Metal Kingdom

40. The Duellists

⬆ If they didn't get into a fight before snapping the photo.

The Duellists-Iron Maiden

"I'm sorry for involving you in more bullshit with Skip tonight." Frankie apologized as they pulled into her driveway. Genuinely feeling bad as she looked over at Hunter's bruised and bloodied face. Somewhat being disgusted at herself for thinking how attractive he also looked like this.

"You don't have to apologize for anything. Skip and I were enemies long before you and I ever thought about becoming friends. It's nothing new." Hunter put his car into park and looked over as he tried to reassure her that it wasn't her fault.

It's true it wasn't anything new. If there was somebody else out in this world that could have gave Frankie and Hunter a run for their money in being mortal enemies then it was Hunter and Skip. 

They were polar opposites and hated everything possible about each other. Skip was a natural born bully and Hunter was a grade A asshole in his own right. One was more worried about asserting male dominance and terrifying others around him. As the other was more concerned with his music and opinions being better than anyone else's. Their hatred only became amplified when Frankie got involved into the mixture. Both wanting her to themselves. 

"Yeah but still. Probably didn't make it any better when we did. So, sorry for making things worse for you." Frankie's eyes filled with remorse.

"I told you last time. I'm not going to stand by and let that fucking prick talk about you like that. And you only make things better in my life, so don't think anything less." Hunter looked deep into her golden eyes. Fighting the urge to reach up and tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Hunter's words made her heart flutter. She felt like he was staring straight into her soul. Unintentionally holding her breath until he spoke again.

"Plus what kind of a knight would I be if I didn't defend a fair maiden such as yourself?" 

Frankie scrunched her nose as she tried to hide a smile at his cheesiness. She secretly loved hearing it after all this time. Hunter could tell no matter how much she tried to hide it.

"Well, you coming?" Frankie asked as she opened her passenger door.

"Uh?" Hunter pushed his eyebrows together at her question. He wasn't sure if he was truly being invited inside her home. Or to only walk her inside.

"Don't worry, my dad's gone until tomorrow. You're safe for the night. If not I'll protect you, Princess." She winked at him as she teased. Then quietly exiting the car. 

Running from Hunter as he jumped out and chased after her for the sly comment. Tickling her sides relentlessly as he caught up to her trying to unlock the front door.

"Okay! I give! You're a big strong knight who doesn't need saving, I didn't mean it!" Frankie laughed out in between catching her breath. 

"That's more like it." Hunter released her. He liked the sound of that coming from her lips. He'd be her knight in shining armor in any lifetime if he could.

The two made their way inside and headed upstairs to Frankie's bedroom. She grabbed the clothes she borrowed and wore home from Hunter's last weekend to let him change into. Finding a pair of black shorts to put on herself, deciding on leaving her Metallica shirt on but removing her bra underneath for comfort.