***SPOILER WARNING! If you have not seen the entirety of the first 2 seasons of "The Owl House" and wish to remain unspoiled, please refrain from reading on. Ye be warned! Lol. XD***

Alright, as someone with nearly a dozen years of writing fanfiction under her belt, I realized I have mostly only written fanfics for series that are about as old as my 'fanfic writer tenure'. Lol. So in an effort to break out of my writing comfort zone (as well as overcome some writer's block for some of my other fanfic projects), I decided to do a little fic for one of my most recent favorite animated series "The Owl House". As a person who is usually down for watching anything 'fantasy', it's no small wonder why I have fallen in love with this lovely show. :) It's just so refreshing, fun, and explains all sorts of different kinds of relationships SO well for a cartoon geared toward younger audiences that it has VERY much impressed me. Now, even though I ADORE Lumity and will go down HARD with that ship too since they are so freaking cute together! But, I thought I'd contribute content toward a ship that has quite hit its stride yet (if it ever will): Hunter and Willow. Now, even though the final abbreviated season is coming in the future and I know regardless that Dana Terrace and Company are going to do something amazing with it regardless, I thought I would write a fic dedicated to the ship of Hunter and Willow with what we have now since, even if one sided, there is 'something' there at least on Hunter's side. Even in the first episode they started interacting, it was shown by the end that Hunter kind of developed a little crush on Willow (that blush gave you away big time, boy! As well as every other time you blushed for her after. Lol.) and started a plethora of moments like that each time they interact. As to where Willow is in how she feels about Hunter, we still don't know anything more than her and Hunter regularly chat to each other on Penstagram and do mutually consider each other friends. But after seeing Hunter's 'fall from grace' (you know what I mean) with relinquishing his life and position as the Golden Guard to now being a runaway evading death as a 'failed grimwalker' of Belos/Philip, that I've enjoyed seeing Hunter acting more 'his age' with making friends in Luz, Gus, and Willow. So, with the information we have now and even though everyone and their mother has written a Grom fic, I made a fic with a simple premise. It's 2 months after 'evil was thwarted', the portal door has been repaired, and everyone has assumed their normal lives once again in the Boiling Isles, including Hunter enrolling at Hexside to try and assume a normal teenage life and move on from the past. Part of which includes Hunter experiencing his first Grom… and maybe wanting to use it to his 'advantage'. For what exactly? Read on to find out! As always, I do not own anything. I am just a fan and all rights go to Dana Terrace and Disney.

(Hunter's POV)

This is pathetic…

Just… AGH! What is wrong with me?!

This shouldn't even be that difficult?! I used to lead missions, traveled between realms, and survived WAY too many things that probably should've killed me.

SO WHY AM I FREAKING OUT OVER SOMETHING LIKE THIS?!

I kept standing across the street and just staring. I mean, I guess I kind of had a reason to 'focus in on it', but I guess… ugh, what's the point?

All I keep doing is staring at her house after pathetically trying and failing to do something as stupid as this for the past 2 days when I failed at every other opportunity to just ask her 'something'!

I'm not a witch or… grimwalker or whatever or… even half of that.

I'm just a coward.

Because I could've told her sooner to make this easier on myself if I just would've told her back in the Human realm how I felt, considering there were many times I wanted to tell her but I just… didn't.

Despite the fact that I have to admit to myself that I've felt like this about her for even longer than I thought I did honestly. I kept staring at the Park's house for almost a full minute until I jumped and let out a reflexive 'HEY!' when I felt my hood from my uniform's cowl get pulled over my head along with a very sharp 'chirp'.

Flapjack.

I scrambled and pulled my hood back down just to see him giving me a very hard look before complaining, "What was that for?!"

All I did was continue to give him a glare and defensive look back as he chirped at me again, repeating what he just said as I responded in annoyed frustration (though mostly toward myself at this point), "What now?"

All Flapjack did was glare at me and knowing very well why, much to my frustration. Considering he knows more than anyone 'how I feel' about Willow.

And this was proven as he gave me a very concise 'chirp' that practically cut into me as I practically erupted in annoyed frustration, "I know! You don't need to remind me. Like, I don't do that enough…. I just… Look, fine! I'll do it right now!"

I had no idea what was happening as I just took off into a sprint across the street and immediately knocked on the door, completely determined.

I straightened up and stood there, keeping my eyes narrowed and focused.

Well, until I felt my insides collectively drop as the door opened, hoping it was Willow to make this as quick and painless as possible. At least until I felt like my insides were going to fall out of either end when I saw one of Willow's dads standing there just looking at me, mostly confused and somehow… critical?

Uh…

We both just stood there in silence with the only thing being heard were local authorities trying to calm down some spooked rat worms that I saw on my way over.

His grayish-purple eyes pierced through me as he crossed his arms and quirked up an eyebrow and started, "Can I help you?"

Oh Titan… Can this get any worse?

"Harvey? Who is it?"

Right then the door opened wider and my heart felt like it was going to bust through my rib cage.

Why is this happening?!

Her other dad came to the door as he straightened out his glasses and smiled before saying, "Oh, hello. You're one of Willow's friends from her team. Hunter, correct?"

Again… WHY?!

I have no idea why I'm feeling so… nervous right now.

Sure I kinda sorta know her parents since they always come to watch us play our Flyer Derby matches. But… this was the first time I ever talked to her dads, or even got this close to her house.

I was trying to recompose myself and ask what I needed too, but nothing was coming out. Everything in my head seemed clear.

I have the words!

"I want to ask Willow about something. Is she home?"

Easy. Just concise and straightforward.

So then… why am I unable to just say it?

Should I… talk to her parents? Make a good impression?

Finally, I dug in my pocket for the flier I took off a locker at Hexside to use to help me ask Willow until I felt like I wanted to cough up my heart when the flier slipped out of my grip and landed right by their feet.

They both looked down and I panicked as I immediately reached down and snatched it into my grip, having no idea if they saw 'what is was' and I wasn't about to find out whether they did or not.

And then I had no idea what I was even doing anymore and almost acted on nervously instinctive blind panic and got out, "Is Captain… I mean, is Willow home? I… I need to ask her something."

What was that?! And… why am I saluting to her parents?

I immediately dropped my hand from its place by my forehead and could feel the back of my neck sweating and my face felt like it was burning.

Ugh… this is going horribly.

I was about to just run to avoid humiliating myself even more in front of her parents.

I mean her one dad (Harvey, I guess) was still giving me this almost judgmental glare thing still, but her other dad was giving me an almost curious look before smiling and saying, "Oh, sorry Hunter, but Willow ran out to get a book she needed from the Library for an assignment."

Great! I just humiliated myself in front of her parents… and she isn't even here anyway!

I hung my head and looked away, wanting to just go home until I heard him continue, "But, she should be back soon. Would you like to wait inside until she comes back? You're more than welcome."

"Gil, what are you?…" But, he seemed to just continue as if Harvey didn't interject, "And I'm sorry, I don't think we've ever introduced ourselves. I'm Gilbert Park and this is my husband Harvey. We've seen you play Flyer Derby with Willow or when you come by with Augustus or Luz, but I don't think we ever talked to you over the past 2 months."

But, then Harvey just closed the door and my eyes went wide for a moment as I heard him say in a hushed and irritated voice despite the fact I could still hear everything they were saying, "Gilbert Park, are you out of your mind? He was once with them. How…" "Harvey, will you calm down? There's no need to be 'dramatic'. He's probably here to ask Willow to go to Grom. Just let them be kids, so just be nice."

My eyes went wide as my stomach seized up.

What the?... They know? Am I that obvious?!

Agh… why am I not surprised?

Gus, Luz, Amity, Skara, and Viney were able to see right through it… and yet I failed to do anything at every opportunity.

Not this time!

I can handle this!

5 minutes later

Well… this is incredibly awkward.

I felt like I wanted to crawl out of my skin as I kept sitting on a chair in the living room with Willow's parents. It was just painfully awkward silence as Harvey kept on glaring at me and crossing his arms while Gilbert smiled and tried to interject 'awkward small-talk' topics every now and then as I just kept looking out the entry way at the front door for either Willow to show up… or me to run as far away from the current situation as I possibly could.

I just have no idea what to do right now?! I mean, not that I've even dated anyone before or really felt 'like this' about anyone until Willow, but… I don't know what I'm doing here?!

The fact that I'm a... grimwalker aside, I've never had parents or had to talk to any that weren't mine for someone I like.

Because now that I'm sitting in Willow's house with her parents and the only thing keeping me here is seeing Willow and also just wanting to make a decent impression despite how much of a wreck I feel like right now, I kept looking at the door and almost trying to will it to open.

C'mon Captain, where are you?

I felt like I gave myself whiplash as I heard Gilbert start again, "That's a very interesting Palisman. Did you make them?"

I almost forgot Flapjack was sitting on my shoulder the whole time as he let out a 'chirp' in response to being acknowledged… even though I could also feel his energy of 'support' mixed with criticism at me not doing any of this sooner.

But… Hey! Willow isn't even here and I'm trying! Okay?!

I rubbed the back of my neck and stuttered for a moment until I responded, "Uh, no. Actually. Flapjack just kinda... found me."

I mean… that's the truth.

Gilbert just smiled again before saying, "Oh that's very nice. Just like Willow and Clover. Harvey and I made ours so I was always curious about what happens when you 'adopt' a Palisman. Considering how long I worked in construction, I just like learning how things work."

I nodded as the painful silence set in the room again.

Harvey just kept up his annoyed glare from his seat until I heard, completely taken off guard, "Oh, hey Hunter…uh, what are you all doing?"

I whipped my head over and despite how nervous I felt… I also couldn't help but be completely relieved when I saw Willow standing in the entryway, holding a book against her chest with her right hand and readjusting her glasses with the other.

Then, I don't know why, but I immediately stood up and called out, maybe a little too loud since I just felt nothing but absolute relief that she showed up to put an end to the painfully awkward and tense 'small-talk' I was having with her parents, "WILLOW! I-I mean, hi Willow."

She kept looking at the situation in confusion until I was for once glad Gilbert stepped in and started, "Oh, don't worry, Willow. Hunter told us he came over here to ask you about something, so we just decided to invite him in while he waited. We were just talking. Speaking of, why don't you go out to the backyard. It's a nice night to be outside."

I whipped my head over and gave Gilbert a wide eyed look. And I wasn't the only one since I saw Harvey also looking at Gilbert with a wide eyed look.

Is he trying to… 'help' me?

Either way, if there was one thing I try not to do ever, it's miss a chance at an opportunity.

And I would be an idiot if I didn't take this one!

Immediately, I took the opportunity and said, still feeling completely relieved at the moment, "Great idea!" Well, until I looked at Willow, remembering how nervous I felt again.

But, I was determined this time.

No distractions, excuses, or psyching myself out. And this is the best way I can think of to start with telling her how I feel.

Willow mostly looked inquisitive yet confused as she hesitantly followed me out.

Well… no turning back now.

I just really hope I don't mess this up with her.

I already screwed up by messing with her trust before and I'm not doing that again… ever. And if this ridiculous school dance can help me do that?

I'll take it.

Honestly one of my favorite things I've enjoyed most about learning about Hunter's true persona after disbanding from the Emperor's Coven is that he really is kind of an awkward mess and just a, well... dork. I mean, he has some pretty impressive skills, intelligence, and bravery in the face of danger where it matters… but Hunter is an awkward mess and lowkey kind of a dork and I LOVE it! Lol. XD So, I hope you enjoyed the absolute cringe induced interaction of him trying to be polite with Willow's parents. You know, despite her father Harvey looking like he was NOT having it with the 'ex-Golden Guard' clearly trying to make a play for his and Gilbert's daughter, while Gilbert seems a lot more relaxed about it and doesn't mind if Hunter is involved with Willow somehow. Because, and though I made it obvious with context clues, both of Willow's dads know and have seen Hunter with 'how he looks at' Willow. Haha. But, does Willow know? How does she feel in all this? Will Hunter somehow manage to summon his bravery in a new form to ask Willow to go to Grom with him and tell her how he feels? Well, I'll leave that up to all of you! If you'd like to see more and would like to give constructive feedback, please feel free to comment in the reviews and let me know. Either way, thank you all so much for reading and have a lovely day!

Stay Classy!

Dexter1995