Luz was easy to fool, Willow had to admit. It wasn't because she was stupid or anything of the like, but Luz could be very observant in many situations. Willow picked up on Amity's crush in a heartbeat, and even after she had kissed Luz on the cheek, the human was STILL unable to confidently tell if Amity liked her or not. At least Willow wasn't as… daft? She wasn't sure of the word in their situation.
But, as Luz was with her own emotions and not understanding how people felt toward her, she was able to pick up on some secret going on with Willow a bit too quickly. Maybe, though, Willow just wasn't trying to hide her 'secret' meetings with Hunter enough? After school got out, Willow picked up the habit of changing out of her school uniform in the locker-rooms before leaving. She would arrive at school with a jar of candy, hide it in her locker, and take it with her when she left without eating one. Only on occasion the candy would actually change in the jar. But the real kicker for Luz was now.
" Are you telling me you are denying the chance to go find a mythical plant in the woods?" Luz was honestly shocked! Willow was all about plant-life, exploring to find and study different types of flora, and never typically said no to a good ol' fashion adventure with her, Gus, and Amity. She narrowed her eyes at Willow, " Are you still Willow?"
The girl gave a laugh, fixing her glasses on her nose, " I'm sorry, Luz. You know I would go with you on any other day, but I already have plans for tonight." Willow had already changed out of her hexside uniform, and was putting the jar of candy in her bag. Luz looked Willow over carefully, humming in thought. Willow had a cute, red flower pin in her hair.
"...A new hairclip?" Luz started, making Willow quirk her brow at the human. Luz glanced into Willow's locker, " A still wet toothbrush?" Willow quickly made her locker close its mouth, starting to realize what Luz was getting at. " And...If I am not mistaken." Luz pointed accusingly at Willow's bag, " A picnic blanket! I know what's going on, girl!"
"Luz! Shh!" Willow smacked her hand over her friend's mouth, putting her finger over her mouth. " Can you keep your voice down?" She removed her hand, only to find a big smile facing her.
"EeEHEHEHEEEE!" Luz did a little dance on her toes, " You are meeting up with someone! Willoooow! Who is it? Are they cute? Why haven't you told me-" Willow put her hand back over Luz's mouth.
"Look, Luz, I know you are excited about this, and...I am too...I honestly want to spill the beans to you so bad about him! But, things are still kind of...new, you know? He is still figuring everything out, and I rather keep things hushed for now." Willow removed her hand again, giving Luz a pleading look.
"Hiiiimmmmm~?" Luz put her hands to her cheeks, making Willow furrow her brow. " Alright, alright, don't worry, boo! ¡Te cubro la espalda!" Willow gave her a soft smile, turning to open her locker again.
"Thank you, Luz. I am...trying to convince him to come around and meet everyone, actually. He is just having a hard time." Willow said in her hushed tone, not wanting anyone to over hear her.
"Is there aaannything you can tell me about hiiiim?" Luz asked, leaning against the locker next to Willow, before it growled and started to open its mouth. Willow quickly took Luz by the shawl and yanked her away from it before it could bite her, " GAHA! Why do I always forget they do that?"
Willow smiled, patting Luz lightly before finishing up with taking a few more items out of her locker, " Well… he is homeschooled. He is actually aiming to join The Emperor's Coven…" Willow felt a pang of guilt in her chest, was she really lying to Luz about Hunter? " He is very sweet and kind, though…" Willow closed her locker, holding a book close to her chest, " You know how I told you I found a little field with rocks stacked in neat ways? Well...he is the one who was doing it."
Luz started to gasp loudly, before smacking her own hands over her mouth. "Ohmytitan youguyshadameetcute!" Luz squealed silently. Willow rolled her eyes lightly, smiling at her friend. She knew Luz would eat up the story of how Hunter and her meet, but she also knew if she just flat out said that he was The Golden Guard, Luz might freak out.
" Just try to keep it cool, ok? Think you can do that for me?" Willow asked, turning to face Luz, who nodded and breathed in deeply, before moving her hands down over her face to make her 'Serious and calm Luz' expression. Willow gave a small giggle, before turning to head to exit the school. She could hear Luz turning and catching up to walk beside her. The two of them chatted about other subjects as they made their way to the door, Luz was expecting Gus and Amity to already be waiting for them, expecting them to go on the hunt for the mysterious plant thing they were told about by Eda.
"Hey..so what do you want your cover story to be when they ask about why you're not coming?" Luz asked in a hush tone suddenly. " They are gonna be suspicious after all."
"I was thinking of just saying that my Dads wanted me to go home straight away. They have been wanting to spend a lot more time with me lately, so it's not far off to believe."
Luz gave a nod and thumbs up before the two witches made it to the door, going down the outside staircase to join Amity and Gus. Willow already summoned her palisman staff, ready to give the group their goodbyes before she sat off. As of now, however, Amity was currently doing her best tomato impression as Luz rushed up to plant a kiss on her cheek, and Gus was preoccupied with a human magazine he got his hands on.
"Are you not coming with us, Willow?" Amity asked, looking at Willow with a quirked brow.
" I am afraid I can't today, my Dad's are expecting me home sooner rather than later." Willow explained as she went over to give Luz, Amity, and Gus all hugs goodbye.
"Aww man. Maybe we should reschedule for when Willow can come, Luz? It does have to do with plants, after all." Gus offered, looking at the human girl.
"I'm sorry, guys. Eda said she needed this thing by morning and you know I don't wanna displease her!"
"It's ok, Gus. You all go on without me! Just let me know how it goes, yeah?" Willow smiled before she stepped back and gave a wave, " I'll see you guys tomorrow! Stay safe!" With that, Willow mounted her staff and flew off in the direction of home, and like she had done many times before, turned to head to the Grove once she was out of sight.
Hunter was already there waiting for her, leaning against one of the trees on the far side of the field. Both him and Willow agreed it was best to try to keep distance between them and the birds that were now roosting on Rocky. Maybe in a few weeks they can try to start approaching when the birds get used to them being there. For now, the two were more than content with hanging out in a spot in the shade.
As Willow landed Hunter pushed himself to his feet proper, smiling as she dismounted Clover and let the palisman free. The little bee flew around happily before landing on Hunter's head, making him laugh as Lil' Rascal chirped and fluttered up to join his friend.
"Aww...The flesh-Rocky now has a nest of his own!" Willow teased, making Hunter's cheeks flare red and his ears flick.
"Keep talking like that and I am not going to share what I brought, Flower-cake." Hunter held up a small bag, before smirking at her and walking over to meet her, lowering his head so she could take her palisman back. Willow smiled as she picked up Clover and sat her down on her own head, before opening her bag and taking the blanket she stored in it out. Hunter helped her lay it out, before sitting down next to her and opening the bag he brought, taking out a container that held two cupcakes in it.
"Oh wow, those look amazing! Where did you get them?" Willow looked up at him as he gave a small shrug and carefully opened the container. He took one of the cupcakes out and handed it over to her.
" Just a little bakery a little bit off the Market Place's road. I can't remember the name. I just passed it a few days ago and made a note to swing by before I saw you next." Hunter was lying, but Willow didn't need to know that. He actually was able to sneak undetected into one of the castle kitchens last night and baked them himself. He knew he wasn't going to be able to sleep, anyway, so he figured he should use the time to do something he wanted...and what he wanted was to make something for Willow himself.
" Maybe we can try to go at some point together?" Willow offered as she unwrapped the paper. Hunter flicked his ears, smiling as he looked at the cupcake he got for himself. He broke off a small bit of the cake and offered it up to Lil' Rascal, who gladdy took part in the sweet fluff. " So, how was your day?"
"Same stuff, different day, really." Hunter sighed, leaning back as he unwrapped the paper on his cupcake a bit more. " It's rather repetitive at times, but I prefer it being like this so I can have the time to come out here and visit you." He bit into the cupcake, glancing at Willow who gave him a smile and took a bite of her own cupcake. "Howf 'bout uff?" Hunter asked with his mouth full.
Willow covered her mouth with her hand, taking a moment to actually swallow her bite before replying, " I can say the same, really. It is kind of rare that we have days that are not too wild, but I really assume this time is because I didn't follow my friends into the madness today." Willow shrugged, looking over her cupcake to figure out where best to take her next bite. Hunter narrowed his eyes slightly at her as he noticed a bit of frosting had smeared itself on her cheek. " I think the biggest thing that really happened was Luz figured out I am seeing someone after I get off school."
" Hu?" Hunter blinked, flicking his ears, " D-did you tell her?"
"Oh, of course not! The most I gave her was that you were homeschooled and we met out here. Luz respected that I didn't want to give too many details, but I can tell she is really eager to 'meet' you."
" More like she is going to try to throw me off a cliff." Hunter said, his eyes focus on the frosting on Willow's cheek. She gave a giggle, shaking her head gently as she broke a piece off her cupcake for Clover.
"She might have a freak out, but I doubt she will try to hurt you. She knows you are my friend, after all." Willow looked up at him with a smile as he returned his eyes to her. He felt the light blush returning, a feeling he was getting used to being around Willow. He rubbed the back of his neck as he broke eye contact, smirking to himself.
"As long as you can promise that." He said, looking back at her. The frosting was just bothering him too much. He reached out with his thumb and wiped it away, making Willow flinch slightly at first in confusion at the sudden jester before looking amused. Wait…'YOU IDIOT YOU DID IT AGAIN, STOOPPPP!' Hunter screamed in his mind, feeling his face turn red before he turned away and cleared his throat loudly, trying to pretend he didn't just do that. "A-Anyway! I-It looks like our bi-Ird family has returned!" Oh titan his voice cracked again… Why does he make such a giant fool of himself around her?
He could see Willow shifting at his side, looking to the bird family on the top of Rocky. He took the moment to quickly glance at her, seeing a smile on her face with a light blush. Somehow his face was just getting hotter, he swallowed before forcing himself to look away from her before she could notice his stare.
"I think we should name them." Willow said, before humming in thought as she looked the birds over.
"U-uuhh… Y-yeah, but, what are good names?" Hunter scratched the back of his neck.
"Hmm...how about we think about it and decide later? I'll name the gold one, you name the green one?" Willow offered to him, looking over to him before smiling a bit more. He could try to turn his face away from her, but even his ears turn red when he blushed.
"Y-yeah! That sounds good!" Hunter nodded, before looking at his cupcake. He had a lot to think about, but a name shouldn't be too hard, right?