Work Text:
The flowers were not his idea. Luz insisted. Something about “adding to the emotion and romantic spectacle”.
He holds them in his gloved hands maybe tighter than he should as he watches Willow carefully. Her brows are raised just enough to show her surprise and her lips have parted. He holds his breath.
“Oh, Hunter. I’m flattered but…” she trails, adjusting her glasses.
The stems of the flowers bend and crease in his grasp.
Willow smiles, small but genuine. “Im not exactly the dating type. Romance isn’t really for me, you know?”
It’s not unheard of at all but it still surprises Hunter. It only lasts a second or so before embarrassment takes over and turns his cheeks and ears pink.
“Oh, of course. My mistake. Um, just forget about this,” he says, letting the flowers go. Against his better judgement, he crushes them beneath his boot. “Sorry. This was…stupid. I should have just asked instead of listening to Luz-“
“Woah, hang on. I don’t think it was stupid,” Willow says softly.
She crouches, gently picking up the flowers. She springs them back to life with a quick spell circle.
Hunter watches, lips pressed tight. The green glow of the magic illuminates Willow’s soft features and smile. She stands, flowers tucked safely in her hands. She meets Hunter’s eyes.
“I really do appreciate the gesture. I’ve never had anyone do something like this for me. So, thank you, Hunter.”
He feels the viciousness of his blush as it explodes across his face. “Right. It’s…I-“
Willow chuckles, soft and light but not unkind. Never unkind. Hunter doesn’t think she’s capable of it, not towards him or their friends anyway.
It strikes him then, the ridiculousness of the situation. How he even allowed himself to think of this turning out poorly in any way is almost comical. Old habits die hard he supposes but this is Willow he’s dealing with. No matter the outcome, she was always going to leave him like this; his heart feeling more full than usual and hands just a tad more sweaty in his gloves. This is Willow. His friend. A champion of kindness, empathy, strength and everything that people should strive to be, at least in Hunter’s opinion.
Sure, it does sting a little that his feelings aren’t- can’t- be reciprocated. He knew it wasn’t a guarantee. He might be new at navigating these feelings and concepts but he’s not that naive. He’s a fast learner, a prodigy. Still, the sting gives way to an irrational concern. The words shove past his lips before he can truly consider them.
“We’re still friends, right?”
A hand rests on his shoulder.
“Of course,” she says.
Hunter lets a hesitant smile sneak onto his face.
“Okay. Thanks.”
He isn’t expecting the hug but at this point he should.
Willow pulls away after a moment and thanks him again for the flowers before heading back toward the house. Just before she opens the door, she turns back toward him, hair swaying gently in the breeze. She tucks a few stray pieces behind her ear.
“You coming?”
Hunter’s heart thumps in his chest, the drum of a bittersweet song. Maybe he didn’t get the outcome he preferred but he can certainly live with the one he got. He’ll move on eventually. He’s learned by now that not getting what you want isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes, what you want isn’t what you need. Sometimes, what you get is better. And really, having Willow in his life in any form is a blessing.
So, he takes this in stride. The sweet easily outweighs the bitterness as he steps forward with a small smile.
“Yeah, I’m coming.”