I'll Be The One
Chapter 28:
=Normal POV=
[Wednesday, 2/20/2019-11:30 am]
[Archipelago; Arc Isle]
[Dreki Apartment; A1]
It had been a few days since Gregory and Hunter talked at the bar, and then Salvatore ticked Hunter off once he'd been calm and relaxed by bringing up the very situation that had Hunter stressed out in the first place. Gregory, as he planned to do, gave Salvatore one hell of a scolding. Hunter went right to bed that night because he had school and work the next morning. Hunter enjoyed Tuesday off from school, but spent time researching his dissertation topic; then had work from 3 to 10 pm. However, today; Hunter had his one class from 8 am to 10 am, and no work. It was early still, the class was over, and Hunter was sitting in his apartment deciding what he should do. The decision was made; he wanted to talk to the others about the undercover bodyguard thing, but Hunter didn't know how to go about it. Hunter also needed to speak with Tallon about the feelings situation, and he had no idea where to begin that either.
Currently, Hunter was in his bedroom, debating on how to go about this. He had the free time, so he should take care of this matter. Flynn was in school, so was Harper, and the twins. Hunter wasn't sure what Trevor, Seth, Elijah, Drew, and Avery were doing today, but Hunter really only needed to talk to one person. Tallon, and Tallon had personally told Hunter that he was typically always home. Thankfully, home, was right down the hall. Hunter finally sighed, grabbing his phone, keys, and wallet. Hunter exited his room, then the apartment to go down to Tallon's place.
. . .
[Dreki Apartments; A10]
Hunter stood before the door and took a deep breath before raising his hand and knocked three times. Hunter waited a moment or two, preparing to leave and assume Tallon wasn't home, but then the door opened as Tallon stood there. "Hunter?"
"Hi," Hunter greeted.
"Is everything okay?" Tallon inquired.
"Everything is fine, Tal…I was just wondering if we could talk?" Hunter asked.
"You…Just want to talk?" Tallon replied, surprised.
"I…Did tell you and the others that when I was ready to talk; I'd come to you," Hunter reminded. "So, can we? Or is this a bad time?"
"No! No, not a bad time at all, Hunter. Please, come in?" Tallon stepped aside to let Hunter into his apartment. Tallon closed the door and motioned for Hunter to come to the living room with him. "Would you like anything to drink?"
"No, thank you," Hunter stated gently.
"Should…I call the others? I think they are all home today. Our biggest source of work right now is Odin's Dragons," Tallon said.
"No, it's okay. I don't need all of you…Gregory told me that you were the one who was in charge of my undercover protection detail…So, I feel like I can talk to just you and get all the information I would if everyone were here," Hunter mentioned. "If you don't mind that is?"
"I don't mind," Tallon shook his head, sitting down on the couch that was next to the seat Hunter was in. "What…Would you like to know?"
"Everything. You…Said the day I came back to the apartment you wanted to explain, so this is that chance to do so. I have a feeling there's a second side to all this I'm not seeing because I'm associating your actions with my father's lies, and I realize that's not entirely fair to do. I want you to explain things to me, and I want the truth, Tallon…" Hunter informed.
Tallon took a deep breath, understanding fully that if he left anything out or lied; Hunter would never forgive him or the others. "Alright," Tallon nodded. "First off…I feel it's fair to tell you that you were right when you came back to the apartment after everything; I didn't give you my real name because you would have instantly known something was off,"
"Go on…" Hunter invited.
"My name is Tallon Raseri," Tallon stated.
"Director Raseri's son?" Hunter asked as Tallon nodded. "Wait, your father is Director of Archipelago Law Enforcement?"
"That's correct," Tallon replied. "I'm his eldest son, you remember I told you about having several brothers and a sister…"
"I do," Hunter responded.
"Secondly…I'm not a cop…Well, not a full-time one," Tallon confessed. "I'm…Secret Service, and so is Trevor. The others are officers, aside from Flynn, Madison, Harper, and the twins,"
"Okay…" Hunter said, unsure of how else to respond. "So…Where did all this start?"
"It was after you saved Odin's Dragons the first time, when you got taken away by your guards. Maybe a couple days later," Tallon started.
"So, a couple days after I begged my father to reduce security…" Hunter mumbled.
"Yes," Tallon nodded. "You have to know that, and it's in your father's defense, he didn't come up with the idea to go with undercover protection, Hunter. My father did,"
"What?" Hunter stared.
"After you asked your dad to reduce to security, my father suggested cutting back your guards to two per shift and keep at a distance. And then the second idea was to place less-obvious guards around you," Tallon continued. "My father brought up Flynn being your roommate and mentioning that he had friends who were cops and working together in another operation,"
Hunter's eyes widened a bit. "Odin's Dragons…"
"Correct," Tallon nodded. "Your father knows about that operation…But not that you ever joined us. No, we kept that quiet otherwise it defeated the purpose of protecting you…" he went on. "Anyway, so my dad told your father all about that mission, so your dad would know that you had constant protection by a group a skilled, trained, professionals,"
"Makes sense…But if you and Trevor are Secret Service, why were you in on a police investigation?" Hunter wondered.
"We're both. We started as cops when we were eighteen, and wanted to go on to do bigger things such as protecting the First Family. We were recommended for Secret Service, Hunter, because of our stellar performances in the police academy. However, since you were fully protected at the time; there wasn't much work for us to do and we returned to doing police work up until all this happened. As I told you, I met Avery, Seth, and Trevor in the academy. Drew and Elijah were already cops and partners, as they are a few years older than us," Tallon explained.
"I remember you telling me that, yes," Hunter nodded.
"Our only objective, at the time we all got put together, was the undercover gang work. However, after your display in protecting Odin's Dragons; we didn't know who you were. Flynn just said you were his roommate. So, my father gave your dad the idea to reduce visible security and put undercover agents on you. This was supposed to only be mine and Trevor's job; pulling you out of dangerous situations as Harry, Cody, Bryant, and Andrew do, but since all of us work together for Odin's Dragons, you were inadvertently protected by six people at all times," Tallon said.
"But you knew you were protecting me the day I returned; that's when I officially met you, Trevor, Drew, and Elijah…I'd met Avery and Seth, along with the twins, Madison, and Harper the day I saw the apartment for the first time at the end of August. I recognized Seth and Avery right away, because their dads are my father's bodyguards; I knew their last names," Hunter stated.
"We actually didn't know it was you until you told us you were the president's son, Hunter," Tallon informed.
"What?" Hunter looked at him.
"That's why all of us were at the apartment that day, discussing gang stuff. Trevor and I had no idea it was you, and the others knew we were on First Family detail, but nothing more. When it came out you were the one who helped Odin's Dragons; we were shocked. But then you told us you were the president's son; we understood why we were given the assignment. Trevor and I, previously, did not know we were protecting the president's son. All we got told was First Family detail…But hadn't been given a name, or position. It made sense when you said who you were; I immediately spoke with my father and he confirmed that you were the one we had to keep safe, undercover, and that you were not to know," Tallon explained softly.
Hunter sat there, taking everything he heard so far in and processing it. Finally, Hunter took a deep breath. "So all of it was fake…Everything was just so you could protect me,"
"No!" Tallon stood up. "Hunter, no. Yes…We were protecting you, but we weren't supposed to become your friends,"
Hunter looked at him quickly. "What did you say?"
"You know your guards are not supposed to get personal with you, right? They stay back, and step in if they deem you are danger or there is an active threat…" Tallon said.
"Yeah…" Hunter nodded.
"We were only supposed to keep an eye on you, Hunter; as your bodyguards do. We had a closer connection because we all live in the same building and hung out together for gang stuff that Flynn is part of," Tallon enlightened. "But becoming your friend; that wasn't supposed to happen. We were not supposed to get that close to you, that personal. When you found the hideout, and we offered you to join us; it's because what we said was genuine, Hunter. You're wicked talented, and a great friend. We wanted you as our friend. The friendship…Was forbidden, Hunter. I got warned and yelled at several times to hang back and stop. Like when I took you drinking, staying in your room when you were drunk…All of that, no. I got in trouble for it, and was threatened to be removed from the position…"
Hunter looked at him again. "I planned to tell you about the job, the night of the inauguration. I didn't care if I got fired or removed from your protection detail…To me, it wasn't worth you learning the truth on your own and losing you as a friend. That's why I asked if we could talk; I was going to tell you that your dad hired us to keep you safe behind your back…I valued our friendship more than my job…I couldn't stand the thought of lying to you, because I knew you'd be hurt and feel betrayed…I didn't want that; I didn't want to be part of that. Please, Hunter…Please believe we didn't want to hurt you like that," Tallon asked.
Hunter looked in Tallon's eyes, seeing the sincerity in his words. Hunter knew that he wasn't mad at them; it seemed like they were victims as he was. Yes, Trevor and Tallon were assigned to protect the president's son, but they didn't know it was him until a few days after Hunter helped out Odin's Dragons without ever knowing who they were; he saw friends in trouble and helped out. And even regardless of the assignment; these people continued to get personal and be Hunter's friend. How could Hunter be upset about that? And overall, according to Tallon; he planned to tell Hunter about the job the night of the inauguration despite knowing he could lose his job.
"You guys really and truly were my friends?" Hunter asked.
"Yes, Hunter. Yes, absolutely we were. Honestly, a lot of times; we forgot that you were our objective…It just felt…Natural, ya know?" Tallon said. "To hang out as friends,"
Hunter sighed. "And you still want to be my friend?" he asked.
"Do you even have to ask?" Tallon arched a brow, but he was smiling.
"No, I suppose not," Hunter nodded. "Alright…You, and the others, are forgiven. Not that you need to be forgiven because I feel, after hearing all this; that you're victims as much as me. I'm sorry it's taken so long for me to come talk to you guys, well, just you right now because it was easier…"
"Hey, hey…Don't even worry about it. We understand you were hurt by the truth…I knew you would be, and it's why I didn't like this assignment. After we met, actually got to talking and hanging out…I was terrified of you learning the truth because I knew it would hurt you and I considered us good friends, so hurting you is something I didn't want to do, Hunter…I enjoy spending time with you; it's always fun," Tallon stated.
"I enjoy it too," Hunter blushed a bit. That was another talk they needed to have, but he wasn't sure how to get into that whole conversation. Glancing at his phone, he saw that it was nearing lunch time. Maybe they could go out to eat, just them? That usually helped them open up a bit more; Hunter could casually bring up the kiss a couple weeks ago? It was hard to decide how to go about this, but lunch sounded good no matter what.
"So…We good now? Friends again?" Tallon asked, holding out his hand to Hunter.
Hunter put his hand out and held Tallon's with a smile. "When did we stop? No more secrets, though," the two shook hands, laughing a bit. "Yeah, we're good," he confirmed. The two looked in one another's eyes, semi-getting lost there as their hands didn't let go right away.
"I'm glad…I was afraid to lose you," Tallon said softly.
"I'm around as long as you want me to be," Hunter replied. "Is this…Okay, though? You're not going to be in trouble for this, will you?"
"No, not at all. The mission was called off when you learned the truth, so it's literally just us around as your friends now, no secret watching or anything. But…I'm sure you know that…We do have your back and if something should happen; we will protect you," Tallon stated. "Not as your guards, but as friends,"
"I get what you're saying, don't worry. The same that I've done for you," Hunter said. Their hands still didn't separate it, but were down in their laps.
"I love that you get stuff so easily," Tallon chuckled.
"One more thing I'm good at," Hunter winked at him. The two laughed a bit. "This feels good; I missed how it makes me feel to be around you guys. I'm happy,"
"Makes me happy that you are," Tallon responded. The two looked at one another, and realized their hands were still connected. "Oh, sorry!"
"No, it's cool. We didn't even realize it," Hunter and Tallon released their hands, smiling a bit, and looking away from one another blushing. I have to tell him… Hunter thought.
He needs to know… Tallon told himself.
"There is something else I have to tell you," Tallon and Hunter said in unison, looking at one another. The males laughed it off and relaxed a bit.
"You first," Tallon invited.
"No, no. You," Hunter urged. "Please, I insist,"
"Alright…Uh, not exactly how to say it," Tallon cleared his throat a bit.
"Just say it," Hunter looked in his eyes.
Tallon's eyes met Hunter's now. "Hunter, I…" he took a breath. "While I'm overjoyed we're still friends; there's one problem…"
"What's that?" Hunter asked.
"I like you," Tallon confessed. Hunter's eyes widened slowly. "I really like you, as more than a friend…"
Hunter wanted to be surprised, and he was, but not more than he was happy. This meant Tallon felt the same for him as he did for Tallon. Hunter smiled at Tallon now, his hand resting on Tallon's. "That's not a problem, Tal," Hunter said as Tallon's eyes widened a little bit. "Because what I was going to tell you is that I like you as more than a friend,"
"Y-You do?" Tallon asked.
"I do," Hunter nodded.
"Wow…I, uh…I admit that I have no idea where to go from here. I've never…Liked anyone before…" Tallon admitted bashfully. Hunter laughed a little as he got up, pulling Tallon to his feet, which surprised him.
"Come on," Hunter said. "Grab your shoes and stuff,"
"Where are we going?" Tallon asked. "Don't you wanna talk about this?"
"To lunch because I'm hungry, and we can talk there about all this too," Hunter smiled.
"Oh, alright then," Tallon smiled, nodding. "Is this a normal thing that happens in this situation?"
"Not really, but it works to achieve the same effect. We obviously need to talk about what happens next, and what better way than over a meal together? Wouldn't be the first time we've sat down and just talked in a relaxed setting," Hunter told him.
"That is so…True," Tallon agreed as he slipped on his shoes, grabbing his wallet and phone; then stepping beside Hunter. "I'm ready," the two exited the apartment together and headed down the hall. Leaving the building, Hunter brought Tallon to his car as they climbed in. The males buckled up and Hunter drove out of the lot, going down the road. So far, everything was going smoothly, but they would have to talk about things before going any further in this matter. However, the hard part, which ended up being really easy for them, was over now. Hunter got the friend situation figured out and handled, and he told Tallon how he felt, learning that Tallon felt the same. It was two major stresses off his shoulder, and now he had to hope that things continued along like this because it felt great.
