Please Don't Cry || Goldric

Edric's POV

I managed to sneak into my house and pack an entire suitcase of things for Hunter when Amity caught me trying to sneak back out.

"I knew Em was mad, but I didn't realize it was that bad," She remarked.

"Uh, this isn't for me."

I explained Hunter's situation, neglecting to actually tell Amity their name.

Amity demanded to meet him, so I brought her to the cottage.

Hunter met me at the door grinning, but their grin faded swiftly when he saw my younger sister behind me. "What's she doing here?"

Amity turned to me. "THE GOLDEN GUARD?"

"I- what?" I asked, absolutely befuddled.

Hunter looked scared. "W-why did you bring her here, Edric?"

"Do you two know each other?"

Amity sighed, "I beat him up while trying to find titan's blood for Luz."

"I- HEY! I got the titan's blood at the end of that fight, you did not win," Hunter defended themself.

"I would've if you hadn't threatened Luz. That was really uncool of you, by the way."

I glanced at Hunter. "You're the Golden Guard?"

He blanched. "I might have failed to mention that... sorry."

"The emperor finally pulled the rug out from under your feet, huh?" Amity asked. "Listen, I'm going to give you one chance. You can come with me to the Owl House, but you can't mess this up, you have to be nice to everyone. Also you have to apologize to me for threatening my girlfriend, that was super rude."

Hunter glanced from the suitcase in my hands to the cottage. They sighed, "Okay, Blight. I'm sorry. But I don't know if taking me to the Owl House is a good idea, if Belos finds me..."

Amity rolled her eyes. "Whatever, but at least talk to Eda."

...

We arrived at the Owl House and knocked on the door.

"Who's the new guy?" Asked Hooty in his bizarre high voice.

Before anyone had a chance to answer, the Owl Lady opened the door.

She furrowed her eyebrows at Hunter. "Boots, did you kidnap the nerd?"

Hunter trembled next to me, frightened of Eda.

"Uh, no, he ran away from the Emperor's Coven," Amity answered.

Luz ran to the door. "Is that Hunter?"

Eda looked surprised. "The Emperor's right-hand man ran away? Damn."

"Edric," Hunter whispered to me, "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

I gave them a reassuring smile, "Of course, it'll take some getting used to, but it's safe here."

My words seemed to encourage him a little.

He took a deep breath. "Owl Lady, I know we've had our disagreements in the past, but if you could please offer me shelter, I promise I can make up for any problems I've caused."

Eda raised an eyebrow. "Can you make up for giving Belos our titan's blood?"

"I- um, not... not really," Hunter answered, fidgeting. "But please, if the Emperor finds me, I'm dead."

Luz tilted their head to the side. "What'd you do to anger Belos?"

Hunter went quiet, and I saw tears glisten in the corners of his eyes.

"Show them your arm," I murmured to him.

He nodded at me, pulling off his sweater.

Luz gasped. "Belos did that?!"

Amity raised her eyebrows. "Edric said it was a deep cut, but damn. No wonder you wanted that titan's blood so bad."