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No one could spend time of their life in another realm and turn out the same. Darius had been expecting some changes in Hunter's character and attitude.
But, out of all the scenarios, he hadn't really imagined this.
Ever since Hunter had been back to living with him, things had been… different? Strange? Darius wasn't sure how to put it.
But Hunter was… he wasn't like Hunter.
It had started with the reunion in the first place. They had hugged. They couldn't not have.
Darius knew it had been quite a while, but Hunter's grip on him wasn't like usual. It was a lot more stronger. And super tight. Like he was afraid of letting Darius go for even a second.
And there was another thing.
The lack of his palisman's presence.
He had mentioned it during the hug, but Hunter had tensed and not said a word, burying his face in Darius's shoulder.
Darius had taken it as a sign not to say anything else—but he was still curious. After all, how couldn't he be?
And that wasn't where the new changes ended either.
Of course we had Hunter's physical appearance. His skin had always been scarred, that was true, but now it was completely littered in them, as well as his hair much shorter, and most noticeably of all, his newly brown eyes.
Darius couldn't help that he had done a double take when seeing them. For a second it didn't even feel like it was Hunter.
He shuddered just remembering it. How lost Hunter had looked when Darius found him again.
Still, there were more changes.
The first night back of Hunter staying with him, Darius had been cooking dinner.
About ten minutes after he had begun cooking, when he had been slicing some vegetables, two arms had suddenly wrapped firmly around his waist.
Just before Darius could protest, a head leaned into his back.
Then he realized who was hugging him from behind.
Hunter.
…
Hunter never initiated hugs.
It made Darius immediately stop everything he was doing.
"... That's a nice hug… what's it for?"
"... Nothing… just… just wanted one…"
Darius wished he could have hugged him back, but the position made it kind of impossible.
"... I see…'
Darius was eventually able to coax Hunter into adjusting, and could finally hug him back.
The hug lasted for another twenty seconds at best, before Darius said; "I have to get back to cooking dinner now, so you might just wanna head back upstairs—!"
"N—NO!"
Darius jumped, and even though Hunter had been the one to shout it, he did too.
"... I mean… no… no I—I wanna stay here… if it's okay…?"
Darius tapped his chin in thought.
".... hm… tell you what, Little Prince, why don't you help me make dinner, huh?"
He tried his best to keep his smile straight and not faulty.
"... That'd be good… yeah…"
"Okay. You can help me with chopping these vegetables, how does that sound?"
"... That's fine…"
Darius nodded, giving Hunter a small smile before ruffling his hair.
But he still wasn't able to stop thinking about that sudden outburst.
"N—NO!"
The part that worried Darius the most, was that Hunter never had outbursts like that. At least not in front of him.
He eyed the boy as he mindlessly chopped up a carrot, standing as close to Darius as he could, oddly enough.
"... sure everything's alright, Little Prince?"
"Yep." Hunter said, popping the "P" at the end.
"Definitely?"
"Yeah!"
Hunter was smiling, but it didn't seem right. Something about it was… off.
"... Well, if you say so…"
Darius still wasn't sure if he should believe him, but for now, he decided to let it go.
***
The next incident came just the day after. When Darius had to go into work.
He had just finished getting ready, and he was by the door, making sure he had everything he needed, when suddenly, Hunter came downstairs.
"Oh! Good Morning, Little Prince!"
But Hunter hadn't said anything in return. Instead, he had just stared.
And when Darius looked into his eyes, he saw that Hunter seemed… scared…
"... Are you… going somewhere?"
"Hm? Uh, yes. To work, why—!?"
"Do you have to!?"
"..."
Darius was stunned for a moment. Once again, Hunter had never acted like this before. It was some strange new behavior yet again.
"... Um, yes… I… can't really just skip work…?" Darius's voice hinted at his concern.
"... Couldn't you!? Please!?"
Darius held back a gasp as Hunter was suddenly tightly holding onto him.
"Hunter…" Darius was at a loss for words.
He looked at Hunter, unable to keep the shock out of his face.
"... Little Prince… is everything okay!? Why do you need me to stay here so bad…!?"
"... I—I'm fine—! Y'know what!? J—just go to work! I'll be fine!"
"Hunter—!"
"Really! I'll be fine!"
Hunter was grinning now, but it clearly wasn't real.
"I—!"
"You can go, Darius! I'll be fine!"
"... Right… I… if you say so…"
Hunter was still smiling as he waved Darius goodbye, but it did nothing in calming Darius's worries.
Hunter had looked… scared. Scared at the idea of him leaving.
… Why…?
He couldn't focus at all at work. He couldn't stop thinking of Hunter, how the morning had went.
Hunter seemed so terrified at the idea of Darius going away… even though it happened every day…
For what reason?
It was on the back of Darius's mind the whole day, and he couldn't ignore it. No matter how hard he tried.
He pinched his nose and sighed.
What was wrong with Hunter…?
***
It was around lunch time. Darius got a text on his scroll.
He picked it up and looked, and saw it was from Eberwolf.
His heart started pounding as he read the text fully.
"Hunter's been crying ever since you left?"
Darius immediately began typing a response.
"Do you have any idea as to why!?"
Eber was typing.
"I dunno. Was wondering if anything happened?"
Darius thought back to the morning, how clingy Hunter had been.
"He was being kind of clingy this morning…"
"He's crying really bad, sorry, but I think you should come home…"
Darius stared at the texts. Adrenaline pumping through his veins.
"Yeah. I will. I'll teleport so I won't be long."
He only wrote a note to let people know he was leaving, mentioning a family emergency before he was gone in a flash with a teleport.
***
Soon enough, Darius was standing in the living room.
For a second, he thought everything was quiet.
Until he heard loud, horrible cries from upstairs.
Darius was running up them in an instant. Almost as if his life depended on it.
Hunter's bedroom door was wide open, revealing the sight of Hunter sitting up on bed, tears streaming down his face.
"Hunter!" Darius exclaimed.
Hunter looked up at him, and Darius saw how red his face had turned from the crying.
"... Darius…!?"
Darius ran towards him and pulled him into a strong hug, cradling him in his arms.
Hunter somehow then managed to sob even harder.
"Ssh… ssh… its alright… everything is alright…"
Hunter clung to him, and Darius could practically feel the desperation.
"You're okay… I'm here, Hunter. I'm here now…" Darius soothed.
Hunter hid his face in his shoulder, and Darius found it in him to not care about the snot and tears that would be staining it later.
"He… He doesn't wanna say what's wrong…" Eberwolf spoke sheepishly.
"That's okay." Darius leaned Hunter into his chest and nodded at Eber. "He doesn't have to." He moved Hunter back and looked at him.
The next thing Hunter said, almost made Darius fall backwards.
"... Dad… Please… don't go again, Dad…"
Eberwolf stared at Darius, before nodding as if to say: "I should probably leave."
When he did, Darius slowly pulled Hunter away from the hug, and cupped the side of his face.
"... I'm not going anywhere until you've calmed down, Little Prince."
Hunter wiped at his eye before hiccuping. "... You're… you're really not…?" His voice wobbled dangerously.
Darius kissed his forehead. "Absolutely nowhere at all."
Hunter managed a deep breath, before his arms were thrown back around Darius's waist.
For a couple of moments, Darius just sat with him, holding him with a hand placed on the back of his head, whilst his fingers glided through Hunter's hair.
It went on like that for a good fifteen minutes, before Hunter properly calmed down.
"... Are you alright? Can I let you go now?"
"..."
Though he remained silent, he gave a slow nod.
Darius moved his arms away, and Hunter did the same, going back to sitting upright on his bed like he had been when Darius came in, his hands falling into a flimsy grasp.
"... Now… Do you wanna talk about what's happened?"
Hunter shook his head.
Darius glanced at him.
Hunter looked like the definition of gloomy. It brought a look of sympathy to Darius's face.
"Are you sure…?"
Once again, Hunter shook his head.
"... Okay then…"
He kissed Hunter on the top of his head.
"I'm here if you decide you do, though."
"Mhm…"
It was the only remotely verbal response Darius had gotten in a while.
Darius didn't know what else to say, and just took his hand.
"You wanna go downstairs and maybe watch something for a bit? Or should we stay in your room?"
"... We can go downstairs…"
"Alright then." Darius helped Hunter to his feet.
He didn't know what exactly was going on with Hunter, but he knew it had something to do with the presence of him himself. Whenever Darius wasn't around, it seemed Hunter would, for some reason, completely freak out.
Until he found out why, he decided he needed to make sure he stayed close by to Hunter.
No matter what.
***
The whole process of making dinner went by just as it did yesterday. Hunter couldn't bear to be far for even a minute.
So Darius decided that the best thing to do was have Hunter help him cook again, which proved to be much better than Hunter cuddling him so tight and close Darius could hardly prepare their meal.
Neither of them said anything whilst they cooked. It was like they had ran out of words during earliers incident.
Darius found the silence to be rather deafening, as well as awkward.
If it helped at all, he would give the occasional pat to Hunter's head or shoulder, hoping it would be somewhat reassuring.
Dinner was eventually made, and the family were all sat around the table, Hunter as close to Darius as he could probably possibly get.
Eberwolf would give Darius looks here and there. As if to ask how things were, and if Hunter was okay.
Darius didn’t even have a real answer to the questions.
Because truthfully, he didn't know if Hunter was okay. At the moment, he felt as if he didn't know a single thing about him.
Hunter finished his dinner before Darius did, and waited for him to come and tuck him into bed.
Darius managed a smile. "You can head up right now, Hunter. I'll be up soon." He said.
But Hunter clearly tensed at that idea, with the way he looked back at Darius.
Darius tilted his head, before kneeling down to Hunter's level. He placed his hands on his shoulders before saying; "I swear to be up in the next ten-to-fifteen minutes or less. And if I'm not, you can come down and get me. Is that okay?"
"... I… Okay… yeah, that's okay…"
Darius's smile grew bigger. "Thank you, Little Prince. I just need to talk to Eberwolf is all."
Hunter nodded, before timidly walking upstairs to his bedroom.
Then Darius sat down at the table again, head turning toward Eber, before he let out a breath.
The beast rushed over, leaping to his side.
"... Oh my Titan…" Darius said in exasperation.
"... I really don't know what happened… I just heard him crying—and—!"
"I know, I know. Eber, I'm not blaming you for anything. Nor am I blaming Hunter…"
He rested his head on his hands.
"... I just wish I knew what was happening… why he's being so clingy all of a sudden…"
"... Don't you think something might have happened back in the Human Realm…?"
Darius's fingers drummed on the table. "Yeah, I've thought about that… And it seems likely…"
He sighed for what had to have been the fith-hundredth time just in that day. "And I know he doesn't want to, and I respect it, but I wish he would tell me what it was… He… he won't tell me a thing…"
"Me either…"
Darius's eyes clenched shut for a few moments before he stood back up.
"I should go tuck him in before he panics again… See you in the morning, Eber…"
***
"... You're back…"
The relief in Hunter's voice was terrifying to Darius.
"... Yes, I promised I would, didn't I?"
Darius took a seat beside Hunter on his bed.
Hunter turned to face him, and Darius tucked stray strands of hair away from his face.
He saw what was clearly worry in his eyes, and Darius tutted, leaning in to kiss his forehead.
"Hey, there's no need to worry. You're safe here, aren't you?"
Hunter muttered something, and Darius couldn't make it out very well, but he swore what Hunter said was; "... Are you…?"
Once again, there was silence between them both. And it was broken by Darius standing up and getting ready to leave.
He wasn't sure how Hunter would take that, and took another look at him on the way out.
"Sweet dreams, Little Prince. I love you…"
He turned the light out, and heard the creaking of Hunter's bed. As well as an uttered; "Love you too…"
Darius shut the door behind him, standing behind to listen out for anything strange.
But, there was nothing.
After about three minutes of this, Darius tip-toed to his own room, getting into his bed.
But, he couldn't sleep. His mind was racing with so many thoughts. "What if something else happens?" "What if I'm not awake to help? "What if I don't hear anything that happens to him!?"
There were so many what-ifs. Too many.
Darius sat with all of those worries for ages, completely unable to sleep.
And then, his bedroom door was opening.
"... Hm? What is it?" Darius called out to whoever was there.
"... Darius…"
Suddenly, Hunter was stood before him, trembling slightly in the dark, he could see.
"... Oh, Hunter…" Darius whispered.
"... I… Wanna stay here…"
In full honesty, Darius was in no way against the idea. If Hunter slept in his bed, he would be able to keep a close eye on him.
"Alright, here." Darius flicked up the covers, and Hunter was then clambering into bed with him, sprawling himself out with his head on Darius's chest.
"... Night, Darius…" He murmured.
"Sleep well."
It was about five minutes before Hunter was asleep again. Clinging onto Darius so hard he knew he wouldn't be able to move for the rest of the night.
But it wasn't like he needed or wanted to, anyway.
He slept better himself as well, at least knowing his son was safe.
***
If the day before had been bad, the next was even worse.
Yet again, Hunter couldn't leave Darius's side at all. They were forced to spend almost the whole day together, Hunter absolutely terrified of the idea of Darius leaving for even a second.
Hunter had to help with cooking any meals, and be constantly camped at Darius's side. The only things that happened if he wasn't were issues.
A couple of times throughout the day, Darius had tried again to ask what was wrong, and what was happening, but it was to no avail. Hunter would just shake his head every time as a response.
Darius was honestly beginning to think he would never found out where this sudden clinginess had came from, or where the boy's palisman had gone.
Turns out, he would end up getting his answers that night. When they were both supposed to be asleep.
***
Hunter, like the night before, couldn't sleep in his own bed. And he ended up in Darius's yet again. Not that the man minded whatsoever.
Hunter was asleep before him, laying in Darius's arms. Through the concern for the sudden extreme attachment, Darius had to admit, he was glad Hunter was here, where he could watch over him and make sure he was safe.
Darius couldn't bring himself to sleep himself. The need and urge to keep sure of Hunter's safety was much stronger than the one to rest.
He kept a hold of him in his arms, hugging him close. They had been in that position ever since getting into bed.
Hunter always looked more peaceful when he was asleep. And somehow, a lot younger than the age of sixteen. It only added to the need to protect him.
But, at around two in the morning, Hunter no longer looked so peaceful. His face suddenly scrunched up, and he began to twist and turn in Darius's arms.
Darius, who had managed to fall half-asleep, was awoken by this. His eyes opened, and he readjusted Hunter to get a proper look at him.
Hunter whimpered, continuing to flail. It was then Darius realized that he was saying something.
"... No…! No…! N—not again…! I… I don't wanna hurt someone again…! Please…!
"Hm!? Hunter!? Hey, come on, it's just a dream…! It's just a nightmare…!"
But Darius's reassurances proved to be in vain. Hunter just kept struggling in his arms, even though he still clung to Darius as if he were what was keeping him alive.
"Stop… stop… no… Let me go…!"
It was clear Hunter couldn't hear him. So Darius gave up on trying to talk back. Instead, he just kept on holding him, rubbing circles into his back and hoping it would somehow give the boy comfort in his clearly horrid dream.
"Ngh…"
Darius was shocked to see tears suddenly falling down Hunter's face.
He was crying in his sleep.
"Hey… hey now…" Darius wiped away the tears. "Come on, Hunter. You're dreaming, it isn't real. Wake up…"
He started to rock him. Gently back and forth like he was a small child. He hoped the movement would somehow aid in waking him.
He started tracing his fingers through Hunter's hair. It reminded him of the day before, when he had came from work to find Hunter crying in his room.
He made the rocking faster, but not enough to forcefully wake him. Darius knew that wouldn't be a good idea.
Eventually, Darius heard a noise that was like a half-gasp, half-sob.
Hunter had woken up.
At first, he broke away from Darius, and appeared to desperately search around the room. Darius held up his hands, and called his name.
"Hunter! Hey, it's okay, Little Prince. You're awake now."
Hunter was panting. "... Darius…!?"
"Yes. Yes, it's me."
All of a sudden, Hunter threw himself back into Darius's arms. He had completely broken down in tears by now.
"... Darius…! Darius I—!"
Hunter could barely even speak through his sobs. Darius hugged him tightly, wishing he could hug all the tears and pain right out of him.
"... I'm sorry…!"
That caught Darius off guard. He gave Hunter a look of mixed confusion and worry.
"... What for…?"
"... I—I'm sorry… I'm so sorry, I…"
He hid his face in Darius's shoulder, muffling his crying.
"Hunter… I don't understand… what are you apologizing for…?"
"FOR KILLING FLAPJACK!"
Darius was so shocked, he nearly fell.
"... Hunter…? What are you—!?"
"I—IT'S ALL MY FAULT! I—I KILLED HIM! H—HE WAS SO SCARED! A—AND I—I CRUSHED HIM! WITH MY HANDS! O—OH TITAN—! I—I'M SORRY…!'
"..."
Darius didn't know what to say.
"... You're telling me that you killed your palisman…?"
Hunter only replied with more chokey apologies.
"Hey. Deep breaths for me, Little Prince."
Hunter hardly managed to do so.
"... Tell me more, Hunter. I want the full story."
"..."
"I won't be mad. I swear. I just wanna know how it happened."
"... I—… he…" Hunter whined. And Darius lightly lifted him up a little.
"... Back— back in the Human Realm…"
"I figured."
"... Belos… h—he found us… a—and…"
Hunter's crying was beginning to turn to hyperventilating again.
"... Overtime… overtime he…"
Hunter was hiding his face again.
"... Darius… he possessed me…"
Darius's heart started pounding, and he found himself becoming light-headed.
"... Oh my Titan…"
"...It… It was so awful… It was so painful… I—it was like I was there, but I had no control… Oh Titan—! It hurt so much… I—I was trying to scream but—! But I couldn't even—!"
"Hey, hey. Don't get too caught up. Maybe just try telling me important details. That is if you even want to… I can't imagine how horrible this must be for you…"
"... I… I had to fight my friends… Couldn't stop myself… And… and then Flapjack came over… I grabbed him… and then I… Then—!"
"... That's when it happened…"
Hunter was desperately crying again. And it did more than tug at Darius's heart.
"... I'm sorry…" This time it was a whisper. "I'm so sorry…"
"... Hunter…" He was cradling him as close as he could. "Hunter…"
"..."
For a few minutes, neither of them spoke.
"... You realise it wasn't your fault, right?"
Hunter stared in confusion. "W—what are you…? Of course it was my fault."
"You were still possessed at the time, correct?"
It was a few seconds before he felt Hunted faintly nodding.
"See? Little Prince, you weren't even in control of your own body. How could any of it have been your fault?"
"... But—!"
"No. No buts. I won't listen. None of it was your fault. Would you have killed your poor palisman even when not possessed?"
"N—no! Of course not!"
"There you go then. You had no intention."
"..."
Darius began rubbing circles into his back into his back all over again.
"Hunter, you're by far one of the most gentle people I know. You could never harm someone while meaning to. I know so."
"..."
"... Now, I take it this is all why you've been so attached to me lately?"
"..."
He felt another nod.
"... I'm just… I'm just so scared of it happening again, to anyone… not even just myself…"
Darius closed his eyes, letting out a breath.
"I know, I understand. You think what happened to Flapjack's going to happen to me too, don't you?"
"That's… that's exactly it… But I'm also scared of you getting possessed too…"
"I see… But, hey. You don't have to be…"
He rested his head on Hunter's.
"Nothings going to happen to me, Eber, or you. Belos is gone, I promise."
He kissed Hunter's head.
"You're safe now…"
He felt his shirt getting wetter were Hunter's face was.
"... I'm sorry I've been so clingy with you…"
"Don't be. I know you couldn't help it… we'll work on it, yeah?"
Hunter gave yet another nod.
"Atta boy…" Darius smiled.
"... Thank you… Darius…"
"Not a problem at all…"
He felt Hunter sinking into his grasp. He was finally calming down, it seemed.
"... I'm glad you decided to tell me in the end, thank you, Little Prince."
Darius sat with him again until he was ready to sleep. He didn't care how long it took, or how restless Hunter was.
He would always be there for his son. Nothing could describe how happy he was that Hunter had so much trust in him. And he swore he would always give him reason to have that trust.
An hour passed by until Hunter grew sleepy again, Darius continued to hold him the entire time, even as his arms died and grew tired.
Eventually, Hunter's eyes closed.
"Sleep well, Hunter…" Darius whispered.
The response he got brought a grin to his face.
"... I will… I love you… dad… night…"
Darius pulled the blankets over them, still cradling his son like he was the most precious thing in the whole of the Boiling Isles.
Which to Darius, he was. And he always would be, no matter what.