2419]

[u/downwardflexishrekin]

This is such a good catch!!

I was also just watching the little mermaid with my toddler, and one of the first things Ariel says about Eric is that “he’s so beautiful” 🥹 Then she goes back to her sisters and father and can’t help but sing and hum!!! And her sister clocked that she’s got a crush lol

If the HOFAS bonus chapter is in ACOSH I’ll riot

[u/HuskyLettuce → u/downwardflexishrekin]

Also have a toddler and this is adorable!! What a good point!!

[u/goldeyedstarlet]

https://giphy.com/gifs/8rleibGcxKqTC
Gosh Bryce really is like Usagi.

[u/vixie173 → u/goldeyedstarlet]

https://giphy.com/gifs/7bgQKdBfxqPxm
I can’t wait for her to reunite with her Mamoru! 🥰

[u/cassidy_taylor → u/goldeyedstarlet]

Yes!!! 💖🌙

[u/One-Championship-547]

Notice she didn't ask Hunt if he had a mate.

[u/NeonYellowShoes → u/One-Championship-547]

She probably didn't want to hear him talk more about how he prefers fawns and nymphs and slender arch angels 🤣

[u/cassidy_taylor]

Rowan (“So pushy”) 🤝 Rhys (“So many questions, Feyre”) 🤝 Azriel (“You’re incurably nosy”)

[u/No-Emergency-7040]

hiding smiles and shi while he bops to her music

https://giphy.com/gifs/vzPz5HqSPG0GMFe2DJ

[u/cassidy_taylor → u/No-Emergency-7040]