I'll Be The One

Chapter 56:

=Normal POV=
[Saturday, 6/15/2019-5:30 pm]
[Archipelago; Arc Isle]
[Archian House]

Tallon felt like an awful boyfriend. Right now, he felt scared, stupid, and guilty. And he don't think he was the only one who felt this way. All the friends felt pretty bad, and Salvatore likely did too. Hunter admitted whole-heartedly that he did not feel safe today. And what did they do instead of act to make sure he didn't feel that way? They ignored him. Hunter said he knew the guy responsible for kidnapping him was here tonight, and that was something everyone should have taken very seriously. Hunter was the one kidnapped; he had the most experience in anything regarding the guy who ordered and carried out his capture back at the end of April. Hunter knew the figure, the sound of his voice, his eyes, and when he said that guy was inside the Archian House; they didn't listen or believe him. And it seems Salvatore also refused to believe Hunter on the matter.

It turns out that Salvatore's old friend, and former opponent in presidential elections, Giovanni Grisly, is the man behind everything. Somehow Hunter figured that out, and now that it's been brought to light, and proven when Salvatore dismissed Hunter because Giovanni pulled a gun on Salvatore as soon as Sal mentioned to Giovanni that Hunter thought it was him behind everything. Everything Hunter said about his kidnapper came forward, and we realized that Hunter was right; Giovanni matched everything Hunter had said; blue eyes, gray hair, a Russian accent, in his fifties or sixties, slim figure…It was all there, and Hunter discovered that. And the situation continued to worsen because Hunter and Giovanni were fighting each other. Salvatore and Gregory informed that Hunter was pissed, actually mad and we were going to see the side of him that his father and uncle had warned us months ago that we never wanted to see.

Tallon wouldn't blame Hunter if he didn't forgive him. Tallon should have trusted him no matter how crazy it sounded. But right now, Tallon just wanted to watch what was happening; he didn't know how this would go down, but he knew Hunter was one hell of a fighter.

"Sal…Stop him," Rachel said quickly when Hunter took a hit to the side of the face.

"Nope. I know better," Salvatore informed.

"Know better?" Dustin asked.

"Than to get in his way or try to make him stop," Salvatore remarked.

"All Hunter has to do is back up and secret service can step in to get Giovanni," Dustin mentioned.

"It's not about that," Gregory stated. "Look," he sighed. "Hunter has a wicked temper, that typically, he keeps a tight lid on. But when someone pushes him far enough; that lid comes off and they deal with a rage-induced Hunter. The last time either of us tried to step in and stop him when he's in this mood; we ended up on the receiving end of the anger, and that's not a place you want to be,"

"Giovanni is unarmed and Hunter is fighting him when he doesn't have to. I'm gonna end up arresting both of them; Giovanni for various crimes, and Hunter, for assault," Dustin sighed.

"It's self-defense, Director," Silas informed. "Giovanni might not have hit Hunter first, but he did hold a gun on him. Giovanni also stated the intention of holding Hunter hostage again to leave the Archipelago, and then kill him afterward,"

"But he's unarmed! We can take him now," Dustin pointed out. "He's gonna kill him out of revenge,"

"Hunter isn't a killer; he won't go that far," Gregory said. "He is going to beat the everlasting shit out of him, but he won't kill him,"

"I should have killed you when I had the chance!" Giovanni glared.

"Too bad, so sad," Hunter scoffed. The two were panting and standing a bit apart from each other.

Giovanni went to charge in, but Hunter crouched a bit and drove his elbow into Giovanni's stomach, making the man double over. Hunter brought up his knee into Giovanni's face and backed up. Giovanni stood up straight and went to punch Hunter, but he caught Giovanni's fist and stopped the action. Hunter moved Giovanni's hand out of the way as Hunter socked him in the gut again. Hunter turned and pulled Giovanni over his shoulder and to the floor on his back.

Giovanni rebounded by kicking Hunter's legs out from under him, which made Hunter fall on his own back. Giovanni scrambled over to pin Hunter down, and from within his sleeve came a dagger. "And you said he was unarmed…" Salvatore said. Hunter threw his hands up to hold Giovanni's wrist and keep him from striking down with his weapon. It wasn't without difficulty as Giovanni overpowered him and brought the knife down, Hunter shifted his head right to avoid the hit. Hunter pushed Giovanni's arms back as the struggle continued. Giovanni struck again, but Hunter managed to move his head left and the attack missed. Hunter used his arm to keep Giovanni's arms from coming down as he let his free hand now punch Giovanni in the face.

Hunter got the dagger out of his hand and tossed it away, which it landed near the group of people trying to stay out of the way. Giovanni moved his hand in and started choking Hunter. "Hunter!" Salvatore called. "Stop! You've got nothing to prove by fighting him!" he tried.

"Sal…There's no reasoning with him right now. It's not about proving himself; it's him proving to Giovanni that he stood no chance if Hunter actually decided to fight him while kidnapped," Gregory remarked.

"It's gonna get him killed!" Salvatore glared.

"Your boy knows what he's doing! For once in your life, Salvatore Haddock; TRUST YOUR SON!" Gregory yelled at him. "It's the only thing he's ever asked of you, and the one thing you can't seem to do! That's why he constantly strives to prove you wrong! And I'm on his side; if you'd listened to him earlier, we wouldn't be in this mess!" Salvatore didn't say anything. "Hunter, beat his ass! You got this, kiddo," As if all Hunter needed was a boost of confidence; he brought up his leg and got Giovanni between the legs, forcing him forward and over Hunter's head; Giovanni's head hit the stage. Hunter brought both legs up this time and kicked Giovanni back off of him. Hunter rolled to his side coughing to catch his breath.

Hunter and Giovanni got up, facing off again. "Let me ask you something," Hunter said.

"What?" Giovanni snapped.

"When you had me kidnapped, do you remember what I told you on Thursday, the 2nd?" Hunter inquired.

"Yeah, that you could easily turn the situation around and take control!" Giovanni said.

"Now I'm gonna let you in on a little piece of information; the only hits you've landed on me are the ones I've allowed you to make," Hunter said with a smirk as Giovanni's eyes widened. "Just like when you had me kidnapped. You have nothing over me, Giovanni," Hunter said.

"Wrong!" Giovanni pulled the gun from before and held it on Hunter. "I'm in control! I have the power!"

"Oh no. I guess you have me, no point in fighting anymore," Hunter said, shrugging and lifting his hands a bit as an oh well. "Guess you won, and killing me is the prize, right? So go on. I mean…You'll get killed or arrested immediately after, but I'm sure you don't care as long as you get your revenge on me for making you look like a fool, right? All worth it as long as I'm dead?" Hunter asked, stepping closer until the barrel was touching his forehead. "Go on, do it. Come on…Shoot me," Giovanni tensed at the invitation, and as soon as he did; Hunter smirked. "You shouldn't have hesitated," Hunter informed as Giovanni's eyes widened.

Hunter used his arm to throw Giovanni's hand off target, making him fire towards the ceiling. Hunter grabbed his wrist and forced him to throw the gun high up in the air; Hunter twisted Giovanni's arm until it broke. Giovanni howled in pain before Hunter turned to elbow him in the chest; then upper cut him. Hunter crouched to the ground and swept Giovanni's feet out from under him, as he was falling down; Hunter kicked him in the face and then pivoted his foot to spin around and hit him again. Giovanni flew backwards and landed on his back, sliding a bit. Giovanni panted as he turned over onto his stomach, then got on his knees and reached for the front of his jacket.

Hunter stood behind Giovanni. "Don't even think about," Hunter warned with his finger at the back of Giovanni's head. "I promise that I can pull the trigger before your hand even reaches that second weapon you have stashed in your inner right front pocket,"

"How'd you know?" Giovanni asked.

"I doubt your reaching for the white flag of surrender," Hunter remarked. "I told you that no matter what you do; I could turn the entire situation around with ease,"

"Foolish boy; you think I don't know it's just your finger!" Giovanni went to turn around, pulling his gun out. However, when Giovanni went to lift the gun; he found that Hunter had his first gun in hand and pointed at him.

"Perhaps it was, but this is not," Hunter stated calmly. "Hands up," he ordered.

"You won't kill me," Giovanni said.

"Won't I? Is that an assumption you wish to risk taking? You had me kidnapped, beaten, practically starved, and for a brief moment; the intention to have me molested or raped, at least until I threated to kill you; then you decided it wouldn't be a good idea to push me. You broke in here to use me as your ticket off out of the Archipelago, and kill anyone to make me cooperate. Not a wise decision on your part because I warned you that you had no power. Anything you've done has been because I allowed you to do it. I told you that at any time; I could take control of the situation. This is what I could have done to you while kidnapped, but I chose to sit back and let the authorities handle it. This time; you made it personal. You threaten them; you threaten me, and nobody walks away from that when it's the people I care about. So I ask again," Hunter paused, loading a bullet into the chamber of the gun he held.

"Are you willing to take the chance of trying to kill me again with now, the full knowledge, that I can and will kill you before your finger makes the trigger?" Hunter asked. "Don't be foolish Giovanni. You already made the mistake of underestimating me once; I don't advise you do it again. Trust me; I will end your life you persist," he warned. "You've lost. You have no control, no power, and nothing left to fight with as I stated weeks ago. I won't say it again; put your hands up," Giovanni glared, but put his hands in the air. Hunter grabbed his gun from him, but kept the gun he had on Giovanni. "Hands behind your head and get on the ground," Giovanni closed his eyes and did what he was told. "Alright, now any of the guards or cops in the room can have him,"

Cody and Harry came forward and pulled Giovanni up to his feet as Bryant secured his hands behind his back. Andrew offered his hand with a smile. "I'll take that from you, sir," Hunter handed the gun over carefully. "Nice work,"

"Only did what needed to be done," Hunter crossed his arms over his chest. The guards hauled him out as Hunter faced the group of people looking at him. "Maybe, if there's ever a next time, when I say that something bad is going to happen; that I feel on edge and not safe, we take it seriously. Or when I straight up tell you there's someone here with evil intentions because I pointed it out by voice after being subjected to the abuse by them and know what I'm talking about; we listen to what I say," that was a direct jab, and likely very deserving of such. "Who knows…Maybe this is what it takes for you to trust me…"

Hunter set his hands in his pockets and walked away from them. No one said anything. Who could? Hunter was right. "I'll go talk to him," Gregory said, stepping away and following after Hunter.

"Salvatore, are you alright?" Dustin asked.

"Not sure how to feel, getting a strong vibe that my son hates me right now," Salvatore admitted.

"He doesn't hate you, Sal," Rachel tried. "I think…He's just hurt that he tried to tell you about Giovanni, and you pushed it off,"

"He tried to tell us too," Avery admitted.

"We didn't listen," Tallon looked down.

"So Hunter is probably feeling a bit…Annoyed and hurt that his feelings were cast aside," Miya stated. "I think it would be best to let Gregory speak with him first, and then we can better understand what to do next. I believe an apology would be nice,"

"An apology is necessary," Harper nodded.

"The whole situation could have been avoided if we'd taken seriously when warned ahead of time. Yes, the guards would have been ready to shoot, but not with Salvatore's life on the line. Hunter figured out the only way to save his dad was to step in because Giovanni wanted him, not Sal," Tallon sighed. "He's my boyfriend; I-I should have listened,"

"He's my son…And I should have trusted him. Hunter doesn't make claims like that unless he's sure…" Salvatore closed his eyes.

"I take it the party is over," TJ mentioned.

"Let's…Give it a little time…Maybe he'll come back. Hunter…Doesn't hold grudges, right?" Roxanne asked.

"If he's mad enough; yes, he can and will," Salvatore stated.

"I agree with Roxy…Let's give Greg some time to calm him down," Rachel said lightly. Feeling that it was, at least, worth a shot; they found spots to sit down and wait.

. . .

[6:15 pm]

Gregory walked into the room as Salvatore instantly got to his feet to ask the inevitable question. "Where is he?"

"Settle down, Sal," Gregory put his hands up. "Hunter is up in room taking some time to relax and calm down,"

"Is he…Still mad?" Madison inquired.

"I wouldn't call it mad so much as I would hurt. Emotionally and physically," Gregory stated.

"How hurt?" Miya stepped up.

"Nothing the lad can't take care of on his own. Some bruises here and there, sore; the usual," Gregory mentioned before his eyes went to Tallon now, who had his head down, feeling awful. Communication, trust, respect, mutual feelings; all of that was part of a relationship and today…Tallon didn't uphold the trust part on his end; he thought Hunter was paranoid too. In the end, Hunter had been telling the truth, and the situation ended up something it didn't have to be if he'd listened. "Tallon," Gregory said. Tallon looked at him right away. "Relax a bit,"

Not more than ten minutes later, Hunter returned to the room wearing something different than before. It looked like he'd taken a shower. "Son…" Salvatore whispered. Hunter's eyes fell on his boyfriend, seeing how upset and scared he looked. Salvatore went to get closer to Hunter, but was stopped when Hunter put his hand up. Gregory stepped in and made sure Salvatore stopped trying before he set Hunter off.

"Tallon," Hunter said. "Come with me." he stated. Tallon moved near him quietly, the nerves getting the better of him.

Tallon's fear taking over him; he had no control over what happened next. "Hunter, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I didn't listen or believe you!" he blurted out; Hunter stopped and looked at Tallon now.

"Tallon, what are you going on about?" Hunter asked, genuinely surprised at the outburst.

"Tonight, all that stuff that just happened. I-I'm sorry…I'm so sorry!" Tallon said. "You…Admitted to not feeling safe, and that you knew the guy who did everything was here tonight. I didn't listen, or believe you and I'm so sorry. I-I should have trusted you because it you wouldn't have said all that stuff if you weren't sure of it. I should have taken it seriously, and then maybe tonight wouldn't have gone down the way it did. I'm sorry,"

"Tallon…" Hunter tried.

"I'm so stupid…And sorry. Please don't hate me…Don't leave me," Tallon continued as Hunter's eyes widened a bit.

"What?" Hunter said, astounded. "Tal…" he tried again.

"I swear I'll…Never doubt you again. Just…Please…Forgive me. I'm sorry…I'm so-," Hunter moved in and instantly kissed Tallon, which silenced him. Hunter wrapped his arms around Tallon, cupping his cheek and deepening the kiss more. Finally, Hunter broke the action and stared into Tallon's eyes; he saw unshed tears in them.

"Hey, hey…Easy, babe. Okay? Easy…Relax," Hunter briskly wiped a tear that slipped. "It's alright. Listen, I'm not going to leave you over what happened,"

"Yo-You're not?" Tallon asked.

"No, of course not," Hunter stated. "Did you think I was?" Tallon nodded to him. "No, no…Tal, I don't end relationships over silly matters. Feelings not being the same, lies, or unfaithfulness, yes…But not over something like this," he assured. "I had no intention of leaving you because you didn't listen or believe me,"

"S-So you're not hurt or mad?" Tallon inquired.

"Well, that's a bit of a stretch. I'm mad as hell," Hunter admitted as Tallon sighed, but Hunter hooked his chin and pecked his lips. "But not at you, love," he added softly. "Not at you or anyone else. I'm not happy that no one listened and if someone had, maybe what happened earlier wouldn't have had to happen. I'm not a fan of having the people I care about having their lives at risk. I know it seemed like I was furious with you, but it was just the situation of Giovanni holding a gun on dad, then me, and everything going down. When I get in that mood; everyone, unfortunately, gets the heat and it's better for you to stay as clear as possible until I calm down,"

"Your…Uncle and father mentioned that," Seth piped up.

"But back to this," Hunter cupped Tallon's cheek lightly. "I understand that what I suggested was crazy, and no one would believe me without proof. That's why I purposely told dad and lured Giovanni out to make a move. I knew he was too stupid to see that I got him to play my game by making it known that I knew it was him. His fuck up was thinking he'd won when dad mentioned my assumptions to him. That is the moment that the whole situation shifted from his control to mine. He did exactly what I wanted him to do,"

"Wait…You…Planned all that?" Tallon's eyes widened.

"Of course I did. I knew something like this could happen since the threat took place, so I wanted to be ready. I knew Giovanni only wanted me as his ticket to freedom, and then he'd kill me, but you wouldn't be able to touch him if he left the Archipelago. I knew if I attacked him out right; he would have shot dad, or anyone else to make me do what he wanted. So I went with being easy, made him believe I would do whatever it took to keep the people I care about safe. I knew he wouldn't kill dad or he'd be killed instantly, and I knew he wouldn't kill me because I was his way out. And then I purposed pissed him off into fighting me," Hunter shrugged.

"Because you know that fighting out of sheer anger makes you sloppy and more likely to make basic mistakes that give your opponent the upper hand," Gregory chuckled.

"Hey, I learned a thing of two from you," Hunter shrugged.

"Good to know," Gregory said. "Not bad, kid,"

"Either way…While I'm not happy no one listened, as I said; the situation is done and over with now. I'm not mad at anyone, and I'd really like to get put it behind me and continue enjoying my graduation party if that's cool?" Hunter stated.

"Absolutely!" Gregory said, hinting to the others to go with it and not question anything.

"And you…" Hunter smiled a bit at Tallon. "When I told you to come with me; it was because I wanted to talk to you and make sure you were okay from everything. I had no intention of breaking up with you, silly,"

"Ma-Make sure I'm okay?" Tallon stared.

"Of course. You're my boyfriend and you looked terrified during everything. I just wanted to give you a hug, kiss, and then ask if you wanted to spend the night with me?" Hunter chuckled, leaning closer. "Maybe…We can have that special night we planned a few weeks back, as per the agreement to wait until I was done with school and work?" he hinted quietly. Tallon's cheeks burned bright with red at the mention of what they discussed on their three-month anniversary of dating; the talk about having sex.

"A-Are you…Up for it?" Tallon asked, trying to compose himself.

"Been ready, was waiting for you," Hunter winked. Tallon blushed more. "Is that a yes to tonight?" Tallon nodded to him. "How about we meet at your apartment for 8 pm then?"

"Sounds good," Tallon replied. Hunter kissed him deeply, and Tallon returned it.

"It's gonna feel good later," Hunter chuckled, bringing the blush back to Tallon's cheeks. "And on that cheerful note. Let's get this party going," he said as he turned the music back on, holding Tallon's hand as they joined everyone else. It was going to be a real good night for sure.