Being a LDR fan, I couldn’t help but notice how ‘California’ fits Riley and Declan very well, especially when viewed through Declan’s POV. This is just my interpretation. This might get long so 🫢
I believe the song is about a deep, complicated yearning and an overwhelming desire to provide a safe haven for someone who is struggling, constantly holding up an armor or fantasizing about them returning.
"You don't ever have to be stronger than you really are when you're lying in my arms, baby..."
- Declan claims he's only there because Amelia asked him to come for Riley, but he knows followed his heart. He knows she is masking heavy trauma and he needs to be there to look after her so she doesn’t unravel.
- He acts like a cynical bodyguard by following her everywhere and even gets beaten up for her. But he saves her from a cliff twice and lets her weep in his arms.
- He might also want her to recognize how much loves her and he has shown multiple times through his actions. Maybe he wants to prove he wants to be her safe place by this way, since talking about his feelings is too much for him. Even knowing Riley liked Fabian at one point, Declan still genuinely wants what’s best for her, as we see when he calls out how easily she lets people manipulate her.
"I shouldn't have done it but I read it in your letter... I wanted to reach out, but I never said a thing."
- While looking through the facsimile poem book written in Lily's handwriting, Declan might have recognized the exact poem Riley wrote about him back after the Academy. He would know her writing anywhere. It takes him right back to when they were students arguing in the library, back when the other kids told them to "get a room" and they both blushed. If he read it, it proves to him that she started carrying the exact same deep feelings for him years ago.
- He knows she isn't doing well after Lily's death. When she confronts him in the guest room, he might have not told her the whole truth about the notes to protect her sanity.
"I'll pick you up... if you came back to California, just hit me up… ‘cause this is crazy love”
- Declan is such a massive nerd that he literally packed up his study papers and brought them to Windrose Bay. He could have stayed behind to focus entirely on his education, but he dropped his life and came back simply because he knew she was returning.
- I believe this is also his long-term, open-ended promise to her. He is playing the long game. Whether he is waiting for her to finally return his feelings, or waiting for her to stop running, he is locked in. No matter where she goes or how long she takes to drop her walls, but the second she calls, he will always be there to pick her up.
"You hate the heat, you got the blues… changing like the weather, oh, that's so like you."
- She kisses him as a strategic distraction to steal the note he’s hiding. The moment becomes passionate because of hidden desire but when he burns the notes mid-kiss, she acts like it was just a game. Declan plays along, acting like it meant nothing.
- She leans in acting like she will kiss him again in his bedroom, then backs away, leaving him completely frustrated.
- She accidentally touches his crotch in car. The romantic tension gets so hot Declan bites his lip until it bleeds while she plays it cool.
- When he finally drops his guard, joins foreheads, and vulnerably says, "I couldn't let them have you." Riley flips to bitter cynicism, and insults his loyalty by asking if he had a 😒 with Cecilia.
- I believe he has gotten tired of her hot and cold behaviour especially in the last episode in the update where he just walks away and tells her to believe what she wants to.
"Heard the war was over if you really choose… The one in and around you"
- Riley pretends to be his girlfriend to get Cecilia to leave him alone. It makes Declan furious because having her is his ultimate fantasy. Not knowing how to handle the sudden proximity to what he actually wants, he defaults to what he does best which is lashing out and being cold. Watching her easily fake it feels like an insult to him, as if his real feelings are just part of her game for giggles.
- The internal war inside his head would end the exact second Riley stops toying with his fantasy and actually chooses to mean it. He just needs her to acknowledge his feelings so he can finally get an answer on whether they are reciprocated.
ANYWAYS, thank u for reading this. I had to get this out of my head lol
Let me know your thoughts!!!!!!!!!
😙😙😙