when the song starts who do you dance with ((Wil))

[losthunter]

Hunter was laying outside, on a bench in his rose garden. A pair of sunglasses that had once belonged to Lindy covered his eyes. His Ipod set to a variety of rock songs pounded in his ears.

In the art studio, a special canvas had been completed. And right now, Hunter felt very calm about his life. Even the emotional challenges he had faced after attending Lindy's wedding seemed to be miles away.

In fact, he felt a little more at peace. So without even thinking about what might happen, or overthinking things, Hunter picks up his PINpoint, sending a quick message to Wil.

I have a painting for you. Did you want me to drop it off, or did you want to pick it up?

Comments

[william_kent]

"She's retired... has been since before I was born. I've never really seen her in action."

Wil's rather sincere in his liking of the painting. "I've never had anything do this sort of thing for me."

[losthunter]

"Might be a good reason to talk with her, and share her stories. If she is retired, there is less likely that anyone will connect the dots to your family."

Hunter reaches out to gently touch Wil's shoulder. "Well, no worries about that any more. You inspire me to do more."

[william_kent]

"How can I repay you for this?"

[losthunter]

"You don't have to repay me for anything, Wil. I am just glad you like it."

Hunter nervously touches his head. "I just wanted to inspire you."

[william_kent]

"Inspired?" Wil asks, looking back at Hunter. "To create?"

[losthunter]

"A little of that. A lot of just trying to show you how others could see you." Hunter chuckles softly.

[william_kent]

"You'd think a guy like me would have an easier time of that..."

[losthunter]

"It is natural to be challenged, every now and then."

[william_kent]

"Guess that's one way to look at it. Thank you."

[losthunter]

"It took time for me to get to where I am. It was only because of having supportive friends around, that I finally felt comfortable in my own skin."

[william_kent]

"I'm glad you've had that."

[losthunter]

"You have that too." Hunter tells Wil. He reaches out to place his hand around Wil's waist, guiding him over to the couch.

[william_kent]

"I know." He doesn't resist, letting Hunter guide him to a seat on the couch. "But if self-acceptance was easy, no one would be unhappy with themselves."

[losthunter]

"I've been there." Hunter sits down, once they reach the couch. His touch lingers slightly.

"I just want you to know, that I'm always here to believe in you."

[william_kent]

"I do appreciate that. You're a good friend, Hunter."

[losthunter]

"Those words were something I used to fear... you're a good friend." Hunter admits.

"I had written Lindy this letter... pages and pages of telling her everything that had crossed my mind. Sharing my mind, my soul, my heart. In the letter, I told her I thought I was falling in love with her."

"I finally got the nerve to give it to her. And something happened where she had to rush off. As she left, she told me that I was a good friend."

"I felt so panicked. I didn't want her to know how I felt because of those words." Hunter reaches out again, to take Wil's hands in his. "But the truth of the matter was... I could love someone and be their good friend."

[william_kent]

They've been dancing around the subject for a while now, and now Wil is in a position where he has to respond. He doesn't pull away from Hunter's touch though. "It's not that I'm not... interested."

[losthunter]

Hunter smiles slightly at the response. "I know that it is complicated."

"But I would rather be honest about how I feel."

[william_kent]

"I know... but I don't want you to feel like I'm rejecting you either. Just because I have a hard time with this." He gives Hunter's hands a little squeeze.

[losthunter]

Hunter squeezes Wil's hands back, with another small smile. "I don't feel like you are. And I don't want you to feel like I am pressuring you."

"I like being your friend."

[william_kent]

"I like being your friend too," Wil agrees. "You're a lot more patient than some guys," he adds with a small smile.

[losthunter]

"I have put my stalking days behind me." There is some humor in Hunter's eyes, even though that is technically the method he used to see Lindy in those early days.

"I don't want to scare you off."

[william_kent]

"I'm not sure that'd even be possible without stalking," Wil says, allowing himself to add a little amount of humor in return.

[losthunter]

"I can get a little intense." Hunter notes softly. "I think it because how I shut that part of myself off for so long."

"Luckily, I have my art to channel some of that."

[william_kent]

"And you do great works because of that."