"Hunter?" The soft whisper followed the creak of the door that immediately jolted him to attention. The sound echoed throughout the tiny apartment and seemed to only further his concern.

"Blake?" His little brother hadn't come home at the usual time. And despite initial perceptions, he was worried. Blake may not be his brother by blood, but he was his family in the ways that mattered.

"It's me." The door closed with an antagonising screech. "Sorry, I'm late. Did I wake you up?"

"I'm just in the kitchen for a snack." He was, in fact, sleeping, but Blake didn't need to know that.

"Right." But Blake wasn't a little kid anymore, and his doubtful tone proved he could see through his older brother. "I was afraid you were going to have one of your sessions when I found out what time it was." Blake took a seat next to Hunter, around the small table; generously ignoring the lack of food on it.

"No, I wasn't worried." At least, not to the point of contacting the other rangers. It was a habit Hunter would never admit to, but he sometimes tended to be protective of his little brother. Although, he tried not to let it show.

"Oh? That's good, then." Blake knew his brother was lying, but gave him a toothy grin anyway. "I was worried that you would be worried, you know?"

"Nah. Why would I be worried about you? I know you can take care of yourself." Despite the numerous events that proved otherwise, Hunter was trying to give him space to grow.

"If that's what gets you to sleep at night…"

"Cut it out, Blake. I'm just trying to do my job."

"I know, but I like teasing you."

"And speaking of teasing, what were you doing this late at night? Out with Tori, again?"

"Yeah, Hunter, about that."

"You didn't do anything I wouldn't do, did you?"

"Bro, I wouldn't to the things that you do."

"Nothing illegal, right?"

"Maybe?" And for the first time in years, Blake held his head down. The last time Blake did that, was when he first met Hunter…when they where kids. What made him so ashamed?

Joking aside, Hunter was truly concerned. "You know you can tell me anything, Blake." Suddenly, his brother was reverting to himself. It made him afraid because they could always confide in each other. There was no one else. "Anything and I'm here for you."

"I need to tell you something, and it's really important." When did Blake become so shy, and in front of him?

"I'm listening."

"The thing is, Tori and I are just really good friends. And -"

"Do we need to have the talk?"

"Hunter!"

"What?" Hunter knew exactly what his brother was talking about, but wanted desperately to bring back the smile that now adorned Blake's face. And he would do it again, just to get Blake to look at him.

"I'm going out with someone."

"Okay, no harm in that. Do I need to do a background check?" Although he said it as a way to lighten the mood, Hunter couldn't help feeling the dread in his stomach.

"No. Because I think you know him already."

"Then what's the – Oh." Hunter was overwhelmed with relief that it wasn't drugs or anything along those lines. But Blake didn't seem as happy with his confession, once more turning away from Hunter. "Blake, you can't be worried about that. It doesn't matter to me."

Despite his reassurances, Blake didn't look convinced. "It's your fault I'm getting mushy and I'll kill you if you tell anyone about this, but I'll love you for who you are."

When Blake still wouldn't look his way, Hunter cupped his face. "Always, little bro."

"Hunter, I'm going out with Shane."