Golden Hour [Hunter x Reader]

12. The fine art of bullshit

I woke up disoriented. What happened? I just remember standing up to Belos and- fuck did I faint?

I don't have time to think because the door opens and Eda comes in with an ashy blonde not far behind her, Eda lights up finding I'm awake. I watch as Hunter lifted is head to look at me, he went to take a step forward towards me before reserving himself. 

Eda scooped me into a gentle hug. 

"Hey Kiddo, gave me a bit of a scare there."

"Eda..." I breathed out, ultimately relieved, giving her a hug in return. 

"Blondie here wasn't leaving till you woke up, he was determined to make sure you were alright."

"Oh."

"Mm. Well, I'll let the two of you talk. I've got to go fetch King's crown from the warden... again." She groaned and left with a toothy grin and silly little wave. 

The room became filled with silence, it was awkward and I wished the covers would just swallow me whole. I thought about before I apparently blacked out, I protected the Golden Guard - the top guard - the best guard. Fuck he must be so embarrassed to be protected by some random wild witch he was supposed to arrest. 

I look at him, he was standing amateurishly, clumsily playing with his hands and shifting on his feet. He looked as awkward as I felt, he didn't look mad at all. 

"...you're not mad at me?" I asked sheepishly. I watched as Hunter's face contorted into one that looked so ridiculously baffled, as if they couldn't fathom how I could think he'd be mad at me for something that was inevitably out of his control. 

"No! Of course not!" He rushed to the side of the bed, instantly placing his hand over mine. His hands had scars covering them, giving them a calloused texture. As a reflex, I started to slowly brush my thumb up and down against their hand. 

"Actually, no one's stood up for me like that. It was nice, but I don't want you to do it again if you're going to pass out for two days." He exclaimed quietly 

"Two days, huh? Damn." I chuckled lowly, bracing myself as I moved into a seated position, hissing in pain as I did so. I look at Hunter, slightly tilting my head to the side. 

"...Why are you looking at me like that?" The ashy blonde peered up at me, his eye bags looking more worse for wear. 

"You going to tell me why Belos was being a little bitch?"

"Excuse me?"

"He hurt you. And you let him. Why." I became stern as I questioned why Belos abused Hunter. Was it simply because he was the Golden Guard or was there more to it that I'm not being told? I hated being left in the dark about things, especially when it comes to people I care about.

Hunter sighed and avoided looking at me, so I gently took a hold of his hand and once again brushed my thumb over his scarred knuckles.

"Belos... he's my uncle. We're family, I can't just betray him..." Hunter cried quietly, thier grip on my own hand becoming tight. 

I exhaled at the boy in front of me. 

"Family isn't always blood. It's the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what." I whispered. 

Teary magenta eyes met mine, it was a nice shared moment. And he kissed me.

I expected his kiss. I mean it was right there between the two of us, waiting patiently despite being wanted desperately. I didn't expect his hands, so rough and damaged before, to hold my cheek gently. I didn't anticipate the furrow of his brows, as if they were the ones in pain.

I tilted my chin, i want this. No, I need this.

He laid his lips on mine, kissing me softly, slowly. The world seemed to have  turned around us, blurring and borderline disappearing. I felt myself holding onto their wrists to keep from slipping away from this moment. Of course all things come to an end, as we found ourselves pulling away. 

"If I had a snail for every time you have literally taken my breath away, I'd have two snails. Which isn't a lot... but they mean the world to me." I muttered, my forehead pressed against his own. 

Hunter simply laughed at my antics, kissing my forehead and pulling away completely and composing himself as he stood. After a few moments of just smiling at each other, the little red cardinal made its way to Goldie's shoulder. Seemingly to have brought him out of reality and having realised something, because they cursed said a rushed goodbye and left. 

"Titan damnit. Every time!" I stood up and was on my way to the kitchen when I made eye contact with Luz, who's jaw had been dropped so low that one would say it was on the floor. 

"YOU- THE GOLDEN- AND-"

My eyes widened as I realised they had been there the entire time, how I didn't realise or if Hunter knew and still risked it is anyone's guess.

"I can explain-" I couldn't.

Luz looked at me expectantly, not surprised, but expectant. 

"You see..." I grabbed my palisman and casted a harmless sleep spell on Luz. "Sorry, not sorry!" 

AUTHOR NOTE:

HAHAHAHAHAHA HELLO THERE! I bet you all thought i was dead, huh? well i'm back sorta? i won't do awesome amazing regular updates, but very slow lowkey forget about this fic updates. 0-0

BUT YEAH HEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY