Chapter Text
"Hey, are you awake?"
"I am."
"Bien."
"Is that everything you wanted to ask? You just came here to tell me that?"
"No! Of course not!"
"Hum... Luz, what are you doing here? It's... 3 a.m."
"I just wanted to say hi. That's all."
"Alright then. Hi, Luz."
"Hi, Hunter."
"..."
"So..."
"So...?"
"Can I come in?"
"I don't know. Can you?"
"Are you- Really? My teachers at the Human Realm used to say that all the time."
"Sorry, come in."
"Thanks."
"Sorry about the mess."
"No problem. You should see my room. It's worse than this. I'm sure yours is the cleanest and tidiest room in the house."
"Well, I like to be organized, you know?"
"Is... Is that something you learned from him?"
"You can call him by his name. It's fine."
"I don't want to bring back bad memories, that's all."
"Luz, my whole life is a collection of bad memories. Saying the name of the man I thought as family isn't going to hurt me."
"That's not... Something healthy to say."
"I know. I'm working on it."
"And I'm happy you're doing that. I never expected you to adapt so well to life here."
"It's not that bad, you know?"
"I guess. Lilith didn't take long to become friends with Hooty."
"I don't think that'll happen soon. But he's cool."
"Just wait until he wakes you up at 4 a.m. because he found a pretty bug and we’ll see if you still think he’s cool.”
"Oh, he already did that."
"And that didn't bother you?"
"I was awake."
"Why? Hunter, you need to sleep more. It's bad for your health. And no, drinking bean juice won't help at all."
"Bad habits die hard, Luz. I used to stay awake until late, searching for information on wild witches or wild magic."
"And that didn't affect your performance? From what Lilith told me, you were by the Emperor's side all the time."
"I sometimes closed my eyes and rest a bit. Bean juice helped a lot. And fear is a good reason to stay awake. Sometimes the Emperor noticed I was falling asleep and sent me to my room."
"That's all? I was expecting him to-"
"You don't wanna hear what he did to me later, Luz. Nor I wanna say it."
"Sorry."
"No harm done."
"..."
"So, why are you so organized?"
"Is it really that weird?"
"In this house? Absolutely."
"It doesn't look that messy."
"Oh, I've been doing the cleaning for the last months. It was much dirtier the first time I arrived."
"Titan, I don't wanna imagine how Eda's room is."
"Trust me. You don't wanna know. You really don't."
"What about King? He keeps so much trash in his room I'm surprised he can even walk around."
"Trash? Oh, you mean his plushies!"
"Plushies?"
"Yeah! They're part of his 'demon army'. I sometimes play with him and pretend I'm some kind of monster and he sends his soldiers to fight me."
"What about that creepy looking doll on the corner?"
"That's... François or Jean-Luc. I don't remember its name."
"I've never seen a plushie like it before."
"It's not exactly a plushie."
"Then what is it?"
"If I tell you, will you believe me?"
"Of course. Why would you lie about a doll?"
"It's some sort of guardian we found in an island that only showed up when King was with us. The doll protects him but was deactivated when it left the sanctuary it was in."
"You're right. I can't believe that. But I'd like to see the island by myself."
"Maybe tomorrow we can travel there."
"Tomorrow? Don't you have to go to school?"
"Nah. I mean, I like Hexside and all-"
"It's the best magical school in the Isles."
"-But I have more important things to do."
"Like what?"
"Well, I have to think about the portal, we're running low on food so I may have to go hunting again."
"I'd like to go with you but..."
"It's okay. Eda appreciates the company. She doesn't say it, but she cares about you."
"This is strange."
"People caring about you?"
"No. People have cared about me before. Some of the Coven Leaders spoke to me about stuff. Even some of the members of the Emperor's Coven who weren't intimidated by me talked about... I don't know. Things."
"Then what's so strange about Eda caring for you?"
"You know what is strange, Luz. She just made sure I wasn't a spy and when it became clear I had defected, she gave me a room, found me new clothes and warm food to eat."
"Let me guess, she didn't ask for anything in return."
"I know it sounds bizarre for you. But I spent all my life thinking that I had to show Belos I was worth something to justify his... Love."
"He didn't love you, Hunter."
"I didn't see it that way. He took me in, gave me a purpose. Why shouldn't I do everything he asked me to? It was the fair thing to do."
"But love doesn't work that way. People don't love you because of the things you can offer them. People love other people for who they are. Do you really think Eda was waiting for King to give her money or anything? She feeds him, gives him those plushies and toys because she loves him like a son."
"I..."
"My mom... My mom loves me and Vee because of who we are. Even with all my flaws, she still loves me."
"I wish..."
"Amity loves me because of who I am. Not because I risked my life over and over again trying to impress her."
"That must've helped a bit."
"And I love you because..."
"Luz?"
"Look, love is not something you have to win over. Love is something that is born in your heart. It's good to show people you care for them. But to do things because you think you're in debt with them for loving you, is not something you should do."
"Thank you, Luz. I... I appreciate your words."
"Come. A hug will help you rest."
"..."
"You were right. I needed that hug."
"Just tell me. I like giving hugs and kisses. You should ask King about it."
"I will."
"Do you want me to let go of your hands?"
"No. It's just that I never thought your hands were so... Soft."
"Please, after working my ass off at Eda's shop, I don't think they're as soft as before."
"I'm serious. They're so soft and pretty."
"Really? I... Can I touch your face?"
"My face?"
"It's pretty."
"T-Thanks."
"I like your hair."
"It's blonde and rugged and dirty. It's not precisely something pretty."
"I know, but I like it."
"You know, it used to be longer."
"Ha! You should let it grow a bit. Maybe you could stuff things on it."
"Like Eda?"
"Exactly."
"Thank you, but no. I've seen her put bones and animals in it. And... Why are you touching my nose?"
"Sorry. Are you uncomfortable?"
"No! It's... Not something pretty."
"What?! That's not true! I lo- I like your nose. It's... Beautiful."
"Thanks, Luz."
"You know what? From now on, I'll tell you every day how pretty and handsome you are. Just so you don't forget it."
"Then I'll have to do the same."
"I'd like that."
"Luz? Wha-what are you doing?"
"I... I don't know."
"You... You smell nice."
"So do you."
"..."
"I-I'm sorry! I shouldn't have done that!"
"Hunter..."
"I understand if you want me to leave, I would have never done anything to harm you."
"Hunter, listen to me."
"I misunderstood everything. I... I'll leave and-"
"..."
"Why?"
"Because I'm a bad person, that's why."
"I thought you and the Blight girl were-"
"We are."
"Then why?"
"I... I don't know."
"Me neither."
"Hunter, tell me something."
"What?"
"The... You know. Did you... Enjoy it? I should have asked first. I'm sorry."
"I've never kissed anyone before."
"Really? I mean, you're not that bad looking."
"There aren't that many kids my age in the Coven."
"Oh, right. I forgot about that. I'm sorry I took your first kiss."
"I'm not. I'm... I'm glad it was you."
"And... And I'm glad I got to kiss you too."
"What... What does this mean?"
"I wish I knew."
"Will you tell the Blight girl?"
"I... I can't."
"Why?"
"For starters, I still love her."
"But you kissed me."
"I know. I love Amity and I don't think I'll ever stop loving her."
"So, what about us?"
"Hunter, I... I don't know."
"Are we going to do this, then? Will we see each other behind her back?"
"No!"
"Then we'll never talk about this again and pretend as if this never happened?"
"I don't know."
"What? Why?"
"Because... I might not want this to end."
"Luz..."
"I know it sounds bad but-"
"Sounds bad? Luz, you have a girlfriend. You're cheating on her."
"I know. But I love her."
"Then we stop this."
"I don't want to!"
"Why?!"
"Because of you!"
"... What?"
"Look, it sounds bad. And it is. I love Amity but I feel something for you and..."
“Do you love me?”
“… Maybe. It’s complicated.”
“You tell me.”
“Look. I love Amity, that will never change. But when I see you and I talk to you I feel… Something. As if I wanted to kiss you every day of my life and never let you go. You’re so smart and you know so many things. You’re… Titan… I can’t even begin to describe what I feel for you.”
“So what? You see Amity in the day and we kiss in the night?”
“Why not?”
"You can't have both, Luz. You have to choose."
"Why? We'll steal the portal and then I'll be gone forever! I won’t have you and I won’t have Amity either!”
"What are you talking about?"
"Forget it, Hunter. Forget I said anything."
"Luz, if I can help with anything, just tell me."
"Very well. Don't... Don't tell Amity, alright?"
"I won't."
"And... Can I kiss you, again?"
"Luz. I..."
"Did you like it?"
"The kiss? Of course I liked it but..."
"Then kiss me again. I... I don't want to lose you, or Amity. I know I can't have you both. But for now, let me pretend I can."
"This is going to end bad. You know that, right?"
"I know."
“Do you care?”
“I… I don’t want to answer that.”