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Hunter hadn't even realized he fell asleep until he woke up. His eyes are still shut as he has never felt this well rested in so long. Along with that, no nightmares plagued his sleep which he couldn't help but be grateful for.
He nuzzled his head into his pillow, or at least attempted to. He noted two things upon his attempt to get situated and gain a little more sleep. The first, was that his pillow didn't feel like it usually does. Whatever was serving as his pillow was still soft and perhaps more comfortable than his actual pillow, squishy but with a touch of firmness. The second, was that there was something around his head that shifted when he did. Whatever the object was, it tickled his forehead slightly and had a smoothish soft feel to it.
His mind was muddled from sleep, but he could make out voices around him. He couldn't quite make out what the voices were saying, and under normal circumstances he would be freaking out about this. He was in an unknown place, surrounded by unknown people, not able to remember how he got here. He had every right to freak out and really should have.
But he was too comfortable and content to really care.
For just a few more moments, he would remain with his eyes shut as if he were asleep. To soak in this comfort and content feeling, one he was unaccustomed to but since he gained friends, it was becoming not as rare of a feeling.
"He is so conked out." He finally was able to make out the words of those around him. He couldn't tell exactly who was talking but it was a voice he recognized.
Before he could ponder too heavily on who was speaking, he felt a hand running their fingers through his hair. He nearly jerked up at the motion, but it was so soothing he felt himself melting into it. "I'm not surprised with those eye bags of his, you'd think he has never slept a day in his life."
"I was starting to think he actually doesn't sleep, didn't you say there was some kind of human creatures like that Gus?" The fog around his brain was dissipating, and he was able to discern it was Viney speaking.
"Kind of. There are these cool sea creatures called dolphins! They are able to put half their brains to sleep and are apparently the second most intelligent creatures on earth!" Gus rattled off excitedly. Hunter always loved listening to the knowledge his younger friend knew about humans and earth. He was also greatly fascinated by them, but often spent his time looking into wild magic and never had the time or resources to learn about humans.
He was able to make out a snort from Skara. Based on everyone who has spoken so far, he was able to tell they weren't close enough to be who was running their fingers through his golden locks. "Wouldn't surprise me if Hunter learned how to do that, or found a potion or spell so he could."
"Given all the craziness of our lives, especially his and recently, it is no wonder sadly." Came a sweet soft voice he would know from anywhere, and it was right above him.
His eyes snapped open to see above him was indeed Willow, who just so happened to be looking down at him. With a quick glance around he could see he was outside with the rest of the Emerald Entrails gathered around by a large tree near the forest. Willow specifically is leaning back against it, her the one carding a hand through his hair, and based on that to the left of his head was her torso, the pillow he is laying on is her lap.
All of this knowledge made his face and ears flare up. His embarrassment and latent grogginess lead to his stuttering statement of: "C-Captain?!"
"Oh, you're up? Did you have a nice nap?" She asked with a bright smile which served to make him feel warm in somehow a good and bad way.
"I, I-uh? How did I… why, I, uh, don't really, uh, recall?" He wanted to smack himself upside the head. Why did he have to sound so pathetic? He hoped they would think it was due to him just waking up.
The others were chuckling, and if they were anyone else he would be offended and indignant. But these were his teammates, his friends, people who cared about him. Even though they were laughing, he knew they weren't being rude, at worst it was a joke he didn't quite get. Gus after a moment finally supplied an answer to his query. "You fell asleep after practice dude."
Taking a moment, he recalled what happened. Indeed they had Flyer Derby practice, they had a game in about a week so they were making sure to train extra hard to be ready.
Derby practice was always one of Hunter's favorite activities, but today he was sluggish and out of it. Recently he has been sleeping a lot less, he has been having the same amount of nightmares but they were much worse somehow. He is used to running on little to no sleep, one of the good things from his upbringing and time in the Emperor's Coven made him accustomed to it. Even if his habits have been getting better, according to his friends, old habits die hard, also according to his friends.
Practice had gone well, and afterwards as they always did, they all hung out for a bit to cool down and also simply to all spend time together. He mostly just took in the conversation today, not really participating in it himself unless asked something. He guesses that he was so tired and given time to rest, he fell asleep which was understandable. Though what he couldn't understand was how he ended up in the Captain's lap, as he knew very well he was originally against the tree.
"I hope you're comfy, you were asleep against the tree and didn't want you to have a crick in your neck or back so I laid you down." He swore she could read his mind already, her response to his thought only supporting that. He wouldn't be surprised if it was among her talents to do that.
"We thought you'd wake up for a moment with how sensitive you are." Viney pointed out, Hunter couldn't help but shrink at that, making whatever was around his head shift slightly. He forgot something was there.
"Nope! You were out and dead to the world. Any longer and we thought we'd have to carry you to your house." Skara added on as she leaned dramatically against Viney, the two of them chuckling good naturedly.
That comment however made Hunter notice just how late it was. The sky had started to become orange at the horizon with the rest of the sky appearing a dark purple. Still plenty of light out to see and show it wasn't too late, but considering it was fully light out earlier made him concerned.
He tried figuring out for himself how much time had passed, but he couldn't get a clear gauge, unable to remember how high in the sky the sun had been earlier. Along with the fact that Willow's hand in his hair made it hard for him to focus. Not that he minded the action, it was very soothing. "Wait, how long have I been asleep?"
Gus started counting with his fingers, though quickly Hunter was able to discern he was just making a show of it to mess with him. "It's been about three hours." Any warmth that left his face returned swiftly.
"Nice to see you rejoin the land of the living, and with that I better get home before my parents worry. Later!" Viney announced as she hopped up from the ground and started to walk away from the group, bringing out her staff.
Skara got up after her and hurried to catch up. "I gotta go too, I'll fly with you."
"Same. You two coming?" Gus questioned as he stood as well, looking down at his two best friends who haven't moved this entire conversation. Their friends all giving the pairing knowing looks, thought what they knew exactly was beyond Hunter.
"In a moment, don't wait for me though. What about you Hunter?" Willow responded, her hand leaving his hair and he had to restrain himself from letting out an involuntary whine at the loss of warmth and comfort her strokes brought him.
He thought on it for a moment, though already knew what he wanted, Willow's answer making the decision all the easier. "I think I'll, stay here for a few moments too. To wake up, properly."
With that their teammates bid goodbye and all flew away, leaving the pair as they were. The two sat in comfortable silence for a moment, neither made any move and as much as Hunter felt as if he was imposing on her and it was the last thing he wanted, he felt so comfortable and content he wanted to stay as long as he could. For as long as she would allow him, he wanted to indulge in this selfish feeling of happiness she brought him.
"You never answered my question, you know." His companion pointed out, bringing him out of his reprieve.
He looked up at her, her once more looking back at him which her kind eyes and charming smile "Oh, sorry. What was your question again?"
She chuckled softly at his confusion. "If you had a nice nap, you looked so tired we wanted to let you be."
She was such a thoughtful and selfish person that Hunter was constantly marveled by how spectacular she is. He was and continuing to be an inconvenience by using her lap as a pillow, and she could have easily let him be against the tree. Wouldn't be the first time he napped in an odd spot and it wouldn't have been the worst one. But no, she made sure he was comfortable while he rested and let him rest until he woke up naturally. He really didn't deserve having her in his life.
"Yea, it was nice. Thank you. For letting me nap, and, on your lap. I don't mean to be a nuisance." He nodded as he answered meekly, shifting the thing on his head once again.
"You aren't Hunter, I promise. If I was able to help you, I'm happy." She assured, gently patting his head before resuming her strokes through his short locks.
"You did, that was one of the best naps I've ever had." The words came out without him really thinking about it, but he meant every word.
A light pink dusted Willow's cheeks, as she used her free hand to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. He had taken note that she usually did that whenever she was flustered, shy, or embarrassed. He didn't mean to make her any of those things, he simply spoke from the heart.
"Um, can I ask what's on my head? I don't remember anything being there earlier." He brought a hand up to shift the object so it could sit on his head better as he could feel it falling off.
The pink of cheeks became more of a deep red as she said "I got the urge to make a flower crown when you were asleep and thought it would look nice on you, and I was right."
That sounds just like her. And as much as he wanted to take it off to properly examine and admire her handiwork, he knew that would require sitting up which he wasn't ready to do yet.
"I'm honored to wear one of your creations, I will treasure it dearly." Once more, he spoke from the heart without thinking, and meant every word.
The sweet sound of her giggles escaped her throat at his statement, her smiling growing wider. "You're so silly and sweet."