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Hunter was in the C.A.T.T’s base of operations, sitting on top of a crate. The day of unity was close, too close. There was a thick tension in the air that only one word could cut through: tomorrow. The human- Luz, Hunter's brain offered, had described it as “putting all their cards on the table,” Hunter thought that fit pretty well.
Quite frankly though, Hunter’s cards were an honest-to-titan fucking mess. The events in his uncle- the emperor's, mind had killed any trust he had in his former beliefs. Though, the feelings after, as they often are, were just as intense as the feelings during. Who was he? Was he fated to always be a copy of all those before him? It seemed the only thing different between him and the other Golden Guards was that he had lived after his betrayal. That was not reassuring.
Hunter shifted in his seat. Was the way he was sitting too… golden guard-y? He looked around, Luz and that Blight girl were talking in the corner. They were holding hands and…laughing? Yes, they were laughing, but it seemed sad. Like they're reminiscing, almost. Hunter wasn’t going to pretend like he ever knew what the human was doing, he turned his attention to Darius. Darius was hunched over a table, talking sternly to the head of the bard coven, Lilith, and The Owl Lady (what was her name again?) Eberwolf was perched on Darius’ shoulder, nodding as he spoke.
Darius’ gaze shifted towards Hunter, and Darius raised an eyebrow at him. Hunter retracted his gaze and looked down to Flapjack, who was sitting in his lap. It was too late though, he could hear Darius quietly excuse himself and walk over to Hunter. Hunter kept his gaze fixated on Flapjack, petting over his feathers gently. He felt a weight press down beside him. “Hello, Little Prince, I couldn’t help but notice your moping,” Darius said, trying to release some of the tension, “Is something wrong?” Hunter felt his face contort as he tensed. “I’m fine, Darius.” Hunter said. “You know, your about as good at acting as Raine,” he chuckled lightly, “Now, tell me what’s on your mind.” Hunter wanted to ask him a million things, for Darius to tell him that everything would be okay. That he was safe. Instead Hunter's mouth moved on its own.
“What was the previous Golden Guard like?” Hunter lifted his gaze from his lap to look at Darius; and he wishes he didn’t because Darius’ face screamed everything but security. It was that same face he saw in the memory of his coronation, vacant. grief. Darius drew in a deep breath “He was…happy. That’s what I remember the most about him. I don’t think I have a single memory where he isn’t smiling.” Darius, crosses his legs on the crate and rests his head on his hand, “And he was adventurous,” he gave a sad smile, “we would sneak around the castle late at night sometimes and sneak food from the kitchen. He knew no one would suspect him, he was the golden guard. He was smart. Happy, adventurous, smart.”
Darius looked back at Hunter, and Hunter looked back at him for a moment. “…Do you think I’m anything like him?” Hunter asked, and he was met with an honest laugh, “Oh, titan no! You're very…you know…grumpy?” Hunter’s eyebrows furrowed, and he rolled his eyes half heartedly. The two met eyes. “Hunter,” Darius started, “You are your own person- I know that may seem ironic considering your situation, but being a grimwalker does not make you a direct copy of someone. You have your own unique experiences, one’s that none of the previous Golden Guards had.” Darius said, “Like… that flyer derby match. That was you Hunter, deciding to keep that palisman, standing up to the illusion coven leader…all of that was you, your own, unique experiences.” Yeah, Hunter couldn’t hold back his sobs if he tried. He let the tears wring themselves out of his chest, and he felt a hand come up to his shoulder.
After a solid 20 minutes of crying, Hunter’s sobs were reduced to sniffles, and Darius was gently patting his back. “You know, I may have an idea to help you feel better…” He heard Darius say. Hunter didn’t care what it was, he nodded.
It was the day of Unity and Hunter took a single moment to look at himself before go-time. Bright red hair, messy, a little patchy, but his. Something completely unique to him, “Are you coming, Little Red?”