I'll Be The One

Chapter 59:

=Hunter's POV=
[Saturday, 6/30/2019-2:00 pm]
[Archipelago; Arc Isle]
[Dreki Apartments; A1]

It's been two weeks since Tallon and I had sex for the first time. At that point, on the 15th, into the 16th of June; we were five to four days away from being together four months. We're ten days past that anniversary now. Of course, we made love on the 20th, and again on the 26th. We didn't see any harm in doing it once or twice a week. We knew that wasn't what our relationship was based on sex, but we did enjoy the times we did. We normally took turn with the fucking thing, now that Tallon was more comfortable with the sexual aspect of our relationships. We'd both do hand and blow jobs, I'd usually finger Tallon, but not him to me because after I'd do him; we'd want to start fucking at that point. I typically hold out longer than Tallon, so I'd fuck him first and then we'd switch so Tallon could do me. Either way; it was always a good time for them whether it was spending time together for a movie, dinner, some other couple's activity, or having sex.

Right now, I'm just sitting in my apartment alone. I wasn't sure where everyone was, but I suppose it was none of my business; they weren't required to tell me. Even Tallon seemed busy with something. But I guess that made sense. Odin's Dragon's was over with everyone caught; it didn't seem like there was any other gang activity happening as of late with the main supplier take out of the equation, same with other large named gangs. Tallon, Avery, Drew, Elijah, Seth, and Trevor were back to working normal shifts at the station. Harper worked at the station too now, forensics department. Madison was still doing CNA stuff, and I believe Roxanne and TJ were working on opening their own business for outdoor and indoor design. Flynn still had law school. And me; I've begun working on a couple projects for jobs I lined up at the start of my fourth-year, and even some from the end of my third.

I was mostly still in design phase, but have done a few Skype meetings to ask for a general idea on what these businesses wanted. Some of the jobs I took were just making songs for artists, which I didn't mind at all. I'd never be a full-time performer; I'd like to see my work get out there and used. Currently, I'm hard at work with my headphones in on a design for something, though, I had a really hard time focusing. Ever since I told Tallon about my depression; it's been weighing on my mind. I didn't want to die or anything, but the feeling of sadness was becoming a bit overwhelming. I didn't know why, but there was hints of being alone mixed in as well. Maybe I needed to sing the song again? I felt better years ago after singing it to Greg; felt good to get it out. I sighed and sat back, wondering what to do. I could message Gregory, or even Tallon.

I could tell them I was feeling down, see what happened. I grabbed my phone and went to message Tallon, but I hesitated. I hated feeling this way. Tallon was busy working; I couldn't bother him. I texted Gregory instead.

2:02 pm
Greg…Are you busy? Could use someone to talk to. I'm…feeling kind'a down and alone right now…Please?...

I set the phone beside me and tried to relax a little. I hated that these feelings could just spark up and be so strong whenever. Almost two hours went by, and nothing from Greg; it didn't even show the message as read. I was freaking out, and I didn't understand why, but maybe that's why I was panicking so much. I needed to relax. I took a few breaths, standing up and pacing a bit as I tried to collect myself. It's okay, Hunter…It's all okay. Relax. Get a drink…No, no…No alcohol; it'll make it worse. Get some water… I told myself as I got a water bottle from the fridge and took a few drinks. I sat down on my bed and opened my laptop; I needed something, anything to distract me.

. . .

=Normal POV=
[4:30 pm]

Everyone was gathering at the complex, all generally having gotten out around the same time and planning to hang out for the night. Getting inside the building, Tallon got a message and checked it to see it was from Gregory. Odd, but alright.

Greg's Cell, 4:27 pm
Go check Hunter, now. I just got this message from him and I'm stuck at drill weekend. He sent it at 2.
{Forwarded} Greg…Are you busy? Could use someone to talk to. I'm…feeling kind'a down and alone right now…Please?...

"Th-That was over two hours ago…" Tallon said.

"What's wrong, Tal?" Trevor asked.

"Get me inside, now," Tallon told Flynn, who nodded and quickly scrambled to open the apartment door and let Tallon in first. "Hunter?" he looked around, not seeing his boyfriend. "Hunter?!" No reply.

"Are you gonna tell us what's going on?" Drew wondered.

"He's probably in his room; I hear music," Avery mentioned, pointing to the door of Hunter's bedroom.

"Watch out," Tallon tried to open the door, but found it locked. "Hunter!" When there was still nothing, Tallon got his keys and found the one to Hunter's door. Tallon unlocked it and opened the door; there was no sign of Hunter there either. However, he did pick up the sound of the shower going. Tallon went closer to the bathroom and took a deep breath. "Babe," he said knocking on the door. "Babe?" he said louder. The water suddenly turned off and the curtain moved.

"Tal?" Hunter's voice came through as Tallon shut the music off playing from the computer.

"It's me, babe," Tallon replied. There was a bit of shuffling before Hunter came out with a towel wrapped around his waist.

"What…Are you doing here? How'd you get in?" Hunter asked quickly.

"You…Gave me a key to your bedroom when we started dating, remember?" Tallon stated.

"I do now…But what are you doing in here? Why is everyone here?" Hunter inquired.

"I got a message from Greg about him being stuck at drill and asking me to check on you. And then he sent me a forwarded message you'd sent him two hours ago…" Tallon explained.

"Explains a lot…" Hunter sighed. "Can we all get out, so I can get dressed?"

"Sure, Hunt…" Flynn backed the others out.

"Tal, you can stay…" Hunter informed before Tallon left. "Just close the door," he added. Tallon did so as Hunter went back inside the bathroom to slip on his clothes.

"Babe…Why didn't you message me?" Tallon decided to ask.

"I knew you were working," Hunter replied.

"That doesn't mean I wouldn't come right away if asked. I wasn't doing anything of ridiculous importance, and I was done with work at 2:30. I was actually home until 4 pm; then went out to get a few things from the corner store…" Tallon stated. Hunter came out of the bathroom now, shutting the light off as he passed the switch. "Where's all this coming from?"

"I don't know, and that's why it started to scare me. It started a couple week ago; no feelings or thought of suicide, just…Sadness," Hunter admitted, sitting down on the edge of his bed. Tallon came to sit beside him, pulling his boyfriend over to lean on him.

"Do you think it might because of the stuff you went through this past year? Hasn't exactly been slow or easy for you, babe. Maybe…You've just hit a point where everything has…Calmed down, and you have time now to relax. And when you've got time to yourself, your mind wanders," Tallon offered.

"I guess it could be that," Hunter said, but wasn't sure.

"Have you been crying?" Tallon inquired.

"Yeah…I started freaking out when Greg wasn't answering. I couldn't sit still, I was shaking, pacing; tried putting music on. At some point; I just started crying and decided to take a shower. More like stand under the water, but you get the idea…" Hunter replied.

"I do. Depression, unfortunately, is a mental illness that we all struggle to understand and it comes in a variety of ways. Some people feel suicidal, others just feel down. Even those with small cases can have days, like you are now, where it just sparks up. I'm not a professional, though; I shouldn't be making that kind of diagnosis for you. But my mom is and could. She's home today…Why don't we go see her? Maybe if we figure out what it is; we can find a solution too," Tallon offered.

"You think it'll help?" Hunter asked.

"Hunter, she's a professional psychiatrist…I'm not saying you have to do it, or even start having sessions…But at least a professional can get you a starting to point to why, after all these years, your depression is acting up when you had it under control," Tallon tried. Hunter sighed softly; he did want to know because days like this could be bad for him, and Odin knows that it could have gotten worse.

"Okay…Okay, let's go see your mom," Hunter agreed. Tallon got up and held Hunter's hand gently.

"We'll take my car," Tallon said as Hunter was grabbing his stuff, shutting his laptop, and then slipping on his sneakers. Hunter and Tallon exited the bedroom and found the friends sitting around the living room, still ridiculously confused.

"Where ya going?" Elijah wondered.

"Somewhere Hunter and I have to go. Be back later," Tallon stated as he and Hunter left the apartment.

"Is anyone else as confused as I am?" Madison asked.

"We all are," Seth replied.

. . .

[7:00 pm]

Rachel was happy to sit down with Hunter when he and Tallon came to the house saying Hunter was having a problem that she could probably help with. Hunter did have to tell her about the depression, both in the past, and current. And Hunter hadn't minded Tallon being there since he knew about the past stuff already. Rachel diagnosed Hunter with Reactive or Situational Depression, but added in that it can turn into Clinical Depression if he doesn't find a way to cope. Clinical was the form that involved mood swings, withdrawal, and suicidal thoughts. Rachel mentioned that given Hunter already felt that way once, the chance it could pop up again without proper treatment was high. Also; she added that a lot of this came from the past with Hunter feeling abandoned, ignored, and neglected by his folks; even if it was just because they were busy; it still involved pushing him off until they had time for him, instead of being available when Hunter needed them. Rachel suggested Hunter talk to someone, maybe get on a light anti-depressant to even out his mood.

Hunter and Tallon thanked her, and then stayed for dinner before returning to Dreki Apartments. On the way home, Hunter texted Greg that everything was alright and they'd talk more when he got home on Sunday. Standing outside the apartment door now, Tallon stopped Hunter from opening the door. "You know they are going to ask, don't you?"

"I do…" Hunter nodded.

"Are you ready to tell them?" Tallon questioned.

"I…Don't know," Hunter admitted.

"Well, you know that I will support any decision you make, babe. But if I can suggest…I think it's time you let everyone in on it, at least the depression. I'm not saying tell them about the past, unless you want to, but your dad and friends should know you have been officially diagnosed with a form of depression. My mom mentioned to you that it's not good to keep everyone in the dark, and having a support system is good for healing. No one is gonna judge you; we all just want to help and be here for you," Tallon stated.

"I'll…Consider it," Hunter said softly.

"Alright," Tallon smiled and kissed his cheek. Hunter opened the door and walked in with Tallon; the first thing Hunter did was head right for his room and Tallon followed. "You alright?"

"Yeah…Yeah, just grabbing my computer so I can get some work done," Hunter said as he got his laptop and returned to the living room. Tallon saw the others about to ask what was going on, and he shook his head as the way of saying; don't ask. The friends understood that Hunter didn't want to talk about whatever the situation earlier was, and they knew they had to respect it. Hunter would talk if he wanted and when he was ready.

"How was your day, Hunter?" Miya smiled.

"Busy," Hunter replied. "Busy day of designing, maybe a skype meeting or two," he added afterward.

"Least you're not bored and can work from home," Roxanne chuckled.

"Well, most of it I can," Hunter nodded. "There will be times I have to travel to the business to do certain physical portions. I chose a profession that allows me to be in charge of when I work since dad is president and as part of the First Family; I have to be with him for some stuff,"

"Well thought out decision," Harper said.

"No, not really. The military was my well thought out decision. Choosing Computer and Mechanical Engineering was because I'm, for some stupid reason that I'll likely never understand, ridiculously good with computers, and I like inventing and building stuff. Just picked something else I was really good at. I could have done singer if I wanted, but eh…Don't like all that time away from home; traveling the world and what not," Hunter shrugged as he glanced at his phone, seeing a message from Flynn. Which was odd because Flynn was sitting not even a couch's length away.

Flynn, 7:10 pm
How the hell did you come up with the courage to ask Cassandra to marry you?...I want to ask Harper; I have the ring and everything. I want to do it with all of you here, but I just…Don't know how to start…

7:12 pm
You just have to do it, Flynn. When I asked Cassandra; we were on a dinner date. Over dessert, when she went to the bathroom, I set the ring on the cake and wrote on her napkin; There will never be another girl in the world for me, but you. Will you marry me? I had the staff change the music to her favorite song, and yeah, that was it.

Flynn, 7:16 pm
If I play her favorite song, she'll know something is up. I'm trying to, like, just have it be casual but still ask without the average…On one knee and ask deal. Kind'a like lead into and just present the ring.

7:17 pm
I think I can help you out with that. What if I were to sing a song about love and asking someone to marry you, and you can bring the ring out whenever you feel appropriate to do so? I can use one of the ones I made, she wouldn't suspect it's anything to do with you proposing?

Flynn, 7:20 pm
You'd do that for me?

7:21 pm
Of course; you're my friend. We can do it right now; I'll lead into the topic change.

Hunter had to help him out; he knew Flynn was a nervous guy. Hunter started working on something from his computer, accidentally playing a tune off his music list. "Oops. Forgot that was in here still," he said.

"What, babe?" Tallon wondered.

"Oh…It's an old song I made. It was created for an idea I had on proposing to Cassandra, but went with something simpler. We just went out to dinner and I snuck the ring onto her cake, wrote on a napkin, and had the staff play her favorite song," Hunter shrugged.

"Awe, that's romantic, though," Madison smiled. "I think my ideal proposal would be in front of family and friends,"

"I'd prefer more private; then celebrate with everyone later," Avery shrugged.

"I have to agree with that," Miya nodded.

"I think I'd like something what Hunter did; kind of an out there thing, calm, cute," Roxanne shrugged.

"What about you, Harper?" Avery smiled gently.

"Never gave it much thought, honestly. But I suppose I'd prefer…Out of the blue. With family and friends, but still…Just random. No fancy dinners, special anything. I'm a simple girl," Harper chuckled.

"What was the song? If you don't mind us hearing it?" Tallon inquired.

"It had been titled Marry Me," Hunter shrugged. "I can sing it if you want," he said.

"Won't bring you any pain or nothing due to it being for your ex?" Drew asked.

"Nah because it was just an idea I had to use. I didn't go through with it for Cassandra, but still a decent song in my opinion. I could always sell it to an artist and it be used for some other lucky guy to propose with," Hunter laughed a bit.

"Sounds like a good idea. But yeah, let's hear it," Seth sat back. Hunter looked at Flynn, as if telling him to go through with proposing when he was ready to. Hunter played the song, and started singing on cue. (Song is Marry Me by Jason Derulo.)

"Oh, it's a cute song. I changed my mind; I'd absolutely adore having this play if I was being proposed to," Harper squealed. Flynn took the chance as he reached into his pocket and pulled out the gray box and held it in his palm, out of sight from others. As the song came down to the end when Hunter was just singing; will you marry me, baby. Flynn took a deep breath as he opened the box, the others in the room noticed it, except for Harper. The others gasped in shock when Flynn shifted off the couch carefully and got on one knee. When the song finished, Harper started to turn to look at Flynn. "I hope you were taking…" she paused, seeing Flynn on one knee with the ring presented to her. "Notes…" she breathed out, beside herself. "Flynn?" she asked.

"Harper…I love you with everything I am and all that I have. I've loved you since the moment I met you, and I swear I'll love you for the rest of our days on this earth. Will you marry me?" Flynn asked.

The shock seemed to wear off as Harper smiled, a few tears that had formed falling. "Yes…Oh, my Gods, yes! Yes, I will!" she burst out, leaning forward to hug Flynn tightly and they shared a kiss afterward. Flynn pulled the ring from the box, and slipped it on Harper's left-hand ring finger. Another kiss was shared afterward before everyone clapped.

"Nice work, Flynn," Hunter smiled with a wink.

"Wouldn't have been able to pull it off without you, Hunter, so thank you," Flynn said.

"Wait, what?" the friends blinked.

"Flynn was just a bit nervous to ask, as most men are, so I lessened the tension with a song he could use to just kind'a do it with. But…Flynn planned the whole thing," Hunter said gently. "All I did was sing, and get your attention on me so he could set up and get ready," he added. "And now we can spend the evening celebrating the engagement of our two very good friends, Harper and Flynn," he smiled.

"Brilliantly done," Trevor said.

"Congratulations!" Miya said, hugging Harper.

Hunter sat back, relaxing now; doing what he did felt nice. Hunter was happy he could help, despite the slight sadness he still felt. Hunter needed to get this under control before it got out of hand. "I guess this means we start living together, don't we?" Harper giggled.

"Of course," Flynn nodded. Hunter couldn't help but wonder what that meant for him; his lease was up in September for this apartment. Hunter loved this place, though; his life changed so much by moving here. Unfortunately, with Harper and Flynn engaged and planning to live together; Hunter knew he couldn't stay living with Flynn. That left Hunter his only choice; he had to find a new place to live.