scully, you're not going

Now knowing his connection to the Allens, things started to come together in Adriana’s mind. Her face lit up just as she had that ‘lightbulb moment’, her jaw dropping slightly. “Hunter, right? Oh gosh, look at you! You look so much more mature in just five years.” Everyone seemed more mature to Adriana, then again, when she left, they were all in their prime. “Yes, yes, you got it right. I, uh… Yeah, I was with Matteo a lot back in the day and then I left when I found out about our dau–” She had gotten too comfortable in the moment, reminiscing. Adriana paused for a moment, choking back the words that almost flew out. “When I was pregnant with my daughter, who I’m sure you’ll see around eventually. It’s a small town, no one stays hidden for that long.”

~

Hunter blinked. “Oh, you have a daughter? That’s cool,” he nodded, not sure if it was rude to ask who the father was, or where he was. He hadn’t caught her slip up, as he was still recalling the instances he’d seen her back in the day. “And I guess you’re back in town now? Are you here visiting or have you moved back?” he asked curiously, wondering if Matteo and Kira knew.

“I think you’ll be surprised with how well liked fantasy novels are liked these days. Take your time with it. You’ll get there. And hey, you could always take the current events as inspiration.” Oliver had to wonder if the writing was a way to escape, he knew reading was for him. Everyone deserve a bit of escapism in their days, especially with everything going on currently. “There’s plenty of books around here too that might strike up some inspiration. You’re in the best place to be writing. Besides, with everything going on, the library is surprisingly one of the safest places right now.” So far anyway, there hadn’t been any strange creatures in the library and that was a relief in itself. 

~

“Oh, yeah, definitely. I mean, this is my favorite spot in town,” Hunter admitted with a nod and a slight smile. “I’ve been spending afternoons here for . . . wow, coming up on twenty-five years now? My parents would take me here when I was just a toddler, really. I learned to read with these books.” He looked around with a fond smile. “It’s like a second home to me.”

Her mouth was already beginning to form the word ‘thank’ as his revelation came out. Eyes narrowing, she gave him a once over and came to the same conclusion. “You probably do, I grew up here,” she replied, standing perfectly still. This was it. This was the moment someone connected the dots and she’d be painted with a scarlet letter forever, she was sure of it. “You don’t know the Allens by chance, do you? Particularly Matteo or Rory? I used to spend time around them. Maybe that’s were we know each other from.”

~

Hunter grinned. “Oh! Yeah, Rory’s my best friend. We’ve been together since we were eight.” He tilted his head. “That’s where I know you from! You used to hang out with Matt a lot, didn’t you? But you haven’t been around lately. It’s, uh, Ariana? No! Wait, Adriana! That’s right . . . right?” He hoped he didn’t have it wrong. That’d be embarrassing, especially since he definitely remembered her now.

🌿  for  our  muses  to  be  caught  under  mistletoe

Hunter knew he shouldn’t. They were trying to go slow. They weren’t ready yet. Not for this. Especially not in public. But when he saw the mistletoe, he knew it was now or never. He had an opportunity here, and if he didn’t take it, he knew he’d regret it.

“Hey, Scully,” he said, grabbing Rory’s arm to pull him to a stop. “Guess what?” He smiled before stepping closer, taking Rory’s face in his hand as he kissed him, deeply.

🎁  for  my  muse  to  try  &  guess  what  yours  got  them  for  christmas

“Oh? What’s this?” Hunter grinned, picking up the gift and giving it a shake near his ear. “Hmm, sounds like a puzzle,” he said, even though it didn’t at all sound like one.

🎁  for  my  muse  to  try  &  guess  what  yours  got  them  for  christmas

“Uh, wow, I have no idea,” Hunter said with a slight laugh. “I’m not really expecting anything. I mean, if you want to get me something then I won’t refuse it. I just don’t want you to feel obligated.” He rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish smile.

His name didn’t really ring any bells, but the description of Rory hanging out with another boy did. “Oh, right,” Dawn nodded along, “I remember you. Sort of. More Rory being stupid with another boy his age.” Though it was good to hear that her brother still had that support system, outside of the family. It was another indication that her leaving wouldn’t have utterly gutted the boy, at least, which was great. Rory had certainly been one of her main concerns for that. “I look like Matteo?” Dawn looked down at herself in a pointed fashion before green eyes returned to Hunter’s, one eyebrow rising. “So I look like a hulking, stiff as a board, broad-shouldered man with rugged facial hair and a perpetual scowl?”

~

Hunter listened to Dawn with a bemused expression. “Are you sure we’re talking about the same Matteo here?” he asked with an awkward chuckle. “I mean, I wouldn’t say he has a perpetual scowl . . .” She’d probably caught him in a bad mood, which was valid and probably called for. Hunter didn’t know all the ins and outs of Dawn’s leaving, but he knew it’d broken the hearts of all the Allens. Rory especially.

“Anyway, what, uh, what are you doing in town? Have you been to the farm yet?”

“Hey, for all I know, you could’ve been talking about Matteo,” Rory joked. He then took the flowers from his friend, the smile still on his face. “Oh, they totally count. They’re beautiful,” he said, his voice a little soft. He could get used to this. “It was alright, just emotionally draining. Seeing you is making me feel a hell of a lot better, though.” Smiling, Rory wiggled the bouquet under Hunter’s chin. “You wanna hang out? I was thinking of taking Jet for a ride, if you’d like to join.”

~

Hunter breathed a soft sigh of relief when Rory accepted the flowers, glad it’d worked. He grinned, nodding immediately at the offer. “Yeah, sure. Do I get my own horse or do you want me to ride with you?” he asked, not sure if Jet would appreciate two grown men riding him, but it sounded romantic.

7. An angry text

[txt] I keep hearing horror stories about what happened on Halloween. I hope you find the piece of shit who did it and put them in fucking jail

28. A sarcastic text

[txt] damn I really need ice cream right now

[txt] I don’t really but it sounds good 😭

Dawn was in a mood today. Her encounter with Matteo hadn’t exactly gone very well, which was to be expected. But the woman hadn’t been prepared for how much it would affect her. She thought it would be easy to stand there before her siblings and say ‘I’m back’, and be able to take whatever reactions they tossed back at her in response. Life wasn’t that easy and she’d underestimated her own flighty emotions and the fact they were going to affect her a thousand times worse because of what she was. Her outer shell was still intact – tough, cool, the picture of strength and perhaps even a touch of her inner bitch visible. Inside, was turmoil. And she damn well hated that. Couldn’t distance and time have made her stronger than this?

For Christ’s sake, she was frequently going between moods of wanting to kick someone’s ass or sit on the couch with a pint of ice cream while she bawled her eyes out. It was damned frustrating and she wasn’t that person.

“What?” The frustration within her came out in her rather callous greet, brushing aside her bangs as she paused in her swift stride. There was some man standing there, watching her as if he wasn’t quite sure what to think. “Who are you?” Dawn tugged her purse strap up her arm, approaching him with the sounds of her heels clicking against the pavement. The closer she came, the more it dawned on her a sense of familiarity. She knew him, didn’t she? But how– “Don’t I know you?” she questioned, brows furrowed as she pointed at him.

“Oh, uh, maybe not,” Hunter admitted, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. “I was pretty young when you left. Uh, Hunter. Hunter Marin? I met Rory back when we were eight, in school, and . . . we’ve been best friends ever since. I came over a lot but we mostly explored the woods or hung out in the treehouse, so . . . I don’t blame you if you don’t remember me.” He shook his head. “I just, uh, recognized you from your pictures. And, you know, you look like Matt.”