losthunter | Sleepovers with Someone to Cling to ((Verity))

Hunter kisses the top of her head, and hugs her even tighter. "I'm so sorry Verity. I know how much that can hurt."

"Are you concerned that he might leave, because of what happened?"

How does he always know exactly what's bothering her? It's uncanny. Ver sighs and gives a bit of a shrug. "He's always wanted to go home. I know that, and I don't blame him. He's got people who're probably wondering where he is. I just."

She hesitates to finish, and when she does, it's almost too quiet to hear. "I'm so tired of losing people."

It is because the same things bother him. Hunter hasn't lost as much as Verity, but he has still lost a few important people.

So right now, Hunter runs one hand through her hair, as he holds her close to his chest.

"The hardest things is letting go..." His voice is soft. "But you do. You let go because you love them, and you want them to find their happiness."

"And all the best you can hope for is that they will come back, because they missed you. Even when in your heart, you know the chances are low."

She used to be so closed off to the world. It's strange for her, being seen so clearly. The girl who's raged against a lack of transparency doesn't always like having the shoe on the other foot.

"I know it's selfish of me to want him to stay. I want him to be happy, and I know he can't be happy until he gets home." But sometimes she wishes she got to be the selfish one. Just a little. Life is long and lonely and she wants, needs, something to fill it.

"He says he'll come back. And he means it, for now. But I don't see why he would."

"I know that feeling very well." Hunter sympathizes with her. He doesn't think she is being selfish either. Everyone deserves to have happiness in their life -- and he wants the same for Verity.

He just wishes he could do something for her.

"I am sure you are important to him, Verity. If he said he will come back... I am sure he will do everything he can to keep that promise."

Hunter's doing plenty. He's providing a much-needed emotional outlet for her. He's empathizing without patronizing. And he's helping her remember that it's okay to want to touch people, that she isn't bad or dirty or unworthy.

"Do men usually visit the women who've broken their hearts?" Her tone suggests how much she doubts it.

"If I could visit Lindy... I would." Hunter notes lightly. "And our situation broke my heart."

"She still has a special place in my heart, in my past, and whom I am. I could never put her out of my mind."

"But I might not think the same as other men. I couldn't speak for your friend, except to say that he sounds genuine."

"Why can't you visit Lindy?" There are such holes in her understanding of his history. But they both still have so much to learn about each other. She'll leave off the part about how it's not quite the same thing to realize he's the one not in that kind of love.

"I'm not sure Han would take it as a compliment to be told he sounds genuine," she admits with a fond sigh. What is it about rogues that she loves so much? It's so counter-intuitive. "He's a better man than he thinks he is."

"Lindy is trying to find herself by traveling around the world. She has yet to stay in one place long enough to put down roots."

Hunter leans his head onto Verity's head. "She and I were very close for nearly a year. And that whole time... I had the thought in the back of my head that she was the 'true love' who would break my curse."

"There are some moments when... I worry that that I had walked away from the only 'true love' I would ever have. And that my heart will always have this missing piece because of that."

He has to take a moment to wipe away a stray tear from his eyes. Then he returns his focus to her situation. "He will see that he is a better man one day. And when he does... he will think of you. And how you influenced him."

"Oh. That would make it more difficult." Ver reaches up to curl a hand around the back of his head, fingertips lightly rubbing behind his ear. He's not alone now.

"There's lots of kinds of love, Hunter. Not all of them are romantic or sexual. It's okay to want what you want." And yes, she knows that holds true for Han as well. She's never blamed him for how she feels. "But that doesn't mean friends can't feel true and abiding love for each other."

"Hey..." Her arms around him tighten when she notices the tear. "You're not alone. You're not gonna be alone. I promise."

They can leave the idea of whether she's influenced Han, and whether it was for the best, for later. She's not sure on either count right now.

Hunter leans into her, when she curls her hand around the back of his head. "I know. And I feel really blessed that I have good friends, who I do love very deeply, in my life."

"It just sucks a little... that the romantic options just don't work out. That when I develop an attraction, the end result is either that they are uninterested or unavailable."

"But it is comforting to know that I am not alone." He returns to tight embrace.

"I know. But it's not always gonna be that way." Verity leans back for a moment, taking off her glasses and setting them on the table. It's easier to get a proper cuddle on without them in the way. Once they're out of the way her arms wrap around him again and tucks her head against his shoulder. "I know it sucks to hear this, but sometimes you have to be patient. Wait for the right person. I am kinda the queen of that so I know what I'm talking about."

After a moment, she adds, "I'm sorry things didn't work out with Schön."

"Consider me fortunate to be in the presence of Her Majesty, to help guide the way." Hunter lightly chuckles, just trying to keep his mood from getting too dark right now. The cuddling also helps.

Hunter gives a sad smile when she mentions Schön. "He is still a valuable friend. And I appreciate that. Especially after he took such caution and care in making sure that I knew... that he wasn't the romantic type."

"But hey, at least I have one more person who is going to be there for me."

"I don't know what I would do without you... or him in my life as friends. I love you both dearly."

She hums an amused note at the teasing. "You should consider yourself fortunate for that," she counters in a laughably fake 'regal' accent, "for it is beneath our dignity to do it for you."

Ver gives him another gentle squeeze before freeing an arm again, this time, to give him his glass of wine. "I didn't know that about him, otherwise, I wouldn't have encouraged it. I'm sorry for that." In fact, Verity knows quite well that Schön told a fib, but she's not going to hurt Hunter more by bringing that up. She'll give Schön a chance to fix things before stepping in to try and do it for him.

And it's a valuable lesson for her about meddling.

"I love you too, sweetie." That she can say without hesitation.

Hunter accept the wine with a smile. Nothing like a good drink to ease more of the sorrow out of his mind and heart.

"You were just doing due diligence as a wing woman. I am not disappointed about what he said. I am just more disappointed that he is not my first male attraction who had no romantic options for me."

Although, it would be a whole different can of worms if/when Hunter finds out that Schön had fibbed.

He sips at his wine to collect his thoughts for a moment. "But I guess one has to go through a bit of that in life... And really, the time I have already spent with Schön has helped me learn more about myself. I appreciate that."

"And I am glad I have this..." He tightens the grasp of his free hand, around her waist. "Someone to hold and love."

It's going to be a mess when Hunter finds out. She can only hope he'll understand that Schön is as closed-off from the world as they are. But that's a problem for another day and she'll not borrow it.

"The laws of attraction are strange and complicated. I have no advice other than trying to be patient. Although, when you're ready, I've heard of a magical land called a gay bar that might be a better realm for your questing?" Again with the silliness. If vocal tones can be rolled eyes, consider these thus.

The squeeze gets a murr from her and a smile. "That's why I stayed so short, you know. I'm the optimal snuggling size like this."

It is true, that there is no point in worrying about problems that are not problems yet.

"My dear Verity. I have been to a few gay bars. It is not like I just jumped out of the closet..." Hunter laughs lightly. "And you are welcome to be my wing-woman anytime I hit up the next one on my list."

Hunter sets down his wine glass, so he can close his eyes and cuddle with both arms. "Smuggly perfect."

"Do people actually jump out of the closet? Did you wear your most fabulous outfit when you did? Are there pictures?" She's going to keep teasing until he's as cheered up as she can make him. "Tell me there are pictures and I'll be the best wing-woman."

Verity will be the best possible wing-woman she can be regardless. She's just going to need to figure out what that means, exactly, because she's all out of friends who might conceivably date a man right now so her usual methods aren't going to work.

"I am pretty smug about it," she admits with a laugh. "But well, who can blame me?"

"I should show you the shirt I wore when Schön came over. It was fabulous."

"And tell you what... if I ever decide to participate in any drag nights... you would be the girl I would call for that." His smile is getting bigger. More real. And it is hard to tell if he is serious about the suggestion or not.

"Did you know when you add smug and short... you get a very dangerous package of cuteness. I have the proof. Right here." He kisses the top of her head.

"Oh yeah? I think you will have to show me that shirt. And I promise to appreciate it properly."

Ver smirks at him, but won't protest too much in light of seeing that smile back. "At last, a chance to break out my glitter nail polish again."

Don't think she won't.

"Mmph, I'm not cute I'm fierce." She's not really complaining. Every time he kisses her she snuggles closer, so he'd better be careful or else she'll be in his lap soon.

"I can do the whole fashion show thing ... after cuddling."

"Oh good... someone else to do my nails." Hunter smiles. He is one male who would not protest to such a 'threat'.

And he also doesn't mind that Verity is almost in his lap. "You are both. Fierce-cute."

"That is a fair trade and I can live with it." Splitting time into 'cuddling' and 'after cuddling' is a grand way to live. They're lucky.

"Mm-hmm. I'm pretty good at it. Loki..." She hesitates, takes a breath, and then soldiers on. "Loki liked having me do his nails. He was very fussy about his appearance, especially after Sigurd starting coming around."

She considers that for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Okay."

"The next thing you will tell me is you also do facials and massages." Hunter has not been to a manicurist, facialist, or masseuse since the curse occurred.

He gives her an extra squeeze when she mentions, and falters slightly while talking about Loki.

Edited 2016-04-24 22:55 (UTC)

Ver scoffs at him and pokes out her tongue before pointing out, "Dude, have you seen how flawless I am? Of course, I do facials." Really, for someone who sleeps as little as she does, she has tremendous skin. "Massage... I'm not so great at."

Still, two outta three ain't bad.

She gives him a little smile at the squeeze. Knowing he understands and won't press her about it helps. Gentle encouragement like that will help her continue to improve.

"I guess that was for the best... you were one more awesome thing about you before I kidnapped you and kept you in my closet." Hunter grins big and playful. "Short people don't need a lot of space, right?"

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I know it's a typo but it's just too cute.

LOL

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