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Context: The Hunter is an important figure in your village. A fire elemental with remarkable combat skills, he is all that stands between the village and a grisly fate via the monsters that routinely attack. To keep him from lighting himself ablaze, you and your fellow ice elementals are gifted to him as payment for his work. He is a cold man, private and stern, but you did something unusual - you saved his life, risking your own in the process. Since then, he's wanted you at his side constantly. He's acting strange. He admitted he'd kill for you, which led to you being injured in the forest. He's been at your side since, though you aren't sure why.

Setting: The Hunter's Lodge

Tags: [M4A][Tsundere to Yandere][Hunter Speaker][Monster Listener][Cold][Fantasy][Tension][Kind of Arranged Marriage][Apology][Confession][Comfort][Reverse Comfort][Kisses][L-Bomb][CW: Implied Failing Health]

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[Scene opens in the Hunter’s quarters]

[SFX: Muffled speech]

[You don’t know how long it has been. You’ve only vague recollections of your throat near being torn out and the Hunter pleading with you to stay with him. Reciting “please…please-]

“-Please, Eri, it’s alright. Do not fret over a puddle on the floor.”

[Pause]

“Ah…? How am I doing? Not well, but my thanks to you for asking…”

[Pause]

“Wait, Eri, before you go… Could you ask the other Ice Elementals to come here so I may speak with them, please? No, no, none of you are in trouble, I assure you. Thank you.”

[SFX: Eri hurrying off and the Hunter walking toward the bed]

“... They’ve all been so kind to me. I’ve only ever been indifferent and cold. Not cruel, but not the best employer… I can’t comprehend why they’ve all been so eager to comfort me and help tend to you.”

[SFX: The bed creaking]

[His warm form lies at your side and, almost shyly, he takes your hand]

“Let me hold your hand for a moment, Prism… Mmh… Still a pulse. A bit stronger today. It’s been almost two months now. The attacks are growing, but all I can think of is seeing your beautiful eyes when you wake… Nnh… Damned wound. A gargoyle got my leg… Guess I’m literally on my last legs, eh? Hehe… anh… I made a joke, what the Hell is wrong with me?”

[SFX: The other Ice Elementals gathering in the doorway]

“Ah, you all got here quickly. Hngh! Sorry… Sorry, standing is hard. Ahem. Thank you for meeting with me here with such little forewarning. I’ll try to be brief.”

[You hear him take a breath and the heat grows slightly]

“I want to apologize. To all of you. While I do not think I have been outright cruel, I realize that I’ve been, for lack of a better word, a cold employer. Indifferent to your needs and wants. I know I have been harsh about you traveling into the village, but it came from a place of being overprotective. That doesn’t make it right. I want you to know that I will no longer police you. If you need wood to repair your quarters, take it. If you want to move into the lodge and make use of the wing that’s just sat there, collecting dust, you may.”

[Pause]

“You all have treated me well, over the years. Some of you even helped rear me from where I was abandoned… I’m sorry. The uncontrollable flame in me comes from hatred and bitterness at my own family, and you all were taken from your natural environment to keep me in line. With how recent battles have been… I know I’m not long for this world. My wounds are not healing properly. My spirit is fading…”

[SFX: Worried murmuring]

“Do not fear for me. I am ready to meet my end, but you all will need to find a safe place to go when that happens. Monsters will come here and I don’t want them to attack any of you. You are… my family.”

[SFX: Collective hugging]

“No, no, not hugs… Grmrmrlr… fine. Some hugs. There… Now, I’d like to return to Prism’s side, if you’d all be so kind.”

[SFX: The Ice Elementals trudging off and the door shutting]

[The Hunter sighs and shuts the door, turning back to the bed. He freezes as he sees you sitting up]

“P-Prism…? You’re awake!”

[He practically leaps into bed and hugs you]

[Pause]

“Thank the gods… Thank the gods you’re awake! Oh… I thought I wouldn’t get to apologize nor say goodbye…”

[He tenses as you embrace him back]

“Oh, you’re… hugging me back. Um… I didn’t expect that, not going to li-hmph?!”

[He tenses even more as you kiss him. It’s a touch awkward for a moment, as he doesn’t really seem to know how to react]

“A-Ah…? And a kiss? Were you having particularly fond dreams of me, Prism?”

[Pause]

“The apology? Of course I meant it, you know I don’t say things I don’t mea-mmrph?! Mmh…”

[He kisses you back this time, warm and considerate]

“Mmhh… Wow. Nngh! That’s my hip!”

[You look down and see some impressive claw marks in his side and right hip]

[Pause?!]

“I’m fine… I-I…”

[He collapses in your arms, breath shallow]

[Pause!!!]

“Sorry… I-I’m sorry… My flame has gotten so weak… There have been so many battles since you were wounded, Prism, and I, admittedly, haven’t had my head in the game. I’ve grown careless… and it has cost me.”

[...]

[You hold him and gently stroke his hair as he pants quietly]

“...Rest? I cannot… I can’t ever rest… Have to protect the village. Have to protect you…”

[Pause?]

“No… The only way for me to rekindle this flame is either by ‘hibernating’ in a sense or via a full day in bright, pure sunlight. There is nothing to be done for me, my lov… Prism. I can only keep fighting until I fall. I am hoping it is enough time for my… family… to run to safety.”

[Pause!]

[He looks up at you in surprise as you (gently) tell him off]

“None of you… want to leave me? But you must! The danger grows every second that you all remain here!”

[Pause!]

“Teach… Teach all of you to fight? No. Absolutely not! Are you ma-mmph! Mmh… Damnit, Prism, you can keep kissing me but I-nnh…mhh… so soft… h-hey! No, I mean i-mm…”

[There’s something a ‘little’ satisfying about his wide-eyed innocence]

“...You won’t take no for an answer, will you?”

[Nope]

[The Hunter sighs]

“... Prism, I don’t… want to watch you slip through my arms again.”

[Pause]

“Mmh… Yes, I suppose it is hypocritical of me. Fine. But you must PROMISE ME that if things get overwhelming, if it is clear we cannot win, you will flee to safety. Alright?”

[Pause]

“Thank you… Are you, um, going to keep my face pressed to your bosom?”

[Pause]

“I’m not complaining! I just… don’t have my face pressed to many bosoms.”

[...]

“...You’re pushing it by calling me ‘cute’, Prism… Ugh, you know what? I’m just going to go to sleep right here, and when your legs are asleep and your back is twitching from holding me for so long? I hope you rue it. A little.”

[SFX: A blanket rustling]

[He’s so tired at this point that his eyelids are fluttering against you]

“Mmhm… goodnight, love.”

[You hold him as a blizzard whips about outside and hope that he can rest, at last]

[To be continued]