#aghpara

[huntercgryffindor-blog]

Para: Mending Bridges

WHO: Hunter & Rose WHEN: 9/27/2023 WHERE: Astronomy Tower WHAT: After weeks of fighting in the form of not talking at all, Hunter and Rose meet up in-person to try and fix their friendship.

HUNTER:

Hunter tugged the hoodie tighter around him and made his way up to the Astronomy Tower as quickly as he could. It was just starting to really get chilly outside but for the first time in weeks he didn’t even notice. It’d been hell not talking to Rose and despite the hate he was getting from outside sources the thing he was focused on most was her, and how he’d hurt her, and more than that how weird it was to go this long without even a prank to know she was still around the castle.

Knowing Rose was waiting for him spurred him on and with a flourish he made his way inside, a grin on his face that couldn’t be matched. The urge to go up and hug her was strong but after everything that happened he was leaving first moves in her court, so he didn’t make her uncomfortable.

[huntercgryffindor-blog]

Para || I Double Dare You

WHO: Hunter & Rose WHERE: The bonfire WHEN: 8/10 WHAT: Hunter has a dare to complete revolving around a certain Rose Weasley, and the middle of the bonfire seems like the perfect time to do it.

Hunter stretched out beside Rose on the seating they’d found, letting the heat that came with the dead of summer settle into his skin. Shorts and a tank top seemed a far cry from what he was usually in around his other classmates, but his attention had been solely on Rose all weekend and that fact was still ringing true since a few hours in and he’d yet to carry on a full conversation with anyone that wasn’t her. “Want some?” He bumped her shoulder lightly, offering up his cup of Butterbeer on the off chance she planned on stealing it.

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Para: “Into the Woods”

Who: Hunter Clarington & Matt Rutherford (goldenrutherford) Where: The Forbidden Forest When: April 26, 2023 What: After talking about the possibility for a few weeks Matt gets the chance to take Hunter into the Forbidden Forest after normal class hours to do a bit of unicorn tracking and exploring. 

Hunter:

To say Hunter was excited about getting to spend part of the day exploring with Matt was definitely an understatement. Care of Magical Creatures had been one of his favorite classes for as long as he could remember now, and the Forbidden Forest like an extension of the fun with the potential of much more that he wasn’t allowed anywhere near.

With that excitement firmly bubbling up in his stomach Hunter rushed out of the Great Hall, stomach full and strides sure as he weaved his way through to the courtyard and raised his hand in greeting. “Thank you,” He managed to get out in-between catching his breath, giving Matt a wide smile and gesturing towards the small pack he’d brought with him to show that he’d brought some potential supplies as well. He’d really wanted to come off as well-prepared.

[huntercgryffindor-blog]

Self-Para: “You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid”

Who: Hunter Clarington When: Summer of 2014, Age 10 Where: Clarington Manor What: Hunter’s father works with him on honing his flying skills, wanting to make sure his son is ready to get a prime spot on the Slytherin Quidditch team by the time he starts Hogwarts. Written for aghprompt15.

“Chasers need more speed!” The words reverberated in his head as Hunter pushed his brand-new broom up towards the miniature goal his father had positioned high in the air. Down on the ground he knew he was being clocked, his every movement watched, but it only spurred him on. 

This was what his father had been training him for since the moment he could walk. Be the best. Be the very best. Don’t do anything that isn’t exceptional and do whatever it takes to carry on the legacy. Not do his best, which made the pressure almost unbearable at times but if there was one thing Hunter knew best it was how to thrive under pressure.

It took almost two hours of flying around and avoiding Bludgers that his father kept tossing his way before he finally made the ten goals required of him before he was allowed to go read. When he landed back down on the ground it was with sweaty hair pushed back haphazardly and with the biggest smile he possessed. “Father! I did it!” Hunter ran over towards him, broom tumbling behind him as he focused on his destination.

“You took twelve minutes longer than you did when we practiced.” Those were the words that he was greeted with and his shoulders slumped in defeat. Of course his performance wasn’t good enough to please the older man. With barely a look thrown his way the elder Clarington was scooping up the broom and striding back towards the house. “We’ll practice again first thing in the morning. You won’t let me down.”

Hunter took a deep breath and reminded himself that Claringtons didn’t get upset over losses. They pushed themselves even harder next time. When they absolutely could not hide their outbursts they did them only in private and even that was considered unacceptable. “Yes sir. I’ll come down after breakfast.”

“See that you do or you’ll spend the afternoon doing all of the house elves’ chores.” With that he was left at the entrance to the house without another word. Finally he let his body sag against the building and the defeat came pouring through, internally beating himself up over letting his father down so badly yet again. 

[huntercgryffindor-blog]

[Para] One of Those Nights

Who: James Potter & Hunter Clarington When: April 11, 2023 Where: Inside the castle What: After a particularly emotional night due to Albus and Sebastian, Hunter and James make their way around the castle, using the excuse to talk.

This was going to be a long night. With Magadalena safely in his girlfriend’s care for until morning Hunter was free to make his way down to the portrait to meet James, hands shoved in the pockets of his pajama pants and a hoodie pulled up over his bed head. It’d been such a good day but of course something as simple as Sebastian pulling the “I never gave a rat’s arse about you” card could bring it all toppling down. Nothing grated on his nerves more than the fact that the other boy still had the power to hurt him, to have him flashing back six years to when things were... simpler. Or as simple as they ever were when your last name was as distinguished as Clarington. 

Pushing his thoughts to the side Hunter leaned back against the cold wall and waited, already hoping that time spent with the Captain he so admired (who wasn’t faring much better than he was at the moment) would help.

[huntercgryffindor-blog]

McClarington Para: “About Time”

Who: Hunter Clarington and Clara McClaggen Where: Coffeeshop in muggle London When: April 4, 2023 What: After Clara flrts with one of the guys in the shop they enter and Hunter loses his cool, the two finally sort out the emotions that have been building between them for months now.

Hunter was seething. They'd ventured out into muggle London again to grab coffee and snacks and this time Clara had seemed to find this - bloody gorgeous, unfortunatly - man to flirt with. Weren’t baristas supposed to remain professional? The second he'd noticed her flirting back his muscles had tensed, everything in him on edge. She was with ​him​, didn't they see that? Didn't ​she​? This wasn't how their break was supposed to go.

Clara was having an absolutely marvelous time. She knew that Hunter wasn't too happy with her at the moment, but she tried pushing it to the back of her mind as she sipped from the cup in front of her. Warm tea was certainly one of the most comforting things in the world. Maybe she touched the man's arm on purpose, maybe it was just an involuntary motion, but she was certainly in flirt mode.

Hunter closed his eyes and tried to wait it out. Maybe she was just being friendly? No, because Clara was normally much more cautious of how something could be perceived and she wasn't being cautious at all right now. "Clara," he said in a low voice, obvious tension in every word he said. "We really need to get back. We had a few more places to see." There he was, being rude and blatantly ignoring the other man, but he didn't care.

Clara rolled her eyes at the teenager behind her. "I'm sorry," she apologized to the handsome thing she was facing, "he's usually not such an ass. Maybe I'll see you 'round, yeah?" She smiled sweetly at him before turning to glare at Hunter, walking swiftly out of the corner shop and moving so the man she'd left behind couldn't see her though the glass. As soon as she heard Hunter behind her again she spoke, "What the hell was that?"

Hunter was so relieved. As soon as they weren't touching anymore it felt like he could breathe again, like the anger that’d seeped through him had faded with it. That's why her anger took him by surprise and had him staring down at her in confusion. "What the hell was what? We had plans, I was politely making sure that he knew that."

Clara couldn't believe that he was deflecting. "What do you mean what? You were deliberately rude because he was being nice to me, and that's not okay! You have no right to decide who I can and can't speak to." She turned and started walking back to her aunt's flat, which was only ten blocks down. Thankfully, it was a warmer afternoon and the wind wasn't bad.

Hunter followed after, wanting to grab her arm but knew that would just make it worse. "You were flirting! You were flirting, and he was flirting, and this is... Maybe I don't have a right to be upset but I thought that this was a thing and then you... I just... Fuck."

Clara stopped right in her tracks, probably disrupting the flow of pedestrian traffic as she whipped around to face him around. "So what if I was, Hunter? It shouldn't matter. This is 'a thing' just as much as that," she pointed in the direction of the coffee shop, "is a thing. You have no more right to me than he does."

Hunter bit down on his lip, leaning his head back for a moment. "I told you how I felt about you Clara. You're the one who wasn't able to handle it," he said softly, trying to push her out of the way of the traffic, blood boiling but more frustrated than anything.

Clara's face hardened at his words. "I told you too. I told you I needed time to be able to handle the change, not the feelings. I told you that I felt the same way, but I need a label. We don't have a label. Until we do, you have no right to be mad. Got it?" She jerked away from his touch. More than anything in this world she wanted him to hold her and fix it, but until this was settled that wasn't going to be able to happen.

Hunter stood still for a moment and wrapped his shirt tighter around himself. "I didn't know what you meant. I didn't know a label was what you needed. I want a label. I want a fucking label." It was a sharp reminder of the dozen and a half conversations they’d had that turned emotional fast.

Clara crossed her arms in self-defense, knowing that this was a conversation that they needed to have but not wanting to have it at this moment. "What else could it have been, Hunter? All the things I've done to try and show you how much I wanted this... Us... How could you not know that I wanted a label? Fuck..."

Hunter carefully moved her until they finally made it to a bench, trying to urge her to sit down. In public was really, really not the place for this but it didn't seem to be stopping them. "I don't know! How could you not know I did?? I've been wooing you, taking you on dates, all but declaring my adoration to the public! I want you to be my girlfriend and jesus fuck, you're blind if you didn't see that."

Clara's breathing was certainly no longer even and her heart was racing a million miles a minute as she sat down and listened to his speak. For a moment, she just sat and thought about what he'd said. Part of her wanted to beam, but most of her was still seriously pissed off. "You couldn't just say it. You couldn't have just fucking said that from the fucking start, could you?"

Hunter knew his knuckles were white by now with how much he was clenching them into fists, not out of anger but out of pure anxiety at finally laying it all out there. He sucked at this, he couldn't do emotional well, but she pulled it out of him. "No! You know I suck at this Clare, you knew from the beginning. But I tried, again and again."

Clara couldn't look at him. She knew her face was scarlet with frustration, more with herself than with the boy beside her, and she was determined to hide that. "I did too, Hunter. You're not the only one who tried. I want this so fucking bad and I was scared to try but I did but you just couldn't fucking label it."

Hunter scooted closer on the off chance that maybe she'd actually let him. "Look, okay I fucked up. I royally arsed this up and I suck, I do. But I want this. I really, really want this and I've wanted it since... Probably before we even kissed. Definitely after. So either you accept how much it got messed up or you let it go, it's up to you."

Clara reached for his hand, still not able to look at him but needed to touch him. His touch was a comfort comparable to tea. "We both fucked up," she admitted, pausing a moment to think about what she wanted to say before finally looking at him. "I'm sorry, Hunter. I've been an absolute bitch about this and I was scared to want it so badly but I do, I want this so much."

Hunter squeezed her hand right back, wanting to kiss her but almost positive this wasn't the right moment to do that. "I'm sorry too. It's... This is terrifying. This is like level ten on a roller coaster looking down with no seatbelt scary." He perked up at her words, face going hopeful. "In that case - Clara McClaggen will you be my girlfriend?"

Clara laughed. It probably wasn't the right moment to be laughing like she was, but she couldn't help herself. The situation, how it had taken them so long to get to where they now stood, or sat, was absolutely ridiculous! She realized just how dumb the two of them had been, and just nodded her head in response. "Duh."

Hunter gave her a bright grin, already pulling her across the bench so she was half on his lap. Sometimes he forgot civilization existed and this was probably one of them. "Good." Then his own laughter started and he shook his head at it. "Vaguely anticlimactic."

Clara gave him a gentle kiss, pulling him closer to her automatically. "It may be anticlimatic, but at least it happened right? We finally did it..." As soon as the words were out of her mouth she thought of how she was going to tell her parents... Oh, Merlin...

Hunter shivered lightly in the barely there chill, pulling her closer and savoring the kiss. "Very, very true. I was worried we never would but I kind of want to tell the world right now?" Thankfully he was too caught up to notice the change on her face or he might have started worrying.

Clara rested her head on his shoulder, simply enjoying the closeness... and the fact that they were now officially a couple. Chuckling at his statement, she said, "As you wish!" with more joy than she'd ever said anything in her whole life. Even that she'd made the quidditch team her second year!

Hunter was sure even the people passing them on the crowded walkway could see it on his face, the usual slight guarded look down for the count. "I've got an idea on how to make that happen. It's not creative but it's cute at least?" He wasn't letting her go for the rest of break at least, probably not on the train ride home either.

Clara smiled brightly, lifting her head to look him in the eyes and listen. "And?" Part of her was secretly hoping that his idea would apply to parents as well, because she didn't want to go through a whole separate ordeal with the McClaggens. Her hand held his firmly, trying to keep the worry off of her face.

Hunter kept stealing kisses between words, almost like he was trying to convince himself it was real. "Kissing pictures for our blogs, or a set of them? Maybe just the tamest of the photos, like a cheek kiss, to tell the family?" He tilted his head, wanting her approval.

Clara just nodded, as much as she could while he kept kissing her so randomly. She didn't mind in the slightest, however, "I think that's a brilliant idea. I know Aunt Lauren already thinks we're together, so we don't even really need to tell her. We sleep in the same bed, for Merlin's sake, she can't not know."

Hunter tucked his hands around her waist and settled them there, chuckling. "Most of our friends do too. Ryder actually asked me about it today. My aunt thinks we are too, so do my parents, so... Just your family?" It made him blink s few times at how oblivious they'd been. Friends with benefits rarely spend a week sharing a bed like that without something more intimate involved.

Clara responded by resting her arms about his shoulders, her hands finding a resting place on the back of his neck. "Really? What did he say?" She laughed, "Well the whole point of me going to their dinner was to get them off your back about having a girlfriend by being a fake girlfriend. I was a pretty damn good one, it's sad my acting career was so short lived."

Hunter shivered at the light touch, itching to live in this moment for as long as possible. "Asked if we were finally official, which I've gotten a few other inquiries of too so we weren't too subtle." This was... Exactly what he'd hoped honestly. "You were! Very enthusiastic. We can always try again when April fools comes back around with something else.”

[huntercgryffindor-blog]

Self-Para: “Private Fears In Public Places”

Who: Hunter Clarington Where: DADA Classroom What: Self para for prompt #14. Hunter goes to face his boggart only to get a shock when he realizes what his biggest fear truly is.

There was a reason this was done in third year, Hunter grumbled to himself as he made his way to the front of the classroom. 

When he’d first faced a boggart his deepest fear had been so simple. A zombie had come tumbling into view, which had been expected after he’d discovered horror films and had nightmare after nightmare about flesh falling off of bones and sickly yellow teeth coming after him. Three years later and he had no clue what his biggest fear was. His parent’s disapproval had faded to a dull roar in his head and he didn’t think he had any other fears tucked away anywhere.

Sucking in a deep breath Hunter tumbled towards the front of the classroom and waited in front of the cabinet, knuckles white and hands shaking as the door to it slowly creaked open.

When the boggart first started forming into Sebastian Smythe’s figure he almost wanted to laugh and call the whole thing a failure. Then the voice spoke and it was Sebbie the child in front of him, the first person to truly give a shit about him outside of what he could become one day, leaning in with a menacing tone that belied the sweet features. “You’re going to be nothing,” it - he whispered.

“You’re already so unimportant. When you leave the castle, who will remember you? When you enter the real world, what wizard will know who you are besides Cubicle #4? You have nothing special. You are nothing special.”

Toddler Sebastian swirled into Clara, and then Marley, and Roderick, and Albus James and Gracie and everyone who’d ever mattered chanting the same words in his face. “You were never more than a name,” and that was his parents, his mother’s somewhat kind face twisted into an ugly smile and his father’s usual condescending stare turning downright disgusted. Then back to Sebastian, the face he loathed (the face that drove nails in his heart everytime he saw it), flickering for a few moments before settling on his image.

Every word the boggart spit out was a hit straight to his heart. When he finally managed “RIDDIKULUS!” and Sebastian turned into a monkey-version of himself clanging away on toy symbols, Hunter only managed a sharp bark of laughter before pushing his way back to his seat. 

The lesson might be over but there was no way those words were going to stop haunting him anytime soon.

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Zarington Para: "Awkward Conversations"

Who: Eva Zambini & Hunter Clarington When: March 8, 2023 Where: The library What: Chatzy para. Hunter and Eva meet in the library so Hunter can divulge a few choice updates to her before there's even a chance she hears it from the castle gossip wheel. Things get award fast.

Hunter was quieter than usual as he pushed open the heavy doors of the library and made his way past Mr. Prince and into the large room. It seemed fairly quiet for a Sunday and he could only assume everyone was busy sleeping in instead of meeting their exes for potentially discussion. He took a table as far out of sight as possible and sent her a quick text about his location before trying to relax.

Eva made her way down the hallways towards the library, trying to think about what Hunter wanted to talk to her about. Ever since their break up, Eva had always felt slightly awkward around him. After all, they had been dating for years-- hell, even his parents had been predicting their wedding . Sighing, Eva concluded that she'd just have to listen to whatever Hunter wanted to tell her. When she felt her mobile buzzing in her pocket, Eva looked down as she made her way inside of the library, looking around for Hunter. When her eyes fell on where he was sat, completely out of sight, she made her way towards him. "What's up, hunny-hun?" Her old nickname for him fell from her lips purely by habit as she sat down opposite him.

Hunter had been balling up pieces of parchment as he waited and had a growing pile as a result of his nervousness by the time Eva finally made her way into his line of sight and he slowly lifted his head, giving her an easy smile. "You and that nickname... It should be banned, Evita." The answering nickname had been given a few months into dating when he'd realized just how much it made Eva want to swat him, and it'd stuck. "There's something I wanted to tell you. Before you heard it from someone else..." Suddenly the nerves were back, twisting his robes in his hands and itching to play with his wand instead just to have something to do with his hands.

Eva noted to herself that Hunter actually looked really nervous. Since when did that happen when they ever met up? Easily smirking, Eva shrugged and placed her bag on the floor beside her. "Mm, the longer you call me that nickname, the longer yours is staying." She answered. Thankfully, things weren't feeling all that awkward between them both, which was something Eva was grateful for. "Okay, sure?" Her eyebrow rose in curiosity as she looked over at him. "Merlin, Hunt, you look like you're about to pass out. I'm sure it's not that bad."

Hunter was sure his answering smile was equally as smirking but he was rather proud of how easily it still slipped off the tongue - and how easy it was to rattle her with it. "Awww am I supposed to be scared sweetie?" He stuck his tongue out, relishing in what proved to be one of their less-awkward meet ups if this is anything to go by. "Not so sure it isn't...." Hunter muttered the words but he was sure Eva still heard him. "It's dealing with relationships... but not ours?"

Eva caught his muttering and found herself frowing lightly, sitting up a little straighter. Hearing Hunter tell her that there was something going on in a relationship, but no theirs, didn't come as a shock to Eva. She'd been expecting him to find someone else-- it wasn't like he was ugly , and the girls of Hogwarts made no secret of their attraction towards him. Still, Eva admitted inwardly, it stung to hear that. "Oh--" She trailed off, trying to figure out what to say. "Who is it? That's great." Her smile was genuine, considering she really did want him to be happy, regardless.

Hunter chewed on his lip, not sure why he was still so on edge about this. They'd both known dating other people would have to happen eventually but it was still the first foray into it since their breakup months ago and on some level it felt like a betrayal not to tell her. Eva's relaxed smile helped ease any lingering tension and he leaned forward on his hands with a wry grin. "Clara? We're not dating, not yet, but it's going to happen eventually I think and there’s already something going on and I know I wouldn't want to find out about you potentially dating from someone else so it felt... Necessary?"

Eva thanked whatever God that any feelings she had previously had for Hunter had vanished over time since their break up, meaning that whatever pain she was expecting to feel, didn't come. Instead, she just felt happy for the boy sitting opposite from her. "A fellow Gryffindor, hmm?" She teased, chuckling lightly. While she didn't know all that much about Clara, she'd definitely heard of her. "That's cool. I mean I appreciate you telling me, Hunter." She answered, folding her arms across her chest. "I'm absolutely fine with it, obviously. And I'm really happy for you guys."

Hunter chuckled, batting at her and throwing a piece of torn up parchment in her direction as a sign of protest. "You know, we tried to uniting the house routes and it didn't work so well. A lion - well it's unexpected? Definitely not what my parents expected, though they're probably hoping when they meet Clare she's your mini-me..." Okay, no musing on things with other people in the room Hunter. "Yeah? Thank you Evie. No clue when we'll make that whole official thing happen but it could be next week or a few years ago and when it does - well, fair warning." Ooooh and he was rambling again but by this time it felt like second-nature.

Eva rested her head inside of her palms as she listened to his rambling, finding it slightly amusing. "Hey!" She chuckled, throwing it back at him, trying to at least keep as quiet as she could. "I mean she's nothinglike me, so they're more than likely going to be disappointed." Eva teased, finding conversing about their relationship slightly awkward, once again. In an attempt to shift the topic off of her, she quickly said, "So what's she like?" she asked in a low voice.

Hunter gave a quick furtive look in Fox's direction before rolling a piece of parchment more quietly towards her. "It was necessary! That's definitely going to be a thing, I think, when she meets my parents? Like I find the differences amusing but not sure how they'll react." For a brief second he pretended to kick Eva only to end up grinning instead. "Determined, funny in a witty sort of way. Beautiful, but that's just me being shallow. Talented enough at Quidditch she'll rock the team next year. We argue a lot? But not serious arguments, just back and forth and - I'm rambling now," Hunter said with a bright blush.

Eva nodded, shifting slightly in her seat, finding herself regretting asking about this Clara girl after all. Surprisingly, hearing Hunter talk so positively about her kind of stung? Weirdly enough. Kicking herself inwardly, once again, Eva bit down on her lower lip and shifted her gaze away from him. "I'm glad to hear it. She sounds great." She finally said, a lump forming at the back of her throat. "I mean I'm obviously going to be kicking her butt if she hurts you, but that's just me being protective...And kind of a bitch, I guess?" Another small chuckle fell from her lips.

Hunter caught himself before he could make an utter fool of himself babbling in front of everyone, giving her a sheepish smile. Something in the set of Eva's shoulders seemed... off now, but worrying about it might backfire and do nothing but make it worse. "That's one word for her, definitely." This time the smile was warmer and he reached across the table to squeeze her hand, still keeping a careful eye on her just in case. "Not a bitch? Well maybe to others. You know I tend to find that trait a bit appealing. You have myfull permission if you ever need to." The words were said solemnly, not because Hunter thought that'd ever be necessary, but because the occasion seemed to deem it.

Eva was completely done with this conversation by this point, and she made a silent note never to ask about Clara again because damn, regardless of her getting over Hunter, that stuff still hurt. Maybe it was because she was using Clara to bring herself and her own self esteem down through Hunter, which was weird, but normal, for Eva. She was competitive and strived for perfection, which was why her emotions at that moment kind of made sense. She was dragged away from her thoughts when Hunter squeezed her hands, and she stiffened, pulling away from him. "I still find it weird how you find my bitchiness appealing." She answered immediately.

Hunter wasn't sure where the smiling Eva that'd been there moments before had gone but the sudden chill in the air had him shivering. It's not that he couldn't understand. If Eva was rambling about some new guy she was interested in Hunter would've still probably wanted to stuff her mouth with the parchment in front of them to make it stop. Maybe not because of jealousy but it was weird and the complicated mess that was moving on sucked. "Some things you never understand? You'd be boring if you were always nice." The rejection of any form of affection sent a twinge straight to his smart and he pulled away quickly with a weird half-smile.

Eva found herself shivering as the spiral of tension circled around them, finding herself completely conflicted and confused about why this sudden... stinging was coming from. Maybe it was because the bitterness and hurt from their break up was never really resolved, now that she thought about. It wasn't a bitter breakup, she knew that. Yet it was in her mind. Whenever she thought about their relationship, it was always classed as...as a regret, she guessed? Something she wished had never happened because of the aftermath that followed from it. Tucking a layer of hair behind her ear, Eva found herself smiling at Hunter's words. "That makes sense." Eva spoke slowly, before adding, "And it's true, some things you never really understand."

Hunter sat back in his chair to fiddle with the slightly loose strings on the edges of his robe instead, trying to keep his eyes trained on her even though this new distance between them ached in the worst ways. No, he wasn't in love with her anymore, but he'd hoped they'd be able to push past the awkwardness to be friends like they'd promised. "You know I always make sense Evie, you can't deny that." A few beats before he continued, leaning forward again hesitantly. "That's the most honest statement I think I've ever heard."

Eva was always going to be honest with Hunter, even when she didn't quite understand her emotions herself, so instead of making a lame excuse to leave, which was so tempting to do, Eva locked her eyes with his and said quietly. "Listen, I'm completely happy for you, Hunter. And believe me when I say that because believe me, you deserve to be happy. But...I don't know, it's weird? Hearing you describe this apparent perfect girl that you're going to be dating. Maybe it's supposed to feel weird, I'm not really sure." She admitted, feeling her cheeks flush in embarrassment. "I'm glad you told me, seriously. I just...I don't know? There are some things you'll never understand and this is definitely one of them."

Hunter gave her a strained smile, and while he didn't try to reach out again he did make sure not to break their eye contact while she talked. "I do believe you. You don't say anything you don't mean, good or bad. We're... hopefully, but it's not official and I - this was an 'in case'," he murmured, even though he wasn't sure why he needed to clarify. All the facts had to be there before Eva continued her thought process, maybe? "We can stay away from uncomfortable topics but for the record... It makes sense. Even wanting you to be happy, it'd still be a bit of an... a bit ouch to hear you were dating someone else." Finally he was sure he'd stopped rambling and he took a huge breath just to calm himself. "Okay... Eva? For the record even if we're dating other people, your honesty is always appreciated. Even when it's telling me I suck by proxy. Which happens on occasion."

Eva found herself breathing in sharply, not daring to break the eye contact between them both. It had been a long time since she'd managed to actually talk to Hunter, properly. Without the awkwardness, well kind of, and the tension. "It makes sense, huh?" She questioned, raising an eyebrow and grinning slightly. "I promise I'm not still pining for you or anything, it's nothing like that. I guess we just dated for so long and this was bound to feel weird, right?" She was trying to convince herself more than anything, and maybe Hunter knew that, or maybe he didn't. She wasn't sure.

Hunter was sure this was one of those moments that shouldn't have ended in him wanting to burst into giggles but he really did. Instead he settled on giving her a raise of his eyebrow and leaning forward to rest his chin in his hands. "It really does." Now he actually gave in to the chuckle and the sound felt a little like a relief. "Don't worry, there's no part of me that thinks you're still secretly in love with me or anything like that. If this was supposed to be easy then it'd be a little like making the time spent together worthless y'know? And that's one thing it's definitely not."

Eva found herself smiling with him, glad she was at least honest with him. "Okay good." She said finally, sitting back in her seat and finally starting to relax. "It was never worthless, I agree. You know, I'm just glad we still have this weird awkward little friendship thing going on still. Most people who date for as long we did just ignore each other. I'm glad we're not like that."

Hunter felt a weight lift off his chest at the way she was smiling, and matched it easily. "Exactly." Fidgeting was still a normal habit for him but at least now it was more because it kept his mind from working overtime than awkwardness. "So am I. It would have been easy to, because it keeps the slightly 'how do we act' at bay? But I prefer this. It would suck to not have you in my life."

Eva noticed Hunter starting to relax too and her smiled grew slightly, knowing that maybe things wouldn't be so awful and awkward after all. "I prefer this too, definitely. I mean we were friends before we dated, and now we're still friends after. Life goes on." She replied with a small shrug. While she didn't see herself getting into a new relationship at any point soon, Eva also was happy to know that even if she did, Hunter would more than likely have her back. "I've got your back and that's just the way it's going to be."

Hunter nudged her with his foot, sure the tension in his shoulders was entirely gone by now. "Life goes on is probably the most accurate statement I've ever heard. That was our biggest worry before dating, y'know? So I'm proud of us." Maybe dating Clara wouldn't happen - though lord knows he hoped it did - but it was still insanely awesome to know Eva would be as okay as she could be with it. "Because you're awesome, Evie, duh."

Eva found herself raising an eyebrow when she felt Hunter nudge her with his foot, gently nudging him back. "Mhmm, I'm all for the cheesy statements and quotes that everyone rolls their eyes at." She chuckled, before nodding quickly. "I'm proud of us too." When Hunter called her Evie, she found herself smiling again at another old nickname that had now resurfaced. "There are only too many compliments I take before I get big headed, geez." She joked, unfolding her arms.

Hunter was ninety percent sure this might lead to the kind of joking fighting that'd gotten them kicked out of the library before, but it felt normal. "Oh oh course, because you're just the queen of things that are cliche," he teased, though he was glad she seemed to agree. "Oh right, because unfolding your ego any more would totally be the wisest decision I've ever made." The laughter was right there in his voice, and so obvious.

Eva could see in the corner of her eye that they were one joke away from being kicked out again, which didn't come as a surprise to her at all. They'd been kicked out before for laughing too much. "I am definitely a Queen of something. Just not of Cliche things." She laughed, before shrugging in agreement. "My ego is definitely high enough as it is, babe, and I don't think making it even bigger is a wise idea."

Hunter looked around furtively, grateful he'd not brought along much just in case the inevitable ended up happening. "Then what pray tell are you the Queen of? Because it's not subtletly, or modesty," he joked, hoping he knew she didn't mean it as a serious insult. "Part of me worries about the day you marry your prince and your egos are so large the kingdom can't contain it."

Eva thought for a second, trying to think of an answer to his question. "I don't know, yet. Maybe the Queen of managing to insult people without actually having the intention to?" Smirking slightly as she said that, Eva then continued, "I mean people end up getting offended, which sucks." At the mention of her supposed prince, Eva shrugged slightly. "Mm, I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed then, I guess."

Hunter nodded slowly, bursting out laughing when she finally answered. "That's the bloody truth. I swear I've never seen someone so oblivious to when they're brutally destroying someone's feelings. Might help to, y'know, put a filter on it?" Though she really, really wouldn't be Eva without it. "He'll come. Have to get knocked off his horse a few times by me until he's proven worthy, but he'll come."