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Hunter was back in the castle, trying to run away from some reception party. He doesn't remember who or what it's for, all he knows that he needs to get to his room and hide. He can't go to the reception, he simply refuses, though he can't explain why; it's just instinctive to him. is heart is pounding, his ears feel clogged. He feels like he's running for his life.
He finally makes his way to the room... except there's no lock on the door. Hunter panics and makes a mad dash for the closet. It's full of stuff, so he just dumps out stuff and rearranges things until he can fit. The closet doesn't have a lock, but he's hidden in the corner behind some old clothes. If a guard comes looking for him, they'd have to first come in his room, then check the closet, then look behind the old clothes. He was mainly out of sight to a blind eye just opening the closet.
Hunter feels how tight his throat is. He'd be crying if he were in a safer environment, but he's never had that luxury. He can't remember the last time it's been safe to cry in front of someone. Hunter only ever cries alone in silence. It's the safest way for him to cry.
He hugs his legs and tries to keep still, worried that something in the closet will topple over and startle someone. The thought of being found on accident makes him sniffle a little, though he quickly catches himself. It's becoming harder and harder to keep quiet and still though. He can feel his whole body tremble in fear.
Hunter scratches and picks at his arms to try to calm down his nerves. He prays and pleads for the Titan to please, just this once, let him be safe. He promises the Titan he'll never run away like this ever again, he'll always obey his uncle's orders and be the best nephew and Golden Guard. He'll take all the beatings and punishments with grace if the Titan were to be so generous as to just let him get away with running away from a reception this one time.
His breath hitches and his heartbeat quickens as he hears footsteps. He doesn't know who it is, but this isn't good. Tears run down his cheeks has he trembles and clenches his jaw even more. He scratches his arms harder.
If it's a guard, maybe he can try to fight them off. He might get in trouble, but it might be worth it. Then he can make a run for it and find a better place to hide. Hunter's fear grows as the footsteps get closer.
The closet door opens and he hears someone say "There you are, Hunter." Oh no. It's Belos.
He flinches and ducks, curling up into a ball and gripping his hair. His eyes are still closed. He's breathing so quickly.
Nothing happens for a moment. Hunter is terrified, for lack of a better word. He needs to apologize now if he doesn't want things to get even worse.
"E-Emperor Belos... I-I a-apologize for... for..."
He can't even finish the sentence. How pathetic. As Belos begins to speak, Hunter starts crying and apologizing even more.
"I-I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry, please, please don't make me go... please.. I can't... I can't! I can't go, I won't go! You can't make me! I won't let you!" His words grow more and more agitated, causing him to grip his hair tighter. He can no longer hold back; he's now outwardly wailing.
"Hunter!"
Now Belos is mad. Hunter needs to properly apologize. "I-I know I messed up! I-I know I did, b-but I promise I'll make it up to you h-however you see fit, just please don't make me go! Please, Emperor Belos!"
"Hunter, it's me! It's Luz!"
...What?!
"Y-you're okay! It's just me and Mami and..."
Oh no. Did he just have a flashback in front of Luz's mom?
He slowly opens his eyes. Luz and her mom are crouched down near him. He can't quite read their expressions, but they seem worried. He looks around and realizes he's made a mess of the closet. Boxes were toppled over. He prayed to the Titan he didn't break anything.
He looked at his arms and noticed he made a mess of himself too. There was blood coming from where he scratched his arms. He noticed some of the blood got on his shirt, the shirt Ms. Noceda gave him, as well as on some of the boxes.
"I-I'm so sorry, I-I didn't mean to mess up your stuff... I..." he
Hunter started crying again. He felt so embarrassed and ashamed. He hated when others saw him vulnerable like this. It always got him in trouble.
Ms. Noceda approached him and finally spoke. "Hunter, it's okay, you didn't do anything wrong. Can Luz and I hug you?"
Hunter nods gently and lets himself be embraced by Luz and her mom. Slowly, his breathing starts to calm down again and the dissociation starts to die down. He's safe - he's here in the Human Realm with his friends and not at the Emperor's Castle.
He was going to be alright.