Chapter Ten: She Likes Me Back?!

No trigger warning for this chapter just wholesome love!

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It was the day before The Day of Unity and Hunter and Willow were blowing off some steam by having a nice swim in the cave's lake. Hunter thought it was strange no one else wanted to join them but he was happy to have some alone time with Willow.

Hunter had a pair of light green swim trunks with little yellow stars decorating them (don't ask where these swimsuits came from- they are just very prepared in this bunker) and a yellow swim shirt. Willow wore a floral one piece swimsuit with a green skirt. Her hair was tied back in a braid and decorated with flowers. Hunter's hair was also adorned with Willow's beautiful flowers. 

The two teens swam around the pool playing tag, splashing each other and pretending to be mermaids. Willow grew some aquatic plants at the bottom of the lake that glowed softly in the water. She taught Hunter how to float on his back and he showed off how long he could hold his breath- a whole two minutes!

"Willow," Hunter said as they sat at the edge of the lake practicing kicking their legs together like mermaids. "What are our mermaids names?" He was new to the whole role play games thing and even though mostly younger kids played it Hunter loved pretending to be some sort of awesome character. Willow told him how when you make up a character in your games you got to name them. "I could be princess Coral," Willow suggested "And you can be my faithful butler and bodyguard Sir Sharks!" "I love that!" Hunter said jumping into the water, sinking below the surface with just his hands above water, making a shark fin. Willow giggled and Hunter popped his head back up to the surface also laughing. As he laughed he snorted, he was always embarrassed by it but Willow always said it was cute. Hunter pulled himself back out of the pool to sit next to Willow again.

She looks so beautiful. Water dripped of their faces and they panted trying to catch their breath. "So Hunter," she panted sounding shy  but Hunter didn't notice. "Yeah?" He replied smiling at her. "There's something I wanted to tell you but I'm a bit nervous," she told him honestly. He just looked at her kindly willing to give her as much time as she needed. Even if they sat there for hours. "I, I um, have a c-crush on you." She said blushing looking at Hunter to see his reaction. He sat there shocked for a moment and even though it kill her to wait for his response she expected he'd need a moment to process since he wasn't exactly the most socially experienced.

She likes me back?! Oh my Titan! Willow likes me!!! And I didn't have to tell her first!

"Willow," He said slowly trying to think of what to say. "I- I like you too." He decided to say simply. Willow looked thrilled and jumped on him, hugging him tightly. "Willow, as much as I love your hugs, I can't breathe!" Hunter wheezed out. "Sorry," she said chuckling softly and loosed her grip. "I was wondering Hunter, what's your sexuality?" Willow asked curiously, she knew that Luz was bi, Amity was a lesbian and Gus was just not straight but she didn't know about Hunter. "I'm not sure... I never really thought about but I suppose I could see myself liking another guy. What about you?" "I'm pretty sure I'm pansexual but this stuff is never set in stone." "That's cool." Hunter said moving away from Willow. "Are we like dating now?" Hunter asked her not completely sure how this sort of thing worked. "Yeah. We'll go on a few dates once we kick Belos' butt then decide if we want to become boyfriend, girlfriend," Willow explained to him. "Well we should probably go tell the others about this." She said scratching the back of her neck. "I told the rest of the group about my crush on you and they went a little wild and encourage me to tell you how I feel. That's why no one came swimming with us. They said this would be the perfect chance to tell you."

Hunter thought for a moment before his face and ears went bright red. "What?" Willow asked watching his face turn into a tomato. "Um before we go out there I was wondering..." He started shyly not looking at Willow "If we- if I could kiss you?" Willow sat there for a second surprised by the request. "It's ok if you don't- sorry it probably too soon- I shouldn't have-" He stammered out before Willow interrupted him by pressing her lips to his.

Her limps are so soft and I can taste her chapstick. The kiss was very awkward as it was their first kiss ever. But they thought it was wonderful, it filled Hunter with a strange but wonderful feeling that warmed his whole body. In Willow's excitement a bed of pink and red flowers grew around them. The kiss lasted a few seconds before Willow pulled away leaving Hunter's lips feeling empty. They smiled breathlessly at each other. Note to self remember to breathe through your nose. Willow quickly hugged him and he hugged back.

"Ready to re-join the group?" Willow asked. Hunter still dazed and feeling like he was on cloud nine (this boy is a simp in the making) "Mhm," he hummed in response. They both got up in headed towards the shelf to get some towels. 

Once the two of them dried off and changed back into normal clothes they walked back towards the cave entrance. On the way Hunter tripped and nearly fell on his face but Willow caught the back of his shirt and pulled him upright. Then she scooped him up to hold him bridal style. 

When they made it to the main room of the bunker, Hunter was still in Willow's arms blushing and they were both laughing. The kids who were impatiently waiting to find out if Hunter liked Willow back started yelling at the two as they entered the main room. "SOOOOO WHAT HAPPENED?!" "ARE YOU DATING NOW?!" "I BET YOU ARE! YOU LOOK SO FRICKEN CUTE!" "OH MY TITAIN THIS IS MY OTP!!" "WILLOW WHAT DID HE SAY?!" All the shouting nearly caused Willow to drop Hunter. "You weren't kidding when you said they were really invested," Hunter whispered to her. 

Once the group settled down Willow recounted the events of what happened and that they were going to start dating. And when Willow told them that they kissed an eruption of shouts came. "OH MY GOD YESSS!" "SO CUTE!" "CAN YOU KISS NOW?" Hunter and Willow laughed together before kissing again this time a little less awkwardly only to her the cheers of the kids in front of them.