Then you told me how you had an uncle who played the villian in those movies, and how he died and then you cried, and you apologized profusely.
-TV Girl
(I can't remember who originally wrote it, but someone else originally wrote one of the main scenes in this chapter in a gustholomule fanfiction. If you know what I'm talking about please let me know so I can credit the original author!!)
The illness passed Hunter over fairly quickly, not too bad of a deal. He had always had a strong immune system, plus the mold hadn't been much different than a common cold from their own realm.
That didn't stop Hunter from wondering if his being a Grimwalker help him get over his sickness at all.
The concealment stone was working out dandy for Edric. Whenever he had a ppartiular issue with himself, he'd wish it away in the mirror.
Though, of course... he knew Hunter would not be happy if he knew he was changing his appearance entirely. Hence, he only made minimum changes, like clearing his skin, hiding a particularly random bruise on his arm, those kind of things.
The pair was lying in the room, not doing that much. Hunter was reading over that bird palisman book Edric had gotten from the library, not wishing to be ungrateful for it. Ed had his head drooped onto his partner's lap, his eyes half-shut. One of Hunter's hands was carded through the thick green and brown curls, that had grown quite long. Though he had to be honest, his hair had began to grow a fair amount as well...
"KIIIIIIIIDSSSS!!!" Eda's voice called from downstairs, interrupting the once peaceful atmosphere.
Edric groaned, his nap having been interrupted. He raised himself up from Hunter's lap, fixing the hair that had been messed with. Despite the concealment stone fixing his appearance, he still found that he had to fix his hair if it got messed up.
Hunter placed a feather Flapjack had molted in the book, using it to mark his place. He whistled through his teeth, Flap flying over to perch on his shoulder as he stood. He offered a hand out to Edric to help him with a slight smile.
"You can really talk to him, huh?" Ed asked curiously, peering over at the palisman.
"Yeah, I've told you that before, Ed... I'm not sure why he does that staff thing, especially for me, but uh.. like Eda said he's my palisman." He responded, Flapjack chirping along.
"...so you're like an even cuter Disney princess?" Edric chuckled, wrapping an arm around him with a slight wink.
"Sure, whatever you wanna believe." Hunter smiled, his cheeks turning a rosy pink. "Now come on, I don't wanna have house cleaning duty because we didn't get down there fast enough!"
Hunter lead the way down the stairs, Edric following fairly closely behind him. The rest of the group was already downstairs, waiting on the pair.
"Took you two long enough! Do I need to start putting chores up for the people who take the longest to get down here!" Eda said, causing Hunter to eye Edric, about what he had mentioned earlier.
"Annyyywaysssss... Edalyn and I were hoping to take you all out for a nice lunch! As a treat for all your help, around the house and the market." Raine stepped in to speak, a hand being placed on their wife's shoulder to keep her calm.
"Where would we be going?" Willow asked, out of pure curiousity.
"Oh, this old diner Eda and I used to have little dates at back in high school!" They held onto her hand, smiling softly up at the tall witch.
"We thought you might enjoy a small blast from the past, with classical witch dinin'!" She caught the heart of both the 60's obsessed Gus and witch enthusiasts Luz and Amity.
"Yeah, that sounds fine." Edric shrugged. He'd always had a... thing with restaurants, but he was hoping it might be a bit better with Hunter.
Once everyone was on board with the plan and ready to go, they headed out. According to the older witches, most people here traveled by staff and flight. However, with eight people and two staffs (not including Hunter's inexperience with his own), it simply was not something that could be done.
It was alright, though. No one minded the walk too badly, and the protection of such powerful witches were helpful when it came to the occasional stares.
The name of the diner wasn't exactly important. They were there for the 'tourist' experience, rather than the actual details.
The interior was absolutely adorable. It was styled nearly exactly like a late fifties themed diner from the human realm. with classical demon realm additions. It looked exactly like what they imagine when it came to a 'demon diner.'
Raine had apparently been the only one thinking ahead with a party of eight, having called ahead to make a reservation. Note to self; a reservation was absolutely necessary if the entire group wanted to dine.
It only took a few moments before they were seated at a large, circular booth. Raine and Eda at one end, Luz and Amity besides them, Gus and Willow, then Hunter and Edric at the other end. The menu was... a demon realm menu.
"What the hell is a 'fairy pie?'" Luz inquired, setting it down after looking at the pie slices.
"Pie made of fairies, pretty tasty delicacy.... if you're interested in your food still moving." She laughed, setting down the menu quickly.
"...you're getting your usual, aren't you?" Raine smiled, looking through their glasses with pure and udder endearment.
"Griffin eggs with two slices of demon hog bacon and a piece of sourbow toast? Of course I am!" She grinned, flashing the golden fang.
Hunter was reading over the menu. He wasn't exactly sure he wanted to try any of the meals here... what even was a Boiling Isles Special? He didn't wanna find out..
"Oh, hey! They have milkshakes here too?" He perked up, and turned to Edric.
He hadn't even picked up the menu, staring blankly at it. It was like he wasn't even there...
"Edric?"
"Hm?" He was thrown out of his trance, turning to Hunter with a dumb smile.
"Do you wanna share a strawberry shake with me? I don't exactly trust any of the other food here..." He smiled politely, his hand going under the table to place itself on Edric's lower thigh in a comforting manner.
Edric's cheeks went slightly red at the feeling of his hand on such a personal area but nodded, adjusting his glasses out of fluster.
"Screw that, I'm getting the craziest thing on the menu I can!" Gus added in, a slight gleam in his eyes.
"Augustus! Watch your language... but what even is the craziest thing?" Willow always treated everyone in the group as their mother, and Gus being her first friend was no exception.
"I'm gonna get the fairy pie! So what if it's still moving? Won't that just add a little extra kick to it?
"I like that one, what's your name? Goops?" Eda grinned, Raine chuckling.
"It's Gus.." He smiled at the compliment, but was not exactly pleased with such a bad mispronunciation.
"Goops it is, I don't feel like learning a whole new name for you.
The table laughed, everyone decided on their order. It didn't take too long for the host to come get their orders and then bring it right back out.
Despite having quite.. peculiar names for all the dishes, it was all served and plated beautifully. Even the simple enough strawberry shake has a special little strawberry slice on the corner of the cup.
Everyone began eating the moment they could, too hungry to wait. Hunter took the first drink of their shake, shocked at how good it actually was. It had been much too long since he had any sort of normalish food item.
"Ed! You have to try this!" He grinned widely, offering the shake over to him.
Instead of normally taking a drink out of the straw like anyone else would, he had a small little... idea. Edric leaned forward, pressing his lips against Hunter's. He tasted the fresh strawberry and whipped cream on his lips, staying like that for just a moment before pulling away, with a smug smile.
"Hmph, you're right, it's delicious." Ed licked his lips, his boyfriend absolutely losing it at what he had just done... and in public too?
"...guys seriously? At the table?" Amity winced, shaking her head in disappointment.
Unlike Hunter, Edric normally didn't have any shame when it came to his boyfriend and kissing him. He just shrugged lightly, taking an actual drink.
Hunter as well took a drink, trying to cool his bright red face. If there was one thing he could always count on from Edric, it was always his boldness and audacity.
He knew he needed that splash of personality, especially when everything else in his life seemed so bleak.
1430 words.