I'll Be The One

Chapter 33:

=Normal POV=
[Thursday, 3/7/2019-8:15 pm]
[Archipelago; Arc Isle]
[McViking]

"Hunter, don't worry. I got it; I promise," Daryl chuckled as he and Hunter walked towards front counter together.

"It's my job to worry, literally. This place has had so many issues lately; it seems like I get called daily…" Hunter sighed heavily.

"Well, it's all good," Daryl put a hand on his shoulder with a confident, assuring smile.

"I trust you, but seriously; any issue at all, call me," Hunter asked.

"I give my word. Now, off with you," Daryl smiled. "Go home, take a hot shower, get something to eat and try to rest a bit tonight and tomorrow. I mean it; I don't want to see you here for anything…" Daryl ordered.

"Excuse you; I'm still the big boss around here until June…" Hunter retorted.

"Okay…Please go do all the stuff I just said?" Daryl hoped. "And hey, even when you leave in June; you're still the best boss we've ever had, and you know you've got a place here,"

"I appreciate that. Fine," Hunter nodded. "See ya around, Daryl, and thanks," he grabbed a few things and clocked out, heading over to where his father, uncle, boyfriend, and friends were. "Alright, come on," he motioned with his head.

"Son, we still need to talk," Salvatore reminded.

"Yeah, I know. We'll talk at the apartment, Dad. You know my rule…" Hunter sighed.

"What rule?" Seth asked.

"Whenever Hunter gets home from work, no one tries to even talk to him until he's showered, changed clothes, and had something to eat and drink," Gregory chuckled. "Relax, Sal. The lad has been here since 11:30 this morning…" he told his friend.

"Aye, true," Salvatore nodded. "Let's get going. Did you get driven or drive yourself?" he wondered.

"I walked," Hunter remarked. "And before you inevitably ask; it's because I felt like it," Salvatore closed his mouth to refrain from asking what Hunter already answered for him. "Mind if I ride with you and Greg? My feet and back are killing me…"

"No problem, lad," Gregory replied.

"Meet you guys there?" Hunter asked.

"Of course," Tallon smiled to him. After that, everyone left the building and split off into the cars they came in to return to Dreki Apartments.

. . .

[8:30]

Hunter relaxed in the car until he noticed that the SUV was headed away from Dreki Apartments. "Uh…Where are we going? The building is that way,"

"We have somewhere else to be, son," Salvatore informed.

"But…I just told my boyfriend and friends that I'd meet them there…Dad, what's going on?" Hunter asked softly. Salvatore didn't say anything. "Dad?" Hunter tried again. No answer as Salvatore was looking out the window. "Dad!"

"Laddie…It's your grandfather," Gregory said.

"What?..." Hunter looked at Gregory now.

Salvatore took a deep breath. "Your grandfather, Weston, had a stroke at 4:00 pm today…"

Hunter's eyes widened. "Why didn't you tell me earlier!? Is this what you came to my job to tell me!? Why didn't you say it was family-related! Oh, my Gods, Dad; I would have made time or found someone to cover me! Where is he? How is he!?"

"We didn't want to say anything in front of the others, in case you didn't want them knowing until you told them. I told you it was important, Hunter. But…He's in Arc General right now, son, on life support. That's where we're going…" Salvatore informed.

"The doctors aren't sure what's going to happen; it's still being determined if he'll recover or get worse. We knew you'd want to see him, so that's why we came," Gregory added. Hunter was floored; he just sat back, scared, and upset.

. . .

[Friday, 3/8/2019-4:15 pm]
[Dreki Apartments; A1]

The friends, and Tallon didn't understand what was going on. When they reached the apartment last night; Hunter never showed up, nor did he answer messages. The group stayed until 11 pm, and returned their own apartments. Hunter got home around 11:30 pm, and Flynn did see him, but Hunter didn't say a word. This morning, Hunter was up and gone by 6:30 am, before Flynn even woke up. The friends decided to get together at 3:30 pm, and Hunter still wasn't home.

"Has anyone heard from him?" Tallon asked.

"He came home thirty minutes you all left last night; I was just heading to bed when I heard the door open. He didn't say a word, just went to his room. Apparently, he left this morning before I woke up, though. He left his bedroom door open, but he isn't in there," Flynn informed.

"Well, we know he's okay. Nothing has come up from secret service," Trevor reminded. As if on cue, Hunter walked through the apartment door, closing it behind him.

"Found him," TJ said as the other glared at him.

"Hi, baby," Tallon greeted. Hunter walked over and kissed his cheek.

"Hey, babe," Hunter replied. "Sorry about last night,"

"Oh, it's alright. We knew something had to have come up," Flynn waved it off lightly. "Is…Everything okay?"

"Not really," Hunter said as he set his backpack in his room and then returned to sit with them.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Avery asked.

"No, but I'm going to tell you anyway," Hunter said as he took a breath. "My grandfather is in the hospital," he revealed.

"What? Oh, my Gods…What happened?" Harper asked quickly.

"He…Had a stroke around this time yesterday." Hunter said as the friends gasped. "He's still in the hospital, and recovering. But still scary and upsetting," he looked down a bit. "It takes it's toll on you," he added. Tallon wrapped his arm around Hunter's shoulders, drawing him in for a hug.

"It does, baby. But that's why you have friends and family to lean on. You got your dad, Greg, us, me; we're not going anywhere. And if you ever need anything; don't be afraid to ask. Don't be afraid to talk because we'll listen, and help all we can. You don't have to do it alone," Tallon stated, kissing Hunter's temple.

"Thanks, Tal, and all of you. I know my life isn't easy to be part of, and all my…What seems like constantly mood swings," Hunter informed.

"Don't even worry about it. Now, let's get off the doom and gloom. We can see what we can do about making ya smile since you are off work tonight," Roxanne smiled.

"How was school today?" Seth inquired.

"Quiet. I only had Advanced Languages from 2 to 4 pm," Hunter responded. "I spent the morning at the hospital with Greg, and then did work in the library for my research paper, had lunch, class, and now I'm back here. Also, starving," he smiled a bit.

"Well, it's almost 4:30 pm. Would you like to grab something to eat with us?" Madison asked.

"To be entirely honest; I'm in a cooking mood," Hunter stated. "Don't know why, just feel like it," he shrugged while getting up to go into the kitchen and then started browsing the fridge and cupboards for what he could make as a meal. "Are you guys gonna hang here to eat, or you going out?" he wondered.

"We'll probably go out; it's not your job to feed us," Drew chuckled.

"Pfft, when I'm working I'm technically feeding all of the mainland," Hunter smiled.

"He has a point," Harper laughed.

"No, it's alright. We'll go out to eat and…Maybe come back here to hang after? You cool with that?" Elijah questioned.

"Yeah, that's fine," Hunter nodded, and so did Flynn.

"I'll stay and eat with you, baby, if you don't mind?" Tallon hoped.

"That's perfectly okay, babe. I've missed you anyway. Flynn? How about you? Staying?" Hunter looked to his roommate.

"Harper and I will stay," Flynn replied.

"Alright, sounds good. I can make sausage and potatoes then," Hunter started pulling out the stuff to make dinner as everyone except Tallon. Flynn, and Harper remained at the apartment. "So, how has everyone else's day been?" he asked while beginning the meal preparations; first was preheating the oven to four-hundred degrees. Hunter then started cutting up the sausage and potatoes.

. . .

[5:45 pm]

The dish took an hour to bake once Hunter set it in the oven; the time it cooked he spent with Tallon, Harper, and Flynn in the living room to talk and watch some TV. The friends had returned, since their meal was over. Everyone was having a beer, or mixed drink while sitting around. Hunter grabbed the food when it was done, setting it on the stove to cool a bit as he turned the oven off.

"It's nice to be able to do this," Trevor smiled.

"Been a while, huh?" Drew nodded in agreement as the clinked their beers together before taking a drink.

"Alright, that should be all set to eat in-OW!" Hunter yelped.

"Hunter, are you okay?" Tallon asked quickly. Hunter held his hand, inspecting it.

"Yeah…I'm fine. I touched the pan by accident and burned myself," Hunter mumbled. "Not so bad, I guess. I've done it a million times, if not more at work," he shrugged, running the wound under cold water, then drying it off. Hunter moved to his bedroom, and then returned back to the main space while rubbing some white stuff over the burn, and then wrapping a light dressing over the area.

"What did you put on it?" Madison asked.

"Hm? Oh, anti-bacterial cream and toothpaste," Hunter admitted as they all arched a brow at him. "Anti-bacterial to prevent infection and toothpaste to soothe. Odin above, have you never heard of that before?"

"No, and I'm the CNA here…" Madison remarked.

"My uncle taught me a lot of fun tricks he learned in the military," Hunter chuckled as there was a knock on the door and he went to see who it was. Opening the door; he found it to be Gregory. "Speak of the devil,"

"Talking about me again, aren't ya?" Gregory snickered as he walked in and Hunter closed the door.

"What are you doing here?" Hunter asked. "D-Did something happen to Grandpa Wes?" Hunter panicked a bit.

"No, no! Easy, lad; it's alright," Gregory assured. "I came here to get away from your father; I know he won't look for me at your place," Gregory sighed.

"Is he driving you up a wall?" Hunter chuckled once he calmed down. Gregory nodded. "See why I wanted to move out now?"

"Yes, I do. Beard of Thor; he never stops when he starts going on about something. Yeesh…Can I camp out here tonight? Or a few days?" Gregory asked.

"Nope because when he figures out where you're hiding; I get harassed too. This is my safe haven! Find your own!" Hunter retorted.

"Oh, come on…Just one night?" Gregory pleaded.

Hunter sighed a bit. "Flynn? Do you mind?" he asked.

"It's fine, Hunter," Flynn smiled.

"Thanks. Fine, you can stay. But only for tonight! Got it?" Hunter stated.

"Got it. Thanks, lad," Gregory breathed a sigh of relief. "So…What have I missed?"

"Nothing much. Just sitting around with dinner, drinks, and friends," Hunter informed. "Go on and sit down," he said. Hunter served up plates for himself, Tallon, Gregory, Harper, and Flynn before sitting down with his plate to eat.

"This is so good, Hunter," Harper beamed.

"I'm glad you like it," Hunter replied, taking a bite of his food. "So, Uncle Greg…What's the old man going on about that you had to escape?"

"I don't even know, something from a meeting regarding gangs and the progress being made to stop them or whatever. I stay out of all that, but you know how your father is when he gets frustrated. I snuck away when he left to get ready for dinner," Gregory said.

"Oh, I do," Hunter nodded.

"Yeah, I bet you do because you definitely got your temper from him," Gregory rolled his eyes.

"Fuck you," Hunter huffed.

"I'm a bit old for you, laddie, and I love ya like a son," Gregory stated.

"Oh, my Gods! You're fucking terrible!" Hunter yelled.

"Well, I can see where Hunter got his sense of perversion," Tallon giggled.

"You hush too," Hunter mumbled.

"Ah, yes; he did pick all that up from me," Gregory chuckled. "But the cooking, lad, that had to come from your dad,"

"His side of the family, yes," Hunter nodded. "Learned how to fight from you," he pointed out.

"Learned how to shoot from me too," Gregory added in.

"Only learned how to shoot because I wanted to be ready for my first choice in careers…" Hunter remarked.

"First choice?" Avery blinked. "What had you wanted to do?"

"Were you going to go into law enforcement or something?" Drew asked.

"Hm? No," Hunter shook his head.

"Hunter was going to join the military, be a solider like me," Gregory smiled, surprising the others.

"Hunter? You wanted to join the army?" Tallon looked at him.

"It was a long time ago, Tal," Hunter replied.

"It was not, Hunter. You were obsessed with it as a child; joining the army and defending the Archipelago as a soldier," Gregory reminded.

"Well, I'm not a kid anymore, am I? I'm twenty-two," Hunter rolled his eyes after he finished his food and set the plate down on the center table.

"I'll not be hearing that excuse, Hunter. You wanted to join way up until you were fifteen," Gregory huffed. "It was your dream, lad,"

"Dreams change," Hunter said, finishing his beer and then getting up to throw his plate in the garbage, fork in the sink before mixing himself a drink with the Jack Daniels and Cola. "The situation changed,"

"I know, Hunter…You don't have to remind me. But don't go around saying or believing that you changed careers because you lost interest," Gregory remarked.

"Why…Did the situation change?" Tallon questioned.

Hunter sighed as he set his drink down and rolled up his left pants leg, revealing his leg, or so they thought until Hunter tapped it with his knuckle. The sound it gave made them understand. "Can't join the military with a fake leg," Hunter said softly.

"What…Happened?" Trevor inquired gently.

"Car accident when he when he was fifteen," Gregory stated.

"My folks and I went on vacation to Berk after the move to the mainland. Someone, who was never caught, rammed into the car where I was sitting in the backseat; my leg got pinched, badly wounded. The doctors did what they could, but there was too much damage and left not choice but to amputate it," Hunter explained looking down after fixing his pants leg. "There was months of healing and rehab to follow so I could walk again. Been through a few different prosthetics to get this one, which looks and operates as a real limb would. Greg commissioned it for me from someone who worked in robotic prosthetics in the military. I worked hard enough to be able to walk without a limp, make it seem like I'd never lost the leg at all," he continued a bit.

"It's silent, moves and looks like a real leg, durable, waterproof," Gregory informed.

"I can't join the army because of this, so I went with something else I was good at. Computers, inventing, art, and music…" Hunter said.

"Baby, I'm so sorry," Tallon frowned.

"It's alright, babe. I made peace with it," Hunter told him. "Yeah, I couldn't join the army, but it's not like I can't do anything anymore," he shrugged with a half-smile. "I didn't let myself get all upset about it. Well, except for maybe when I first learned. I had mom, dad, Greg, even Jay; they all helped me get through it,"

"That's a good outlook to have," Seth said.

"What's moping about gonna fix? Absolutely nothing. So, I find that its more productive to give yourself a little time to sit with things; think about everything, accept that it happened and you can't change it. Then you get back up and keep going. I've done that with everything in my life, good and bad. It's probably how I've survived this long," Hunter chuckled a little.

"Feel like it's more to do with how protective your parents are over you," Gregory mumbled under his breath.

"Says the trained soldier who is currently hiding out at his Godson's apartment to avoid his best friend when he's in a bad mood," Hunter rolled his eyes as Gregory stuck his tongue out at Hunter. "Okay, fine. Maybe in a physical sense it's because of them or the vast amount of guards they have on me, but I survived mental and emotional on my own, thank you very much you pain in my ass," Hunter scoffed.

"You and that sarcastic mouth," Gregory responded.

"Hey, it's not always sarcasm," Hunter paused, grinning. "Sometimes it's pleasure,"

"Hunter Haddock!" Gregory yelled.

"Do something about it," Hunter challenged with a smile. "Come on, it's been a while since you and I had a good fight,"

"Maybe later," Gregory sat back as Hunter tossed him a beer.

"Relax a little, Uncle Greg," Hunter told him as he grabbed his drink and sipped from the cup. "We're all just having a good time," he added.

"True, true…" Gregory nodded. "You're a sarcastic brat sometimes, but you're a good kid," he ruffled Hunter's hair.

"Did I really grow up with any choice other than always be on my best behavior?" Hunter asked, arching a brow. "Due to dad being mayor of Berk, and now president of the islands?"

"No, but still," Gregory shrugged. "Good to see actually kicking back, relaxing, and having fun instead of your typical…Serious behavior,"

"So unfair to say. I had a blast before Jay died, and when Cassandra wasn't being a total cunt," Hunter reminded.

"Yeah, well…Okay, enough about all this!" Gregory stated. "Now, how goes school?"

"Same as always," Hunter informed.

"So…No challenge at all for you?" Gregory chuckled.

"Basically. It's just Advanced Logic, Languages, and my one or two music classes. The biggest part of second semester is the dissertation," Hunter mentioned.

"Well, at least you're almost done like us," Harper smiled, motioning to Roxanne and TJ as well as herself.

"Three more years for me," Flynn stated.

"Oh, we saw this thing on the board at school about a musical performance by the fourth-years. Are you taking part in that, Hunter?" TJ wondered.

"What musical performance?" Hunter asked.

"Oh, that thing. Hang on, I took a picture!" Roxanne got her phone out and turned it to show Hunter.

"Oh! That performance! It's happening in June for the end of the year," Hunter clarified. "Yeah, I'm in it. Just undecided where I'll be in it yet,"

"What does that mean?" Avery wondered now.

"Well, it's a concert-style performance. Some of us play instruments, some sing. Like one big band, but while some already picked doing instruments, or stage work…There debate on who will be singing lead. The teacher has been testing us since the event was announced, narrowing it down to who will be doing it. We're still at…I think top ten to choose from," Hunter explained.

"Ah, you're in the top ten then?" Tallon smiled.

"I am," Hunter nodded. "A couple people have dropped out from nervousness, or fear that they wouldn't be able to perform under pressure and risk messing up. So actually, I think we're down to top five now,"

"So the tests are to see who will be able to be the lead at the performance, meaning it has to be someone who can handle any kind of song. Not crack under pressure? Right?" Gregory inquired.

"Correct," Hunter replied. "She's looking for pitches, length, etc.,"

"Well, I'm sure you know your father and I will come out for you no matter what you end up doing," Gregory said.

"So will we," Elijah offered.

"Thanks, appreciate it," Hunter stated. "I'll keep you posted on all that as I learn more. Now, let's enjoy the night," he added. Hunter needed this tonight; hanging with friends, his boyfriend, and now, his uncle.