I'll Be The One
Chapter 27:
=Hunter's POV=
[Sunday, 2/17/2019-3:30 pm]
[Archipelago; Arc Isle]
[Dreki Apartment; A1]
Finally! I finally felt better after last Tuesday when I got sick. I thought I was better on Friday, but turns out it was only a lull in the madness. I woke up on Friday afternoon, was offered lunch, and instantly felt awful again. I turned down eating, but stuck to crackers and water to put a little something in my stomach. I managed to keep that down, so Flynn suggested a sandwich at dinner. Madison stepped in stated that just a few pieces of bread may be a better idea. Heavier than crackers, but still light on the stomach. Unfortunately, less than thirty minutes after eating the bread; I puked twice. I decided to stop testing the waters and just go back to sleep on the couch since the heat wasn't fixed yet and there was still a storm going on. Saturday morning was more exhaustion, but less everything else. By Saturday night; I felt good again, but decided to give it until this morning. Now, I could say without a doubt that I was better. The group of friends left on Friday night around 10 pm, and I don't think I've seen them since, but the heat was restored by Saturday morning.
I spent most of today thinking about things, and cleaning up the apartment since Flynn was out with Harper on a date, or he was out with the others at the hideout. However, I feel like they would be back soon, so I wanted to make sure Flynn would be able to relax. I'd been down and pretty useless on apartment things since I got sick. I needed to do my part after all. As I was now finishing things up; I got a message on my phone. I checked the screen to see a message from Gregory.
Uncle Greg, 3:32 pm
Hi, lad. Checkin' in on ya.
3:33 pm
I'm alright. Got over being sick last night and now cleaning the apartment. How are things for you?
Uncle Greg, 3:35 pm
All good. Yer dad & I miss u.
I sighed a bit. I knew they both did; I'd been pretty quiet lately, ghosting everyone. But, perhaps this was chance to talk to Gregory about a couple things with my dilemma.I quickly typed back a response.
3:38 pm
Are you free for an hour, maybe two? I could…Really use someone to talk to. We can get an early dinner? My treat?
I really hoped he'd say yes. I went back to cleaning, and praying he responded. Finally, I heard the device vibrate on the center island; I moved over to see a message from my Godfather.
Uncle Greg, 4:05 pm
I take it this is a u and I only talk?
4:06 pm
As it has to do with everything a couple weeks ago…Yes.
Uncle Greg, 4:08 pm
Well, how can I say no then. I'll come pick ya up at 4:30 & I know right where we can go.
4:09 am
Sounds good. I'll be ready. Thanks, Uncle Greg…See you soon!
Thankfully, I'd just finished the apartment. I did everything to make it spotless, and with time to spare. My phone just vibrated with another alert that Flynn was on his way and would be arriving in about ten minutes. I headed for my room and decided to take a shower and prepare for a couple hours out with my Godfather. If I knew Gregory…And of course I did; we were going somewhere that involved alcohol.
. . .
[4:20 pm]
I wore something simple; jeans, a long sleeve, and sneakers. I slipped on my hoodie and zipped it up while grabbing my wallet, phone, and keys before exiting the bedroom to find Flynn back and with his friends.
"Hunter, hey!" Flynn greeted.
"Hey, Flynn," I said.
"You going somewhere?" Madison asked.
"Yeah, out with my Godfather for a bit to catch up since I haven't seen them since the start of the month when I left to come back here," I informed.
"Did you clean the apartment?" Flynn blinked while looking around.
"Mmhm," I nodded. "The only room I didn't touch was your bedroom, but I did everything else. Dishes, stove, bathrooms, my room, living room, windows, counters, swept, mopped, vacuumed…I felt bad I haven't done any work towards the apartment this past week, so I wanted to make it spotless and you wouldn't have to do anything. I remember you saying you'd probably clean when you got home today,"
"Well, you were sick all week; I understood that," Flynn replied. "But wow…Thanks, Hunter," he smiled.
"No problem," I responded as I checked my phone.
Uncle Greg, 4:25 pm
I'm here, laddie.
"Well, that's my ride. Not sure when I'll be back, so…See ya later," I waved and exited the apartment. I hurried out to find Gregory parked in the front with his truck; I slid into the passenger's seat and bucked.
"Let's go," I told him. Gregory nodded and we were off.
. . .
[4:45 pm]
[Heaven Or Hell Bar]
"How did I know we'd end up at a bar?" I laughed a little when Greg parked the truck and shut it off.
"Best place to loosen up and talk about whatever your troubles are," Gregory chuckled. "Come on, laddie," he invited. I walked with him inside as we instantly moved to a back table against the wall in a corner near the bathrooms. Gregory took care of ordering us some food and starter drinks. "Don't worry so much, Hunter. We're safe here,"
"Wasn't worried about that, just got a lot on my mind," I sighed a bit. The drinks arrived and we were told it wouldn't be much longer for the food.
"Talk to me, lad," Gregory urged.
"It's just what happened at the inauguration…" I stated.
"I know ya have every right to be mad with your father, Hunter…But you know how he is; he doesn't always think his plans through when it came to protecting your mother and you," Gregory offered.
"I know," I nodded. "But I think the same effect could have been achieved differently. You know I love my dad, and I'm not so much mad as I am hurt…"
"I figured that was the case," Gregory mentioned.
"I don't know what to do, Greg…" I looked down, spinning my cup on the table a bit.
"As far as what?" Gregory inquired.
"Do I forgive the others for lying to me? Do I talk to them and ask if they were ever really my friends at all, or was it part of the act…I'm kind of conflicted," I admitted.
"How so? From what I understand, your dad hired them to protect you in an undercover fashion since they were friends with Flynn. Your dad assumed it would be the best way to ensure you were safe because you'd be friends with them," Gregory shrugged. "Do you…Know something different on the matter?"
"I don't know. That's my problem…What you just told me was what I figured was the case…Up until Friday night when I was sick and they thought I was sleeping…" I remarked.
"Go on, tell me about it," Gregory said. I took a deep breath and began to tell him about the conversation I happened to be slightly awake for and overheard. Gregory and I worked on our beers, and enjoyed the food which came by 5:10 pm. I finally finished the story and looked at him.
"And that's everything," I informed.
"Seems to me that they genuinely feel bad and guilty about what happened. Perhaps they were around you more on your father's orders, Hunter…But I don't think the friendship was fake. Everything you told me they said…Well, it's a valid point. You did consider them semi-friends when you helped them in that fight…And them acting as your friends wasn't part of Salvatore's directions; he just wanted them close to you, Hunter. Undercover guards to watch you without you suspecting how close your protection actually was," I looked at Gregory now, working on my second drink.
"So, you're saying that dad only wanted them to be in close proximity to me for emergencies, like at the inauguration…But the friendship they displayed…That was their choice?" I asked.
"That's my theory based on everything I'm hearing or have seen. Unfortunately; that's all it is, though. A theory. If you want to know the truth, son…You need to talk to them. You know that deep down, kiddo," Gregory offered gently. "I'd sit them down, and ask them what it was all about from their side,"
"I figured it would come to that…And I suppose I planned on it all along, but wanted a second opinion…" I nodded. "But there's still…Something else I'm not sure about…"
"That would be?" Gregory arched a brow.
"My feelings for Tallon…" I sighed.
"What of them?" Gregory asked.
"What do I do? Pursue it, despite everything?" I questioned.
"That's entirely up to you, Hunter. Does Tallon feel the same?" Gregory wondered.
"I don't know. I…Never told him," I took a drink. "The day I spoke with you, the day before the New Year's thing…I decided I would wait because I was still kind'a raw about the Cassandra thing, and also; Tallon hadn't come out to his friends yet. I figured that if we were going to be together, Tallon wouldn't want to keep such a secret like that from them,"
"Sounds reasonable," Gregory nodded. "So, has something happened to make your feelings shift? Does Tallon not want to come out to them?"
"No, no…He did. They fully support and accept him," I assured. "And I'm…Well over Cassandra. But…Something did happen a couple weeks ago,"
"Out with it…" Gregory said.
"We kissed…" I mumbled.
"Come again?" Gregory inquired.
"We kissed, Greg…Tallon and I kissed at the inauguration…" I confessed.
"Well, good for you, lad. You said you both kissed each other, so he must feel a little something for you, but probably held back because of the job he had to do in keeping you safe," Gregory smiled.
"It…Wasn't exactly a planned thing, Uncle Greg…" I started. "Tallon had come out to make sure I was alright after the tribute song that Jay and I made…We talked a bit, and before coming back inside; I tripped…He caught me and our lips just met. Neither of us pulled away instantly, and afterward…We said it was an accident, no big deal, and neither of us minded…"
"So, the same thing I just told ya," Gregory grinned. "Neither of ya minded the kiss and didn't pull away instantly. He must feel something for you, Hunter. I mean, I got nothing else to go off of given all the other instances he was there for you too. Yes, he was your bodyguard, but taking you out drinking, the Cassandra thing…Those were all choices he made for you, lad," I looked at my Godfather again softly. "Those were not things he was ordered to do. His only job was to make sure you were safe from actual danger. And I think, as I said before…You should talk to the others, or maybe just Tallon. As far as I understand…He was put in charge of your undercover protection detail,"
I knew Gregory was right; I had to talk to the others, and then Tallon in a private conversation. Honestly…I know they were doing their job, but it seemed like everything I heard pointed to the fact they chose to be my friend. If they were only protecting me; they wouldn't have let me join the gang. Well, sort of join it. The nights we all hung out and drank; that was definitely against procedure as alcohol would affect their ability to protect me properly. There were tons of other instances too, but the bottom line was I needed to speak to them and get their side because it looked like they didn't want to lose me as a friend.
"Alright," I gave in. "I'll talk to them,"
"Atta boy," Gregory smiled. "And regarding the thing with Tallon, Hunter…Don't be afraid to feel something for someone else. I know the whole thing with your past and Jay, and Cassandra…But if you feel things like that again…Don't be scared, okay?"
"I-I'm trying not to be, Greg…But my life…I mean; you know how it is. Things will never be normal…" I finished my drink.
"Hunter, listen to me," Greg said firmly as I looked at him. "No matter what your life is; you deserve to be happy. I know you loved Jay, but he's gone, lad and you know he'd want you to move on. And Cassandra…Well, your folks and I never really liked her,"
"I know…" I mumbled. "But as long as my dad is president…Hell, not even then…My life, Uncle Greg, is never going to settle down. I was born into being the Mayor's Son. Now…I'm the President's Son. And after dad retires, I'll be Hunter Haddock, former mayor of Berk and President of the United Islands' son. Even if I'm not in the immediate spotlight, I'll still be in some kind of spotlight…" I reminded.
"Laddie…The day you left to return to your apartment; I told your father that you and your mother always sacrificed for him. For his happiness and doing what he wanted. At the same time…I asked him a question, not for the sake of getting an answer, but for him to think about long and hard," Gregory stared at me. "I asked him when do you get to be happy. I think it made him open his eyes a bit to how some of his choices deeply affect you. I even yelled at him the night you learned he lied about reducing your security. Hunter…Talk to your friends. Talk to Tallon, tell him how you feel. Do what feels right to you, Hunter. Everything is gonna work out how it should, alright? Don't be scared to pursue something you want that will make you happy,"
"I won't. But still, one thing at a time…" I stated.
"Of course, lad," Gregory smiled. "Now…Let's relax a bit. How is school going?" I smiled, shaking my head a bit. Well, I was already out and got the hard part over with; might as well stay and enjoy the time with my Godfather. I'd speak to my dad too, but not yet. It might be wrong; I wanted him to suffer a bit more with what he did. As I said; I wasn't mad at him anymore, but what he did still hurt me. But I did make my decision; I was talking to the others and then Tallon.
. . .
=Normal POV=
[8:00 pm]
[Dreki Apartments; A1]
While the friends were hanging out; the door opened to show Hunter and Gregory walking in, laughing it up with one another.
"Gods, that was so long ago…" Hunter smiled.
"I thought your parents were going to kill me," Gregory nodded.
"Pretty sure they wanted to, mom for sure," Hunter agreed.
"Hey, you did pretty good for fourteen, kiddo," Gregory lightly punched his arm. "And you got better over the years,"
"Figured it'd pay off one day," Hunter shrugged a bit.
"It will. You and I should go back, like old times and make sure you haven't lost your touch," Gregory chuckled.
"I wouldn't mind," Hunter said. "We can set something up next week,"
"Sounds good," Gregory smiled. "Well, I should get goin' before your father sends the guard after both of us,"
"The sad thing is; I know he would…" Hunter mumbled. "Wait, why would he do that? You…Did tell him we were going out tonight, didn't you?"
"Eh…Tell him is a strong word…Let's go with snuck out when he was in a meeting…" Gregory shrugged.
"GREG!" Hunter's eyes widened before he quickly got his phone and dialed his father. "What the hell is wrong with you! Come on, you know how he gets!" the line connected.
"WHERE IN THE NAME OF ODIN ARE YOU!?" Salvatore yelled.
"Dad! Easy…Come on…Settle down. I'm perfectly safe at the apartment, and Greg is with me…" Hunter informed quickly.
"For Thor's sake…" Salvatore sighed. "Greg…What have I told you about sneaking off with Hunter like that?! You took him drinking again, didn't you!"
"Well, duh…" Gregory rolled his eyes.
"Greg, you're gonna turn him into an alcoholic like you! I told you-," Salvatore began.
"Dad…Dad! It's not his fault!" Hunter remarked.
"What?" Salvatore asked.
"Going drinking wasn't Uncle Greg's idea…It was mine,"Hunter explained. Gregory arched a brow at him now, questioningly. Hunter glared for him to shut up. "I…Asked Greg to pick me up, undetected, so we could have a couple drinks while I talked to him about some stuff. That's all; it was my fault…Don't blame him. We're okay; I'm back home, and likely drunk…Greg is on his way back to you now,"
"Hunter…What have I told you about slipping your guards…This is exactly why I started having you watched undercover…" Salvatore sighed. Hunter didn't reply at first.
"So that's why you did it. You knew I'd slip my guards to hang with friends, so you made my friends my guards…Got it. Right back to the no trust thing…"Hunter remarked coldly. "Goodnight," he walked away, tossing the phone towards Gregory and entering his room.
"Hunter…Hey, don't stomp off…" Hunter closed his door and flipped the lock. "Ya don't know when to shut up, do ya, Sal?" Gregory sighed. "Come on…He asked me to take him out for a bit so he could relax and talk about things. Why'd ya have to fuck it up by bringing all that up again? I had him all calmed down and ready to start putting that situation away and you had to open your big mouth…You are not helping you own case any! Or theirs! You just keep making it worse. Now, I'll be back in ten, and then you and I are going to have a serious talk…Again," Gregory ended the call. "Can you kids be so kind to make sure he gets this back?"
"Sure thing," Tallon nodded.
"Thank you," Gregory left the apartment.
"Do we give Hunter a bit and try to return the phone?" Flynn asked.
"I'll handle it," Tallon got up and moved to Hunter's door.
"What?" was Hunter's response from the other side.
"Hey, come on…It's alright. Unlock the door and come get your phone…" Tallon tried.
"I don't want it," Hunter huffed.
"Hunter…You'll need it for the alarm tomorrow morning. Don't you have class at 10 am?" Tallon reminded calmly. Silence. After a minute, the lock turned and the door opened.
"I hate when you're right…" Hunter mumbled as Tallon smiled a bit and held the phone out to him. "Thanks," he took it lightly. "Well, goodnight I guess…"
"Night, Hunter. Rest well," Tallon said. Their eyes met for a few seconds before Hunter couldn't help but blush and smile a little. Hunter closed his door again as Tallon returned to his seat. In Hunter's bedroom; he used the bathroom, drank a bit of water, got comfortable and finally, climbed into bed for the night. Hunter would definitely speak to the others his next available chance, but for now; he needed to sleep.