=Normal POV=
(Thursday, 2/1/2018-4:50 pm)
(Archian Island, Berk)
(Haddock Home)
Hunter bolted through his homework pretty fast, finishing it by 3:30 pm and then after taking two pain killers and using the bathroom; he set his alarm for 4:45 pm and took a small nap, hoping it would do more good in feeling less tired than to make him feel like he didn't sleep at all. It was really a random hope that could go either way. When the alarm chimed, Hunter too a fast rinse shower to wake up more. Hunter dressed in tan pants with a black belt, a long-sleeve greet shirt, and sneakers; he fixed his hair, brushed his teeth, put on deodorant and then grabbed his phone, wallet, and keys before exiting his bedroom.
"Heading off to Nicole's, son?" Spencer inquired, which surprised Hunter to see him and Glenn home so early in the evening. Well, he was used to Glenn, but not his father.
"Yeah, sort'a. Her…Parents wanted to take us out for dinner, so we're going to Berkbees. I'll be home in a few hours, all my homework is done." Hunter informed.
"Right, have fun then!" Spencer smiled as Hunter waved to them and headed outside to get to the jeep.
. . .
(5:00 pm)
(Berkbees)
Hunter arrived just as Nicole and her family did; he parked and met them outside the main entrance with a smile.
"Hunter! Good to see you again, sweetheart." Ella beamed, hugging him and then kissing his cheek.
"You as well, Mrs. Strondsen. Sir," Hunter turned his attention to Keith, shaking his hand.
"Hello, Hunter." Keith smiled, returning the gesture. Hunter hugged Nicole and kissed her cheek.
"Hi, babe." Hunter greeted her.
"Hi." Nicole smiled, blushing a bit. Hunter got the door for them, and followed in afterward. Right away a host strolled over to ask how many and then seat them in a back booth. "This is nice." Nicole pointed out after taking her seat next to Hunter while her parents were on the other side.
"Oh, very nice. We've never been able to enjoy a dinner without past boyfriends." Keith remarked. Nicole flushed and tried to glare at her parents not to embarrass her.
"We'll have to do this again, maybe with your mother and father too? If your father isn't too busy, of course?" Ella hoped. Hunter tensed a little; his smile falling some. Nicole found out the truth earlier, but Keith had known and kept the information to himself for Hunter's sake. "Have I said something I shouldn't?" She wondered.
"I'm afraid my mother can't join us, Mrs. Strondsen. She…Passed away last year…" Hunter informed gently.
"Hunter, I am so sorry. I…Didn't know." Ella quickly stated.
"I thought your husband might have told you as I told him the day we talked…It came up in conversation." Hunter mentioned.
"I…Never said anything as I felt it was your business and would tell those you wanted to know when you were ready to, son." Keith replied gently.
"Well, yeah…I guess that's fair. Sorry I didn't tell you, babe. I've been meaning to, it's just a busy time of year…" Hunter smiled some at Nicole.
"It's…Fine, Hunter. I have to confess that…Your cousins kind of told me earlier at school once you left." Nicole admitted. She knew she said she wouldn't say anything, but she didn't want secrets with him. Hunter arched a brow now, confused. Why would his cousins say something completely out of the blue, unless Nicole had asked them why his mother was never seen? "We were, uh, trying to figure out why you seem distant from everything…Shane suddenly brought up how close the one year was, and the others understood, but I didn't…So they told me."
"Huh…I planned to tell you myself next time it was just us, as the heads up I might get a little down in the coming months. But yeah, she died last May…A little bit after her birthday." Hunter said, shrugging and still smiling a bit.
"Shane and Addilyn mentioned that, also that it was just…Sudden." Nicole nodded.
"That was probably the hardest about losing her, not understanding how it happened." Hunter responded.
"What was it, Hunter…If you don't mind me asking?" Keith inquired softly as they were all looking over the menus to be ready when the waiter came back to take drink and food orders.
"I don't even know the actual term for it, if we're being honest. I was a mess after it happened and locked myself away for a month. But dad said it was something with her heart, a disease that made her really sick. She was going to go to a doctor to have it looked into more when we realized that whatever illness she had wasn't some bug or virus, but one night when we were about to sit down to dinner; she just collapsed. Her heart and breathing stopped, she was gone before the ambulance arrived about ten minutes later. It all happened pretty fast, but she was pronounced deceased at the house. We did the memorial and funeral a week later, after dad had the autopsy done because he wanted to know what caused it." Hunter explained lightly.
"Heart disease?" Ella asked.
"Not sure if that's exactly what it was. There was a term for it, but I can't remember. I don't know if heart disease, but I know it wasn't cancerous…A tumor or something. I don't even remember that last month of Junior Year other than the prom. I hadn't wanted to go, but my friends literally dragged me out of the house. Actual dragging was involved; they, my dad, and Uncle Glenn didn't give me a choice." Hunter shrugged a little.
"Do you remember any of the symptoms?" Keith wondered.
"Not really. Most of it was pretty basic stuff, I think, until she fainted at work. That was the one that made dad believe it could be more and begged her to be seen. That was two weeks before she died…" Hunter revealed lightly. Nicole could see that Hunter was becoming upset, but not wanting to seem rude either.
"Maybe we should find another topic to discuss? This is a dinner, after all. Not right for this subject…Uh, Daddy, didn't you want to talk to Hunter about something tonight?" Nicole tried to divert the conversation away from the subject of Hunter's mother's death, which the anniversary of was in three months.
"Yes, yes. Thank you for reminding me, Nicole." Keith smiled. Hunter looked at Nicole with gratitude that she got them off the subject and she smiled at him, understanding that it hurt him.
Just then, the waitress came over. "Hello. My name is Mari and I'll be taking care of you this evening. Can I start you with some drinks?" Everyone placed their drink order, then an appetizer to share for the four of them. When the drinks arrived not more than five minutes later, they put in their meal orders. "Excellent. I'll have your appetizer right out to you!" Mari headed off and left the four to chat while they waited for food.
"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" Hunter wondered now.
"Ah!" Keith nodded. "Now…You said you scored perfect on your driving exam, right?"
"Yes, sir. On written and road test." Hunter replied.
"My wife and I are, regretfully, too busy to teach Nicole ourselves how to drive…So I was hoping, since she's typically always with you for practices, dates, or games…Would you mind teaching her?" Keith asked. Nicole's eyes widened as she got an excitedly happy grin on her fact. Was her father finally going to let her learn how to drive?!
"Please, Hunter? Please, oh, please say yes?!" Nicole pleaded him gently.
"Well, I'd be happy too…But I can't guarantee it'll be every day or for long periods. Only because of practices, games, and my work shifts…" Hunter informed.
"That's fine. Take as long as you need to ensure she knows what she has to for passing, and to be safe on the road." Ella smiled.
"Yay!" Nicole quickly hugged Hunter around the waist and kissed his cheek. "When can we start?!" She asked happily.
"I'll check my schedule and we'll plan something, okay?" Hunter stated. "I've got practice tomorrow, and a game Saturday morning. Then work following the game. And work on Sunday too." He reminded.
"Sounds good to me." Nicole beamed. "Thank you, Mom and Dad."
"You're welcome. That's your birthday gift from us, finally learning how to drive. I know we could have done with Driver's Education through the school, but unfortunately, it's already all booked up and had no spaces left. And we can't guarantee being able to get you to the classes of an outside program. We figured it was best to let you learn with Hunter; he scored perfect and you're always with him for the things mentioned before." Ella explained.
"Thank you, thank you. Best gift ever!" Nicole lightly clapped her hands as Hunter chuckled at her excitement before taking a sip of his water. His stomach was feeling a little off and he didn't want to overly upset it with anything other than water. Truth be told, he wasn't even that hungry and didn't want to eat tonight, but that would seem really off to his girlfriend and her family. That's why he chose to get something, as basic and small as he was able.
The four of them just talked until their appetizer arrived; it was just a sampler platter and Hunter really only touched the tortilla chips, fearing anything else offered would make him more nauseated and want to throw up. Nicole noticed it, but didn't say anything. When dinner came about ten minutes after they finished the appetizer, the Strondsen family took view that Hunter only got himself what looked like a child's size portion of spaghetti and meatballs. The pasta was completely plain except better and some cheese, and there was only one meatball. No one said anything as he looked pretty content with his meal and maybe he was watching his weight or something; Nicole knew he stayed in shape for Basketball. So it was possible that Hunter maintained his figure and what not with proper diet and exercise. Hunter chose to forego dessert, but Nicole shared a few bites of hers with him.
"Are you sure you had enough to eat, Hunter? I can't imagine a teenager of your height and figure doesn't have a fast metabolism and will burn all that off in the next hour and you'll be hungry again." Keith pointed out while they were waiting for the check.
"Oh, I'm fine, Mr. Strondsen." Hunter smiled. "I usually don't do big meals for dinner, since I'll end up going home and being mostly stationary until morning and I gotta watch my weight for Basketball. Coach does every two week weigh-ins." He added.
"Ah, good man. I see so many patients who don't even care about what diet and exercise." Keith sighed.
"Well, it doesn't take much to maintain this figure. You remember I told you I was born two months early and my biggest issue was putting on weight. It still is, but I figured out how to keep it where it needs to be for Basketball." Hunter smiled. "Coach keeps the others in check to make sure their not overweight. For exclusively me, it's making sure I don't go underweight. My metabolism is really fast, so it doesn't take much for me to lose weight."
"That's very good Hunter. A lot of kids your age don't even worry about such things." Ella informed.
"I have to being as active as I am." Hunter replied. He hoped they bought it; he didn't want to have to explain that he didn't eat a lot because he felt sick and couldn't. And it was mostly true, he did have to watch his weight for Basketball.
When the check came, Keith paid for the meal despite Hunter's insistence that they at least go half and half. Keith told him that this was their treat and had invited him out, so they weren't going to let him pay on those grounds. The four left the restaurant after Keith's card was returned to him and the slip signed. Hunter managed to sneak an extra $5 into the cash tip since the others walked ahead of him. And he grabbed Nicole's leftovers, since she forgot them on the table.
"Nikki…Here, you left this on the table." Hunter handed her the container.
"Oh. Haha, thank you. I'm such a scatterbrain sometimes." Nicole took it from him. "So…It's about 6:30 pm, still early…Can we hang out a bit before the night is over?" She wondered with a smile.
"We don't mind." Keith stated. "Home by 9:30, though. It's a school night…" He added.
Hunter really wanted to go home and sleep before tomorrow. Not that it mattered; he could sleep all day or night and still feel like he got none, so it was pointless to try and sleep early in hopes of not feeling like he didn't tomorrow. Hunter smiled at her, nodding. "Yeah, sure. And no problem, Mr. Strondsen. I'll have her home at 9:30 pm!" Hunter said as the two parents loaded into their car and left, leaving Hunter and Nicole to walk to Hunter's jeep. "What would you like to do?"
"I was thinking a movie at your place or something. My parents still don't really want us alone in my room together, but I know you said your dad doesn't care." Nicole laughed a little.
"I find it hilarious that your parents were cool with the idea of us having sex as long as we give them a heads up so they don't come into the room, or have to be at the house…But us just cuddling together in the room for a movie makes them uncomfortable." Hunter shook his head some, smiling as he opened the door for Nicole to get into the jeep. Hunter closed it and then went around to the other side.
"I think it's because they assume we won't be having sex before we're eighteen, and have been together longer than we have now." Nicole shrugged some as she clipped her seat belt.
"Possibly." Hunter agreed since it made the most sense; he didn't believe he and Nicole would be getting sexually active until after high school. But hey, who knew? Hunter didn't push anything back as far as possibility went. Him and Ashley just kind of did it one night, no prior planning to the event. They were alone, turned on, and Hunter had protection, so it happened. Still, Hunter wouldn't do anything with Nicole until she gave him signs of wanting to take that next step, and he would respect the wishes of her father about letting him know that the desire to be sexually active was there. The last thing Hunter wanted to do was mess this up; he really did love Nicole. And he prayed that there wouldn't be a repeat of what happened with Ashley, where he still felt that they had sex too early, or that he was bad and it drove her away. Until the answer came out, he was sticking to what he felt based on what happened.
But Hunter wasn't too worried at the same time because Nicole wasn't like Ashley; if she had a problem, she voiced it clearly and preferred talking. Ashley used to be like that, but apparently not the case when it came to being in a relationship. All she did was push him away after they started having sex. Nicole promised that things wouldn't be like that, and Hunter believed her. If things went bad again; he may suck it up and just go full gay; he considered himself bisexual because there were some pretty attractive men out there. And he was a curious teenager once, watching porn in the solitude of his bedroom at night when he was supposed to be sleeping. Hunter would admit he'd seen lesbians, gays, and straights. He'd even seen transsexuals too. Just to see what was out there, and he didn't have a problem with two men having sex, and if given the chance while not in a relationship; he'd probably go for it just for the sake of seeing what it was like.
But the chance never come up, and he wasn't overly worried about it either. It was more of an if situation, not a go looking for it thing. With the two of them in Hunter's jeep, he started it up and headed back for his house.
. . .
(6:45 pm)
(Haddock Home)
"Welcome home, son!" Spencer called from the living room.
"Hi, Dad." Hunter replied.
"Ello, lassie." Glenn greeted when he saw Nicole stroll in behind Hunter.
"Hi, Mr. Forger," Nicole smiled. "Hi, Mr. Haddock."
"Now, now…What did we talk about? No formalities here." Spencer chuckled.
"Sorry. It's hard not to be when your son over here responds to my parents with ma'am, sir, Mr. or Mrs. Strondsen…" Nicole giggled.
"Well, we're off to watch a movie in my room. See you in a few hours!" Hunter pulled Nicole away before his father or Glenn could come up with anything else to chat about. Getting to Hunter's room, Nicole used his bathroom while Hunter set up the movie in his DVD player. As that got ready to play and Nicole came out; Hunter went in after her. The two sat together on Hunter's loveseat, Nicole cuddling up to him as he hit play and dimmed the lights.
. . .
(8:30 pm)
The two were making out after the movie finished, nothing crazy, but still enjoyable with the TV going in the background that had some movie they weren't watching on. What startled them both was knocking on the door.
"Hunter?" Came Spencer's voice through the other side of the door. Begrudgingly, Hunter and Nicole stopped making out as he sighed.
"Yes, Dad?" Hunter replied.
"Is it safe to come in?" Spencer asked.
Another sigh. "Yes, Dad. We're just sitting on the couch watching TV." Hunter stated. The door opened revealing Spencer and then a black blur rushed in and jumped on the couch, scurrying across Nicole's lap to get to Hunter. "Oh, Hi Toothless." He smiled.
"The king and his pack members demanded to be let in to see their favorite." Spencer rolled his eyes as three more cats came in and got themselves on either the couch, or Hunter's bed.
"Is that what we're calling my cat now?" Hunter arched a brow.
"Hey, they love you. I'm just followin' orders. Are ya having fun?" Spencer smiled.
"Just watching TV, as I said before…" Hunter repeated, almost in a tone that told his father to stop pushing the matter of them being alone together.
"Alright, I assume you're taking her home for 10?" Spencer wondered.
"No, 9:30. It's a school night, Spencer." Nicole stated now with a smile. "Mom and dad don't mind if it's a Friday or Saturday, as long as I'm home by curfew, so basically 10:30 pm. That way Hunter has time to get home before 11 pm too." She added.
"Ah, I like that." Spencer nodded.
"Uh-huh…Can you get out now?" Hunter inquired.
"Yes, sorry." Spencer quickly backed out and closed the door, sensing Hunter wanted to go back to being alone with his girlfriend.
"I am so sorry about him…" Hunter closed his eyes as the black ball of fur settled on his lap and enjoyed being pet.
"It's okay, Hunter. Parents are meant to be embarrassing; I'm sure mine will do it to me when we get more time in. I think your dad does it to you because he knows you've been sexually active with past lovers. I'm sure he's just waiting for the day when you shoot him a text that says stay away from my room, or stay out for a few hours, that way he cam slap a hand over his face and say here we go again." Nicole giggled.
"I'm honored and flattered you think I can go a few hours." Hunter chuckled.
"I was being nice, and also I don't need to know how long you can have sex for. It's not a contest, babe." Nicole kissed his cheek. "Now, please introduce me to this king and his pack here? I didn't know you had a cat, or, several rather."
"That's because they hide with new people until their comfortable enough to be seen by them. They started hiding the night of Addilyn's party when they saw you and your parents here, and just watch for a while until they decide that the newcomers are okay to be around." Hunter explained as Nicole nodded, understanding. "So…This here is Toothless. He's mine, and I adopted him after he was healed because he wouldn't work with anyone else at mom's shelter clinic. Only I could touch him, get near him even…He's still that way with my family and friends. I call him Toothless because he's missing most of his teeth, and half his tail is gone." He continued.
Nicole tried to reach for all black cat known as Toothless, but he hissed at her and she pulled her hand back softly. Toothless glared at her a few moments before settling down in Hiccup's lap again. "See? Only me." Hunter shrugged a little. "Not sure if it's because I'm the one who saved him, or I just connect with animals." He added. "Anyway…These three, little bit friendlier. There's Grump, Glenn's cat. Don't mind the name; he's just lazy and either sleeps or eats all day." Hunter motioned to the larger orange and brown cat on his bed. "This is Thornado, because when he starts to play; he's a fast little nutjob. He's Dad's cat. And this one…Is Mom's. Cloudjumper. Very quiet and peaceful these days since mom died, but he'll still cuddle up with dad or me. Usually me during the day, and dad at night in mom's spot on the bed. So as you can see…We're cat lovers." He chuckled a bit.
"They're precious, even the little black fluff ball in your lap who refuses to let anyone touch him. I like cats too; was trying to convince my parents to let us get one…But since how they've allowed me to have driving lessons, I'm not gonna push it." Nicole smiled.
"Well, if you ever need a cat fix; I've got plenty who will cuddle up. Except this one." Hiccup smiled back, referring to Toothless of course. "Now, shall we go back to the movie?" He hinted.
"Oh, yes. It's very good…" Nicole giggled a bit as Hunter leaned in and captured her lips before they slowly made their way back to making out.
At 9:15 pm, Hunter took Nicole home and arrived at 9:25 exactly; he kissed her outside before she headed in and then Hunter informed her father she was home safely and he shook Hunter's hand with thanks for ensuring that Nicole was inside safe and sound before just taking off. Hunter got home at 9:45 pm, showered, made sure his things were ready for tomorrow and then crawled into bed to get some sleep after sending Nicole a text that he had a great time and would see her in the morning at school. Not long after that, Hunter fell right to sleep for 10:30 pm.
