Chapter Text
When someone tells you you can’t do something is the proper response to run crying to your bedroom? Finding your only suitcase and stuffing it with the necessities? Then walking to the nearest bus station and buying a one way ticket to the place of dreams?
Which in this case was a town called Velaris.
Gwyn was tired and hungry and feeling like maybe she should’ve just asked to stay at her friend Emerie’s house down the road. Her and Mor were always so welcoming whenever she needed to just get away .
But tonight. Tonight she’d lost it.
Gwyn had spent all her extra money at gyms training for almost a year with the intention of climbing Prythian’s largest peak. Ramiel.
She was muscular in places she didn’t even know had muscles. She could lift ten pounds more than when she started. Had beaten a personal record for the time it took her to climb the Summit, the rock wall course designed to prep you for the difficult ascent.
Gwyn was dutiful in her preparations and her fiance – the guy who was supposed to be supportive and cheering her on – was too busy with his head in his phone, eye on his client’s needs to realize she had needs.
She needed to be seen and heard. Believed in and fucking loved. Was that so hard to ask for?
So when Brad said “Babe – you can’t climb Ramiel. I heard the scenic overview by the lake has an easy trail. Maybe try that first –” She was gone. She packed up all her hiking gear she’d been buying over the past few months in an angry frenzy and left the engagement ring on the dresser with a note that said FUCK YOU – I’m climbing Ramiel.
He didn’t even look up from his phone as she wordlessly hurried past him and into the late evening sun.
Those first couple of steps were freeing. Her anger and adrenaline pushed her on and on and on until her legs started to burn and she realized she still had two miles to the bus station.
This was like a test. She could do this. Slowing down her pace, she took a moment to stretch out her legs, then carry on.
She’d made it to the bus station minutes before the last bus of the evening left.
The first thing she did after obtaining her ticket was buy out half the vending machine and chow down on three candy bars and a bag of chips. Just as she was tilting the chip bag into her mouth, getting every last crumb, a large coach bus pulled up to the station.
It was like every other trans-continental bus. Two rows of double seats, all with obnoxiously patterned fabric. A space above the seats for small bags, and a bathroom towards the back. Where it so happened was the last seat available.
Gwyn stored her bag in the carriage above and settled into her seat. She took a quick glance at the male seated to her left. He was wearing a dark blue jacket, white shirt, jeans, and a backwards sunball cap. Wisps of black hair curled around his hat. He was reading, but Gwyn couldn’t tell what.
She didn’t know why, but she couldn’t stop glancing over at him. Noting that his knee bounced as he read. And that he had a small bundle of trail mix resting in his lap. Gods that looked delicious. All she had left from her vendor raid was pretzels and chocolate coated candies. Guess it could be worse.
The lights of the bus dimmed, the door shut, and the realization of what she was doing hit her all at once.
She just ran away. Left everything behind. Her fiance… ex, ex-fiance… her job that she was supposed to be in tomorrow at eight in the morning for…
Shit…shit shit shit –
She needed to breathe. She’ll just call out sick, and then…figure it out. It was mid-week, so maybe she caught a terrible stomach bug and that would give her time to at least get away for a little, should Ramiel not happen…She should text her friends too, tell them where she was going and to get her valuables out of Brad’s place and gods she couldn't ask them to do that for her, could she?
She missed the days where she could ask her sister. Catrin would’ve video tapped it for her with commentary and all.
Gwyn sniffed.
Three deep breaths. In and out.
Collecting herself, Gwyn texted everyone what she was doing and where she was going. She asked Nesta and Emerie if they felt comfortable getting her things from Brad’s. Not only were they down for the task, they’d even roped Cassian in. Turns out nobody liked Brad.
With everything sorted and squared away. Gwyn settled into her seat, her brief panic rolling off of her, her shoulders relaxing. The only thing left to do was enjoy the journey.
—
The enjoyment of said journey lasted for about fifteen minutes. Then Gwyn tried to open her candy and the bag split in a dazzling array of multi-color candies flying through the air and clattering to the floor. A majority of them landed in the lap of her neighbor who jumped at being pelted with chocolate.
“Oh no,” she whispered. “Sorry! Sorry everyone –”
Ugh. She was not going to eat the ones on the floor. Peering into her bag she counted her measly five candies and turned back to the male, “Do you want the rest of these? Five is just a tease.”
He lifted his eyes to hers and holy mother above . She was pinned by his deep brown gaze. A sparkle like lightning flashed across his eyes as he gave her a polite smile and said, “No, that’s all you. In fact, you can have my trail mix if you’d like.”
Her mouth fell open, “Oh no, there’s no need –”
“You didn’t see your face just now. I've never seen anyone more disappointed in losing their snack…trust me, you need these more than I do.” He handed the bag to her, letting it plop into her lap. Then he scooped the rest of her candies from his lap and poured those into the bag too before turning back to his book.
Gwyn felt conflicted, but her stomach was growling with ferocity now. She took a tentative bite of one of her candies…then another and another. Then she dove into the nuts and dried fruits and -
“Hmmm gods, this is the best trail mix I've ever had,” she moaned, shoving more into her mouth. She leaned towards the male, “Thank you, you were totally right. I really needed that.” Finally someone else besides herself could ascertain her needs and do something to make sure they were met.
The man marked his spot on the page with his pointer finger. Gods he was trying to read – had been reading – this entire trip. Why did she think he’d want to talk now… while he was still reading. Though when she met his gaze, she didn’t see annoyance or a can’t-be-bothered attitude. No, instead she saw amusement and curiosity.
Regardless. Apologize and move on Gwyn!
“Sorry – you’re reading and I’m over here babbling –”
The corner of his mouth twitched, “That’s alright. Glad you enjoyed the snack.”
“What are you reading?” She blurted.
He brought a hand to his neck, rubbing the hair that curled at the nape. Then he flipped the book closed, showing her the cover of a neon green sci-fi book. “Countdown to Saturn,” he said in a low whisper, quiet so as to not disturb the other passengers. She realized then she’d been talking a little too loudly.
She couldn’t help it! She was literally on a spur of the moment midnight train on her way to hike a mountain and running on candy and salt. Her nervous energy was skyrocketing and this was when she decided to talk to the beautiful man sitting next to her?
Because gods the moment their eyes met she was done for…The deep browns of them held her gently, like a soft, sweater clad hug.
“Do you like it?” She whispered back. She had read the book before. Sci-Fi was one of her favorite genres.
“I love it – have you read it before?” She nodded and explained that if a book didn’t have anything to do with space, she didn’t want it.
Something eased in Gwyn. Like her body reverted to a more calmed setting. Her muscles relaxed, her jaw unclenched and she talked about Sci-Fi novels with a complete stranger for the better half of an hour.
“Okay…so you think we're already in a black hole?”
The stranger, whose name she learned was Hunt, explained with the excitement of a child describing, “Well of course it hasn’t been proven true. It’s just a theory at this point, but the theory is, our observable universe might be the interior of a black hole itself within a larger parent universe.”
“That could explain why the universe is expanding. We were sling-shotted out from a black hole and we're moving until something stops us. What kind of universe do you think we left behind?”
Gwyn was enraptured at this point. Brad never had in-depth discussions with her. About anything. Not even about current affairs or the plot of a movie. But with Hunt? She couldn't get enough.
He was seated with his back to the window now, his book long discarded. His right leg was bent up on the chair with him, his left still on the floor of the bus. She had turned to face him, her elbow resting on the plastic arm that separated their seats.
“Probably something just like we're in now. Just…different.”
“Think we'll ever find more life out there?”
“Definitely. It's just a matter of when. Do you think we will?”
She nodded, “Absolutely. I plan on opening my door for them and letting them sleep on my couch when they come here.”
“That's very generous of you,” he watched her with interest as he then asked, “Is that where you're heading? Home?”
Gwyn took a big deep breath in before she answered, “No. I'm heading for Ramiel.”
His brows shot up, “You're going to climb it?”
She narrowed my eyes. Please don't be a dick like Brad was about it…. “Yeah – and before you say I can't or I shouldn't–”
He held up his hands in surrender, “I wouldn't dream of it. I was only asking because that's where I'm going too.”
She stared at him for a heartbeat. “No way,” she breathed.
“Yes way,” he confirmed with a chuckle. “Maybe we'll pass each other on the trail?” His head tilted, his words laced with possibility.
Then she did something outrageous.
“Wanna climb it with me?” As soon as the words left her mouth she wanted to reel them back. What was she thinking? She was making this climb to prove she could do it without help. That she was capable. And to just ask a total stranger to tag along with her?!
“That was a prematurely thought out question. Obviously you don't have to. You probably have a whole route and plan and –”
“I wouldn't mind. Might be nice to have company,” he blushed as he confessed his interest in the idea. “Or an accountabilibuddy.”
Gwyn snorted at the ridiculous word, but really, she liked the way he said it. His voice was smooth as silk in his low tone.
“Accountabilibuddy? Really?”
“Seriously.” He smirked then. His eyes lighting with dark delight. “Someone’s gotta make sure you don’t drop all the snacks.”
Gwyn narrowed her eyes and threw a peanut at him. They settled into their own things then. Hunt went back to his book while Gwyn flipped through a magazine she stuffed into her bag during the frenzy of her packing. She should really take stock of exactly what she had. She may have forgotten a few small things. Nothing to really worry about though. Her stop was in the town of Velaris where they would surely have hiking and climbing stores.
Maybe it would be a good idea if she went with Hunt. Maybe an accountabilibuddy was what she needed? He seemed to need it, if he was suggesting it.
Or maybe he’s just trying to get in your pants.
Which, to be fair, was a total possibility.
So far though, he was relaxed, friendly. Aside from that smirk and one line of teasing, he just appeared to enjoy her company. She surely enjoyed his…It was refreshing, having a man give you his full attention and respect you.
Gwyn stored her magazine and tried closing her eyes. Finding relaxation in the gentle humming of the bus. The surprisingly comfortable seats –
POP! POP!
Her eyes flew open as two loud bangs echoed around the cabin. Some passengers cried out, grasping onto headrests as the bus swayed gently until it came to a grinding halt.
“Everyone stay seated!” The driver called out. The bus doors opened and we heard his footsteps quickly descending.
She glanced over at Hunt to find he’d covered his ears, his eyes staring straight ahead. Scanning the passengers and seats. “Are you okay?” she asked.
His gaze snapped to hers and he lowered his hands. He cleared his throat, his ears reddening with embarrassment. “Yes,” he replied curtly. He tried to slouch back in his seat then, but he kept fidgeting around an awful lot.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” She asked again a couple minutes later when Hunt still hadn't stopped squirming in his seat.
He grunted, not looking at her, “I’m fine, just can’t wait to get off this damned bus.”
The driver came back on the bus, announcing that the bus had two blown out tires. Everyone tittered and whispered amongst themselves. One woman up front asked how long we’d have to wait.
Apparently, the tow truck wouldn’t be able to pick them up until morning – in six hours – but luckily just a stone’s throw down the road, there was a small roadside hotel with enough vacancy for everyone. So packing up, they all took their stuff and traveled together a little up the road to the Sunny Days Motel. Gwyn tried not to think too much about how the two story inn looked more like a creepy hotel from a horror movie than a sunny experience. Or how her whole life had suddenly turned into said thriller.
With a dash of classic one bed trope – being two of the last people on the bus, the only thing left at the hotel was a single queen on the second floor.
Hunt had been quiet. On edge. He watched everyone around him. Clocked their every move. Until it became aware that they would have to share a room and a bed.
Gwyn didn't think she was that bad to be around, but the way Hunt grumbled his unwilling agreement, made her feel like he couldn’t get far enough away. She thought back to everything she’d said to him, but couldn’t find any reasons for him to be annoyed with her like this. Hells they hadn’t spoken for almost an hour prior to the tire blowing out. And he’d seem perfectly content then. Even his nervous knee bouncing had ceased.
He announced he was going to get fresh air after they dropped their bags, and left without another word. Leaving behind everything. His phone, his book, his hat.
Gwyn sighed and decided to shower in the meantime and grab the complimentary box of pizza and water the bus company had ordered for each room. Because the hotel didn’t have food besides a sad vending machine. She grabbed their box and water, but strangely she didn’t feel hungry. Even though her last proper meal was her sandwich and chips she had for lunch, she just felt queasy now.
She needed a distraction and the three available news channels were not it. Gwyn slipped out of the room, deciding to take a walk around the property. All the other rooms were quiet. No one was outside. It was oddly, and eerily, peaceful. There was a small man made pond out back with some benches haphazardly placed around it, shrouded in shadows. Obviously they hadn’t put too much effort into the design of the grounds, but it was nice enough, she supposed.
Closing her eyes, she started her breathing technique. Centering herself and trying to process the events of the day.
Breathing in one…two…three times…
She ran away.
Breath again.
Broke off her engagement. The realization that she deserved more finally clicking into place.
She acknowledged this discovery and let it go, falling away like a crashing of waves against stone.
The sound of crunching stones and twigs pulled her from her inner mantras and affirmations. She peered through the darkness, finding Hunt breathing heavily like he’d been running. He stood with his face to the night sky and hands on his hips. His gaze swept around him, landing on her a heartbeat later.
He stiffened, “Gwyn?”
“Hey – did you go for a run?”
He took a couple deep breaths and answered, “Yeah – just clearing my head.”
“Restless?” she asked, tilting her head.
Walking around the pond he came to join her on the bench. His legs stretched out ahead of him. Up close she could see his long, dark hair sticking to his skin, sweat dripping down his neck and temple.
“Sort of.”
“They got us pizza. Our box is waiting for us. Though we might have to reheat it in the ancient microwave in the lobby kitchenette.”
Hunt didn’t answer. Not really. He just gave a grunt and sighed, looking out around him. His eyes flicked back and forth. Monitoring. Assessing. She recognized that look. The anxiety that dimmed the light in his eyes, turning all his thoughts into visions of dread and hopelessness.
She recognized it in the mirror. After intimate moments between her and Brad. Moments where he got what he wanted. Never leaving her satisfied. Instead making her feel small. Like she was a plaything and not a human being.
“Hunt –” she held a hand out to him. Not touching, but offering. “Are you okay?”
He regarded her hand then took it, looking at their entwined fingers like he’d never held someone’s hand before. He blinked and his throat bobbed. Working the words out. “Yeah, I uh, I’m good now. Thanks for asking.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “Are you okay?”
She nodded and answered, “I am. It was frightening for half a second. I didn’t know if we would tip or if something was going to explode –”
Hunt flinched. She felt it in his fingers wrapped around hers.
“But we’re okay now…” She continued, reassuring him.
He stood, giving her one last squeeze before dropping her hand. “Let’s have some pizza, yeah?” His smile was strained.
“Hunt, I know we don’t know each other, but you seem upset –”
“I’m fine, Gwyn,” he cut her off, his tone harsh. “Really. I just need some food and a shower.”
With that, Hunt walked off, Gwyn begrudgingly following him.
—
The pizza was - meh.
The bed was definitely not a queen. Maybe more like a full.
Hunt and Gwyn stared at it. Hunt on the side near the window. Gwyn on the other side, hands on her hips and a furrowed brow pinching her expression.
“Well…I mean we'll fit. We'll just be –”
“On top of each other,” he finished.
“Yeah,” Gwyn’s voice wavered. Not that she wouldn't mind being on top of each other…
She held her pinky out over the bed, extending it to Hunt. “Promise I won't murder you in your sleep.”
Hunt stared at her pinky, then at her. “I didn't have any reservations about you being a serial killer – until you said that,” he said, nodding at her pinky.
“This is me telling you I'm not. And even if I was, I'm pinky promising to not kill you so…”
He eyed her and her pinky dubiously. “I'm only returning the pinky promise because I literally don't have any other choice,” he replied. Though his smirk of amusement shone through his feigned warmness.
Then he reached out and hooked his pinky with hers.
With that, they wordlessly laid onto the bed together. Backs to one another.
Gwyn laid there, wide eyed and awake for what felt like hours. Too hyper aware of the wall of man that laid behind her.
She could tell he wasn't sleeping either. The bed kept moving as he fidgeted. His breathing never slowed to that gentle in and out of sleep.
She rolled over and froze. She was face to face with Hunt. His eyes trained on her.
“Sorry,” he whispered. “I didn't mean to wake you.”
Gwyn snorted, “Please. I can't even get my eyelids to close.”
They laid there. Staring at each other for a long moment.
“This is normal for me though,” Gwyn continued. “I often find falling asleep…difficult. My fiance – I mean ex-fiance would get so annoyed with me he'd take his pillow and sleep in the guest room.” She let out a breathy laugh, only to realize how fucked up that sounded saying it out loud.
Hunt’s brows rose. “Seriously?” He asked. “Good thing he's an ex -fiance.”
Gwyn grimaced, “I don't blame him. I would toss and turn for hours before falling asleep. And when I finally do, my legs and arms have minds of their own and will end up wherever the hell they pleased - including wrapped all around whoever sleeps next to me.” Come to think of it, even on nights when she did fall asleep at a normal time, she'd wake up to an empty bed and an explanation from Brad that she was practically laying on top of him when he woke.
“That's not a reason to be a dick though. No offense,” he added. His eyes searched her face. His mouth tightened then he said, “I have trouble sleeping too. I, uh, was in the military and my internal clock just doesn't want to reset back to normal.”
She noted the past tense of that statement. How long had he been out?
“How long were you in the military?”
“Fifteen years. Ten in the marines, five in special ops.”
“Oh so mysterious. What did you do in the special ops?”
“That's classified information,” he said with a smirk. His teasing tone couldn't hide the blank, emotionless gaze he returned.
“Ah, of course…”
They were silent for a moment, then Gwyn asked, “How long have you been out?”
“I was honorably discharged two years ago.”
Wow. Gwyn didn’t know at what age personnel in the military retired at, but Hunt was surely no older than thirty five?
He must’ve seen the question on her face as he said, “I carried out a mission that didn't go to plan. Long story short, it was determined that I did my duty beyond what was expected of me and they discharged me.”
She was so curious about the mission, but this wasn't the time to pry. So she pivoted and asked, her voice barely a whisper, “What have you been doing since then?”
“You’re looking at it – hiking. Getting outdoors more. Trying to not let myself hide away in my apartment forever…” He trailed off, making a scrunched face. His brown eyes found hers and in his gaze was embarrassment. Sorrow. “Sorry – I don’t know why I told you that.”
He was being rather open with someone he just met and shared a few stories with. Funnily enough, she too felt some sort of comfort with him too. And before she knew it, Gwyn was talking.
“I broke off my engagement with my ex because he didn’t care about me like I thought he did. He was always dismissing my abilities and interests. As if I couldn’t do anything. Like the things I loved to do were stupid. Before I got on that bus, he told me I shouldn’t climb Ramiel. That I should stick to the easy trails – as if I haven’t been preparing to climb the mountain.”
Oh that felt good. To just spew this to some random person who was currently watching her wide eyed and…awestruck?
“You’ve been training for this?”
Gwyn couldn’t help her small smile, “I have yeah.”
His teeth were dazzling as he smiled. Even in the dim light shining through the curtains, they sparkled as he said, “That’s badass. What kind of training?”
Gwyn told him all about the leg and core strengthening she’d been working on. Taking rock wall climbing lessons. A few survival and first aid courses. How she saved up every penny to pay for them and her new gear.
Hunt listened to it all. Completely engaged and enraptured.
They talked about all their interests. How Gwyn loved to make braided bracelets. Or how Hunt enjoyed archery. They shared an interest in sports and adventure. They talked until their eyelids drooped and their breathing evened out. Until both of them were fast asleep.