Work Text:
Willow can’t stop yawning, her eyes unfocused and her movements unusually clumsy. And every time Hunter witnesses proof of her fatigue, his chest tightens, and he feels like shit.
After all, it is his fault that she’s so tired. Last night, Hunter had yet another nightmare, and his girlfriend woke up to find him whimpering and crying as he rocked himself back and forth (and Waffles and Clover perched on each of his shoulders, doing their best to calm him). And because she’s so wonderful, Willow helped him calm down and kept Hunter company when he wasn’t able to sleep, leading to her barely getting any sleep. Hunter has been sleep-deprived for most of his life, so the broken night doesn’t affect him, but Willow can barely keep her eyes open. And it’s all his fault.
She does so much for him. Does he do enough in return? Or is he just a burden.
(He knows which option Belos would choose, but Hunter tries to put that man out of his mind. He is more than the Golden Guard these days. But the memories still haunt him.)
“Hunter? Are you listening to me?”
Flinching, Hunter turns his head, surprised to find his girlfriend looking at him, concern written across her tired face.
“Huh?”
“You were spacing out,” Willow explains. “Is everything okay?”
Hunter sighs. “I’m sorry,” he mumbles.
“What for?”
And as his girlfriend stares at him with such worry, Hunter’s fears bubble to the surface, and he begins to ramble. “For last night. F-For keeping you awake.”
“You don’t need to apologise about that,” Willow says, taking his hand in her own. “I’m always gonna be there when you need help.”
“But I… I’m always stressing you out and it’s not fair on you.” And as Waffles chirps at him, trying to get Hunter to calm down, he blurts out, “Why did you choose me, Captain? You’re smart and pretty and strong, and I’m… me.”
“Hunter, what are you saying?” Willow asks, her voice quivering. Hunter doesn’t look at her, both because he struggles with eye contact, and because he doesn’t want to see the expression on her face.
“I’m sure you could do much better than me. Someone who won’t hold you back.”
“Hunter Noceda, stop talking about yourself like that!” Willow says, her firm tone shocking him to silence. Stepping closer, she holds out her arms, silently asking permission to hug him—even whilst spiralling, Hunter nods, allowing Willow to pull him into a hug. Rubbing his back, she continues, “You’re not a burden, I promise. You’re kind and smart and amazing with animals, and I love you. So… I’m not going anywhere. I don’t want anyone else. I love everything about you, Hunter. So don’t talk about yourself like that. Please.”
As her words sink in, Hunter lets himself melt into the embrace, wrapping his arms around her back and pressing his face against her shoulder. Willow holds him close, gently swaying him from side to side as they hug.
“I’m sorry,” Hunter mumbles. “I, I didn’t mean to say all that.”
“It’s okay. I’m glad you got all that out of your system. Sounds like you’ve been dwelling on some… negative stuff.”
Hunter sighs. “Y-Yeah.”
“But that’s okay. Just remember you can talk to me, Hunter. If you’re feeling bad, you can tell me anything. Because I love you.”
“Thanks, Captain. I love you too,” Hunter whispers, clinging to Willow like he can’t let go.