First off, thank you to ALL of you for your continued support and I am so happy to hear you all enjoyed my take on tackling Willow's perspective as much as you did. It really means a lot to hear that and I am so glad you want to see this fic continue! This chapter begins the morning after Grom with Lilith going to see Eda. Hope you all enjoy it! :)

({No POV})

Lilith was making her way through the woods until she finally reached the clearing.

One place she had, unfortunately, come across more often as an 'intruder' in the past than an invited guest or even as a temporary resident.

The Owl House.

But, now was different for Lilith.

Today she was stopping by specifically as an 'older sister checking on her younger sister'... and even as a friend in one particular sense.

This sense was immediately brought up as Hooty popped out from underneath the ground in front of her and exclaimed in glee, "LULU! I am SO happy to see you! How's my bestie doing?!"

Although not getting off to necessarily the 'best start' and even she still finds it hard to believe herself in a way, Lilith really did genuinely consider Hooty as a good and trusted friend of hers.

Lilith smiled and affectionately pat Hooty's head as she replied, "Good morning Hootsifer. I'm very well, thank you. It's so nice to see you too. Is Edalyn home? How is she doing?"

Hooty's eyes continued to light up as he replied in his usual over-the-top enthusiasm, "Oh she's fine now! Her and Raine seemed fully over the common mold since late last night. She's inside if you want to see her though!"

Lilith smiled and pat Hooty on the head again in appreciation as she expressed, "Thank you, Hootsifer. I can't stay long since I have to be at the museum for the official opening of my first exhibit. But, maybe I'll come by some other time and tell you about it!"

Hooty lit up again and responded happily, "Sounds like a plan, Lulu! I can't wait!"

Lilith smiled one last time before Hooty started receding back into the door of the house and opened it for her.

Lilith straightened her posture as well as her glasses before walking into the house and calling out, "Edalyn? Edalyn, are you home?"

After barely one beat of silence as Lilith continued to walk more and more into the living room, Eda almost immediately appeared halfway in the door with her usual mischievous and leading expression as she started, "Oh, hey Lily! Hey, check out what I got at the night market last night when I started feeling better."

Lilith looked confused for a brief second until she leaped back and yelped in shock when Eda leaped into the doorway and whipped out a sharp and slightly menacing-looking hook attached to her right arm where her hand used to be prior to the Day of Unity.

Although Lilith surmised what her sister probably did in her head after having a 'micro-heart attack' from having a sharp object thrown in her face, Eda explained proudly, "Heh! Not a bad prosthetic, right? I got it for a steal last night. It was like they were practically giving it away! And hey! Who needs a hand when I can have a hook, right Lily?"

Eda continued to grin teasingly as she kept waving it a little in front of her older sister's face.

Well, at least until Lilith grimaced in annoyance slightly at her younger sister and pushed the hook hand away from her, and said, sounding serious, "Careful with that! You could take someone's eye out with that thing! But… I'm at least glad to see you're feeling yourself again. What about Raine? Are they well?"

Ever since 'life returned to normal' in the Boiling Isles, Edalyn and Raine ended up seeing each other again and even made the slightly surprising move of quite literally moving in together.

Eda strode over to the sofa and took her hook off her arm before throwing herself and lounging on it with her arms behind her head as she replied with a shrug and grin, "Eh, don't need to be such a 'worry-wart', Lily. If I wanted that, I'd just come over by you and dad to be smothered by mom. Raine-Storm and I are fine now! Actually, Raine just left to go out and get ready for a 'gig' later today. Guess the town finally finished building that new City Hall and the mayor asked them if they could provide music for the 'festivities'. But, hey, enough about us, how was your wild night of 'chaperoning'? According to Luz, it sounded like you had a pretty 'interesting night' from what she told me."

Although Lilith could sense precisely where Eda was trying to 'steer' the conversation, she wasn't going to give her the satisfaction as she responded plainly, "Well, yes, the selected Grom Royalty got into a bit of a 'jam' and I needed to jump in with Principal Bump to calm the situation. Darius was also there chaperoning the event with me and he's quite capable so we were able to handle it all just fine."

Lilith was trying to maintain a 'poker face', but internally was struggling to keep it and repress feeling a bit flustered and annoyed as Eda's smirk slowly took over her face as she continued eyeing her down with a teasingly quirked up eyebrow.

It didn't take long for Lilith's guess of her sister's intentions to be correct as Eda said, sounding teasing yet drawn out, "Oh, capable? Hmm…"

"Don't start, Edalyn. Because anything you're thinking right now is far from the reality of it all. Darius and I were just there to do our duty as chaperones and passed the time while we were supervising the students with some strictly mature, adult conversation. Something you seem to still have the inability to do if 'now' is any indication." Lilith cut in, her usual high-handed nature about her… even if now it was now more 'defensive' to avoid a certain 'conversation' that hasn't happened between them since they were teenagers.

However, Eda was not remotely deterred as her teasing smirk continued to take over her face (looking and feeling as if she was 15 years old again) as she countered, bringing up her Penstagram, "Oh, really? Well, then I'd say you're holding out on some details then 'sis' if this has anything to say about it."

Lilith looked annoyed and slightly confused about what Eda could possibly mean… until her eyes went wide once she looked at the post pulled up on Eda's Penstagram.

It was a picture of her dancing with Darius last night toward the end of Grom and marked with a description that read (looking as if a student most definitely made this post):

That moment when adults have to kill the vibe. #Stop #Gross #Getaroom

Lilith probably would have felt more offended by some 'teenage twerp' making that sort of immature post about her and Darius just dancing together, if it wasn't for Eda giving her a mischievously 'knowing' look.

Lilith knew she was caught now… but that still didn't mean she wasn't going to continue to deny it.

Immediately Lilith dug in her heels and crossed her arms as she turned up her nose at her sister. Only after also crossing her legs did Lilith scoff and reply, "Oh, how juvenile are you, Edalyn? We were just dancing. Besides, it wasn't even my idea anyway. Darius asked me if I wanted to dance like any normal person would in a social setting. There's nothing more to read into it."

But, Eda immediately sprang to her feet and pointed right at Lilith with her left hand as she exclaimed with a knowing and teasing grin, "HA! I knew it! You still 'have the hots' for him, don't you?"

Lilith's cheeks turned red on reflex momentarily until she immediately stomped down her blush and recomposed herself.

She looked like she was about to continue to deny Eda's 'accusation', but right when she thought the situation couldn't get any worse, the door swung open as she heard Hooty let out a very long and drawn-out gasp before saying, his eyes lighting up in intrigue and excitement, "Lulu! Why didn't you tell me you had a crush?! On who?!"

But, before Lilith could even open her mouth to try and take control of the situation, Eda cut in with a teasing smirk again, "She has a 'thing' for Darius Deamonne, aka former Head of the Abomination Coven and 'Mr. Abomination Extraordinaire' himself. And she has had a 'thing' for him since we were at Hexside… even if she keeps being in denial about it. Especially since he had a thing for her too… and looks like he still does apparently if this post has anything to say about it."

Immediately Lilith stood up with her fists clenched at her sides as she countered, trying to maintain her position, "NO, there is not. There has not nor has there ever been a 'thing' or even an 'idea of a thing' between us. Or do you not remember how insufferably annoying he was to me back in school?"

Eda continued to smirk as she quirked up an eyebrow before crossing her arms (looking as if she was winning with a 'wild card' in Hexes Hold'em), "What? You mean the 'flirting'? And not just him either. Don't act like you didn't flirt with him just as much. Or what about that time mom asked me to come get you at the Library and I saw you two 'playing footsie' under a study table on one of your 'nerd dates' with him."

Lilith's eyes went wide as her face flushed red, but she covered up her own flustered embarrassment with irritation as she retorted, "For the last time, those were not 'dates'. Those were study sessions for the Academic Trivia Team… and we were NOT 'playing footsie' either! His foot just accidentally nudged against mine under the table. THAT is all."

Eda just continued to hold her stance, knowing she had her sister red-handed, "Heh, really? Well, if 'that's all', then why did I see you 'nudge' his foot back with yours and see you both smile at each other right after? Now that is textbook 'flirting' right there, sister."

"We were not…" Lilith tried to cut in before Eda immediately cut her off with a teasing, "Totally flirting! Or are you also going to deny that time in your last year at Hexside when he dropped his book in the hallway and I apparently just 'imagined' you checking him out by looking at his butt while he picked it up?"

Lilith's expression immediately dropped, looking almost livid at Eda still flashing her 'winningly knowing' smirk at her.

But, Lilith quickly recomposed and huffed in annoyance as she scoffed, "You are so immature."

After that Lilith strode out of the house in a flustered huff as Eda called out, "Thanks again for chaperoning for me by the way, Lily! Stop by again sometime! BYYYYEEEE!"

Almost immediately the door closed as Hooty sounded as if he was immediately going after Lilith for more information, "LULU, WAIT! Tell me more! I wanna help you with your crush! LET ME!"

But, since Lilith didn't want to acknowledge any more of this conversation and not hurt Hooty's feelings, she stayed silent but now started sprinting away from the house before eventually taking off into the air for the museum on her staff.

Meanwhile across town in Bonesborough

(Hunter's POV)

What is going on with me?

I mean, not that I'm complaining! Yeah… I am definitely not complaining, but… I don't know?

I got a good night's sleep (for once) so I shouldn't have any excuse for why I've barely done anything but make my bed, eat, get dressed, and then immediately lay back down on my bed.

All I've been doing is staring at the ceiling and smiling like a total idiot. It's like my chest went from feeling 'heavy' and 'weighed down' all the time to feeling just 'full'.

Like, not in a bad way, but… it was like a good kind of 'full', I guess? I have no idea what the heck I'm even talking about right now. All I know is that I have not felt this 'good'… ever, I don't think?

I don't think I've even stopped smiling since last night since my cheeks are hurting so much right now from smiling this long, but I didn't even care about it.

Right then; and for the millionth time since I got back to the house, I started thinking about last night with Willow.

Mainly the… kiss.

My face immediately went red and my ears started burning, but again… I seriously couldn't care less. REALLY couldn't care less.

It happened.

It ACTUALLY happened!

Willow kissed me last night and pretty much told me that she liked me back! Sure, I stood there like an idiot and couldn't even say anything back to her, but… who cares?!

We're… well, we're… wait, what are we now?

Yeah, we kissed and told each other how we felt, but… what does this even mean?

Are we still just friends? Or at least more than friends?

Are we… dating now? '

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?!

Right as I felt like I was getting drowned in my thoughts, I felt something land on my chest as I heard a chirp. I looked up and saw Flapjack looking at me until I heard:

"What's happening? I thought you were happy about what happened with her?"

I took in his words before smirking and patting him on the head before replying, trying to be honest (considering he's heard me vent about my frustrations with not being able to tell Willow I felt about her this entire time), "I am Flap, really… It's just… I've never 'been like this' with anyone before and… I just don't know what to expect now, I guess? Are we 'dating' now? Or does she not want that with me?"

Flapjack just narrowed his eye at me and before I could blink pecked me HARD on the forehead with his beak, making me hold my forehead and complain, "OW! What was that for?!"

Right then he looked me right in the eye as I heard:

"You need to stop doubting yourself. And you need to stop doubting her too. She told you herself last night, I heard her say it to you."

I slowly 'took in' what he said again as I slowly sat up, running a hand through my hair as I started, "Yeah, you're… You're right, it's just… I-I don't know, Flap? It's… still just a lot to think about right now."

Eventually, I sat up on the edge of my bed until I immediately saw something sitting in the corner that I haven't touched for weeks.

The Guitar.

Or I guess 'my' guitar now that Luz's mom gave it to me.

When we were in the Human Realm and once we knew and 'came to terms' that we were going to be there for a while, Camila gave us some 'human clothes' to borrow before taking us out to get our own sets of clothes at this place in Luz's town with used and marked down Human items called a 'Thrift Store'.

I actually ended up needing to go back there more than I needed to since I ended up hitting a 'growth spurt' while we were there since my legs either got longer or I 'filled out' as Camila said since my shoulders got a little too wide for the shirts I got originally.

I remembered telling her I felt guilty that she had to keep spending her money on me again, but she just smiled at me and said, "It's okay, cariño. You don't have to apologize for anything. It's not your fault. Besides, that's the good thing about the thrift store! You don't need to spend a lot to get what you need."

But, I remembered one time we had to go again about a month into us being there since Gus needed new shoes and I decided to look around at other stuff until I saw this area with books stacked up in piles. I decided to pass time by looking through them.

I kept looking until I saw this book that looked older and definitely broken in from repeated use.

It was called "Beginner's Guide to Guitar".

On the cover was what I assumed was a picture of a 'guitar' and to me, it looked like a Human string instrument that reminded me of a mandolin that the bards used back in the Demon Realm.

I got curious and kept looking through it until Camilia caught me looking at it and asked me if I wanted it. Even though I tried to put it back and tell her she didn't need to spend any more of her money on me, she insisted on getting me the book and then told me she'd 'show me something once we got home'.

At first, I was even more confused than before when she took me to the basement where Gus and I were already sleeping in the house and she started digging around in this pile of stuff until she pulled something out.

It was a case of some kind.

Inside the case was a guitar that looked almost just like the one on the book cover, but… a lot shinier. Yeah, the real guitar Camila gave me also looked a little old and 'used', but it was still kept in pretty good shape.

She told me Luz's dad used to play guitar and she told me I could use it if I wanted to teach myself how to play it with the book I just got.

But, since I felt like I had nothing but time and way too much on my mind, that guitar was another one of the things that kept me sane as I poured any and all of my spare time I had into learning how to play it.

Sure nothing could make everything vanish from my head like I always desperately hoped, but… I really liked playing the guitar.

There was something about focusing on the chords and strumming the strings that just calmed me somehow. I really never knew if I actually was playing songs consistently since I just always followed the 'flow' of the chords and the sounds that came from them as I played each time.

And… I actually ended up being pretty decent at it according to everyone.

I always tried to practice when I was alone in the basement until Gus walked down once and saw me play before he told me that 'I sounded really good' and that I should 'show everyone'.

I was hesitant, but I remembered Luz had an idea to introduce us to this human activity called a 'bonfire' in her backyard.

It was actually kinda fun.

Willow, Gus, and Luz kept taking turns telling really dumb scary stories and Willow kept trying to get me to come with her and try to catch these Human insects called 'fireflies' that appear at night and have this glowing abdomen on them.

At first we were kind of terrified since we also have things called 'fireflies' in the Demon Realm, but they're WAY more terrifying and dangerous since they're in the same insect family as fire bees and usually only cause destruction and set whole towns on fire when they overpopulate.

But, these were actually pretty harmless.

And I probably would have paid more attention to them if I wasn't just using them to try and spend more time with Willow.

Well, then we all sat down and toasted these things called marshmallows and made them into these things called s'mores. They were good but a little too 'sweet' for me.

Anyway, I decided to bring my guitar outside and played a little bit for everyone since Gus kept asking me to and then Luz and even Willow started asking if I could.

I know it wasn't supposed to be a big deal, but… I'd never done something like that before and I was kinda nervous if anyone was even gonna like it or not.

And… Everyone actually liked it!

Everyone kept asking me if I could 'keep playing' and I guess Camilia heard me playing outside too since she even told me I was 'very good', especially since I'd only been playing it for barely 2 months at that point.

But, then I had to leave the guitar behind in the Human Realm when we managed to get back to the Demon Realm to stop the Collector.

And there were many times I wished I had that guitar during those months.

But, once we managed to get a working portal door again after discovering documents that Belos tried to keep hidden in the castle library, we all decided to go back to the Human Realm with Luz and thank Camila again for what she did for us.

Then right as we were about to go back again, Camila told me to wait and said she 'had something for me'.

Immediately I felt like my eyes were going to fall out of my head when she came out with the guitar in its case and handed it to me saying she wanted me to have it.

After the shock wore off, I tried to tell her I didn't want to take it away from her since it wasn't even my guitar anyway.

But then she just put a hand on my shoulder and said to me, "Hunter, you aren't taking anything from me. I want you to have it and I know my Manny would have wanted it to go to someone who would use it. I've never been very 'musical' and neither has Luz, so please… take it and enjoy it. It's all yours."

I know it sounds stupid and even though Darius was the closest thing I had to a 'parent', but… I really did think of Camila as the closest thing I'd ever have to a 'mother'.

And I was determined not to let her down since I still try to play it at night to 'wind down' my mind before going to sleep or even if I just need to 'relax'. Even though I really haven't touched it in almost 2 weeks since my anxiety was so through the roof with trying to talk to Willow that my hands started shaking every time I even tried to pick it up to play it. But, now?... I looked at the guitar for another moment before getting up, grabbing it, and sitting back on my bed with it.

As I adjusted it in my hands, I felt Flapjack perch himself on my shoulder giving me a reassuring 'chirp' that made me smirk before I eventually started playing. I kept strumming and finding a 'rhythm' as I closed my eyes, feeling things just kinda fade out as I kept going.

It wasn't until a few moments later that I heard, pulling me out of my 'zone', "You're playing your Human instrument again."

I looked up and saw Darius in the doorway, smiling slightly. I stopped playing, which only made him put up a hand as he started, "Oh, no. Don't stop on my account. I only mean it's nice to see you playing it again."

At this point, I smiled a little and maybe would have thought more about it if it wasn't for the fact that I noticed Darius was fully dressed and putting on his cloak that he only wears when he has 'somewhere important' to go.

On weekends Darius hardly ever leaves the house and usually just dresses in something more 'casual' to read the news in his study with a cup of tea in the morning and then maybe write one of his books that he's working on.

I think he picked up on me 'taking notice' since he said, "I thought I'd go on a little 'constitutional' this morning. Besides, I also have something in town I was looking to check out while I'm there. One of the Abominations will have lunch ready for us by the time I get back. Do you need anything while I'm out?"

I felt like I had a lot going through my mind, but right as I somehow got some 'words' to respond, the doorbell started screaming downstairs.

Both Darius and I reacted simultaneously as Darius commented, "Hm, who could that be this early?"

Right then Darius strode off and went downstairs before it sounded like the front door opened. "Oh… one moment." I heard Darius say, hearing something in his tone, until he continued as he called up at me, "Hunter! You have a visitor!"

Visitor?

I exchanged a quick look with Flapjack before setting my guitar down on my bed and running downstairs, thinking maybe it was Gus or something to see if I wanted to hang out.

I got downstairs and saw Darius was walking back to the kitchen and giving me a slight smirk.

Huh?

The front door was only cracked open slightly and I quirked up an eyebrow until I opened the door and froze immediately at who I saw standing there and smiling at me as soon as she saw me.

Willow.

She was in her Flyer Derby practice uniform and had her staff in hand.

"Hey Hunter! Sorry, is this a bad time?" She started, probably noticing how confused I was right now.

Well, not so much that…. But, there was definitely something there now that wasn't before.

I… I don't know 'what it is' exactly? But, this was the first time we talked since what happened last night. Either way, I didn't want Darius watching as I stepped outside and closed the door before saying, "H-hey! Uh, no. It's not a bad time. Just finished breakfast. But, uh… was there a 'practice' or something this morning I didn't know about?"

She shook her head and responded, "Oh no, well… not really, I guess? But, I feel like with Grom going on and not being able to practice the past couple days made me want to get out and 'refresh myself' on my flying skills before the match against St. Epiderm. And… I thought I'd ask if you wanted to come too?"

I quirked up an eyebrow as I asked, "Oh, uh sure! Are we going to see if anyone else wants to come? Like Gus and everyone else? Want me to call him?"

Her face turned red a little as she bit her lip a little before looking back at me and elaborating, "Actually… I was thinking maybe it could just be you and me. If that's okay with you?"

At that moment it was like my brain disconnected from the rest of my body for a second as I processed what she just said as she smiled a little at me again.

Wait... She wants to go and practice with no one else except me.

Just me… and her… alone.

Even though my heart felt like it was crawling up my throat, I was really trying to keep myself from acting like a complete idiot as I tried to keep my cool before saying, even though my nerves were getting the best of me a little still, "Y-yeah! Yeah! Totally fine! But… uh… just let me get my gear on and I'll be right back out, alright?"

I was about to run back in until I thought of something as I stopped and gestured behind me as I offered, "Uh, did you… wanna wait inside?"

I have no idea why I was asking her to come in since Darius was still home, but… I guess I just wanted to try not to make it seem like things had to 'be weird' with us right now.

Even though I felt like I wanted to rip off my face at this point from 'everything' I was feeling and not knowing how to handle it.

Luckily she just smiled at me (her cheeks still a little red) as she responded WAY calmer than I did earlier, with a shrug, "That's okay, I don't mind waiting out here. But thanks, Hunter. I'll see you back out here in a few, okay?"

I felt like I wanted to say something back, but… I felt like all I'd do was make a total idiot of myself if I said anything right now. Instead, I just smiled and gave her a nod back before going back inside and sprinting up the stairs to change as fast as possible.

Even though it wasn't until halfway through changing into my practice uniform that I froze up and I felt like my heart was going to fall out my butt at the realization that clicked just now in my head.

Wait, hold on, if Willow came over here and asked me if I wanted to go somewhere with just her, then is 'this' a… date?

My body felt like it was incapable of motion as that realization of what is maybe happening right now started 'sinking in'.

Oh Titan… Please let me not screw any of this up with her.

Alright, here's where we start to enter into what I am referring to as 'Phase 2' of this fanfic. But, before we get into Hunter and Willow's story, let's revisit the other side plot/dynamic I have going in this story. And that is the addition of Lilith and Darius and the 'dynamic' I decided to give them as former class rivals who used to have a secret yet mutual 'crush' on each other… which Eda knows ALL about. Lol. XD Now, one of the things I will give credit to in the series with Eda and Lilith's dynamic is how much these two truly act like 'sisters'. And I could totally see Eda in particular being the kind of sister to bring up things that happened 30 years ago and just to mess around a little with her sister's denial of her still apparent 'thing' she has for Darius. Then of course I just HAD to include Hooty in this situation somewhere so I hope you enjoyed our favorite 'Bug Demon' making an appearance and being himself! Haha. :D But, more on all this later. Now onto Hunter and Willow's segment here. Look, I am not going to complain about the fact that at least "The Owl House" got a third season in ANY capacity to tie up any loose ends and end the series on a high note. Believe me, as someone who watched the original "Teen Titans" in my formative years and still get angry every time I marathon it from time to time and get angry at the 'Non-Satisfying' end to that series, I am NOT going to complain there! But, I will admit that I like all fans of "The Owl House '', I wish Disney would have at the very least just granted Dana Terrace one FULL final season to show us more in-depth adventures of the Hex Squad experiencing the Human Realm more to not make everything seem so rushed. Because I feel like being in the Human Realm, it would have been fun to see Luz exposing Amity and the rest of her friends to human activities, games, and hobbies. Although I did think it was so cute in "Thanks to Them" that Willow was showing an interest in photography after Camila gave her a camera. This leads me to my next headcanon. ;) I think with everything Hunter especially went through that he would look for ways to distract himself outside his mornings that he and Willow hung out. So, I came up with the idea that during their runs to get 'human clothes' from the thrift store that Hunter would pick up learning to play an instrument. Not so much for the 'music' aspect, but more for the 'therapeutic' and 'escapism' purposes to keep himself calm, distracted, and sane. Plus, Camila is just SO maternal and I thought it would be sweet if Hunter (who never got any parental affection or love in his life from anyone except maybe Darius as a MAJOR stretch) got to have a nice moment with Camila as a 'surrogate mother' to him during their time in the Human Realm. But, looks like the guitar isn't too helpful now that Willow decided to 'step up' and 'take the lead' with Hunter now that he 'opened the field' for addressing their feelings for each other. ;) What will happen next? TBA, friends! :) Anyway, thank you all so much for reading as always and constructive feedback is always VERY much appreciated as always.

Have a safe weekend everyone!

Dexter1995