Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"This is the 3rd time this week they've come here." Odalia said, looking over at the 3 Emperor's coven members, more focused on the teen in the golden, owl mask.

"The Emperor must be quite interested in our inventions!" She gleamed to Alador, who was more occupied with removing the spare goo from the abomatron he was fixing.

Odalia Blight was a woman motivated by two things in the world, money and power, which seemed to come hand in hand.
With enough money you can buy power and with enough power you can get money.
And that golden boy was her key to getting both of those things at once.

The guard spoke up to his lackeys, "You two go have some fun, I have 'business' to attend to." he waved them off with a gloved hand.
"Me and Steve are gonna go play with the blasters!"
"Oh boy we're gonna go play with the blasters!"
"Remember those are for the Emperor's ar- and their gone." He would pretend like he cared but really he was rather happy to be alone, for certain reasons.

At the back of the sale stage, the twins of Odalia were conversing, completely uninterested in their mother's passionate greed for money through the coven. Edric Blight, the boy with the cute, green hair, was holding a reject abomitron arm, where the goo had not settled properly and become way too slimy.

"Eww Edric, let go of that!" His sister prodded the limb before moving her finger away in disgust.
"No! It's cool!" His hands were covered in the dripping substance.
"Edric that's gross!"
"You're gross!"

The guard entered the backstage, not yet noticed. He took out his pocket mirror to check his face.
"Oh yeah, I'm wearing a mask." He remembered, putting it back in his pocket.

He approached the quarreling siblings.

"Excuse me, am I interrupting something?"
"Just this fiend trying to take back a reject arm."
"It's not gross to like cool, scientific and uh-" he searched for a descriptive word in his head, "And inventive things!"
Emira put her hands on her hips, "It's an abomination arm, you see those like every day at school."
"Well this ones more slimy so I like it!" The boy whined, hugging the arm and accidentally squeezing it and covering his clothes and Emira's shoes in purple slime. "Oh whoops."
"Urgh, you idiot! Im leaving!" She held the top of the bridge of her nose and walked out of the room.

The guard giggled. Now the two boys were alone.
"Maybe I am an idiot." He sighed, putting back the hand and trying to magic away the slime, failing as it was far too sticky.
"Oh well, but I'm sure your not." He disintegrated the slime easily with his staff.
"Woah! That was sick dude!"
Edric grabbed his shirt and scanned over it, completely cleansed of the substance.

"It was nothing, basic stuff any Emperor's coven member would know."
"Damn, you should teach me how to do that!"

The boy had stars in his golden eyes, almost the same color as the guards mask. It was adorable.

"Hmm maybe I will if you decide to ever join, I do have the power to assist in those decisions."
"Maybe I will, but Mittens wouldn't like that, she's been pretty bitter ever since the incident with Lillith."
"Lillith is not a representative of us as a whole, I assure you, but who is 'Mittens'?"

The Guard had only 'observed' Edric 2 times before the current moment and only just decided to interact with him, so his intel on the boy was limited.
Because he was totally collecting information for Emperor Belos and not hitting on the cute boy which he had totally not fell head over heels for on first sight.

That would be stupid.

"Oh Mittens is just a childhood nickname for my little sister, Amity."
"Ah you have another sister."

He pretended to act suprised, he had already seen Amity Blight before when she had attempted to destroy her mother's abomitron. He would have to keep an eye on the girl.
But as of now he'd keep it on her brother.

"Yep, sisters am I right. Always bossing me around!"
"Urgh, now your reminding me of Kikimora! It's always "Go do that!' Or 'Make sure the other guards don't do this!" Or 'I'm not covering your shift so you can watch cartoons you fucking nerd!' I hate it."

He paused and then cracked a smile under his mask. "Well, I've just realised we have more in common then I thought, Edric Blight."

The way his name was spoken gave Edric an odd feeling in his stomach, but he wanted to hear it again.

"Ha! Maybe we do, 'Goldie'."
"'Goldie' so thats what I'm to you? I don't dislike it, Eddie." He stepped in closer, perhaps a bit too close.
Edric gulped, tugging at his collar. How did this golden boy manage to get him so flustered?

"Oh! Well there goes the time, looks like I'll have to be leaving now." On the wall was a clock, reading out the time, 9:40.
He stepped away from the shorter boys face and started to walk off.
"Hey! Before you go could atleast have your scroll number, it's nice talking to someone who isn't my sister." He rubbed the back of his neck, hand brushing through emerald coloured hair.

The boy in the white cloak smirked, he had already intended to give that to Edric, of course when he would turn around dramatically and tell him how cute he was, instantly charming him to the point he'd fall in love and then they'd get marr- ok maybe getting a little ahead of things.

This was his first crush so he had to make a good impression on the Blight, which he of course had in the bag. He was suave.

"Of course you can, I'd love to speak to you more, Edric." And there were the butterflies in his stomach, accompanied by the warmth he felt when he felt when the guard emphasised the word 'love'.

After exchanging contacts the two spoke their goodbyes.

"Welp byeeee!"
"Later! See you around, cutie!"

The guards heart stopped.

On the way back to the castle he was silent, as Steve and the other guard spoke of their shenanigans.

They passed the forest.
They went over the bridge.
They entered the doors.

He walked to his room.
He took off his uniform.
And when all was still...

"OH MY FUCKING TITAN, HE CALLED ME CUTE!"

Kikimora was going to do some regrettable things after that night.

Chapter Text

The guard stood stock still on the concrete wall of the entrance leading into the market place, where he was designated to spy on the owl lady and her human apprentice.
He was a fearsome and respected witch, a prodigal teenager never seen by the likes of the Isles and one whose magically abilities were unrivaled.
No one would dare come near him for they feared him and what he could do-

"Oh hey Golden boy! Got work around here?"
Well except Edric Blight, his beloved boyfriend who just adored ruining in his image.

"Yes, I've been stationed to watch for suspicious activity around these parts." He decided to keep things vague. No need for Edric to know too much about his job, especially the more iffy details, like the scar across his face underneath the mask.

"Aww damn, looks like you can't hang out with me and Em. Maybe next time we could all chill together, I'd like to introduce you to her! I know you two would get along!"

"I'd like that, but with my position it would be hard to find the time." Life as a member of the most elite coven in the Boiling Isles was not easy, to the teens dismay.

"Oh well. Anyways, enjoy the rest of your day!" He pressed a kiss to the golden mask before running off after his sister, who had started to walk off without him.

There were plenty of times he was glad he could wear a mask, like when his face started to break out or he had a pimple, but there were also many, many times it became a... obstacle to say the least.
Mostly when he wanted to kiss his cute boyfriend, but couldn't or else he be making out with a piece of metal.

But of course this wasn't the first time and it probaly wouldn't be the last.

_

"Hey, you know I don't get to see you without your mask a lot." As the two boys walked through the forest, the topic of the Guard's face was brought up.

"It's part of my dress code and also the fact that I need to keep my identity secret while I'm doing my job."
"Damn, so it must be pretty big that I get to see your face huh? Oh Goldielocks I'm honoured!" He pressed his back hand to his forehead dramatically, making a show of his new found honour.

"Oh shut up before I take away that privilege and stop calling me Goldielocks, I have a name and I even bothered to tell you it!" He giggled, pretend to be mad.
"Never, Golden boy." He stuck out his tongue. "And besides, if I can't see your face anymore how am I suppose to give my wonderful boyfriend kisses and smooches huh?"

"Guess you're gonna have to say goodbye to them."
"Oh well, I can always just kiss your mask any time I want to kiss you then."

Evenly, the trees dispersed and cleared as the pair made their way to the ends of the forest.

"Looks like we split up here, I shouldn't keep the Emperor waiting. Bye Ed!" He cooed when saying the boy's name, dragging it out and sweetening it.
"Later Goldie!" He turned, waving behind him before stopping. "Just one more thing!"

He ran up to the confused blonde and planted a soft kiss on his owl-shaped face covering. "There, bye!"
The teen blushed almost as red as his eyes, thanking the Titan that no one would ever be able to see.
How come his mask got a kiss and not his face!?
He had to get that pesky Edric Blight back some day.

_

Softly, the moon shone over the trees as Edric passed through the familiar forest, adjusting his hair as he went.
He had a date tonight and he had to look perfect.

Swaying in the wind, the tree's shadows danced over him as the light pierced between them.
The sounds of his footsteps over twigs and leaves were one of the few things that could be heard, along with the squawk of the creatures of the night that lay below the surface of the dark-indigo sky, peppered with stars.

And as he walked through the mystical scenery of the lands, it started to twist. From behind him the leaves rustled aggressively, panic started to rise in his chest.

"Come out and face me!" He yelled, to assert his non-existence dominance to whatever creature could be lurking.
Frantically he drew a large, blue circle mid-air and as the creature pounced he closed his eyes and let lose an attack of magic to its direction. Missing and then being pinned to the ground by it.

"OKAY OKAY, IM SORRY PLEASE DON'T EAT ME I HAVE A DATE TO GO TO!" He pleaded, eyes shut tight and hands clasped together.
"Unfortunately, I'm not going to 'eat' you. Not here of all places."
Edric opened his eyes in suprise, recognising the all too familiar cocky voice of the man now above him. "Oh it's just you...HEY WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR!?"
"I got here first and saw you coming this way, so of course I couldn't help myself." He said in a babying voice squishing Edric's cheek below him, much to the witches dismay. "Besides, don't say you don't like being pinned under me."

"Asshole." He slapped away the gloved hand at his face, blushing bright red at all the innuendos the guard was making. "Anyways you fucked up my hair. Get off me." He riggled out as the other man stood up.
"Aww I think it looks perfect, like alwaysss. Now come on, the food isn't gonna eat itself. Unless you want to stay here and let me ea-"
"ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT LETS GO!"
The red-eyed teen howled with laughter.

It seemed Edric would be taking up Amity's role of 'tomato Blight' tonight.

The meal was lovely at the 4 star restaurant the couple had booked at for their date. Yes, they both could've gotten something higher in quality, however they needed to lay low in public.
It wasn't exactly an open case that they were together and it wasn't something that would be any time soon.

Edric took the time to admire his partners face while he ate. It wasn't often he'd get to see it, so he savoured the image. As well as deal with the hoard of flirty remarks sent his way every time he was caught staring.

Quickly, the night came to an end as the pair walked through the forest they had wandered through so many times before as it was a connecting point between Blight manor and the Emperor's Castle.

"Bye Ed, hope you enjoyed tonight. I've been a bit busy lately." He slipped back on his mask.

"It always get to this part of our dates huh? And don't sweat it! I get working for the Emperor's pretty big work! Bye, Goldielocks!"
Continuing his sacred routine he pecked the cheek of the Golden mask, but was stopped from moving away when the guard let out a groan.

"Urgh! Titan damn it! I'm not letting you get away with that again!"
Edric was confused, but before he could say another word the scar-faced teen aggressively wacked his mask to his side, grabbed Ed's waist in and smacked both of their lips together in a deep kiss.

As desperately as it started, it was surprisingly soft and absolutely filling to both of them until they finally parted their mouths.

"There, now next time focus on my mouth and not my mask if you want a kiss, asshole." He panted, rearranging it to it's proper position and headed off into the night as it engulfed the shine of his infamous, gold mask.

Edric remembered to keep his message in mind as he stood there, blushing crimson in the moonlight.

Chapter Text

The guard- or now new 'student', entered the perimeters of Hexside. First undercover mission and he would not screw this up.
He was a new person now, if anyone asked, his name was 'William Eri' and after a talk with principal Bump, it seems he would be going into the potion coven for now.

Good, potions lacked doing any actual magic, it was just mixing stuff. That would be easy and save him the embarrassment of being outed as a magic-less witch. Belos already had to pull many strings for him to not have to do the entry exams.

Emperor Belos had picked his name for him, personally he didn't like it too much. 'William' sounded posh and fancy, but in a pretentious way.
Hunter was a much cooler sounding name, he thought, but he wouldn't say that to the Emperor's face.
Defiance wasn't an option.

Through the halls of Hexside walked witches of all kinds. Hunter- or in this moment 'William' looked around at all the faces, trying to find the human he was assigned to.
Luz Noceda.

Opposite to him walked a potionist girl with three grey-blue eyes, tanned skin and hot-pink hair done up in a bun.
She wore a mean smile as she talked to her companion, a bard with grey eyes, dark skin and black hair which was dyed cream-grey and tied in a fluffy ponytail.
She seem far nicer than the girl she was talking to.

He turned again to search.
Infront of the two girls was a potionist with a singular, large yellow eye with a magenta iris. She slouched when she walked, as strands of her dark-teal hair fell in front of her face. Or eyeball more like.
Nope, not the human. Definitely not a human.

The more he scanned the more unlikely it seemed he would find the human. Wasn't she supposed to be bubbly and bright? That should be easy to notice!
Whatever, for now he'd focus on getting to class, then he could search around for her.

Watch out human.

_

He entered the home classroom and sat down at the empty seat next to a green-haired illusionist who seemed utterly bored to death at the history lesson currently happening.
His cheek was in his hand as he stared into the void.

The classroom was also completly devoid of any humans, not suprising as the human was 14, unless they were more talented then they let on, they were most likely not going to be in an class full of 16 year olds.

The lesson was easy and it was secretly fun to show off in front of everyone, the boy with the green hair even seemed to look up sometimes. However his motive for doing so was not exactly clear.

The bell screamed as a hoard of teenagers ran out, not caring about the pleads from the underpayed teacher to listen to the final piece of information for their homework.

Now it was time for him to hunt.
Or will? He really didn't like this new name, it was stunting his ability to be cool.

"Hey you, you looking for someone?" He turned around to be greeted with the face of the boy from class. He could now get a closer look at him.
His very recognisable hair was short and fluffy and his fringe swept over his bright, golden eyes. He had a mole on one of his cheekbones and a natural smirk on his face.

"You gonna answer my questions or just oggle me? I get that I'm hot, no need to worry."

The blonde blushed in suprise realising that him 'analysing' the other man could have alterior implications. "Apologies, do you know of someone called Luz Noceda?"

"Luz? Oh yeah she's sick today. They caught a cold so they're not in school today. Are you two friends? She has quite a lot." He leaned on the wall as they talked.

The guard cursed under his breath, so much for finding information on the human. He'll just have to wait for tomorrow.
"No, but I've heard of them. Do you know anything about her?"

"Well their a friend of mine and my little sister has a hugeee crush on them. Of course I know more than that, but why do you wanna know?"

"No reason other than the fact I would like to be able to recognise them when I see them next. A human doing magic is rather impressive."

The illusionist laughed. "Damn I should tell Luz they have a fan boy!"

Hunter went red. "I am not a fan boy!"

"Sure. Hey, I didn't actually catch your name, I'm Edric."

"William, I suppose we'll be seeing eachother around."

"I suppose so, Goldielocks." He winked before turning away to go find his sister.

Hunter blushed again, Titan he went red-faced easily. Especially around that cute illusionist, but that didn't mean anything. He shouldn't get distracted from the task.

But that boy might just make things in this school a bit more...interesting.

Chapter Text

"So this is your palisman?"
"I suppose...yes."

Hunter and Edric sat on the bed of Ed's room, admiring the staff embellished with a cardinal on top of it.
The Blight parents were out at work with their oh-so precious cargo, so that meant their children could smuggle in a few of their secret guests home.
Whereas the castle had one of its very rare, once-in-a-blood-moon, lazy days where not too much was happening and the guards were all too occupied playing ping-pong or gossiping, which allowed the teen guard to sneak out for only a few hours.

"It's pretty neat, too bad I didn't get a palisman. My mom grounded me and my sisters and said were not allowed to own any. It sucks."
Edric crossed his arms and frowned, he wanted a bat palisman.

Hunter opened his mouth to speak but then shut it. He decided he didn't need to mention the fact that Emperor Belos forbid him from owning a palisman.
He decided to just pat Edric's shoulder sympathetically.

He sighed, pushing away the tuffs of hair in his eyes. "So what's it's name?"
"I'm not really sure. So far I've just been calling it little rascal." He giggled and Edric smiled looking at him.
"Rascal huh? Is it as terrible as you?" Edric stuck out his tongue playfully.
"Oh shut it." Hunter grinned, allowing the bird to animate itself from the brown wood to a bright, red cardinal with a scar over one eye, matching the one on the child-soldiers cheek. He let it stand on his shoulder.
The Blight put his face near it to see better. It was slightly dirty from the years of neglect prior to finding it's new owner.

"Besides, you and I both know you're the worse one out of us. You put 'Hex me' signs on the back of the Emperor's guard's backs. I suprised they didn't lock you up in the conformitorium, I would have." Hunter smirked, watching Ed fake exasperation.

"Why I never! You would do that to your own boyfriend, Hunter!? Your beloved, dearest partner?! You're sick and I am wounded." He put a hand on his head dramatically and fell backwards onto the lap of the other boy.

"You're a nightmare."
"But you love me."
"But I love you." He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to Edric's forehead as the little rascal on his shoulder chirped happily.

It was moments like these he wanted to cherish, to hold and embrace and never let the warmth of the feeling go, but his life wasn't so easy as to let that happen.
He hoped maybe one day, he could live a life full of the warmth ever fleating moments like this gave him.

Maybe that's why he liked summer so much.
Maybe that's why he liked Edric so much.

Chapter Text

The school day had ended and Hunter was just about ready to pass out in bed and never go to this cursed place ever again.
He had severely under estimated how exhausting interacting with other people his age was.
Teenagers were a nightmare.

Potions were easy and were one of the few things keeping his pride going as he saw baby class students perform magic he couldn't do without his 'sparkle stick'.
He felt Very uncomfortable without his staff and mask, he was relieved that so far no one had questioned him on his scar.

Walking back to the cabin he was to change his disguise in as to not draw suspicion, he thought of Edric again.
The boy was suprisingly friendly for his mischievous looking expression and could definitely be of good intel on the human if they were to be closer.
He would have to try to form a bond with the boy for his information.
That's the only reason.

As he got into the hut, he began to remove his school clothes and switch to his far more assertive coven uniform, with his mask to complete the look.
Now he had to report to the Emperor.

Let's hope that goes well...

_

The following day at school he searched around for Edric, he was very easy to find. That fluffy sea-green hair and those golden eyes that shined like the sun where easy to notice.

He was with another girl in the library who had his same features, Hunter supposed that was his twin sister.

"Edric." He smiled going up to him.
"William! Luz isn't sick anymore so I can introduce you to them!" The boy had a wonderful smile, thought the guard.

"You two know eachother?" His sister asked, leaning against the bookshelves, arms folded with a questioning smirk.
"This is William, we met yesterday. He's a fanboy of the great human witch, Luz." Edric put a hand to the side of his mouth when saying the last part, getting a giggle from the girl with him.

"Hey! I heard that last part!" He frowned deeply and aggressively at the twins.
"Aww he's like Mittens, don't you think Ed?"
"Definitely."

The guard felt Very patronised by the two. He crossed his arms like a child denied playtime privileges.

"Anyway, I'm Emira. I'm Edric's older twin." She put an emphasis on the 'older' part.
"Hey! Only by eight minutes!"
"Still counts!"

Hunter let out a small giggle.

"Now you want us to show you to Luz? I'm sure she'd love to meet you, she loves befriending people. To a concerning degree." He added on the last part light-heartedly.
"Oh no, I'm not here for Luz. I came here looking for you, Edric."
Hunter knew that luz would recognise him from his voice and it was best not to blow his cover.

Edric blushed, but the blonde internally didn't realise the connotations of the words that came out of his mouth.
Externally though, he looked ready to get back at Ed for his teasing. With a smirk on his face to match the one the twins previously had.

Emira shook off her expression of realisation as she prepared to fake a dramatic woe.

"Oh no! I just remembered that I have plans with my friends now! I have to go immediately or else their gonna leave me forever!"
"Wait really? You never mentioned th-"
"Goodbye! Have fun without me!" She yelled after shoving Edric closer to the potionist and running off.

Hunter looked to the boy with green hair, not understanding the reaction of his sister. "So, why don't you show me around?"
Edric cheeks went lightly pink. "Yeah sure, I'll do that." He rubbed the back of his neck.

This would be fun.

Chapter Text

The Boiling Isles was a dangerous place to be. Home to creatures so unordinary and extraordinary, places so vast and wild and witches so powerful.
Hunter had been told it was no place for a powerless witch, that he would die unless he worked under the Emperor... and he believed it. After all, Emperor Belos wanted the best for him, why else would he be gifted a staff only two could have. Him and Belos.

He was safe under the Emperor's watch. Under the eye of the Titan's prophet he was protected from the dangers of wild magic.

But then his life changed, everything had changed once the human entered his life, or should he say his sister.
And skipping ahead years, he now lay in the lap of his fiancé under the sun as it poked in through the leafy shelter of the trees above him.

He no longer had the Emperor's protection...and he no longer needed it.
He felt safe enough with the people around him.

"What are you thinking about?" Edric looked down at him, stroking Hunter's blonde hair.
"Just some stuff. It's been a while since Luz defeated the Emperor hasn't it?"
"It has." He hummed
"I'm just happy things have changed."
"I am too." He pressed a kiss to Hunter's forehead as he closed his eyes, smiling and happy that he had gotten so lucky after all those years.

Up above their heads chirped the creatures of day along with the glyph witches own cardinal palisman.
The scarred, red bird flew through the wind and the colors of the sun-painted sky.
Hunter picked up a sandwich from the weaved basket they had brought and began to eat it. It was a big uncomfortable to do when laying down but he was absolutely not getting up from Edric's lap.

He had finally found warmth.
He found not only protection, but safety.
He found not only blood, but family.

He could never be happier with the life he now lived.
Son to the now free owl lady, Eda clawthorne, brother to the great human witch, Luz noceda, brother in law to Amity Noceda and Emira blight.

And soon to be husband to Edric Blight.

Chapter Text

Hunter shifted through the books in the magic section, searching, looking for the right one. He needed books on wild magic and he needed them fast. If he researched a little bit more on it maybe he could find out how those glyphs the human had worked.
His hand passed through books on illusion history, abomination varients, bard instruments, but still the ones he was looking for remained out of sight.

He could ask a librarian for help, but that involved social interaction. Which he was not a fan of.
As he dug through the shelf it seemed like finding a book on wild magic would be an impossible venture. He shouldn't have been suprised, Emperor's Belos was rather against any knowledge of magic that he was not in control over.
Sighing softly he turned around and headed to leave, but as he walked something- or rather someone had to get in the way of that.

"OW!" He yelled out in pain as his face collided with the person who had just ran into him, knocking both of them over. Quickly, he put a hand to his cheek and scowled at the other witch. "Watch where you're going!"

"Urghh, sorry..." The person above him groaned as they held their face, kneeling. They stood up carefully and extended a hand to Hunter.

He frowned again before, begrudgingly taking it and pulling himself up. He looked at the man infront of him as he sheepishly smiled.

"What was that for?" He crossed his arms.
"Sorry, sorry. Sorta was just hoping not to get caught by my sister for when I illusion the kids books to life." He rubbed the back of his neck as his long, painted, pale fingers ruffled his sea-glass like green hair.

"For when you what now?" Hunter was shocked at the words he just heard come out of the boys mouth but intrigued.
"I was gonna prank her by making the monsters come to life. She'd kill me if she saw me doing it." He giggled.

"I gotta get going now, I need to find the right time to strike. Later." The boy went around the blonde, in a rush to plan his great prank.

"Hey, if it's not a bother," the scar-faced man began to speak, a finger absent-mindedly rubbing at his face, "You don't mind if I come along, I don't really have too much to do and well I might as well spend the one day I have free."
Hunter lacked friends so this seemed like sometime atleast some what entertaining he could do. And it's not like he'd get into too much trouble.

The mischief-maker's eyes widened at the proposal before he smiled widely. "Absolutely! I don't have my sister around today for prank pulling so you'll have to do. The names Edric by the way."
"Hunter."
"Now just follow me, cutie." Edric winked as Hunter's face went tomato red at his unexpected flirting.

Stealthily the pair moved around until they were just outside the opening of the children's reading corner, they peaked from the side of the opening.

"And today we'll be reading...'Satan and how to appease the dark lords'? Oh..." The purple haired girl who was reading to the children sighed before quietly mummuring, "I need to stop letting the kids pick books..."

"Oh ho ho! We couldn't have picked a better time to strike!" He grinned widely.

"Your sister seems to have a lot cut out for her having to deal with these kids." Hunter gestured to the hoard if children happily cheering for the promised summoning of the dark lord on Thursday.

"Yeah, but Mittens quite likes kids."
"Mittens? Odd name."
"Oh no it's just a nickname, her actual names Amity. She hates when we call her Mittens."
"Poor girl, she has to deal with satanic kids and a naughty brother like you." He teased.
"Hey!"
Hunter giggled.

"Anyways, just sit still and enjoy the show, Goldielocks." Edric started to draw his spell circle mid-air, preparing for the chain of events that were about to occur.

Amity gingerly opened the book, flipping to the first chapter. For a book on demonics, it sure was cute, filled up with pop ups and childish drawings. She was concerning of who was monitored the kids books.
"Satan is one of the 7 demon princes within hel-" She paused her reading, gently tapping at the little demon prince sticking up from the page. "Was that there before?"

The class shook their heads.

"Weird, urgh whatever." She began to continue where she left off.

"He is responsible for all evil in the world, all sin and all the bad things that happen and have happened. He is not very nice."

She flipped the page, hesitantly staring at the image of a little girl with purple hair getting eaten alive by devils. She chose to ignore it.

"He lives in a place called Hell. It is very hot. It is a bit like Texas."
"Miss Amity? What's a Texas?" Asked a small child, sitting cross legged on the carpet.
"Perhaps research it with your mom tonight." She smiled kindly.
She did not know what a Texas was.

"Yeah what is a Texas?" Edric looked over to the man next to him as he shrugged in response.

"Hell is where all the bad people go to when they die." She paused, closing the book and sitting it down on her lap. "Are you all even old enough to know what death is?"

"My mommy told me that it's a very long vacation. I wonder when grandma will be back from her vacation."

Amity grimaced at the little girl, before smiling awkwardly. "Oh."
She picked up the book and opened it once more. "Well none of this is actually re- AHHHH!"

She let out a blood curdling scream at the inky black demon that had sprouted from the pages, growling and roaring animalisticly.
Her chair fell on its side when she fell off of it, starting up a cacophony of children screaming and cheering. She looked like she'd pass out.

The two boys roared with laughter at the chaotic scene unfolding before them, the girl looked up at them. Red face fuming, she looked ready to pounce.
"EDRIC!!!"

He ran off dragging Hunter behind him as they chuckled, barely being able to contain themselves.
Hiding in the romance section of the library, they squated low, giggling lightly with their hands over their mouths.

"Titan, I haven't had that much fun in my life." The blonde's face was almost as red as Amity's and the scowl Edric had first seen him with was replaced with a large grin.
"Oh I so need to show you around, if you're free next Saturday blondie we could hang around here." He smirked.
"Oh um i- sure!" Hunter would have to get Kikimora to cover his shift again. No problem.

"Great! Then it's a date! See me at 2, cutie!" He winked before getting up and walking away, waving back to the other man as he kneeled, staring starstruck.

Kikimora was not going to like this at all.

Chapter Text

Hunter and The Golden Guard were two very different people.

The Golden Guard was tall and imposing with his 4 inch boots and straight up back, whereas Hunter was short at 5'6.
The Golden Guard was a powerful witch among the Boiling Isles, imposing and dominant over the rest.
Hunter was a powerless witch, incapable of doing any natural magic.
The Golden Guard was the right hand man to Emperor's Belos himself.
Hunter was Edric Blight's useless partner who could barely spare him some time out of his schedule.
And he really wondered why the Blight was still with him.

He was so lucky to be with a boy who loved him as Hunter.
A boy who didn't even know of his other side.
A boy who didn't need to know.

He often asked himself what had he done to get as far as he'd gotten.

He often asked if he deserved to be so happy with a person so lovely as the one he was with.
A person who made him laugh, who made him smile who made him feel like their was more to life than The Golden Guard.

And he got the answer to his question.

No.

Because he was The Golden Guard at the end of the day. Hunter was the man who existed as a filler for when he was not around.

He was The Golden Guard and he was Edric Blight.
He was the Emperor's right hand man and Edric was a student who still had a life to choose.

He never wanted Edric to find out the way he did, but when it happened. He had to stop being selfish.

_

His face was down on the ground as his staff flew out of his hand into the forest of trees behind him, he lifted himself up weakly.

"Move away from Amity." Edric scowled, drawing up a large spell circle. "Now."

The guard struggled as he crawled to the side to grab his only source of magic as Ed ran up to untie his sister from the tree.
She jumped down and quickly hugged him before running to get her necklace that had been taken from her, now laying in the cold, white snow.
She put it back on hastily.

"Now what do we with you?" She spoke bitterly turning to face the masked man, already charging up an abomination.
He scoffed grabbing his staff, aiming it at them and-
Nothing.
It was completely wrecked.

"Looks like Golden boy's broken his sparkle stick. We should head back to Luz and Em, he's not worth the effort."

"Urgh! Not so fast you insurgent scum!" He leaped forward at Amity at an alarming pace, but falling Edric as she ran out of the way. Doing exactly what he was trying to avoid.

The two boys fell, Edric's back hitting the branches on the ground before he immediately shoved off his attacker.

He stood up and held his head and in that moment he saw a face he never expected to see.
He saw a face that he did not want to see.

"H-Hunter...?" He felt numb all of a sudden, like time itself was a tastless sludge.
"I didn't want you to see this..." What was he supposed to say to make this better, because truth be told there was no good explanation.

Amity spoke up, "You know hi-"

"Why didn't you ever bother to tell me?!"
Hunter frowned picking himself up from the ground, "Because that's none of your business, Edric."
"None of my business? NONE OF MY BUSSINESS?! I'M YOUR PARTNER FOR FUCKS SAKE!"
"I knew it what end like this and that's why I'm taking the first step out." He turned around, slipping the mask back on.
"No! Don't you dare run off on me! You can't just leave without giving me a Titan damned explanation!"

"You don't understand what I can and can't do Edric. Goodbye." He ran off through the snow, moving so fast he was out of the eyes reach in an insane.

Amity held back Edric as he sobbed angrily. "Let's get going to Luz, we don't have much time. We'll talk about this after, okay?" She spoke gently as he cried out.

_

He ran and ran as far as his legs could take him.
He ran to the Emperor when he knew it would result in punishment for not bringing the portal key.
He ran away from Edric as he left two years of joy behind.
No.
Hunter left two years behind.
The Golden Guard left an obstacle behind.

Because after all.
After two years with the man he wished he could marry.
After two years of keeping secrets.
After two years of selfishly indulging himself in a life with two sides.
He was the Golden Guard.

And when the day of unity came, Hunter would be long dead. And the Golden Guard would rise again.
After all.

Hunter and The Golden Guard were two very different people.

Chapter Text

Cautiously jumping in through the window, the guard planted both his feet on the bedroom floor and shut the handles behind him.

"You've arrived." Edric smirked as he lay kn his across his bed, head in hand and a playful twinkle in his eye.
"Yeah, duh." Hunter stuck out his tongue, but smiled.
"Come here, you jerk." He got up and pulled the other boys arm closer to drag him to sit on the bed.
"It's nice to see you Edric." Removing his boots, he kicked them off to the side and snuggled up to him in bed.
"You too. You gonna take off that mask?"

Hunter winced. "I don't know, I don't look the best tonight. Acnes been awful."
Edric deadpanned. "You're an awful liar."

He sighed. "Fine." He took off the straps and layed it down, revealing his tired face.
The blonde had heavy eye bags under his drained magenta eyes and a new scar over the left side of his face.

"Geez, what happened Hunter?" He cupped the side of the child soldiers face gently, face covered in concern.
"Nothing. You know how my job is. This happens sometimes."
"That's not a good thing at all." Edric's took both his hands and pulled Hunter's face closer to his own. "You keep getting more scars."
"Edric it's not a big deal."
"It is to me!"

Hunter sighed, melting into Ed's hands. It felt strange to be cared for so much.
The Blight moved in closer and kissed the mark as the blonde hummed out in satisfaction, before he kissed him back on the forehead.

"Please take it easy, Goldie."
"Fine, just for you." He smiled at the familiar nickname he often pretended to hate.

He pulled away and yawned, looks like all those nights of staying up late were getting to him.

"How long have you been sleeping? Cuz your eyes are telling me not long."
"Mmmm I don't know, maybe an hour or two."
"That's not nearly enough, idiot. Come on, lay down." He layed down on the bed, pulling down the shorter man in his arms still.
"What are you doing?"
"I want you to get some damn rest. You look like death. Sleep with me"
"You could've phrased that last part better." He blushed, matching his eyes, and smirked to cover it up.
"Hush."

Hunter rested on top of Edric, mask still in his hand slumped over the bedside. "I can't stay like this for too long you know, I have to head back to the castle eventually so they don't get suspicious."

Edric exhaled. "I know, I know. But can you atleast just relax for a bit? You definitely need it."
"I'm always relaxed when I'm with you."
"Okay, Romeo." He snorted, laying a hand on top of the guards back.

Despite his persona, Hunter was just a tired teenager. Edric's knew that well, he was his partner after all.

As the two embraced eachother in the moonlit room with only a lamp on, the illusionist wished that they could stay like this forever.
No more scars.
No more pain.
No more Belos.
No more Odalia.
No more rules and expectations to drown in.

Just them, drifting away to sleep.
Two tired boys crushed by their lives, finding rest in eachothers arms.

Chapter Text

"Welcome all valued investors to our annual Blight industries private sale!"

Odalia Blight ripped off her cloak, presenting herself to the crowd as her husband fell over behind her attempting to remove his in the same manner.
She was tall and confident as she looked out into the cheering audience, heavily contrasting Alador as he stood up with a permanent hunch back and scruffy hair.

The guard watched in intrigue, hoping this mission would be somewhat interesting. He was getting sick of the constant labour.

"If you're interested in reliable home security, then we're here to help. And if you've got an enemy's or two than who'd even judge?" She asked rhetorically, winking as the crowd laughed.

Hunter did not. She was no comedian.

"This is my husband Alador Blight, the greatest abomination creator of the era. My name is Odalia and as an oracle I predict you'll love what we've got in store tonight." Grabbing the jewel of her necklace, it glowed pink.

The man that stood behind her did not look like someone who would be 'the greatest abomination creator of the era'. The cloaked man scoffed, looking at the gooey, monstrosity abomination standing waiting for an order.

Confidently, from the side of the stage walked out a smirking boy about the same age as Hunter, he was supposedly Odalia's son.

He had green hair, like Odalia's but not an overly saturated mint like hers, it was more sea-green. His eyes were golden, taken from his father, but had life to them. Unlike Alador's, which looked drained and tired.

"Tonight, our showcase of weaponary will be presented by Edric. My son."

He took a little bow.

"Why don't you show us what it can do, dear."

Edric sneered at his mother's posion coated voice before moving to the left of the stage and reapplying his smile.

"This big boy may fire missiles, throw punches but he can also do a lot more than just that!" He leaned on it's metal chest with one arm before throwing his head back, narrowly avoiding a fist to the face before being picked up by its large, slimy hand.
Keeping a grin the whole time as he put a hand to his head like a damsel in distress.

"See, after those long boring days of chores and housework, don't you just wanna have a rest. What better place to do it than in the arms of this big softie!" He cooed, patting it's head before being dropped to the ground.
Clearly bothering the oracle as she scowled at him.

Hunter giggled, the boy was rather cute with his antics and he provided some much needed entertainment to the guard.

"Let's focus on it's security mechanisms." She cleared her throat and moved to the center stage infront of the boy and the abomitron.

"We've programmed the abomitron to have several different attack mechanisms, I'm sure you'd love to demonstrate them, Edric." Menacingly she grinned, moving back to her husbands side.

Hunter did not like this woman.

"Sure!" He chirped up getting into a fighting stance.

The abomitron shot out a stretchy arm in his direction which he sliced with two spell circles and ducked under before sliding underneath it's legs.
To which it twisted around and hammered down the floor, just dodging him by an inch as he jumped up it's outstretched limb, onto it's shoulder and made a split in its head which instantly rejoined.
He was then thrown to the ground.

"Oh no! It seems to have defeated me! Order now or I'll die and it'll be all your fault you sick fucks." Sarcastically he whined out before dropping his head down and sticking his tongue out.

That seemed to be the final straw for Odalia as she was bubbling with anger at Edric's little show.
Her red face calmed slightly when the scruffy inventor behind her put a hand on her shoulder and motioned to the board behind her.

It was a meter for how many products where being bought and it was full to the top. She exhaled roughly and combed back her hair.

The guard would have to meet that dead boy walking backstage.
There was something about him that facinated him and it totally wasn't his ability to make him laugh.
Or the fact he was really cute.

Totally not.

Chapter Text

"Edric, watch the edge!"

Too late.
Edric's boot latched on a loose rock and sent him falling off the outstretched slab of stone down 5 meters to the hard ground below where he broke his arm trying to protect himself from the impact.

Or atleast that's what should've happened.

Instead Edric 'lucky' Blight just so happened to get off scott free from fate and fall into the arms of a golden masked, buff guard who was making his rounds around the Isles and decided to take a stroll in the low hill cliffs the twins were fooling about around.

Panicked, Emira rushed over to the edge and peered down at her brother, ready to see the worst of him.
She was pleasantly suprised to see that his fragile, scrawny bones remained unharmed. However in equal parts very confused and concerned about the man who was bridal carrying him.
Most notably concerned about his very obvious Emperor's coven sigil that lay pinned to the front of his long, white cloak.

Shuffling back a bit to remain unseen, she watched as the cheesy, rom-com style scene unveloped before her eyes.

"Woah! You could've hurt yourself there if it wasn't for me swooping in!"
"Um, oh y-yeah." His hands bent forward awkward as his arms lay on his torso, lacking purpose in the moment.

He looked away avoiding eye contact despite the guard's eyes being hidden away by his mask.
His face felt hot, Edric wasn't used to being the flustered one on the end of someone's flirting.

"You're rather red, everything alright? Or have you quite literally fallen for me?" He had a cocky and playful voice as he spoke and that did not help the boy in his arm's mind as it slipped away from him leaving his cheeks brighter.

"Hehe. I suppose I have, mister Guard. Suppose can I get a name if you're gonna hit on me after my fall?" Edric smirked.

He was supposed to be the flirty one and he was gonna let this guy know that.

"I'm afraid I can't give that out to citizens even as cute as you. But you can call me whatever you want if I can get yours."

Emira sat down above them on the rock ledge, it seemed they were far to busy one-upping eachother in their flirting to notice her watching them.
Titan, she wished she had a box of popcorn.

Oh wait, magic. Right.
She popped one out of thin air and began crunching.

"Edric. You can put me down now Goldie, I don't need a knight in golden armour to save me from myself."
"You seem to be enjoying it though. And I doubt that, you were 5 seconds away from a broken bone had it not been for me."

Edric mumbled something under his breath as he latched onto the flirtatious man's shoulders. Half waiting for him to put him down and half hoping he doesn't.

"Titan damn it Ed, stop going head over heels for a guy you barely know! Literally!" He said to himself in his head.

Emira munched on the pop corn before putting the box down to pick at a stubborn curnel trapped in her teeth.
She hated when that happened.

"You two done yet?" She managed to push out the piece with her nail and ate it.

"Well I would keep you around for longer, but I'm afraid I do have matters to attend. Goodbye for now, Edric." He gently put Ed down and continued walking away like he had originally intended.
Had it not been for the mask he definitely would've winked.

The boy stood stock still, staring in place, face bright red.

"You gonna just stand there?" She popped the box out of existence and dusted off the salt from her hands.
"Maybe..."
"Gay."
"Shut it."

_

"Why did I do that?! That was the most cheesy, rom-com style shit I've ever pulled!" Hunter screamed into his pillow as the cardinal lay next to him. Observing his blushing panic.

He had been like this for 30 minutes so far.
The little bird rolled it's eyes.

Chapter Text

"Come on Amity! I gotta show you the bumper carts!"
"Coming!"

Dragging the purple haired witch along with her, Luz raced off joyfully to the direction of an odd area with many miniature cars in them. However they seemed to lacked wheels or any sense of traffic safety.
Amity thought they looked odd, but enthusiasticly followed her girlfriend to the odd machinery.

Leaving Hunter and Edric alone to explore the quirks of the human realm fair.

"Well, the're off. So what should we get up to? I've heard from the owl lady that there's a torture device for innocent rodents, where humans would enthusiastically abuse them with a hammer."

Edric recalled the stories that the human expert herself, Eda Clawthorne had rattled on about to him and his sisters when they went around to see Luz and Hunter.

"That sounds...concerning." Hunter cringed up.

The act of such a brutal and bloody game was not a pleasant thought to come to mind, even for someone as numb to violence as him.

"Well we're not doing that obviously, but I've heard of some other events in this human fair. Like that."
Pointing to a stand full of a diversity of plushies ranging from oversized to roughly 20 centimetres, Hunter began explaining.

"Rules seem simple from what I've been told. You shoot a target with a fake gun and get something if you're good at it."
Magneta eyes gazed lovingly at the giant bear hanging on the wall.
He really wanted the bear.

"What's a gun?" Edric bemused at the odd name that was mentioned.
"I think it's like a human wand."
"Cool! I want a gun!"

The blonde deadpanned at the taller boys giddy excitement for the odd human relics at the odd human fair.
"No, no you don't."

Dragging Ed behind him, Hunter began walking to the stand.

_

"Amity wait! This isn't how you play the game!"
"IM GONNA KILL THEM!"

Racing around in the car at questionable speeds, Amity Blight hunted after an innocent couple of frightened humans who dashed away from her manic path.

She craved violence and she hungered for blood and tonight she'd feast like a queen.

Her girlfriend on the other hand clinged onto her for dear, sweet life itself. Screaming in terror for both themself and the witches soon-to-be victims.

_

Holding the gun with both hands, Hunter closed one eye and aimed for the circular target board in front of him.
Pushing down on the trigger he let the bullet fly, hitting the board dead center.

"Yay! You did it, Goldie!" Throwing his hands up in a child-like delight, Edric beamed radiantly as Hunter smiled back warmly.

"Ooohh sorry, ya' almost made it." Gruffly the man who ran the booth spoke up in a voice that felt like gravel, matching his sleezy looking self.

"But I hit the target? It says that's all I need to do." The blonde gestured to the poster clung to the wall, gun still in hand.

"But it didn't go down." With a scarily bony finger he pointed downwards and grinned with unorganised teeth.
Hunter scowled as that had not been written anywhere on the rules.

"Why don't ya' give it a go, sweetheart?" He smiled to Edric.

"Uhh, o-okay." Aprehensively he took the gun, exchanging looks from Hunter to the man who was eyeing him like a dog.

The fake bullet flew off, hitting the edge of the target and bouncing back before the board stood still for a split second and then dropped.

"Woo ya' did it." The man smirked looking over at an exasperated Hunter.

"Come on! You clearly were controlling that!" Angry, his face went red to his ears.

"Pff, no. Maybe just suck your pride and take some hints from your pretty friend."
Looking over at Edric's he bit his dried lip, to which the witch grimaced and clinched his fist behind his back.
Trying to hold off from erasing that creeps face.

"Boy. Friend. Actually." Spitting the words out like they were sour, he scowled before grabbing onto Edric's shoulders and dragging him away. Dropping the cheap toy on the counter.

"Come on Hunter. Don't you atleast want to get the bear?" His voice was soft as he walked along with Hunter to wherever was far away from that human weirdo.

"I don't care about the bear." He stomped forward. "Let's go home, this place sucks."

"Hey, hey now. I'm sure it's not allllllll bad, that's just one bad encounter or something. In fact I know somewhere which you'll really like!"

He had tried his best to do what his sister would do in the moment and that was being comforting.
Ed wasn't the best at it, but he tried.

"And where would that be?"
"Why don't I show you, Luz said it's somewhere around here. Come on!"

The two boys ran together over to another far grander and larger place within the odd human fair.

_

"So this is cotton candy?"
Holding the stick pierced within the sugary cloud-like treat Amity took a careful bite before smiling. "It's tastes really good!"

"I knew you'd love it!" Luz's face light up like a star with joy.
"It's as sweet as you are."
"Oh you!" Batting her hand, red dusted across the rich, brown color of her soft skin as she grinned.

_

Hunter stared up at the construction looming over them like a giant among men, snaking and twisting and twining in loops high and low and big and small.

"It's a human roller coaster! It's basically just like the ones we have back at home, this one seems a bit more tame though." Edric beamed pointing up to it.

The blonde boy gulped, magenta eyes brimming with fear.

"Are you sure you want to go on it?"
"What? You scared or something?" Sticking out his tongue playfully, Ed teased.

"No! I just don't want you throwing up on me because you couldn't handle it." Rolling his eyes, he crossed his arms and coyly peered back up at the height.

"Hey! I wouldn't do that! Anyways, come on!" Pulling Hunter's arm, he raced over to the start of the queue to exchange his tickets.

They sat down in the middle seats and internally Hunter sighed in relief, holding onto Edric's hand.

"Just feel free to cling onto me if you get too scared." He winked and smiled like a mischievous cat.
"Sure, like you won't be the one doing that."
"I'm a brave boy!"
"Weren't so brave when you jumped onto me because you saw a penny spider."
"Shut up." He mumbled.

Hunter smirked, satisfied with himself.

Slowly, the ride shifted under them. Moving and shaking ever so slightly.

Slow and steady, slow and steady, slow and-

Woosh!
The ride bolted ahead, leaving screams of both terror and joy in its path. Hunter clung onto Edric for dear life itself as he screeched his lungs out while Ed yelled in exultation.

_

"You think we should go check on the boys?" Luz sipped the overpriced soda in their hand and looked Amity.
"I'm sure they'll be fine." She knew for a fact they would not be fine considering her brother, but couldn't be bothered enough to go check up on him.

She wrapped an arm around Luz as they sat on the bench together. She bit into her purple cotton candy.

Right now she just wanted to enjoy her date with her girlfriend rather than dealing with her brothers antics.

_

"AHHHHHHHHH! EDRIC, GET ME THE HELL OFF OF THIS!"
"AFRAID I CAN'T REALLY DO THAT!"

Grasping onto eachother they screached as the ride plummeted downwards from the top at alarming speeds.
Hunter shoved his face into Edric's chest and clenched his fists around his arms in an iron grip, shutting his eyes as the two continued screaming.

Hitting the bottom rails the machinery made an ugly noise as it started to slow down and come to the end.

"Is it over?" Meekly he peaked out of the taller mans chest.
The ride gave it's response by haulting to a dead stop and the couple let go of eachothers grip and got out.

Hunter straightened himself out, still shaking from the near-death experience.

"Wow...That was amazing!" Edric burst out smiling euphoricly.
"HOW CAN YOU LIKE THIS KINDA SHIT?!"

"Oh hey Hunter, Ed! We were just looking for you!"
The two whipped their heads around to see a friendly face approach them.
Luz with their sunshiney smile and contrasting girlfriend waved at them happily.

"You look like hell, what happened?" Holding the shorter girls arm, Amity gestured at the beaten-up looking blonde.
"We just got back." He replied bitterly.

Edric laughed at his sass.

"My Titan I hate the human realm."
"Oh come on Hunter! It wasn't that bad!" Ed whined.

"I don't know what you two did and to be honest I don't want to know." Luz cringed up at all the possible mishaps that could've happened.

Chapter Text

"Huntie! I'm home!" Bursting in through the door Edric strided in to greet his husband. Awfully loudly Hunter might say.

"Yes, yes I can tell by the way you decided to almost break the door." Leaning on the porpoise colored couch he aimlessly watched the shows the crystal ball on the table displayed infront of him.
"Oh please! It's fine! I'm not that bad!"
"Mhm." He made no eye contact, only smirking and continuing to watch the channels.
"Hey!"

Chuckling, Hunter turned off the orb and opened his arms to allow Edric to fall into his arms.
Ed nuzzled into his muscled chest and wrapped his slender arms around the blondes neck, fingers faintly passing through the hairs of his undercut.
He let out a satisfied hum.

"Oh, also I've finally had the time to watch that new movie of yours." Hunter played with the soft, green locks of hair that twined and shined like sea glass around his fingers.
"Aww you did? What did you think?"
"You looked hot in that suit." He stuck out his tongue playfully.
"Tell me something I don't know, Goldielocks. Though it was uncomfy as hell."
"But..."

Ed looked up confused with one golden eye peering at the man above him.

"That kiss scene was lacking."

Blowing a raspberry, the actor lightly punched Hunter's arm. "Don't be so salty, Huntie." He smirked playfully.
"It's genuine criticism Ed, maybe you just need a bit of practise."
"Oh really?"
"I'm just saying." Turning his face away he shrugged nonchalantly.

"Oh well whoever am I supposed to do that with?" Getting up and putting a hand on his forehead Edric leaned back, kneeling on Hunter's lap spread-legged.

"I'd be willing to lend a hand to the fallen actor." He put one hand around the waist of the illusionist and the other on his lower back.

"I am not a fallen actor!"
"Prove it."
"Maybe I will!"

He grabbed Hunter's collar and leaned in, connecting both of their lips quickly. They started to move together; passionate, yet soft.
Their tongues played lightly before he pulled away.

"How's that for a fallen actor?" He grinned like a cat.
"It was okay, 6/10."
"Oh come on! You are impossible!" Edric crossed his arms and pouted causing Hunter to howl with laughter.
"I'm just kidding! You were amazing baby, as always." Cooeing he kissed Ed's nose, but he simply looked away and pouted deeper and redder.

He may have been a good actor, but that smile he was hiding was not convincing.

Chapter Text

Crack!

Edric's body collided with the tree behind him, causing the rough and gnarled purple bark to fracture form the force.
Letting out a yelp of pain, he slumped down onto the forest ground holding his back in pain and meekly looking up at his assaulter.

The demonic snake-like being outstretched a long, forked tongue covered in miniscule spikes as it looked at the boy if front of it's eyes with a hungry look.
It opened it's drooling mouth revealing razor-blade sharp fangs.

Edric's magic couldn't protect him now as he was far too fatigued from the usage.

He winced and closed his eyes.

"Get away from him!"

Snapping his head back up, he stared at the person now infront of him who appeared from seemingly nowhere.
They wore an all-too-familiar white cape; one only a member of the Emperor's coven would wear.

They had a cardinal palisman in hand as it glowed bright yellow when it collided with the beasts head, causing it to hiss out in agony. They swung more and more, each hit harder then the last until eventually it scampered off into the unknown depths of the blackened night.

"Are you alright?" Huffing, they looked back at the injured boy still sat firm on the forest floor.

Edric shook himself from the shock and cautiously stood up. "I'll live."
He dusted off his clothes and took a better look at his saviour.

He didn't need to examine for long, the golden mask and uniform was a dead give away to their identity.

"Good, good. You really shouldn't be out here at night. It's dangerous and you're clearly vunerable." The golden masked man put his hands on his hips, staff still in hand.

"Alright, alright." He put his hands up and chuckled. "Say, you got a name, valiant stranger?"

Huffing, he replied with a response dripping with sass and salt. "You should know that already if you haven't been living under a rock. I'm The Golden Guard."
Heavy emphasis was put on the title.

"You've got a real name Mr Golden Guard?" Edric leaned in closer mischievously.

He knew the man's name well, on posters, on the news, everywhere he went there was talk of the prodigal teenage witch. He didn't need a reminder of him after all his mother's talks.

"That is not something I disclose to citizens." He pushed away Edric's chest and turned his head to the side.
With the mask on it was hard to read him.

"Aww, you're no fun."
"I don't believe that's my job, Edric Blight."

The boys eyes widened at hearing his own name. "How do you know my name?"

"You're a Blight, I've done some business with your family so naturally I picked up on your name. You should know this, or do you really pay no attention to parent's dealings?"

This was not the first time the guard had seen Edric, not at all. However it appeared he knew more about Edric than the Blight knew about the Guard.

Ed rolled his eyes. "Whatever, let's get out of-"

From deep within the forest came a rumbling roar shaking the ground below the two boy's feet.

"WOAH!" He jumped, shaken by the sudden eruption of noise in the dark night.

Jumping into action, the Golden Guard snatched up Edric and slung him over his shoulders like a sack of flour, putting an arm over his thighs as he sprinted hurriedly away from the heart of the forest and the emitter of the possibly bloodthirsty roar.

"Let's not get eaten by a wild beast tonight." Trampling over twigs and leaves, with sturdy, brown boots he ran through the darkness, only illuminated by the glow of the palisman staff in his other hand.

From behind him came the sound of paws and claws stamping the ground, getting closer.

"It's not like I have a choice in that!" Ed yelled into the wind as it hit his face and brushed through his now shaggy, leaf-green hair.
Which did in fact have a couple leaves in it.

Screeching and whining, a wolf-like monstrosity barrled for them.
It's mouth, which cut way farther back then it should have, was wide open and drooling; revealing multiple rows of small yet sharp teeth taking up every corner and crevice. Sticking horizontally of the gums, fighting for space and even piercing through others.

It licked up the scruffy, slimy, purple-grey fur with it's tongue which seemed to move uncontrollably like an oversized worm or intestine.

"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING?!" Ed shouted, fear overtaking his voice.

"Most likely the remnants of a failed abomination and a wild beast that walked into it. Whatever it is, we don't want to be near it!"

Picking up speed, the guard tilted the staff horizontally out infront of him and lunged onto it, Edric still over his shoulder; who let out a yelp of suprise.
Flapping it's wings through the strong wind, the red cardinal at the front of the staff lifted them off the ground and flew high above the trees at a rapid pace.

Using one hand to hold the staff, he manhandled Edric to sit behind him by flipping him over on his shoulder and pushing him back.

"Urghh..." Holding his head, the boy let out a groan before taking a browning leaf out of his messy green hair.
He looked up to see that the white cloak hood on the guard's head had fallen, revealing an undercut and platinum blonde.

Ed sat in silence thinking of something to say, to strike up conversation. He opened his mouth before being cut off firmly from saying a single sound.

"Now, Mr Blight, would you like to explain why you're out this late in This forest of all places?" He spoke seriously with a hint of annoyance, Edric couldn't blame him.
Tonight was a mess.

"Why should I tell you?" He put his chin on one hand and looked out to the night forest, it was rather beautiful high up.
With stars peppering the sky and the moon illuminating the sleeping scenery.

"Because I'm a guard. Don't forget who you're talking to."

Rolling his eyes, he smirked.
Edric Blight was allergic to the rules.

"Alrighty then golden boy."
"Don't call me that!" Turning around he yelled, annoyed at the pet name he had been given.

"The what should I call you? If you're not gonna give me your name I'm gonna have to find something else to call you. Goldie? Goldielocks? Cardinal boy? Golden savio-"

Letting out a yelp he fell forward and grabbed onto the other boys back firmly, shutting his eyes tight at the sudden break as the staff tilted forward ever so slightly. The guard sat stone still.

"Alright fine...no nicknames..." Blushing at the proximity and the more intimate position, he shuffled backwards as the staff was tilted straight again.

"Good boy."
"I'm not a dog!" Edric went redder.
"Not my problem, now answer the question."

"Urgh fine, I just..." He paused and sighed," wanted to get away from my family for a bit. Get some room to think, you know?"

There was a few seconds of silence before the blonde spoke up.

"Y-yeah I...I get that."

Looking down he took another moment for
himself to think before breaking it.
"But you still shouldn't have been out here at night!" Huffing, he broke the sentimentality of the situation.

"Alright, alright blondie. I won't do it next time." Putting up his hands, he smiled.

"Wait, how do you know I'm blonde?"
"Your hood fell." Blankly stating, he pointed to the white hood on the guard's back.

"What?! And you didn't even bother to tell me!" Fuming, he took both his hands off the staff now floating mid-air and rushed to pull the hood over his head, covering up the locks of hair that were reavealed.

"Oh calm down, it's only your hair. It's very pretty you know, you should wear it out more." Smirking, Edric watched the boy turn around; despite the mask, it was obvious he was flustered and mad.

"Shut up!"
"Make me." Sticking out his tongue like a playful cat, his eyes creased at the other witch who was clearly out of his zone of authority.

"Urgh, you are insufferable. Let's get you home, so I can leave. Luckily I already know where Blight manor is."
Slowly the cardinal picked up pace, flying through the night air which was beginning to cool significantly.
Edric shivered.

"Titan it is cold out here..." Hugging his arms he attempted to warm himself from the breeze.

"What do you want me to do about it? Give you my cape?" Sarcastically the blonde spoke, not looking back at the shivering boy.

"Well now that you've brought it up-"
"I'm not doing that." Stopping Edric's sentence dead in it's tracks, he deadpanned.

"Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee?" In a teasing manner he whined.
"No."
"Pretty pleaseeeeeeeee?" Again Ed asked.
"No!" And again the guard denied.

"I'm not gonna stop annoying you until I get it now."
"Urgh, fine! Just give it back..."

Allowing the cardinal to pilot itself, he took off the flowing, white cape and shoved it into Edric's hands at his chest. "Now shut up."

"Wow, I didn't actually expect to get this far." Wrapping it around his body like a blanket, he sat silently; enjoying the peaceful mood of the autumn winds as the stars twinkled and danced.

_

Before he knew it, Edric was back at the manor he had left for far longer than he intended.

Stepping off the staff onto the firm ground, he steadied himself.

"I've never ridden on a palisman before."
"You don't have one?" Bemused, the boy asked Ed.

"Nah, but if I did it'd be a cool bat!" He giggled, "My sister would probaly hate that."

"They are filthy you know...But anyways I suppose this will be our parting way." He paused, holding onto the staff, but not yet climbing onto it. "Ah, I almost forgot. I'll be needing that back now."
He pointed at the cape that was wrapped firmly around the Blight's body.

"Hmmmmm, nah." He grinned widely like a cat going in for a kill before tracing a blue spell circle and teleporting himself into his room.

Leaning his chin on his hand, he looked out the window mischievously.

"Hey!" The blonde let out a yell, but remained on the ground. He didn't want to look mad by chasing Edric down in his own house.
Ed stuck out his tongue.

"Urghhh." Jumping onto his staff he flew off in a flash of electric-yellow magic.
"Night, Blondie!" Edric waved and smiled at him, causing him to blush and grumble in annoyance.

"Stupid, Blight..." Mumbling, Edric's Golden Saviour vanished into the nights arms.

Chapter Text

Winter crept it's hands through the isles. Bony, white fingers crawling down the lakes and ponds and rivers of fresh water and fantastical fish.
It's sharp, cold breath mingled with the world around it, interwining with the air and leaving it's remain on the glass pane windows like a child peering at a toy in a store.
The morning sun had not rose yet, but the morning sky was out there streaked with greys, dusty blues and tints of pink that the demon realm never seemed to lose throughout the ever-shifting seasons.

Within the silent confines of the wooden house, Edric layed on Hunter's muscled chest as the two slept through the waking hours that were about to begin as the first bird began to chirp.

He wrapped his arms around the blonde under hims lower neck and nuzzled into his chest, smiling.
The blankets were warm on their heated bodies and the mattress was soft despite being placed on the hard floor.

Hunter's magenta eyes began to open delicately, still filled with the essence of the nights sleep. Letting out a satisfied hum, he nudged Edric.
"I think we should get up now, Ed." His eyes creased as he smiled warmly at the head of fluffy, green hair that layed on him.

Checking his scroll Edric mummered, "It's only 7:30. We can sleep in. Luz says Miss Clawthorne doesn't wake up til 12 on holidays. And besides you need it." Smirking sleepily, he looked dreamily at Hunter.

A lot had changed over the past few months, life was like a Rube Goldberg machine pushing and pulling and ticking and stringing together to end with the unlikely couple that was Edric and Hunter together.
And the two couldn't be happier with their lives, for once in his life Hunter had a family.

For once in his life he didn't need to worry about being replaced and for once in Edric's life he didn't need to worry about being alone.

Because they had eachother now and so much more.

"Fine, fine. We can sleep in, but just until 8. After that I'm kicking you out of my room if you don't get up."
"You're so mean!"
"I know." He stuck out his tongue lightheartedly, before gently shutting his eyes again along with Edric.

They cuddled tighter, burning their bodies together through the cotton sleepwear they wore.

It was moments like these that Hunter loved, moments were he could wholeheartedly say that he was Hunter the wild witch and renounce the title of 'The Golden Guard'.
Moments were he could be soft.
Moments were he could love.
Moments were he could be loved.

And it was moments like those he would live and fight for and by.

And as all was silent throughout the owl house there was always going to be the moment where that would end.

Luz Noceda burst through the door, kicking it and almost breaking off the hinges.

"WAKE UP SLEEPY HEAD!"
"AH WHAT THE FUCK MAN!" Hunter screamed.

"Fuck dude..." Edric mumbled.

Chapter Text

"Uncle Belos please listen, this boys different. He's kind, he's sweet, he's-"
"He's a Blight, Hunter."

Snoothly cutting off the young guards rant, Belos turned to face him from the white finger-like flowers he was stroking oh so gently as they had started to wilt from neglection.

"You should know by now what their family is like, powerful, but cunning. We can not let our guard down if that boy were to wish to use you for his gain."
Hunter exaspertingly and desperately reached out his hand to object "He wouldn't do tha-"
"You don't know what he could do."

Placing a hand on his nephews shoulder he slipped off his mask, placing it down softly on the grey, marble-stone flower bed next to the two.
His face had a large vein-like line across it, a rotting green color that matched the vines that hung from the trees above head.

"I care for you Hunter and I need you to know that. We don't have any family left, so understand I say this for your caution. Don't let yourself fall prey to his games."

And with that last word, the boy swore he saw shimmer of light come from the faded sky-blue eyes of the Emperor as a red aura emitted from his hand.
The light played and danced upwards, from slithering, snakes of crimson and white to a messy cloud that moved like oil and water, until finally he started to see familiar shapes and lines.
Luminescence played on his face as he stared up in confusion, yet intrigued at the spectacle of a scene that unfolded before him.

In the picture stood two men, one unmasked with a scar across his cheek and the other holding a rose. The angles were twisted, but Hunter could clearly make out the fluffy hair of the Blight boy and the definitive features of himself.

"At the start, you'll see that boy as a luxury, he offers you gifts, he treats you kindly, he makes you feel better than anyone else, does he not?"

The guard grabbed his upper arm and looked away from the soft yet stern eyes of Emperor Belos.
He wasn't wrong.
Edric had done all that for him and more.
When they were together Hunter felt like he could fly, and damn it if he could he'd take that boy with him everywhere he asked.

"But that's how he lures you, Hunter. You're falling for a trap, let me help you and you'll see."

The image shifted from an innocent picture to a far more dark scene.
The Blight loomed behind the boy, peering down at his distressed self as his arms outstretched from both sides monstrously in a cluster of angles and shapes, before finally engulfing him in a large cloud of flames that were puffed out of existence.
Leaving nothing, but the raw memory behind.

The blonde winced and let out a small yelp at the horrific imagery presented, now hugging onto both arms like a lifeline. He clamped his eyes closed, refusing to open them.
"Will that actually happen to me? Will he hurt me, uncle Belos?"

"There, there. None of that is going to happen to you if I can help it. All we need to do is make sure he never has the time to plot this, you're still young afterall. You have time."
Patting Hunter's back he softly spoke, like he was whispering a secret only to be heard between him and the wind and the trees.
"Cut him off quick."

And Hunter nodded as the trees and wind howled and shaked in response to the Emperor's order.

Cut him off.

Chapter Text

Bursting into his own room, Edric waltzed up to where layed Hunter with a flourish. "Hey dude! Check it out!"

"What is it?" Looking up from his book he caught sight of the awfully eccentric Edric waving around a stick of dark purple lipstick.

"I managed to get some of my mom's stuff. Could've just taken Em's, but it's the thrill of breaking the rules." He shrugged with the last part.
"Or you could simply buy your own instead of stealing." Raising an eyebrow, the blonde side eyed him, returning to the book he held above him as he layed on Edric's bed.
"Yeah, but this is the good stuff."
Hunter rolled his eyes.

"Now, you wanna try some of this on orrr-"
"I'm good." Continuing to read he refused eye contact, adamant on catching up with potion combinations.
"You sure? I think it'd be a good look of you! And besides my mom doesn't get home for a few hours."
"I'd think it'd feel gross and uncomfortable." He huffed.

"Welp! More for me I guess!"
Running off to the bathroom, the Blight boy giggled.
Hunter sighed and flicked through the pages.

Page 15:
|Fire Potions and safe utility|

Deeply observing the drawings and paragraphs he flicked through, memorising the instructions that he -for the most part- already knew.
His eye caught onto one specific rule.

•Do not, under any circumstances, throw at another student.

Standard safety protocol.

Hunter groaned, remembering his first day in Hexside when a three-eyed witch had thrown a freshly made fire potion at him so he could 'lighten up a little'.
Luz was Very unhappy that day.

Definitely not the warmest welcome to his new school.
Well in the literal sense it was.

He revised the page for homework, keeping all the notes in mind to use for later study.

Edric 'Allergic-to-the-rules' Blight would call him a dork if he knew how happily he read through manuals and rule books.

Speaking of Edric-

"HUNTERERRRRR!"

"Urghh what!? I'm trying to do my home-" Hunter's mouth was clamped shut as the other boy smirked at him, eyes lidded as they twinkled playfully.

The eggplant-purple lipstick seemed to be a match made in heaven with his shimmering, golden eyes and sea-green, mermaid hair, contrasting and complimenting the colors nicely.

"Oh? Someone seems to like what their seeing." Smugly, he walked over to the very red-faced blondie, who frantically sat up as Edric sat infront of him, face's almost touching as he loomed over the poor, flustered boy.

"N-no! Go away! I have work to get done, I need to memorise this-" Edric slapped away the book from his hands and threw it across the room. "Hey!"
"You can do that later Goldielocksss! Gimme attention!"
"Shoo you!" Hunter put his hand on the soft, pale cheek of the others and pushed him away.

However, Edric Blight was a clever, little fiend.

And Hunter had just fallen right into his sneaky trap.

Turning his mouth to the scarred and rough hand he kissed it, smiling widely, pressing on the amethyst color to his skin.

"Ed!" Pulling away, his face turned red as Edric smirked, like a mischievous cat up to no good.

Striking out his next target, he moved closer and kissed up Hunter's forearm where the sleeve of his shirt was rolled up halfway.
Dissatisfied with the fabric covering the rest of his arm, he went for the bare skin of his neck and jaw and let his marks climb up to his cheeks.

Hunter attempted to scowl, but it failed pathetically as a goofy, half-supressed smile tugged on his lips as he looked away.

"Aww you're becoming all red baby! Like a tomato! My wittle tomato boy!" Scrunching up his nose he baby talked Hunter as his face somehow got even redder.
He really did look like a tomato now.

Joyfully, Edric revelled in the satisfaction of utterly embarrassing his boyfriend with nickanmes so cheesy his own dairy allergy would act up.

"Don't call me that!" Hunter already had to deal with enough embarrassing nicknames from the overbearing Blight.

A man can only hear Hun-Hun, Huntie-bun, love bunny, golden-heart, Goldielocks and a lot more so many times.

Pushing Hunter down, he sat on top of him smiling like a cat about to pounce.

"Come on blondie! Don't deny that you like it!" Cooeing, his smooth tongue ran over the words that were all sugary and sweet like honey and sugar and sweets.

Cavity inducing, but oh so addicting were his words.

"I. Do. Not." He scoffed.
"Then why are your hands on my waist? Don't lie, we both know you're the stronger one here."

His hands were infact clinging onto Edrics small waist, cupping it easily considering the size of Hunter's hands.

Edric sitting on top of Hunter, who was covered in lipstick marks, his hands on Ed's waist as he layed down on the bed.
And that was the exact position that Emira walked in on them on.

"..." Complete, total, silence wrang through the air.

"What the fuck are you two doing?" Bewilderment painted across her face and shone bright in her eyes.

"Uhhh, wrestling?" Edric replied.

Hunter face palmed.

He just wanted to complete his homework.