Someday || Hunter Smith × Claire Grimes

Chapter Three ~ Late Night Talk

It was almost dark out when Hunter spurred awake for the first time since being burned. He wasn't sure how long it had been, but he guessed a few hours or so. Dr. Carson was nowhere nearby in the infirmary, presumably he was checking on other patients. Putting a hand to the side of his face, he found a bandage covering the blistering burn scar. A part of him honestly wanted to start sobbing. To him, all of this was his fault. His face was forever damaged due to his nonstop, childish antics. Now, he has paid the price. All he wanted now was to talk to someone, Star... Claire... anyone, except his father or Simon, to just be here for him.

Claire was sitting in her room and was laying on her bed, her back facing the door as she had earbuds in that were connected to a small ipod that she had kept with her since the start of the apocalypse as she was listening to the selected music that was playing on it at the moment.

Hunter decided to get up and walk around a bit, seeing as no one was around. After what he had just went through... he needed to find something else to do than sit here and think about his trauma. It would only make him start sobbing, So, getting up from his bed, he looked around for his brown coat, but instead settled on a navy jacket of his. He then walked out of the infirmary and into a nearby hallway. His bandage was still on his burn scar and it hurt like hell. As he walked, he recognized a door as the one that belonged to Claire's room. He wasn't sure if he should knock on it. What if she was mad at him for the position he had put her in? But, still, he knocked anyways.

Claire heard a faint knock through her music, causing her to take the ear buds out and slowly walk over to her door, and open it. "Hunter...."

"Hey Claire." Hunter greeted and tried his best to smile at her. But anyone could tell the sadness and sorrow behind it. It quickly faltered and he lowered his eyes to the ground for a moment. "Could I maybe come in?"

Claire could see the despair in his eyes and she felt horrible for him. She then nodded and stepped aside to let him in. Hunter walks inside her room and leans up against a nearby shelf, crossing his arms as he does. His eyes still are lowered to the ground until he finally looks up at Claire again. "I-I'm sorry."

Claire didn't say anything and just hugged Hunter tightly. "No....I'm sorry."

Hunter was surprised when Claire hugged him. He wasn't expecting this, but a part of him just broke and he began tearing up a little. He hugged the girl back. "Why are you sorry? You did nothing wrong. I'm the one who fucked up."

Claire shook her head. "That's bullshit, and you know it. You didn't deserve that....no one deserves that...."

"Then why does it feels like I did?" Hunter holds Claire even tighter as he can't hold back tears and starts sobbing into her shoulder. "I'm just some dumb kid who does nothing, but tell stupid jokes and dodge every responsibility. I mean, fuck, I've seen so many die just to get me here. I deserved what I got..."

Claire gently rubbed his back as he cried. "That's not true....no one deserves that....Simon's a fucking monster...."

"Simon's done some fucked up stuff, but... I didn't think he'd do something like this to me. I thought he'd yell at me a little for the balloons... just nothing like this. I don't feel think I can even show my face anymore."

Claire looked down. "Stop it....yes, you can...."

Hunter released himself from the hug, wiping away some of his tears. "Maybe... I could try. I think I'm just more afraid of facing Simon and my Dad than everyone else."

Claire crossed her arms. "Then who says you have to? We can avoid them. Hell, Hunter, your Dad didn't even give Simon the order to give you the Iron. He just did It just to do It."

"I'd like to believe that. I really would. But my Dad's got to have a part In It somehow. He always does. And as for avoiding them? Seeing them again will happen eventually and you know it. My Dad's the boss here and Simon Is his right hand man." Hunter suddenly felt a stinging pain come from his burn scar. "Damn." He cursed, putting a hand over his bandage and sat down on Claire's bed.

Claire sighed and hugged him again, this time more gentle, as she closed her eyes. Hunter gently hugged Claire back as well. Pulling her just a little closer. "Thank you for everything." He says with a soft smile. "You're a good person, Claire."

Claire shook her head. "If I was a good person, I would have been able to stop you from getting your face burned...."

Hunter looked at her, shaking his head. "It wasn't you, it was Simon and my Dad and them alone. You told Simon to let me go and he didn't listen. That isn't your fault at all. I don't put any blame on you whatsoever. Besides... I'm starting to feel a little better, thanks to seeing a certain angel in front of me." He gently joked, referencing back to his poorly made flirting attempt when they first met.

Claire smiled softly. "You are still as cheesy as ever...."

"I know you love it anyways." Hunter chuckled softly and smiled back. "But, um, Claire... don't blame yourself for this. It isn't anyone's fault, but Simon and my Dad's. You did everything you could. I'll just have to learn how to rock this scar. Girls like good-looking guys with scars, right?"

Claire chuckled, ruffling his hair. "You're damn right they do...."

"So, does that mean you like me now?" Hunter smirks at her, laughing as she ruffles his hair. He smooths it back into place.

"Don't get your hopes up, kid." Claire teased as she gently punched him In the shoulder.

"Whenever I get this bandage off, you'll be wanting to be my girlfriend in no time. I mean, you said it yourself, girls like boys with scars." Hunter got up from Claire's bed. "I should probably head back. But before I go, there's you need to know. I overheard my Dad earlier talk about heading to Alexandria tomorrow. Not sure for what, but he's seem to be taking a lot of people with him..."

Claire looked down and nodded. "He's probably gonna take me with him....I hope not though...."

Hunter set a hand on her shoulder. "If he does... I can maybe try and go. I know I said I didn't want to see my Dad, still don't, but it's the right thing to do. You were here for me and I should be there for you too."

Claire looked up at him. "Hunter....you should stay here...."

Hunter nodded, agreeing with her. "I know I should, but it's also important for me to go with you. Because, I can almost guarantee, my Dad isn't going to let your Dad or anyone, talk to you. It'll be hard and probably lonely. That's why I should go, you know me and I'll be there for you. If you're worried about my scar healing, I'll be fine. I can get it redressed and bandaged in the morning."

Claire only sighed. "Are you sure about this....? You really don't have to go....I'll be fine...."

"Never been more sure in my life." Hunter says, taking her right hand into his and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I promise, I'm fine with going."

Claire looked down, slowly nodding. "Okay...."

"Okay." Hunter raised Claire's head up with his hand, so she could be facing him instead. He softly smiled and hugged her one last time. Claire smiled and hugged him back before ruffling his hair again.

"Hey!" Hunter chuckles as he, once again, puts his hair back into place. "I told you to quit doing that."

Claire rose an eyebrow. "Oh, yeah? So what?"

"Soooo... I'm going to do it to you!" With a mischievous smile, he ruffles Claire's hair.

"Go ahead. I like having a bed head." Claire said, smirking.

"I'm sure you do." Hunter chuckled and then sighed. He headed for the door. "See ya tomorrow, Claire."

Claire smiled softly. "See you tomorrow, Hunter."

Hunter headed back to the infirmary to rest for the night. Turns out, talking to Claire made him feel better, but there was still some hurt from what happened. He knew something like what he went through... it wouldn't disappear from his mind overnight. Something like that causes trauma. His scars, both mental and physical, would take time to heal.