(BL) Friendship On Fire

Aiden had seen Hunter irritated before. Annoyed, exasperated, even pissed off when Aiden did something really dumb. But never like this. This wasn't the usual Hunter who rolled his eyes and sighed whenever Aiden got on his nerves. 

This Hunter was furious.

His honey-brown eyes were dark and sharp, his face taut with quiet. Aiden felt his stomach drop. His heart pounded painfully against his ribs. Hunter had never, never looked at him like that.

Not even when Aiden had spilled an entire soda on his notes the night before an exam. Not even when Aiden made him fail gym class by clinging onto his back and refusing to let go. Not even when Aiden had locked him out of his own bathroom once as a joke.

But now? Now Hunter was looking at him like he was a fucking enemy.

And all because…Aiden's gaze flickered to him. The real culprit. 

Casen.

That weak-looking, small little thing who could barely hold himself up under a strong wind. The boy with his stupid blushing face, wide, watery eyes, and trembling hands.

Aiden felt something ugly twist inside him. Hunter was taking his side over Aiden's. His hands curled into fists. So that's how it is now?

Aiden let out a forced laugh, masking the way his chest clenched painfully. "I didn't call you anything, dude."

Hunter didn't look impressed. In fact, he looked even angrier. "You insulted Casen for being gay. Which means you insulted me too—because I'm gay too."

Aiden's mind stopped working for a while. For a second, he thought he misheard.

Then, in pure disbelief, he let out a scoff. "No, you're not."

Hunter rolled his eyes, the fury in them still burning. "Oh? Says who?"

Aiden gritted his jaw. "Hunter, come on—"

"No, you come on. Who the fuck are you to decide my sexuality? Do I ever question why you're straight?"

"That's different—"

"How the fuck is it different?" Hunter snapped, stepping closer to him. "I don't tell you what you should be, so why the hell are you deciding for me? Or—" his voice dropped lower, scrutinizing Aiden's frozen expression, "—is it that you hate gay people?"

Aiden's breath hitched. Hunter's expression shifted. That quiet disappointment in his eyes made Aiden's stomach churn in pure panic.

That look. That fucking look.

It wasn't just anger. It was something worse.

It was hurt.

It scared Aiden more than Hunter's rage. He felt as if his next words would decide whether Hunter would hate him or not from now. And he doesn't want Hunter to hate him. 

"I don't hate them!" Aiden exclaimed, desperate to erase that look on Hunter's face. "Why the hell would I?"

Hunter narrowed his eyes. "Then what's your problem?"

Aiden's mouth opened and closed. His mind was racing, but nothing made sense anymore to him. His own thoughts were confusing. Who should he believe more, his own thoughts or his friends' words? 

Hunter being gay? Even if Hunter is gay, Aiden should be fine with it? They're best friends. And no matter what Hunter might be, for Aiden he would still be the same. If Hunter is telling him that he's gay then he should support him with open arms. 

But why is he having trouble doing that? Or maybe whether Hunter is gay or not was never the problem to begin with. It was the fear that Hunter would like someone else that's not Aiden. 

No, no, that wasn't right. He had never looked at Hunter that way. Hunter was his friend after all. So, how could they like each other? 

But then why the hell did seeing Hunter with Casen earlier make him feel like flipping a goddamn table?

Why did he feel betrayed?

And why—why the hell did this burning sensation in his chest feel exactly like—

…No.

No way.

Hunter's voice cut through his spiraling thoughts. "You need to figure out whether you're angry that I'm gay, or if you're just fucking jealous."

Aiden flinched as if he was caught. "I'm jealous? Why the fuck would I be jealous? That's the dumbest thing I've ever—"

Wait.

Was he?

His stomach wrenched uncomfortably as flashes of Hunter and Casen talking filled his head. Casen's shy little glances. Hunter telling Casen to come to him if he gets bullied. Casen fucking blushing at Hunter.

Aiden remembered his blood boiled at that. Was he actually jealous?

No, that was impossible.

Then again, why did the idea of Hunter giving his attention to someone else make him feel like punching a goddamn wall?

Casen was still there, nervously glancing between them. Aiden's head was a mess, his entire body was apprehensive. 

Hunter's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Apologize to him."

Aiden's head snapped up to him to make sure Hunter was serious. "What?"

"Apologize," Hunter repeated looking directly in his eyes. "For what you said to him. That was rude as hell."

Aiden gawked at him like he had lost his mind. Apologize? To Casen? The same guy who was the cause of all this mess? The reason Hunter was suddenly treating him like shit?

Aiden felt his pride take a heavy hit. He clenched his fist, his entire body screaming at him to refuse. 

"Like hell I will," he yelled before abruptly turning on his heel and stomping away. 

Hunter watched Aiden's retreating figure in disbelief. For all of Aiden's stupidity, Hunter had thought or hoped that he wasn't this fucking dumb. He sighed, dragging a hand down his face.

Casen fidgeted beside him, looking uncertain. "I-It's okay. He doesn't have to apologize. I'm used to it anyway…"

Hunter turned to him, his expression softening slightly. "Don't take it to heart. Whatever dumbass thing Aiden says, he never actually means it."

Casen looked surprised. "Really?"

"Yeah. He's just blabbering whatever his idiot friends fed him. Barely uses his own brain half the time."

Casen let out a small giggle at that, his face lighting up. "You're so mature, Hunter," he suddenly said, looking at him with something almost dreamy in his expression.

Hunter barely held back a groan, ready to walk away too but Casen's sudden question stopped him. 

"Are you really gay?" Casen asked hesitantly.

Hunter raised an eyebrow. "What, do I need to advertise it on the fucking school announcement for people to believe me?"

"Huh!" Casen squeaked and shook his head furiously. "N-No! I didn't mean it like that!"

Hunter sighed, feeling sorry for scaring him. "It's fine. Yeah, I'm gay. That a problem?"

Casen's eyes widened, then he rapidly shook his head again. "No, not at all! It actually makes me really happy that someone else is like me…" he trailed off, blushing slightly.

Hunter didn't know what to say to that. He simply nodded and adjusted his bag.

"I'm leaving then," he turned to leave.

As he walked away, Casen watched him, still blushing and smiling to himself.

And Hunter?

Hunter was already bracing himself for the next time he had to deal with Aiden's dumbassery again.

✨💀🥲

Hunter exhaled as he pulled off his shirt, tossing it onto his bed. His muscles ached from the long day—dealing with those assholes at school, then Aiden's stupid tantrum, and now…he just wanted some damn peace.

But before he could relax, there was a knock at his door.

A very familiar knock that he knows because there's only one person in this so-called family who knows some manners. 

"Come in." 

The door creaked open, and his uncle, Mark, stepped inside, offering him a small, tired smile. The same soft smile Hunter's mother used to have.

"Are you busy?" Mark asked.

Hunter pulled on a fresh shirt and shrugged. "Not really."

Mark stepped further inside, glancing around. "How's school?"

"Fine."

"Your studies?"

"Fine."

"Everything else?"

"Fine."

Mark chuckled lightly, he was unfazed by Hunter's blunt responses. He had gotten used to them over the years. "Can you use more words?" 

Hunter didn't respond at all this time. He knew Mark wasn't here for small talk because his wife must have forced him to come and talk to Hunter. 

"Have you thought about what you want to do in the future?"

Hunter pulled his hoodie over his head. "Get my own house. Live comfortably."

Mark's expression softened with guilt. "I'm sorry I couldn't provide that for you in this house."

Hunter finally looked at him. His uncle looked so much like his mother—the same tired eyes, the same weary smile, the same soft kindness.

"You don't have to apologize," Hunter said firmly. "If it wasn't for you, I'd be in an orphanage."

Mark shook his head. "Don't say that. You're a part of my family, Hunter."

Hunter nodded slowly. He was grateful but he also felt guilty. Mark worked tirelessly to keep this household running, but Hunter knew he was a burden. Claire made sure to remind him of that often.

Hunter hated that feeling. That weight of being unwanted.

Mark cleared his throat. His fingers fidgeted slightly, a clear sign that he was nervous.

"Actually…I wanted to ask for your help."

Here it comes. "With what?"

Mark hesitated before finally sighing. "It's about Lily's admission. You know she's always dreamed of going to that university and all?"

Hunter nodded, already knowing where this was going.

"The fees are…really expensive," Mark admitted. "And we've been trying to figure out a way to make it work. Claire and I were thinking…if you could break the FD and lend us some money, it would really help."

Hunter's face darkened. 

Mark saw it so he quickly added. "Don't worry. We'll pay everything back. I swear, Hunter, I'll return every cent—"

Hunter felt bad for his uncle. Mark worked so damn hard for his family. But his wife and daughter never appreciated it.

Hunter pinched the bridge of his nose before speaking. "If you need money, I can drop school and pick up more jobs. But I won't break the FD."

Mark's eyes widened. "Hunter, no—"

"That's the only thing my parents left me," Hunter cut him off. "I'm not touching it until it matures."

There was a long silence. Then, Mark exhaled, nodding in understanding. "You don't have to drop school or pick more jobs. I'll figure something out."

Hunter didn't respond. 

Mark patted his shoulder with a big, proud smile. "Keep focusing on your studies, okay? You've got a good head on your shoulders. Don't let anything pull you down. If you need anything, you're always welcome to come and ask me."

Hunter didn't say anything as Mark turned and left.

As soon as Mark stepped into the hallway, Claire was waiting with her arms crossed.

Her sharp eyes flickered with expectation. "So? Did he agree?"

Mark sighed and shook his head. "No. He's busy, Claire. We shouldn't disturb him—"

Claire's face twisted ugly. "What do you mean, no? This is our house! And he's refusing to help us?!"

Mark gently grabbed her arm, trying to pull her away. "Claire, lower your voice—"

"No! I won't!" she snapped, shoving him away roughly. "That ungrateful bastard! After everything we've done for him, he can't even do this one thing for his family?"

Hunter, who was still in his room, heard every word because he knew Claire wanted him to hear it. 

"We raised him! We fed him! And now he's acting like he's better and above us with that cheap money in his account?!"

Mark sighed helplessly. "Claire, stop—"

"No, Mark! He's living under our roof! He eats our food! The least he can do is help Lily! Isn't she his sister? He should be grateful we didn't dump him in a foster home! If it weren't for us, he'd be rotting on the streets! And now he's hoarding money while our daughter suffers? Selfish little bastard—"

Mark grabbed her wrist this time. "That's enough, Claire!"

She scowled at him. "Why are you defending him?!"

"Because he's right," Mark said tiredly. "That money is all he has left of his parents. We have no right to take it."

Claire scoffed, resting her hands on her his. "Oh, please! What, does he think they're coming back from the dead? It's just money! Lily's future is at stake here, Mark!"

Mark's grip tightened. "Enough. Lily will get into her dream university. I'll arrange the money from somewhere. But you shut that loud mouth of yours first."

Claire huffed, jerking her arm away. "You're such a coward," she spat before storming off.

Mark sighed, running a hand down his face before retreating to his room.

Inside his bedroom, Hunter finished pulling on his hoodie. His movements were slow but his hands were shaking. Not with fear or sadness.

But with wrath he was barely able to control. He exhaled through his nose, pushing down the emotions clawing at his chest as best as possible. 

Slowly, he reached for his bag. He needed air. He needed to be anywhere but here. 

🖤🖤🖤

Hunter walked back from the grocery store, his plastic bags filled with instant noodles, canned food, a few vegetables, and some bottled water.

Not much but just enough to last him. Ever since he stopped buying things for Aiden, he had actually been saving money. He used to shamelessly pile his cart with snacks, drinks, and all kinds of junk, everything Aiden likes. But Hunter had cut that a week ago.

When he reached home, he quietly took the groceries up to his room. The only space in this entire house that felt remotely his. He doesn't eat their food and doesn't ask for anything from them.

All he did was exist in this house until he could leave. Just a few more months. Then he would graduate, and he'd be gone.

No one would miss him and he wouldn't miss them either.

Hunter walked downstairs and headed for the kitchen. He was planning to make something simple for dinner, a sandwich or maybe eggs.

But as soon as he stepped inside, Claire blocked his way. 

"Where do you think you're going?" she asked with her arms crossed over her chest.

Hunter stared at her without blinking. "The kitchen."

Claire laughed bitterly. "And what makes you think you're allowed to use my kitchen?"

Hunter exhaled slowly and tiredly. Anyone else in his place would have gone mad at this point. "I bought my own food. I just need to borrow the kitchen for a few minutes."

But Claire just sneered. "Oh, how generous of you. But you see, this kitchen? It's ours. This house? Ours." She took a step forward and poked her chest with her finger. "You've been freeloading off us for years. The least you could do is start paying the rent for the kitchen as well."

Hunter turned to leave, realizing it wasn't worth arguing. But then he heard. 

"You should have died with your parents."

Hunter halted in his tracks, he was ready to snap when Mark slammed his hands on the table. "Claire, that's enough! Shut up for god's sake."

Claire whirled toward him too. "You shut up! All you ever do is defend him! What about Lily?! What about your actual daughter?!"

Mark was fuming. "Hunter is family too and you—"

Lily groaned loudly, pushing away from the table. "God, I can't even eat in peace with you two screaming about him again," she yelled before storming off upstairs.

Hunter turned to Claire with a calm face. "I'll be out of here soon enough. And then you can shove your house in your ass." 

Claire was so stunned as if she was splashed with cold water. "HOW DARE YOU–" 

But Hunter was already out of the house after dropping the bomb. 

He wandered through the streets with his hands shoved into his hoodie pockets. The wind was icy, biting at his skin, but it was still better than being inside that house.

Being alone was better than being surrounded by people who wished you weren't alive.

That was the cruelest part of life, wasn't it?

People always said it was better to have someone, even the wrong people, than to be completely alone.

But that was a lie.

Loneliness doesn't beat you down. Loneliness doesn't make you feel like you were suffocating. Loneliness doesn't remind you every damn day that you were a burden, a mistake, and an inconvenience.

No. Loneliness was cruel, but it never lied.

Like people did.

"Help!" Hunter wasn't sure how long he had been walking when he heard shouting in the distance. 

He turned a corner and saw three men surrounding a woman. She was backed up against a wall, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as they laughed and closed in on her.

Without thinking Hunter walked up to them. "Any matter here?" 

The men turned to him and groaned. "Mind your business, kid."

Hunter warned them in answer. "Walk away and leave her alone."

The tallest guy chuckled. "Or what? You're gonna fight us and save her? Come on then, save her."

Hunter said nothing and just cracked his knuckles.

The guys smirked. "You got a death wish, punk?"

Hunter was ready to fight, but he knew the odds weren't in his favor. Three against one wasn't great.

So, he did the next best thing.

He pulled out his phone. "I'm calling the cops."

That did it.

The moment they saw the screen light up, they bolted.

Cowards.

Hunter lowered his phone and turned to the woman, who was slumped against the wall.

"You okay?" 

She looked up at him and suddenly laughed. Hunter frowned. She was drunk.

Her hair was messy, her makeup smudged. Her eyes were glassy, and her entire body swayed as she tried to stand up.

"You're...funny," she giggled, stumbling slightly.

Hunter didn't react much and didn't offer her a hand. Didn't help her up. "You okay?" he asked again, this time more firm.

The woman looked at him. "You got pretty eyes," she slurred and stumbled forward to him. "I'm hungry," she whined dramatically, swaying slightly on her heels.

Hunter sighed heavily, already so done with this. "Yeah? And?" he deadpanned, hands still stuffed in his hoodie pockets.

The woman pouted at him like a spoiled child. "And that means you should feed me, sweetheart," she smiled, taking a slow, exaggerated step toward him.

Hunter took a step back, ready to kick her if she tried anything funny. "I don't have food." 

"Then buy me something," she cooed, running a manicured finger down his arm.

Hunter stared at her blankly before speaking. "Do I look like a charity?"

She gasped dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest as if he'd just mortally wounded her.

"Hey, sweetheart, don't be so cold," she purred, swaying her hips as she moved closer. "You're a real handsome boy. Maybe if you play nice, I'll reward you~"

Hunter didn't even blink when he said. "You're an old woman."

Silence.

Carolyn's jaw dropped. "EXCUSE ME?!"

Hunter's expression remained unchanged. "What? You are."

She looked like she wanted to strangle him. "I'm barely in my thirties!" she screeched.

Hunter shrugged. "Exactly. Old."

Carolyn gasped louder, looking like he had just personally offended her ancestors.

"You brat!" she huffed, but then to his shock she suddenly started giggling again. "You're really funny." 

What kind of nightmare was this?

Then, before he could tell her to go home, she reached into her purse and pulled out a sleek, black business card.

"Here," she let out, shoving it toward him. Hunter frowned but took it.

"What's this?" he muttered, flipping it over.

It was a business card with gold-embossed letters and a company logo that looked ridiculously high-class.

"A job," Carolyn grinned. "Since you saved me, I'll offer you one. Then you won't have to be a homeless street rat anymore."

Hunter blinked at her slowly. "What."

Carolyn just smiled wider. "I take care of people who take care of me."

Before Hunter could respond, the low growl of an expensive car pulling up made him turn his head. A very big, very expensive-looking black car stopped near them. The doors swung open, and two men in sleek black suits stepped out.

"Ms. Carolyn!" one of them called, relieved to see her safe. 

Finally, Someone to take this insane woman away. Hunter let out a sigh of relief. 

The men rushed forward and glanced at Hunter. "Thank you for helping Ms. Carolyn," one said with a respectful nod. "We saw from a distance while searching for her."

Hunter waved them off. "Yeah, yeah. Please take her away quickly."

Carolyn huffed. "So mean," she pouted.

The men helped her into the car, and just as she was being settled into the backseat, she suddenly leaned out and yelled at Hunter.

"CALL ME!" she slurred. "DON'T BE A HOMELESS IDIOT!"

The door slammed shut, and the car sped away. Hunter stood there in complete silence.

After a long moment, he sighed loudly and ran a hand through his hair. "What the hell just happened?"

Hunter turned to finally go home because he had had enough insanity for one night but the moment he turned, he froze.

Standing a few feet away, staring at him, was Aiden.

Hunter's brows furrowed. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Aiden did not answer because he looked stunned but more annoyed. Which wasn't new because nowadays, he's always frustrated. 

His arms were crossed tightly over his chest, and his face was crooked into something weird like he had just watched Hunter commit a crime.

"What—what the hell was that?" Aiden finally asked, pointing at the street where the car had disappeared. "Who was she?" 

"My girlfriend," Hunter blurted directly, making Aiden choke on his breath.