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There were a lot of little known facts about Grimwalkers and, well, that’s because Grimwalkers were little known.
But one of them was that they purr. Which was a surprise to everyone when they found out whilst doing research because they’ve never heard Hunter purr.
The blonde had flushed as he read the words, looking at all his friends who sat in a circle in the library with him, studying up on Grimwalker stuff to better understand Hunter and help him understand himself.
“I don’t think that’s true.” Hunter said and closed the book.
“Everything else in that book has been true, why wouldn’t this be?” Gus asked and then made a sneaky face, inching closer to Hunter.
“What are you doing?” Hunter asked and then Gus shoved his hand in Hunter’s hair, scratching at his scalp.
Hunter yelped and pushed the smaller boy away, Gus tackling him and the two were fighting as they rolled on the ground.
Willow grabbed the discarded book and opened the page, reading it.
“It says it tends to happen when the subject feels completely safe and comfortable.” Willow read aloud. “So Gus, if you attack him, he isn’t going to purr.”
“Aw, boo.” Gus whined and then released Hunter from his death grip.
“You’ve never purred before?” Amity asked, looking up from her scroll now (Luz was visiting home so she was sorta just existing in their presence so she wasn’t alone).
“No! Not that I’m aware of at least.” Hunter said, ears red. “Why are you guys all so obsessed with me purring anyway? That’s sorta weird.”
“Dunno, we don’t do it, we kinda just, what’s the word?” Willow asked. “Hum?” Gus suggested.
“Yeah, sorta like purring I guess? But we hum if we’re comfortable.” Willow said.
“I thought you guys were just humming songs,” Hunter mumbled and Willow smiled. “Nope! It means we’re comfortable with you!”
“Do humans do anything like this?” Hunter asked. “Don’t think so, we’ll have to ask Luz when she gets back.” Amity said.
They were quiet and flipping through pages again until Gus spoke up. “Have you purred around Darius?” He asked and Hunter narrowed his eyes at him.
“What? No, I don’t think so.” Hunter mumbled. “You should tell him this is a thing though,” Gus pointed at the page he was reading that explained why Grimwalkers purred (something about the combination of stone sleeper’s lungs and palistorm wood that made Grimwalkers have slightly “animalistic” behaviours, mostly non-harmful ones like the whole purring thing).
“Why?” Hunter mumbled, reading about how him or his lungs turning to stone whilst sleeping was apparently a probability (though that wasn’t the case for all Grimwalkers, Hunter would have to ask Flapjack if he’s ever turned to stone while sleeping)
“Just so he knows, I mean, he’s legally your dad and everything, I feel like this should be something he’s aware of.” Gus informed.
“Why, so he can get upset I didn’t tell him something.” Hunter mumbled.
“You didn’t know about it, it’s not like you purposely withheld information.” Willow informed.
“It’ll be awkward.” Hunter mumbled after a moment. “I can tell him?” Gus suggested and Hunter shrugged. “Sure.”
Hunter soon forgot about the conversation as the weeks went by as it was never brought up again.
Hunter went to school and studied and hung out with his friends and went to Flyer Derby practices like always, nothing changed about it and he soon forgot entirely about the whole purring thing.
Three weeks after and Darius suggested they should binge Human movies and have a big snack buffet since Hunter was off of school for three days due to Bump’s absence for a family emergency.
Hunter agreed and Darius made them matching pyjamas that Hunter pretended to be embarrassed by.
Hunter quietly suggested they make a pillow fort, not sure how Darius would feel about getting sheets and blankets dirty by draping them around the room but Darius enthusiastically agreed.
And soon the father son duo were spread out on the floor, blankets and pillows floating around them to form probably the biggest pillow fort known to witch as they watched their movies (Darius had gotten a TV when the worlds merged because “We can see so much more on this than crystal balls! Why haven’t we advanced to this!”)
Hunter got sleepy around three movies in, snacks abandoned as he wrapped a stray fluffy blanket around him, leaning against Darius.
The father smiled and wrapped an arm around Hunter as he watched the rest of the movie.
Darius planned to start dozing off once the movie finally finished, enveloping the world in silence as he clicked the television off with his remote, bringing the teen into his lap and getting ready to transport him to his bed.
A small sound broke through the silence and Darius had to focus to hear the sound and once he realised what it was, his heart melted.
Hunter was clutching at his shirt, soft purrs breaking through his mouth as he curled into Darius’ chest.
Each purr ended in a slow whistle due to Hunter’s tooth gap but Darius found it endearing regardless.
When Gus had texted him a picture of the Grimwalker book with little to no explanation, he had almost thought the small teen had pranked him.
But now he was so glad Gus had told him what it was so he could fully appreciate the small sound erupting from Hunter’s chest.
Hunter felt comfortable, safe with him, so much so that the Grimwalker in him had to let it be known, purring through the night.
Darius hugged him tight before finally standing, bringing the teen to his bed and resting him down.
Darius made to leave but was stopped by something holding the back of his shirt.
The abomination witch turned to see Hunter, still sleeping, gripping tight onto his shirt and Darius, once again, melted at the sight.
Flapjack twittered at him, flying in a circle around his head before resting on Hunter’s head. Flapjack gestured at the spot behind Hunter and then at Darius and the older witch could understand that even Flapjack was yelling for him to stay.
Darius climbed over the teen and palisman to cuddle his son in the bed, holding him close and Hunter’s purrs got louder, burying his face in Darius chest and if Darius could reach his scroll, he would be making a new Penstagram account to gush to Raine about this, but he couldn’t so he stated where he was.
Deep down, Darius knew Hunter cared for him, he sought him out for Father’s Day, came to him for help, agreed to the adoption process and living here.
But Darius had his doubts sometimes, felt like he was simply just Hunter’s former co-worker, just the only adult Hunter knew.
The small moments like this made Darius realise he truly was Hunter’s father.
Darius brought the blonde closer to him before dozing off.
Oh, as for the whole stone sleeper’s lung thing, Darius can confirm that Hunter’s lungs turn to stone as there was a very startling moment where Darius did not think he was breathing when he woke up.