requested by W333333333

I was given a very broad category to work with for this oneshot, I hope it's good!
tw: panic attack

•••

When the Emperor of the Boiling Isles invites you to join him and his nephew, the nephew you happen to be dating, to a dinner just to talk since the said nephew bragged about dating you, that puts a lot of pressure on you.

Willow Park knew exactly how that felt, but she could tell the news was affecting Hunter more.

Hunter had decided she was getting a custom dress made, and had went and gotten all the measurements required, then gave it to Darius.

Now, he was pacing back and forth, trying to convince Willow to practice what she should say.

"Darling, please, if you don't say the right things I will lose you!"

"You won't—" Willow tried to argue back, but Hunter put a finger against her lips.

"The last time a Golden Guard was dating someone, both their heads got cut off because didn't meet Belos' expectations for a lover. I'm not letting that happen to you." Hunter stated his argument.

"That's horrific!" Willows eyes widened.

Hunter nodded grimly. "So, this has to be perfect! No mistakes, nothing. Just perfect."

"Hun, that's impossible. Neither of us are perfect, this won't be perfect." Willow argued back, her voice still remaining soft and gentle.

"It has to be. Or else Belos will... Belos will.." Hunter couldn't say it, but he went and touched his scar, a shadow seeming to cast over his face.

"Hunter," Willow started, her voice slow and steady. "What will Belos do?"

He merely shook his head, his breathing picked up, then seemed to fall down onto his knees. Willow quickly sat down on the floor in front of him and reassuringly put a hand on his arm. He leaned into her touch, looked at her worriedly, and finally spoke in a low, scared voice.

"You don't want to know." He panted out.

Then, it clicked. Belos had given Hunter all those scars.

"Is it okay if I hug you?" She asked.

Hunter nodded, and Willow pulled him towards her, her arms wrapped around his back. His forehead rested on her shoulder.

He started to cry.

"I— I don't want it to... I don't want it to happen again." He choked out.

Willow rubbed his back soothingly.

"It won't, the dinner will go perfectly fine." She reassured.

"Will it?" He moved his head to look at her, anxiety visible on his face.

"Yes," She nodded. "He won't hurt you, I promise."

Relief flooded his face and he went back into the hug, squeezing Willow tightly.

"Thank you, thank you!" He repeated.

In her own mind, Willow decided that she wanted to poison Belos. No one should have to worry about getting hurt because something perfect.