It had been a long day.

For Hunter it actually had been a couple of long days. He is used to long days, but the ones as of recent have been particularly, unusual. His life had been perfectly normal, serving the coven and his Uncle, going on patrols, handling coven paperwork, all of his assorted duties. The biggest disruption would be him obtaining a scroll and chatting with his newfound friends. This is a welcomed disruption that Hunter greatly enjoys, even if he can't type properly yet and doesn't understand half the conversations sometimes. He mainly has chatted with the Captain which is always nice, the others still wary of him which he understands.

But then that night happened. That night that seemed like an awful nightmare.

He just wanted to stop those rebels, and he was just about to capture them if it weren't for that annoying human, Luz. Thanks to her, they were trapped in the Emperor's mind and being chased by his inner self, who they thought was at the time. Seeing his Uncle's memories, seeing what he did, the masks of the previous Golden Guards, the Palismen souls. It was all so unreal, even now, Hunter can't wrap his head around it.

His whole life was a lie, all of it. And he fell for it.

It was all a blur when he and Luz made it out of Belos' mind. He knew they got out safely, in the Owl House. He remembered running as fast and as far as he could for as long as he could. The only thing that made him stop was tripping on a loose tree root, and where Hunter fell he stayed, for hitting the ground broke a barrier of sorts that caused him to break down. He didn't register much, he knew Flapjack was with him, faithful little guy.

He woke up the next day on the forest floor, mind still muddled, eyes heavy, exhausted, and filled with fear. He knew he couldn't go back to the castle, there was no way. Not after what he found out, not after Belos knows that he knows. He couldn't, he wouldn't. But that raised the issue of where he could go, the only place he has ever known is the castle. He never stayed anywhere except for a mission which was temporary, didn't know anyone outside the coven who could really help him, who would help him. But that thought did spark something for him.

Hexside.

It certainly wasn't ideal, but it would have to do.

He walked the whole way, didn't want to be risked seen flying by anyone. Flapjack did scout ahead and together they made their way to the school. Luckily it wasn't in session, Hunter knew schools weren't in session on certain days, and even had a whole season odd which seemed absurd to him. Given that the Emperor's coven you worked all year with only one day off, it was just an odd concept to him. Regardless, he was thankful that he wouldn't run into anyone and could hide out at Hexside for the time being.

With Flapjack's help, he found a cracked open window and was able to get in. From there, he was able to find some clothes to change into. He wanted out of his Golden Guard uniform, and it would be easier to not be noticed in more normal looking clothes. He also decided to stop through the school library to obtain any book he could find on Grimwalkers. He's never heard of them before, and any knowledge on what they are, who he is, he wants to know. He decided to hole up in the paranoratorium, it was closed for repairs so the likelihood of people coming in randomly was very slim.

For the next few days that is where he resided and it worked well. He stayed in the paranoratorium after getting all that he thought he would need, not daring to venture out in the fear of being spotted and recognized. Flapjack did go out a couple of times to get food as that is something Hunter forgot initially, but he insisted his palismen only go out when school wasn't in session. He spent his days reading about Grimwalkers and trying to sort all of what he knew now in his head, which he still had a hard time believing.

Belos was evil. He has been lying for years. He's trying to use sigils to hurt people. He has lied to him about who he is. What he is. None of it made sense and he didn't want to believe it, but how could he deny it. Belos didn't even try to explain it, just that he looked the most like him, whoever him was.

And then, everything became better and worse, all from a sandwich.

He wasn't paying attention and Flapjack sneaked away and when he came back, he wasn't alone. Gus came in and discovered his hideout, and gave him actual real food for no true reason and it was the best meal Hunter has had in so long. He scarfed it down without realizing, it was just so good, but also as he decided to see what this important announcement was about. It may not be his smartest move, especially with wanting to stay hidden, but that doesn't mean he should remain ignorant.

And it was a good thing he did too. Because a coven head had come and was trying to give the students sigils. He couldn't let that happen to anyone else, he had to stop it. Before he could do anything, Gus did something and chaos erupted. It was so crazy after that, getting away and trying to hide from the coven, fake Willow who he wasn't buying as soon as she spoke, being taken by the coven and then saved by his former teammates, saving Gus, and explaining what was going on to the principal and the other students. He told them about the Day of Unity, and Belos tricking everyone, and sigils how they were meant to function. He left out the bits about himself, they weren't important in the grand scheme of it all.

He wasn't.

After he shared what he knew, everyone was sent home to be safe and tell their families. Principal Bump thought it would be safest to close the school given the incident today. With that, Hunter lost his current place to stay which made a pang of fear surge through him. But once again, Gus came to his aid in offering that he could stay with him and his dad for the time being, at least until the Day of Unity and for however long after he would need. Hunter didn't want to trouble his new friend, but he also couldn't really say no, and frankly didn't want to.

With that, the two along with Willow made their way to Gus'. She wanted to make sure Hunter would be alright, and wanted to make sure the two of them got to Gus' alright. Hunter didn't mind the Captain joining them, he was happy to be in her company, he felt content and happy, and dare he say safe. But she also made him feel funny, as if he were ill, particularly after being pulled into that 'hug' as it was called. But it still wasn't an entirely awful feeling which made it all the more strange.

"And here we are! I know it isn't big or fancy like the castle, but it'll be comfy and safe." Gus assured them as they entered his house into the living room. It was indeed nothing grand like the castle, quite modest and simple. It certainly was nothing like what the former Golden Guard was used to, but that wasn't wholly bad. All of their palismen reverted from their staff forms, the three creatures congregated together and started to play together.

"It's very nice. Thanks again for letting me stay here, and if it is too much I'll go." The blonde replied, doing his best to not sound shaky. He couldn't help but feel flustered and warm for some reason. He decided to take off his cloak to help hopefully in not feeling as warm, bundling the fabric in his arms.

Gus' expression fell a little at Hunter's apprehension. "It won't be, promise. My dad will be fine with it after I explain."

"Don't worry, everything will be fine Hunter. I promise." Came from Willow, along with her gentle hand on his shoulder. Did she put some sort of spell on him? She had to have with how strange he continuously feels when around her today.

"I'll be right back. Gonna call my dad and let him know what's going on and get a few things sorted for you. Make yourself at home." And with that, Gus disappeared down a hallway. He knew he was allowed in here, but with Gus gone he couldn't help but feel awkward. Trying to smother this feeling, he sat down on the couch, clutching his cloak bundle in his hands.

He was fine. He was gonna be fine. He was safe, Belos didn't know where he was, he couldn't find him. He was fine. They'd be fine.

"You okay? You seem kinda out of it." The young man couldn't help but jump at that. Somehow he had forgotten she was still there, how could he have done that? Willow Park is very unforgettable.

He took a few deep breaths to regain his bearings. "I'm fine. I'll be fine."

"Do you want me to stay with you 'til Gus comes back? I don't mind." Willow offered kindly, her smile getting a touch more nervous it seemed.

"I, I don't care either way!" He blurted out, feeling bad immediately as he heard the words.

"Okay then." Of course he had to mess it up and be a jerk! He didn't mean to be harsh, especially not with her, but of course he acted without thinking and had to be rude to someone who didn't deserve it. Stupid!

Though much like the first day they met, she surprised him, something she was quite good at. She sat down right beside him, not close enough to touch but if one of them leaned towards the other they would. With her so close to him he couldn't help but notice how tired she seemed. He couldn't blame her, it's been quite a day and she stood her ground well against the coven. "Are you okay?"

She offered him another smile, no less kind than her other ones but with exhaustion sprinkled in. "Oh don't worry about me. Just need to sit for a moment and I'll be ready for anything." He nodded in acknowledgement

"Thank you. By the way." He started, swallowing thickly whilst fidgeting with his hands, trying to gather up the courage to get out the rest. He's a trained soldier, fought demons for years, but now he couldn't get out a simple thank you without feeling like a fool? Oh how far he has fallen. "For earlier, in the healing homeroom. Thank you for believing in me, for trusting me. I know I've betrayed your trust and you have every right to hate me and not believe me, but you did. So yeah, uh, thanks."

"Of course, you're my friend Hunter." Willow pointed out as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, which to him it certainly was not. Despite how their last meeting ended and the subsequent texting in the following weeks, it was still information that caught him off guard. "Plus, when you mentioned Gus showing you the breathing technique, I knew you definitely were telling the truth."

"So you didn't know before that?" He couldn't help but ask. She did just state they were indeed friends, but did she still not trust him?

"I was taking it on trust. That was just unnecessary proof for me to trust you." She stated that with so much conviction and kindness he couldn't help but believe her. This was all still so new and odd to him and he couldn't quite wrap his head around it.

"I-uh… I" Before he could continue to try and form a coherent sentence, a weight settled on his shoulder. It was heavier than Flapjack, and with all the palismen playing in front of him it was none of them. Gently he turned his head and saw Willow resting her head on him, eyes closed and breathing even so she was most likely fast asleep or still falling asleep.

Hunter's whole face felt warm and flushed.

"Uh, Willow?" He softly called, the girl remaining as she was with not a hint of showing she heard him. She was out cold and he couldn't blame her, it was a hectic day and she fought valiantly and bravely to help stop Adrian. She was astounding, holding her own and taking down coven scouts like it was effortless, just like when she was on the Flyer Derby field, fearless and powerful. It's one of the reasons why he knew that fake Willow was fake, Willow Park, captain of Hexside's Flyer Derby team, would never be afraid of illusions no matter how expertly crafted, and wouldn't be afraid of him.

He at least hoped she wouldn't and thankful she isn't. After the whole kidnapping incident, he wouldn't blame her for never wanting to see him again let alone trusting him again. Because of his actions, no matter how right he thought they were at the time, he made her question herself and believe she is half a witch. Hunter could never even ponder her being one as she was so strong and powerful, not just magically, but in every sense. Strong yet tender.

Knowing her as such, the image of her in a cell and doubting herself was something he couldn't forget nor forgive himself for. At least anytime soon. Today was a reminder of that, it being one of the memories that replayed in his mind, among many of his memories of Belos. The terror and pain he has experince at the hands of a man he believed loved him, they all hurt. But the memory of the pain he caused the first person who gave him a chance because she saw something in him, saw him stood out amongst the rest. He never wanted to cause pain like that for her again, to see her in such despair, he'd do anything to make sure she never felt like that again.

Hunter was brought out of his musings by the girl on his mind, and literally on him. She let out a small sound of discontent, shivered and snuggled closer to him which he didn't even realize was possible. Hunter himself felt fine, a little warm even-though since Willow fell asleep on him and his thought wandered to her he felt very warm-but supposed she might not get warm as easily as he does.

Luckily he had a solution, though doing it with one arm would be difficult. He did try to unbundle his cloak and drape it over the sleeping plant witch, and was able to put it over her lap but with her asleep on his shoulder he couldn't drape it over her properly without disturbing her. In another stroke of luck, the palismen noticed what he was doing and came over to assist. Flapjack and Clover took one corner and pulled it over her shoulder not against him, Hunter tucking it up to her other shoulder so she was covered properly.

"Thank you." Hunter whispered to the palismen. They trilled and chirped quietly in response, going back playing.

He turned his gaze back to the sleeping girl, she looked so peaceful and beautiful. Granted she looked beautiful no matter what, but that's beside the point. Something about her that he couldn't place had such a calming effect on him, especially now. With her adorable face squished against his shoulder, glasses askew, hair a bit tousselled with some falling in her face.

Before he realized what he was doing, he tucked her loose strands behind her ear. Even through his gloves he could feel how soft her hair is, some brushing his cheek so he could feel the true extent of it. He wanted to burrow his face into her hair. Where did that come from? He gave a small shake of his head to rid himself of those odd thoughts.

The shake disturbed his companion a little, making her fuss for a few seconds before settling once more. Since it seemed no matter what Hunter did, Willow would remain in her slumber, he took a risk. Slowly and still being mindful, he raised his arm carefully to not jostle his shoulder and placed his arm around her, pulling her closer slightly. She didn't seem bothered by this movement.

This felt nice yet odd. And Hunter didn't mind in the slightest.

This story idea literally sprouted from me just wanting Hunter to drape his cloak around a sleeping Willow. It became way longer and convoluted than strictly necessary but decent overall. I do intend to write more Huntlow in the future, though no guarantee on when the next piece will be. I hope you all enjoyed this, have a lovely day, and are surviving this hiatus!