"Hunter." Hunter stirred at the hand that lightly pressed on his shoulder blade. Scrunching himself into the flattened pillow, he rumbled when chubby fingers pinched the edge of the blanket that he had cocooned himself in and peeled it down to his waist. He shuddered, lazily throwing his arms out and searching for it, only to give up, wearied of movement, and tuck his limbs under his head. "If you squish your face any deeper into that pillow, you might suffocate yourself. Less work for me, I suppose." Hunter grumbled incoherently, squeezing his eyes shut so tightly that he thought his eyelids would tear off. "Come now, dont be such a sleepyhead. Youve gotten nearly ten hours of rest. I should know... You kept me up with your snoring."

"Cold..." Hunter mumbled, the word slipping out of his sticky lips, which drool had dried onto. "More sleep. Give me blanket..." He couldnt tell how much of that could be understood, or if hed gotten full sentences out. His head was clouded as he slowly came to. Just as soon as he thought hed snapped himself out of the fogginess, he went under again, only to lurch upright when Archer ran his fingertips under his pit and down his side. An unappealing snort pushed out of his nostrils. "Cut it out, Archer." He raised his head only long enough to yank his pillow on top of it.

"How you ever managed to get one leg out the door on schooldays will always be a mystery to me. Im certainly impressed that you never came to class with your pants on backwards. You are a very skilled man, Hunter." As he spoke, his voice drifted farther away, and Hunters ears perked up at the sound of the zipper on his luggage yanking. "Up, up. The rest of the family is up and about. My daddy is taking us to a café before we go skating... his treat."

Hunter finally pushed the pillow up, letting his blurry eyes focus on Archers moving shadow. "What do you mean, his treat?"

Archers shadow suddenly stood upright, making Hunter blink as his eyes tried to follow exactly where he was going. When he reopened them, the black form was in front of him, and he felt him put a pile of fabric on top of his arm. "Youve never heard that expression before?" He must have been watching him feel each piece of clothing because, when he hesitated on a small lump, he put in, "Thats a beanie. I figured you would want it, so your ears didnt get cold. What I meant was... hes going to treat you to whatever you want... within reason, of course. You could ask for a cup of coffee less than what they have to offer, and my daddy would buy all of it for you."

Hunter sat up, scrubbing the side of his hair that had been flattened. "Your dad doesnt... doesnt have to do that, Archer. I expected that wed be going out places. I have about fifteen dollars left-"

"Keep it." Archer insisted, "My daddy wouldnt have it any other way. He already... knows of your situation. He guessed as much when you told him about your job at the bar. Besides... you are a guest here. We invited you into our home. He wouldnt treat you any differently than he does my aunt. She doesnt have any American money." Hunter remained silent, a small frown creased over his bottom lip and forehead, which made Archer smile softly. "You look skeptical. If you dont want this to be a favor, can it be a way of thanking you?"

"What did I do?"

He shrugged, "Everything right. Youve done enough for my daddy to consider you as a partner for me. Youre here... You didnt have to stay with us. It must have been a difficult decision, considering the way that my family has treated you in the past." With his last statement, his gentle voice lightened into a high pitched giggle, "You got out of this bed without me having to drag you off of it." Hunter leaned into the kiss that Archer pressed to his lips, his eyes falling shut and his throat humming. His lids flipped up, though, when Archer rocked away at the nearly inaudible tapping at the door.

"Archer? Hunter?" Someone peeped, jiggling the doorknob. "Are both of you decent?" Archer hollered for Kurt to come in, so Hunter fumbled with the button on his jeans, closing them up at an uncomfortable height on his waist. They cinched tightly at his groin, making him suck in his lips. Realizing that he was fidgeting with his disheveled clothing, Archer quickly tugged the jeans down, and then returned his hands to his sides when Kurt appeared on the stairway. "Good morning, you two. Its a beautiful day out. The sun is bright, and the air is chilly. I was hoping the two of you would join us on our outing. If you will, we must get a move on. Ive been told that Cooper can be very grumpy without his coffee."

"Of course, Pére." Archer murmured genially, "Well be right up. Hunter just needs to find his coat."

Kurts voice lilted with amusement, "You men and your inability to keep track of your coats. Blaine is the same way, Hunter. He dislikes winter so much that he buries his coat away at the end of the season, and its never to appear again. Oh, well. Its less cleaning for me to do when he turns our bedroom upside down and has to put it all back together." Huffing, Kurt offered them a voice that Hunter could tell was paired with the most breathtaking smile, even though he couldnt see it. "Hurry along, both of you. We mustnt keep the others waiting."

Kurt retreated from the room, and as soon as the door snapped shut behind him, Archer left Hunters side. Hunter stared blankly at his shifting form, which lowered to the ground. "Are your grandparents here? Have I spoken to them? I cant tell whos who... if I cant see their faces, and dont remember the sounds of their voices."

"You dont need to explain yourself. I dont mind the questions." Archer came back with his coat, and he spread it over his back, helping him slide his arms into the sleeves. "Um... my grandparent is here, unless youre including my step-grandma. My grandpas name is Burt. You talked briefly... He was the one who was watching the football game. You havent been around my step-grandma much. She stayed in the kitchen with my pére yesterday. Her name is Carole. Ill properly introduce you if youd like. She thinks youre nice. She said that youre handsome... that few men have a jaw so defined as yours." He laughed, but the noise lowered when he noticed that Hunters solemn expression didnt change. As if he had heard the question that hadnt been asked, he admitted, "My grandma died before I was born. It was a car accident. Everyone says that my pére is just like her... that I practically know her through him."

Hunter quirked a brow, snagging Archer around his wrist before he could walk away again, "What about your dads side? Any grandparents... or aunts and uncles?"

Archer swallowed his words for several seconds, and then he spoke as he lowered onto the edge of the bed. He sat with his thigh pressed to Hunters. "Uh... no. Its always just been my biological parents, and my adoptive dad. Daddy wont talk to me about any other family members. I dont even know their names. I dont know why I dont know them. When I was young, Daddy told me not to question it... that I was fortunate not to know. I never went against his word. But..." he bumped him with his shoulder, "what about you? All youve ever spoken about is your dad... and your mom. Was there ever anyone there for you? Any cousins?"

He shook his head, feeling Archers fingers slide through his, "No... theres no one else. Unless those people who Im entirely certain that I made up in my head are real... theres just my dad and me. Well... besides my stepmom, but she wanted nothing to do with me. I dont ask my dad about things like this because..." His eyebrows shot up, and then he blew out heavily, "This isnt a conversation for right now, little one. Lets go upstairs. I dont want to keep your family waiting." Easing his elbow into Archers grip, Hunter counted numbers inside of his head as he trailed after Archer, trying to figure out how far he was angled to the right and how many steps forward got him to the staircase. He did the same on the stairs, making a mental note of how many there were and how high he had to raise his feet to land on the next one.

Hunter paused when Archer stopped on the step below him, reaching by him so he could push on the door. As he dragged his feet up one more step, he squinted against the blur of whitish lights that swept over his unfocused eyes. Lowering his head, Hunter scrubbed at his lids, which only filtered out a layer of the sunshine, and left behind a reddish glow. His discomfort only lasted for a second, though, before Archer brought his hands up and slid his sunglasses onto the bridge of his nose. He tried to blink away the dark dots that swam around the surface of his eyes. "Im so sorry... I didnt even think to put these on you before we came up here. Are you okay?"

His cheeks darkened as he lowered his head, still unable to get over the fact that, unlike normal relationships, Archer held his hand to keep him from running into walls. He knew that Archer didnt look down on him for it-even though Hunter was certain that he could have had a boyfriend who didnt hold him like a crutch-but it was still humiliating, and even degrading, that Archer had to learn the hard way to keep his room dark, and to walk up and down stairs at the pace of a turtle, and to pull Hunter to the side if there was a crack in the sidewalk in front of him. He wanted to be the invincible boyfriend who could sweep Archer off of his feet and carry him to a safe place, where just the two of them could be, and no one else could get in. He knew that if he tried, though, hed eventually end up facedown on the ground.

His prickling skin dulled to a low ache, and the spots marring his vision started to dim, giving him such a sense of relief that he sighed. "Yes... Im alright now. Thank you." He muttered, raising his head a few inches to test out his restored vision. As he stared at one place, the outline of Archers head became clearer to him. "Im sorry... this is so inhibiting. You must get frustrated with me."

"Not at all." Archer said quickly, "Its not a burden for me to carry your sunglasses around, Hunter. You dont ask much of me. Whats more frustrating to me is the fact that you felt the need to apologize to me for something that isnt your fault, something that I certainly wouldnt want to go through alone. I love you... exactly the way you are. I wouldnt mind leading you around a hundred unknown rooms. At least Id be with you when I did it." Hunter shut his eyes when Archer stretched onto his toes, peppering his cheek with small kisses. He leaned back as Archer suddenly lowered back to the heels of his feet, putting himself at eye level with the middle of Hunters chest. "Good morning, Daddy." He chirped at Blaine, whose form Hunter couldnt make out yet.

Blaine sounded like he was suppressing a yawn, "Oh... ‘morning, you two. Howd you sleep, Hunter?"

Before Hunter could open his mouth to rattle off some polite response, Archer grumbled, "He slept like a baby. He snores louder than you do, Daddy."

He chuckled, "You might want to start pinching your nose now, Hunter. If Archer is anything like his pére, hell have you sleeping on the couch tonight." Hunter heard him shuffling around something that jingled, and he assumed that it might have been his keys. He abruptly turned his attention to someone else, "Honey, I just got off the phone with your dad. He says that he picked up Finn, Noah, and the kids. Theyre driving over to the café now."

"Im ready!" Kurt peeped, "I simply couldnt decide on which shawl I wanted to wear. I have the lacy one that you bought me last Christmas, and the sparkly one that Carole gave me. But I love the way that this one almost reaches my leggings."

"You look beautiful, sweetheart, as always." Hunter thought he made out the pop of a kiss, and then Blaine said, "Keegan and Laurice went out to warm the car. Lets get going." When Archer stepped forward, Hunter followed his lead. He felt Archers hand quiver inside of his as the cold air sank to his bones, so Hunter instantly pulled his hand out of his, shedding his gloves.

He offered them to Archer, who seemed dumbfounded by the gesture, "A-Are you sure?"

"Uh huh. Put them on. I wont have you shivering." Hunter felt the gloves slide out of his grip, and he stuck his hands into his pockets as he meandered to the car, tracing the sounds of Blaine and Kurts crunching footsteps. Archer kept his hands busy with slipping them into the gloves, so Hunter boosted himself through the open door. Once Archer plopped down in the back seat, he stretched his arms forward and grabbed for Hunter, guiding him to the seat beside of him. He finished tucking his hands away, and he rested one of them over Hunters, murmuring his thanks.

Hunter brought Archers hand to his thigh, gently cupping it and rubbing circles into the soft skin under his fingers with the pad of his thumb. Resting his head on the back of his seat, he smiled softly as Archer scooted closer to him, scrunching himself against his chest. He tipped his head down, pressing kisses to his curls, which were still cold after the wind had blown through them. "Love you." Archer whispered, brushing his lips across the hollow of his throat. Hunter chuckled when he rubbed his cheek against his neck, like a cat marking its territory. "Your chin is stubbly."

"I know." Hunter raked his knuckles over his jaw, his calloused skin burning as the sharp hairs scraped it. "I didnt have time to shave."

"And who would we blame for that?"

"Yeah, yeah." He rolled his eyes, sliding his arm around Archer and drawing shapes at the small line of his waist. "Dont complain, lovey. Youre forgetting that I like annoying you. I might just grow a beard. Itd be less of a chore if I didnt shave."

Archer seemed unfazed by the proposition, running his gloved hands over Hunters cheeks, "Not a beard. I wouldnt be able to kiss you if I was laughing because it was tickling my face. You might look good with a goatee, though." At Hunters arched brow, Archer giggled lightly, pinching his chin, "You dont know what a goatee looks like? Its a patch of hair on your chin."

Hunters smirk widened, "Baby, Ive had plenty of those... usually on the days that I miss a spot." Laughing, Archer whacked his arm, making him withdraw in mock offense, crunched to his side of the car. Archer grabbed at the front of his coat, but Hunter brushed his hands away. "Im not going to hold you until you apologize. Ive let you get away with hurting me and threatening me for far too long. Im putting my foot down."

His forehead crinkled when, from the front of the car, someone snorted, "Youll do no such thing, Hunter. My baby is only asserting himself. Id rather it be this way than the other way around." The sardonic smirk on Hunters face shrank away when he realized that theyd been joking around noisily enough for the others to pick up on their words, and that Blaine-the one man who Hunter would have yanked his own teeth out for before he offended him-had taken it all the wrong way.

Unable to make a sound to try to convince him that his entire relationship with Archer was founded on a base of playful banter and childish moments of sticking their tongues out, Hunter felt the color drain from his face when Kurt spoke up in a singsong voice, "Blaine." He gasped, tittering lightly at his husband, "I am taking Hunters side on this one. The poor boy does not deserve to be slapped so much. I blame this on you. If you hadnt spoiled him so much when he was a baby, Archer would know that he cant have everything his way, and that he shouldnt use violence to get what he wants."

Blaine released a throaty noise of laughter, using that as his response instead of a denial of the fact that he had kissed one too many paper cuts. Hunters squinted eyes widened to the size of saucers as it dawned on him that Blaine, who had once considered him the same way he would something stuck on the bottom of his shoe, was kidding with him. Whatever Kurt had said to him, as Archer claimed he must have, had really changed his mind. The idea of having someone-especially someone with a voice as small and mousey as Kurts-to make such a big impact in his life, and to completely swing the scales the other way, appalled Hunter. He thought back to when no one ever questioned him-except for Dillon, who, on the rarest occasion, could get through his hard head-and then his shaky breaths stopped filtering through his teeth when he whipped around to Archer, who had wound his arms around his neck and had his nose and cheeks burrowed into his shoulder. He was different now, all because of the small, but fierce, boy beside of him.

Because he had a safe place to always rest his head, he was no longer weighed down by the stress of not knowing when, or if, he would have to deal with his dad. Hed come to terms with the fact that he would probably never find that little boy, but it didnt bother him as much as it had. As long as Archer had a teddy bear to hold onto while he slept, Hunter was okay with where it had ended up. He didnt care if people laughed at him anymore. He had questioned Dillons loyalty, since he was constantly running after the people that Hunter hated in order to ease his reputation, but Archer was always there. He didnt involve himself in the petty drama of trying to make himself on top of the school, and he never walked away from him when he was about to be spoken to by someone more popular than him and didnt want be seen with Hunter.

Hunter sadly smiled as it hit him that hed begun to care about himself, and the quality in which he was living his life, because it wasnt just about him now. Archer needed him more than he needed himself, and had planned on having Hunter somewhere in his future. If his reckless behavior killed him, he wouldnt just be a rattling moment that made his classmates shudder, or a sigh of pity that his teachers would breathe. He wouldnt be that jabbing moment for his dad, when he realized that he had messed up, and it was his bad parenting that had driven Hunter over the edge. He wouldnt be the week that Dillon locked himself into his room to cry, and then move on from. He would be a missing piece of someones life, a part that he wouldnt be able to fill with anything else. The kind of love that Archer felt for him, Hunter admitted, was the kind that someone like Keegan felt for his past lover, Everett-just a fact that he knew from what Archer had explained to him about the weary man who always walked by himself, even twenty two years after his boyfriends death. Hunter knew this for fact because he felt the same.

Nuzzling his mouth into Archers frizzy curls, which would never fall the right way, Hunter whispered in his ear, "I love you, little kitten." His eyebrows furrowed when Archer purred, his fingers curling and uncurling around the folds of his jacket, like a kneading cat. He ran a heavy hand over the back of Archers head, "Youre my heart, beautiful boy. Youre the reason that its started beating again. Youre also my eyes, and Im grateful for that. I think Im in love with you. I want to have the relationship your parents do... I need you to balance me out. Im uncontrolled... and so are you. When Im with you, though... I know exactly what I should do, because you guide me."

"Youre in love with me?" Archer peeped. Hunter knew that he was looking up at him with his big, dreamy eyes. "I feel the same way... Im in love with you, too. It wasnt at my first sight of you... not like how it was with my parents. I disliked you." At that, Hunter chuckled, remembering how sour Archer had once been with him. Even then, hed been adorable, with his squinted eyes and tight lips. "But I love you now... so much. That doesnt mean I dont want to hit you upside the head sometimes... but it means I want to do it less."

Hunter smirked from ear to ear, massaging the sharp blade of one of his shoulders, "I wouldnt have it any other way, you pain in the neck." He glanced up when the car rolled to a stop and the engine shut off. Hearing the others shuffle from their seats and unclick their seatbelts, Hunter let go of Archer, who moved from his side. He followed him out of the car, holding onto the back of his shirt, and then hooked him around his front when he shuddered as the cold drifted all the way from his head to his toes.

When Archer put his gloved hand in the center of Hunters, he enveloped the soft padding with his fingers. He walked beside of him on the way into the building, where a wall of heat had been built up. He took a deep, shaky breath, trying to inhale as much of the warmth as his frosty lungs could hold. The other family members must have already gotten there because he heard their voices as they called the new group over to their table. As they idly strolled over to the others, Archer muttered in his ear, "This café has a wide selection. Do you know what you would like? Ill tell you if they have it or not."

"Um..." Hunter had only been to a café once before, when Dillon had taken him to one before they went over to his house, and he couldnt remember what he had gotten then. All he knew was that places like this served overpriced coffee that would take him two paychecks to buy. "Whatever youre having, baby. I dont mind."

Archer brought him up to the counter, where he could hear his parents ordering their drinks, and then he spoke up, "Two cheese Danishes, please. And two vanilla lattes." When he stepped back, he said to Hunter, "Youll really like the cheese Danish. Theyre one of my favorite breakfast foods." Suddenly, his voice came out much softer, and it sounded like he was speaking to something that he had his head swiveled toward. "You know, my uncle drinks iced coffee every morning. If he doesnt buy it from somewhere else, hell make it at home. My pére told me that its because it was his boyfriends favorite drink. He didnt want to admit that he liked it, but he would always steal my uncles. My pére said that few people have been loved more than Everett was. Uncle Keegan was seventeen when Everett died... Hes thirty nine now, and he still hasnt seen one other person romantically. I think thats the truest love there can be."

Hunter leaned against a barstool, "How did he die?"

He touched Hunters coat, playing with the collar of it, "My pére was there to see it happen. So was Uncle Keegan. It was a hate crime. Uncle Keegan doesnt talk about it... but my pére says that there was a huge man... He seemed deranged. He was screaming profanities... all because Uncle Keegan and Everett were kissing. He said that the man was strong enough that, when he punched Everett, the force of it snapped his neck. My uncle carried him back to their house, and he held him for his last minutes. He died peacefully in his arms. He didnt try to fight it. He knew it was going to happen. He put all of his energy into stroking my uncles face, and telling him how much he loved him... that he wanted him to be okay. My pére told me that my uncle went mad... that he even tried to poison himself. He only got himself together so he could take care of my pére. He hasnt been the same since his death... or, at least, Ive been told. But he says that he has a lot to live for... as long as he has his family." Archer huffed, leaning his forehead against Hunters chest, "Ive never seen a man crazed by his own hatred. There must be nothing scarier."

"I have." Hunter muttered, stroking his finger up and down the line of Archers spine, "No matter how many times it happens... you still feel terrified, like youre not in control of even yourself. I felt betrayed every time my dad lost his mind with me. It was like... I was nothing to him. I wasnt even his son. When I was little, I wondered what I did wrong. As I got older... it just came to me that it wasnt me... It was himself, and the alcohol. I wanted so badly for my dad to love me. I wanted him to hang my pictures on the fridge, and to hold my hand as we walked down the street. I wanted him to talk me through the hurt... but he was the one that caused it. You know... it was my dad who took my virginity." As soon as the words were out, Archers back became a straight line under his hand, and he heard him inhale sharply. "Its my first memory I have of him... at least, the one thats clearest. I was nothing more than a baby. I could barely stumble up the stairs at the time. My dad was sick, Archer... He used his strength to take advantage of me. He pinned me down to the bed, and..." he paused, swallowing down the bubble of emotion that had swelled in his throat, "and he took it. I didnt know what was happening. I hated my body after that. I knew that he had done something to it. I figured it out later on... but, by that point, Id become numb to him. It didnt bother me as much as it should have. I knew that, whatever had happened, was bad, and I wouldnt like it no matter what he had done."

"Do you think that he ever regrets what hes done to you? What hes put you through?" Archer breathed, his voice thin.

Hunter shrugged, "I dont know, sweetheart. I really dont know. Its been years since Ive seen any emotion out of him... besides anger. I think hes past the point of feeling. I think that... there comes a time when a man can be pushed past his breaking point, and I think hes hit that mark. The years have worn him down. The alcohol has jumbled his brain. He has a useless job at the bar... and a son who doesnt love him. Hes completely alone. Without Dillons love, I would have lost myself by now. He doesnt have anyone, Archer. All he does is gripe about the time that the only man he ever felt anything toward left him for someone else. I wont be the one to do it... I think he will, but hes the only person Ive ever said would probably be better off dead. He wouldnt be so damned miserable, and Id be able to move on with my own life." His cheeks grew hot as he became feverishly upset with thoughts of his dad. "Im sorry, honey. I shouldnt have said anything to you. Talking about him turns me into a foaming beast."

Archer removed himself from his side so he could pick up their meals, and he handed a crinkly package and steaming mug to Hunter. "Please, dont say that." He grasped Hunters elbow, but before he led him anywhere, he stood still. Hunter could feel his apprehensive eyes on his face. "You know better than anyone else that I dont want to be treated like my ears are deaf to the bad of the world. I want to know the life of the man who Im in love with." He pushed the side of his face into the soft hand that touched it, kissing the squishy palm warmly. "Hunter... what your dad has done to you doesnt matter to me. I couldnt be a part of your past... but I want to be there now, and in the future. The man you are now is whats important to me."

Hunter closed his eyes, reaching up to Archers hand, "I know. I know, little love. I wouldnt hold you on a pedestal, even though you deserve to be standing on one. I know thats not what you want. But... my past isnt something that I want to keep from you alone. Id want to protect anyone from it... for their sake, and my own. Im not like normal children... Im not clinging to a trophy I got at a baseball game. I dont have any pictures of my dad and me in my wallet. Honey, I was raped... and beaten, sometimes to the point that I couldnt breathe. Everything was so swollen... I thought my lungs were crushed. In all of my years of knowing Dillon, I never told him. I never wanted to. He had his guesses, Im sure. Id come to school with a black eye or a busted lip... but I always had some pathetic excuse. I got into a fight with some asshole in an alleyway... I hit my head... and, most often, I tripped."

Archer stroked his fingers over the hard line of Hunters cheekbone, "Why... Why have you never told anyone, Hunter? Someone could have gotten you help-"

"I didnt want the help." Hunter said simply, walking with Archer back to the table, but taking his time so no one overheard. "I had adjusted to my life, Archer. I memorized all of the places I had to walk. I learned to be cautious around Karofsky. If I had gone to someone, I would have been pitied. They would have taken me away from that shitty place, but I would have ended up in an orphanage or foster case. And no one would have wanted me. That was the worst part... the unknown. I did consider it... especially when I came of the age when I could have reasoned with someone that all of this had happened. But... I always gave up. Whether with Karofsky or without Karofsky, my life wouldnt have been easy. I would have still been poor... still been addicted to cigarettes... still had unemotional sex. I didnt see the use in giving up the privacy I had in my cellar, where I could paint, and then leave when I had to get food, or wanted to see Dillon."

Archer brought his voice down by two octaves, "You told me once that you still feel responsible for your dad."

He rolled one of his shoulders, "I dont want to leave the man who gave me life for dead... but I dont think Ill have a choice. Hes only thirty six... and his breath rattles as if hes an old man on his death bed. I hate him for doing this to himself... and to me." His blank eyes flickered off to the side, "If he would only put all of the energy that he does into drinking into something of consequence, he could have a healthy, long life. Hes a sturdy man, Archer. He used to be so muscular and fit. Now hes just a lump on the couch." Cocking his head to the side as he they shuffled nearer to the table, Hunter picked up on the pieces of conversation. He grinned to himself at the sound of Kurt squabbling at his husband that the outside of the house needed to be brighter with lights, and Blaine heaving a sigh as he realized that there would be no turning his husband down, and that he would have to climb on top of the roof within the next couple of days to place more strands of lights. There seemed to be no boy luckier than Archer to have been raised by his parents.

Placing his hand on the back of an empty chair, he pulled it out for Archer and lowered him into it, then sank down into the one beside of it. "No more questions, little one." He muttered over the crumpling of the paper as he unwrapped it from his treat. "Be quiet, and eat your food. We have time to talk about my past... but not right now. I just want to be in the present."

Archer obediently bent over his Danish, cutting a piece of it off with a knife and sticking it between his lips. When he spoke this time, his voice was threaded with a smile, "You used to tell me to not ask you questions because you didnt want me to know you. You would twist your mouth up and flare your nostrils, and youd groan about how annoying they were."

"Theyre still annoying." Hunter teased, sipping on his coffee and exhaling deeply as the warm vanilla coated the inside of his mouth. He leaned over to kiss Archers mouth, tasting the same sweetness on his tongue, along with the tartness of the lemon sauce that was spread over the Danish. "You ask far too many of them. Or maybe its just you that annoys me." When Archer giggled and smacked his arm, he bent closer to him, grazing his lips over the lobe of his ear, "But I think every man needs a cute, little boyfriend to nag him into fits. It makes us more appreciative of those few moments when youre pleasant to us."

Archers voice was light and airy, like a ringing bell, "Well, maybe I still dislike you." He rubbed another kiss across Hunters mouth, drawing a quiet growl out of his throat as his lean arm slid around Archers waist.

"Mm... kitten, never stop hating me. If you can do this to me with your kisses when you dislike me, youd put me in the hospital if you liked me." Archer tittered against his mouth, his lips buzzing, which made Hunter chuckle from the ticklish feeling. Shutting his eyes, Hunter deepened the kiss with a nudge, hearing Archer let out a whimper of pleasure as their noses bumped. "I love you so much, you perfect boy." Knowing that if they stayed that way for too long, his parents would notice, Archer pulled away from the kiss, but tucked his head into Hunters chest. Hunters cheeks turned red when he was startled out of his daze at the realization that Archer could hear his thudding heart. Deciding that he didnt care, though, because he no longer wanted to hide his feelings from Archer, Hunter pressed kisses to his hair, the silky strands sticking to his damp mouth. "But Im going to push you down on the ice rink."

Archer nuzzled deeper into Hunters neck, rubbing his nose, cheeks, and mouth all over his hot skin. When he laughed, his body shook against Hunters. "I love you, too, Hunter... but Im going to get you first."

Hunter pushed his mouth to one side of his face, his voice a low grumble, "You always do, sweetheart." Turning his head down to where Archers rested against his chest, his mouth moving as he nibbled on his Danish, Hunter imagined what he must have looked like, wild curls flattened by Hunters coat, round face smushed, and big eyes quivering shut. He smirked to himself as he then wickedly thought of what Archer would look like plopping onto his butt, hair flying and face screwed up as he refused Hunters hand, which would be shaking from how hard he was laughing. Like he had expected, their relationship wasnt romantic in the least, like Blaine and Kurts. But he didnt want to spin in circles around the rink, arm linked with Archers. He wanted to do everything he hadnt as a small child, and tear after Archer like a wild man, and swing him into his arms and then topple over. He wanted them to ruffle each others feathers, and to scream and cry, and then kiss like it was always the first time.

Within the next half hour, after the last tidbits of muffins and bagels had been swept up by wagging tongues, their family rose from the table and walked out of the café, returning to the cars. After Hunter leaned Archer comfortably against his chest, he draped a loose arm over his shoulders. Archer squeezed it to himself with tightly curled fingers. It came as a surprise to both of them when, sometime during their breakfast, Blaine had finally snapped his attention from his husband, who hed been cooing over and putting his lips on even more than he had his own coffee mug, and hed looked at the two of them, smirking at the way that they were edged to the opposite ends of their chairs. Hed laughingly told Hunter that he had his permission to touch his son, as long as he did it in a modest and decent manner, and ever since then, Hunter had been glued to Archers side. There hadnt been much conversation between them since they started on their meals, but it wasnt like Hunter minded. He was okay with the quiet, and just drawing Archer to his chest, where he would sometimes giggle and whisper sweet nothings, but otherwise rested silently, throat vibrating against Hunters skin.

Hunter couldnt imagine what a miserly man he would be if he hadnt taken this little one to be his boyfriend. Peacefully shutting his eyes, he lowered his head to the top of Archers, feeling his wild curls tickling his chin. He wondered if there would ever come a day that those curls would be perfectly tamed. He hoped not. "I adore you... and these frizzy curls of yours." He muttered.

Archer shook with snickers, nuzzling his head deeper into the hollow of Hunters throat. He kneaded the front of his shirt, "If I ever pictured you as a boyfriend when we first met, you would have been a distant, rude boyfriend. You would have put down everything I said. You would have thought of me and my hair as embarrassments to you. Youre not like that at all. You used to be such a bullheaded snob. But now youre... romantic and caring. You cant keep your hands off of me. Even the way you smile is different. When did this happen, Hunter?"

"I dont know when, sweetheart." Hunter mumbled honestly, dotting Archers forehead with a warm kiss. "With the way my dad raised me, I should have grown up to be a snarky, unintelligent scoundrel. I can be... but parts of me arent like that. Ive always wanted to be a respectful gentleman... and open doors for others, and use manners that arent just knowing to keep my elbows off the table. And... although Ive been violent before, Ive never believed in hitting someone who couldnt take it. I know how that feels. And Ive also never wanted to hit someone whom I supposedly love. Loving someone... is taking on the responsibility of nurturing that person, and making sure that theyre constantly okay. I dont believe that anyone can really love someone if theyre willing to inflict harm onto that person. If I do it accidentally... and hurt someones feelings... then I know I just need to apologize. But I would never want to purposefully put tears into your eyes, little love. My hearts never broken before, but I think it would if I knew that I was the reason that you were in pain." Caressing the side of Archers face, Hunter dragged his finger across Archers bottom lip, which trembled under the pathway of fire that it painted across the skin, "I dont know... Maybe I was raised by some other family... people with better values than my dad has. It seems crazy... but it seems more possible than me having the mindset that I do, after only knowing my dad."

Archer pressed closer to Hunter, his body melting into his arms, which could have crushed him from how hard he was squeezing him. "I love you more than youll ever know, Hunter." He whispered, his voice quivering as it pushed his name out. "Whether youve always been with your dad or not, youre a better man than most could ever try to be." He grabbed Hunters face, "No matter who raised you, this is about you now. You make your own decisions... You said that yourself. Youre a good person, Hunt. Youre not bad... Youve acted out when others were mean to you, when they had no right to be. But youve never stomped on anyone just because they were smaller than you are, like your dad does. Youve stayed with him, even though hes an awful man. You hold me higher than you do yourself. No... not bad. Not bad."

Hunter shuddered as Archer tangled his fingers into the longer spikes on the top of his head, pushing some of them down as he brought his face down to his own. The moment that they kissed, Hunter let out a ragged noise, cupping Archers bottom and nearly lifting him off of his seat in his attempt to be closer than humanly possible to him. He would never get used to the flavor of Archer, an indescribably sweet taste that was masked by the vanilla of the coffee. Archer let out a soft whimper that made Hunter mad that he couldnt stuff his hands into his shirt and touch that freckled skin. The kiss was hot, but short, and ended with a nudge before both of them retreated, panting and reaching up to rub their burning mouths. "Im being unfair." Hunter muttered when he had caught his thin breath. At the sound of acknowledgment that Archer made, he chuckled deeply, "If Im wrong that every other man doesnt hate me, then you can call me a mad man. How someone hasnt snatched your cute, little butt up yet is beyond me."

Archer giggled lightly, resuming his massage, "I wouldnt have let them, even if they tried. I dont think that the reason I waited so long was because of my hesitance to start maturing. Thats part of other delays in my life. I think that I was waiting for you. Somehow, I just knew that it had to be you, Hunter."

Hunter shook his head, unable to believe that he could feel happiness thrumming through his entire body, "I would have waited, baby doll... but I never knew that I deserved someone as beautiful as you."

Once again, the two of them hushed down, their throats humming and lips smiling, as they memorized each others faces. Cuddling his face into Hunters shirt, Archer pressed kisses along his neck, and Hunter huffed a low chuckle, "Its a good thing that the ice rink is nearly forty minutes from here. Youll have time to nap, little lovey."

"Your snoring kept me awake." Archer grumbled, puffing up like a tiny kitten that had been poked in its side.

Hunter grinned from ear to ear, running his hand up and down Archers back, "You love me, anyway, beautiful." Turning his head into Archers hair, he whispered faintly, like a short wisp of air, "Sleepy kitten, close your eyes. Not another peep." He tightened his arms around Archer, who murmured wearily and let out a soft yawn, "Hush, and rest your head on my heart. Listen to the thump, thump, thump."

As Archer drifted off, eyes fluttering shut, mouth slightly puckered, Hunter clutched him closer, keeping him safe and comfortable as he dreamed. Even though he was staring out the window, he could almost feel Blaine shift around, giving him that hard, steady look that only his sharp eyes could manage. "That song... Does Archer sing it often to you? You know the words well."

Hunter shrugged, careful not to stir Archer, as he lowered his hand to the small of his back to stroke the thin line of skin where his coat had ridden up, "Not often... just enough for me to remember it from my childhood. I knew that song from before Archer ever sang it to me. He simply reminded me of it."

Blaines voice became weaker, "You knew that lullaby? Its... um... French. Its not common in America. Did someone who took care of you sing it to you? You told me that your mom didnt have the ability to."

"She didnt." Hunter confirmed, "I dont remember who used to sing it to me. My first few years are blurry. All I know is that... it was this beautiful voice, like a bell ringing. High pitched... and tragically melodic. And when I think about that voice... I can imagine these gentle hands, as white as snow and with fingers as thin as small caterpillars, reaching down for me. Theres this face... and I cant make it out, but it has these lips that are as pink as roses, and cheeks that are creased with dimples, because the mouth is smiling... and eyes as blue as the sky. And then it... goes away. I dont remember anything else."

When the car suddenly jolted, Hunter pressed his hands into Archers back, trying to keep him still. Hunter heard Kurt murmur through a concerned tone, "Blaine, darling? Are your legs cramping?"

"No." He said curtly, "Its nothing... It cant be."

Hunter leaned back in his seat, staring up at the invisible ceiling, as invisible memories started to descend on him.

"Hunner! Hunner, you dont play with him that way! Youre being too rough with the teddy!" The small child, looking very cross, stole the teddy bear away and hugged it to his small chest. "Im sorry, teddy. He didnt mean to shake you up." When Hunter made a face at the baby, the little boy stuck out his tongue in response. He didnt see him do it, but somehow knew that was his retort for everything that made him flustered with anger. "Pére, Hunner is jostling the poor teddy around. And hes not sorry about it."

"Oh, Hunter, my love! We must be nice to the teddy bear. Dont you see his sad eyes? Will you give him a kiss to make him feel better?" The unseen boy said, dramatically swinging the teddy bear from the babys hands and showing it to Hunter, who pecked its small nose with a kiss. Hed do anything to hush the babys endless whining. "Oh... dear, Hunter is being fussy for a toy of his own. Would you bring him something that he cant rip open with his teeth? Perhaps a rattle?" There was another person here? That was unexpected, as itd always just been the babe and his one parent in these memories, or crazy figments of his mind.

Hunter closed his eyes, leaning back on the crunchy grass, as he accepted that he didnt know who these people were, or why they seemed to know him, as long as they loved him. Part of him wished he could have his answers, but because he realized he wouldnt get them right now, he was okay with being ignorantly blissful.