"Archer." The voice that hummed into his ear that morning was gruff and deep, lips puffing tendrils of smoke onto his warm cheeks as he breathed out what was left of the cigarette that hed taken before he went about getting Archer up. "Archer... sweetheart. The sun will be up soon. I need to take you home." Stretching his arms above his head, Archer made a raspy noise, his long lashes fluttering apart and revealing goopy eyes to Hunter, who grinned down at him. His white teeth shone down at Archer, the brightest thing in the room, since only a few strips of light crawled through the holes at the edge of the door that separated them from the rest of the world. "Good morning, sleepy head. How do you feel? I cleaned you with a warm cloth. You stirred, but you were too deep of a sleeper to bat a lash."

Widening his eyes, Archer slowly sat up, feeling his body ache sharply. He looked down at his bare chest, which was raw with black bruises in the shapes of fingertips and scrapes and scratches from stubbly cheeks that brushed over his sensitive skin. "Oh." Archer whispered, touching one of the marks and flinching as the blue bruise turned the white of snow before fading back into discoloration. "We... We were together last night." He lifted his blue gaze to Hunter, who was only wearing tight jeans, which stretched over his powerful thighs. "Werent we?" His eyes flickered when Hunter nodded his head, his naked back rippling as he bent over a dresser to pick up a glass of lukewarm water. He tilted the glass up to his lips, swallowing a few gulps of the speckled water. "Could I... have a drink? Im very thirsty."

He licked his lips as the glass of water was passed over to him, and he drank gratefully, his eyes closing peacefully when Hunter scooted back, wrapping an arm around his waist. He pulled the glass away, making a sound of appreciation before he wiped his damp mouth. "I took some of this precious boyhood away last night." Hunter agreed, his worried eyes flickering over Archers body, which was minimally covered by a blanket that coiled around his hips. "Are you sore? I should have done something to make it easier-"

Archer shook his head, "No... I feel fine. It hurt when you first went in... but Im okay now. I just... feel different, like something about me has changed." Blinking, he nestled his head into Hunters shoulder, his eyes falling shut when Hunters hand came to his hair and brushed through his wild locks. "Hunter... I think I need to talk to someone. No one has ever spoken to me about... what happens... what happened." Hunter pulled him closer, making a weary smile tug at Archers lips as he put distance between them. "I cant hear it from the man who did it... especially you. You have an unseemly arrogance about what these hands of yours can do to me. I need to talk to someone who doesnt know. I think... I want my père." When Hunter furrowed his brows at him, Archer touched his face reassuringly, "You dont understand. My père knows about you... he doesnt mind. Hell talk me through this."

One brow cocked, but then Hunter shook his head. He offered Archer a helpless smile, "Whatever calms your nerves, my love. I never had anyone to talk me through my first time... but it probably would have helped me when I needed it most." At the funny look that flashed across Archers face, Hunter rolled his eyes up to the ceiling, "Were not talking about me right now. This is about what is best for you. Are you okay with what I did? Youre sixteen years old... Youve never experienced much. Do you regret it?" Archer took a second to reply, a single breath that Hunter expected should have been filled sooner than it was, so he went on with a low voice. "Im not going to leave you... now that its over. This isnt all that I wanted out of you. I still love you."

Nodding, Archer tucked his head under Hunters chin, feeling him swallow thickly, "I know you do... I wasnt doubting you of that." He turned his face into the hollow of Hunters neck, sniffing the strong whiff of cigarettes that clung to him. "I dont regret it, Hunter. I knew that it was you I wanted... and its you I still want. But I would like to go home now. I need some time to myself... to think... and refresh my clothes. I want to talk to my père." Sliding his hands down to Hunters shoulders, Archer raised a single brow, gazing up at him with a pair of questioning eyes. "Can I see you before Monday?"

Hunter slid toward the edge of the bed, boosting Archer up with him. Once he stood up, he went over to his dresser and picked up his wallet and keys. Turning back to Archer, he extended his hand, folding his fingers around Archers when he placed his within. "Yeah... of course. Anytime that you want to see me. I can take you out to lunch tomorrow. I dont have much money, but I can-"

"Id like nothing more." Archer reassured, flashing a wide smile at Hunter, who hooked a strong arm around his waist. He reached down for a shirt that had been discarded on the floor, and he jerked it over his head, then ruffled his hair to spike it back up. "Are you asking me on our first date?"

"I know that Ive done things backwards. Our date should have come first, and then I should have married you, and then taken your virginity. After that, we would fight like we did when we first met. I hope youre pleased with the way things are really going, though." Hunter narrowed his eyes, pushing up an elbow at the slab of wood that covered the dusty room. As soon as it clattered to the side, a burst of light made Archer squint, turning his head long enough for Hunter to block it out with his large form.

Archers skin tingled when he was lifted out of the black hole and set under the bright rays of sunlight, the ground becoming splotchy and shadowy when they passed under some of the fuller trees. When he stepped out of the brush, he saw the sun hovering just inches above a cornfield that stretched across the other side of the road. It looked so close that he could have reached out to cup a beam of light in his palms. Everything seemed so small with Hunter by his side, a muscular hand resting on his elbow to guide him in the right direction. "What is happening to me, Hunter?" Archer mumbled, turning back to him as he placed the helmet onto his frizzy hair. "Ive never done things like this. I always thought I would have a decent relationship. My daddy used to tell me that no man would ever be good enough for me... but I thought that, when I did settle down with a man of my own, my daddy would at least be able to look him in the eye and shake his hand. I shouldnt have ended up with you, Hunter."

Hunter pushed him down onto the seat of the bike, holding onto his shoulders as he gazed at him with unreadable eyes. He finally shook his head, "You are crazy, my love. We both are. I know that I shouldnt be with you. I know that I shouldnt have been with you last night. But whats happened has happened. Now its just a matter of deciding if we are crazy because were two young, stupid kids who fell in love against all better odds... or if we are in love because we are crazy... because were two young, stupid kids, one of us too experienced... and the other not experienced at all."

Archer scooted back when Hunter patted his thighs, giving him room to sit down, and he wound his arms tightly around his stomach. The engine of the bike grinded at the twist of a key, and then Archer felt his body vibrate as the motor churned to life. Feeling himself wobble back and forth as Hunter backed out of the driveway, Archer nuzzled his cheek into the nape of his neck. The fuzzy hairs that sprouted from it tickled the tip of his nose. He shut his eyes, gripping on much tighter. "I dont love you because of your experience. Im sure I wouldnt want to see some of the things that you have." Archer murmured into ears that he wasnt sure could hear him or not. He rubbed against Hunters warm skin, his fingers clasping into his crusty shirt. "I love you because its you... the man I dreamed of since I was a little boy."

Reaching back for Archers legs, Hunter yanked him closer to himself, and then drew his feet off of the ground. Without another word, he sped onto the main road, a drive that was all too short for Archer to enjoy the breeze rushing onto his cheeks and the leaves blowing up at his clothes. When they approached his house, Hunter slowed the bike down so it didnt rumble quite as noisily, and he rolled to a stop at the end of the driveway. Slowly, Archer boosted himself off of the unsteady bike, clasping Hunters shoulders to keep his balance. Hunter finally turned to him, that emotionless expression making his eyes a wall. Archer thumbed through the pieces of blond hair that had fallen across his forehead. "Um... I-I... thank you for driving me home. A-And... for last night. It was wonderful. Ill see you tomorrow, then?"

Hunter nodded, tilting his face back in a silent motion for Archer to come closer so he could kiss him. "Call me tonight, little one." He nudged Archers swollen mouth, sucking his lips in as he drew back. "Go inside, kitten. Your family needs to see you as much as I do." Before Archer could turn around, a hand snatched his wrist and tugged him back, making him collapse against Hunters sturdy form. "But before you go... I want you to know that every word I said... I meant it. I dont break promises. As long as I tell you that Ill be here, I will."

Archer slowly bobbed his chin up and down, leaning down for a kiss that left his lips buzzing. "I know... I didnt doubt you. You can believe the same of me. I know that Im being crazy, Hunter... but I love you." He glanced down when Hunter dropped his hand to his side, and he watched it swing idly before he closed it into a fist. "You should go before someone notices you. Ill call you tonight." He placed one more kiss on Hunters lips, letting his hands scrape over his dark shirt and then drop to his sides when Hunter kicked one foot off of the bike, leaning it away from Archer. Stepping back, Archer watched Hunter rev the engine of his bike, a thunderous sound roaring from the motor.

As Hunter drifted to the end of the driveway, the breeze that the spinning tires stirred up blew Archers hair back. He hummed lowly, his nostrils sucking up the last whiff of gasoline and cigarettes that hung in the air after Hunter tore onto the main road, kicking up pebbles and dust behind him. "I love you." Archer called softly, one hand raising in an unseen wave. "So much, Hunter." He stood there for another minute, idly sticking his hands in his pockets and gnawing on his dry, bottom lip as he stared blankly at the space where Hunter had once been.

He could have stayed in that reverie for the entire day, in the safe place of his mind where Hunter had taken up abode, had he not pinched himself out of it when he remembered that his parents could look out the window at any moment and see him where he was not supposed to be. Huffing, Archer pulled his hands from his pockets and scrubbed his messy curls, feeling them tumble over his forehead. He turned to his house and trekked up the stairs to the porch. Gritting his teeth when he reached the door, he draped his hand over the knob and twisted it, flinching at the lightest click that it let out. He hated that his daddy seemed to have been implanted with a tracker that gave away his every location.

Opening the door, he sighed, relieved, when he saw that the living room was vacated, and didnt seem to have been used since last night, when all of the lights and the TV had been turned off. He scraped his feet over the carpet, glancing from his bedroom door to the stairs as he wondered if he should shower first, or try to seek out his père. Knowing that his daddy was probably gone and this might be the earliest chance he got to be with his père, Archer slowly slunk over to the stairs. Before he reached the first one, he passed by a small, golden mirror that his père had been given when his moms things had been sorted out after her passing. Daring a glance, Archer frowned as he saw exactly what he had expected, a rumpled and slightly disoriented face, cracked lips, bruised eyes, and pallid skin. His hair was even frizzier than usual, and Archer hadnt thought that was possible. After a quick brushing with his fingers, and a few sweeps over his clothes to get rid of the dust, he stepped onto the first stair, suddenly finding the top floor too far away for him to possibly have the energy to climb to it.

Even though he knew that his père didnt have a job outside of the home, he was still surprised to hear the sounds of his voice. His père was singing something in French, so Archer followed the melodic tune down the hallway, to his parents bedroom. When his père was young, there had only been two floors to the house, the one below him now and the basement, where he was rooming. It had been a very small house, something that his grandparents had started their marriage out in when they were still young and trying to start a family. Over the past ten years, however, the house had been renovated with a top floor, which raised the value because of the three rooms that had been added on. Archer was sure that one of those would soon become a sewing room for his père, and the other an office for his daddy.

Shuffling down the hallway, Archer stopped by the room where the noises were the loudest, and he cracked open the door, giving himself a narrow line to peer through. As he expected, his père stood with his hands on his hips, giving the mannequin that he was dressing a critical eye. The dress that the mannequin was donned in was beautiful, a light pink sundress with a frilly collar and round sleeves. His père, however, wasnt satisfied as he circled around the mannequin, judging it from the finished hem to the last strand that hadnt been snipped yet. "Its missing something." He murmured, rocking back on his heel as he tapped his chin, "But what could it be?"

Suddenly, the nosy birds, who his père always let into the room while he was stitching clothes together, no matter how many times they dumped his boxes of glitter or ripped apart sashes, scattered across the floor, trails of pink ribbon slinking after their wiggling tails. Surprised, his père looked down at them, and he giggled when he realized that they had gotten a bit of the pink fabric wound around their wings, which had startled them when they couldnt shake it off. "Oh, do not worry so much, you two. Its a flattering color! You do not look bad in it." Kneeling beside of them, he caught them in his hands and undid the bunched up ribbon, smiling when they lifted their legs and scratched at where it had made them itchy. "Maybe this time you will learn your lesson to keep your beaks out of my sewing kits... but probably not. What will I ever do with you two?"

Fondly kissing both of their heads, he stood back up, placing them on the shoulder of the mannequin. Once again, he stood back and placed a hand on his hip, back to his appraising. "You do make wonderful accessories for any outfit, my darlings. Such pretty birds you are." He was about to put the ribbon aside when he paused to look at it, and then he held it up again, stretching it across the waist of the mannequin. "Oh! This is lovely. Is this why you two got this ribbon out? Were you trying to help me? This might be the last touch that this dress needs. Thank you very much. Im lucky to have not one, but two, birds with eyes for fashion."

Turning up a corner of his mouth as his père went on chattering to his birds about how he wanted to knit a scarf for his husband next, Archer started to withdraw, feeling guilty for the news that he knew would put a damper on the mood of his cheerful père. But as soon as his foot hit the floor that was just an inch behind him, a loud creak rattled beneath him, and he swore to himself, lowering his head as if to try to be invisible to his père, who had spun around when he was alerted that he had a visitor. Shamefully glimpsing up at his wide eyed père, Archer said through his teeth, "Hi, Père."

His père gave him a puzzled look, and Archer insecurely glanced down at himself to make sure he had put on his jeans. "Hello, dear." He finally said softly, turning his attention back to the length of fabric, which he pinned to the waist of the dress. "Youre up rather early. Is anything the matter?"

"No." Archer shook his head, peeling away from the door and heading over to his père, whose brows lowered until they formed an unfinished triangle between his eyes. "Père... this is a beautiful dress."

At last, his face lit up, and he proudly tugged at the sleeves, "You think so? This once belonged to my mom... when she was about your age. I wanted to shape it up a little... bring back the color and trim up the fraying fabric. I could wear it on outings with your dad... itd be the perfect attire for a picnic... or a stroll around the sidewalks. Your dad said that he would love to see me in this... that Id simply be a picture."

Archer blinked at his père, watching his expressive face as he went on about how his husband had doted over him when he brought up that he wanted to restore this dress. Looking back at the edge of the bed, he sat down hard, sinking into the plump mattress. He dug his fingers into the blankets, wrinkling their crisp forms. Shaking his head once more, he lifted his hand to his hair, pushing it off of his face. He shut his eyes. "N-No... Père. There is something wrong. I cant keep this from you... not you, of all people."

Arching a quizzical brow, his père immediately set his needle and thread aside, twisting his body completely toward Archer in a silent way of telling him that he had his full attention. "What is it, my dearest? Are you hurt? Please... tell me."

Waiting until his père had come beside of him and sat down, Archer took a shaky breath. His vision went blurry for what felt like a full minute. When he spoke, his voice was thick and low, "Père... I snuck out with Hunter last night."

To his relief, his père showed no signs of anger, and his concerned expression didnt even waver. Instead, he wrapped his arms tightly around Archer, who sobbed lowly as he collapsed against his chest, tucking his head under his pointy chin. "I know, my love... I know you did." Alarmed, Archer flipped up his lids and started to yank away, but his père hushed him, pressing his fingertips to his parted lips. "You didnt check the kitchen before you left. I was still cleaning up from dinner. I saw you leave with him."

Archers huge eyes flickered over that calm face, "And you didnt try to stop me?" When he spoke that time, his voice was very high pitched, almost screechy.

His père slowly shook his head back and forth, giving him a sad smile, "No... I didnt. I could have. I could have reached out and grabbed your sleeve. But I didnt. Sweetheart, I cant say that I approve of you leaving in the middle of the night. Your dad and I set these rules so you dont get hurt. But I knew who was outside... and I wasnt going to stop you from seeing him. I trust him. The way he looks at you reminds me of someone else... and the way that he looks at me." His père dropped his voice to sound sterner as he flicked his finger over the tip of Archers wrinkled nose, "But your dad must never find out that you snuck out... Both of us would get more than we bargained for."

Archer closed his damp eyes as his père wiped a sleeve over them, "Youre not going to tell Daddy?"

Even though he couldnt see him, he knew that his père had shaken his head, "No... I wont tell him... as long as you can show me that you can be responsible about this. That means no more sneaking out, Archer. Okay? I know you want to be with him as much as you can... but its just not safe for a boy of your age to be out so late, even if you are with Hunter. I would just like to know where you are and when youre there." Even though Archer tried to spring at him to hug him, glad that his père had taken his side and hadnt sealed his fate by going to his daddy, his père held up a finger, "Thats not all. I expect you to keep up on your studies... and to attend most of your meals with your family, take or give a couple of them because I know you will want to be with Hunter. I also want you to try to be close to your cousins... especially Dillon. I know that Hunter is a very exciting part of your life, but your cousins are the reasons you came. And I know they certainly havent been trying their hardest... but... try to have friends outside of Hunter. Youre very capable of making them. Youre a good person, Archer."

"I wouldnt know if I could." Archer whispered, a quiet purr burbling from his throat as his père rubbed comforting circles into his back. "Ive never tried. But... thank you, Père. Daddy would take me away from Hunter if he knew the truth."

"Yes, I know." His père murmured, breathing out heavily. "You might want to change out of your clothes in the next hour or two... and take a hot bath. You smell of cigarettes and dust. Your dad would know in an instant where you had been last night." Pulling away from Archer, his père pushed him toward the edge of the bed, "Now, off with you... before your dad gets home and sees you in this state. I want every inch scrubbed clean. Bring me your clothes when you are finished bathing. I will wash them before your dad even gets a whiff of them." Nodding his head, Archer started to stand, but a hand snagged his wrist, holding him down. He glanced down at his père, who was giving him the raised brow that meant that he knew something that he could have had no way of finding out. "That is all, isnt it, Archer?"

Archer swallowed. His père could read him like an open book. He idly scratched at the nape of his neck before he got up the courage to choke out, "Père? Why did you and Daddy never talk to me about sex?"

From the look on his face, Archer could tell that whatever he thought he knew probably wasnt what Archer had just admitted. But instead of making assumptions, his père pursed his lips together, holding back any noises as he tried to come up with the right words. "Well... I-I suppose... it was never really a concern to either of us. You didnt know any boys... and we... at least, your daddy... thought that, even at sixteen, you were too young to know. Why is it that you ask such a question, lovely? Has it... come up between you and Hunter? Has he asked you to give... it... to him?"

Archer nuzzled deeper into the soft dress that was squished to his cheek, feeling his père run his oval fingernails through his wild curls, "Père, how old were you when you lost your virginity to Daddy?"

His père didnt hesitate, "I was eighteen. I had just moved to Lima. I barely knew anything or anyone. I was frightened... My dad had just had a heart attack. Thats why I came back. I wanted to see him in case..." His voice trailed off, and Archer felt him shudder, so he carefully looped his arms around him. His père shook his head, getting back his words. "Your dad... became my only friend. No one else wanted much to do with me because I was... odd. I was the only gay boy in school... at least, the only one who would admit it. And I wore dresses. I quickly fell in love with your dad. He was polite... and always charming. He was very protective over me. He had a new trick up his sleeve every time I looked at him. He was spontaneous and daring and bold... but still very calm. I was timid during my younger years... I was very shy with men. I never came out of my shell. One night, your dad took me to a restaurant. It was our first date. He stared at me, and then he asked me if I would... be with him. Of course, I went home with him... and... I lost it to him."

While his eyes flipped away, becoming distant as he traveled off to old memories, his père slowed down the stroking hand on Archers head, only to pick up the speed again when Archer shifted against him. "Can you tell me what it was like? Was it everything you thought it would be?"

Softly giggling, his père bent his neck to press a kiss to the top of Archers head, "I had never really thought about it before it happened. But... it was wonderful, sweetheart. If a man treats you half as well as your dad did me that night, then I know you are in good hands. He was very gentle... He took things very slow. He asked me if I was okay. He made me smile and blush and laugh..." He shook his head to clear the addling images that slowed his words down, "I fell asleep after it was done. He stayed up to take care of me, though... and then he held me after. When I woke up, he was still there. I was in his arms... and my head was against his chest. He was already awake, playing with my hair. And his heart was pounding. Pretty, I had risked everything to be with your dad. He hadnt even come out yet. To me, he was still straight. He hadnt told me he loved me. I hardly knew anything about him. We had met weeks before. But the way he looked at me... with those kind eyes... and the way he touched my skin. His hands were always so warm... and strong." A droopy smile curved his lips, and he looked down at Archer, holding his hands up to cup his chubby cheeks, "Sweetest, why do you ask such questions? What has your curiosity peaked?"

Archer nipped his bottom lip, rolling it around with his teeth, "Père, Hunter... hasnt asked me to give him anything. He would never. Hes very respectful of me. Its been me whos been asking for him. And... he didnt want to do anything, but I-"

"You slept with Hunter last night, didnt you?"

Giving his père a muddled expression, Archer helplessly shrugged his shoulders, "And now... I dont know what to do."

Sighing, his père shook his head, lowering it over Archers so he could bump his nose with his. "My beauty... Im afraid that there is nothing you can do now. I had these same thoughts when I slept with your dad. Your fate... at least with him... is practically in his hands. Your dad never did anything to upset me. After that night, we practically became a couple, and he confirmed it weeks later. But, no matter what Hunter does, you need to understand that this doesnt change you. Nothing about you is different. You just have more experience than you did two days ago. Youre still my little Archer, no matter what you do with any boy. You told me that you love this boy, and that he loves you, too. So just keep doing that. Keep loving him. How was he with you?"

Archer pressed his face into a tender palm, turning his head so he could kiss it, "Père, he was so good to me. It was a little rough at first... I think because both of us were scared. He was angry that he couldnt control himself. He says that I make him question how much of a man he wants to be. He was going to paint me naked, you see. But... I pushed... and he gave in. He touched me like I was fragile glass. I felt like my entire body was on fire. He kept telling me that it was okay... that it would be okay. And it was. I fell asleep after it happened... but he stayed awake to clean me. I woke up this morning to his kisses."

His père looked delighted by that last statement, but before he could make a comment, another voice carried from down the hallway, "Honey?"

Whipping around to the doorway with a pair of bright eyes and clasped hands, his père chirped, "In here, dear!" Before he came in, his père hurriedly turned back to Archer, squeezing his hands. "Well talk later, my lovely. Go wash up. Ill fix a big lunch for your appetite."

Nodding, Archer scooted off of the bed just as his daddy appeared in the doorway, nose buried in a pile of papers. He opened his mouth with a few words to his husband, but when he noticed his son creeping by him, he gave him a crooked smile, "Oh... good morning, sweetheart. Im not used to seeing you up so early."

All Archer could give his daddy was a blank stare, hoping to hide the guilt that was swimming in his eyes, so his père cooed from the bed, "He and I were just having a lady chat. You men wouldnt understand." Scampering out the door with his daddys eyes still trained on him, as if he could see right through his façade, Archer heard his père rise from the bed and swish over to his husband, undoing the top button of his shirt. "Did the music store have the albums that Wes wanted you to pick up?"

His daddy finally flicked his eyes away, and he gave his husband a weary smile, "Oh, yes... they did. Its such a long drive out there, though. But the Lima music store doesnt have half of the collection that the one in Westerville has."

His père sat his daddy down on the bed, gently massaging his shoulders as he meticulously unbuttoned his shirt, "Archer still has to clean up before I serve lunch. Why dont I rub your back before I start cooking?"

Flopping back on the bed, much to the amusement of his père, who snickered, his daddy groaned, "That would be wonderful, baby. Ive had such a long day and its not even noon."

His père laughed, bending over his husbands back, which he started kneading like a cat with a blanket, his knuckles rolling and his fingertips scraping. "Your hard work for this family certainly doesnt go unrewarded." Pressing a light kiss to his husbands neck, he murmured into his warm skin, "You know, I was thinking today of when we first started dating."

His daddy raised his head from the pillow, forehead creased, "Mm hm?" Turning his head, he stole a kiss from his husband, who squealed as he was flung onto his back. He threw a leg over him, pinning him between his large body and the mattress, which he squirmed to sink into. "I remember what brought us to that point... It was a little like this. And, after fifteen years of marriage, youre still wiggling to get away from me. Stop wriggling around, you little vixen. You look like a worm. You were just sitting on top of me while you rubbed my back!"

Flushed, his père giggled with humor. He wrapped his arms around his husbands neck, giving him a playful look. "I was thinking about... oh, Blaine! Dont lower your hips like that! I have to make lunch." After he swatted him to make sure that he knew he was in the wrong, his père went on, ignoring the way that his husbands body rumbled with laughter, "I was thinking about knitting you a red scarf... like the one you used to wear when we were younger. You remember? You look so handsome in red."

Rubbing the tip of his nose against his husbands, his daddy whispered to him, "Maybe I can show you what I can do with a scarf in bed. Itll stop your squirming. As good as itll look around my neck, itll look even better tied around your wrists... and maybe your ankles. And then I can lick every inch of you in peace... without fearing that I might have tickled you and will get kicked in the face-"

Backing away from the bedroom door, Archer headed toward the stairs so he could search for a fresh set of clothes and a bathtub to bathe off his mustiness. On his way down the stairs, his phone buzzed in his pocket, sending vibrations up and down his leg, so he fished it out before it could carry on. After checking the name on the screen, he held it up to his ear and said lowly, "Hunter?"

Hunter sounded gravelly, but no less humored than usual, "Hi, kitten. I just needed to hear your voice."

Archer smiled to himself, continuing down the steps as he spoke to Hunter.