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[huntercdcms]

"Technically I'm supposed to be a dog so yes, it's a leash." He knew how that looked though he hadn't really thought about it until they'd got the whole garb together and he was sure that more than once this evening he'd probably end up mortified but Valeria looked hot so other than a brief grumble, he'd not put up a fight when she'd come out to greet him. "I think most takes on Harley have thankfully been good so I can't say I'd complain about any of them. It's nice to see the less used version out and about though."

"Oh no way, I am not letting you live this down. Is that a leash?" Victoire asked, pointing to the chain, "I am obsessed with this actually. I hope there are lots of photos," she teased, "Thank you. You know I like to do my best for Halloween. I decided to go a bit more traditional with my version of Harley though. Rather than more recent interpretations."

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"Don't ask how this came about, I couldn't tell you if I tried. I think it started as a joke that somehow became reality." Though he couldn't pretend like it didn't represent their relationship slightly. Valeria was definitely the one more in control. It wasn't something he'd foreseen happening but it suited them well. "And you can't talk. Deadpool and Wolverine hm?" Hunter smirked widely.

"Look at you," Cyrus couldn't help the chuckle that escaped his lips. "Should I ask who's idea the costume was? I can't say I would've imagined you in this but oddly enough it suits you."

@huntercdcms

[huntercdcms]

"Shut the fuck up." Hunter burst out laughing, giving his friend a gentle nudge. "I suppose there were worse choices I could have been given." He mused, pinching the small dalmatian ears he was wearing. "I got to practically wear a suit which I appreciate. You're looking good though, Victoire. It's a nice choice."

"Do my eyes deceive me or are you involved in a couples costume?" Victoire asked, exaggerating her shock for dramatic effect, "Who are you and what have you done with Hunter?" she teased.

@huntercdcms

[huntercdcms]

HUNTER ADAMS HALLOWEEN 2028

A Dalmatian (feat. Valeria as Cruella)

[huntercdcms]

"If there is anything you should be overindulging in, I would say it is this and especially on a birthday." Hunter joked in a jovial manner, clearly put in a good mood by the others thoughtful actions.

"Oh, yes. I will never say no to sharing a dessert. I can satisfy my sweet tooth without feeling like I'm overindulging. It's also definitely one of the best cakes I've ever made."

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"Well I'd imagine so. You have to be vetted to be in the building without a guide." He said with a little wink which wasn't untrue. Of course, that'd not been completely foolproof in the past given some of the things that had happened behind the walls. "I know it very well, you're right but I'd still imagine we can try and discover something new if you're up for it?"

The corners of Valeria's lips tugged upwards at that, feeling lucky to have what she had with Hunter. "On arrangement? Does that mean I'll get to wear a goofy little visitor's badge or something?" she considered with a laugh. "I would really love that though. I'm sure nobody knows the castle's ins and outs like you do. I'm sure there's a lot there that you could show me."

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"It's good to know that you have people in your life that will make you do that. It's necessary sometimes." He admitted because if it wasn't for the people around him, he wouldn't pause either. "At least you get caught up in something you love. It should mean that it will rarely actually feel like work."

"Thanks mate, I appreciate that," Theo replied, smiling, "I think a lot of people need it without realising it. Nat is pretty good at reminding me to have some fun and stop being so serious. I'm not a workaholic of anything but I do get caught up in research and things, I do love it."

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"So I hope you plan on sharing some of this cake with me. When we grab a drink we can share it as a dessert if you're interested." Given Victoire was the one who had given it to him, he couldn't think of a better way to enjoy it.

"Good, you should," Vic replied, grinning, "Oh yeah, it's that stubborn Weasley gene. You'd have to try really hard to get rid of me and even then, it'll be impossible," she joked.

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"Extra flattering? Well then, I better make the most of it if it isn't going to stick around." He laughed softly at the others words. "But I am glad that even if the words don't stay, you plan to." There were people in his life he couldn't imagine being without and she was one of them.

"Well it is your birthday so I'm being extra flattering, don't get used to it," Victoire teased with a warm smile, "Good because I'm going to keep sticking around. It'd be pretty bad if you felt differently."

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"More important than you? Not at all." Hunter spoke simply, a smile playing over his lips at the thought that there was anything that could pull him away from Valeria. Yes, he had work to complete but he was done for the evening. "Maybe you could come back with me one time. On arrangement of course. But you could relive memories and perhaps I could remind you of some of the places too. Introduce you to a few new ones too. I feel as though in a whole lifetime there would still be places in there I have not explored, as impossible as that seems."

"You can. You've always been a fast learner," Val replied honestly. As long as she'd known Hunter she couldn't recall seeing him back down or shy away from anything, even if it was new for him. He always seemed willing to learn and grow. Sometimes it almost seemed like he welcomed a bit of a challenge or at least it's how she'd perceived it. Perhaps it was one of the things they had in common. "Are you going to tell me you've got more important things to get up to tonight?" she challenged with a quirk of her brow and a smirk playing on her lips at that. When Hunter spoke about work and life at the castle, her smile was softer, "I do miss that place sometimes. I'm sure it wouldn't run as smoothly if they didn't have you running about making sure everything was in order."

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"Well we learn things in the most unusual of places." Hunter answered simply. "I'm sure your job is like that too. It's probably taught you things that you never expected would come with being an Auror." He snorted however when Frank called him good company. "Are you trying to soften me up so you can go for the kill on this game?"

"Who would've thought work would come in handy like that, hmm?" he chuckled lightly when Hunter mentioned the practice he had under his belt. "I mean– believe what you want to. Whatever helps me would be the best," Frank added playfully. "I'm just enjoying the good company honestly."

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Hunter could see how happy Cyrus appeared to be when he talked about Orlando. The man had always been a happy person by nature but there was something that appeared so much freer than before about the way he was talking and laughing. Hunter knew the man had been concerned about ever having his person. That had appeared to have been lifted off his shoulders. "There is nothing wrong with being different. I think that there will be someone for us who feels similarly." He said with a shrug before laughing. "And yes, she has always been straight with me. I suppose that just means I have to put my best foot forward."

"Maybe he's rewired something in my brain," he snorted when he'd received a shove from Hunter at that. "Do they? Well, yeah I guess I am a little different in that regard," Cyrus considered. Perhaps it was the romantic in him that considered there to be a sort of sanctity to a New Years kiss. "I doubt you'll fuck it up," he insisted with a little shake of his head. "And that I definitely believe. She hasn't shied from it before so I doubt this would change that."

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"I do believe you are better at it than me but I can learn." He assured her once more, not that he thought that Valeria would judge him for that in the least. She'd known him for a long time, if anyone knew what he was capable of, it was her. Hunter had to chuckle when Valeria told him she wasn't going to allow him to get away with just this. "Sounds like you have certain things on your mind. I think this is going to be a late night for me isn't it?" He pointed out with a warm smile, not seeming to mind the idea of that. "The castles the same as it ever is. I like it best at night when it's quiet and I can go wandering around it. Something peaceful and really magical about it in the twilight hours."

"No. And you think I am?" she snorted lightly. "Being good at it or not is one thing. Wanting to try and put in the work however? Now that's worth far more in my eyes," Val then insisted, wanting him to be reassured that the thoughtful gesture on his behalf was more than appreciated. "Easily pleased? Now don't be too sure of that. Especially now that I know what you're capable of, don't think this pizza and these gorgeous flowers are all I'm going to let you get away with today," she smirked back before sliding the beer over to him. Val opened the box up, helping herself to a slice. "So how's life at the castle? I imagine busy with all the students filing back into the halls and still buzzing from their summer holidays."

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"I never claimed to be any good at this." Hunter responded with a laugh when Valeria asked him if she should be worried that someone had to tell him to take the initiative. "I'm sure I'll be a fast learner though." He added in assurance a moment later. When the woman told him how the most romantic thing anyone had done for her was give her a jacket, he smiled almost bashfully at the reminder, somehow managing to stop himself from pointing out that it hadn't been done as a romantic gesture. He'd just been glad she liked the gift so much. Her next comment had him laughing loudly however. "Well, it's good to know that you can be easily pleased I suppose. And I'm just glad you like it." Not that he'd really doubted that so much, but still, he'd wanted to do something nice and unexpected for her. "Thanks."

"Take some initiative, hmm? Well I suppose this is a good start," Valeria replied with a chuckle. "However should I be worried that someone else had to tell you to do that?" she then added playfully, knowing that Hunter was indeed trying and she hadn't even asked. She certainly wasn't meaning to come off unappreciative. "Actually I've totally lied to your face right now– the most romantic thing I could recall was probably someone gifting me their jacket that they knew I enjoyed. It was so personal and heartfelt and I still wear the shit out of it to this day," Val then said with a smile. "But you waltzing in here with flowers and a big fuck off pizza? That's pretty sexy, Hunter. Pretty damn sexy," she told him with a laugh. "You can't steal if if I'm willingly giving it up to you. Sit your cute ass down, let me grab you a beer."

[huntercdcms]

"Well I was reminded by a friend that I had some making up to do after not realising your intentions... In fact, I think I was told to 'take some initiative'.'" He laughed as he recalled Cyrus' words. "And I wanted to anyway. But this is one of the most romantic things anyone has done for you?" That seemed a little difficult to believe considering he didn't really see it as anything too special, just a nice thought for her, knowing that she was probably working a long day. "I wouldn't mind staying for longer if I can steal some of your time. I was just aware you might be a little too busy."

Valeria smiled when she'd seen Hunter come in, her mouth falling agape in surprise when he held the flowers out to her. "Hunter, this is so sweet," she said as he trailed on about them not feeling very her, only to place a massive pizza box down onto the bar. "Holy shit," she then remarked, chuckling to herself. "This might be one of the most romantic things anyone's ever done for me," she said, the smell wafting from the box and causing her mouth to water. "Is it my birthday and I forgot or something?" Val joked, taking the flowers from him and reaching for a freshly empty bottle of liquor. She was washing it out to serve as a vase for them as she spoke, "Also I hope you're not just 'popping by' too literally. While I know I am perfectly capable of inhaling this monster of a pizza on my own, I'd much prefer sharing it in your company."

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"What did this man do to you? Seems like you're suddenly the expert." Hunter teased, gently giving Cyrus a shove. "But I think most people have unplanned kisses at New Years. You're a little different to most though aren't you." It was clear he wasn't attempting to mock or belittle Cyrus, he was more pointing out that the man had always been the type to need that connection first on more than just a physical level. "Hopefully I don't fuck it up. I'm pretty sure she'll have me for it if I do. She's not afraid of telling me when I'm being an idiot."

"Sounds like you should be the next to take some initiative then if that was the case," Cyrus suggested with a chuckle when Hunter told him that it had been Val who had been doing all the pushing to finally get them together. "I suppose it could happen. I can't say I've ever kissed someone on New Years that I didn't necessarily mean to but everyone's different," he replied, a soft smile on his lips however when Hunter went on to bring up that he was hoping for a repeat of that kiss for the New Year. "I'm sure it will. You two have always been solid, I don't think this new development will change that," Cyrus said confidently. "I'm happy for you, Hunter. You two are good together."

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Whilst it didn't always appear so, Hunter did actually take on board what he was told by Cyrus and the man was right, after everything, he probably did owe Valeria for the way he'd completely ignored her attempts to try and establish his interest. It was why on the night off he'd managed to get from work, he had picked up a bunch of flowers for the woman as generic as that felt. Heading into the bar, he found her just where he expected she would be, tending to customers. "Hey... I figured I would you know... pop by. I got you these but they felt a little... not you, so I figured I'd pair them with something I know you like." He stated, holding out an obscenely sized pizza. "Assuming you haven't eaten of course but then pizza for breakfast isn't the worst thing in the world."

@valeriasanchez