Tragedy (A Golden Guard/Hunter x Reader)

Chapter 7 • Grom

It's been about a week since Hunter and I's carnival...hangout. I haven't heard anything from him, so I assume he's just busy. At least, that's what I tell myself. I can't stand the thought of him not wanting to talk to me anymore because of one dumb, stupid, amazing kiss. Still, my mind is plagued with worry.

I walk downstairs, after being awake for about two hours, with a thick blanket draped around me. Eda is sat in the living room with a cup of apple blood. I approach her silently, and sit next to her on the couch. I lean my head onto her shoulder sadly. She looks down at me, confused.

"What's wrong, kid? You're never this gloomy." Eda asks, placing a hand on my bicep.

"What if I did something wrong?" I mumble quietly.

"Why do you say that?" Eda shifts so I can be more comfortable.

"He hasn't come over since the carnival."

"He's probably just nervous. Boys get like that when girls make the first move. He's probably just intimidated."

"But, he's in the Emperor's Coven..." Eda interrupts me before I can continue.

"Yeah, and all those scrawny Emperor's Coven goons are sissies." Eda smiles down at me. "He's just nervous to talk to you again. That happens when you get to kiss the girl of your dreams." Eda holds my chin up so I look at her.

She makes eye contact with me, making sure I know she's sincere. I smile gratefully at the pale faced witch.

"Thanks, Mama Eda." I hug her around the waist. Her grip around my arm tightens, lovingly.

"No problem, kid." She mumbles. "Now, go get dressed. I'm not sure if we'll have any work today, so I need you ready." She shoos me off, back to my room. I stand up and scurry away.

Eda, King, and I all lounge around the house the rest of the day, awaiting Luz's arrival, and all the excitement that comes with it.

Upon arriving home, Luz looks at all of us worried. She steps inside meekly, seemingly mustering the courage to spit out what she has to say. We all look at her expectantly.

"Heyyy, guys." She laughs awkwardly. "So..." She folds her arms behind her back and taps the tip of her shoes on the ground, stalling. "I'm gonna fight Grom."

Eda chokes on her apple blood as my eyes widen. I smile and stand up, punching Luz's arm softly.

"Good for you! Picked on your first year, huh?" I put my hands on my hips and give Luz a lopsided smile.

"Well...I kinda volunteered." She rubs her neck awkwardly.

"Luz." Eda interrupts us. "I know you're picking up glyph magic well, but you can't fight Grom." Eda grabs Luz's shoulders, staying as calm as possible.

"No, no, it's okay, Eda!" Luz smiles. "Ed, Em, and Amity are gonna help me train!"

"The Blights are gonna help you train?" I raise an eyebrow skeptically. Luz nods. "I thought we hated those guys?"

"No. Ed and Em are pretty cool. I think you all would get along, actually." Luz shrugs off Eda's hands and turns to me.

"I'm not talking about the twins." I cross my arms, waiting for Luz's explanation.

"Oh...well, I just felt bad cuz Amity was so worried about fighting Grom so I-"

"You switched places with Amity?!" I shriek. "We don't even like her!"

"I dunno!" Luz tenses and looks away, her cheeks slowly turning red. "I think she's kinda cool..." She mumbles out. My eyes widen, realizing what this really is.