So basic info for this story, it is within the idea that time wise, after the day of unity, they are back on the boiling isles, can go back and forth from the Human and Demon realm, and everything is fine for the moment. With that in mind, I hope you enjoy my first Owl House multi chaptered story! Sorry the first chapter is kinda short, the others will be longer, I promise. And a huge thank you to KammieCeleek on ao3, a fabulous writer with great Huntlow stories, for your help and support with this! Without further ado, on with the show!
"Ooh! This is gonna be so much fun!"
"Famous last words. Ow!" Hunter yelped, rubbing the spot on his arm where the human elbowed him.
The 'fun' that was going to be had, was Luz's idea for the group of friends to collect seashells from one of the beaches on the Boiling Isles. They never got the chance to go to a beach in the Human Realm, the closest one a few hours away and with everything going on there wasn't any time to do so. Luckily though in the demon realm there was a beach near the Owl House which was the next best thing.
She never actually really properly explored the beaches of the Isles, too wrapped up in all the chaos of their lives prior. But now that there was no threat to witch and demon kind and with it being such a nice day, what better than to spend time at the beach with friends!
"I always loved collecting sea shells when I was little! Haven't really done it in years though." Willow gushed with a bright smile that made Hunter's face feel warm. It was just because it was warm out, yup, no other reason. Just a coincidence that Willow smiled and he felt warmer. Pure coincidence.
Luz slung an arm around her best friend, forgetting about her pail and nearly hits her with the motion. "That's the spirit!"
"Ooh! Luz, look at this one!" Amity called, holding up a small pale jingle shell.
She ran up to her girlfriend, marveling at the shell, planting a quick kiss on her girlfriend's cheek. "Nice find sweet potato."
"I really hope she doesn't do that everytime." Gus stated in a deadpan tone, the other two nodding in agreement.
For a while the group of teens explored the beach together, putting shells they find in their pails, sometimes showing what they found to one another. Some shells had creatures in them, when Luz found those shells she freaked out each time and hurriedly put the shell back down and moved on. Their palismen all were out as well, exploring the beach with their owners and also retrieving shells and placing them in their owners pails. Luz's palisman after all this time still was an egg, which she still carried around with her for whenever it decides to hatch.
"Psst, Gus." Hunter whispered to his best friend, catching his attention. He gestures with his head back the way they came, doubling back with his companion following and their palismen following as well. The girls were too enraptured by finding shells and showing one another to notice them, which worked for Hunter in this case.
For a moment the two were silent, Gus eyeing Hunter with worry. "What's up man? Something wrong?"
"Nothing wrong, nothing like that, just, um…" The older teen stuttered off, rubbing the back of his neck, a habit he did whenever nervous or self conscious.
A sad smile graced Gus' lips, a blush overtaking the blonde's ears and cheeks as he continued to search for words. "Take your time. I promise not to mess with you."
"Well, ya see." With a hard gulp, Hunter tried again. "Willow seemed so excited to find shells, and I thought, it might be nice, to, well, find her an extra special one. But so far, all I've been able to find is such plain shells! She deserves the best seashell on the Boiling Isles! What's with that look?"
The 'look' the illusionist sported was a knowing one, a smirk accompanying it. "Nothing, just wondering how long this little dance of yours will last."
This simply perplexed Hunter further. "I'm not dancing though, I'm walking."
"And I thought Luz was hopeless." A fond shake of his head accompanied his statement, earning him a hard glare.
"I still don't understand but I get the feeling you're comparing me to her and I don't like it!" For a moment the two stared at one another, then burst into laughter.
"Come on, we better hurry if we wanna find one before the girls notice."
The two made quick work of crossing the beach to where they started, as the luck of finding any new shells they had missed was very slim. Flapjack and Emmiline helped in the search, Flapjack keeping an eye in the sky and Emmiline staying grounded helped in picking out half hidden shells.
This continued on for a while, the duo and their palisman finding and collecting shells they came across. They found plenty, but none special enough for Willow. Not to Hunter at least.
She is a wonderful person, a powerful witch, an awesome captain, and she deserves the best! And by titan Hunter was gonna make sure she gets the best seashell the Isles has to offer! Unfortunately the isles seemed to be against him, as all the shells they've come across are all dull and the same, and that's saying something for what the Boiling Isles has to offer, at least according to Luz.
The blonde let out an annoyed groan as he kicked the sand. "Ugh! Why is this impossible?!"
Gus couldn't help but chuckle at his friend's antics. It was painfully obvious how much the former Golden Guard carried for the Plant Witch, and vice versa. Gus knew very well Willow knew she liked Hunter, the reverse couldn't be said though. He certainly was more knowledgeable about romance since the balcony incident, but having knowledge and applying it were two separate things.
Since Gus was able to see how Hunter felt, which was quite early on, he did his best to nudge him in the right direction. Never too direct as to not confuse and possibly scare his basically brother, but at this rate it might take a very forceful shove to get the point across.
Hopefully not by Hooty this time.
"I don't see how this is funny Gus! This is a serious matter!" Hunter did not take kindly to Gus' amusement, which only made him laugh harder.
"No man, you're right, this is very serious. Don't worry, any shell you give Willow will make her happy." He wiped away a tear whilst assuring his friend, though it seemed to do nothing to soothe his nerves.
"But she deserves more than just any shell!" Flapjack flew onto Hunter's shoulder and chirped, resulting in a small 'hmph' from the boy.
Gus turned his attention to his own palisman, seeing her a few feet ahead, trying to dig for something. "Found something girl?"
Emmiline squeaked in response and resumed her digging. Only to then fall into the sand.
"Emmiline!" Gus hurried to the spot where she was with Hunter following, Gus dropping his pail in his haste. Kneeling where she was, he felt around the sand to find her somehow. He was so frantic in his haste he planted his arm onto the ground, it sinking and him falling through the sand as well.
"GUS!" Hunter couldn't help but exclaim as he fell through the sand deeper and deeper. He hurriedly grabbed Gus' ankle and tried to pull him out, but whatever this was had more force and pulled Hunter in as well with a yelp.
Flapjack contemplated for a second going for help, but decided against it and dived into the sand after his owner.
Gus let out a heavy gasp as he emerged from the sand, sputtering and gasping for air. It took him a few seconds to regain his bearings, but once he did he realized he still was on the beach, but wasn't
Wherever he was looked like the Boiling Isles, just more colorful somehow. Everything was more of green and yellow, where he was more used to purples and reds.
Though none of that was important at the moment, with another glance around he couldn't see Emmiline in his immediate sight. He pulled himself out of the sand, his leg stuck for whatever reason.
"Come on!" He heaved, able to pull his leg out, bringing Hunter up with it.
Hunter gasped and coughed as he surfaced, looking worriedly at his brother. "Gus! Are you okay?"
With a shaky nod, he helped pull him out of the sand, Flapjack following on his own and fluttering around them. "Yea, I'm fine. But I have no idea where we are, or where Emmiline wandered off to.
Hunter took in their surroundings, bringing a hand to his chin in contemplation. "Well, she couldn't have gone far, little legs and all. And as for us, I mean, this looks like the beach, but also, not?"
Before the two could ponder anymore on the subject, a loud roar was heard from somewhere close by. Following that, Emmiline ran hurriedly from around a bend not far from them, seeing her owner and leaping into his arms.
"Emmiline! You're okay! Thank titan!" He gushed, hugging the little chameleon-like creature close.
Thundering footsteps could be heard and felt, the two standing in fighting stances, facing where Emmiline emerged from.
But a few seconds later, a large beast appeared. It was indeed quite a large beast, larger than Viney's griffin Puddles. It was very furry looking, silver in coloring with black stripes throughout its fur. It stood on four legs, a long tail swinging behind it menacingly. A large black nose, under it a wide mouth which was open and presented its many sharp teeth, drool dripping heavily. It's orange eyes slitted, seeming to bore into Hunter.
The boy in question made sure to stand in front of Gus, Flapjack at the ready.
Hunter was very confused right now, but if this thing wanted a fight than it would get one.
And it seemed so, as it let out a roar and pounced.
I looked up different sea shells for this story, and I was genuinely surprised with how many different types there are, so interesting. Now, my plan is to post a one shot in between each chapter of this story so I don't get too stuck on this, I'll make sure to update at least once a week. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, I'm looking forward to how this story shall unfold. I'll also add more tags as the story progresses. Until the next chapter!