Psycho Social

Chapter 20: Sunny Daze

Nathaniel yawned and stretched his arms above his head, as he slowly awoke the next morning. Light was streaming in through the curtains on his window, and the room had a cool morning breeze running through it. Nathaniel felt a shift next to him as Hunter stirred and rolled onto his other side, wrapping his arm around Nathaniel's torso. 

Nathaniel gasped quietly, and smiled to himself. He put an arm around Hunter, being careful to not wake the elf boy. He felt a pang of guilt as he realized what he was doing. He couldn't keep developing feelings like this for his best friend. It wasn't right. Hunter didn't return them and he knew it.

He literally is holding you right now. His arms are around you and his head is rested on your chest. How is that not returning feelings?

He quickly shook his head to rid himself of his thoughts.

Hunter snored softly next to him, making Nathaniel's heart melt. 

A soft knock on the door snapped Nathaniel out of his head. 

"Nate? Are you awake?" It was Shidge. 

"Uhh.. yeah hang on."

Nathaniel looked down at Hunter one last time and smiled to himself, before slowly slipping out of his hold and unlocking the door. 

Shidge stood on the other side of the door, his white hair blowing in the soft wind from the open windows. He smiled brightly. "Just wanted to know if you wanted to have a park day? I feel like flying outside but I don't really want to go on my own." 

Nathaniel grinned. "A park day sounds great, Shidge."

Shidge looked Nathaniel up and down, silently questioning why he looked so nervous, and then his eyes shifted to the open door behind Nathaniel, where Hunter was still asleep. 

Shidge smirked. "Oh. I see now."

Nathaniel's eyes widened. "Y-You see what? I don't know what you're talking about."

Shidge rolled his eyes and smiled. "Yeah yeah whatever. Your secret's safe with me. Just don't bang him when I'm home."

Nathaniel smacked Shidge's arm making the cragon burst into a fit of laughter. 

"Kidding! Kidding! Just get ready." 

Shidge chuckled as he walked down the hallway and disappeared into his room.

Nathaniel sighed and turned back into his room, but stopped when he realized his bed was now empty. Had Hunter heard their conversation?

He heard the toilet flush from the closed bathroom door, and then the door swung open to reveal a shirtless elf. 

"Good morning, Nate."

Nathaniel's face flushed and he tried to hide it by coughing into his hand. "G-Good morning."

Hunter flashed a movie star grin as he walked to his duffel bag to grab a t-shirt. He seemed satisfied with a plain black one and threw it on over his head, adjusting his hair after. 

"So what's the plan for today? Anything fun?" Hunter grinned as he sat on the edge of the bed.

Are we just not going to address the fact that you were literally cuddling me ten minutes ago?

Nathaniel smiled. "Shidge wants to go to the park. If you're up for it."

Hunter grinned. "It's such a nice day outside. How could I say no to that?" That earned a smile from Nathaniel. 

"Are we inviting anyone else? Or should it just be us?" Hunter asked, tilting his head slightly.

Nathaniel flushed red again. Dammit. "Uh. We don't have to bother everyone else."

"Sounds good to me."

Nathaniel threw some clothes on and grabbed his phone, Hunter following behind him as they headed outside. Shidge was already waiting for them in his cragon form, his wings unfurled and ready to fly. Nathaniel grinned as he took off running and launched himself into the air, quickly flying ahead of the other two teen boys. 

Nathaniel cleared his throat awkwardly, suddenly not knowing what to say to Hunter. But Hunter seemed chill about not talking. He walked next to Nate, the wind ruffling his blonde hair and the sun making his blue eyes seem brighter, if it was even possible. Nathaniel just stared in awe, smiling to himself.

"Like what you see?" Hunter gave him a sideways look with a smile. 

Nathaniel looked away quickly. "S-Sorry. I guess I was just zoning out."

"Mhmm."

"Shut up."

The two boys continued to walk until they finally arrived at the park. Shidge was perched on a tree in the middle, stretching his wings out beside him. He lazily slumped onto the branch and smiled as the two boys came up to him. "Hello boys."

"You could have waited, you know." Nathaniel said, chuckling at the sight. 

Shidge had transformed back to his human form, but he still had his wings out. 

"Yeah but what's the fun in flying at granny speed?"

Hunter shoved him off of his tree branch. 

"Hey! That wasn't nice!"

"You said I walk at grandma speed!"

"Because you do!"

Nathaniel rolled his eyes and made his way over to the swing set. He climbed up onto the first one he saw, and began swinging. 

Swings had always been Nathaniel's favorite playground activity. He loved the feeling of flying, and had always longed for the ability to do so. His mother was born with not only fire powers, but also the power of flight. He has really hoped that when he developed his power type, it would include that. But sadly, it didn't. So the swings would just have to do.

After a little while longer of playing at the park, the trio of teens headed back to Nathaniel's house. 

"You don't have to go home tonight if you don't want to. I mean. If you feel like staying, we'd love to have you over." Nathaniel mumbled as Hunter packed up his things. 

"Are you sure? I don't want to be a bother."

"You are never a bother Hunter Ryoma."

Hunter smiled and sat his stuff down. "Well, alright. Guess I'm staying."

Nathaniel grinned from his bed and took his shirt off. "Good. I would have been sad if you left."

"Really? Why?"

"Um. Because you're my best friend."

"Is that the only reason?"

"No."

Hunter and Nathaniel looked at each other as Nathaniel tried to produce the right words. 

"I mean, yes."

"Don't lie to me."

"Or wha-?"

Hunter was on top of Nathaniel before he could even finish his sentence. Hunter pressed his lips to Nathaniel's, and smiled. 

Nathaniel's face flushed as he wrapped his arms around the taller boy's neck. 

After a short while, the two of them fell asleep in each others arms.