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travlersjoy444 · 2 years

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Old Friends (Hunter/The Golden Guard x reader)

Part two to Strange Things in Eclipse Lake

Word count: 4.5k

Trigger warnings: Blood, abuse, Hunter harm (sorry)

*******

Hunter and I sat outside the palace, laughing about something or another. It had been a long time since we hung out , especially now that Hunter was training for something he said was ‘clandestiene’, but we were always able to pick up right where we left off. This time, we were in the midst of a wonderful prank session.

“D’you think Lilith has noticed yet?” I grinned, clicking the fire wand from the human world.

Hunter laughed. “How could she not? It’s all over her hair! You think she’ll be okay?”

I snorted. “My aunt is so icy that she actually probably snuffed it out without even realizing. She’ll be fine.”

“(Y/N)! YOU BRAT! DID EDALYN GIVE YOU SOME SORT OF- SOME SORT OF FIRE POTION?!”

I froze. “Actually….that’s our cue to leave.”

“Oh, well I know a perfect hiding spot.” Hunter grabbed my hand and we bolted out, evading my furious aunt.

We reached an ominous set of double doors. I tried not to shiver….something about those doors felt…off.

“My uncle does this all the time- it should just take a simple spell, something supposedly beginner level? Basically, it’ll unlock it.”

I nodded and gripped his hand tighter.

“Oh comeoncomeoncomeoncomeon-” He mumbled, trying to finish the spell to open the door.

“Hunter, let’s find another option!” I pleaded. Lilith’s footsteps were getting louder, and I knew she’d find us soon.

“No! I can do this! I’ve gotta join the Emperor’s coven someday, so I have to do beginner level spells!”

“I wish I could do those…” I said glumly, staring at my stupid powerless hands.

“It’s alright (Y/N), I’ll protect you!” Hunter laughed, momentarily forgetting about the door.

“Yeah…I think I’ll buy a sword though, too. Who needs magic when you have the power of pain on your side!” I cheered.

“Well, I’ll still protect you. You should know how to use weapons, but with me around you shouldn’t have to use them!” He stood dramatically with a hand over his heart. I laughed.

“Hunter, you’re such a dork-”

“THERE YOU ARE! And of COURSE, the Emperor’s brat is here too…”

“LILITH!” I shrieked. “C’mon Hunter! This way!”

“Eep! Yup, yeah, coming!” He sqeaked, and again we ran down the halls.

*******

I sat on my bed and researched the Emperor’s Coven. Not to join it, obviously, but to see if there was any record of Belos's means of punishment. After seeing an old foe practically have a mental breakdown in fear of punishment, I had found myself worrying.

I threw another book into the ‘pile of useless’. This wasn’t working…the only things on the Emperor’s coven were ads. I sighed. I was getting nowhere.

Time to take my mind off things, I decided.

So here I was, sitting on the couch at Eda’s house. We weren’t supposed to talk out loud, as Eda’s apprentice- Luz the human- was trying to listen to some journal entry from an Echo mouse.

I began looking through Eda’s shelves. Maybe I’d have better luck with her books? I winced as my hand touched something wet…

“Eda, what’s this?” I whispered, pulling my hand out of a bowl of potion.

“Beats me- oh wait, that’s Lilith’s scrying potion.” She whispered back. “We use it to spy on and prank the Emperor’s guards.”

I nodded. Huh, maybe this would be useful… “Can I use it?”

“Knock yourself out, kid. And if you see that hand witch, BURN her. There’s still a bruise on my back from Eclipse Lake.”

“Thanks.”

I got up and slipped to the other room, not wanting to disturb Luz. I wasn’t expecting much from the potion, but I figured it was worth a shot.

But after ten minutes of watching the guards do absolutely nothing, I sighed. Maybe this was a bad idea. I decided to find a snack while I waited.

I returned to the room with my bag of dried ratter-tree leaves, a bit ruffled from having tripped over Hooty. I drew glyphs, doodles, comics….ugh. This was boring.

Bored….bored…bored…bORED….

“You failed at capturing the Moon Witch? Hunter, be glad you brought the portal key, for if you had failed completely ....”

I jumped back and hit my head on a shelf, before running towards the potion.

“I…I’m sorry sir.” Hunter’s voice sounded from somewhere off-screen. “But what did the Moon Witch even do?”

“Are you questioning me, Hunter?” Said Belos softly. A shiver ran down my spine. People who yelled while angry were scary, but people who whispered…they were even worse. They had enough control to not flip out, but you could hear it…laced in their words, that slight undertone that could strike you dead.

I worried involuntarily about Hunter….Dang it, why’d he have to act like a person? It was easier to hate him when his personality was just wisecracking and annoying me.

“You of all people should know how dangerous wild magic is…and yet you didn’t confiscate those glyphs?”

“No, sir, I just….I hoped maybe…maybe the Moon Witch could….” He paused as though he was realizing he shouldn’t say what he was about to say. He pressed on, but it slowly became a whisper. “Well…I thought it might be nice for me to….have access to more magic? Because…you know-”

A black spike raced across my line of sight, making a soft thud as it hit it’s target. I heard a weak whimper, so quiet it could have been my imagination…I felt sick. The image changed to a different section of the coven. I have to do something.

Heart pounding, I ran downstairs, nearly crashing into a suit of armor.

“Hey-Eda-I-gotta-go-on-a-secret-mission-BYYYEEEE!” I yelled over my shoulder as I left the house.

Palisman-Palisman-Palisman-

My staff zoomed towards me, nearly knocking me down.

“Okay. Okay, we’re going to the Emperor’s palace, okay?” I said, tying my mask. “ ….what do you mean ‘do I have a plan’?! Of course I have a plan! It’s….” I trailed off, heart sinking. I had no idea what I was doing.

“I’ll make one on the way.” I decided, hopping onto my staff.

*******

Hunter

I returned to my room feeling sick. I was honestly trying not to react to the pain, but I was trembling more than I wanted to.

I sighed and stared into the mirror. With the mask on, no one would ever guess how messed up my face was. Unfortunately, to tend to my new wound, I’d have to take it off. It almost seemed like I was taking my personality off with it. With it on, I was charismatic, witty, and confident….too confident, apparently, considering my overconfidence was my downfall, I thought as my fingertips brushed over the bloody inside surface of my mask. If I were less confident, I wouldn’t ask stupid questions. I looked back into the mirror, maskless now to assess the damage.

With it off, I wasn’t sure what I was.

But visually, I was a hot mess with it off. I stared into my reflection’s sunken eyes. Titan, do I always look this tired? I let my eyes flicker over my features, wincing at the new bruised gash across my nose, the scar on my cheek…whatever. Maybe they were unattractive, but I deserved them. I could do better…I should do better.

I sighed and sat on my bed. Why did I have to let (Y/N) go? I should have tried harder to explain how good the Emperor was. I should have tried harder, then (Y/N) would get it. We could have gone on missions together. We could have been friends…it would be nice to have a friend.

But no. I gave up on taming the wild witch, and now I was breathing out of my mouth because my nose hurt too much. Now I had a new, if temporary, badge of shame.

I stared at the ceiling, watching as the little red palisman who decided it liked me zoomed around. It brought a slight smile to my face, watching the little guy, weird as it was. It flew till it was tired, and landed on my head.

“Heh, at least you like me…” I chuckled. It was nice, sitting in peace for the moment. My nose stung, but still…it was nice.

KNOCK KNOCK!

I seethed. Who was at the door? Everyone knows they’re supposed to leave me alone when the door is closed! I rolled off the bed and slipped my mask back on.

“What do you want?” I grumbled, wrapping my cloak awkwardly. There was another knock.

“Back here!” Said a muffled voice.

The window? I spun around, only to find myself staring at…

“(Y/N)?” I frowned. What was the Moon Witch doing here?!

I opened the window, staring skeptically.

“Hiiiii~” (Y/N) grinned. I frowned, knowing that the drawn out ‘hi’s and ‘bye’s were kind of my thing- the witch was doing an impression of me.

“Y/N), you’re not supposed to be here! I’ll have to turn you in to the Emperor, you know that, right?”

(Y/N) stared back at me, eyes too wide. “Wait, really? Oh, shoot!” I rolled my eyes, and the robotic accent dropped.

“Anyways, I’m here on a mission.” (Y/N) continued.

“What sort of mission?” I frowned, trying not to sound curious.

“Easy. I’m here to kidnap you.”

I felt my eyes widen, words on the tip of my tongue- when (Y/N) started laughing.

“Nah, I’m teasing. I’m only temporarily kidnapping you. Borrowing you!”

“...I’m sorry, what?”

*******

(Y/N)

“...You weren’t kidding, huh.” Hunter said over the wind.

“Yeah- we’re getting tea!” I yelled, wind whipping through my hair.

“Why?” Hunter yelled back. I pretended I didn’t hear him- it wasn’t impossible. With the wind and the fabric mask over the lower half of his face, it was actually quite likely that I wouldn’t hear him.

“Hmm? Oh look, we’re here!” I turned back to him, gesturing towards the town in front of me- Atherport.

“Welcome to the head!” I smiled, dodging a giant demon I nearly collided with.

As I began our descent, Hunter looked around.

“Huh, I think I’ve been here before,” He commented.

I snorted. “I know, we fought in the town square. I had bruises for like a month after that.”

“Reeaally? I don’t recall.” He said loftily.

“Ha!” I grinned, hopping off the staff. “That’s because you fought me as (Y/N).”

“Wait, what? I’ve met you as (Y/N)?”

I tapped my mask. “That’s all I’m gonna say about that, Goldie. I’ve got a secret identity to protect, remember?”

“But- oh come on!”

I chuckled and ran ahead.

He caught up pretty quickly, giving his usual chirpy “Hiiiii~”

“C’mon, the tea shop is up here! Do you have any tea preferences?” I grinned.

“Oh, I’ve never had the stuff. Belos says it tastes like a potion that got confused.”

“...Your life is so sad…Luz was right.”

“UGH, Luz! Stupid little endearing human.” He scowled at the thought of her.

“Really? I’ve met her, she seems charming,” I smirked.

“Well, she isn’t. No…she is, and it’s her problem.”

I shrugged. “Maybe you’re just not used to people being nice to you.”

I slowed to a stop as we reached the teahouse, not missing the shadow that passed over his face when I reminded him of reality.

“...Maybe I’m not. You know, I’m surprised you’re being nice to me right now- you going soft, Moony?” He teased.

“I don’t really want to be rivals, but, y’know…” I shrugged, “Maybe someday we won’t be.”

He stared at me silently for a moment. “Maybe someday, yeah….”

I couldn’t see his mouth, but his eyes were smiling. I smiled back.

“Ready for me to change your life?” I said dramatically, swinging the teahouse’s door open.

“Lead the way,” He shrugged. I couldn’t tell if he sounded annoyed or just tired.

We stepped into the little shop. It was brightly colored, contrasting my black and bronze moon witch color palette, and the whole place smelled like something I recognized from my time in the human realm- vanilla. If I recall correctly, lunarluss produces a similar scent, but it only grows on the head.

I decided to steal some later.

I ordered myself a drink, and gave Hunter a menu to flip through.

“Hey (Y/N)- what’s angel’s breath?”

“An interesting substance that’s toxic to witches. Don’t get that drink.”

“Hmmph. Uhhh….how about apple blood?”

“Yeah, you can get that- you’ll probably need firebee honey though, ‘cause it’s pretty bitter.”

He nodded and went up to order.

He came back a few seconds later, drinks in hand.

“Oh, the honey is back there.” I informed him.

He scoffed. “I can handle it- I mean, come on- it’s just apples.”

I nodded. “Suit yourself…”

He shoved his fabric mask up- it still covered his nose, but he could drink. He took a sip of the drink and immediately shivered. “Oh my Titan what the heck is in this. It tastes like straight up poison!”

I chuckled. “Guess who told you soooo~”

“Oh, shut it, (Y/N). Watch, I’ll finish this. I’ll complain, but I’ll finish it.”

I laughed, taking a sip of my drink. “You have fun with that- I’ll be here, happily enjoying my lunarluss scaremel tea, while you suffer- Hey!”

He snatched my drink and took a sip of it.

“Hmm. Tastes like something you’d like- what’s that flavor….oh yeah, the souls of the innocent! ...I’m keeping this!”

I scoffed. “Absolutely not. Get your own!”

“Nah, yours tastes better. It tastes like victory.”

I took my drink back and shook my head. “Ha ha ha, no. Just add honey to your drink, trust me, it’ll be good.”

“Fiiiine.” He sighed and went to the flavoring stand in the back.

*******

We stepped outside of the shop.

“Where to next?” I asked

“Well…how about the Boiling sea?” He suggested, to my surprise. I thought he would say ‘back to the palace’.

“Okay! I love the ocean.”

He smiled. “Did you know that the ocean is cold in the human realm? Apparently, they play in the water- Weird, right?”

“I’ve been there before. You’d love it…the water is cold, the beaches are safe to walk on barefoot, and you can swim.”

“What’s swimming?”

“It’s like floating, but in the water.”

“Huh. What else did you see in the human world?”

“Well…instead of using magic, they used mechanics and electricity. Sorta like your staff, theoretically. And the trees are green there, and the rain doesn’t boil…it’s a bit more peaceful, but the people are the same. Good, bad, cruel, and kind…everything.”

“It sounds nice. Really odd, but…nice. How’d you even get to the human world?”

“Well…when I was a kid, my parents were hunted for being wild witches. When Belos petrified them, my aunt took me in. Anyways, Belos was after me because of something to do with his…I dunno, his grim something, so she sent me to live in the human world for most of my life. Uh…ta-da!”

Hunter stared silently.

“I guess the moral of the story is…wild magic has hurt people. But so has coven magic. So let’s just let magic be magic?”

Hunter sat there for a moment.

“WELL, anyways. Changing the subject. Uhh…what’s it like in the Emperor’s coven?” I said awkwardly. “I mean, you at least semi-succeeded your last mission, right? Doesn’t that give you….privileges?”

He shrugged. “I’m allowed to leave the palace so long as I’m maskless- so I don’t reflect badly on the coven. Um…most of the adults hate me because I’m a kid giving them orders, so it’s fun to mess with them. I have to try really hard to stay out of trouble, not that I’m doing a very good job at that lately.”

“What do you mean? You seem to be trying really hard…

“…I just mean…I’m here with you, a wanted criminal. One who I’m supposed to be capturing. But instead of making myself useful….I’m being selfish? I don’t know.” He huffed moodily.

I considered saying something deep and meaningful about ‘making your life your own’, but instead I opted to lighten the mood.

“....So…you DO like me! Ha!”

He snorted. “Gee, I don’t know…. ‘like’ is a strong word, Moony-”

“Ha! No take backs- you like me!”

“I tolerate you! Possibly a bit more than average!”

“It’s okay, I like you too- like I said, you’re my favorite rival. Plus I think we were friends when we were kids, but that’s all I’m gonna say about that.”

“Wait, what?” He gasped.

“La la la, pretending I can’t hear you-”

I slowed down, staring wide eyed.

“Oh my Titan.” My cheery mood was immediately dropped as I was greeted by the site ahead of me.

“What is it?” Hunter frowned, not seeming to grasp the gravity of the situation.

“Kikimora.” I muttered.

He stared at me for a moment, and scoffed. “Really? You’re scared of Kikimora?”

“Hunter, she wants to kill you, remember? She’s more unhinged than a…more unhinged than an…hmmm…more unhinged then a certain Hunter?”

“Okay, ouch. And also…she doesn’t recognize me maskless.”

“Hunter, you have a very distinctive voice.” I hissed. “Annnd, she has scouts with her…Annnnd I’m a wanted criminal. But worst of all…that’s palistrom wood!”

“Oh right. You wild witches and your precious palisman.” He scoffed, tossing his head.

“You have a freaking palisman on your shoulder right now Hunter, so don’t even start.”

“Hmm.” He was scheming something. I cocked an eyebrow, worried about what was about to go down.

“I’ve got it.” He declared. “You and I break in, steal the wood, you take some back to the forest and I take the rest to Belos. It’s a win-win: I prove that I’m useful, and you get at least some wood back, right?”

I sighed. There were so many things wrong with that sentence.

“You don’t get it. I can’t have just some, the forest needs to be replenished. In the human realm, they have this rule- when you cut down a tree, you have to plant another. Problem is, they don’t listen to that rule, and now their world is running out of forests. And if we do the same with palistrom wood, well…we’re gonna run out of abandoned palismen eventually, right?”

“Well I technically need all of it too! I can’t fail Belos more than I already have, so it’s either this or bringing you in. And for some reason, I can’t bring myself to turn you in- not because I like you! But because…I don’t know, but I don’t want to turn you in. And I’m being weak, and I really shouldn’t be-” He shivered and shoved his mask further over his nose.

I hesitantly put a hand on his shoulder. “Hey, well…you’re not on a mission, are you. Belos didn’t tell you to find wood, he told Kikimora- actually, for all he knows, you’re just…chilling at the library or something nerdy like that.”

“Of course I’m not on a mission. I-I disappointed him, I should have captured you. He wants competent witches on missions, not yours truly, but sadly he has to keep me around because of the Titan’s plans.”

“What about your plans?” I asked, staring him in the eyes through my mask. “Hunter’s plans?”

He stared back silently. “What do you mean?”

“I guess I mean…who is…Hunter? What does Hunter want? Not the Golden Guard, not Belos- not even the Titan. But this weird blond kid in front of me, what does he want?”

Hunter sat silently for a few moments before giving a soft “I don’t know.”

He broke his eye contact to look down at his palms.

“It’s hard to have a future in this world when you don’t have magic, so I never thought about it after I discovered my lack of powers. But then you and that human showed up…neither of you have powers either, but you’re both powerful witches. So I guess- No, no no no no no. I shouldn’t talk like this.”

“Why?”

He scoffed. “Why should I tell you? You won’t even say why you brought me here!”

I nodded, defeated. “Fine. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to say, but it looks like you’re more inquisitive than I anticipated.” I took a deep breath. “I brought you here because…well, it starts at the Owl House, of course. As things always do. And they had a scrying potion there that they used to spy on the coven- not for anything valuable, just to prank the scouts. But…uh…I heard my name, and took a peek. And I saw….you in trouble.”

He cringed. He knew what I was referring to. “You shouldn’t be seeing that.”

“Maybe not.” I acknowledged. “But I did. And we might be on opposite sides, but you’re still the friend I had as a kid, and the rival who was my friend for a minecart ride. And anyways, even if you weren’t, no kid deserves to be hurt by the people they trust.”

Something glimmered in his eyes, but faded fast. “It’s normal. You’re just being sensitive.” He scoffed, turning away.

“That’s the thing, Hunter. It’s not normal. And I wish you’d come with me, but I’m not gonna force you.”

He looked back at me, eyes softening. “I…I can’t, (Y/N). But…maybe someday. Maybe.”

I smiled at him as warmly as I could muster, and I think he smiled back.

“MOON WITCH!” Yelled a shrill voice behind me. Kikimora. “AND YOU, you’re the boy from Latissa!”

I looked up to see the hand witch standing over us. Hunter and I glanced back at each other, before he grabbed my wrist.

“And that’s our cue to leave. Byyyyye!” He waved, and we bolted.

“Where’re we headed?” I gasped, dodging a demon.

“Uh…The lunarluss gardens! Kiki is allergic.”

“Perfect.”

We ducked into the garden and hid in one of the bushes.

“You think we’re safe for now?” I panted.

“Hopefully,” He answered, trying to catch his breath. He pulled his mask down to breathe better, and as he did, I saw the full extent of Belos’s….methods of punishment.

My breath hitched. Hunter had a cut…although a ‘rip’ might be a better way to describe it. It was bloody, and I had a feeling it hadn’t been cleansed properly.

“What?” He frowned, looking into my mask.

“It’s just…” I tapped the bridge of my nose.

“Oh- right! Right. I…uh..forgot about that.” He reached to put the mask back on, but I stopped him.

“No- Hunter, that’s gonna get infected. I have healing supplies in my bag- can I please fix it?”

He nodded slowly.

“Thank you.” I reached for the cleaning potion for open wounds. “Here. This is gonna sting a bit, okay?’

“Okay.” He breathed, staring at the fabric I had soaked with potion. He flinched as I pressed it on, but held still for the most part.

“You’re doing great. Now just hold that on there for a moment while I grab the ointment and bandage, please.”

I poured a bit of ointment on, before finally putting on the bandage.

“Better?” I said softly.

“...Yeah, actually. Um….thanks.” He smiled back at me.

“Of course.”

There was a comfortable silence that settled over us, one that was quickly broken by the steps of coven scouts entering the garden.

Hunter scowled. “Seriously- there’s never a dull moment with you wild witches.”

I sighed. “Brilliant. Alright, out of the bushes-”

Hunter nodded. “We’ll run for it. Once we’ve outrun them, we should be able to escape with your staff.”

“Great.”

He grabbed my hand. “Three, two, one-”

And we ran again. Out of the bushes and away from the scouts…and we would have made it had Kikimora not been waiting at the exit to the garden.

“There you are, fools- you thought you could hide from your Emperor? That’s treason, you know!”

Hunter looked back at me helplessly and gripped my hand tighter. I tried to hide my nervousness. The scouts were behind us now…we were surrounded.

Kikimora moved forwards towards me, perched on her abomination.

“Now, won’t the Emperor be pleased to discover the identity of the fabled ‘Moon Witch’? Abomination, take it.”

A heavy hand pulled my mask until the strings snapped. My hands flew to my eyes, unwilling to let them find (Y/N).

“Ah, frightened, Moon Witch?”

“Obviously,” I said dryly. “You practically have my friend and I at gunpoint, so no, I’m not exactly cheerful.”

“Boy, does your friend have no sense?”

“Not really.” Hunter answered. “But luckily, neither do I!”

There was the sound of an explosion, and a hand grabbed my wrist.

“Comeoncomeoncomeoncomeon- oh Titan I’m an idiot-”

I let my hand drop and looked around. We were running again.

“Hunter, what did you do?”

“Uh…wild magic.”

I grinned. “How’d you manage to do that?”

“Well…I saw your glyphs from earlier, and just…drew one on the ground. And it…ah..Might have been fire.”

“Awesome.” I grinned.

“Belos had better not find out.” He sighed. “Oh, and (Y/N)...here.” He handed me a strip of fabric. “I don’t want to see your identity if you don’t want me to, so…”

I shrugged. “Actually, I think…I don’t mind anymore. Just…Belos had better not find out.”

“Well…maybe he won’t. After all, we’re just (Y/N) and Hunter, two completely normal teenagers- it’s The Moon Witch and The Golden Guard who don’t get along.”

I smiled. “Well then…feel free to turn around.”

He looked over his shoulder as we ran, and met my eyes. Then he turned around and scoffed.

“This isn’t fair. I get your face reveal while you look cool and pretty, and you get my face reveal while I’m getting captured.”

I laughed. “All's fair in love and war,”

“Uh…what?”

“Sorry, just a human thing. Now c’mon, my staff is somewhere around here- ah, here she is.”

We hopped on and flew away just as the scouts caught up.

“So, where to next?” Hunter said, to my surprise.

“Oh, I thought you wanted to go back to the castle.” I shrugged.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right…I don’t know.”

I smiled lightly. “Unless you wanna have a sleepover- that’s to say, Luz planned a sleepover at The Owl House, so that’s where I’m headed after this.”

“Do you think they’d let me come?” He whispered.

“Do you think you’d stay Hunter and not report everyone back to the Emperor?”

“Yes! I-I mean..sure.” He coughed, failing to hide his enthusiasm.

“Then yeah. Just don’t provoke Eda, call Luz names, ooh- don’t make eye contact with Hooty, there’s an important one…Oh, I’ll just give you the rest once we get there.”

I trailed off and smiled. Maybe Hunter was a strange person for me to befriend, but I was sure glad to have him.

*******

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