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Hunter's knee was acting up, but he didn't want to be a bother by complaining about it.
However, Willow knew the signs. She always seemed to pick up on the little fidgets and grimaces. He found it sweet, even if it was sometimes scary knowing he couldn't get anything past her.
"What's going on?" she nudged him gently. He breathed out a small, strained chuckle, quickly trying to muster up the courage to tell her what was wrong. There was no use in lying to her at that point. She'd probably figure it out anyway.
"My knee is acting up: he told her meekly. She nodded in understanding. He had pretty constant chronic pain issues, so this sort of interaction happened regularly. "Sorry"
"Don't apologize" she told him gently. "Is there anything I can do?"
"Probably not" he sighed. Healing magic was unable to heal him permanently and it wasn't quite to the point where he wanted to take a potion for it yet. He was just stuck in that hellish in-between state. "Your company is appreciated, though"
"Of course" she smiled. "I'm not going anywhere"
"Thank you"
"No need"
Despite the ache in his knee, Hunter smiled.
And, even better?
It was genuine.