Being Shy Has Its Perks
Hunter whistles an upbeat tune as the two of you walk along the forest trail. Today is one of the rare days that Hunter gets a day off from being the Golden Guard so he invited you for a walk. You were really happy when he asked you, however you aren't quite sure if its a date. Nevertheless that won't stop you from enjoying your time with Hunter.
"So how are your secret studies going?" You smile and gently elbow him in the ribs.
"Great! I'm staring to get the hang of the glyphs and I think my skills with the Palisman are improving." At the mention of the Palisman, the little red cardinal flew down onto Hunter's shoulders and chirped happily.
You pet the little red bird as Hunter lets it cuddle up to his cheek briefly before flying up into the air once more.
You watch him interact with the little red bird and can't help the smile that appears on your face. Hunter seemed to notice you staring.
"Something wrong? Do I have something in my hair?" Hunter ran his hand trough his hair a few times.
"No, no. Its just... you seem a lot happier than when we first met." You drop your gaze, quickly looking at the path in front of you, "Its nice. To see you smile more I mean, I like them a lot."
Hunter grinned mischievously, "Are you saying you didn't like my smile before? I always thought it was my one of my best qualities."
"It is! I always liked your smile, but it seems much more genuine now. You seem a lot happier and outgoing is what I'm trying to say. Honestly it's making me love you even more." You stop mid-step as you realize what you just said. Was that a confession? Did he catch that?
"You... its making you love me more?" The surprise is very evident in Hunter's tone of voice.
"Look, its... I mean... its no big deal Hunter. Uh just forget I said anything ok?" You start walking again, quite a bit faster than you were before. Your face is red and you have all kinds of thoughts in your head. Most of them are yelling how dumb it was to blurt out that you love him out of the blue like that.
You feel a hand on your wrist, "Hey wait! Hold on a second!" Hunter runs up next to you and when you finally look at him you see that his face is also red but there's also a big smile across it. He wraps you in a quick hug.
You freeze at the sudden hug, Hunter sensing your body tense pulls back, "Sorry! I'm just... really excited! No one's ever liked my before, or confessed to me! I don't really know how to act in situations like this." Hunter scratches the back of his head sheepishly.
"Oh." He doesn't seem to be in a bad mood, "Do you... do you like me back?" You ask, your voice low, barely above a whisper.
Hunter blushes even more, "I... I think so... you're really cool, you listen, wanna spend time with me, you're pretty and funny and..." You cut him of with a kiss on the cheek.
Hunter looks at you, but you hide your face in his cloak, "Thanks." You mumble shyly.
Hunter chuckles. Slowly he lifts your chin up and gently pecks your lips. Its a very brief contact and when its over both of you are the same shade of red as Hunter's Palisman.
"That was nice." Hunter says as he awkwardly scratches his cheek where you kissed him and slips his other hand into yours.
"It was. Maybe we can do it again? Not now, I feel a little overwhelmed! But on the next date?" You intertwine your fingers with his.
"Yeah! I'd love that." Hunter smiles at you again as you walk along the trail, hand in hand, with the cardinal flying and chirping around you.