TW: major character death, blood, gore descriptions
(Total word count- 1446)
(Hunter's POV)
Hunter stood beside Edric. They were currently in a clearing in the woods and Hunter was simply just supervising Edric, who was brewing potions in a cauldron he had brought there. Hunter was here to ensure Edric's safety.
Hunter had already had to push Edric's hand away from the boiling liquid in the cauldron multiple times. The taller male didn't seem to care much for his own safety, oftentimes acting on impulse rather than thinking things through. Despite this though, the guard had grown to love the Blight's dumb, goofy personality.
Hunter often found himself admiring the emerald haired boy during conversations. He adored the soft, golden color of Edric's eyes, which could appear as bright as the sun in the early mornings. He loved the emerald color of his hair, perfectly complimenting the taller boy's pale skin. He favored the look Edric had without his concealment stone though, which he's only seen once. The way Edric's hair naturally fell in messy curls, how Edric's glasses perfectly captured the dorky part of him, the small bit of hair that Ed had above his upper lip, he loved every little thing about Edric.
Hunter glanced around, gently petting Flapjack's head. Flapjack had been perched on his shoulder, just enjoying cuddling with the blonde. Flapjack and Batric didn't get along often when out directly next to each other, so they were kept apart from one another.
Hunter had noted that Batric had flown to a nearby tree, most likely to rest. It was still day out, and bats were nocturnal creatures. Edric had claimed that Batric would alert them of upcoming dangers though, Hunter hadn't quite believed it. Why should he rely on a bat? He was a trained guard.
Hunter shifted his attention back to Edric, who was now looking at the potion spell book that he had gotten from the library.
Edric hummed, picking up a jar of boysenberries, "It says that I need these for this potion, but they attract scare-coons. Have you ever seen one?"
Hunter shook his head, stepping closer to the Blight, "I haven't seen one, but I know that they're hostile when it comes to feeding. I suggest that you don't open that jar while we're here."
Edric chuckled and stuck out his tongue, "Scare-coons are rarely in this part of the woods, Hun! It'll be fine." The taller male said, opening the jar and throwing a few of the berries into the cauldron, watching at the potion shifted from a jade green to a lavender.
Hunter flinched as Batric's screeches could be heard coming closer to the pair, the bat itself quickly ramming into Edric's chest and forming into a staff as Flapjack did the same. While Edric had a perplexed look spread across his face, the large, booming steps of a beast could be heard closing the distance between whatever it was and the two witches.
Hunter quickly shoved Edric onto the staff bringing to him, which quickly took off despite the Blight demanding to not leave. He knew that Edric wouldn't be able to protect himself against a dangerous beast, even though he was learning beast keeping magic. Edric didn't know how to actually fight. Therefore, his boyfriend could end up getting seriously harmed.
Hunter turned toward the sound of the approaching beast, watching it burst through the trees. Despite it being named a scare-coon, it showed no similarities to a human realm's raccoon. In fact, it appeared to share more similarities with Pac-Man, a human realm video game character that Luz had introduced to him. The scare-coon was a large eye that walked using the abnormally long lower lashes it had. In order to eat or attack, the scare-coon would split horizontally, staying together in the back like a cookie jar. On the inside of the scare-coon's mouth, it had three snake-like tongues, and razor sharp teeth.
Hunter gripped onto his staff tightly, taking in a sharp breath.
(Edric's POV {Fighting scenes are not my thing})
Edric narrowed his eyes, he had finally gotten control over his staff and was now headed back to the clearing. "Batric, I appreciate you trying to keep me safe, but Hunter could be seriously hurt! I want to be able to protect him too." He mumbled, keeping his voice low as to not accidentally attract any other beasts as he gently landed on the ground a few feet away from the clearing.
Batric quickly changed from his staff form, gently landing on Edric's shoulder and wrapping his wings around himself. Batric had never quite liked Hunter, but he made Edric happy, so the little bat tolerated him. Occasionally biting the blonde, but other than that, they were on okay terms.
Edric sighed and slowly made his way to the clearing, he could sense that something was.. wrong. But he couldn't place his finger on it- he was sure that Hunter was safe. He was a fighter. Hunter was strong. That was one of the many things he enjoyed about the young soldier. When they had their first date, Edric had gotten spooked by an illusion that Emira had made, and Hunter had scooped the taller male into his arms to protect him. Edric could still feel the way Hunter's muscles felt against his face, due the way that Hunter had picked him up that day, Edric's face had been firmly placed against the blonde's bicep. He loved that memory, it made him feel safe when he just thought about it.
Edric slowly walked out to the clearing, being met by a horrifying scene. The cauldron and ingredients he had brought where scattered, some things being absolutely demolished. In the middle of it all, he saw Hunter. He laid there in a pool of his own blood, staining the grass around him. He was missing around half of his left leg and his stomach had been shredded open, staining his clothing. Somehow, the blonde was still conscious.
Edric ran over toward Hunter, dropping to the ground as soon as he was close enough. He gently lifted the smaller male up, allowing the blonde to lean on him. "Hun- oh my Titan- you're gonna be okay- I'll get you to a healer-" the Blight stammered out, panic laced in his voice. He couldn't lose Hunter- Hunter was trying to protect him! He didn't deserve to die for protecting someone-
Edric took in a sharp breath, feeling a hand gently stroke his cheek as Hunter spoke, "Eddie... A healer won't be able to help." The smaller boy whispered from under him, the strain obvious in his voice. It took a lot of effort to move, let alone talk.
Edric gently placed his hand over Hunter's, tears blurring his vision. "Don't say that. You were protecting me- you were doing something good. You're not dying."
Hunter slowly lifted his other hand, gently wiping away Edric's tears. "Eddie..."
Edric gently pressed his face into the palm of Hunter's hand, choking back his sobs. "I'm not going to lose you."
Hunter sighed, slowly rubbing his hand against Edric's soft skin. "Can we cuddle?" The blonde murmured, he could feel his life slowly draining and all he wanted was for his final moments to be in Edric's arms.
Edric sniffled as he pulled Hunter close to himself, gently pressing his lips against the blonde's forehead. "Of course we can, Hun..." The emerald haired boy muttered back because deep down, he knew that Hunter wouldn't make it... No matter how much he wanted to deny it, it was going to happen.
Hunter chuckled, gently cupping Edric's face in his hands, "Hey, Eddie... can you promise me something?"
Edric nodded, gently placing his hands over both of Hunter's. "Anything."
Hunter gently brought his face closer, gently pressing his lips against the taller boy's for a moment before pulling away. "Never change... Eddie, you're amazing." The blonde breathed, his energy clearly leaving.
Edric nodded slowly, a quivering smile slowly spreading across his face. "I won't... I'll always be your little nerd. Now, why don't you rest?..." The Blight drawled, trying to keep his composure.
Hunter nodded slowly, his eyes slowly fluttering shut and his breathing slowing...
And slowing...
And slowing...
Until...
Nothing.
(Batric's POV)
The bat had moved from his owner's shoulder long ago, laying next to the red bird who was heartbroken. Batric hated this.
He hated hearing Edric's pained sobs.
He hated how his bird friend was silent.
And he hated how this blonde guy, who made his owner so happy, was now gone.
He hated how nothing would be normal again.
(Lemme know if I made any mistakes!! Hope ya sleep well, and have the sweetest of dreams! Love ya, stranger. <3)