Blaine dind’t even know where to begin if he was being honest. Even though they were from two different incidents and two different sides, they’ve lost two young lives in such a short time period that all he could do was just reflect. How could they make this world safer for these young people, or just people in general. Dying before they even get a chance to live their lives. “It’s kind of sad, you know?” Blaine commented, looking over at Hunter after taking a seat on the bench beside him. “We’ve lost two young lives and for what?”

“Jesus,” Hunter hissed, not realizing that Blaine had actually sat down beside him until he started talking. “You’re like a fucking ninja, Anderson.” He sort of chuckled, reaching up to take a drink of his coffee while he let Blaine’s words sink in just a little bit. They’re eyes caught, and Hunter rested the cup in his lap as he nodded just a little in agreement with Blaine. “We were their age once, possibly lived in their shoes for a short amount of time...no one should have to go so young... not like either of them had a choice, but to go the way they did even if it was two totally different situations. It’s not fair.” Hunter swallowed. “So, yeah, it’s kind of sad.” He agreed, sighing out a breath he didn’t know he was holding in. “You gonna be okay, Blaine?” Hunter reached out, and at first was hesitant but eventually, he placed a hand on Blaine’s shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

Magnus was still getting used to getting around on his crutches. He had only been out of the hospital for two days, and he was already tired of sitting his ass at home. All he was going to do at home was drink and eat, and then his ass would get bigger. He wouldn’t complain about a little more back there but he sure didn’t want his butt to start looking like one of those Housewives from the trashy tv he secretly loved to watch. “Mind if I pop in beside you?” Magnus asked Hunter when he walked up to the bench. He also had a coffee in his hand, but he was realizing that he was having a bit trouble actually drinking it and walking like he was used too, so he was clutching onto the crutch tightly, because he sure wasn’t about to hurt himself again.

Hunter had been busy in his thoughts, wondering if any of his students had read his email when he noticed someone approaching on crutches. Crutches and coffee in hand. That was never a good sign. Snapping out of his own thoughts, the brown haired man assisted to Magnus as best he could. “Magnus, here, lemme at least hold this for you while you get comfortable,” Hunter offered, reaching over and holding Magnus’ coffee for him. “I’m impressed you even got this far,” Hunter smiled to him. “Gonna be on those things for long?” With a raised brow, the dance instructor glanced down to see his watch actually buzz with an email notification. It was a reminder email, though, not a student email. Hunter sighed and paid his attention back to the other guy as he still held onto his coffee for him.

Another day, another dollar. There was no doubt many of Sebastian’s classmates would be taking the day off, with good reason of course. The night before at Seventh Heaven was tragic. He was one of the lucky ones to get out of the building before it went up in flames, and even though it was sad that someone had died, Sebastian wasn’t close with Jason Blossom, nor the rest of the high school students. Some were his lacrosse players, but none of them were even affected as far as he knew. While other students may have needed the day to collect themselves, Sebastian was not one of them. He always liked to stay ahead of the game and the others, so naturally, he showed up to campus bright-eyed and bushy tailed, eager to learn. 

There were certain days he made his way through the theater department early to practice some choreography before getting onto his classes. As he made his stroll through the hallway, he noticed it to be sparse, which wasn’t a surprise, leave it to the theater students to be overdramatic about a passing of a high school student that didn’t even concern them. Sebastian shook his head at the thought and turned the corner. He spotted Hunter there and a small smirk played across his face. 

“We have to stop meeting like this…” Sebastian began as he neared the other man. “Rather than just meeting up, we really need to follow through with our latter plans.” He said with a shrug. He eyed the other man, the last time he’d seen him was before he’d excused himself to the restroom before they were supposed to go home together. Unfortunately, due to the fire, that didn’t happen. He was happy to see that the other man was at least safe and sound, he’d figured that Hunter made it out when he got back to the bar and there was smoke filling the air and people panicking and leaving the place. “Are you doing okay though?” Sebastian asked curiously, not knowing how Hunter would have reacted to the fire. 

These next few weeks were going to be hard on some of them. Most of them had already emailed him back saying they’d be taking the next few days off. Hunter could understand. Sort of. He personally had never went through this time of pain, but he did understand how hard it was to have to go through something like this, especially with being so young. And maybe other’s needed time to collect their thoughts, find their way again, Hunter wasn’t judging any of them.

Glancing away from his apple watch, he looked out to the park in front of him and sipped his coffee, grateful that this wasn’t from a keruig coffee machine. Not that he had anything against those coffee pods, he just preferred coffee that you had to actually brew and not just stick a pod in the machine. Hunter was extremely picky with his coffee, something he learned about himself at a very early age.

His smile grew when he heard Sebastian’s voice from a few steps away, spotting him out of the corner of his eye. “Well, it’s nice to see a friendly face. Good afternoon, Sebastian,” Hunter quipped, pulling the cup away from his mouth as he turned and looked at the other man. “I’ll agree with you there,” pulling his arm away from the back of the bench and rested it comfortably in his lap while his other arm leaned against the armrest just in case Sebastian wanted to sit. “Though,” he mused, chewing at the inside of his cheek before he continued. “We had agreed to meet at Seventh Heaven, and we did, even if it took a few days,” the dance instructor shrugged, the smile still playing at his lips. “I’m all up for hearing ideas if you’ve got some,” he smirked before he turned to Sebastian and sipped his coffee once more.

“I’m okay, I’m just concerned for my students. Something like this doesn’t happen often, I’m sure most of them are in shock.” Which was true, even if he still was getting to know mostly all of them. “How are you doing with all of this?” It was a genuine question, one he hadn’t asked recently, though he was sure he should be.

Dear Students, he addressed the beginning of the email, not sure there was any other way to properly address the group of ones he taught so to speak. Hunter continued on with his writing. Though I am not your ordinary professor at SSU, I am opening my “office” hours to anyone who needs a non-judgmental ear to vent (if they need to) about the events that took place at Seventh Heaven on Halloween. He felt like a damn guidance counselor as he wrote his email. Nevertheless, he went on. If by any chance you can’t make it during school hours, please send me an email and we will see what can be arranged as per your schedule. And as always, these conversations stay between us. After he pressed the send button to all forty something students, he shut his laptop and went about his day.

Here in Savannah, he really wanted to make a difference, he wanted to be the person he needed back when he was in high school. Hunter was trying so hard to make things right. Glancing down to his watch as he came up to an empty bench just outside of the theatre department, he took a seat, crossed his legs and sipped the fresh cup of coffee from the faculty lounge. So as of right now, his free period would be spent sitting on this bench, sipping his hot coffee, hoping that he reached out to at least someone who needed to get things off their chest.

Hunter was a strange one. Jenny normally ran with her readings and gut feelings she got from people. But Hunter still mystified her. He was him, but also not at the same time. Like a part was missing from his overall character. He was handsome, there was no denying it, he was charming and friendly in his own terms. He didn’t seem perturbed or repulsed by her clothing style, or her attitude and past. Safe to say, Jenny was intrigued constantly with the man in front of her. Raising her glass alongside him, she took a large sip of the white alcoholic beverage, licking her lips slowly before she lowered the glass to the bar. “Suddenly I look forward to summer…” she mused, eyes light with mischief and amusement. Especially if he would stick to his word for the warmer months. 

Cheeks burned from the warmth of the vodka flowing through her and the overall heat coming from the packed club. But it grew as Hunter leant closer and she found herself holding a breath as his own ghosted on her ear and lips stretched into a smirk as he spoke. Do something sometime. Was that….a date? Her hand, still on his shoulder moved to lay flat against his chest. “We definitely should.” she agreed, not wanting to rush and assume her thoughts were right. “Have you been to Tybee, yet?” 

He couldn’t hide the smile behind the glass as he watched her. Jenny held his interest, she was easy to talk to, since he first time he showed up at the White Wyrm, she made him feel safe in a place he wasn’t used to. Now he actually did take a drink of his alcohol, his eyes watching her with an interest as he leaned back against the bar, chuckling as he mentioned looking forward to summer. “I’m glad,” and now, summer had seemed like all he thought about.

Knocking back the last bit of his drink, Hunter placed the empty glass on the table behind where they stood without taking his eyes off her. To him, she was like precious cargo, not in the sense that she was fragile, but rather that she was too unique to be tarnished with by other people - by people who would not treat her right, and Hunter couldn’t allow that to happen - not like he had a say. Something was starting to form within his chest, and he had no idea what kind of protectiveness he’d start feeling with Jenny.

Though as she agreed with him about doing something, whatever that something would be…whether it was grabbing a coffee in an actual coffee shop, or a drink that didn’t have all of the other Serpents hanging around (not that he minded), he just really wanted to get to know her better.

“No, but I’m guessing that’s the Island I keep hearing about? It’s like what…20 minutes from downtown? Have you been?”

Toni took another sip of her coffee. She knew it wasn’t possible, but she swore she could feel the warm from the drink travel down her body with every drink she took. She loved the contrast of the brisk night air around her and the hot coffee in her hands. She turned back to Hunter when he made a comment about her costume.

“Oh this old thing?” She joked. “No. Really. I spent like sixty bucks on it and I plan to make it worth while and reuse it at the next comic book convention.” She took another long sip of the only thing keeping her warm at this point. She then realized her grave mistake. “You tell anybody I divulged that information to you, you’re a dead man, Clarington.”

They kept just walking for a few minutes. “Uh. I don’t know if anybody else is here. I know some of them mentioned getting invited to or attending the party at Seventh Heaven, but I don’t know if they’d cross over for a stupid little festival. Speaking of, are you going to the party later?”

The two walked in unison with their coffees in hand, grateful that he was able to get some before the guy ran out. At the mention though of her and the costume, he just chuckled, knowing that yes she could definitely kick his ass, well... maybe. Though, he’d never hit a girl, so he wouldn’t be fighting back. “Don’t worry,” taking a gulp of his coffee, he held up his other hand in defense. “Your secret’s safe with me, seriously.” And he really did mean it, because hell, who didn’t have a few secrets anyway? But, it wasn’t like it was his secret to tell. And Hunter wouldn’t betray a friend, at least... not this new man he was clearly trying to be.

“Yeah,” he nodded when she’d asked him about the party. “Just for a little bit though, I do have to work on a lesson plan for my theatre class sometime before Monday and I’d rather not be cramming to get it all done Sunday night.” Hunter laughed, his eyes glancing down as they walked. “Are you heading to it later?”

Julian had had quite a few drinks before he clashed with the guy again, so his reaction to him actually agreeing to the truce made him outwardly more giddy than he’d typically like to show. He patted the taller guy on the back in solidarity.

“Ay, man. I don’t know your name.” He wiggled a finger in the other man’s direction. “Because somebody won’t tell me. But do you want to play a game of darts? I’ll buy you a shot for every bullseye you get and you answer a question of mine for every bullseye I get.”

Eyeing the finger that was wagging in his face, Hunter’s lips formed a thin, tight line when he lifted his eyes to catch the asshole’s in front of him. “It’s Hunter,” he finally admitted, also realizing that for whatever reason, he didn’t care if this guy knew his name or not. He did however think of the guy’s proposal momentarily. Green eyes shifted in the direction of the bar, before flashing back to the man in front of him. They were awfully close in each other’s personal space, definitely within arm’s reach.

Keep to the truce, Hunter. He told himself. It’s only fair and you don’t go back on your word. Hunter nodded. “Alright,” besides, when was the last time he was actually out drinking and enjoying himself with someone he didn’t like? “You’ve got a deal,” and with that, Hunter walked over to the empty dart board and snagged up the two handfuls of darts, handing one color to the other guy. 

Hunter turned over his shoulder to look at the darker haired man. “You sure you’ve got enough money?” He snickered, trying to hide a wicked smile

her mouth dropped open automatically, immediately taking in the guy’s appearance in front of her. instead of checking to see if she had gotten anything on his shirt Betty was staring at a set of abs…for perhaps longer than was appropriate. dragging her eyes back up to his she simply nodded, hardly even knowing what his question had been. wasn’t he cold in that outfit? all she did was grab the glass he offered, holding it between her hands as she lifted it cautiously to take a sip. “I shouldn’t be taking a drink from a stranger in a bar,” she said hoarsely, the Cooper upbringing taking over any other sensible thought at the moment ( which she was sorely lacking right now ). “what is this, anyway?”

His lips turned into a frown, not even realizing that she was right and it did seem a little creepy that he indeed just handed her a drink in a bar, the mere fact that they didn’t even know each other. “You’re right, I shouldn’t have done that.” Hunter admitted with a sigh. “Though it was really only for your use of a prop,” he added with a shrug of his shoulder as he sipped on his own glass. “You know in case you bumped into anyone else.” A decent piece of advice perhaps, his lips curling into a sideways smile at her. “It’s just an old fashioned. So, you’ve got your bourbon, a little sugar,” Hunter pointed to her glass, showing her. “Some ice, bitters about a dash or so, and your orange peel.”

“Yes, Seventh Heaven has wonderful drink specials, and of course a big Halloween party every year, also a good excuse to get out. Who wants to drink along on Halloween? Though I will admit I am pleasantly surprised they invited you considering you are new and all. They must have some form of good taste then.” He grinned as he looked the shirtless guy over. Abs for days…. Sebastian thought to himself as he licked his lips. 

He continued nodding along with Hunter and plopped down at the empty stool next to Hunter and looked at the drink menu as well. “Well  you’ve got me caught up in my cowboy aesthetic. I was thinking of a Whiskey Sour or something along those lines, but they have some cocktails called Witches Brew and they look delightful. Plus, they’re handing out some of the Halloween drinks out for free.” 

“Halloween has never really been much of a celebratory holiday for me, so I’m hardly drinking,” he motioned to his costume. “As you can see, I didn’t really go all out.” Hunter chuckled. Sebastian’s compliment made him smile and before he could stop himself, he reached over and  tipped the brim of Sebastian’s hat just a little. “I guess they do have some form of good taste.” Hunter’s eyes fell to Sebastian’s eyes for a moment before he turned and faced the bar as the man came over to take their orders.

“Can we get two Witches Brews, please?” Hunter ordered, reaching down to take a bill out from his sneaker before he placed it on the counter top. “Well, if they’re handing some of them out for free, maybe we’ll get lucky.” He flashed Sebastian a smile and a wink as he turned when the bartender walked away to make their drinks.

As Sebastian made his way toward the counter, he spotted a familiar face leaned against the counter. “Well, well, well… It’s nice to see a familiar face lurking around.” Sebastian said with a playful smirk, offering his hand to the other guy to shake. “Fancy seeing you here at the bar I suggested last week. I apologize, midterms were a priority, but we can enjoy a few drinks at this occasion.” He mused. “How are you doing this evening?” 

Just as he was about to take another look around the bar, a cowboy approached him. Hunter smiled as he reached out and shook Sebastian’s hand. “Sebastian, good evening.” Hunter chimed, retracting his hand as he rested his arm back on the open spot of the counter. Not many people were swarming this area, so it was nice to have a decent section alone. 

“I figured it would be a decent change to get out for once. And besides, you did praise this place and their drink specials.” Hunter recalled with a smirk, glancing in Sebastian’s direction. “Yeah, we can enjoy a drink or two.” He smiled before he turned and waved down the bartender as his eyes wandered over to the Halloween drink specials menu. “Any suggestions on drinks, cowboy?” Hunter teased, questioning Sebastian.

“It’s hardly fair of you to leave so little to the imagination.” she said, appearing from his side as she removed her liberty mask to see him better. Placing it on the bar top, she ordered a White Russian before turning to face him again, teasingly looking him up and down. “I must commend your bravery, no doubt you’ve had countless people throwing themselves at you. Are you enjoying your night so far?” she added, removing a couple of notes from her bra and passing it to the bar tender. 

Upon hearing a familiar voice beside him, Hunter glanced her way and watched as she removed her mask. “Green looks good on you, Lady Liberty.” He teased, sipping at his own drink. “A few. Some guy complimented my ass.” With a shrug, Hunter chuckles. “I will say, this is definitely the right choice for living out of my comfort zone.” Hunter chuckled, watching for a second as she took some bills out of her bra before he diverted his eyes elsewhere. He had been keeping his bills of money in his sneaker, it was much more a hassle than keeping it in one’s bra no doubt.

“I am now at least.” Hunter gave her a small, shy smile when he admitted to being better now that she was around. Hey, it was always more comfortable when you knew someone at a party this big. “Are you?” He questioned the pretty blonde, taking another sip of his alcoholic beverage.

Toni could see why Hunter didn’t really want to make an appearance after the last celebration, but she was glad he came. The more Serpents (or Serpent associates) here, the better. In case something hairy were to go down. She couldn’t help but laugh that he was in the same predicament that she was. 

“Yes, I’d love a coffee. Thanks.” She answered after he asked if she wanted one. She needed the caffeine and warmth desperately. She motioned for him to start walking with her. The coffee wouldn’t do them any good if they didn’t start moving.

“You forget to bring your jacket too?” She asked after taking a long sip from the sacred fluid.

Handing Toni her coffee, Hunter walked with her away from the line so other people could order. “Yeah, I really didn’t think this whole costume part through, or at least half of it,” he chuckled motioning to his naked chest, sipping at his coffee to make it last for as long as possible. But with this weather, although it wasn’t freezing, his coffee might get cold soon. It was probably below 50, so that was still chilly to just be walking around in just shorts and sneakers.

“Your costume looks great though,” he complimented before he moved forward with their walk, still slowly sipping his coffee. “Are any of the others here?” Not that he saw any of the other Serpents, Toni was literally the first person he ran into tonight.