finding love in time of troubles ((Verity))

[losthunter]

While Hunter did need a night out at the bar after a troubling week, he is smart enough to know that alcohol is not the best way to deal with one's problems. And he was able to talk some of the problems out with Schön that same night...

But really, there are just times when he needs someone to hold him, in addition to comforting him.

Of course, he doesn't want to show up empty-handed. So he had spent a good afternoon baking, using one of the many ingredients he had since learned from Verity. His final result was a batch of cupcakes, which he then decorated to look like miniature carnations.

Armed with the bouquet of cupcakes, Hunter soon arrives at Verity's apartment. She wasn't expecting him, but hopefully she will be home when he knocks on the door.

Comments

[brave_heart_verity]

Verity hadn't been expecting anyone, so he'll be catching her with her hair down. Literally. Her usual mass of braids is hanging in a loose jumble, wavy and tousled in a way that some women spend hours trying to achieve. All she did was wake up from a nap. (This also explains her loungewear.)

She shuffles over to the door and finishes a yawn before answering. Hunter's greeted with a smile once she sees him. "Hey! Come in." Glancing down at the cupcakes, she adds, "What's the occasion?"

[losthunter]

"I figured since I was coming unannounced, I should at least arrive with bribes." Hunter answers.

[brave_heart_verity]

"Mm, yes, because you know how much I hate seeing you." The eye-roll is good-natured, this time. Once he's in she'll shut the door, then gives him a hug. "Now, come on, sit down and get comfy. Then you can tell me why you're really here."

[losthunter]

Hunter puts his cupcakes on a nearby table, where they can sit all tempting-like. And finds a place on the couch.

"I had a bit of a rough week, and needed a friendly face."

[brave_heart_verity]

She moves the cupcakes to the coffee table, because let's face it: they're going to eat those cupcakes. "That, darling, I am happy to provide. Do you want coffee or wine?" Or he can have milk, if he wants it. Something about cake and milk is just so soothing.

[losthunter]

"How about milk?" Hunter doesn't want to go for any wine right now. And he just wants a comforting drink, that won't hurt his head.

[brave_heart_verity]

"Milk it is." She'll get them both glasses of milk before curling up on the couch next to him. She starts with an arm around his shoulders so he can cuddle in for the comfort he obviously needs.

[losthunter]

Hunter sighs contently at the offered cuddle, snuggling in close. He takes a little breath, then speaks softly.

"Lindy got married. I attended her wedding."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Oh!" That's a surprise. She's not quite sure what to say. "Good for her. I'm sure it was beautiful and everybody cried and you left wondering when it's your turn?"

Straight to the heart of the matter, it seems.

[losthunter]

"I did feel a little lonely at the end of the night." Hunter closes his eyes, moving a smidge closer so he can place his head on her shoulder.

"Mostly, I felt like I lost Lindy. And in a way, our friendship didn't feel the same."

[brave_heart_verity]

"My poor darling," she murmurs softly. Her arms close around him and she rests her cheek against his head. Yeah, she knows what he needs.

"Relationships change, like how people change. It can be sad, yeah, but... if your relationship with Lindy had never changed, there wouldn't be room for me in your life. And whoever she married must be pretty awesome, so, maybe he can be your friend too? Or she. Was it a he or a she?"

[losthunter]

"I can't think of what my life would be like, without you in it." Hunter whispers, as if saying it any louder would tempt fate.

"It was a he. Very nice man. Loves travel as much as she does. They were going to explore new places, together. Their wedding was in Italy."

"And I don't know... it feels a little awkward to think of having him as a friend. I mean... I am the ex-boyfriend, in a fashion."

[brave_heart_verity]

"I'm not going anywhere," she promises quietly. No need to fear on that score.

"Italy? Fancy. Well, at least you got to go somewhere interesting for a couple of days, yeah?" It's hard to find the silver linings, sometimes, but she does try. "Are you still pining for her, darling?"

[losthunter]

"I don't know... maybe a little." Hunter sighs softly. "I spent a good part of a year spending all my time with her. Thinking that she would break the curse."

"And I couldn't have been romantic with her on a real level."

"Schön thought that perhaps, I am experiencing a little grief over the loss."

[brave_heart_verity]

It's a lot to think about, and more so considering she's trying to be diplomatic about things. While she's thinking she'll rub his back.

"You didn't lose anything. I know you're sad that she wasn't the magical perfect person you wanted, but it's not okay to blame her for what happened. Be sad about the curse if you want, but being sad that she's been able to rebuild her life is selfish, and I know you don't want to be selfish."

[losthunter]

"I don't blame her. I could never blame her." Hunter softly clarifies.

"And I can't be sad about the curse. It made me the man I am."

"I guess I am just sad that our lives are taking different paths. I will miss her. Even though I am so happy for her." Hunter wipes away a stray tear from his face.

"I think it just hit me harder, since I sort of... dumped someone earlier this week."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Ah." She knew there had to be more to it than just Lindy getting married. He gets a kiss on the forehead and her tone gentles again. "I'm sure he's not worth the tears, but you can go ahead and cry as much as you need, okay? I am not, in fact, a wicked witch; I will not melt."

She's very much the good kind of witch, sans sparkly wand.

"So, what'd he do, and how much do you want me to hurt him for ya?"

[losthunter]

First a Fairy Godfather, and now a good witch. Hunter truly feels blessed.

"We only saw each other a few times. And I sort of realized all of our dates were at his place."

"I wanted to go out to a public place, and he said... something along the line of 'I prefer keeping things private'. And it just felt like he wanted to hide me. Hide us."

"So I... I told him I wasn't going to hide and walked away."

[brave_heart_verity]

Well. Goodish. Call her Glinda at your peril.

"Oh." He gets a squeeze then. "I'll leave him alone, then. It's bad enough to live in fear of oneself, there's nothing more I can really do to him."

[losthunter]

"I know I did the right thing." Hunter tells her softly. He had to do what was right for him.

"But it didn't help the loneliness."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Doing the right thing isn't always fun. But it's more lonely to be with the wrong people. Which I know doesn't help right now." She'll hush now in favor of cuddling.

"Is this a staying in breakup, or a going out one? Because either I should get something started for dinner or get dressed." Either way, she's taking care of him. "Cupcakes are great for now, but you'll want a proper meal in a few hours. Crying is hungry work."

[losthunter]

"I already did the whole 'escape to the bar' routine. I wouldn't mind just staying in." Hunter answers.

[brave_heart_verity]

"Okay." She'll keep snuggling a bit before she really has to get up. "Wanna start binging on sweets?"

[losthunter]

"That sounds like a good idea." Hunter grabs them both a cupcake, handing over one for Verity first.

"One thing that lifted my spirits, was seeing Schön under the influence of some Nexus magic. He was all sparkly."

[brave_heart_verity]

"All sparkly?" Verity takes her cupcake and delicately peels the paper back before pulling it in half and turning it over so the frosting's in the middle. Frosting cupcake sandwich! So much less frosting on the nose that way. "I'm sorry to have missed it. And a little surprised he got hit by that lol too."

She sighs and mutters, "Wish Matt's run-in with it had only been glitter."