I'll Be The One

Chapter 60:

=Normal POV=
[Tuesday, 8/20/2019-12:30 pm]
[Archipelago; Arc Isle]
[Dreki Apartments; A10]

Almost two months had passed since Hunter was officially diagnosed with Reactive Depression by Rachel, Tallon's mother, who was a licensed psychiatrist. It had also been that long since Flynn proposed to Harper, and they made the decision to stat living together. Hunter, decided that he should be the one to move since Flynn was in a prime location for his schooling, and the apartment he had was a two-bedroom. Hunter didn't feel right staying, so he chose to find another place to live. Unfortunately; that search wasn't going so hot, and in about eleven days; his lease was up. Hunter happened to overhear that Flynn and Harper wanted to stay in Dreki Apartments, and it was easy for her to move a couple floors down since her brother, Drew, was the main renter on the lease for their place. Hunter knew Flynn wouldn't ask him to leave, but Hunter didn't feel right about staying while Harper and Flynn were engaged, and going to be married in a year or so. Hunter had been searching and searching, but there was no luck in finding another apartment.

Sadly, Hunter felt like he would have to resort moving back to the Archian House for a while until something became available. All the places Hunter found were rundown, far away, and not what he wanted. Something else Hunter chose to do was start speaking with a therapist, and he'd told his friends and father about the depression and his past with it. Honestly, Hunter was feeling a bit more in control now; it was decided he didn't need medication, just someone to talk with and help him find new coping mechanisms. Hunter had been seeing someone named Doctor Tiffany Dahl, that Rachel suggested, since the second week in July. Today, though, marked Hunter and Tallon's six-month anniversary of dating. The two of them still had sex at least twice a month, but the foreplay happened at least once a week because it was fun. Hunter believed fully that their relationship was perfectly balanced, and he did truly love Tallon.

Hunter cleared his schedule to spend the day, and probably night with Tallon. Hunter did have to get a few things done for work first, though. It worked out because Tallon was working a half day at the station, so they agreed to meet at noon in Tallon's apartment and Tallon could change before they headed out to lunch. Hunter had been waiting outside Tallon's apartment for twenty-minutes now, and Tallon was running behind, or so Hunter assumed.

"I'm so sorry, babe," Tallon raced down the hall in his cop uniform.

"Oh, it's fine, Tal. Don't worry about it," Hunter smiled.

"I should have given you a key, or texted you to wait at your place because I got behind," Tallon opened his apartment door and walked in with Hunter.

"Love, it's alright. I…Only just got here about five minutes ago; I was running behind too, trying to finish a project design," Hunter chuckled.

"Still, I'm sorry," Tallon smiled as they shared a kiss. "Just let me change real quick and we'll go," he headed to his bedroom. Hunter waited on the couch, browsing through his phone to check emails, calls, and texts. Hunter was still shooting to find another place to live, so he needed to check his inquiries. Sadly, the responses were forgot to take down the ad or already rented, sorry. And then there were some who just didn't reply at all.

"Fuck…I'm gonna have to go home…" Hunter sighed. "I don't have another choice…"

"What was that, babe?" Tallon came out wearing faded black jeans and a black shirt.

"Hm? Oh, nothing. Just something for a project, but I can take care of it later or tomorrow. Today, I'm all yours," Hunter smiled. "So, you ready? Because I'm starving,"

Tallon laughed a bit and nodded. "Come on," Tallon offered his hand, which Hunter took and they headed outside. "Who's car are we taking?"

"Doesn't matter. It's a nice day; I was thinking of getting a couple more rides in on the bike if you're up for it?" Hunter shrugged.

"Sure! I love being on it," Tallon's eyes lit up.

"Do you now? I love being on you," Hunter teased.

"My Gods…Good to know your perversion doesn't fade with time," Tallon blushed.

"Likely never gonna either," Hunter said while getting to the motorcycle and throwing his leg over and handing Tallon the extra helmet. Tallon got on the back of the bike and secured his helmet as Hunter had done. Tallon held on around Hunter's waist as Hunter backed the bike up, started it, and they were headed down the street.

. . .

[1:00 pm]
[Barbarians]

It had been a join agreement to try Barbarians, a place that Harper and Flynn had suggested they try for a nice date night a couple days before. Barbarians was a semi-nice restaurant where Harper and Flynn had their first date, so Hunter and Tallon wanted to try it out. Reaching the restaurant, Hunter parked the bike and locked it on the stand while putting away both helmets and then the two of them heading into the establishment. The décor was simple with dim lighting, mostly square tables, a couple booths; it was kind'a romantic. Approaching the hostess, who had the name tag reading; Deanna.

"Hello! Welcome to Barbarians! Two this afternoon?" the woman inquired cheerfully.

"Yes, please?" Hunter asked.

"Table or booth?" Deanna smiled.

"Table okay with you, babe?" Hunter looked at Tallon, who nodded in agreement.

"Right this way," Deanna motioned, leading them to the table. "And your server will be right with you," she said after setting the menus down in front of them.

"Thank you," Tallon said as Deanna walked away. "This all looks amazing,"

"Right? I can't believe I've never been here," Hunter chuckled, reading over the menu.

"Want to split an appetizer or pass on it and just get lunch?" Tallon wondered.

"I think I'll just do lunch today; not super hungry," Hunter admitted. Tallon caught the subtle drop in Hunter's voice; it seemed like he was upset. "What are you going to have?" he smiled.

"No clue. Everything looks good," Tallon replied. After five minutes, the waiter came over to get their drink orders, and since the two were ready to order lunch; he put that in as well. "So…How's work going?"

"Pretty good. A lot of designing and meetings right now, but moving along. I've got one project that is actually about to move into the building phase, and shouldn't take long. Couple weeks at best," Hunter said.

"That's good, baby," Tallon responded gently.

"How's work for you?" Hunter asked.

"Work," Tallon laughed a bit, but saw that Hunter only gave a half-chuckle and began to wonder if something might be wrong. "Routine stuff at the desk, typing up reports or doing interviews. Occasionally, I work the dispatch line. Dad has be all over the place,"

"Sounds exhausting," Hunter admitted.

"I feel like what you do is harder than mine," Tallon revealed.

"Depends on what I'm doing. Designing and meetings are easy enough; the physical portion can get tricky. And then there's my side job, which doesn't require much effort," Hunter shrugged as the drinks arrived and the waiter headed off again, saying the food would be out shortly.

"Side job?" Tallon asked.

"Song writer," Hunter informed. "I minored in music, might as well do something in it. I decided to sell songs I've written because I'd like them to get used, and I've got a few artists who wanted to employ my song writing skills, and make songs from an idea they had. I get a percentage of all sales, and credit for writing it,"

"Wow, that's great, babe. I'm happy for you, and good use of your talents," Tallon chuckled. The food came and they began eating, still talking about whatever came to mind while enjoying their meal.

. . .

[5:30 pm]
[Dreki Apartments; A10]

The day had been a blast so far, despite the moving situation that weighed on Hunter's mind. After lunch ended at 1:45; Hunter and Tallon went to a carnival until 3 pm; then took a stroll on the boardwalk near the beach, even going on a few rides and getting ice cream. The two played some concession stand games, and a round of mini-golf before deciding at 4:30; that it was super busy and best to move to a quieter place. The location chosen was the park; just walking hand in hand along the paths. Tallon still felt like something was wrong with Hunter; he was smiling, laughing, and seemed happy, but that was just it; he seemed happy and Tallon could see through it. At 5:15 pm; the two lovers returned Tallon's apartment to do dinner there.

"How's, uh, therapy going?" Tallon inquired once they got inside and he grabbed things to work on making dinner for them.

"It's going good, getting easier to deal with the emotions and feelings that sneak up," Hunter stated.

"You hear that Seth and Maddie are talking about getting married?" Tallon inquired while getting the stuff he needed.

"No shit? Nice. Good for them," Hunter smiled.

"I think he's gonna ask her at Christmas," Tallon replied.

"That'll be a nice surprise," Hunter agreed. "You hear Roxy is pregnant?"

"I heard rumors, is it actually true?" Tallon blinked.

"Yeah. Harper mentioned it a couple night ago; she's about seven weeks along," Hunter informed.

"Wow. I take it Eli knows?" Tallon questioned.

"Yeah, she found out when she missed her period and told Eli a couple days later. Guess they are planning to live together in Roxy's apartment," Hunter shrugged.

"And TJ…Is gonna take care of the apartment himself?" Tallon wondered.

"Uh…I don't know. Didn't stay for the rest of the conversation; I'd only come out of the room to grab a snack and then get back to work," Hunter mentioned, checking his phone. "But I think I heard Seth mention that TJ and his little sister got a thing for each other,"

"Wow. TJ and Addilyn? Guess it could happen," Tallon laughed a bit. "You love who you love, right?"

"Absolutely," Hunter nodded. There wasn't much else said while Tallon cooked the meal, and Hunter ended up going off to the bathroom. Tallon knew something was wrong; there had to be. Hunter seemed distracted and upset.

"Babe, dinner is ready," Tallon called to him after setting the small table with plates, napkins, utensils, drinks, and of course, the food.

"Coming," Hunter replied and came out a minute later.

"Everything okay? You were in there for a bit," Tallon mentioned lightly.

"Sorry, headache started and raided your medicine cabinet for aspirin," Hunter laughed a bit.

"Did you find it? How's your head?" Tallon inquired.

"Yeah, I found it. Don't worry," Hunter smiled. "This looks great,"

"Thanks. Meats are a specialty of mine; I love my steaks, burgers, pork chops, etc.," Tallon said.

"I know. I remember," Hunter replied and then focused on cutting the steak up. Tallon began to eat as well, and they talked a bit about Hunter's projects, but mostly stayed quiet to eat. Tallon was sure of something being wrong with Hunter, and he wanted to know what had his boyfriend upset on a day like this; them being together for half a year.

. . .

[6:45 pm]

When the meal was over, Hunter took it upon himself to clean up while Tallon took a call, and used the bathroom. Tallon came out and found Hunter sitting on the couch; he went to clean up, but found it was already done.

"Did you…Clean up dinner?" Tallon asked.

"Yeah. Seemed fair since you made it," Hunter replied with a small smile. Tallon came to sit beside him now and cuddled up a bit.

"Thank you," Tallon said softly as Hunter held him. "It's been a great day,"

"It has, and still not over," Hunter reminded.

"I'm content just being here the rest of the night with you," Tallon informed.

"If that's what you'd like to do; I'm alright with it," Hunter moved a bit of hair that was in front of Tallon's left eye. Tallon closed his eyes and relaxed; he felt Hunter sigh, but didn't say anything. Tallon had his hand on Hunter's chest before opening his eyes and looking up a bit to find Hunter's head facing the ceiling and looking deep in thought and stressed.

"Hunter?" Tallon asked.

"Yes, love?" Hunter replied calmly.

"Is…Something bothering you?" Tallon inquired.

"Wondering how I got so lucky to have you in my life," Hunter looked down at him smiling. Tallon just kept looking at him. "You don't seem happy about that answer,"

"I just…" Tallon sat up now.

"What is it?" Hunter questioned. "What's wrong?"

"Wondering what's wrong with you, actually," Tallon admitted.

"Nothing is wrong, baby," Hunter said lightly.

"Hunter…I think I know you well enough by now to tell when something is wrong. You're…Quiet tonight, always lost in thought. You look upset or stressed, maybe both…" Tallon informed.

"Well, if it's any consolation; you know me better than I thought you did," Hunter chuckled softly.

"Does that mean I was right? Something is bothering you, and it's not the thing you said before?" Tallon looked at him.

"Half and half. I am wondering how I got so lucky to have you in my life, babe. Your presence is calming and brings me joy," Hunter stated.

"But?" Tallon pushed.

"I suppose I do have some stuff on my mind that's keeping me…Somewhat distracted," Hunter revealed.

"Do you…Want to talk about it?" Tallon offered. "I feel like it's upsetting you, stressing you out and you're not able to fully enjoy what today is for us. I…Want to help if I can," he said. "Tell me, please?"

"I…Think I'm moving back to the Archian House," Hunter confessed. Tallon sat up quickly, surprised, and maybe scared.

"Wh-What? Why? When did you plan this?" Tallon questioned.

"Since the end of June when I realized I had two months to find a new place to live," Hunter mentioned lightly.

"Why are you leaving Dreki Apartments?" Tallon asked instantly.

"My lease is up August 31st, babe," Hunter told him.

"B-But you could resign and stay with Flynn, baby. D-Did you two disagree on something?" Tallon panicked a little. It wasn't the end of the world if Hunter returned to the Archian House, but Tallon didn't understand why the sudden move, or information. Why hadn't Hunter said something about this when he realized the lease was up?

"No, no. Nothing like that, babe," Hunter assured. "Flynn and I are fine," he laughed a bit. "Easy now…Don't put yourself in an anxiety or panic attack," Tallon took a few breaths. "It was my choice to move out of the apartment, love. No one suggested anything,"

"But…Why move away if you don't need to?" Tallon urged the same question as before.

"Tal, Flynn and Harper are engaged now. She's…Already moved her things in and will be getting a key on September 1st, added to the lease as a resident in that apartment. It…Doesn't feel right for me to live there anymore when those two are going to be getting married. The past year has been great, but time to move on in life. Flynn and Harper deserve to have their own life in that apartment without me there. I mean…I have the bigger bedroom, but yeah…All that aside…I decided it would be best for me to move out," Hunter explained.

Tallon understood the reasoning, but why hadn't Hunter said something sooner than now? When it was ten days to the 31st? "Babe…Why didn't you say something earlier?"

"I'm a big boy, babe," Hunter kissed his forehead. "I think I can handle something like this. I've always grown up with the thought process that people only know things about me that I feel they need to know,"

"So…You said you were thinking about moving back to the Archian House? Why thinking?" Tallon wondered now.

"Well, since July 1st…I've been looking for another apartment. Either something here in the complex, which there are no more one bedrooms available and I don't need a two or three; it's just me and don't take up much space," he chuckled a bit. "I tried looking around the neighborhood too, but nothing. It's either rundown in sketchy parts of town which my father would never agree to even with security, overpriced, or not in a prime location for me to do all my work stuff. Or old posts that have already been filled and people not responding to my inquiries. I considered moving back home, but wanted to try the apartment search first. As that's not going well and my deadline is about here…I suppose that leaves returning to the Archian House,"

Tallon nodded, understanding what Hunter was saying. "You seem upset about me leaving the complex," Hunter stated after a few moments.

"I guess I've gotten used to you living down the hall, and seeing you when we all hang out. It's…Convenient for us to all live in the same building," Tallon admitted.

"Aw, come on, love. It's not like I'm leaving the mainland," Hunter smiled. "I can still come see you guys whenever you hang out. I'm only a ten-fifteen minute drive away,"

"I know, sorry. Just gonna be different. We all love living here, and…I think it got better when you came. We felt…Complete, like this group of people belongs together," Tallon smiled some. "Sounds corny, I know,"

"No, I agree," Hunter admitted. "Not much in my life made sense before I came here, Tal. Coming here, meeting all of you…It brought back something I thought I lost when Jay and my mom died. My happiness. Yeah, there was smiles and stuff before…But genuine happiness to have friends who saw me as Hunter, not…The president's son. Meeting all of you…Changed my life, Tallon. You and the others will never know how grateful I am to have you in my life. The Archian House is nice and all, but…It's not here, where I'm happiest with all of you just rooms, hallways, or floors away from each other,"

"Living there; it's just…Boring. Lonely, sad almost and…I don't like feeling that way despite dad, Greg, and all those people living there. I…Honestly don't want to live there again. I love this complex…I don't want to leave, but seems I have no choice for a while," Hunter confessed.

Hearing how Hunter talked regarding the apartment, meeting all of them changing his life and bringing him real happiness that he thought he wouldn't feel again. And going back to the Archian House made Hunter upset because he didn't want to lose the joy he had. Tallon was worried those downer feelings would only increase with time and Tallon didn't want Hunter feeling low again. It was often said that it's best for people not to return to the people or places where bad things happened. Hunter developed depression at ten-years-old living in Berk when his dad was mayor of the island and it only got worse when Salvatore became president, to a point that Hunter began to cut and wanted to kill himself.

Tallon knew that Hunter was in a better place now from all that, but still; Hunter didn't want to go back. Tallon wanted to help, but he wasn't sure what to do. Then the idea hit him as he quickly looked at Hunter. "You don't want to go back?" Tallon asked as Hunter nodded. "Then don't,"

"Babe, I already told you that I don't feel right staying with Flynn and Harper," Hunter smiled.

"Don't stay with them then," Tallon replied, as Hunter arched a brow.

"What…Are you saying, Tal?" Hunter questioned.

"Stay here…With me," Tallon smiled. Hunter's eyes widened.