empty handed - goldric oneshots/drabbz

the grom episode

When he looked down though, all of that went out the window. He has never seen Edric this pained.

He felt his chest go hollow and drop into his stomach at the sight of Edric; hair a mess, eyeliner running down (and, somehow up?) his face, nose tinted red, and sucking in shaky breaths through parted lips. He hated seeing this.

"Hey, Ed," Hunter said, as gently as he knew how to. "What happened tonight?" Edric looked up at him, surprised by the interaction. Hunter leaned a bit closer to Edric as he fixed the direction of his hair, causing Edric to huff (mayhaps he blushed we will never know-) and sit up, still drooping against Hunter. 

"Em and I both got stood up by our 'dates'. I'm personally used to it, as I do suck with relationships in general, but this was Emira's first... heartbreak? You could say? And she left too. She didn't even want me to go with her. I hated seeing her like that, goldie. I pick a lot of fun but seeing either of my sisters that upset is my breaking point."

He seemed to calm down since he was talking it out with Hunter, who made understanding nods and "mhm's" where applicable.

"If she went on her own it might be because she wants some space, I know when I've had my first major emotions I couldn't handle them properly around other people. She'll probably be better soon, and then you can big brother it out. Or, twin it out? I don't exactly know if that's a thing-" Edric cut him off by giggling, a sound that went straight to Hunter's cheeks.

Hearing Edric laugh was one of the only things that Hunter knew would make him feel better in a time like this, or ever, actually. It was small, but he's always observed the laughter of people around him. It's usually negative, like a scoff from a scout or full-on laughing at Hunter, but when Edric does it, it makes his insides feel warm and fuzzy.

Edric unknowingly cuddled closer into Hunter's side, Hunter leaning his head on him.

Edric sighed. "Thanks blondie. Maybe you aren't the worst," he teased, jabbing Hunter in the rib with his finger. 

Hunter didn't flinch even though there was a fresh bruise there from a recent encounter, as he knew that would probably send Edric into another crying spell. Literally. 

"Maybe... guess you'll never know." A comfortable silence landed among the two of them. 

"... Hunter?" Edric asked softly. Hunter opened his eyes and looked in front of him. How didn't he notice that Edric got up and moved over?

"Yeah, Ed?" He said, sitting up to unconsciously match the position of Edric.

He paused.

"Why were you gone for so long this time? That was at least a month and a half... does that happen a lot for you?"

Hunter went silent.

Edric shuffled uncomfortably waiting for an answer.

Hunter sighed. "I haven't had a break. Or more than four hours to myself. In a month and a half. This is not exactly normal for me, but it has happened before. It actually got me thinking about..." He trailed off, zoning into the wall in front of him.

"About what?" Edric finished, bringing him back.

"Whenever I've had a moment to think, it's usually about how I..." He took in a deep breath. "I don't wanna do this anymore. I lied before Ed. Obviously I'm not a scout, but the reason I have a uniform is because I left last night. I left the Emperor's coven."

Edric was staring wide eyed at him like he had an eyeball for a head, like that one girl in his potions elective.

A smile broke out across his lips.