I'm Not Okay.

Gus paces around his room impatiently, he fidgets and thinks of everything and everyone has been doing recently and as much as he wants to be happy for everyone he just can't Luz recently just connected with her mother and told her the whole story. As sad as Luz was explaining it, she smiled back at everyone like she usually does and fit right back in. Eda is more connected with her family than she's ever been, controlling her curse fluently and King even has powers now. Amity even flipped the whole script of her own personality and found herself turning a new leaf.

He wants to be happy for everyone he really does but he can't. He knows he'll never be able to truly support them when he knows deep down and has already acknowledged himself that...

He's not happy.

How was he supposed to be happy, he's been the loveable gullible illusionist of the group since Luz arrived. He was well aware of it but only kept acting like such to hide how he really felt, how much he loved her. He had it under control before she arrived, he could keep everything stable at first but then when she came it all slowly started falling apart.

At first his excitement of a human arriving in the boiling isles couldn't be contained. He was ecstatic that he could meet one, learn about one, and now at this point be practically best friends with one. As much as he loved all of this, Luz brings things out of people they didn't even know were there. She can turn your whole mindset you spent years perfecting and sticking to like a reflex into something completely opposite in just a few weeks, maybe even a few days if you're around her enough.

Of course this would all apply to the girl he loves, the girl he seemingly had his feelings under control about before Luz's arrival, and the girl who now has him freaking out by himself in his room.

Willow.

Ever since Luz showed up she's brought things out of Willow he could have never imagined. She became a whole new person in a few months and it happened in the blink of an eye for Gus. Her attitude is more confident and less scared, and she even was able to switch courses off showing her skill to Principal Bump. She's blossomed into potential that Gus never thought was even there, and he knows Willow doubts that it was ever there either.

That made her so much more attractive to him.

Gus sits down on his bed gripping his head while sighing. He's never flipped out once in his life at anyone for anything. He's always been neutral and never a conflict driven person but when he saw Willow and Edric flirting so innocently and openly in front of him he just lost it. Gus twirls his fingers in a roll motion in front of him, illusions appearing in the open floor of his room.

The illusions replay a slowed version of what happened earlier, the green haired airhead asking Willow some questions while the two smile and laugh happily together. Another illusion appears which was Gus with the most irritated face he's ever made approaching the two with a water bottle in hand. He creeps up behind Edric and pretends to accidentally spill the bottle all over the boy, causing all of the other pair of illusion eyes to glance at the sudden commotion of the two.

He winces at the look Willow gave him, seeing through his little slip and fall act easily. She seemed more disappointed that he'd do something like that then mad, and didn't even care enough to scold him as the only one knowing what he did. She just helped Edric clean himself and moved away from the boy, and then the illusion ends as Gus yells into his pillow in embarrassment.

"Why do I always mess up everything concerning her..." Gus silently whispers to himself into his pillow. He's messed up every confession he's tried at the young girl, countless times even after Luz showed up he's backed down last second or fumbled his words and turned into a stuttering mess right in front of her. She's always laughed it off and ignored it but this time he's never seen her make that face, not before Luz showed up or after. She's never made that face towards him and it hurt him seeing it.

He's sulks into the corner of his bed when tip taps at his window catch his attention. He stares at his window and sees a small red bird pecking at his window from the window sill constantly. He stands up and walks over and opens the window to stare at the bird as it stares back at him and he smiles.

"Cute little guy aren't ya buddy?"

"He's supposed to be menacing."

Gus jumps at the sudden words and quicky looks to his left. Leaning against the wall while sitting, a cream colored hair boy sat

glaring down at his shoes. He's dressed in his vest and shirt and usual attire minus the emperor's coven cape and golden guard scheme. The bird hops over into the hands of the law enforcement representative and he looks at Gus.

"Y-you! Why are you hanging out on my window?!" Gus loudly exclaims to Hunter as he just laughs and hops into Gus's room from the window. The bird transforms and his staff emerges from his palismen and he drifts into the air while riding it kicking his feet back.

"Y'know I saw you little entanglement with the son of the Blights from the roof of the owl house , pretty bold of someone like you to do that." Hunter states earning a flush from Gus. Why was the golden guard here and worst of all he also saw what he did! He could possibly tell Edric who'd then tell everyone else and it'd make the situation much worse than it already was.

"W-well that's none of your business, why are you here to torment me about it?" Gus questions the golden guard sending him into a defensive stance putting his hands up.

"Woah relax! I'm not here to mess with you over something small like that. I am here to help you out with something else though.." Hunter tells Gus using his staff to teleport onto the boys bed with a book he grabbed from the desk of Gus. The book was filled with memories and pictures, specifically of him and Willow when they were younger.

Gus rushes over and swipes the book out of Hunter's hands, turning red as he notices the devilish smirk on the boy's face. Hunter stands up and towers the young witch as Gus cowers in fear, and hides under the book.

"I already knew I was right but you really have a photo book? You really are proving my point before I can even say it shortcake" Hunter teases the red dark sinned illusionist. Gus stashes away the book in between a tower of magazines as Hunter seems to snoop and find every item and detail regarding Willow in the small room of the boy.

"I knew the way you looked at that girl wasn't normal but I didn't think you were THIS crazy for her" Hunter murmurs sliding through a scrapbook of younger pictures of the duo. Gus is red while rummaging through all the things Hunter is touching and trying to hide everything out of sight that he could touch. He realized his room wasn't exactly normal, it was more on a stalking side at first glance but that was never his intention.

"Can you just leave me ALONE!" Gus yells summoning sentient illusions of himself that grab Hunter by both arms seizing his reign of terror onto the now frustrated witches room. Hunter is shocked at the illusions that are able to touch, and more surprised it's coming from a supposed squirt like the guy standing in front of him.

"Forbidden magic huh? Shocker coming from you but how about you get...yourself to release me I was just having a bit of fun." Hunter suggests as Gus realizes he did just use forbidden magic on a active member of the upper echelon ranks of the emperor's coven. He makes the illusions disappear with the snap of his fingers and starts collecting the pictures and folders across his room again.

"Sorry...but why are you here in the first place?" Gus solemnly asks Hunter as the guard floats on his staff staring at the ceiling. Gus looks at the almost suddenly saddened face of the magicless descendant and almost wants to asks what's wrong before Hunter speaks up.

"I want to help you."

"Help me what? There's nothing I need help with."

"I want to help you tell her."

These words make Gus freeze in place in a heartbeat. What does he mean he wants to help? What business does this guy have with him to want to help and meddle in his love life?

"Why..." Gus mutters staring at the floor. His hands visibly shaking as his anger builds inside at the careless inquiry from Hunter. He figures out that he has a crush on Willow and suddenly he's intrigued enough to help? After all the things he's done to Amity and the roadblocks he's caused Luz and Eda he chose to take time out of his day to help?

Before Gus can say another word, the golden guard deactivates his staff as the bird once more appears and flies onto his shoulder. He faces away from Gus and looks up at the ceiling again, seemingly day dreaming ignoring the actions of the flustered illusion student.

"I owe her a favor." Hunter states filling the tension in the room with his words. Gus looks up and his eyes meet with Hunter's glaring over his shoulder for a reaction out of the kid. Gus tilts his head slightly, showing obvious interest and confusion at the words of the privacy invader. What favor would he owe her and why does it have anything to do with him? How even are the two of them connected, is there something Willow didn't tell him when she tells him everything?

"I...stole something from her on accident, I apologized and wanted to make it up to her but she just told me to help one of you to pay her back." Hunter speaks while smiling. Gus cracks a bit of a smirk from the words coming from Hunter, he's always been fond of the personality trait Willow had of putting others over herself and caring for everyone.

"So...why me?" Gus spoke to Hunter, receiving a sigh as he turns to face Gus.

"Not gonna lie to you pal, after three days of watching you guys you are the only one I've found something on." Hunter tells Gus as he grins and bursts into laughter getting a eyeroll in response from the slightly peeved Gus. Hunter opens the window as the palismen transforms back into a staff and he hops on it motioning his hand for Gus to get on the back.

"I've got a perfect idea for you to impress her, but you've just got to trust me on this." Hunter exclaims while Gus hesitates a bit. This guy is supposedly still the enemy, he's made choices to hurt his friends and even though they've spoken good on him there's just as much bad to match it. Was he really going to fall for the bait all because he wants to help him finally confess how he feels to Willow?

Gus quickly hopped onto the window and then right onto the back of the staff instantly. His ear to ear smile as visible as the moonlight shining upon the two as the cruise into the night sky. Gus hasn't gotten the hang of his staff yet, so the flying and scenery is still all so new to him. Hunter dashes and teleports through some trees and buildings littered around the city until they land on top of the roof of the Park residence.

"Woah, that was AWESOME!" Gus excitedly shrieks as Hunter covers his mouth quickly with his hand. He grabs Gus and hides them both quickly behind the chimney and scouts out the side to look at neighboring buildings to see if anyone might've heard them at this hour. He breathes out in relief before releasing Gus and giving him a nasty glare.

"Yeah quite the usefulness you're showing, screaming at the top of your lungs to get both of us caught by the whole block." Hunter interrogates the embarrassed passenger on his staff. They both look down off the roof and notice the window opening to the top bedroom of the building they're standing on. They see Willow in a night gown and her hair down, falling to her knees and her fumbling to put her glasses on. Hunter looks at the light blush on the face of Gus and can't help but chuckle lightly at his reaction.

Hunter hops on his staff and slowly descends while Gus begs him to come back up, coming more and more into view of the girl before she closes her window. He finally swoops down in front of her, catching her by surprise and giving her a little wave as he lies sideways on his staff.

"Heyyy." Hunter says in a seductive tone easily earning two glares from the flustered but surprisingly tranquil girl and the pissed off Gus watching them from above on the rooftop. Hunter sneaks a peak up to catch the reaction of Gus as he sees the young witch flicker and throw his arms around signaling he isn't exactly ready. Hunter breathes in and sighs as he steps off his staff onto the window of the plant based witch and gets too close for anyone's comfort, practically feeling each other's presence from how close their faces were.

"Let's go on a date!" Hunter blurts earning two red flushed faces in response from the hexside students. Hunter suddenly facepalms at the random thing he suddenly said, having no plan or thought to his idea after saying this. He looks through his fingers to see a still blushed face Willow reaching out her hand, indicating him to help her out the window. He goes a little pink in the face from this, never thought she'd suddenly agree to something so sudden.

He grabs her hand and leads her out the window onto his staff, she hops on the staff behind the artificial magic user and wraps her arms around him. He tenses up instantly, wondering why the girl has been so quiet and has agreed to his crazy demands without a problem. Gus is practically losing his sanity watching his supposed "helper" getting all the treatment from his love interest he wishes he was getting.

"Hey Willow."

"Yes?"

"Why are you agreeing to go on date with me?" Hunter asks the green haired girl as her grips softens. He feels her arms around him shaking slightly, the vibrations seem to come in and out as if she's trying to stop herself from being scared or quivering. He looks back at her and sees tears forming slightly in her eyes as she can't seem to lift her head back in fear.

"If I'm scaring you I can go..." Hunter tells Willow while changing his gaze to Gus hiding behind the chimney on the roof, both of their looks locking onto each other giving a feeling of panic. Gus shrugs his shoulders at the shaken up hunter, obviously showing signs of never seeing the girl so flustered for no reason.

"I-I'm sorry it's just that, I've never been asked out before..." Willow whispers to Hunter rubbing the tears out her eyes. He looks back at her as she gives him a weak smile, wondering if she really meant those words or was she just hiding her feelings like Gus says she always does. Hunter faces forward and his staff dashes forward into the night, towards the forest near the owl house getting out of sight easily for Gus still on the roof of the house.

"What the actual fuck." Gus wonders as he watches the two disappear into the night. He gave no plan, asked his crush out, and then flew into the night leaving everything up to the assumptions and imagination of Gus. Gus crawls up in a ball, near giving up on his plan when he feels pressure on his shoulder. He lifts his head and sees nothing but still feels something there, a presence and weight pushing down on his shoulder. A chameleon slowly reveals it's true body, blending in with its surroundings so Gus wasn't able to see him at first.

"My palismen! Oh I'm sorry little buddy I forgot you could do things like this" Gus weakly chuckles at the animal like staff. The chameleon travels up his shoulder to his ear and speaks in it's native tongue but Gus nods his head a few times seeming to understand the words coming from his staff. His smile grows wide and his face lights up in anticipation at the words of his trusty companion.

"His staff told you he said that? Really? Let's go then!" Gus excitedly shouts as his staff transforms and he hops on it and dashes in the direction of Hunter and Willow, hitting a few trees and branches before stabilizing since he hasn't practiced his staff riding yet. Meanwhile Hunter and Willows aerial escapade seems to take them to the forest, as the two now explore the abyss like surroundings on foot.

"Hunter, where are we going" Willow questions the blonde witch as he uses his staff to clear the jungle like leaves in their path. He swipes and slashes a few more times before kneeling down and grabbing the soil, and then a huge grin appears on his face as he grabs Willow's hand and sprints forward.

"We're almost there you'll see." Hunter shrilled in excitement as he leads the pink faced girl towards the edge of the array of trees until he reaches a cliff just stopping at the edge as Willow smacks into the boys back. The cliff seemed like a endless pit in the nighttime, most of the bottom no longer visible in the depths of the night.

The sight in front of Willow sends her into a panic as she grips the lanky boys arm in fear. He turns his head and chuckles at the shy girl latched onto his arm.

"Hunter, where are we going..?" Willow questions the blonde witch as he uses his staff to clear the jungle like leaves in their path. He swipes and slashes a few more times before kneeling down and grabbing the soil, and then a huge grin appears on his face as he grabs Willow's hand and sprints forward.

"We're almost there you'll see." Hunter shrilled in excitement as he leads the pink faced girl towards the edge of the array of trees until he reaches a cliff just stopping at the edge as Willow smacks into the boys back. The cliff seemed like a endless pit in the nighttime, most of the bottom no longer visible in the depths of the night.

The sight in front of Willow sends her into a panic as she grips the lanky boys arm in fear. He turns his head and chuckles at the shy girl latched onto his arm.

"Relax lo, It's not like I'm gonna chuck ya off the cliff or something" Hunter innocently chirped smiling at Willow to only be met with a dissatisfied glare in return sending his joke into thin air. Hunter waves his staff to reveal a pathway straight in front of them, seemingly made out of magic and having no destination.

"Cmon we haven't gotten to the good part yet!" Hunter oozed hopping along the brick road being held in the air by magic. He grabs Willow by her arm before she can retaliate and brings her with him on the path.

They walk along the path slowly as Willow still cowers from the fall directly below her, checking her surroundings in paranoia as only darkness and a jungle like forest can be seen for at least a mile. Hunter waves his staff in the air, creating a gust in the air above as clouds disappear revealing a intense blue color of stars in the sky.

Willows eyes sparkle as if she's up in the sky along the stars. She's entranced by the beautiful colors merging and giving off such scenery that she's never seen in the boiling isles. She peaks at Hunter who gives her a small smile in return, she thought this whole date thing was something he wasn't taking serious or he had other "plans" in mine for the night but she agreed regardless and was she glad she did.

"Wow...It's beautiful!" Willow oozed continuing to admire the colors scattered among the sky. Hunter places his right hand behind his back, out of Willows vision and give a countdown from three on his fingers and then raises his staff into the air once more.

"If you think that's cool..."

"Then you're gonna LOVE THIS!" Hunter boasts pretending to cast a spell with his non artificial staff, as light blue streaks fill the sky complimenting the stars above before slowly forming their own illusions.

The sky slowly became littered of illusions, most of them being memories of Willows. There were so many that the plant specialist couldn't keep count but she noticed they all had one thing in common:

They all were about Gus and her.

As far as her glasses could gander, the illusions that melded with the blue night sky seemed to be of her and Gus. Memories of when they were younger, first meeting and Gus comforting her and Amity's separation to more recent memories some even containing Luz.

She smiled at the sight in her eyes, some illusions so close to her she could almost feel like she was apart of it. The younger Gus and Willow playing tag running along the path past Hunter and Willow and a slightly older version of the duo gossiping behind the supposed lovebirds. There was even an illusion of them and Amity laughing and playing games

"Well..?" Hunter utters, obviously awaiting the answer of his date.

"I-I don't know what to say. This is all so sweet but why Gus? Why did you want to show me any of this..." Willow wonders examining her surroundings and realizing the correlation it has to her current rendezvous with the covenant.

Hunter facepalms and takes a quick look at some trees nearby before walking up to Willow, getting too close to consider either one of their personal space. The girls face reddens at bold closeness of Hunter, his eyes focused on hers through the lens.

"Im not sure actually, maybe there's a reason to this all but I can't be the one to tell you it" Hunter stated before using his staff to shroud himself in nearby leaves and gust before disappearing just like that. Willow was left confused by his words, thinking to herself why did he go through all this trouble to not give her an answer?

She turns around, head facing the ground as she paces back the way she came. She stops and sees a Gus in-front of her, dressed in the same attire from the party they had earlier that day. She shrugs it off and walks by the illusion before it grabs her by her arm before she could pass by.

"Wait, please look at me." The illusion Gus says flipping half a witch Willow to face him, her face showing shock from being touched by an illusion. The illusion fades in her eyes as it reveals the actual Gus standing a few feet away, his arms behind his back and his gaze facing away from her showing his unconfident attitude.

"Hey..." Gus stammers waving nervously at Willow, her furrowed eyebrows and smile fading making his job a lot harder. He inhales before walking over to the girl and standing in-front of her looking up to give her eye contact.

"What's all this for Gus?! What are you getting at by doing all this? First you pull a stunt at the party earlier and now we're here in the middle of nowhere and you can't tell me why?" Willow angrily asks Gus as he winced at the newfound aggression of the quiet girl he thought he knows.

"Well...It's all for you." Gus meekly explains as his words instantly send the defensive girl into a small flush, taken aback by this statement.

What did he mean this was all for her? Did he feel the need to give her something like this? Was Hunter just a pawn in his plan to give her a gift?

"I-I don't understand Gus, why?" Willow asks as Gus looks away fiddling with his fingers.

"I can't say.." Gus whispers as Willows irritation visibly rises at his response. She balls her fist, not being able to be given a reason for all the trouble someone is going through for her sake is the only thing that could upset her this much.

"Why cant you say it? Is there a reason you can't tell me! First you pull a stunt at the party earlier and now we're here in the middle of nowhere and you can't tell me why?" Willow begs the short witch as he can't help but lose his confidence at her pleading. He knew that she wouldn't enjoy something so extravagant at the costs of others efforts, that's exactly who she was and that's exactly what he saw in her.

"If I tell you then you won't wanna be friends anymore!" Gus yells as the girls verbal questioning is halted by this statement.

"What do you mean I won't wanna be friends anymore...?" Willows pondered at the sudden words that came from the boys mouth.

"If I tell you why I did all this then we can't be friends anymore.." Gus timidly says tearing up at his own words earning a concerned look from the long haired girl.

"Gus... I love you no matter what the reason is, you'll always be my friend." Willow tells Gus grasping his hands and looking him in the eyes. She gives him a smile before he releases the grip and stumbles back away from her.

"I love you too, but I love everything about you!" Gus exclaims as Willow is taken aback by his outburst. Surely he shared the same feelings as she did but his way of showing it feels...different.

"I love your hair, I love the way you smell, I love your personality and how you treat others, I love the way you walk, I love the way you run, I love how you smile, and I love the way you make everyone feel!" Gus rants going on and on about her traits making the girl turn bright red as he lists things about her.

"I love the way you make me feel Willow..."

"Gus.. do you mean?"

"Yes! I like you! I like everything about you! I've never felt this way for anyone but you! Ever since I met you so long ago I've been wanted to tell you just how special you are to me but I couldn't! I just COULDN'T!" Gus cries as tears begin flowing down his face without his realization. Willow listens and watches at the boys breakdown as he empties out his years of feelings he's kept dormant within his heart.

"You've made my life so much different Willow, I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost you. I've wanted to tell you since the day I met you but I knew deep down you never felt the same way..." Gus wept falling to his knees with his face in his hands. He can't help but cry, he's finally done what he's wanted to do for years no matter what consequences or rewards it has in store for him.

"Willow, I've wanted to tell you so many times but I couldn't. The thought of you not feeling the same way breaks my heart just thinking about it. There's no way I'd do anything to drive you out of my life when you've been my life since you showed up. I'm sorry." Gus weakly spoke, his tears staining the pathway as he punches the road in frustration.

Willow was dumbfounded, she never thought in a million years she was neglecting someone's feelings by just being herself. She covered her mouth, her eyes filling with tears also seeing the sight her friend she cherished deeply was in .

She ran over and embraced Gus tightly as he cried, not wanting to do anything to hurt his feelings anymore.

"Gus, I don't know what to say but sorry. I'm sorry I never noticed, I'm sorry I made you suffer by yourself for so long just by existing. I'm so sorry" Willow muttered as tears started to fall from her eyes too. Before she could do anything else Gus pushed her head to his shoulder and wiped his eyes.

"You're always worrying about others and blaming yourself. You never seem to acknowledge your own feelings and put everyone else first, that's exactly what I love about you." Gus bubbled as he looks Willow in the eye and gives her a big smile. The two lock eyes and stare daggers through one another, seemingly forgetting where they are or if anyone is watching.

Willow closes her eyes and waits, seemingly as if she's expecting Gus to take action or decide the next move. Gus goes crimson in the cheeks and gulps as he admires the beauty in front of him, as vulnerable as he was right now she made him seem like he was as confident as he could ever be. He closes his eyes and leans in slowly, every inch his face rises in warmth and his body shaking in anticipation. Each movement he made forward seemed like an eternity, wondering when he would make contact or something would happen.

Suddenly the bridge shakes a little, causing the duo to open their eyes and look at each other, the closeness and obvious intent of what was happening making both of them jump back in fully visible blushed face. The two watch their surroundings as hoards upon hoards of bats rise from the cliff below, shaking the manmade path heavily as the two grab ahold of each other trying not to fall.

The spontaneous migration of bats that ruined their moment pass, as the two breathe heavily from the stress of almost falling off into the darkness below them. The two glance at each other while embracing, realizing the lack of distance between them they release themselves while still heavily flushed in their faces. The pair stayed quiet for a while, not knowing how to address the situation or even speak to one another after what just transpired.

Suddenly, Gus starts laughing hysterically and clutching his stomach on the ground. Willow can't help but let out a few giggles and laughs seeing the boy act so zany and suddenly start laughing at what just happened. Gus calms down after a little, the two back to silence as he gets up and goes to the edge of the path next to Willow who's standing and sits down while letting his feet hang off the edge.

Willow wants to reach out for the boy, just a touch or a few words to let him know that she cares. She wants everything to be alright and nobody have to suffer on her account as things usually go, but she knows she just can't do that with him. She's never felt what she feels now, she doesn't know if she feels the same or if she just feels the need to acknowledge what Gus has felt for all these years.

"Gus..." Willow tried to speak twiddling her finger through her hair next to the boy before he motions his hand, which shushes her. She takes a seat next to him while still slightly alarmed by the thought of sitting on the edge of the road but, she deals with it and plops down next to the surprisingly tranquil witch.

"It's fine stop apologizing, it's more relieving knowing I got it off my chest I don't need more rejection ugh." Gus jokes punching the kind hearted girl on the shoulder as she chuckles at his response. Willow looks at her admirer as he stares off into the memory illusions and gets red thinking about the moment they just shared.

Gus finally did it, it might've not been the reaction or outcome he desired but he confessed. He can't help but grin madly knowing he doesn't have to lie to himself anymore, his shoulders felt light knowing that burden is off his chest. His daydreaming quickly was put to an end by a hand touching his, grasping it as their fingers interlock slowly but surely.

He looks at their hands, his face quickly not hesitating to turn red realizing she purposefully held his hand on her own accord. He looks at Willow who's facing away from him but her blushed face easily telling a story about how she's feeling.

Gus wasn't really expecting such an outcome after all these years, he didn't know what he should do with his feelings or if they were things he should even be feeling. He wasn't okay or satisfied with his emotions for a while when comparing it to everyone around him. Right now though, after all these years and time spent he can definitely say for once...

He's Okay.

"I think this'll make up for Hunter accidentally taking my first kiss~"

"Wait....WHAT?"

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6k words on a one shot is kinda underwhelming for how I've been performing on my KND book, but honestly the content between them I was forced to write by my IRL friends and I don't really see the ship so I did my best. Hopefully it's still pretty lengthy compared to my other story lol, and any old fans know I would write 800 words like 2 years ago and call that a chapter :dead:

Enjoyed this a lot, was really new and adorable to write.

Checkout my KND story.

Yes this is a one shot there isn't a continuation on this.

Yes, I have interest in making other owl house books.

Hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it!