(Bonds are made of stronger stuff if people are?) Possible title
Eda heard the door slam and she smiled. Kid #2 was home and Kid # 1 would finally go to bed. She got ready to yell to King that Luz was there then she saw Luz. Her posture sagged, every bit of her expressed dejection. “What's wrong?” Luz lifted her head and Eda knew she had been crying. Eda gasped.
“What happened”? Eda questioned. She hoped she wanted to hear the answer.
"I wasn't hurt.” Eda was relieved for a second before realizing how evasive Luz's answer had been. Luz might only consider physical well-being as being 'not hurt'. Luz might have, heck probably had been wounded emotionally.
Was this the fault of whoever she met on these days? If it was Eda would find them and hurt them. Actually, Him. Once Luz had been tired she said when Eda had asked her if she'd had fun ( Eda read an article and the advice of asking questions like those had seemed doable and not particularly stupid or boring.)
Luz responded with "Si, Tenía diversión con él." Eda had known enough Span-ish to piece together the words "Yes" and "fun with him". Eda had panicked for a while before deciding that ‘fun’ was platonic. Now she was worried again. What had he done? In response to Luz's response, Eda gave Luz her most skeptical look
“I wasn't—I mean— it was someone else, hurt that is."
Luz's voice cracked at the word hurt. It didn't take long to learn more. “Someone I know and care about was hurt and I couldn't stop it. I didn't know it was happening. I knew this person for years but I never knew.” Part of Eda thought if she looked down she'd see a puddle of word vomit on the floor. Luz looked like she was about to start crying again so Eda interrupted.
“Is this the mysterious person you meet on Friday nights?”
Luz blinked. “How did you know about the person?" Luz questioned
"Just a hunch" Eda claimed
Luz looked at Eda with an expression that said 'I doubt that.'
"You mentioned someone one or two times," Luz nodded, that explanation she believed.
"Did this person hurt you?” A growl rose in Eda’s throat. If the person had hurt Luz, Eda would destroy him.
“No, he's been hurt but I couldn't— I didn't know.” Eda was incredibly confused now. She didn’t want Luz to get more upset but to know how to fix this she needed to know more.
“What do you mean he's been hurt”? Luz answered her quickly.
“Someone has been hurting him, he thinks it's normal, he doesn't know that people don't hurt people. He's covered in scars, Eda. His entire chest is”
She didn’t care about how hurt this person was right now if he had shown her 14-year-old daughter his chest. “How did you see his entire chest”? If he had pulled something with Luz, Eda would have to annihilate him.
“Oh,” Luz said as if seeing someone else's chest was no concern at all. “He got injured when we were stopping a robbery of a charity organization. He wasn't going to let me see his wound so I grabbed his shirt and I" A sheepish expression replaced the animated one "sort of pulled it up." She didn't let the topic linger.
"His entire chest was covered in scars”
That seemed like a logical explanation (Shirt removal wasn't logical but injury checking was.) Eda still wouldn’t rule out him being dangerous. Why had she kept letting Luz meet with this guy? Of course, she knew why. Even on Luz's saddest days, she came back smiling. Also, she only came back injured rarely and always had a specific reason.
Luz still seemed distraught. “ I care a lot about him and he’s hurt and it wouldn’t have happened if I had picked up on it” She wanted to tell Luz that it wasn't her fault or responsibility but Luz wouldn't believe it. Luz thought everything was her fault or responsibility. Eda almost told Luz she didn't have to do anything but that would make her more determined to do something.
She wanted to tell Luz that she'd fix it but she knew she couldn't and Luz would pick up on that.
Instead, Eda said, “Okay emotions are running high today but hopefully things will look better tomorrow”. She was pretty sure that was one of the things that responsible parents said. 7 years of this and she still wasn't very good at it.
Eda hated asking anything of Luz right now but... “King is saying he won't go to bed until he sees you, would you be willing to tuck him in”?
Both of them knew King was stubborn in these moments. Hopefully, the extra moment could give her some genius ideas on how to handle this. Luz smiled a little. It was a good sign.
“Sure I'd be happy to help you get that little goofball to bed. Which protest is it this time?”
“He's refusing to stop watching CB until he sees you. Eventually, I managed to negotiate with him to go to bed after he saw you.” Luz giggled a little at her brother's antics. “He's the sweetest 8-year-old ever,” Luz called back to Eda as she left. Eda laughed. She was pretty sure her daughter was the only one who would say that about her son.
Eda tried to figure out what she would do about the situation. She didn't know anything about the person Luz had been meeting with. All Eda knew was that A) Luz was happy around him, B) he was male, and C) Luz cared about him. Could Eda convince Luz not to pursue this? How? Should she convince Luz not to pursue this? Yes, she decided at least until she knew more info about this subject.
The owl lady would try to get answers out of Luz for the next few days. Eda knew she had seven more days until she saw him again. Eda had time, she decided.
"Kings don't need to sleep, '' she heard screeching from the other room. The yells of the fight brought warmth to her heart. When King first learned he wasn't a 'real' king he stopped acting like himself for a while. It had bothered her a lot. Now moments like this only happened every once in a while, for the most part, he was far more mature but it was endearing whenever he started acting like a little monarch again.
It reminded her of the good old days though she did hope this wasn't one of his long periods of it. She had been considering enrolling him in Hexside and she didn't want to stick them with too much damage.
She set down her mug of Apple blood and walked towards the other room. Luz might need an extra pair of hands, or at least someone to block the doorway.
...
Luz
Luz was relieved Eda had asked her to help with King. It had reminded her that Eda probably wouldn't approve of any insane plans that put Luz in danger. But seriously, Luz let Hunter be in danger for so long. She was a little bit calmer now but still as upset. She was pretty sure she'd be perpetually upset until she figured out how to fix this.
Belos was hurting him. It made her so furious at Belos but also made her so sad, scared, and angry at herself. She hadn't known. She hadn't known! Her someone who had spent time with him for years— She hadn’t known Hunter being hurt—regularly! It was upsetting, it was devastating it was—
She kicked the wall. It ached. She shouldn't be kicking it. Someone would hear, Eda could wake up and she had just barely convinced her that she was okay. Eda would know how upset Luz was but Hunter was hurt and Luz hadn't stopped it.
She kicked the wall again and one more time for good measure before she stopped herself. Her foot was aching in a way that felt good, great even maybe her pain matched Hunter’s at least a little bit.
Right now she needs a plan. She had two days to set things up. If Hunter didn't go with her willingly she would make him come with her and she nearly started crying again. He would never forgive her for this even if he realized how wrong Belos was and she would make sure it happened he would never forgive her for the betrayal she was about to commit.
Ironically enough it would technically be easy. She didn't need much, just ropes, a levitation spell, and sleeping smoke. Plus a way to keep him from noticing before everything was set in place. She started sketching it out in her mind. It seemed easy but she'd take all night just so she missed nothing. To save him no matter what it meant he felt about her in the end it would be worth it.
…
Hunter smiled. The mission had gone spectacularly. No one died, and he was the only one to sustain more than a couple of cuts and bruises. His two main injuries were from tackling someone out of the way. The success of his mission meant he could ask his uncle to leave and maybe he'd say yes.
He had his worst wound healed and bandaged the second worst. (he also has his popped stitch from yesterday.) Debriefings happened in the throne room. He shoved open the doors, even after all these years with a bit of difficulty, After he entered the doors swung shut. He knelt and scrutinized the ground.
"You may rise" The Emperor declared after around 45 seconds. When Hunter looked up he saw his uncle standing in front of the throne in the throne room.
Hunter nearly smiled. 15 seconds less than usual. The Emperor must be pleased with the results of the mission. Luz didn't know what she was talking about. The Emperor was reasonable.
If Hunter did well he rewarded him if Hunter did poorly the Emperor punished him. Just the same as everyone else. He doubted the owl lady had as much reason for her punishments. He wondered if he should start trying to get her away from the owl lady. Like he had done in the early days of their— acquaintance.
He had told her many times before that being friends with her was illegal. She had told him happily that she did illegal things regularly and being friends with him was one of the most worthwhile illegal things she did.
He nearly caved right there. He might have if he didn't know she said things like that all the time and that she couldn't mean all of them. "Hunter" The Emperor sounded impatient. Hunter nearly cursed.
"Yes?"
"Were you paying any attention?" Belos asked in a tone that meant he knew Hunter had not been. He was disappointed. Hunter answered with the truth (like always)
"No sir. I am sorry my thoughts were elsewhere." The Emperor sighed and Hunter flinched. He hated it when the Emperor sighed. Not only did it mean he had disappointed his uncle but it also often meant Hunter had or would do something worthy of punishment.
"So much training and still—" he sighed again before continuing "As I was saying" He paused until Hunter's eyes were locked on his face. "Your mission was a success." "Were there truly no significant injuries on your team?" He almost sounded disappointed. That was nothing new. It was the reason he was so good at figuring out how to turn the tides. The Emperor likely mentioned the mission because he was pleased.
"Yes, Emperor Belos." The Emperor raised one eyebrow but Hunter had nothing else to say. The Emperor now very clearly looked pleased. He made the right move.
"Your next big mission has not been decided yet, it shouldn't be for around a week"
"Is there anything I can do in the meantime?" Hunter dared to ask. He hoped he could do something for Belos within the next week. How useless would he be if he just sat around with the day of unity approaching?
"Simply your regular patrols. You might need to pick up a few extra shifts the coven scouts can't cover". Belos turned his back to Hunter. He was dismissed but he still needed to ask Belos about meeting with Luz. He was in the perfect position to ask.
"If I may" Belos stared at him with an expression that told him to tread lightly. He picked his words carefully. "I was hoping to pick up another patrol of Bonesburrow similar time to the ones I have on Fridays."
The Emperor stilled, he looked displeased, part of him said abort mission the other part of him reminded him he made a promise.
"Why"? Many things were conveyed in one word. Hunter disliked all of them. The message he received in the word that told him to leave. He did not stop. Hunter was torn between fear and old childhood joy.
The Emperor wanted to know 'why' but he seemed angry about it, and nope, the fear was on top right now. Winning by a landslide. "I wanted to check around again." He invented it on the spot.
"There was a robbery and I almost missed it. I would have if it wasn't for the information a citizen had. I need to make sure to keep track of things better," all the information he had just said was true he would have missed it if not for Luz, Luz was a citizen, and he needed to keep track of things better.
He simply also wanted to see Luz. Even better, hopefully, if the Emperor ever learned of his meetings with Luz he would see how useful and helpful she is.
"You aren't lying to me are you Hunter?"
"No unc- Emperor Belos" Hunter reassured. "I would never lie to you"
"No, of course, you wouldn't" The Emperor smiled benevolently at him. "It is a shame you nearly missed a robbery. It seems you are losing the sharpness that made me promote you to your position." He shook his head sadly. "You are losing your touch golden guard. At this rate, you will not be able to keep up with your duties and I'll need a new golden guard before the day of unity."
"No uncle!" Belos's curse shot out Hunter flinched but it missed him by a good 3 inches; he made sure not to relax as the tendril was indrawn
He cautiously asks (as it is often a good idea) "Is your curse returning? '' Only after he asks does he consider. What if it is getting worse? How many more palisman will his uncle need to restrain the curse?
It was undoubtedly his fault for not finding any palisman. He would likely be hurt a fraction of the time if not for the curse it manifested his emotions into actions belos would rarely hurt him if his curse didn't act for him "
Belos smiled but it was a grimace of pain. He looked angry.
"It is always getting worse Hunter, I thought you might know that by now "
"Can I do anything" He wanted to help his uncle as much as his uncle had helped him.
"Only keep your eyes out for palisman"
"Yes, Uncle" He knelt again and bowed. He was pretty sure Belos was smiling.
"You may go out for the extra shift but you will have to cover more shifts by the coven scouts. Furthermore, you may not bring your staff. Your skills need honing.
Hunter beams "Thank you, Uncle!" He nearly bites his tongue on the last word but today Uncle Belos seems pleased.
"You may leave" Hunter bows and does just that. He'll see Luz tomorrow to convince her there was nothing wrong with his Uncle and everything will go back to normal. Though probably his in-depth explanation will give her something else to tease him about, he sighs.
Then that teasing would make him grumpy with her for as long as it went on (so about the next month). The annoying magical thing about Luz was no matter how mad he was at her, her true intent and whole vibe meant he couldn't be mad for long. His life might be easier if he could maybe stay mad.
Maybe she'd remember her actions have consequences more often if he stayed mad at her. Though her choices in the last few years came more from a place of logic than fantasy, they were still outlandish. He wished she'd use reason sometimes. He shook off the reminiscence he had some work to do before his next shift and then more work before sleeping at around 1:30.
If she ever learned of how much he couldn't stay mad at her he'd have hell to pay he hoped she never learned of it. Tomorrow would be a good day he'd see/ talk to at least one of his 3 favorite people. When on a normal week on Sundays he might see/talk to zero he walked to his room with a smile on his face.