imagines | xikers

"my sunshine" - hunter

Hunter knew something was off when you came to greet him after school. Sure, there was a big smile plastered onto your face, but something about it didn't feel genuine. Maybe, it was the way you lazily waved your hand, or the way your eyes lost it's color, sprayed with a dead gray that made everything seem gloomy. But you were never gloomy. You were like those female leads on an animated Disney movie, so bright and cheerful that you could befriend a squirrel if you truly wanted to. You were never down in the dumps, instead you helped other people get out of their sad time, hunter included. Maybe that's why he felt like he could tell you anything without any judgment, your personality a custom key to his heart. Maybe that's why Hunter felt anxious to know why you didn't seem like yourself.

Sitting yourself on the bench beside the worried boy, you try to ignore the way he looks at you, almost like a concerned mother when their baby is hurt in any type of way, shape or form. Awkward silence roams the air as you didn't say you're usual, cheery 'Hi!', instead your head down as you play with your fingers to ease the tension. "Is everything alright?" Hunter was first to start the conversation, turning his eyes from your body so you wouldn't feel pressured by his gaze.

"Yeah.. yeah, just tired." You lied in between your teeth. Something was obviously wrong, but you felt stupid for speaking out about it, embarrassed you could even feel this way.

"Are you sure..?" His voice suggested something more, like he was trying to get you out of your newfound shell, but it doesn't work, to his dismay. So he gives a small nod while leaning his head against the iron of the bench. How could he get you to talk? He ponders to himself, closing his eyes for a few moments when the idea finally pops into his brain. "I could.. Y'know.. Buy that drink that you always wanted, if you tell me the truth."

Your gaze immediately snaps to the boy that just shrugs, a small chuckle leaving your lips at how playful the boy had seemed. "But I feel stupid."

"Say it, what's the worst that can happen? There's barely anyone here, anyways." he encourages, nudging your shoulder while trying to get that precious smile of yours back on your lips.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. Say it."

"Am I annoying?" a sad chuckle leaves your lips, feeling the sting of your eyes as they water, but you try to blink it away in return. "It's just that, I'm always happy, even when I shouldn't be. Your grandma could have died yet I'd still be Miss. Grinny Pants that can't take anything seriously." Your hands drop down in defeat, a small snuffle leaving your nose as you wipe it against your sleeve. "Maybe I shouldn't be so happy.." Your words were more so for yourself to hear, your own thoughts about the situation, but a gasp leaves your lips when Hunter suddenly grabs your wrists, a shouted 'NO!' leaving his lips without a thought.

"No.." he says again, calmly this time, relaxing his hold on your wrists. "No. There's nothing wrong with finding the bright side to a dark situation."

"But your grandma could have died–"

"Let me finish!!" Hunter cuts you off, waving his giant hand in your face as you frown. "You helped me, us, smile more. You help us find the joy in something that ultimately wants to make us cry. Sure, you shouldn't be grinning when someone's grandma dies.." he stops when he hears your giggle. "..but there is absolutely nothing wrong with being a little positive, don't you think? And your feelings are never stupid or dumb. Whatever you're feeling is okay because you're human that needs to feel, yeah?" A smile tugs at his lips when he sees you smile, but it wasn't the same, forced smile from earlier. No, it was real, and it was beautiful.

Hunter's chin rests on the top of your head as he pulls you into a hug. "My Sunshine.." his eyes crinkle at your giggle, before patting your back. "Now let's go get that drink now, shall we?"

A/n: reminder that it is okay to feel happy/sad/mad/whatever you're feeling because it's completely valid! You shouldn't have to feel pressured to feel anything because after all it is you that is feeling it, no one else is <3

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