Willow tried to keep calm and steady in front of her fathers, but it was hard to keep the facade. It was obvious she had something on her mind, and with the recent school incident her fathers were looking for signs of trouble. She just played it off that she had been nervous about what the other kids at school would do and how they acted around her, and was still calming her nerves about her worries over nothing.
Her fathers, though they obviously didn't believe her, didn't pressure her at least. After dinner she quickly made her way to her room and threw herself onto her mattress. She felt her face going red again, unable to get the picture of Hunter leaning down to kiss her out of her head. He was so incredibly handsome, and the way he was looking at her made her feel valuable. But she struggled with whether she should have let that kiss happen or not.
Maybe she should seek advice from her fathers? Dad would probably have a minor freak out, he tended to be a lot more protective of her, after all. But, Pappi was always more level headed when it came to these kinds of things. Eventually they both would meet Hunter, though, maybe it would be best they knew of him first? She has been vague up to this point, but it was more than easy for her to tell that her fathers knew what could be up.
Willow rolled onto her back, staring up at the ceiling as she took a deep breath in and closed her eyes. Hunter seemed to know a lot more than he was giving on the Memorai Bonsai, was that why he decided to kiss her? She knew the Bonsai's were common items before Belos took charge, and they eventually faded in popularity after a time. The head teacher of the Plant-track gifted her a small branch of one a while ago, saying out of any student she knew Willow would be the one able to grow a Memorai Bonsai.
She had poured so many hours of research into the plant, and knowledge was hard to find and few inbetween. But, Willow knew for a fact that Memorai Bonsai's flourish when they are grown with purpose, not to be grown just to be grown. After a month of knowing Hunter, Willow knew that growing the bonsai for him was perfect. He had a love and interest in plants, but wasn't able to explore it between his duties, training, research into other magics he needed to know about, and a few other minor things. After a Memorai Bonsai is grown, it just needs an occasional push to continue to thrive. A perfect plant for someone as busy as Hunter.
It was definitely a lot of hard work for Willow to grow the plant, even with her natural abilities. She knew if she even once reconsidered, thought he would reject the gift, or have any negative thoughts about the bonsai while she was tending to it, it might die before it even grew big enough for branches to form, and the small tree needed a lot of attention. If it got too hot, it would die, too cold, it would die. If it had too much sun in the day, death. If it had too little light, it was gone. Its water needs were VERY specific as well, but the hardest part of growing the tree was having to remove it from the dirt it was growing in every few days into new dirt. After she was done tending to the plant, and left the room, she pondered if this is what motherhood would be like.
But, in the end all the hard work she put in was worth it...maybe that's why Hunter kissed her? He knew how difficult the plants are to grow, and the fact that she grew it for him...that has to be why, right? Willow covered her face with her hands, rolling onto her side. He was very special to her. He had been since she first discovered the 'thanks' message in the grove. And every time she met up with him, those feelings grew more and more. She knew from the start she had a big and deeping crush on him, and it was hard not to see he felt the same.
So why does she feel so conflicted? They didn't do anything wrong! They are just two teens figuring out love, right? That was wonderful, and nothing to feel horrible about...but…
'But he is The Golden Guard.' The thought felt like it hurt. She felt so horrible thinking it, but she knew...she was ignoring that part of him the best she could. The Golden Guard who was the right-hand man of Emperor Belos, who almost killed Luz! Who almost petrified King, Eda, and Lilith. Who controls magic that so much knowledge was lost, people's freedom taken away. Hunter was different from Belos, though. When they first met he always stopped himself from talking on such subjects, but after he learned Willow wasn't going to scorn him, he was so passionate in everything he spoke of. Wild Magic, the implications of Luz's glyphs, ranting about people he disliked in the Coven, the people he actually did like in the Coven… She loved listening to him.
He was showing signs of slowly breaking from the Emperor's hold. The way he talked about Wild Magic, how he lovingly cares for Lil' Rascal, and the fact he let Luz escape with the palisman when he attempted the heist, that had to be signs the Emperor was losing his influence, right? Deep down, too, Willow knew the scars Hunter had were no accidents. He had the obvious one on his face, but she had seen the others. They were all scattered about, she knew he probably had more she hadn't seen, but the ones on his arms and lower legs were hard to hide.
Maybe in some way, it was destiny for the two to come together. Out of their time together, no one had ever bothered them in the grove. It was their place, where they connected, bonded, tended for, and maybe in the future… 'No, Willow. Don't think that way. You shouldn't be fantasizing about building a home in the grove with Hunter…' she told herself.
'UGH! Maybe I should talk to Pappi… Maybe at least mention there is a boy I like and don't know what to do? Leave out the fact he KISSED me already? Ooohmygosh he kissed me!" Willow turned to bury her face in her pillow, hearing Clover buzz around before landing on the back of her head. She smiled to herself, reaching up to gently pick up the palisman before laying on her back again.
"Oh, Clover...I wish I knew what to do." Willow sighed, setting the palisman on her chest before giving light pets to the bee. She leaned her head back, closing her eyes. ' It would be a beautiful cabin… Small, but big enough for the two of us...maybe even kids?' Willow felt her cheeks burning again, but she couldn't stop herself from the train of thought. ' Maybe even a cute little palisman house for Clover and Lil' Rascal. We could spend the morning tending to the grove...maybe after going to work at a bookshop and greenhouse we opened together...he'd have a little bakery on the side, too…' She smiled slightly to herself at the picture she painted, 'I wonder what we would name it...he still hasn't told me what he wanted to name the bird on Rocky yet, though. Maybe he is bad at names?' Willow sighed lightly, shifting around to get better comfortable in her bed. Soon, without realizing, she had fallen asleep.
Hunter would wish he was that lucky. He laid awake in his bed staring at the ceiling as he struggled, again, with insomnia. His chest was hurting, a burn from his malfunctioning bile-sac that he had thanked his ancestors for. He wondered if Belos had experienced the same pains? Probably.
Hunter sighed, sitting up in defeat. He had to get his mind off the pain, off of his Uncle, else he would end up coughing up the black-slug again. He looked around his room, eyes landing on the Bonsai a lot that shimmered in the moonlight outside his window. It was almost ethereal with the way it presented itself. He shifted around, leaning forward on his hand with a smile as he looked over the plant. What was Willow doing now? Hopefully sleeping, considering the hour it was in the night.
'Speaking of the hour...I bet I could sneak into the kitchen again. Maybe try my hand at baking an actual Flower Cake?' He looked to his door in consideration, smirking to himself. His nickname for Willow came from that first meeting, after they left the grove. She took him to a nearby grab-and-eat, and decided on a very lovely looking, small cake while he took a bitter-bean-blood with more cream than he would like to admit. When she offered him a bite, he refused at first, but grew curious and accepted it later. Honestly, it tasted to him like a highly aromatic perfume smelled. He teased her about it, and after that just started calling her 'Flower-cake'.
But, it was one of her favorite desserts, despite his lack of caring for it. Maybe he could bake one that didn't taste like it was dumped out of a bottle from the 60s? He might as well try. Hunter got up from the bed and put on his Golden Guard gear. It was late enough at night that he knew he didn't need to wear all of it, but he would rather be caught in it than without it. Maybe he is just too paranoid. After dressing he turned to the makeshift nest that Lil' Rascal was in, already awake and looking at him. Without a word, the little cardinal flew up, and duck into the hood like he had a million times before.
The kitchen was only a few doors and a hallway down from his room. The private chambers of the castle were tightly made together, with the finer areas made for ranking officials having more privileges like private bathrooms. Hunter was forced to spend a month in the scouts area when he was thirteen, just after his witches puberty, as a way to better understand how the Emperor's Coven worked before he eventually took over. He always had to wear his uniform, though, or be caught being only a kid. He didn't even take his scouts mask off to sleep! It really made him appreciate his position more and the better living quarters he got.
This also meant though the kitchen was smaller, it was generally kept well stacked with different ingredients, foods, snacks, and utensils that were used to make better meals. After he took his leadership role, he had silently started to fund a bit more snails into the kitchens that provided for the scouts, remembering that though their meals were decent, they lacked in a lot of general aspects. It made Hunter happy when he overheard a few scouts talking about how the quality and variety of the kitchens were suddenly better. He reasoned that if the troops were happy, they were easier to control.
Hunter quickly found the cook book he needed and started to thumb through the pages, landing on a version of flower cake that, though it was not the exact one Willow had picked that day, was close enough to what he knew she liked he was sure she wouldn't mind. After a while of finding everything he needed, trying to be at least semi quiet so as to not alert anyone who might be near he was there, he was now mixing the cake batter. The oven has preheated already, and all he would need to do is pour the batter into the mold and let it bake.
"..S-Sir Golden Guard?" A curious but familiar voice rang out from behind him, making him stop, frozen. Slowly, The Golden Guard turned his mask to the owner of the voice.
"...Captain Magz." He addressed her, slowly setting the bowl down. Out of all the people in the coven to find him, he was at least relieved that it was her. " You are...up early."
" It is almost three in the morning, sir, about the time I start my duties for the day." She approached him, folding her arms behind her back. Under her mask she looked from her commander, to the cookbook, then back to him. " You are not one for more floral cakes, Goldie."
Hunter smirked under his mask, turning to pick up the bowl of batter and pour it into the mold. " Maybe I had a change of heart." She was one of the few people he felt ok around. She knew him before he even was 'The Golden Guard' and always helped in his training when he was younger. When he returned from the airship crash after Kikimora told her he was dead, she practically crushed him in a hug. She, as well, was one of the few who knew what he looked like under the mask,but never treated him any less because of it.
"Perhaps you have, but I will not tell the little boy I used to train about it. I still remember how he used to stick his tongue out so stubbornly at food he didn't like." Magz teased, going to open the oven for Hunter so he could stick the cake in.
" I hope you don't, he was never one for changes." He leaned back against the counter in wait. " Three am already, hu? I don't know if I will have time to finish this before the cooks come."
"You are the commander, you don't have to sneak around to bake, you know." Magz crossed her arms, prompting Hunter to give a shrug.
" I would rather not offend them that I bake for myself."
" Well, I know your baking...maybe you should give them a chance to help you this time." Magz had picked up the recipe book and pointed to the next steps for the cake...the frosting. " We both know that you making frosting is always a disaster."
Hunter felt his cheeks and ears turn red from embarrassment. He still had a hidden stain on his glove from the last time he tried to use food-dye, and he could never stir the mixture right! It wasn't his fault, it was the stupid recipe books for lying to him! " I- was- thinking about just leaving the cake frost-less this time." Hunter admitted.
This made Magz set the book down and lean in close to Hunter, obviously 'looking' him over if that was possible to do. 'Yup...I'm caught… Mister 'Licks the frosting off cupcakes and tries to play it off like he wasn't the idiot who did that…' Hunter thought to himself, but tried to keep it cool. " Look, I just don't want to attempt to make frosting again! It's...beyond me."
"What's their naaaame?~"
Hunter breathed in sharply, this time looking at Magz. He had the deepest frown, covered by the golden mask, but he knew she could sense it. " There is no name, Magz." He said sternly.
"Hmmmmmm riiiiight?~" Magz tapped her fist on the side of her helm, he just knew she was smirking at him.
"L-look!" Hunter looked around before going into a whisper. " There is no name, Magz." He made sure to really control his voice, trying to get the message across. And for the most part, it seemed like she got it.
"Oh...Alright, alright." She shrugged, putting her hand on her hip and motioning a zipper across where her mouth would be. Hunter relaxed at that, before standing back up straight and turning to start putting away everything he pulled out.
"Don't you have the start of your duties to attend to, Captain?" he asked, hearing a light snort from Magz.
"Right away, Sir. Please, though...do get some rest before your schedule starts." She turned, walking out of the kitchen. Hunter breathed in deeply, then let out a small sigh. If they had been outside the castle, maybe he could talk to her about Willow? She was practically his nanny for a few years before Belos started making sure Hunter was more independent.
After Hunter pulled the cake, and put it on a waiting, clean handkerchief he carefully moved to hide it by walking with his hand behind his back. He was thankful that despite the time, he ran into no one on his way back to his chamber. The teen rested the cake on his desk next to the bonsai, looking it over carefully. The color, a light pink, was lightly browned in some spots, but that was just part of baking. Maybe he should have tried to frost it?
'No…" Hunter's brain cut in. " She doesn't care about perfection. She will love it because it's you.' he smiled to himself, taking his mask off. He knew he shouldn't be sure, but...he was. He was very much sure that despite its imperfections, Willow will love it.
He turned, letting Lil' Rascal out of his hood, before removing his gear and laying back on the bed. For once, he actually felt sleepy! He moved under his covers, closing his eyes as he snuggled to the pillow, waited a few moments, before grabbing his frog plushie from under his pillow and pulling it into him. '...would Willow find it weird I still sleep with this?' He opened his eyes at the thought, before shrugging and closing them again. After a few moments he felt Lil' Rascal moving to snuggle between him and the plushie, chirping in delight at the warmth. He smiled to himself, before letting himself relax into his covers.
He had to open his eyes a few moments later again, though, after he felt like someone sat on his bed. Did Magz come into his room to talk? He looked around at the white that had met his tired gaze before looking down and over. His Uncle...no, someone else was sitting at the edge of his bed, hand resting gently on his covers, and giving a soft smile.
" It's time to wake up, Hunter." The man spoke, a soothing voice, quietly to him. " Today is a special day, remember?"
Hunter blinked a few times, before trying to clamper out of the covers. The man let out a light laugh, before catching the small boy before he fell to the floor, and setting him on his feet. Hunter giggled, sprinting to the door before the man caught him by the back of his sleep shirt.
"Hunter, we get dressed in the morning first, remember?"
"Oh..sorry!" The small child turned, going to his dresser to riffle through his mix of clothing. The man had moved to help him pick out a few items, a light smile still on his face. "Will you be coming with us?" Hunter turned to look up at the much taller figure.
"I wish I could, but I cannot." The man patted his head, " But you will so great things, my child." The small pout the boy had vanish as he rapidly nodded, his ears flicking and wiggling.
Soon he was sprinting down the hallway at full speed, hearing the man's amused chuckles behind him, as he jumped through a door and paused, his eyes looking around the giant field around him. He turned around, sprinting through the tall grass that soon turned into giant purple trees. Hunter skidded to a halt at the edge of a large lake, reflecting the multiple colors of the sky.
" Where are we?" he turned to ask the Man who had always been at his side, who now turned to rest his hand on the now teen's shoulder.
" An unfulfilled wish." The man replied as he looked back over the lake. Hunter turned his head to follow the older man's gaze, slowly becoming more and more aware of his dream state.
"...I've...had this dream before." Hunter said slowly, blinking a few times as large bubbles of water started to rise from the surface of the lake. " Wait, but you never tell me who-" He turned, the man was no longer there. "...who...who are you?"
Rough and loud booms echoed through the area, a sudden surge of adrenaline hit Hunter as he jerked awake and sat up, looking to the door.
"Y-yeah?" He wiped the sleep from his eyes, ears flicking at the noise of a disgruntled bird next to him.
"Sorry to wake you, Sir." A captain called out, he knew it was one of the captains but couldn't place which one. " Emperor Belo's sent me to inform you-"
"One moment, Captain!" Hunter called out, moving to throw his blanket over Lil' Rascal to hide him before going to put on his mask and open the door, " Proceed."
"U-uh...Commander, Emperor Belos sent me to inform you that you are not to take part in the mission tonight." The captain saluted as they explained. Wait...mission?
'Oh no...OOH NO I FORGOT THERE WAS A MISSION- wait…'
"Instead he has appointed Kikimora to search for the Titan's Blood, and asks you to stay in the castle until further notice."
Hunter felt his heart sink. Kikimora? He was sending Kikimora?! Hunter turned from the door, " Very well, captain. You can go, thank you for the message." he shut the door rather rudely, moving to quickly put his armor on. This wasn't a punishment, right? He had failed in the palisman capture, but was planning to make up for it with the knee expedition! He was the one who figured out there could still be titans blood there! Kikimora couldn't take that from him, right?
As Hunter turned to leave he heard a chirp, looking to Lil' Rascal who was now sitting on the desk, having freed himself from the blanket prison. The Bonsai rested so beautifully, its bark sparkling even in the dim room. Hunter looked down at the cake, now cooled and ready to be delivered to the person it was made for...was...was his replacement punishment for how distracted he was? He forgot about the mission entirely because he was too focused on Willow. Was this…
He breathed in sharply, before turning to head out the door. He will get answers from Belos this time, he will know where he failed so he could do better for his Uncle. He was valuable to him, right? Right?