Chapter Text
"Absolutely not, Edalyn."
Lilith's tone was harsh and cold as she spat the words down the crow at her sister.
"Lily— please. You don't understand! It's better for him—!"
"I hate him!"
"I know, Lilith! But at least hear me out here—!"
"Why do you wanna send him here anyway!? What's happened!?
"That's what I've been trying to explain!"
Lilith heard an audible sigh from the crow.
"...Lilith… he ended up in the Emperor's mind with Luz… he saw everything… and now Belos knows too… do you really think it's safe for him here!?"
"... Eda… how—!?"
"Something to do with some group he was chasing down—Luz caught him before he could catch them—I don't know exactly! Okay!?"
Lilith swore she could sense her sister pinching her nose.
"... He's a child… Lilith. Sure, he's done some bad stuff. And you two haven't gotten along in the past. But he's a child."
"..."
"It won't be permanent. It'll just be until we find somewhere else, and it's safe for him again. Please, Lily. I'm literally begging you."
"...That could still be a while, Eda."
"I know, I know. But there's still nowhere else and—Titan, you know what the Emperor would do if he found him again."
Eda was right.
Lilith did know what would happen.
And as much as she hated The Golden Guard with a passion, as much as she would have loved to see any sort of humbling be served to him back in the Coven, she still couldn't bear the idea of him being found and returned to the Emperor, and for him to be petrified or worse.
Lilith closed her eyes, and taking in a deep breath before letting it go, she said:
"...When should I come get him…?"
***
Flying over to The Owl House certainly helped in making Lilith realize just how far her parents' house was from Bonesborough.
She still could hardly believe this was happening. For who knew how long, she would be living with The Golden Guard (again.) And it wouldn't even be like in the Coven where they had a whole castle that always kept them distant from each other. No. They would be in a little cottage together that would hardly keep them separate. And the worst of it was that Lilith would be providing for him the whole time, keeping him fed—making sure he was well—like she was some sort of foster parent.
And the thought of that was making her nauseous.
The Golden Guard had been a complete brat to her for years. His whole attitude was nothing but vain and high and mighty, and now she would have to take him in and look after him!?
Lilith swore, she could spit.
When she finally arrived at The Owl House, she was at least happy to be reunited with Hootsifer, running up to him and sharing a hug upon landing her staff.
Sadly, that was really the only part of this she was looking forward too.
Now there was another reunion she would have to go through.
One she would not particularly enjoy as much.
She let out a long exhale before the door was flung open by Hooty, and sure enough, she was greeted by the sight of Eda, Luz, as well as King, all crowded around The Golden Brat himself.
At first, Lilith didn't recognise him. She had never once seen him maskless. And though she knew she should have expected it, she was still taken aback by the glum look on his face.
"...Lilith…" Eda was trying (and very miserably failing) to give her a smile.
"...Eda…"
Lilith walked towards everyone, noticing the way The Golden Guard's shoulders visibly seemed to tense.
"...Golden Guard…" Was all she greeted him with.
He muttered something, and Lilith couldn't even make out what it was.
"..."
For a few moments, everything was silent, and the room was filled with an awkward tension before Eda knelt down to The Golden Guard's level, and whispered something in his ear.
Lilith didn't know what it was, but he nodded.
"Are… you two ready to go?" Eda questioned.
"...Is he…?" Lilith responded.
Everyone looked in the direction of The Golden Guard."
He just nodded again.
"...Okay then… Come on, Golden Guard…"
Lilith went to walk back out the door with a silent goodbye.
The Golden Guard did not follow.
"... What's the holdup…?" She asked.
The Golden Guard walked back a bit, and grabbed at Eda's arm.
"Hunter…" Her sister spoke with a gentle tone.
"...Hunter…?" Lilith thought.
She watched as Edalyn pulled the boy into a side hug, and as Luz and King quickly joined in, making it a group one.
When they all let go, Eda once again kneeled down and whispered something, this time taking his hand, and once again, Hunter nodded.
Though he was still very clearly hesitant, Lilith watched as he cautiously took a few steps towards her, he looked as timid as a mouse.
Lilith could not believe that this was the same kid who only a few months back, would be bragging about his position at the Coven. Who would be taking any opportunity whatsoever back then to flaunt his relationship with the Emperor to everyone else.
She wouldn't be surprised to find out this was just some random kid they were using to play some strange prank on her. She didn't even know what his face looked like until now, after all.
"Now, let's go. Golden Guard."
This time, she actually heard what he muttered.
"...Don't call me that…"
Before they knew it, the door was shut behind them, and Hooty was calling out: "Bye Lulu! Bye Angry Blond Kid!"
"What should I call you then…?"
He was still silent.
Lilith swore—this kid was not in any position whatsoever to be giving her silent treatment right now.
She had already heard what Eda had called him. But she at least wanted confirmation from him himself.
"...Well…?" She said it sternly.
The kid tensed, and Lilith almost immediately regretted doing so.
"...My name is… Hunter…"
"Alright then. Hunter."
She got onto her staff, waiting for him to get on behind her.
He didn't.
"...Hunter…?"
"...You're… not just gonna send me back to The Owl Lady…?"
"...It's a bit late for that now."
"..."
Eventually, he managed to bring himself to get on.
Lilith wasted no time in flying away, albeit, incredibly fast.
***
Hunter watched behind him, as The Owl House became no more than a little dot in the distance.
If he looked forward, he would just get whacked by his (former) Coven Leader's hair, so it wasn't like he had much of a choice.
The ride to her house was somehow… pleasant. In a way. The night was full of stars, and a cold breeze was blowing through his own hair as well.
For a few seconds, it made Hunter feel like everything would be alright. And that his uncle didn't probably have scouts chasing and tracking him down at that very minute.
…
That certainly ruined the newfound calming feeling.
For the entire time they spent flying back, Hunter and Lilith spoke not a word to each other. An awkward tension—even worse than the one that had filled The Owl House earlier, filled the air that surrounded them.
Hunter was more than glad when they finally arrived.
"This is it." Lilith said, like he hadn't been able to tell by the fact that they had landed right in front of the house.
Lilith walked up to the doorway, clearly expecting him to follow.
Part of Hunter was determined not to. Sure, The Owl Lady had been nice for the day he spent there, but that didn't mean the same for Lilith. Not to mention all the years he had spent working with her in The Emperor's Coven, where all she would really do was scowl at him or refuse to even acknowledge him, made him skeptical.
She could do anything to him whilst he was under her roof. And he wasn't taking any chances.
"...Gol— Hunter…? What are you doing…?"
"...Why should I trust you…?"
***
Lilith somehow looked appalled. She took a few steps towards him, and in return, Hunter took a few back.
"...You…you were so awful to me in the Coven…so why should I trust you now…?"
"...I…"
She really was at a loss for words.
"Exactly. Sorry, but it's too risky for me to go with you."
"..."
Now neither of them knew what to say.
"...Hunter…"
"...What…?"
"..."
Lilith sighed.
She sighed, because she knew Hunter was right. Sure, he had been—or at least—acted, ridiculously spoiled back in the Coven, and though she didn't utterly despise him, she didn't exactly like him either, but she could have at least have kept in mind the fact that at the end of the day, he still was a young, impressionable child.
"Look, I get it. I know you have no reason to trust me…"
This time, she looked right at him before walking over to him.
"I know I wasn't the nicest to you in the Coven…but…"
Lilith closed her eyes, taking what had to be her fifth-hundredth deep breath for that night.
"...I still at least want to help take care of you, until all of this settles. Even if I don't see eye to eye with you."
Hunter remained completely silent.
"...Besides, Hunter. It's not like we have much of a choice."
"..."
His face scrunched up, and his hands balled into fists.
"...Fine, then… I'll go into the house with you… But… I still don't trust you."
Lilith could only nod at him.
Together, they both approached the door to Lilith's childhood home. When they got in, Lilith switched on the light switch, and the room was immediately lit up with a warm glow.
"And don't worry, both my parents are away for about a week or so. And yes, they know you're staying here."
"Oh…"
"Anyway, you're sleeping in Edalyn's old bedroom. Come with me and I can show you it."
She beckoned for him to follow her up the stairs, and nervously, Hunter did so.
It wasn't until they were about halfway up, that Lilith heard an odd tweeting sound from… His jacket…?
"...What is that sound…?" She asked, her tone skeptic as she pointed to it.
Hunter was sheepish. "Uh…"
Then she heard the sound again. This time more of a chirp than a tweet.
"...What is in your jacket…?"
"..."
Wary as can be, Hunter zipped down his jacket, revealing a small, red cardinal bird.
"..."
A palisman.
He had a palisman.
"...You… have a palisman…"
Hunter held the bird close. "...His name is Flapjack… Don't hurt him…"
"Titan—relax, kid… I wouldn't do anything like that…"
"...You were in the Emperor's Coven before… It's better safe than sorry."
Whilst a part of Lilith longed to tell him that he was literally also in the same Coven up until about two days ago, she knew it was a bad idea.
"Okay…well…We might need to improvise on a bed for him…"
"Alright. Nothing I haven't done before..."
Lilith rested her chin on her hand. "Did you eat whilst you were at my sister's?"
His eyes darted to the floor.
"I'm guessing not, then."
"...You don't have to make me food…"
"You're literally under my care."
"..."
"I'm not saying I'm gonna force you to eat, I'm just saying I'm not going to let you starve."
"... O—okay…"
"Great. I'll start making some food, you can maybe adjust to the house meanwhile, I guess."
Hunter's lips thinned.
"Actually… Would you… mind if I watched you cook it…?"
Lilith's eyebrows raised.
"I mean… not really… Can I ask why…?"
"...N—no reason…"
Titan, the kid was as anxious as a leaf that would soon be falling from a tree.
"...Right then… Come back with me…"
***
Hunter followed Lilith into the kitchen.
The Clawthornes' house was nothing short of freezing, and he wished he hadn't taken off his coat to reveal Flapjack now.
Lilith began to pull various ingredients out of her refrigerator. And Hunter stood aimlessly in front of one of the counters, too nervous to actually go and sit down.
He kept his eye on Lilith like a hawk. Making sure nothing was slipped into the food, and it wasn't tampered with whatsoever.
He was surprised that not once did she question it.
When she left whatever she was making (Hunter hadn't really been focusing on that, more so on what she was actually putting in it) to cook, she turned towards him.
"Uh… You can sit down, y'know…"
"..."
Slowly, he did.
Lilith sat in the chair across from him, her fingers tapping on the table.
"So… Edalyn said you basically…ran away from The Emperor's Coven…?"
Hunter bowed his head.
"She also mentioned you and Luz somehow getting stuck in Belos's mind. I won't pry for details, I just… I guess I just want to hear more about it from your own perspective."
"...I… I'm sorry, Coven Leader… I… don't know if I can even handle telling you…"
Lilith's face scrunched up, and for a second, Hunter expected her to get angry with him, and braced himself.
However, the next words out of her mouth surprised him.
"...You know you don't have to call me that anymore, right?"
"You called me Go—!"
Hunter refused to let himself finish.
"...Well… What do I call you, then…?"
Though Lilith didn't smile, she wasn't stern anymore. And Hunter even wanted to believe that that thing shining in her eyes was something kind. Something gentle.
"...My name. Lilith."
"...Miss Lilith…?"
"You don't need to use any sort of title, kid. You can literally just call me Lilith."
Hunter shifted, eyes darting around the room.
Lilith was starting to realize that they certainty did that a lot.
"...I… I'm sorry… I… don't know if I can…"
Lilith made an "Mm." sound. "Alright then. We'll just… go with "Miss Lilith," then."
"...Alright…"
"...I'm going to check on the food. I take it you wanna watch."
Hunter silently agreed, getting up from the seat to follow her.
Lilith didn't know what her time with the now former Golden Guard had in store for her, and what it might bring. And though at first she was completely against the idea of him living with her, even temporarily…
Maybe, for at least the time they spent together, she could at least attempt to get along. And at least attempt to understand him a bit more.
It wasn't like she would be getting used to him anyway.