Hunter kept his feelings hidden away from Belos. He stayed away from his uncle as much as he could now, only coming to the throne when asked or when he had to give reports. Belos, at least, was ignorant for the most part. He assumed the teen was just having a bit of a harder time with his 'Malfunctioning Bile-sac' and was trying to keep face. He thought Hunter was right back under his control.
But it was as far from the truth as it could be. Hunter had figured out how to masterfully dance around Belos, and had begun sneaking away even more than before! He played his cards carefully in the game his Uncle didn't even know he was a part of. Instead of flying toward the forest of Hexside, he would actually fly away from it to 'New Training Grounds' where he would wait to see if he had been followed. Then it was as simple as changing, switching to Lil Rascals staff, and practicing teleporting with him to meet up with Willow. Just as long as he tended to his duties like he did and was careful not to let ANYONE know what he was doing, Hunter was free!
"So, no more episodes?" Willow asked as she passed over the small ball of moss she scraped off one of the rocks to Hunter.
"I sometimes get coughing fits if I am around Belos for too long...but no more of the bile has forced its way up." He confirmed, carefully laying the moss down in a waiting container. "He hasn't made any comments or anything, though, so I don't think he expects anything."
"That's good." Willow sighed slightly with relief, smiling at Hunter. She was more than worried over his situation, but it seemed after Hunter told her his truth that the boy was doing a lot better. "You know, the offer still stands."
" I uh...actually wanted to talk to you about that." Hunter shifted from his knees to sit properly, rubbing his neck as he looked to Willow. " I was thinking of...maybe moving items to your house? Y-you know, ones important to me that I'd hate to lose?" Willow flicked her ears as she looked over to him, smiling. Hunter had a blush on his face, as always, looking between her and the rock tower they were working on as he waited for her answer. She moved, cupping his cheek with her dirt covered hand, making his ears wiggle.
"Of course, Hunter! I will keep your stuff safe, don't worry." Willow said, making Hunter smile and lean into her hand. He sighed in content, before shifting to lean against Willow as she started to remove more of the moss from the rock, making her giggle slightly.
" So what are you going to do with this moss?" Hunter asked, watching her work. She would draw a small circle in the air above the green-blue moss, making it shift and turn into a purple color, then with a small knife she would carefully cut a line down the side of it before peeling the moss away. Once it was free the moss curled itself up into a ball, which she held up to show Hunter.
"This type of moss is known as 'Savor's Pathway'," Willow started to explain, shifting slightly to better face Hunter as she did. " It grows pretty commonly around the Boiling Isles, but is really difficult to cultivate in a controlled environment. It is said that the moss glows when someone is in need, and will try to lead people to said person. Though, I haven't seen it happen." She moved to put the ball into the awaiting container. " It is also a common diet item of Drakanspringers. I rather our little friend doesn't starve because she can't find proper things to eat."
"I am surprised that they haven't tried to take her to The Beast-Keeping track." Hunter commented, looking over the moss balls with fascination.
"Can you keep a secret?" Willow smiled, looking at Hunter through the corner of her eye.
"Of course." Hunter raised a brow at her.
"I haven't told anyone except you that she is there. Whenever someone else comes around she camouflages so perfectly that if I did try to show her to someone, they would really not believe me." Willow gave a small shrug. " I don't know much about animal keeping, but I want to try my best to care for her since she isn't going to willingly leave her environment, it seems."
Hunter smiled, moving to press against her more, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Seems she likes you." He rubbed his cheek against hers, " Not that I can blame her." Willow snorted, leaning against him. " Have you named her?"
"Well..depends. Have you named your bird yet?" Willow looked over to Hunter with the side of her eye, who flicked his ears and blushed. Oooh yeaaah….they agreed to name the birds a while ago and he still hadn't done so.
"O-Of course I have!" Hunter sat back up, shifting to look back at the bird nest on Rocky, the green bird he was to name sitting inside and keeping an eye out. "...Bonsai."
"...Bonsai?" Willow smirked lightly, shifting to turn to the birds though she kept her eyes on Hunter. " Did you just think of that?"
"Well, what did you name yours?" Hunter shrugged, looking back at the girl whose smirk strengthened.
"...Gatherer." She crossed her arms over her chest as Hunter gave her a flat look.
"You just-...What did you -really- name it, Willow?"
"I am being serious! I am going to call them Gatherer!"
"So let me get this, you named the bird with my color scheme Gatherer?"
" Well you named the green one Bonsai!" Willow stuck her tongue out at him. He had half a mind to take it, but instead just puffed his cheeks at her and snorted.
"Fine. Gatherer and Bonsai it is...I swear if we have kids and you try to name one Fisher I will lose my mind." Hunter leaned back before he stiffened up… 'Did I just mention having kids with her? Is that inappropriate?'
" Just as long as you don't try to name one of them after a different type of tree, then." Willow poked the side of his blushing cheek, making Hunter flick his ears and smile as he looked over at her. She leaned over, giving him a kiss on his nose before turning back to the rock to finish her collecting of moss.
'...yeah...yeah I can see myself having a future with her…' Hunter thought to himself, shifting around as well but keeping his eyes on her face as she worked. He never thought of a life outside of The Emperor's Coven, but sitting here in the grove, with her, surrounded by what they created...how could he resist? Soon Willow closed the container and slipped it into her bag, turning to look up at Hunter, who had stood and offered his hand out to her with a smile. She took it, of course, being helped to her feet before suddenly pulled into a spin.
Willow let out a small sound of surprise, Hunter having placed his hand on her waist while keeping the other one up as he slowly prompted her into dancing. Willow smiled, resting her free hand on his shoulder as she quickly adjusted her feet to match his. He has been a lot more romantic lately, on purpose too. From the random pulling into dances, to how much he simply leaned against her, and bringing her little flowers he found… he had gained new confidence around her, and she loved it so much.
Hunter stopped the impromptu dance, holding her in his arms before giving a small laugh and smile, " Sorry. I don't know what came over me." Willow wrapped her arms around his shoulders, smiling up at him as she did. She stood on her toes to leave a quick peak on his lips, causing his face to go red and his ears to wiggle around.
"Oh?! By the way, I meant to ask if the group was open this weekend?" Hunter scratched at his cheek, though his one arm remained around Willow's waist. " It's one of the rare occasions that I can actually say I will be open for sure. It would be fun to go to the amusement park if everyone is open." Willow smiled up at him, giving him a nod.
"I'll check in with everyone! It would be nice to finally be able to go somewhere with you and the gang." Willow pulled Hunter down again with little effort, making the already red faced boy even redder.
"G-great! I look forward to it!" Hunter wiggled his ears around as his hands found their way to her waist once more, swallowing at the closeness. Willow gave a giggle, giving him a last peck before letting him go.
" Ok, I think I collected enough moss for now."
"A-Ah Ye-Eah, ok!" Hunter's ears kept flicking and wiggling, his face still red as his brain fried out. Willow picked up her bag then smirked over to him, she really enjoyed how easy it was to get him to fluster...maybe she is doing it too much though? She cleared her throat, knocking Hunter out of his daze, and held her hand out to him. Hunter gladly stepped over to take it, smiling bright at her as the two then made their way out of the grove.
_AN_
A bit more of a chill chapter after the emotional bunch that was Burdened Scars! I hope you guys enjoy! Please leave a review!I love and cherish all of them!