Chapter 4: These Days

School had ended and Hunter was still smiling.

It also helped that he was currently pushing Zig up against the wall of the bathroom. Most of the other students had left the school and he doubted anyone would be coming by soon.

Zig's lips softly nudged his, alternating between giving him rougher, more passionate kisses and softer, chaste ones like this. Their relationship, just like their kissing, was always wild and never predictable.

"How was your day?" Hunter pulled away, smirking at Zig.

"I went to class," Zig said.

"I'm shocked. Soon you'll start studying and even showing up on time." He smiled back.

"I'm not that bad."

"No, I bet you're just easily distracted," Hunter grasped Zig's shirt, pulling the taller teen into another kiss.

"But we're totally studying right now."

"Yeah...," Hunter said sarcastically. "We're having an after-school anatomy lesson about my mouth in the bathroom."

Zig smirked. "So wanna study again?"

"You're just so full of yourself."

"And you like it."

Hunter only answered with another kiss, not caring to waste any time before he would have to go home.

"I think I'm going to tell Miles," Hunter said, standing in Frankie's room as she unpacked her bag. Miles had just brought them back home.

"Are you sure about it?"

"He'll find out soon enough. And I would rather it's not from someone else."

"You don't have to tell him...he would be like dad. They don't have to know," She tried reassuring him.

Hunter had briefly considered that. He might never be able to tell his father...not like it really mattered. Hunter had long stopped caring about his father and realized just how horrible of a parent he was.

But Miles was nothing like their father. Miles looked after him: he genuinely cared. Even if Hunter had been mad about losing Realm of Doom, Miles taking away his laptop had changed him for the better. Hunter had been forced to grow: finding not only friends, but a boyfriend.

Hunter was finally starting to realize himself and becoming his own person. Miles had actually helped him.

"Miles means a lot more to me than dad. I can't...not tell him," He sighed.

"Even though he's the one who took away your laptop?"

"I should be mad."

Frankie looked at him. "But?"

"I can't be. I know that he cares about me..."

She smiled. "I'm glad. Things will work out Hunter. Even if dad never comes around...I know that Miles will."

"I hope so."

Hunter dreaded having to tell Miles.

'By the way...I'm dating the guy who beat you up' was never going to go well. Hunter wondered what Miles would do: if he would yell or even try fighting Zig again.

Hunter laughed, imagining his brother bolting from the house and chasing after Zig. Throw in a karate-battle over Hunter's honor and it could be like a video game.

He sighed, finally knocking on the door to Miles' room. Hunter couldn't escape this.

"Hey, Miles." Hunter shut the door behind him.

Miles was at his desk, typing away on a paper for his English class. Hunter was surprised to see Miles actually caring about school for once, but it's not like he had anything else to do other than mope about Maya.

"What's up?" Miles was still focused on writing his paper.

"Um...," He bit his lip nervously. "I need to talk to you."

Miles briefly looked at his brother before turning back to his computer. "I'm not giving you your game back, Hunter."

"That's not what I want to say."

"Then what?"

"I hung out with Zig last night..." He had done more than just hanging out, but he wasn't trying to kill his brother from shock...yet.

"At Maya's house." Miles said it like an accusation.

"Yes," Hunter said, not knowing where this was going with Miles.

"Why did you go over there...to her?" Miles finally stopped typing, turning to face him. It only made Hunter more nervous.

"That's not why."

"You just hung out with my ex? Randomly. Let me guess you were just in the neighborhood." Miles bit back.

There were many ideas of how Hunter thought this conversation would go. None of them involved him not even telling his brother about Zig. Miles had quickly assumed he was going after Maya...like that made any sense. Miles was still obsessed and hurt over the girl.

It was ridiculous. Hunter fought back a laugh.

Hunter tried calming his brother. "She was there, yes. But I didn't even talk to her that much."

"Because there wasn't much talking involved?" Miles said, but Hunter couldn't even imagine kissing Maya.

Hunter really just needed to end this conversation and tell him about Zig. He was still afraid of how his brother would react to that, but he would not let Miles think he was trying to hook up with Maya. He wasn't that bad of a person.

"No, Miles. I went there to see Zig."

"Like that's any better. Soon you'll be dealing with him."

"I wasn't just hanging out with Zig..." Hunter whispered.

"What does that mean?"

"I don't think you should be worrying about Maya...when she wasn't the one I was trying to hook up with."

Miles' look at him wide-eyed; the realization dawning on him. Hunter's brother might have a problem with jumping to conclusions, but he definitely understood now what Hunter was getting at.

"You're lying." Miles tried laughing it off.

"Miles, I even have the hickeys on my neck to prove it." He was getting kind of annoyed with how ridiculous this was getting. Miles needed to just accept it.

"You would never do that."

"I did it, Miles. I hung out with and kissed Zig." His voice rose.

"Why?"

"I like him. I know there should be so many things wrong with that."

"I don't know how to feel about this, Hunter."

Miles was no longer angry, but seemed almost sad. Hunter wondered just how his brother was feeling. This was definitely not the angry yelling match he had expected.

"I'm sorry for springing this on you. But you're my brother. I can't hide this from you." Hunter went to the door, pausing before leaving. "I'll give you time to think. I'm sorry."

He left Miles' bedroom, not sure if he would ever get the relief and acceptance he wanted from his brother. Miles hadn't been outright against it...but it was all so very confusing. Hopefully, Miles would come around and talk to him.

There were times that Hunter definitely hated Miles, but this was not one of them. He still cared for his brother.

Silence was all that came from Miles' room.

Hunter lay in his bed, trying to fall asleep.

Miles hadn't told him to stop dating Zig...nor was he angry at the idea of Hunter liking guys. In spite of that, he was still confused. Hunter was afraid that things could blow up, ending in Miles going to his parents...

His brother would never go to their parents. Miles had long ago given up on expecting them to act like parents: something Hunter had only realized recently with how they acted for the campaign.

Their parents only cared about them...especially their father...as long as it benefited their public image. Perhaps Hunter's mom would accept him, but she would never be able to go against his father.

Hunter might not expect his parent to accept Zig, but he desperately wanted Miles to. Hopefully, he could bring Zig here and introduce him to Hunter's siblings. He wanted the taller teen to become a part of his life.

Zig and Hunter just fit so easily together. He didn't have to question their feelings for each other.

Miles needed to come around and accept this newly important part of Hunter's life. He was no longer the game-addicted loner; he was starting to care for others...

Hunter cared for Zig, his friends, and especially for his brother.

Morning came and Hunter woke up, slowly walking to the kitchen for breakfast. His parents were busy by the pool, meeting with more people about the campaign.

Hunter would have been alone...if not for Miles waiting for him.

"We need to talk," Miles spoke calmly.

"Okay." Hunter didn't know what to say. Once again, he was on edge. There were so many ways this could go wrong.

Miles quickly said, "I'm sorry."

Those words were so simple, but so powerful at the same time. Hunter should have known everything would be fine. Miles had just needed time especially to process something so new like him being interested in guys and Zig.

"I'm sorry for just throwing it at you." Hunter knew there probably were better ways to tell his brother about Zig, but things had worked out.

"It's was very sudden..." He smiled.

"So are you fine with it? Dating Zig?"

"I would never hate you for liking guys, Hunter...and I can learn to tolerate Zig."

Hunter laughed, "I bet you're glad that no one's stopping you from getting Maya."

"That's a side-bonus," Miles smiled. "No, but I'm happy if you're happy."

"That's just sappy."

"I don't know what else to say. It's still weird that it's...Zig. Of all people."

"I like weird."

"Well, obviously." They laughed.

"Is it okay if he comes over sometime?"

"Yes. It would be a little strange with him being around."

"He's not a bad guy. I don't think he's proud of beating you up. He might apologize."

"He didn't beat me up...I just tripped." Miles tried joking.

"I can't wait to see all of the...tripping...you'll do if you ever think he's not treating me well." Hunter chuckled.

"You're ridiculous," Miles paused, proud of his brother despite how odd the situation with dating Zig was. "It's nice seeing the old you."

"What does that mean?"

"You're happy again...you haven't even tried getting your game back. If Zig brought the old you back, then I can learn...to stop...tripping...around him."

Once again, they laughed. It was nothing like their conversation yesterday and everything that Hunter had wanted. Things could be fine.

"Hey, you." Hunter found Zig, pulling him into a quick, chaste kiss. Hunter didn't see anyone in the hallway around them...and for once, he didn't really care. He had Zig...and the support of his brother.

"Who are you, stranger?" He jokingly pretended.

"If I'm a stranger then I'll just stop trying to kiss you."

Zig protested, "Hold on. Let's not act too hasty."

"You're crazy...but you're my kind of crazy." Hunter beamed.

"But seriously...back to the kissing."

"You're demanding. I'll kiss you if you come to my place after school."

"Are you sure about that?" Zig looked a little on edge about the idea.

"I told Miles about us."

"And it went well?"

"He won't kill you yet," Hunter grinned.

"Because I'm too amazingly handsome to kill. All the Hollingsworth men know it."

Hunter kissed him again, enjoying the silly, truly amazingly handsome man before him. He couldn't help but break out into another smile: a permanent expression on his face these days.

These days were becoming the best part of his year...and only more would come in the future. Life was truly simple and beautiful for once.

AN: I'm so glad that I've updated so quickly since the last chapter. Anyways, how long should this story be? Would a few more chapters be fine (or would you want to see even more of this story)?