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Hunter is sitting on the couch in the owl house. Hooty is sitting next to him while Luz, Eda, and King are in the kitchen, making some food. Hunter was just trying to take a nap when he overhears the word "hug". His eyes expand wide. 'What does that mean?!' He thinks to himself. Hunter decides to stand up and ask.
When he steps into the kitchen, everyone falls silent. "I overheard your talk and overheard the word... hug? What exactly is it?" With a puzzled expression on his face, he inquires.
Luz's mouth falls to the floor in shock. "You have no idea what a hug is?" She replies. Hunter embarrasses himself by shaking his head and looking to the right. "That's fine! Do you want me to demonstrate?" She asks as she turns around to go closer to Eda.
Hunter thinks for a moment before responding. "If it's not too much trouble, yeah." He replies. Luz and Eda suddenly wrap their arms around each other's backs and remain unmoving. Hunter gets a short smile from Eda, who informs him that this is what a "Hug" is. They part after a few more moments.
"That. Is what a hug is kid," Eda says before going back to cooking.
Hunter's face is glistening with anticipation. "How do you like- do it not awkwardly?" He is perplexed.
Luz flashes a brief smile. She walks closer to Hunter, stretching her arms out. "All you have to do is spread your arms out like I do." Hunter swiftly does this and takes a position. Hunter becomes stiff when Luz wraps her arms around him. He wasn't looking for one; he was just curious. Luz speaks up after a few seconds. "You're supposed to put your arms around me, Hunter."
"Could you- um- let go? I'm not sure how I feel about it." He confesses his guilt. "I mean, only if you choose to let go, because I have no say in what you do-" Luz shushed Hunter, interrupting him.
She chuckles softly. "Hunter, don't worry, it's all new to you. Just let me know when you're ready to give it another shot. Alright?" Luz returns to the kitchen to assist Eda after Hunter nods.
Hunter decided to go to Edric's place and spend some time with him after everyone had finished eating. He sighs as he approaches his home. Edric's parents terrify Hunter. Odelia, to be precise. Belos knows that if she tells him some lies about Hunter, he will be in trouble, therefore he always tries to be kind. Hunter knocks and waits for the door to open. He didn't see the woman he expected to see; instead, he saw Alador.
A quick smiles grew on his face. "Hunter! It's wonderful to see you once more! I'm assuming you've come to see Edric. If you are, he'll be in his room." He steps out of the way and Hunter walks in, staying quiet. "Just ask me if you need anything; I'll be someplace in this house." Alador finishes and walks off to some room while Hunter walks upstairs. He arrives at Edric's door sooner than he expected. He knocks and waits to hear back.
A big sigh comes from the other side. "I swear, if it's you Emira. Come in!" He screams. Hunter opens the door and a pillow is immediately thrown at his face. A gasp can be heard from directly in front of him. "Goldie! I didn't know you were coming around. Oh, and I apologize for throwing the pillow at you; I mistook you for my sister." He chuckles.
Hunter takes the pillow off his face, hands it to Edric and closes the door behind him. "Nah, you're good, it must suck having a sibl-" he is quickly interrupted by Edric placing his lips on Hunter's. Hunter's eyes enlarge before gradually closing. They separate after a few moments.
Hunter's face begins to flush. "It's been a long time since I've seen you." Edric said as he grabs Hunter's hands. "Are you all right?" He asks, a smirk on his face as he attempts to keep a chuckle from breaking out.
Hunter takes a glance at him. "I didn't expect that," After that, he laughs. "I'm good, but I have a question for you..." He speaks softly.
Edric widens his eyes slightly. "Hm?"
"So, Luz showed me what a hug was, and I was wondering if you were familiar with that." His face quickly changes to a dumb look as he sees Edric's face light up. Hunter had already figured out the answer.
"Yes!" He responds fast. "The first time I met Luz, she taught and informed me, why?" He replies.
Hunter is embarrassed and looks down. "Can I have a hug?" Hunter responds. Edric snatches Hunter up and spins him around till he's back on the ground without warning. Hunter was taken aback by what had happened. Edric's grip tightens. 'This...feels...different than when I hugged Luz; I feel more, at ease.' Hunter's hands where in between his and Edric's chest. He didn't have enough time to mov them before his boyfriend attacked him. Hunter quickly sinks into the hug, feeling safer than ever. Instead of his face being in between Edric's neck, it was on Edric's chest even though they're the same height. Hunter isn't ready for this to stop. He adores the way Edric's hands caress his back. Edric rubs circles continuously on Hunter's back. Making him feel uncomfortable relaxed and hated loved. Suddenly flashes of memories shoot through his head.
"Hunter...I only wanted to protect you! The world is dangerous out there! I love you Hunter. I'm your uncle, there would be no reason why I wouldn't. I wouldn't want to do anything other than keep you safe."
Hunter shakes his thoughts and pulls his arms out and does exactly what Luz told him to do, wrap his arms around the other persons back, and he did just that. He tightly grips the back of Edric's shirt.
They parted after what seemed like a lifetime. The room was quiet, but it was warm and inviting. Hunter says, a small tear rolling down his cheek, "Thank you, It truly made me feel...better."
Hunter's tears are wiped away by Edric, who smiles. "If I could, I'd hug you 1,000 more times forever." He says this before kissing hunter on the bridge of his nose. "Can we go to the owl house? My mom is about to show up, and she doesn't really like you..." He inquires.
Hunter gives a short nod. "I could see that from the first time I met her..." Edric agrees and dashes about his room, gathering items.
"Is it possible for me to spend the night? I'm tired of being here." He asks.
"Yes." Hunter responds right away. "Hurry up, I'd like to demonstrate to Luz that I can hug." He went on to say.
Edric finished packing and they asked Alador if he could stay the night at the owl house. As long as Eda was around, he agreed. Hunter confirmed she'd be there, and the two of them waved farewell to Alador as they walked away.
When they went far enough away from the house that they couldn't see it, they started talking about trivial matters like "how's school?" or "Belos sucks ass," until they got to the owl house.
Hunter hurries through the door and into the living rooms, gripping Edric's hand so that he can follow behind him. "Luz, I know how to hug!" His brain explodes with excitement as he exclaims.
Luz exclaims and leaps into her seat. "I'm so glad you know! But who did you hug?" She continues.
Hunter spins around and performs small jazz hands on Edric, who is posing like a moron. "This idiot over here." Hunter is giggling.
"That's incredible! Hunter, I'm sure you could've done better than the youngest blight twin, but I'm glad you found someone to hug." Edric's face darkens with displeasure, eliciting a burst of laughter from everyone. It eventually came to a halt.
"Do you mind if I show you my hug and you judge it?" Hunter enquires. "Only if you want." Luz quickly nods and motions with her hand to "hurry up and hug already." Hunter turns to face Edric, stretches his arms out, and marches forward in a robot-like manner. He then wraps his arms closely around Edric, who does the same but not as tightly. After that, they let go. There is an uneasy stillness that pervades the room.
"..." Luz gives Hunter a hard stare with a serious expression on her face. "When you hug someone, you normally put your arms out when you're a little closer together. Oh, and don't squeeze quite so hard. It looked like Edric's eyes were gonna pop out." She says this with a healthy dose of constructive criticism.
Hunter quickly says "Oh," and thanks her before asking Eda if Edric can stay the night. "Can Ed stay the night, Eda?" He inquires. He nearly sounds as if he's begging, but he's not.
Eda lets out a sigh. "Blight brother huh? Sure, why not? But He's not coming back if I find a mess anyplace other than your room." "I'm joking, just don't sing loudly like Luz does when she has her friends over," she snorts and chuckles. Hunter nods, and they proceed to Hunter's bedroom together.
The interior of the room is fairly plain. There is no color on the walls, gray bedsheets, and two little nightstands, one of which has a lamp. On the wall, there was only one thing: a photograph of Hunter and his friends. It was a small photograph, but it held a significant memory.
Edric looks around the empty room, amazed at how uninteresting everything seems. Edric hops onto the bed and says, "This is...sad." "Why don't you have anything in your room?" He asks.
Hunter shrugs his shoulders. "I'm not sure, and there isn't really anywhere to get nice items in any case. Plus, I'm not always around." He comes to a conclusion.
"I think this could use a makeover, but not today; I'm exhausted from all the walking we've done." He sighs and falls on his back.
Hunter face palms. As he walks over to the chair he says, "It wasn't even that long. Plus, because I had to walk there, I took longer than you. So, no more whining," and takes a seat.
Edric sticks out his tongue and gives him a look. "Well, I'm exhausted, so I'll call it a night." He shifts his gaze away from Hunter and pretends to sleep. Hunter stands up and begins complaining at him to get up. He pulls and pushes, and that's when Edric begins to snore loudly to irritate Hunter.
Hunter simply gives up and sits beside him at this moment. "I hate you so much." He declares.
Edric shifts his gaze to Hunter. "I love you as well. Now, can I sleep?" He enquires. Hunter smacks Edric lightly and scoffs.
"No. I'm going to be bored. Just stay awakeee!" He makes a strong demand. "I'd sleep with you but I'm not tired." Edric is dragged up by Hunter. "No." Edric ignores Hunter and falls on top of him, making him unable to get back up.
Hunter complains. "Get off me!" He squeals. Edric does not get off him after a few moments. "I utterly hate you." Hunter makes a snide remark before attempting to flee.
Edric just starts squeezes him. "Nope! You're not leaving anytime soon, "With a smile on his face, he says. "Either you sleep or you get bored. It's your decision!" Edric finishes before closing his eyes for real this time.
Hunter simply sighs loudly. 'I'm not going anywhere, am I?' He considers his options. "Fine. But can you at least get off me?" He asks.
Edric listens and gets off but tackles Hunter quickly after. Both of them land on Hunter's pillows. "Does this suffice?" Edric murmurs, his gaze fixed on Hunter's. He nods and sighs. "Good! Nighty night Goldie. " Edric explains. He shuts his eyes and draws Hunter close to him
Hunter gives Edric one last look before closing his eyes and going to "sleep."