AN: Warning: This chapter has unsetting imagery and can be rough to read. Viewer discretion is advised

Willow paced back and forth in her room as she thought. Amity would be going to the party Hunter invited her to, and it was still a few weeks away. Maybe she should go to support him? Though being there might not be a good idea… Hunter is always careful not to even have a hint of The Golden Guard when he is hanging out with her unless he knows they are totally and absolutely alone or with people who already know who he is. She would just be awkwardly following Amity around if she went until Hunter could switch out of his gear...and the idea of doing that was uncomfortable.

There was a reason Amity had to hang out with Skara and Boscha after all, though Skara was a lot nicer than Boscha. But knowing that her bully would be there, despite having The Golden Guard nearby after he threatened Boscha, would do little to calm her nerves… but, the thought of her dancing with Hunter while they were dressed up, the two of them chatting while spinning in circles...titan she would feel like such a princess if she was in that situation. Maybe it was worth it to go?

Willow rubbed her cheeks, humming in thought as Clover watched the witch pace back and forth from her bed. The palisman buzzed and hummed in conversation, trying to give suggestions to her witchling about the situation. Willow looked over to the palisman, thinning her lips in thought at what she spoke.

"That is true… I could arrive later with Hunter. But, Boscha might put two and two together if she is there." Willow rubbed her neck. "Also, now that I think about it might be best not to go because this Darius man sounds like he would be a...hassle." Willow thought over the invitation Amity showed her, and how it made a big point that The Golden Guard was going to be there over any of the other coven heads. Amity even stated that Darius never made this big of a deal over Lilith. Maybe it was because of how Hunter was viewed as a 'Mysterious and aloof' figure? Though in reality he was the sweetest and most caring boy she had ever met.

If Willow did go, even if she entered with Hunter, would Darius try to talk to them? Then put two and two together that Hunter WAS the Golden Guard? What would the coven head do then? Willow sighed as she turned to sit down on the edge of her bed, Clover flying up and landing on her knee and buzzing cheerfully up at her. Willow smiled, petting the side of Clover's head with her finger.

"He probably would rather get out of there as soon as possible, true…" Willow sighed, leaning back on her palm as she thought. " I would really like to do something like go to a ball with him-" Willow stopped as an idea popped into her head. "Hey wait...Who says I can't?" She scooped up Clover, lifting the palisman to be at face height with her. " I have a wonderful idea, Clover!"

_WARNING_

Hunter was shaking, hunched over the sink in his personal bathroom as he tried to keep his breaths steady, trying so desperately not to cough more of the sludge up. He felt tears streaming down his face, his panic and anxiety growing by the moment the more he tried to keep the feelings pushed down. He was such a fool...he was such a fool…

Hunter forced himself to turn the faucet on, splashing the cold water on his face. He was lucky that his mask protected him from the blow, else the cut on his cheek would have been much worse. What was he thinking? Why did he do that? He coughed again, then wretched as he hunched over to force the sludge out of his body. He felt his knees give, finally collapsing to the floor just in front of the counter, his arms still up on the top in an attempt to keep him up. He rested his head on the edge, closing his eyes tight as he tried to calm down.

He deserved this...He shouldn't have lost his temper and talked out of turn. It was his fault, he should have known better than to push Belos' buttons when the curse was so obviously starting an episode in his uncle. Why did he act without even thinking about that? He was so selfish...

Hunter sighed out, letting himself fully sink to the floor now and rest his head against the wood as the sound of the sink still filled his small bathroom. He folded his arms over his chest, coughing a little more and letting the sludge run down his chin.

'You don't even know her! How can you say that about her?' Hunter thought back on his words. His frustrations at his Uncle boiled over into those sentences, he never used such an angry tone of voice in his life. And the last person he ever thought that he would use it to would be Belos. He sniffed, rubbing his nose on the back of his arm.

'Hunter..' Belos' voice kept ringing in his head over and over, the compassion behind his tone, as if an apology that he was unable to keep the curse at bay and prevent the strike. 'I am sorry...you know I just want to protect you. You do not know how to fit into their relations...their games. They do not know what they want from you. She doesn't know what she wants. And when she figures out that she cannot keep up with your way of life, she will leave you broken.'

But that wasn't true, right? Willow loved him dearly...right?

'You both are too young to understand right now, but that is ok. I am here to guide you.' Belos had placed his hand gently on Hunter's shoulder, moving the teen's chin up to look at him as Hunter covered the open wound on his cheek. 'I am your family, after all. I know exactly what you need.' Belos had hugged him...it had been the first time in a long time since he had done that.

'R-right….s-sorry, Uncle." Hunter hugged him back, but the black sludge of conflict was already forcing itself out of his mouth by that point. After Belos had pulled out of the hug he looked over Hunter and commented,

'See, and this is proof that this relationship is just dooming you more… It has been a long time since you last had your bile-sac malfunction, after all.' Belos cleaned the sludge from him with Hunter's cape, before standing. 'Now, go clean up and think over what we have discussed.'

Hunter shifted, his back against the tub as he looked up at the ceiling of the bathroom. Lil' Rascal was perched, still, on his shoulder giving the occasional chirp and nuzzle into his neck in comfort. Hunter closed his eyes again… 'She will leave you broken' 'You are too young to understand' ' Too attached…' Hunter felt a bubbling within him that he never felt after an incident, he felt his lips and nose turning into a scowl.

'I know exactly what you need' ' I am your family, after all.' 'You know I just want to protect-' Hunter turned violently, his fist colliding with the porcelain of the tub. He heard Lil' Rascals' chirps of alarm as the bird flew off him and retreated to a far corner of the bathroom. Hunter screamed, before his eyes shot open in a small realization of what he just did. He coughed again, looking at the far wall before down at the ground.

'If he wanted to protect you, why did he strike you?' A voice from deep within him asked, the familiar subconscious he occasionally had...he tended to answer it, but this time no thoughts came. Instead Hunter moved to fall to his side, curling up into a ball as he shut his eyes closed again. Lil' Rascal fluttered down, chirping as he landed on Hunter's shoulder, asking for the teen by name. Hunter opened his eyes slightly, looking at the cardinal on his shoulder. Lil' Rascal pulled back slightly, the palisman looking alarmed.

"What?" Hunter asked, his voice tired and hoarse. The bird blinked a few times, opening his beak before closing it, then opening it again and chirping. Hunter furrowed his brow before moving to push himself to his feet, " Bloodshot probably...It is nothing to worry about-" Hunter froze, his heart sinking as he looked at his reflection…

And didn't recognize the two pitch black eyes with glowing magenta pupils that were staring back at him.

_AN_

As I warned before, this chapter had dark tones that I do not usually dive into. I apologize for the upsetting content, but rest assured the pain is well paid off in the end! Thank you guys for sticking with me! Make sure to leave a comment on your thoughts and opinions! As always I love you!