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“Wake up! You have to wake up, please!” Hunter startled out of sleep in a cold sweat. Heart pounding in his ears he squinted at the dark trying to figure out where he was. He felt around for his frog plush and held it tight. He was safe. He was home. Sitting up slowly he listened for Gus’ steady breathing; hearing the kids' snore comforted him some, but he knew he was too wired to fall back into that rhythm that Gus seemed to find so easy despite everything that had happened to them.
Heart still pounding, Hunter decided on raiding the kitchen for a little midnight snack. He had no idea if it was actually midnight, but Luz had told him that any time of night can be midnight if you “believe” hard enough, whatever that meant. Rolling his eyes at his sister he slithered out of the sleeping bag, only slightly disturbing Flapjack who was sound asleep in the little nest he insisted stay next to Hunter’s pillow at all times. The little bird let out a sleepy peeping noise, ruffled his russet feathers, and found peace again. Hunter looked down at the little guy with a pang in his heart he didn’t understand. Shaking it off and rubbing at his swollen eyes sleepily, he stumbled to the stairwell that would lead him to the kitchen.
Walking up the stairs without letting them creek was an art that he, Gus and Willow had mastered during their many games. This particular one was pretending to be a “Super Spy” like this guy Luz obsessed over called 008 or whatever. Hunter thought those spy movies were overrated but Willow teased it was only because he kind of was a super spy. This ruffled his feathers in a nice way so of course all he said was “gee, thanks!” Like a loser. God if only he could figure out the feelings towards Willow maybe everything would be okay. She made his head hurt and his heart feel dizzy, like it was one of those plates spinning on a big stick that Belos had hired during one of the Isles many Festival Days.
Shaking off the memory of his Uncle, Hunter reached the top and peeked around the doorway just to make sure he wasn’t waking anyone up. Sometimes one of the gang fell asleep watching the tv and sure enough he thought he detected a soft glow coming from the living room. He decided to peek in just in case a burglar had decided to…watch cartoons or something and found Luz and Amity fast asleep in each other’s arms. His heart warmed at the sight. The two were a perfect match as far as he could tell, and they deserved to rest easy whenever they could. He snuck to the television and gently switched it off before padding to the kitchen for some cookies or crackers or whatever Luz’s mom had stocked the pantry with when he heard a sound on the stairs. He froze, battle-honed instincts tight as a wire as a familiar drop of sweat tingled it’s way down his neck. Standing in the darkness he could just make out the faint shape of Willow? Of course it was. Their sleep schedules had been tied up together for the last couple weeks. He hoped she wasn’t in too much pain from missing her family.
He didn’t realize he had been standing in the dark for so long just saying nothing before a bleary “Hunter?” Snapped him out of his reverie.
“Yes!” He blurted, forgetting to be quiet, “I mean, yes, hey, hi Willow.” He whispered back.
He wasn’t sure but he thought she smiled and his heart seemed to flip inside his chest just like those mythical pancakes at the…pancake house? Waffle house? Whatever Luz insisted he go to all the time. He still didn’t know what a flapjack was but by Titan he was going to find out someday.
Hunter felt a shy touch on his shoulder and nearly jumped out of his skin. He wasn’t sure how, but Willow seemed to have a knack for catching him off guard.
“Oh, sorry! Bad touch?” Her soft round face shone in the moonlight with concern for him. He gulped.
“Uhhhh, nope! Sorry, just um. Had a bad dream, that’s all.” He rubbed the spot where she’d touched him shyly. “You know how it goes.” She nodded like she did and Hunter felt all his anxieties melt slowly away. Of course she did. She always does, somehow.
Willow’s hand twitched before bringing it up softly to cradle his cheek in her hand. He froze stiff again as she gently caressed the side of his jaw with her thumb in slow circles; if it was meant to have a calming effect it did quite the opposite for his pounding heart. She huffed out a small breath, as if frustrated by something, but all Hunter could focus on was how close she was standing to him. He realized he had stopped breathing and let out a huge sigh, shoulders slumping in defeat, as if he’d lost some battle deep inside. Willow was mumbling something under her breath. “Hmm…” she breathed, sending trembles down his spine.
“Um, Will?” He whispered. Her hand stilled its movement.
“Oh! Sorry, Hun, just thinking.”
Hunter let out a small chuckle, “that’s never a good sign.” She huffed again and lightly punched him on the shoulder. He winced only a little bit, “hey! I thought we agreed no fighting at night,” he responded to her jab with a (much lighter) one of his own.
She giggled and he could feel his ears burning. He loved making her laugh.
“Wanna go on a walk?” That mischievous twinkle was back in her eye and he knew then he’d follow her anywhere.
“Anywhere if it’s with you.” He breathed, not noticing the hitch that seemed to catch in her throat. She shook her head as if trying to clear it, loose hair falling like liquid starlight around her plump shoulders. Hunter couldn’t help but wonder if he was still dreaming when she grabbed his wrist and yanked him towards the door, tripping over his own feet as per usual whenever Willow was involved.
“Wait, wait!” He laughed, trying his best to hold back a snort. “Where are we going!?”
She grinned, fumbling with the door knob. “A secret! You’ll see!”
Hunter rolled his eyes affectionately, feeling a matching grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. They both had a frustrating case of the giggles as they tried (and failed) to put their shoes on quietly, just outside the porch. Moths were dancing in dizzying circles around the warm glow from the light that surrounded the couple shushing and gently shoving each other around.
“Oh, hang on!” Hunter snagged a scarf from the cubby just inside the door and wrapped it around Willow, fluffing her hair out charmingly around her face. She looked like a picture all bundled up, ready for anything that came at her. “That’s better,” he mumbled, tucking her blue-black hair behind one ear. Hunter suddenly wished he had Willow’s camera so he could snapshot the moment, when he realized he was cradling her cheek gently. It was as soft as he’d dreamed. He could feel himself slowly drifting towards her, heart only a flutter to remind him of his place in reality. Willow leaned into his touch, closing her eyes before heaving a deep sigh that made her shoulders slump. He wanted to fix that before remembering what Luz had told him: “people are NOT things to be tinkered with or sewn back up together like a ragdoll!”
Hunter waved his sister away and smiled softly at Willow. Content just being in the glowing presence of his Captain.
“Ya ready kid?” He blushed and withdrew his hand, readjusting it on the back of his neck, rubbing the shivers away that always seemed to show up in the plant witch’s presence.
Willow laughed, the sound like bells swimming around his head.
“Sure, cool guy.” She tucked her arm snugly under his and together they stepped into the night.
They were both quiet for awhile, watching their combined breaths linger in the night air. Willow shivered and snuggled into his side, seeming to seek out warmth which he was painfully aware of. He ran hot which accounted for the heat radiating off him in that moment. Surely not the proximity to the prettiest girl he’d ever seen in his life! No, surely not. It must be due to the chill in the air that his body was adjusting to. He didn’t even realize she had been steering them towards the nearby woods until they were standing outside the clubhouse. There was a warm glow emanating from inside that seemed to chip a small chunk of ice off his galderstone heart. He shuffled his feet nervously.
“What’re we doing here??” Hunter turned to Willow only to find her disappeared from his side. His head whipped back and forth, squinting into the darkness he thought he detected a green glow. “Willow?” He called. Getting nothing in response he mumbled something under his breath and crept towards the light.
“Willow! This isn’t funny!” Hunter hissed into the darkness, her footfall drifting eerily through the trees. He thought he heard something to his left like a branch snapping. Boots coming to a halt he slowed his breathing, every sense on high alert. Something was in that bush, he was sure of it. A giggle came from his other side and his head snapped to the right, only to come face to face with Willow leaning over his crouched form in the darkness. “Whatcha doin’?” She smiled sweetly as he toppled over into the bush he’d been peering into. A rabbit flew out and raced away into the woods.
“GAH. CAPTAIN.” He squeaked. Willow couldn’t help herself. She fell into a hysterical fit of laughter at the sight of him, hair and long lithe limbs completely tangled in the holly bush. She thought she could see his face radiating its signature Flapjack red through the darkness like some sort of strange lighthouse. Composing herself as he spluttered there, Willow spun the holly bush until Hunter was on his feet again. Perfect. She grabbed his wrist and before she could think she had planted a kiss on one bony cheek. He stood stock-still. Oh Titan she hoped she hadn’t crossed a line.
“Agh! Sorry, sorry I should’ve asked first!” She stepped back and nervously twisted her hands together. She knew how he was with physical touch and she'd never been so bold with him before.
Hunter swallowed very slowly around what felt like an entire frog in his throat. “Did that really just happen??” He thought. Everything in Hunter’s immediate field of vision was a complete blur. He could hear Willow chattering nervously but she did that sometimes. The world slowly swam into focus again as he looked down at Willow’s hands twisting together in a painfully familiar way. He reached out to hold them. “Your hands are cold.” He murmured, rubbing a thumb over her knuckles before pulling her into a tight hug that left her heart spinning like a top.
They stayed there for awhile, just breathing each other in, before slowly pulling apart, Willow’s lips parted as she looked up into his ruby-red eyes, shining with warmth and adoration. She could barely breathe, and thought his eyes flicked down to her lips before something seemed to snap him out of the moment. He loosened his hold on her hands that were trapped between their chests and just rested his forehead onto hers. “So what did you want to show me, Willow?” He breathed, sending a shiver down her spine with how close their faces were together.
She laughed, “ooooooh, right! It’s inside the clubhouse, lemme just,” she regretfully pulled away from him and turned back to The Shack, their hands linked comfortably between them. Willow pulled one hand away but kept hold of his wrist as she dragged him out of the woods and back towards the warm glow of the cabin, Hunter lagging behind her, head dizzy with the last…what? Five minutes? Seven??? It felt like a century had passed with the two of them standing in that clearing, surrounded by the soft patter of rain on leaves.
Finally reaching the door Willow summoned a vine to open it for them and the wind seemed to usher them both inside slamming the door shut, which caused Hunter to yelp in alarm. Willow let out a giggle which made Hunter laugh nervously, and before long they were both in hysterics again just laughing at the situation, the world, the lateness of the night, the bloomings of something that felt eternal, unbeknownst to them.
Willow plopped on the beanbag and beckoned Hunter to join her. Suddenly feeling shy he said, “uhhhhh I’m good, actually, thank you, Captain I quite enjoy–” A vine in response pulled him down to the bean bag with an “OOF” sound escaping his lips as he landed practically in Willow’s lap.
“Perfect.” She thought to herself slyly. “You comfy?” She asked him, not waiting for an answer before she snapped her fingers and the cabinet in front of them popped open to reveal a new tv complete with snacks, movies, pillows, and plenty of soft blankets to “nest in” (Luz’s words).
“Ta-dahhhhh!” Willow threw her arms out to the side, looking pleased as punch at her reveal. “Whatcha think?? It was Gus’ idea to have a separate tv/living room in case the one in Miss Camila’s house was occupied!” She snuggled farther into the bean bag, a helpless Hunter completely at her mercy as she folded him into her arms. “I thought we could do a fun little midnight movie, like Luz always talks about with that Stoney Horror Show or whatever it’s called!” His silence was worrying her, “unless you’d rather go back to bed, of course!”
“Oh, no! No not at all I don’t think I could after this last...nightmare.” His fingers fidgeted together, running through the signs Vee had been teaching him as a third language to learn, since his Spanish lessons had been going so well. They said that it was helpful in a lot of situations, especially if he were to go nonverbal again during one of his episodes. “It’ll be helpful to know where you’re at when you feel you cannot speak, hijo.” Camila’s calming voice rang through his head like a balm and he stopped fidgeting only to let out a long sigh. “I’m so tired, Will.” Hunter stared off into space, mind whirring with the events of the last few months. Still shocked that they had survived Belos and The Collector’s attack. Shocked that he was totally helpless in this new realm he knew nothing about, but Willow seemed to take to like water. Everything seemed to come so easily to her. Even spending time together. She knew exactly where his boundaries were and where to gently push them in order to help him grow, just like how she was with Gus or her plants.
Hunter snuggled deeper into her strong arms and closed his eyes for a moment, feeling a contentedness growing in his chest like he’d never known before.
Willow tucked her hand up into his hair and ran her fingers through it, the strands soft and still tangled together from sleep. She often braided his hair as they chatted about everything and nothing, but she’d cut it for him recently after an Incident in the bathroom, on a night very similar to the one they were currently sharing. “I know you’re tired, Hun, but we’ve gotta keep trying. There’s no other way but through, ya know?” She murmured into his hair, fingers still carding through. He made a soft noise and nodded his head. ‘Nuff said. “You wanna watch that movie?” She asked, he nodded again.
“But maybe something like, chill?” He asked, eyes starting to droop again. He loved when she played with his hair. It made him feel small again but in a good way.
“Of course” she chuckled, reaching to the floor to grab the remote. “Any requests?”
“Alice!” He beamed.
“Again!?” Willow laughed.
“Yeah but the live action one. The animated one doesn’t go in depth enough into her story and I wanna see that guy with the crazy hat again.”
“Oh you mean your cruuUuuUuUuush?”
Hunter turned beet red and tried to hide his face, but Willow was ready and dug her fingers into his ribs. He yelped as the tickle attack began. He knew he was completely at her mercy and struggled to fight back, the giggling sapping away all of his Golden Guard strength. Finally seeing an opening, Hunter fought back and the two of them fell into a writhing mess of laughter on the floor, tears staining both their faces. They laid on the floor, trying to catch their breath. Hunter found his first and just watched her precious face as her nose wrinkled, letting out an adorable snort. He reached out to “boop” her nose, making her laugh again, his favorite sound.
“Alright, alright!” She said, getting to her feet. “That’s quite enough of that.” She winked at him, holding out a hand.
“Hey, you started it!” He laughed, taking her outstretched hand. She pulled him bodily to a standing position where he almost-but-not-quite fell over on his face again. Willow caught his waist and leaned into his chest, humming, her arms locking there, feeling at home. At peace.
Hunter’s hands wavered over her back for a moment, hesitating, before settling gently over her shoulders, and they swayed back and forth for a while, wrapped in each other’s arms. Ethereal music seemed to be playing from another realm or time as they slow-danced in the soft glow of christmas lights. Hunter swore he could feel someone’s eyes on them, but for once it was in a soothing way. Like someone was proud of him. He held her close and settled his head on top of hers. They were a perfect fit, he realized. Just him and his princess in their own little snowglobe. He was convinced nothing could ruin this moment, when his foot caught on a floorboard and they went tumbling AGAIN to the floor. Hunter kept his arms locked around Willow and she landed bodily into his chest, knocking the wind out of him. His limbs spasmed unbecomingly and his mouth was flapping open and closed like a landed fish. Willow was immediately tomato-red and apologizing over and over as Hunter waved away her concern, knowing from experience it would pass.
Once he could breath again, Hunter allowed Willow to pull him gently into a sitting position. She grabbed a blanket from the tv cubby and wrapped it around the two of them, snuggling in close to his side and resting her head on his shoulder.
“Sorry about that,” She murmured, still slightly embarrassed.
Hunter chuffed a laugh, “don’t worry about it, princess.” For once both their ears turned bright red at the new nickname. Willow took a moment before deciding she loved it, and, feeling bold, turned to kiss his cheek again.
“Thank you, my prince.” She whispered, feeling his right ear flick against her cheek. A tender warmth grew between them, a million thoughts were whirling through Hunter’s mind as she nestled her head onto his shoulder and flipped on the movie.
As the credits rolled, Willow’s snores filled the cabin; completely sprawled across Hunter’s chest, limbs tangled, and Hunter couldn’t think of a more beautiful sound as he drifted into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.
Luz of course found them the next day and took a million pictures.
“You NEED to stop doing that!” He fumed as she cackled.
“I’m just documenting for your future children!”
Willow giggled as Hunter turned bright red and succinctly marched himself out of the room and into the bright day, some part of him dreaming of the same thing.