The paradox of the Raven - Hunter x Reader

Chapter six

Chapter 6
Fireflies
(please check the A/N at the end of this chapter)

Y/N:

"Luz promised to show us something called Fireflies today!"
My eyes snap upwards from the tea i had been brewing. Very english of me- that's what humans say right? I'm still getting used to all their slang terms. Actually no that doesn't count as slang does it-?

"Fireflies?" I respond, stiffly, "absolutely not. We don't need to start anymore fires today Gus."
Gus pouts, swinging himself onto the kitchen counter, spilling my tea in the process. I grimace as the hot liquid splashes onto his shirt.

"What do you mean by more fires?" I hadn't noticed Amity's entrance but she's currently standing beside the door with wide golden eyes.

"We didn't start any fires-" Hunter waves his hands in front of him, shaking his head panicked, ashy locks sprining free. For some reason the sight makes me want to ruffle his hair... It's been growing recently so it's honestly quite long now. I like the new look. But I always like how he looks.

Amity stares at me, as if I'm the one person sane enough in the room to give her an answer. I shake my head.

"Okay look it was one time- I swear." Gus gives into guilt, earning a furious glare from Hunter and I.

A while ago we had been 'baking' following one of Camila's recipes. Then Hunter put butter in the microwave with the metal still on. Of course that resulted in a very real, tiny fire. (Don't try this at home kids). In the midst of our panic Gus managed to somehow put it under the tap.

"So," I jump to the offence, before Amity can respond, "fireflies?"

"They're like pixies I guess, they 're flying bugs that light up," Amity seems to forget the previous conversation, always snapping up the opportunity to teach people things they don't know.

"Yeah, and they're basically like stars, I read a lot about this subject," I have no words to describe the smug expression on Hunter's face as he speaks but I snort into my half empty tea. He gives me a completely betrayed look.

"They're nothing like stars-" Amity opens her mouth and before a full blown argument can begin over whether Fireflies are stars or not, I shove my mug of tea in her hands.
"For you."
"You've already drunk half of it."
"..."

...

It turns out Luz has in fact promised to show us 'Fireflies'. She's found a spot near old Gravesfield forest which apparently is full of them.

It's night and I find myself shivering as we walk towards the trees. I don't like this. I never realized how easy it is for me to become anxious about things, but recently I've had a constant sense of unease in situations like this. Situations which never would have fazed the raven watcher but...

But without magic the dark seems a lot more venomous. It's stupid since I'm always in half darkness but this seems different. It feels like something is constantly watching me and I can't- I can't quite take it. My hand is itching for my staff, for some sorce of security, but Vix is walking ahead with the other palismen..

So instead my hand finds Hunter's arm. Magenta eyes widen and turn to me. Somehow... does he look scared too?

"Y/N?" He mumbles, watching as the rest of the crowd walks ahead, "I'm- I'm fine um.. I don't like the night in the human realm that's all." There's a crease between his brows. The night here is pitch black, like claws or pure darkness wrapped around us without a single star to help us escape. Yet I can tell there's something more behind his words. It's not just the night is it? He's seemed off recently, ever since we went to Gravesfield town...