#and i made huntlow green a few weeks ago

[alithetiredartist]

we need to stop telling kids that apricot is skin tone color

[stars-and-birds]

Huntlow week day three

prompt: stargazing 

Hunter took a sip of water as he glanced around in the clearing they had settled at, making sure everyone was there. Camila was taking the hexsquad camping in the woods outside Gravesfield, and Hunter had made it his duty to know where everyone was at all times and make sure no one got lost. It was the middle of a warm summer night, and they had stopped hiking and finally found a place to set up camp in a beautiful clearing surrounded by old trees where the full moon shone down on them. The clearing was lit up by fireflies, which were surprisingly not on fire. Hunter would have to ask Camila if that was normal. 

“Stop worrying.” Luz laughed from behind him. “Everyone is accounted for. Except- oh? Where’s Willow?” Hunter swiveled his head around, searching for the green haired plant witch. Luz burst out laughing. 

“I’m just kidding. She wandered past those trees a few minutes ago, she’s fine.” 

Hunter shot her a glare. “She should have told me first! How long has she been gone? I’m going to go check on her.” 

Luz rolled her eyes. 

“I’m telling you, she’s fine. But if you want to go check on her, go ahead. I’m sure she’d love your company.” She teased, her expression morphing into a smirk. Hunter found himself blushing. 

“It’s not like that,” he muttered and stalked off to go find Willow. After searching for a few minutes, he found her on a hill past some trees, gazing at the stars.

“Captain! There you are.” 

She turned around and smiled at him. 

“Hi, Hunter. Care to join me?” Her hair was undone, flowing freely in the passing breeze. Wow was the only thought in Hunter's head. She’s beautiful.

“The stars are different here.” She said as Hunter settled into the grass, leaning back to stare at the sky with her. He nodded, pointing up to a cluster of stars above them.

“That one should be a constellation. Magnus Titan, the great titan. It was discovered in the Deadwardian era by an oracle witch named-” he paused, noticing she had closed her eyes.  

“Sorry. Am I boring you?” he asked, concern weaved in his words. She laughed.

“No, not at all. I like the sound of your voice.” He glowed like a firefly, positive he was on fire like one (or at least like one should be) too. 

“So you know a lot about stars?” 

Hunter paused, unsure if she was teasing him. 

“Yeah, there were some books in the palace about them. I used to read them all the time.” She sighed wistfully.

“That’s cool. I wish I could do something like that.”

“But captain! You can do so many cool things! You’re the most talented witch I’ve ever met!” She laughed, a beautiful sound that melted Hunter inside and out. 

“Thanks Hunter. It wasn't always like that though.” She turned on her side to face him so that they were eye to eye. Titan, they were so close. A few more minutes and Hunter might actually faint. 

“When I was in the abominations track… I never felt good enough. Sometimes I felt like running away. Which I stupid, I know. I have two wonderful dads and I’m so lucky, but…” she got quiet for the moment, and Hunter didn’t interrupt. Willow was always so cheerful, Hunter figured she deserved to get this off her chest. She didn’t open up often, and he didn’t want to ruin the moment. 

“How about you? Did you ever think about running away?” She asked, looking up at him with those beautiful eyes.

“Oh, um. I don’t know. There was never any other place to go than the Emperor’s coven. I did… I did dream about a different life though.” He went quiet, the soft grass suddenly itchy under him, closing in. He understood how Willow felt, knowing you had it good but still wanting it better. Belos had constantly reminded him how lucky he was, how grateful he should be. Even after the months they had spent in the human realm, Hunter still found it hard to ask for things. He didn’t want to seem needy. He didn’t want to be kicked out. Which was ridiculous, he knew. Camila and everyone were so welcoming, so kind. 

“But then,” he continued, “I met Luz. And I realized it was okay to have dreams. I was lucky enough to meet everyone else, who made me feel special and loved.” He placed his hand on hers. 

“Especially you.” 

She smiled back at him.

“You’re right. Thank you Hunter.” She said,

“I’m lucky enough to have met you guys, to have come out of my shell.” She smiled, a smile that even in the dark could light up the whole sky, a smile that made Hunter's heart beat faster and ears turn bright red. And then Willow leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. Something exploded in Hunter’s chest, a wonderful feeling, excitement and disbelief and love. She pulled away, smiling at him with that amazing smile of hers, then got up and offered him a hand. 

“You coming?” 

“Uh.. um” he fumbled, dumbstruck. “One… one sec. I’ll be right there.” He managed. 

“Okay, take your time.” 

And she walked away, her hair flowing freely in the summer breeze.

“Oh my titan” he muttered to himself. 

A million stars in the sky, but his eyes were focused only at the green haired one walking away.