Beyond the Shadow of a Doubt: Hunter x OC

Settling

Hunter's quick knock on Lyra's door was answered more slowly than usual, and he shifted his weight on the front porch as he ruminated on whether or not he had waited long enough to come. It had been the crack of dawn when he woke from a deep sleep, feeling as bright and springy as he could remember. The hours until his arrival at her home had felt agonizing, but he'd forced himself to wait an appropriate amount of time, knowing that she wasn't a morning person.

"Good morning," she murmured, a bit fuzzy still.

"Hi."

"I have a bone to pick with you." Her voice was low and calm, but the mischievous glint in her eye gave him pause. She tilted her head, beckoning him to follow, and they walked to the back of the cottage where the morning light streamed through the windows. Hunter noticed that the plant with the little heart-shaped buds was still where he'd left it the night before – unwrapped in the center of her table – only it appeared that some of the blossoms had opened.

"What the kriff..." he muttered, shocked and appalled for a full ten seconds before the look on Lyra's face began to melt it into humor. "She did not tell me they would do that... I mean, she said they'd bloom... but..."

"I do have some questions," Lyra giggled, handing him a steaming cup of caf before sitting beside him with her own.

"I mean... So do I..."

Both of their eyes rested on the plant, where the few largest buds had burst apart, revealing a rather interesting shape dangling out of each one. The bottom of each "heart" had split, curling up to either side, and a decidedly phallic structure poked out the bottom. He now saw that even the flowers that hadn't yet opened were somewhat... curved... at the bottoms, with a slit up the middle that looked an awful lot like...

"Did you have a certain sentiment in mind when you chose this?" she asked, keeping her face and voice carefully neutral, but he could feel her bursting at the seams.

"The florist said they'd be a hit..." he said slowly, a grin spreading across his face with each word. How had he not noticed... "I said I wanted something that was beautiful in its simplicity... And she said..." The realization dawned on him, and he buried his forehead in a hand. "She said they bring a smile every time."

"I can imagine," Lyra agreed, pressing her lips together in the last remaining shred of solemnity. "And did she share the name of this particular plant? I believe its scientific name might be something along the lines of Penillis Vaginia?"

Hunter coughed behind his hand, dropping it immediately to stare at her in delighted disbelief. "Listen to you!"

"Sorry! I know!" she burst out, clapping her own hand over her mouth. "It's just... look at those things!" He dissolved into laughter as well, simultaneously embarrassed and elated. It was comforting for the humor to be shared, and he felt closer to her than ever.

"Yeah... You should probably... I don't know..." He quieted into a few lingering chuckles, eyes brightening with an impish idea. "Put it on your desk at work."

"Oh my gosh!" she squealed, smacking his arm before leaning into his shoulder. "Can you imagine?!"

"No one would get any work done." He sighed, resting his cheek on her hair for a moment.

"So... business as usual..." she snickered.

He grinned, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

* * *

The door to the butcher shop swung open so quickly that the little bell hanging from it was flung in a complete loop, but Hunter was deep in a kod'yok carcass and scrambled to clean himself off as best he could, cursing under his breath that he'd forgotten to lock the door. He wiped from his wrists to where his shirt was rolled up on his biceps before grabbing a fresh rag and finishing his hands as best he could. Carefully hanging his apron over the drip tray, he ventured toward the front to see who this enthusiastic guest was.