FIRST OFF -- I'm never on here except to save my work somewhere, but I'm way more active on Tumblr (under 'freesia-writes') and Ao3 (same username). :)
---------------------
Hunter has been through plenty in his life, and as he and his brothers loo...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The motley assortment of local tree nuts and shells in the decorative wind chimes swung back and forth contentedly in the breeze, brushing up against the wooden poles that held them up. Their gentle sounds were lost to the wind and the waves, which provided a calming backdrop to the happy atmosphere of the tiki bar. It was the only establishment that was actually down on the beach, brightening the shoreline with its thatched roof and colorful lights that stretched from the covered L-shaped bar counter out across the outdoor seating, which sat on low, carpeted decks.
Considered to be the proverbial living room of Xylo, it was frequented by locals from every walk of life and provided some entertainment in the form of karaoke nights, card game tournaments, and other random ideas. A creative assortment of island drinks was offered in addition to a fairly impressive menu of food, allowing it to be a restaurant for families to enjoy before it turned into a slightly more raucous adult lounge in the evenings.
Crosshair shifted on his stool, angling his back toward the pillar behind his seat and taking in the activity around him. There were some new faces, so it was only fair that they receive an unflinching assessment to determine how much future observation they would require. His sharp eyes followed their interactions and demeanors, and a certain dynamic had piqued his interest enough to distract him from the bartender's arrival at his elbow.
"You're gonna scare em away if you keep glaring, Silver," came a bright voice that snapped him out of his scrutiny. His hair had grown out a bit during their months on Xylo, earning him a nickname from Luciana, the bubbly, outgoing bartender who seemed to know everything and everyone.
"So what?" he answered, not taking his eyes from the targets.
"Soooooo that means I don't get tips. Now cut it out," she poked, grasping his forearm and giving it a playful shake. "Unless you're gonna cover what they'd be paying..."
"What's this?" Hunter asked, sliding into the seat next to his brother. "Crosshair's paying other people's tabs? What did you put in his drink?"
"Hunter!" she huffed, her voice sugar and spice as she flashed a coy look of shock and affront in his direction. "I would never!"
"You would in a heartbeat," Crosshair said dryly, finally turning back to the conversation behind him. "Don't pretend like you're some angel, Luciana."
"Oh, sweetie, we know that's not the case," she countered, leaning on the bar with her elbows close enough to give her shapely bosom a little boost. "But you're still too chicken to find out." She finished with a wink and an open-mouthed smile before being called to the other end of the bar, holding up a finger to Hunter and giving it a little waggle before darting off.
"Your partner's not gonna like that," Hunter remarked, shoving Crosshair's elbow with his as they rested near each other on the counter. "What was their name? Farkel? Faryl?"
"Doesn't matter; they're gone," came the hissed reply, a surprise to no one.
"Hm," was Hunter's equally unhelpful response, unsure of how to proceed.
