Chapter Text
The door to the principles office slowly opened, Luz shamefully walking out.
"Sorry Mami."
A sigh left the womans mouth.
"Let's just get home."
She had tried to be good. She really had. Everyone was always telling her to be herself but everytime she was, someone was badly hurt.
She weakly pulled the car door in on her as Camila turned the key.
"We may have to look at that camp mija..."
Her heart fell through her chest.
"Wh- mom please, I can be good."
"I want to believe you Luz but this is the sixth incident since Christmas."
"One of those was Hunters fault!"
"In which he was grounded accordingly."
"You know that didn't work, he doesn't even like going outside."
The woman sighed. "Luz, the fact is that this behaviour is becoming a serious issue. If we don't address it, we could end up needing to move."
She knew her mom was right it just- hurt.
The principle had already threatened expulsion twice. Gravesfield was too small to have more than one school.
Not to mention that would mean pulling Hunter out of education too.
"When would camp be?"
"A week or two? You're suspended anyway, you're not attending the end of term."
"Yeah..."
Her mother put a hand on her leg as they pulled up to the drive.
"It's gonna be okay baby. We can get through this together."
Right. Of course they could. Because that's what she was, something that needed to be worked through.
Camila was seemingly unphased by the sight of her brother sprawled out across the couch. Luz grinned a little.
Typical.
"He really needs to start a sleep schedule."
She giggled, her mother offering a small smile in response.
Hunter had always been like this, for as long as Luz could remember. Sometimes it was worse, sometimes it was just okay. She never pried, but whatever her mother and her brother had gone through before her wasn't pleasant. Though that wasn't to say the boy was all down.
He was smart. A prodigy. Mami called him her 'golden boy.' The way he flustered never got old. He was more similar to their mom than Luz herself, it was comforting in a lot of ways.
Sometimes she just... wished she could be as good as him.
The pair looked at his eyebags and drifted into the kitchen.
"Choice of dinner? Your brother wanted McDonalds but he's had enough of that this week I think."
"Do we have any chicken? Kinda feeling like a chicken day."
"Of course. Could you set the table?"
Hgghhhhh what?
Hunter eyes refused to open as he moved on his side. His body ached.
What had he done again?
Gotten home and showered, did that thing again, changed into pyjamas and come down to the sofa.
Where he fell asleep. Right.
He slowly sat himself up.
"Morning sleeping beauty."
He didn't need to open his eyes to throw the pillow at the spot he knew Luz was standing.
"How did you even do that without looking at me?"
"Magic."
The air flooded out of his chest as she jumped onto him.
"Luz what the f-"
"Get up! Foods ready!"
He sighed, preparing to stand up. Apparently she didn't get the memo as she jumped on him again.
"I swear to-"
"Mom! Hunter's up!"
He slowly followed his sister into the kitchen, taking a seat with a yawn.
"You need to put those pyjamas through the wash dear."
He hummed to his mother.
She had a point, his birthday was a couple weeks ago near the end of May, it was only just turning July and he'd practically worn a hole in the gift.
"Thanks for the food mami."
His hair was ruffled as she took a seat next to Luz. They seemed to resume a conversation, probably one that had been interrupted to wake him up.
"How would I get there?"
"Bus, if that's alright? Hunter could take you."
He tilted his head. "I can what?"
"Take Luz to summer camp."
"I don't have my licence?"
Camila snorted.
"I mean take her to the bus stop."
"Oh. Sure."
He began to pick at his chicken again before his head whipped back up.
"Wait summer camp?"
Luz practically wilted in her seat. "I kinda got suspended."
Ah. This again.
"We need to deal with it. Otherwise she could end up expelled and we will have to move."
The idea hit a lot harder than he expected to.
Unlike Luz, he hadn't spend all his childhood in Gravesfield but it still held all his happy memories. Camila definitely couldn't afford to switch clinics right now either.
But he knew this was hurting her. Her hands were shaking.
"Are you sure this-"
"Kids, I love you both a lot, but I can't risk something like this. Not when the school has provided me with an alternative."
He nodded.
"Luz, make sure you're packed by next week. Hunter will take you up on his day off?"
"Yeah, of course."
The dinner table lapsed into an uncomfortable silence. He started to wish he had kept sleeping.
They ate without another word.
A week had passed before Luz knew it. She had spent most of her time off watching cartoons with Hunter or drawing. Both of which were things Mami probably would have been less than impressed by but she didn't say a word.
Perhaps it was because she knew Luz wouldn't get to do either shortly.
She was dreading it.
She understood why, she really did. Part of her wished she could just change but it was so hard.
They both gave her pitying looks sometimes. At least, Luz thought they were pity. Hunters emotions could never quite be specified, even by himself.
But here she was. Packed up and ready to go to camp.
"Listen Luz, I know this is hard. It's going to be alright. You'll be so busy learning to- balance checkbooks and appreciate public radio- the time will fly by."
"But I don't like any of that stuff! I like editing anime clips to music and fantasy stories with convuluted backgrounds."
"Mija, your fantasy world is holding you back. Do you have any friends? Real ones? Not reptilian or make believe."
"You? Hunter..."
"We both love you a lot hon, but we don't count."
"What if I combine you to make one?"
Camila laughed, a gentle hand on her daughters shoulder.
"Look, this will all be okay. You'll meet some friends and maybe this will help you overcome some anxieties?"
"I guess..."
Hunter slowly plopped down the stairs, humming to the song in his earphones.
"You ready hermana?" He raised an eyebrow.
Camila quickly gave them both a kiss on the forehead. "I love you Luz, send me updates on your phone okay? Bye you two!"
Their mother quickly returned to the house as the siblings began to trudge to the bus stop.
"So-" He was always so awkward with stuff like this. "What's the name of the camp?"
"Camp Reality Check."
"Hah, good one."
...
"Wait, really?"
"Yep." She lifted the pamphlet and his mouth gaped.
"That's such a red flag."
She couldn't help but laugh, pretending not to notice the grin that spread across his face when she did.
"I'm going to miss you."
"I'm gonna miss you too, even if it means I no longer have to clean up your mess."
"Excuse me- my mess? Ever since you got your own room, mine is spotless.",
"That's cause you come into mine to do your painting."
A snort escaped her. Couldn't argue with that she supposed.
They stopped as the shelter of the bus stop appeared, silently taking their seats. A light patter of rain began to fall, slowly getting heavier as they continued.
She began to read, noticing how Hunter would glance down every few seconds.
"What?"
"Nothing just- surprised mum let you bring it."
Right. It was part of the fantasy world that held her back.
She closed the book and glanced over to the nearby trashcan.
He frowned. "No. You love that book! It's your favourite series!"
"It's holding me back. The longer I'm like this, the more problems I give mom. It isn't fair."
"Do not throw it. I mean it Luz. I-" His phone began to ring. He sighed. "Hang on- yeah?"
He turned and she walked over to the trashcan, the rain pouring heavy down on its metallic ring. A breath of relief escaped as she dropped the book in.
Instantly followed by her heart clenching as she lunged for the book.
But- Owl? Wait come back!
...
"Could you tell Luz, I'm on the way now."
"Of course, Luz, mum i-"
No one.
Huh.
Wait no what? Where could she have gone?!
"Luz!"
"Hi?"
He jumped.
His sister stood before him, exactly as before. She was standing odd, though that was a Luz special.
"Luz, where did you go? Mami is coming to pick us up soon, she decided she'd rather drive us to summer camp."
"Cool beans!"
"As a farewell gift, how about I sit in the back and you can control the aux?"
His sister just laughed. "Sure."
"Woah! You haven't played this one in years!" Camila grinned.
Hunter leaned forward. "Yeah, thought you were bored of Panic! now?"
"Lean back mija, no accidents on the road."
He leant back with an apology.
"Well, just felt like a change."
Mother and brother shared a similar frowning sentiment.
Camila did want her daughter to behave better but truthfully she was probably a little worried this was too far. What if it took away what made Luz... Luz...
Hunter knew it was the case. She was too loving a mother to want anything else.
He did share the latter sentiment though.
"C'mon Luz, what was that weird music you showed me huh? The artist you loved, what was the name- Neil Patrick Harris?"
Ah, his favourite game, making Luz angry over Neil Circ-
"Uh yeah- what about him?"
His train of thought stopped as he tilted his head.
"Neil Patrick Harris?"
"Yeah?"
Oh. Hah, guess she was playing along.
"Didn't you like his hit work under Orange Demon?"
"Sure did!"
He grinned at her and received something nervous in response.
He watched as she went to type in the name and... genuinely put Orange Demon?
She turned back to him and the siblings stared for a moment.
A laugh escaped her, slightly manic.
"Just playing! Of course it was another fruit thing."
He felt his expression harden as Camila laughed at her. Something was bothering her, he wasn't gonna let her repress it.
They pulled into a gas station, their mother offering a gentle smile to them both as she walked into the services.
Hunter leaned forward.
"Look, I know what's going on."
Luz squeaked. "You do?"
"Yeah. You can't hide it from me. I know you're ups-"
"Just dont tell Camila! Please- I just wanted to get out of the demon realm and I saw your sister coming through. I didn't even realise she had a brother, I'm so sorry!"
He blinked.
"You've both been so sweet, how could she have just left this? I mean really- the Owl Lady over Camilla? Thats wild!"
He blinked again.
"I'm sorry what?"
Luz's jaw suddenly dropped. "Oh no."
"What's the demon realm? You're not Luz?!"
The thing began to nervously laugh. "What are you on about? Of course I am, it was just a game and-" They suddenly lunged for the door, Hunter beating them to the child safety lock first.
"Who are you?"
"Number 5! Number 5!"
"Wheres my sister?!"
"She's in my realm. She's almost definitely safe, she's with the Owl Lady."
He gestured for her to settle down, 5 slowly leaning back into their chair.
"Who's the Owl Lady?"
"A famous witch on the Isles, one of the most powerful. She's also kind of a criminal."
From the look on his face, she could tell he was in shock. He couldn't see himself but he was sure it wasn't pretty.
"My sister is stuck with a criminal?"
"A powerful one!" It corrected. "She's evaded capture for years, your sister will be safe."
He took a deep breath and glanced towards the gas station. Camila was paying for the fuel.
"How did she get there? How do I get there?"
"I'm not sure, there was a portal door in their stand but it disappeared after a while. Portals do that a lot. The only way you could get through is by a chance opening or some titans blood."
He frowned. "Titans blood?"
"Rare substance, not many people know about it. It sometimes causes leaks between our worlds."
Hunter felt like the wind had been knocked out of him.
He wanted to see if his sister is alright, not learn that this was his not-sister who's from a realm of demons?
He only woke up a couple hours ago?
His mouth opened to ask another question, only to be interrupted as Camila slid back into the car and 5 nervously chuckled.
"Hunter's gonna control the music for a bit."
"Oh, really? You usually fight over it."
The boy nodded. "Yeah well- just feeling like getting along before we don't see eachother for summer."
"Aww, don't worry, we will all be back before you know it."
The car started up again as 5 and Hunter shared an anxious look. This was gonna be weird.
They didn't stop again on the way to camp, even with the long journey. They took turns with the music and Hunter failed to not cringe everytime 5 pressed a random song, typically resulting in something strange.
Though they did seem to really enjoy Hunters suggestion of Dodie, which was oddly sweet.
It felt awkward, trying to relax knowing that the creature presenting as his sister was not even three feet away from him, though he didn't have much choice.
When they eventually did turn up at camp, they exited the car together and entered reception.
"Hello! The Nocedas I presume?"
Camila offered a hand to the receptionist.
"You presume correctly. This is my daugher Luz, sorry about the late check in, the trip was long."
Hunter hadn't even noticed the setting sun.
"No worries, you just need to sign those for me. If Luz can wait outside, a counseller will be there shortly."
Camila turned to the kids. "I'll see you in a minute, go wait outside."
The pair slowly shuffled back out the doors, Hunters head slowly tilting to 5.
"So-"
"I'm sorry I dropped that all on you. It must be a lot to take in."
"I suppose."
"I promise I'm not gonna cause any trouble. I just needed somewhere to go."
He sighed. "It's okay, I can tell you're good."
She offered him a grateful smile.
"You're really not Luz?"
"No, but I can tell you whatever you need about where she is. I can crow or send wordbiters."
He tilted his head.
"Uh- a parchment piece with words that try and chew your eyes out and a crow that you can call across the Isles with."
He snorted a little at the absurdity of it.
"You'll find something like that yeah. I just- hope she's okay."
He felt his body slump against the wall, 5 offering a hand. "She'll be okay."
"So titans blood?"
"Yes!" It stood attentive. "It causes leaks like- sometimes we get your video gamers or your clothes. We once used a large leak to banish the giraffes."
He didn't allow himself to process that last sentence.
"Can you help me find some?"
She put her hand to her face, seemingly deep in thought.
"I can taste and smell magic. If you can grab some- plant life or something from a certain area, I could probably tell you if magic was near it. Just send it to me through a-"
"Letter."
"Yes that."
"Can't believe I just got so much exposition so fast."
5 seemed confused. "What's exposition?"
"You'll learn all about it here, don't worry."
"You humans are weird."
"I accepted your existence pretty fast."
"I suppose that's true."
He took a deep breath.
"And to think I was gonna spend my summer relaxing."
"Sorry."
"Not your fault, if you hadn't shown up I think it would have been worse. Atleast this way, mum won't worry."
She went silent.
"You're not going to tell her?"
"No. No she has been through a lot and I- don't think she needs more on her plate."
Whatever the demon had to say, her silence took clear priority.
He did feel bad about the idea of lying to his mother about Luz but what else could he do? She would just freak out.
He's freaking out.
"Ah, Luz Noceda? Your mother and I just finished with the papers, I'm gonna take you over to the counsellor cabin."
Both kids jumped, somehow not hearing either woman leave the building.
"Oh- okay!"
Camila dragged 5 into a tight hug. "I'm so glad I got to give you a proper goodbye. See you in a few months mija, don't forget to write."
Hunters stomach crawled. Right. A proper goodbye.
5 reciprocated the hug in a much more genuine manner than he would've thought capable, giving Hunter a small smile as the receptionist guided them into the camp, mother and son slowly walking back to the car.
Camilas frail smile turned to him.
"I'm doing the right thing, aren't I?"
He held her hand.
"Of course mami, she understands. It's gonna be good for her."
"Do you understand?"
"To be honest... no?" His mothers expression turned forced. His throat clogged "I know we don't have many options, this could be the only thing that helps her. It's just that- what if she changes? Becomes someone Luz isn't. What if..."
He felt tears well in his eyes.
"What if she felt like we didn't love her like she is."
What if that was why she-
Camila quickly grabbed him into a hug, the aircon of the car providing a constant stream of noise as he began to breathe again.
"I know mijo, I know."
They stayed like that for a while. Warm in eachothers arms.
"It's all gonna be okay. When she comes back, we'll be ready for her?"
He nodded, a smile growing on his face.
The car started to pull out of the spot as they turned back to the main road.
"Night time drive, like when you were little hah. We can get a McDonalds on the way back?"
Despite all the fear in his body, he laughed.
"You know me so well."
They drived for hours, the night sky welcoming Hunter into a sleepy state. Car rides at night were always the best.
The radio played indistinctly, a soft voice speaking through it as Camila hummed something soft.
He didn't know how much longer their trip was but he was embarassingly close to drifting off.
They'd gone through maybe four of the discs from the mixed up CD glovebox and they sung along to every one.
Some small part of him felt guilty for being so happy about it all. He loved his mother a lot, but recently she'd only been thinking about Luz. Not that it was a bad thing.
He understood why, it just hurt a little.
Then there was Camila herself.
She had been so excited for this break, said they were going to do so many things together.
Watch some movies, bake some cakes. Fail at replicating Luz's epic pillow forts.
He felt the same excitement. Even though...
His sister was trapped somewhere. Was she scared? Was she glad she didn't have to go to camp?
He resisted the urge to scoff at the idea of the Isles.
A witch infested realm. Of course Luz would love it there.
The bitter part of him wondered if she would choose it over them. The portal may have been chance but knowing Luz, she'd love it either way.
The thought was pushed away as Camila began another song, his body instantly releasing tension.
He felt his will steel.
He was gonna get there. He was gonna bring her home.
But first, he really needed some rest.
He wrapped his blanket around him, a makeshift pillow out of his hoodie.
Everything with Luz would be okay. They'd all be okay. Right?