The title of this story comes from the song Shattered by Trading Yesterday, one of the lyrics in it. I listened to the song whilst writing this, helped with the angst feels, I suggest listening to it for ambiance. This idea randomly came into my brain while chatting with others in the Huntlow server and despite it not being my normal stomping grounds, went in on the angst and hurt. But still me so fluff sprinkled at the end for the soul. Enjoy!


He was back there. This was impossible! How could he back back in Belos' mindscape, there was no way he could be back here!

Not only was he back in Belos' mind, he was where he saw what shook him to his core. What was the true eye opener that Belos, his uncle, someone he thought loved him and cared about him, has been lying to him all this time. That everything he has been told, everything has been a lie all along.

The graveyard of Golden guards.

It was pure luck-if you could call it that-which led to Hunter finding it the first time. He needed to breathe after the last memory he saw, the one with that, Collector.

I'm starting to make those things just to destroy them.

It hurts everytime he chooses to betray me.

He needed a second to breathe. He couldn't even look at anything after hearing that. Not the human, not the kid, he needed a second to breathe and think. His feet led him away from the memory, he only stopped when he kicked something, leaning against it. The human was talking to him but none of it registered. And when he opened his eyes and looked up, he regretted it.

A graveyard was the only word that could be used to describe this part of Belos' mind. Broken masks strewn about, pieces of what seemed to be staffs mixed in, images of various deaths hung on the decrypted trees.

It was bigger this time, more trees, more masks, more paintings, more death.

He couldn't move, he couldn't breath, he couldn't be here!

"Unh…" Groaned from within the cavern. That snapped Hunter out of his trance, with a gasp he hurried backwards and tripped over a root. He crawled further away. He wanted out of here, he wanted to go home.

"Huuh…" Came again from within, and against his better judgment he got up and approached the mouth of the cavern. He couldn't tell anything about the voice it came from, but it sounded like someone in pain. And even though everything in him told him to run and never look back, he couldn't just leave someone here.

Standing back in view into the cemetery, he could see amongst the rubble and carnage, some sort of lump lay towards the end of it. It was too dark to make out just what, or rather who, it was, so the only thing Hunter could do was journey into the breach.

He was careful to not step on anything but the ground, mindful of masks, staff, and other rubble. Passing the graves of the unknown, but those who he felt he should, was such an odd feeling for him. With every step he took, he wanted to turn back more, but kept on. He had to know who was here, had to help them. He would hope if the roles were reversed, they would do the same. It made no sense though, why he felt this way. Before this he wouldn't, before learning the truth. But now, things were different. He couldn't place how or why, but they just were.

"Eer…" Resounded off the walls, Hunter halfway through the graveyard. He squinted, trying to see if he could make out what was at the end and could barely. It was definitely a person, someone lying in a heap. He could make out no real details, the closer distance and limited light not helping at all.

He continued on, but only after a couple of more seconds the voice spoke again, clearer this time and a voice that made his heart beat faster and stop all at once. "Hunt…"

Willow.

"WILLOW!" He screamed, breaking into a sprint. Careful steps were gone and replaced with a hurried dash, crushing and slipping on the rubble. He stumbled many times but kept going, he had to. He had to check if it was her, and Titan he hoped he was wrong.

Upon getting close enough he slid on his knees next to the body, a horrified gasp leaving his lips. "Willow?"

Indeed, in front of him on the ground, lay his beloved captain, his dear friend, Willow Park. She was covered in scrapes, bruises, and cuts, a rather nasty coloring adorned her cheek. She looked so small, so helpless, so broken, shattered.

"Hunter…" She managed, a wave of coughs racking her frame. Blood also came out of her mouth, which made his stop completely.

"I-It's gonna be alright!" Hunter hurried out, gently scooping her into his arms and holding her to his chest. He gently cradled her head to him, feeling her shaky breaths puff out. "You're gonna be alright, I'm gonna get you out of here, you'll be okay!

"What a shame." Terror ran through Hunter, he pulled Willow closer to him and curled himself around her in an effort to keep her from further harm. A shadow loomed over the two, Hunter daring to look and see Belos standing there, smug as ever.

"Not only do you look the most like him, but you act the most like him too. Pity. I had such high hopes for you." He could only curl further around Willow, he didn't dare respond to this man who he held nothing but anger and contempt for.

He hurt Willow. He did this to her. Battered, bruised, beat her. Just when he thought this monster couldn't get any worse, he hurt his first friend. His sunlight. "But it does all make sense now. A witch made him betray me too. He fell for her lies and tricks which cost him his life. And to think, it was to such a pitiful, insignificant witch such as this one."

"SHUT UP! DON'T YOU DARE TALK ABOUT HER LIKE THAT!" Hunter barked at the tyrant, feeling wet hot tears run down his cheeks. He didn't care if he looked weak right now, he didn't care that this man he looked up to was nothing but a selfish bastard who deserved death, none of that mattered!

All that mattered to Hunter right now was the girl in his trembling arms.

Belos shook his head and rounded on the pair, coming in front of them and kneel down to look him in the eyes. Hunter squared his shoulders, never taking his eyes off him lest he try something, tucking Willow as close to him as he could. "I'll give you, one last chance. Let that thing go, and we can-"

"SHE IS NOT A THING! AND NEVER! I'D RATHER BE THROWN INTO THE BOILING SEA THAN TO EVER LISTEN TO YOU AGAIN!" Hunter screamed in anguish.

In a flurry of movement, Hunter got up as quick as he could, swinging a quick kick at Belos which actually caught him off guard and made him stumble over, the boy hurrying back towards the mouth of the cavern, holding the girl in his arms as tightly as he could. His feet carried him as fast as they could.

He had to run, he had to get out of here. He had to get Willow to safety!

"So be it." Was scarcely heard before the sounds of shifting and squilshing, and then a loud roar. The sounds of something approaching him scarcely registered.

He knew there was no chance of escaping, but he had to try, he had to. He couldn't let Willow die here, in this broken place, this wicked place. He had to try.

Another loud roar resounded, but much closer, and then, darkness.


"NO!" Escaped Hunter's lips in a frantic gasp as he shot up from where he laid. Heavy breaths heaved through him, sweat drenched him, he felt so exhausted.

It was a dream, it was just a dream.

No, not a dream, a nightmare.

A clap of thunder caused him to jump and be more unsettled than he already was. But it did bring him back to reality.

He wasn't in Belos' mind, not even on the Boiling Isles! He was in the human realm, surrounded by his friends. Luz, Amity, and Vee up in Luz's room, with him, Gus, and Willow all settled in the living room. Him and Gus sharing something called an 'air mattress', his companion still fast asleep thankfully.

Turning towards the couch, he saw Willow and he could finally breathe again. She slept with her back to them which did nothing to soothe his nerves. As quietly and carefully as he could, he got up from the odd bed to check on her properly, but not before tucking in Gus so he wouldn't get cold.

He wanted to rush over to the sleeping girl to check on her, but also so worried what he would find and it felt like it took forever to reach her. When he finally did, he took a deep breath and peeked over and truly felt like he could breathe again.

She looked perfectly fine, well as fine as she looked as when he last saw her. It seemed his outburst also hadn't affected her which he was thankful for, with how tired they all he would have hated himself for waking them up. He also couldn't help but think how cute she looked, curled up on the couch, hair a mess, she looked so peaceful it warmed his heart.

She was fine. She's safe. They're all safe. Belos is gone, he can't hurt them, or anyone else, anymore.

He readjusted her blanket which had fallen slightly so it was tucked by her shoulders. With him satisfied she was fine, he could now go back to bed and hopefully catch a few more hours of sleep before the morning.

Except he couldn't seem to leave her side.

A part of him knew that she would be fine, and if anything did he would be only a few feet away. But that vision of her lying in that graveyard, hurt, haunted him. Why had it been her and only her.

Since meeting Luz, his life has changed, and he didn't know at the time for the better. He was doing and feeling things he wasn't used to. And when he meet the Captain, Willow, everything got more complicated somehow. He didn't understand what he felt for her, but he knew it was something. Different then the brotherly bond he formed with Gus in such a short span. Different then the begrudging antagonistic friendship he seemed to have with the youngest Blight. Different then the odd friendship and care he had for Luz.

He didn't know what it was, but it was something different, something more.

He'd probably regret this decision in the morning, but that's a future Hunter problem.

As noiseless as he could, which he was able to be thanks to his training, he was able to situated himself so he was between the back of the couch and Willow, facing her, laying on top of the blanket. He wasn't that cold himself and didn't get cold easily so he'd be fine.

For a moment, he couldn't help but stare at her peaceful, sleeping face. He felt a little warm and embarrassed about this, but not in a bad way. Her cheek was squished against the couch, a bit of drool escaping her mouth, some hair in her face. She looked like such a mess, but somehow still so beautiful in an imperfect way. As gently as he could, he tucked her loose strands behind her ear.

For a few moments, he just stayed like that watching her which was so calming. She let out a shiver which caused him to freeze for a moment in worry, and then freeze when she snuggled up to him and burrowed her face in his chest.

How was it possible for someone to be this adorable? And while sleeping?

A soft chuckle escaped his lips at her sleeping antics. Deciding he should sleep himself, he settled his one arm under his head for support, the other curling around Willow to pull her closer to him, she felt squishy in the cutest way he couldn't help but smile. He also tucked his chin onto the top of her head, her soft curls feeling so soothing.

"Good night Willow, sweet dreams." And with that, he closed his eyes, feeling truly calm for the first time in weeks.


Camila was glad she went shopping the other day, with the number of people in her house going from 2 to 7 in the span of a day, they would need more food on hand.

She was the first one up, checking on the girls upstairs first and seeing them all conked out still, carefully passing the living room and telling from a glance the trio was asleep. She was surprised when the girl, Willow, wanted to stay with the boys, but she also did not question it. They all have been through a lot, and right now needed proper rest, food, and care.

"Uh, excuse me Ms. Noceda?" Came a timid voice from behind, turning she saw the youngest member of the group, Gus she believed.

"Yes? How can I help you chico?" She asked kindly, shifting her attention from the current pancake she was making to the young boy.

"I was wondering if you had a camera I could borrow? I know they have them in the human realm." Gus questioned, seeming timid yet eager somehow.

"A camera? Sure I have one somewhere around here. May I ask what for?" She asked, taking the pancake from the skillet and onto a plate with the other ones. Gus simply motioned for her to follow, so she did.

He took her to the living room, specifically to the couch, where Camila couldn't help but smile at the sight.

The other boy, Hunter, laid with Willow on the couch. The two cuddled up together on the couch, and the sight brought so much joy to her heart.

"In one of the drawers over there should be a polaroid, it'll do." Camila informed Gus, eagerly going to find it while she returned to her cooking.


Random fact I knew prior to writing this but wanted to look up to make sure, a graveyard is primarily a burial ground connected to a church, it used interchangeably with cemetery. If your hearts broke even a little while reading, I am truly sorry as mine broke while writing it. Hope you all enjoyed and have a lovely day and are surviving the hiatus!