“It just comes with the headache,” he said as he rubbed his head and began to squint. It would go away when his head wasn’t throbbing, at least he assumed. This was sort of a new experience, but he knew that he probably should wait for it to pass or get help to navigate so that he wouldn’t walk into anyone or anything. However, what he was not expecting was to be hoisted into the other’s arms.
He couldn’t help it if his immediate response was to flail as gravity relinquished its hold long enough for Hunter to holdl him in his arms. It was…so awkward and he found himself groaning from not just the slight sense of vertigo but from embarrassment. He probably should have seen this coming. His face darkened as he kept his eyes closed thinking that perhaps if he didn’t look he couldn’t see all the potential stares that they were liable to get. He didn’t want people to think he was like, that weak. At the same time he wasn’t going to openly complain about it. he didn’t have to walk anywhere. Still though…
“You could have just led me around and made sure I didn’t walk into anything,” he commented though not unkindly and with his eyes still closed. He shifted a bit so that he was just a tiny bit more comfortable in the other’s hold. “Too late now.” He opens on eye. “Maybe we should try the cafeteria first? They would have to have ice in there.”
“I probably could have, but this makes things simpler and honestly quicker.” A practical mind as always. He could’ve just taken Gus by the hand, but that doubled the people on foot, and if they needed to get through a narrower space or anything along those lines, it would be slower going with both of them walking. So up the steps of Hexside he went, Gus fully supported in his arms while Hunter did his best to keep steady and avoid too much movement that might make the younger boy’s headache worse.
Sure, they got a couple of odd looks, but those were quickly deterred by Hunter giving his own stare back at them, and one that clearly was daring them to say or do anything. The occasional whispers had his ears flicking back a bit in mild agitation, but he said nothing. He wasn’t about to get into any fights right now, and honestly would rather avoid them. Surprisingly though, most of the whispers weren’t about Gus, but instead were about Hunter himself. The former Golden Guard, still lingering around the school even though he wasn’t a student, and after they had had all that trouble while he’d been hiding out here the first time. He didn’t blame them for, well, wanting to blame him. He was the next best thing to the Emperor’s scouts that they had to pin it all on.
But he pressed on, choosing not to respond to the whispers and accusations, the suspicion and distrust. What mattered to him right now was helping his friend. Finally, they’d reached the cafeteria, and Hunter gently set Gus down at a table, a gloved hand lingering on his arms.
“Just wait here. I’ll be right back with some ice, okay?”
Gus was absolutely not out of it enough to miss the whispers happening as they made their way towards the school. While most of the comments and jibes weren't directed at him the ones that were didn't exactly compare to the ones that were being made about Hunter. He could hear the accusations thinking that Hunter was the reason why he was in this state or that something strange was going on. The fact that Hunter was even still on campus after the stunt that happened with the Emperor's Scouts despite having Willow and even Gus himself vouch for him. He could understand their concern, but Hunter was clearly trying to change. He was trying to show that he was not his uncle's puppet.
Gus opened his eyes and offered a weak glare as well, but he wasn't fooled into believing was enough to deter anyone despite his powerful display of illusory magic and so he closed his eyes again. At least those that were paying attention to him knew where he stood on the situation with Hunter. The guy was his friend and he deserved to be here just as much as anyone else. Heck, he probably should have been there more than anyone else. He really had a ton to learn, not just about magic but social interaction on general. That, however, was beyond the point.
Once the duo reached the table and Gus was set down, he let himself flopped into the seat and nodded his head before lowering it to the surprisingly cool tabletop. He exhaled before turning his head so that his cheek was on it and so that he was facing Hunter.
"I don't think I want to move, so no worries there." And he once more turned to rest his forehead on the table while letting out an exaggerated sigh of relief.
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