Facing the Wicked Witch

[losthunter]

After the rain let up, and Hunter was able to get home -- he spent the remainder of the evening reflecting on his current mood. He wasn't even able to finish any of the portraits that still needed some work, his mind clouded with thoughts at the Witch. And his father.

The thought of his father in the hospital was the one that bothered him the most. Especially since he had no information on how his father was faring -- thanks to the fact that he was denied access to the hospital room.

Come morning, his mind was made up. Hunter was going to talk to Kendra one last time and try to appeal to her somehow.

But he couldn't trust himself to meet her alone. And pulling out a phone number from the man he met last night -- Hunter picked up the phone. Then he called one William Kent.

Comments

[losthunter]

"Did your family tell you that?" This comes from the fact that Hunter's dad... did tell him that his art was not an appropriate investment.

[william_kent]

"No. They actually tell me my work's really good." Wil just doesn't believe them, trusting his own biased judgment.

[losthunter]

Ah. Self-doubt. Hunter recognizes that symptom too.

"You could read me a piece." Hey, here he is demonstrating his art. Why not?

[william_kent]

"Oh, I..." Wil looks down at his hands. "I don't have any on me right now."

[losthunter]

Hunter could easily point out that art can be created on the spot. As he finishes places petals of a flower in the middle of his piece. But he doesn't.

"Another time then."

[william_kent]

"Another time," Wil agrees, sounding relieved. He's not going to weasel out of it, but he'll have time to prepare himself to allow another person to see his work.

[losthunter]

After working further, Hunter wipes his paint-stained hands on his T-shirt. And turns to give Wil a reassuring smile.

He steps back from the piece

"What do you think?"

[william_kent]

"It's beautiful." Wil isn't an artist himself, but having been raised in an art household, he definitely appreciates the finer points of artwork.

[losthunter]

Hunter smiles, with a slight blush behind the tattoos. It is strange to feel such a connection to this other man. But a lot has happened on one day.

"Maybe next time, I can draw your portrait."

[william_kent]

"I haven't been drawn since I was a kid... Mom does a lot of landscapes and abstracts."

[losthunter]

"It would be different... than my old drawings of my former self." Hunter reaches out towards him, but stops short of actually touching Wil. "It would be you."

[william_kent]

Wil's smile wavers a little. "How would anyone know?"

[losthunter]

"I wouldn't show it to anyone but you." Hunter clarifies. He didn't mean to imply that.

"I just meant as an artist. There would be different emotions applied with the ink."

[william_kent]

"I meant... we'd still look the same. Sort of."

[losthunter]

"I... just see you." Hunter replies softly, and this time his uninjured hand gently clasps Wil's shoulder. Yes, the initial meeting was weird. But after getting to know Wil, he does see differences. He sees him as a different person.

[william_kent]

Wil isn't sure how he wants to take that. He knows how Hunter means it, it's just a weirdness he has to adjust to first. "...just don't draw me doing anything weird."

[losthunter]

Hunter laughs. Then he leans in to whisper a little conspiratorial. "I draw what I see. So I don't think you have to worry about that."

[william_kent]

Wil doesn't usually laugh, so it's more of a silent huff of air, but it's definitely a laugh. "So... me being a vampire doesn't bother you?" They've sort of been avoiding the subject.

[losthunter]

"No." His answer is very solid. Even though they are addressing the subject that was previously avoided, Hunter stays put. He stay close.

[william_kent]

"I could've killed you." That's his real, deepest fear. That he would lose himself in the sensations, in the pleasure of drinking, and take in so much lifeblood that the other person wouldn't survive.

[losthunter]

Hunter can be at times a very physical contact person, especially when he thinks someone else needs to be embraced. But even though there is a desire to embrace Wil in this moment -- at expressing his fear. Hunter doesn't.

"You stopped yourself. And faced your fear to help me." His voice is soft.

"I am guessing it was more... sensual for you than me?"

[william_kent]

"It's easy to get lost in it."

[losthunter]

"I couldn't imagine..."

Hunter reflects for a moment. "But... you do have me to talk to now. No matter what. If you want."

[william_kent]

"Thanks." Wil isn't sure how much he wants to talk about it at the moment. He's only ever discussed this with his family, mostly his mother.

[losthunter]

"Anytime." Hunter gets the feeling they won't be talking about anything at the moment. With the uninjured arm, he gives a reassuring squeeze of Wil's shoulder.