Friday,

May 31, 2012,

4: 04 PM

Another week flies by. Valli's arm is cleaned, and the healing process has started to attempt to fill in the hole left behind. Thick scar tissue lines the base of the wound, crusted around the edges. Addy (or Kane) checks it daily for discoloration and discharge, to be certain the injury is settled and healing even at the deepest point. The chard black flesh is recovered, back to a faintly flushed pink as new skin develops when Valli unwraps his arm. The Hunters and Witch were firm about the gauze staying on until further notice, Valli agreed it was safer than sorry. The man had woken for longer periods and chatted with the others for longer. They noticed he wasn't as exhausted, able to hold proper sentences, then a day later, talked to Sunny for an hour before he needed a nap. Kane managed to convince Addy to stop the stew obsession, and the witch responded by creating a spicy, thick gumbo instead.

Now, Valli is awake and moving on his own, back to relative normalcy. His body is weakened by the intensity of the venom and the long process he was in to recover, being laid in bed all day for two weeks took some muscle mass off. The fact he was asleep most of the time, meant he was mildly disoriented and his balance was compromised when he stood up. Kane held onto his shoulder and assisted, up to the point his steadiness returned to allow Valli to walk normally. The lost muscle was barely noticeable to the others, but the blind hunter felt he was physically weaker and aimed to get his strength back. Valli is eager to get back to the Void, to end stress and dread. He is sick of it hanging over his head, like a dark, glinting blade of a guillotine.

In his mind, if he hadn't gotten injured they could've been safe already – he and Kane could've fought the Parents of The Void. The injury only resulted in stalling their goal, and he is annoyed by it. The first day he was up and walking, Valli needed Kane to grip his shoulders and chastise him for trying to find the Hybrid or hurry back to the Void. Kane snapped his fingers at Valli's ear, purely to shock him into paying attention when told to wait. Reluctantly, Valli agreed to hold off a little longer, until he felt his best again. Addy and Sunny are determined to venture along with them into the Void, now that the Witch has a form of friendliness with the giant creature and knows the hybrid won't move to leave upon instantly receiving riders. They may be able to ride along too, or Addy can try to magic her way into the rip portal that appeared. There's no promise she can manage it, as much as she hates to think it. She'll try, I need to try – for my boy. I need to be there, I can feel it, something worse will happen.

Sunny spent her time preparing weapons. She and Kane fixed the flamethrower Kane used, and removed the duct tape to weld it together. They created bullets from the leftover snake venom Addy bought, and the cruel venom that flowed in Valli. With the hope, that the bullet will penetrate the rare and thick-fleshed creatures the men encountered in the Void. Addy teleported to a friend of hers (a vampire) to receive Dead Blood then to a church's basement, where a Ghoul she knows sells Blessed Priest Blood and Holy Water/Oil. The Hunters were quick to craft bullets, update guns, and coat machetes or knives in the fluids. The only duct tape used was to tape stolen high-tech night cameras (Kane's doing) and flashlights to the guns. Kane doesn't think the devices will work, but they're good to try — just in case. In his experience, it doesn't hurt to try each stupid idea that comes to mind; that's how the flamethrower came about.

Sunny and William taught him well, Kane could build a deadly device out of a pile of scraps and whatever else he could find around him. He stole a few old metal pieces and unused tools from the barn, Sunny observed as her nephew spent hours and blood handcrafting a long double-edged weapon. One end is a tall metal spear that will have a Holy Mixture (Holy water and Oil) dipped on the end; the other is a sharpened sword to slice through the stunned creature. It's quite large, but Kane is unyielding in leaving it behind — "Valli will use it. It has distance he will need eventually, he can't do close combat forever.".

Valli agreed upon using the sturdy yet vaguely crude weapon, for the first time. It's a comfortable weight on his hand, Kane even added a cushioned patting for his palm. When he strikes the dummy Kane set up, it feels natural and smooth to jab, then flip the weapon around to swing the sword edge through the would-be monster. The faint twin thumps of the dummy's top crumbling onto the soft soil then the legs following, brought a smile to Valli's face. It was by far one of the quickest training sessions they had, once he figured out what worked and experimented with the feel of the new weapon. Kane was proud, not only did he create Valli's new favorite toy, but the man could use it effectively and easily as if he'd been using it all his life. The fact Kane knew it'd be like a second arm to his boyfriend, is impressive to himself. It's even better when he earns sweet kisses for it.

Sunny had convinced (with the help of Valli) Addy to join them for training, since the Witch is eager to go into The Void as well. Addy pouted, huffed, and puffed, but did her best to accomplish the goals Sunny requested. She used her magic to help her reach targets, tossed flame balls, or levitated tree branches to use as weapons. Kane rolled his eyes at the magic show the witch put on, secretly and begrudgingly impressed. As if he felt the eye movement, Valli poked the man's cheek with a teasing grin. Sunny tried to suggest techniques to Addy, and show her how to fight effectively without her power; she's still trying. Valli added to the Elder Hunter's argument, but Addy is confident in her abilities. She may not survive, but she'll make it back to say goodbye if it comes to that. What comes, may come, she thinks.

This morning, Kane woke to an unpleasant sight. In the backyard, stretched in the river (blocking the water completely) is the Hybrid. Dripping leathery wings unfolded, tail flickering, paws spread and fur darkened damp. She's a majestic creature, he agrees, but her appearance means it is time for them to return and for once, he finds himself unexcited for the Hunt. Not really 'for once', he considers, the first part of this hunt I wasn't hyped like normal. Must be what having partners feels like. These are his thoughts as he watches Valli greet the Hybrid, who has been dubbed Venus. His boyfriend coos and awes at her, treating the giant winged animal like a small cuddly kitten. Similar to the other times, he stays within reach of Valli. Mainly to give himself the illusion of getting the slimmer man away faster than the creature could attack, an impossible action this close to her. Addy, too, observes from the porch, more content in her trust for Venus than Kane is. Next to her, Sunny is calculated and calm, yet there's tension in her shoulders as her instincts demand she get the men away from the large possible threat.

"We leave tonight, right?" Valli inquires, fingers threading through the silky fur, the vibrating of Venus purring trembles into his bones.

Momentarily, Kane is stunned. More so at the eagerness, rather than the question itself. Shaking his head, the response escapes in a snap he can't control. "What? No."

Instantly, the blind man spins around with wide eyes. The slack jaw and silence add to the disbelief Kane sees, and finds it silently humorous. Incredulous, he gasps. "What do you mean, no? We gotta!"

"Don't gotta do shit." Kane shrugged and glanced at the intelligent eyes of the Hybrid gazing down at them. With a huff, he snaps his fingers and begins to walk off, knowing Valli will follow. For the past few days, Kane has took to snapping his fingers to get the man's full attention or to guide Valli to him more easily. He didn't explain, merely snapped and walked away or kept repeating it at once and grunted out his boyfriend's name. It took two days: Valli caught on quicker than he let on. He just allowed Kane to keep testing so they both got used to it. At first, Valli didn't like being called upon like a dog. However, it does make getting to Kane easier when he has a definite sound cue – and Kane's fingers are so thick and callused that when he snaps, it cuts through background noise if he listens for it specifically.

Pouting, Valli follows the stomping footsteps of Kane on the soil and grass. A snap sounds a second behind the footsteps turning a right, the man guiding him by footfalls and snapping. After a few feet (Valli safely guesses they're by the training areas away from Venus or the house), the steps stop and two snaps are heard. The blind Hunter stops at that, can feel the heat of Kane's body in front of him, and doesn't flinch when warm hands cup his cheeks. He leans into the strong palms, and tries to savor the moment of being close. Kane sighed, not rudely or annoyed, a simple rough breath. It's not audible to Valli, yet he felt the faint vibrating of the action in the palms on his face and the breath that brushed along his lips. "Val, I know you want to get shit over with. I do too. But you're rushing. We need to go prepared this time, we jumped the gun and had a good chance so if we go in ready, we'll Ash them good."

"We are ready." Is all Valli can think of to reply, a light whine sounds in it. Reminding himself of a child and liking none of it.

He knows he is rushing, and knows Kane is correct, but the fervor and determination to beat his supposed fate is blocking rational thoughts. For six years, he's been a useless blind gardener and listening to Hunters reveal their enticing Hunts; living the life he thought he'd have since childhood. Before, this hadn't bothered him. Back then, he accepted what he thought his fate would be. Accepted he was blind and that's how he would live, that he'd never be able to Hunt again. While he learned and taught himself, and got comfortable being sightless, he thought he embraced being blind by not allowing it to control him. He could do things, walk around without help from a person or a stick, milk his cows; garden and cook, light a fire, or change channels on TV. All this and more, he illusioned himself. But, now, he can do so much more than he ever thought and it's all thanks to Kane, Sunny, and Addy. Mainly Kane, he acknowledges. Shooting guns, training again, and spending time with man boosted his confidence.

Kane never degraded him, not like the Gods that visited and sounded amused at his state of (lack of) sight. They underestimated him, as everyone does –including himself. He wants to prove he can come out in one piece, unlike last time. That he can do better. Valli simply wants to feel like a hunter again, to prove he is still the last hunter in his family.

However, Kane is firm and unyielding. The deep bass of his voice travels through his hands into Valli's jaw, and he sighs as he lets the low vibration settle into his bones. "I don't think we'll ever be ready. Let me and Ma double-check everything, and you need to get your strength back. You might be up and standing, but you're still unsteady."

Already knowing against attempting to convince the man, Valli downcastly nods with a small pout as his shoulders sag. When did I become the one who needed common sense to be lectured to them? That's usually my job. He realizes he wants to get this over with so fast that he forgets to think rationally. That's how he got injured, that's how he'll die if he doesn't take his own previous advice and Kane's, seriously. Valli is aware of how one unfocused hunter ends up ripped to shreds. Saw it happen, heard it happen, and relives it each time a Hunter tells him about how an overly zesty and overconfident Hunter met their end. If he wants to find a Hunt with Kane afterward, he'll need to show he can handle this one and it already appears he can't. I have nothing to prove to Kane, he said so. He just wants me to survive.

"Okay. I'm sorry I'm in a hurry. I know I need to slow down. Whenever you think we're ready, I'll listen." He didn't need to apologize, but he felt it was right. He has caused too much worry; Addy is concerned, Sunny subtly warns him to keep training and Kane won't leave his side for more than five minutes. Not that he's upset or annoyed by Kane hovering, it's quite adorable and he feels safe. Yet the man stays close out of worry he'll fall due to his increasingly steady balance, or that Valli would hop onto the Hybrid to go to The Void alone.

"It's cool, Val. But patience, okay? You're the only one I know to have as much patience as you do, use it." The palms on Valli's cheeks dip down to his waist, warmth spreads through the thin tank top he wears to his cool skin. Carefully, he is pulled closer to receive a small peck to his scarred temple. The large Hunter had been gathering confidence to be affectionate, getting comfortable with it. Valli is glad Kane tries to show his affection, whether with a grunt and manhandling him or like this, trying to be soft and sweet even if it comes to him harder.

Smiling full of sugar, Valli leans into the barrel of the man's chest, and tucks his head under the scruffy jaw with a small, content breath. Words are muffled by the layers of shirts Kane wears, but Valli knows he is heard. "I will, I promise. I don't know why I'm acting like this, usually I'm calm and calculated on Hunts. This is the first time I've been like a new baby hunter, eager and in a hurry."

"Just nervous. First big Hunt since your attack, the first in six years too. Gotta get used to your new way of hunting, you're doing it without sight now. That's unnerving, don't think I could do that. Being blind in there was hard enough." Kane reasons, tone husky. A thick thumb brushes along the slender hip bone, a repetitive motion that soothes. "And you got Gods spitting bullshit about fates and Hybrids in your backyard. Anyone else would be shitting their pants, you just want to fight and win faster." Then, fondly, adds jokingly. "You're one stubborn man when you wanna be."

Valli lightly giggles, overwhelmingly joyed by the words – all of it. He hadn't expected the Hunter to be sociable with these types of conversations, feelings, and expressing certain emotions. However, he is glad to find he was mistaken: more than once now Kane held him, and spoke calmly and sternly as he reassured him. For a man as rough and the strong silent type, he can be incredibly teddy bear-like. Valli adores when the deadly Hunter will allow him to see a softer side.

"It checks out." Agreed, Valli can understand what Kane means. Before the arrival of the Hunter, he hadn't considered ever trying to be Hunter again. The motivation, the strive, was gone. After the death of his parents, and his friends — laid up in a hospital bed, with no sight, he felt the weight of the Hunter Life heavy on his heart and shoulders. Until then, he had only heard of men and women losing everything to the Hunters Curse. At that point, struggling to comprehend how to live without his sight, he was one of those stories he heard.

Now, the strive is back, but he still struggles. While he may be extremely skilled as a Hunter and can hold his own well, it is the first time he actively tried to Hunt. Training with Kane helped, his body remembers what it was born to do, and he passed most of the sessions within weeks. However, it doesn't change that hunting, ashing and slicing aren't what he is accustomed to anymore. It came as first nature, but the moment he lost his eyes, it was forced to the back burner. He relearned to live opposite to what he was before; hunts to books, travels to a hermit farmer. The way he moves around his farm is all he knew for six years, and he may have got lucky in the Void, but he is honestly impressed by himself for getting this far. For living through an attack from an unknown creature, by an Addy Miracle. Kane is correct, and Valli is proud of them both for being able to read each other as they can.

"Thank you." Gratefully, the blind man nuzzles Kane's throat. Hums as strong arms curl around his hips, a small joyful smile flickering on his lips. "You're good at making me feel better."

Kane snorts, eyebrows jumping in self-deprecating motion. "Really. I'm surprised, I've been told I don't say the right shit. Figured I was too blunt sometimes."

"Only sometimes." Valli laughs, squeezing closer, pressed against the man flush. He places a kiss on the firm collar bones under Kane's gray Henley. "I think you filter yourself when you talk to me like this. Not too blunt, just enough where I get the message I need."

"Good." The pleased grunt is followed by Kane beginning to softly push Valli away to guide him towards the back porch. "Let's go thriple check shit, and talk to Ma and the witch. We'll see what happens later."

"We can't keep stalling, Kane." Even as he sternly states it, the man knows this isn't what Kane is doing. The Hunter is merely cautious, the wound on Valli's arm doesn't add to his confidence about stepping back into the Void.

He only received another, stronger grunt to show the older man's displeasure by thinking he'd stall a hunt. Instead of replying, Kane snaps his fingers and grasps a slim wrist to pull alongside him. The action gains a laugh from Valli, feeling better and content to wait.