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

[losthunter]

"Ohhhh he is the lawyer that Schön had thought could help me with my trust fund issue. That was before Rhys found me someone."

Hunter is suddenly very glad that he didn't interrupt couple time. "Heh. Maybe I should start calling first. That would be the polite thing to do."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Quite possibly? Matt works for Schön, he's doing the legal stuff for the museum." One big pile of nepotism, right here. Hiring her friends and her boyfriend and don't ask how much Schön laughed when she informed him in writing that she was romantically involved with one of her employees.

"It would," she agrees, "be prudent. Matt may not be so eager to show off his jammies to you."

[losthunter]

"I will try not to let the idea of a sexy man in jammies influence me to drop by even more often."

Hunter smiles softly. "My first crush... his name was Will." He knows how strange that might seem, since he has a new friend named Wil.

[brave_heart_verity]

"Good. It's not something I love sharing."

She doesn't think it's odd. 'William' is an extremely common name, has been for ages. "Oh? That's a good name."

[losthunter]

"He was my tutor. My father hired a blind tutor..." Hunter frowned slightly. "He was such a comfort to be around. He truly accepted me, mind and spirit."

[brave_heart_verity]

She's not touching the 'blind tutor' thing with a ten and a half foot pole right now. But don't think that's not going in the file of reasons she hates his dad. "He sounds nice. Maybe you should give him a call. Just to catch up."

[losthunter]

"I never thought of calling him up... I don't know if he would want to talk to me again. I mean..."

"What if he was just around because of dad's money?"

[brave_heart_verity]

"You can't pay someone to be good," she points out. "If he truly accepted you, then there's nothing to fear. He might be uncomfortable being friends because of the previous power imbalance between you, but he'll be glad to hear you're well."

[losthunter]

"I guess I am just scared of reaching out to him, and being hurt."

[brave_heart_verity]

"I know. It doesn't have to happen right away." Ver will give him another squeeze. "When you're feeling less vulnerable, maybe."

[losthunter]

"That is a good idea." Hunter has to agree with that. He will find a way to be brave in a few days. He just needs time. His heart-on-the-sleeve is very fragile after all.

"And if he agrees to meet with me, I hope you can be there."

[brave_heart_verity]

"If you want me to be, I'll be there. And I'll pre-arrange lots of excuses to leave early for one or both of us, just in case." Best wingwoman ever.

[losthunter]

Hunter blushes slightly, because who wouldn't when thinking about the possibility of quality time with their first crush.

"So, embarrassing question time. Did you see sparks between me and Wil too?" This time he is referring to the young man, who attended his birthday party.

[brave_heart_verity]

That's a sudden conversational shift, and she can't hear the change in spelling, so....

"Wil Kent?"

She may also be buying time to try and think of a diplomatic answer.

[losthunter]

"Yes. That Wil."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Well... he's a hard one to read. And considering how spectacularly wrong I was last time, I don't want to jump to any wrong conclusions." That should be a safe answer for both of them.

[losthunter]

"I only asked, because apparently Schön had seen something." Hunter shrugs. "He had asked me if there was something there."

"Maybe it was just to get my mind off things."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Ah. Your interest was obvious. But, you know, I don't know Wil very well and I really don't want to encourage something that might make things awkward."

[losthunter]

"I do put myself out there, when I am comfortable enough." Hunter smiles fondly. He is not afraid of admitting that about himself.

"Wil and I did talk, months and months ago. He knows how I feel."

"And right now, we are good friends. He reminds me so much of myself, when I was younger. How I struggled with my own identity. And I just want to support him in his writing. And being comfortable with himself."

[brave_heart_verity]

"You do have a fondness for those sheer shirts..." She's going to save him from that someday.

"If he knows, I wouldn't worry about trying to see sparks, darling. He'll let you know if it's ever what he wants."

[losthunter]

"Don't tell me I am breaking some fashion faux pas with those shirts." Hunter looks up with her.

[brave_heart_verity]

"Okay, I won't tell you." Ver will rub the back of his head instead.

[losthunter]

"Guess we need to go shopping to get something better."

[brave_heart_verity]

"I'm sure we can find you something a little less obvious to wear when you want to show off," she agrees. "You're not going to be a hard man to dress. And you've already got so many nice things to wear."

But seriously tho she wants to burn those tacky shirts that do him no favors.

[losthunter]

"That would be great. I would really like to reduce the amount of sweaters and bunnyhugs in my closet."