Last Friday Night (ManxMan) ✔️

Chapter 25

The first thing Hunter saw after he got to his office was a text. He was already having a good morning. He didn't wake up at the buttcrack of dawn, saw other people in the building when he arrived, and even shared a few words with Josh to start the day. But this text from River was too good to be true.

River❤️

I'm sorry

Followed by a gif of a panda with shiny, anime eyes holding up a banner with the same words. Hunter was smiling so hard. He hid his mouth behind a large palm but the truth didn't change. River was already forgiven. Hunter couldn't hold malice for the man as he poured his heart out last night. That was all he needed to see.

But River apologized anyway and now Hunter was grinning like a fool.

A fool in love.

The words had crystallized in his mind last night. When he'd kissed River over and over, he realized that he wasn't just trying to comfort him. He was trying to tell him he loved him without saying the words.

Hunter was in a strange relationship which made it strange to be in love. He didn't know where to go from here. Although he rarely admitted it, Hunter wanted everything with River. He wanted commitment. He wanted marriage. He wanted to wake up in the middle of the night to River in his arms. He wanted to live with River and raise Melodie together.

But he also wanted River to be happy. And he still wasn't sure if that happiness was with or without him.

The little dancing panda lost some of its appeal. The sincerity Hunter assumed to be behind it probably wasn't there. And the issue was, Hunter didn't care. Because he would always forgive him.

Because Hunter loved River.

—————

The snow was newly melted and while the grass was dry enough to run on, the air was still frigid. Icy air pelted Hunter's face as he ran, but he wouldn't let it stop him. TJ was right up ahead. All Hunter had to do was reach out and grab his flag-

"Hunter! Look what I found!"

Hunter's focus shifted, looking for Melodie. She was jumping in front of the bench, holding a four-leaf clover. Hunter slowed to a stop and smiled with huffed breaths. TJ was still sprinting toward the end zone but there was no chance Hunter would catch him now. Besides, it was a very cool leaf.

"Wow, let me see it!"

Melodie handed Hunter the leaf with a spring in her step. She knew he would like it. River got off of the bleacher with a sigh and crouched down to his daughter's level.

"Try not to bother Hunter when he's playing, kiddo," he whispered.

"It's fine~" Hunter said, pocketing the clover with a wink. "We were just about to switch out, anyway."

Now that football was starting up again, Hunter went out on a limb and invited River. To which he replied, "can't, I have Melodie."

To which Hunter also replied "great, you can bring her."

Not even Cindy would allow a six year old to play with the adults, so the solution was playing in turns. Whoever wasn't on the field watched Melodie. River gave Melodie a gentle nudge on the shoulder–he'd explained that her curls couldn't take a noogie–and jogged onto the field. As the players welcomed him back into the fray, Hunter took Melodie's hand and walked her back to the bleachers.