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Hunter opened his eyes, a strange feeling settling into his chest at the sight of the empty castle... He couldn't name what he felt, it made his chest ache. He let out a shaky exhale and began walking, he remembered the long halls like the back of his hand, he knew where the was going too. He didn't want to, and his mind kept screaming to turn back and run away, but his body wouldn't listen.
The floor creaked under his feet, and his footsteps echoed in the hall.
After a few minutes- was it minutes? He couldn't tell, everything felt slow and weird, like he was experiencing a memory instead of actually back at the castle. He stopped and closed his eyes tightly, then opened them. But he was still in the castle. The ache in his chest worsened. Why can't he wake up?
That's when hunter noticed what he was wearing. He was in his uniform, the old one. The white Cape and golden armor. Hunter swallowed a little, which was painful because his throat was tight from probably dehydration.
He began moving again. Each step making his fear spike more. He just wanted to wake up. He wanted to be back in his bed- he noticed where he went once when he turned the corner. And stopped infront of the door to Belos' throne room.
"Hunter." A muffled voice came from inside, as if it knew Hunter was meant to be there.
That voice- Hunter sucked in a sharp breath and opened the door, body moving on it's own instead of stopping like Hunter wanted. His body felt like it was being controlled, like he was a puppet on strings and still aware.
Hunter's eyes landed on belos, stood infront of the portal door and back facing Hunter. Hunter walked in and closed the door, instinctively dropping to his knee and bowing.
"You're late."
Hunter tried to talk, to apologise for his incompetence, but nothing came out. It was like something was forbidding him from talking. He lowered his head and stared at the ground, hearing heavy footsteps approach him and stop infront of him.
"No words. You're really testing my patience today." Belos' voice had that familiar tone, sharpness and annoyance disguised as care. Hunter used to believe that tone when he heard it, it had been a comfort to him. But after Darius took him in, Hunter learnt that the tone uncle used was never care, or meant to mean safety.
Hunter didn't understand what he felt. It was a strange sense of deja vu, but this time mixed with fear and the aching in his chest. He wanted out- he just wanted to wake up. Hunter let out an involuntary choked sob, and regretted it instantly.
"Oh, don't start being dramatic." Belos spat out, the tone shifting into one of disgust. But Hunter couldn't stop, he could feel his eyes burn and start watering. Belos tsk'd and raised his hand. And Hunter felt a sharp ache in his cheek, strong and harsh.
The moment the contact and pain happened, Hunter woke up.
He opened his eyes, then realised he was holding his breath. He began breathing again. It was fast and uneven, he tried to control it but he wasn't making much progress. He felt sticky, and lifted his hand to his head and felt wetness. So he was sweating.. and now he felt all icky. Hunter groaned and sat up and felt his stomach lurch slightly at the movement, his head was lightheaded for a couple of moments then went away.
"It's just- just a dream-" Hunter gasped out, still hyperventilating, "You're fine.. I'm fine.. he can't-" Hunter stopped, he wanted to say uncle couldn't hurt him anymore but he couldn't bring himself to say it fully. Hunter swung his feet off the bed and stood up, moving to the door and swaying a little. He rubbed his eyes then made it to the landing. He walked over quietly to Darius' door, and hesitated before knocking on the door.
It took a few seconds, but then the door opened and revealed Darius, who looked like he had just woken up. Hunter felt bad.. why was he bothering Darius with this? He should've just gone back to sleep..
"Why are you awake?" Darius asked, confused but still soft. It was different from the tone Belos used. Hunter didn't answer at first and felt Darius place the back of his hand onto Hunter's forehead to test his temperature. "You aren't heating up luckily."
'I-I'm sorry.." Hunter managed to whisper, his throat felt hoarse. "I had.. a dream about him again... And you said that- I could come to you if-" Hunter was cut off by his own hiccup. He could feel years start running down his cheeks. He hadn't even felt his eyes burn, it just felt so sudden.
Darius sighed and stepped closer, pulling Hunter into a tight hug. One arm wrapped around Hunter's shoulders, Darius' hand squeezing his shoulder gently. The other one moved and the hand rested on Hunter's head and gently held Hunter's head against his shoulder.
Hunter let out a breath and began shaking, letting out full sobs now. Comfort always made him break down. He heard Darius shush him gently, the hand on his shoulder moving down to rub his back. "I-I couldn't wake up." Hunter whispered and closed his eyes, "It felt like I was back at the castle and.. I-I was wearing the uniform."
"It's okay. It was just a nightmare, little prince." Darius told him quietly. Hunter knew that! But it didn't change the fact he was scared. He felt Darius pull away and crouched infront of Hunter. "Look at me."
Hunter hesitated. What if Darius was mad, or punished him? He wsited a few moments and when he didn't feel any pain, he reopened his eyes and looked at Darius. He could see the concern in Darius' eyes. There wasn't any trace of anger. Darius took his hands into his own. "I know it's still scary, but Belos is gone now. He can't reach you and hurt you anymore. And this is all new to you, having a life that isn't full of abuse." Hunter looked away, it was true. He was still new to this, having someone care and not hit him when he did something wrong. Darius released one hand and used it to gently make Hunter look at him again. "But you're safe in this house, okay? I'm not Belos, I'm not going to hurt you, and I'm not mad that you came to me."
Hunter's shaking eased with his shoulders loosening and less tense. "I know.. but sometimes it feels like I'm still there. And my body just feels like.." Hunter paused, trying to find the words, "I can't help it. My mind tells me it's okay, but my body refuses to listen." Hunter felt the tears dry a little on his cheeks. He rubbed his eye with the back of his free hand.
"That's because your body is still trying to get used to a new routine. It remembers what happened because it has been used to that for years. It has only felt pain and bruising instead of anything good." Darius replied with a soft, small smile. "And I'll just keep reminding you that you're okay. you aren't going to get punished for being scared." Hunter sniffed and just hugged Darius.
"Can I stay with you tonight?" He asked. And heard a small hum in response. "I suppose so." Darius replied with a light tone, "I'll get you some water, go sit on the bed."
Hunter pulled away and walked over to the bed and sat down, then watched Darius disappear down the stairs. He felt steadier now, and his breathing was slower and less painful. He looked down at his hands and rubbed his thumb on his other hand. It was something he'd seen before and it helped.
After a few minutes, Darius reappeared with a glass of water and gave it to Hunter. Then he sat down next to Hunter and placed a hand on his back whilst Hunter sipped the water. Hunter didn't know what to say now, but he could tell that Darius understood. So instead, Darius just shifted back onto his pillow and patted the spot next to him. Hunter placed down the water on the desk and shifted over, curling next to Darius' arm and pressing into Darius' side. Hunter laid his head on Darius' chest and let out a soft sigh then closed his eyes. He could feel sleep returning now.
"Night dad.." Hunter said quietly before drifting off fully.
Darius froze at the word 'dad.' He looked down at Hunter and then smiled softly. "Goodnight, little prince."