Chapter Two
"I think you're making a fuss about nothing," said Cam.
"But Hunter was wearing a shirt," said Blake. Cam stared at him with that unimpressed expression he was so good at.
"Are shirts illegal now?" he asked.
"Hunter doesn't wear shirts. The last time he wore an actual shirt with buttons, he had a date with a model and she was... wow!"
"He gave Dustin flowers," Tori said.
"Flowers?" Even Cam sounded as though this might be something. "What sort of flowers?"
"Roses. Yellow roses."
To Blake's surprise, Cam started to laugh.
"Traditionally," Cam explained, "yellow roses represent friendship."
"Can you perhaps think of something," said the calm voice of Sensei, "that might cause Hunter to wish to reaffirm his friendship with Dustin."
"Well..." said Tori, "Hunter... kinda... insulted Dustin yesterday."
"Then I am glad that they have so amicably resolved their differences in such a short length of time."
"Yeah, I guess," said Blake. He hadn't known about any argument. Dinner and flowers wasn't exactly normal, but it was a plausible apology gesture. Usually an apology from Hunter just involved letting Blake win a sparring match.
Blake headed home, moderately convinced that his brother wasn't under an alien spell.
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"This was worth it just to see the look on Blake's face," Hunter laughed.
Dustin was grinning like crazy too. "Did you see Tori? She was staring open-mouthed. I didn't know people actually did that."
The pair were sitting in a pleasant little restaurant that Hunter had gotten to know quite well over the process of several first dates with various girls. It was somewhat weird to be sitting here with a friend, but at least he knew the food was good and not too expensive. The waiter had even managed to find a vase for the roses.
The conversation continued for some time on the subject of their friends' reactions and they laughed over possible scenarios had Shane or Cam been there. After that, they talked on a range of subjects, spending most of the time laughing as they went through the entrées and the main course. It was substantially less awkward than many meals Hunter had eaten in this place. He couldn't remember the last time he'd laughed so much. Maybe he should insult Dustin more often if an evening like this was the result.
The waiter came over with the desert menu. Deserts seemed to be a chef specialty and it seemed every time Hunter came in that the selection had changed.
"What do you recommend?" Hunter asked. He'd learned to trust the opinions of the staff in this place.
"Well, the chocolate and lime cheesecake is excellent," answered the waiter, "but the strawberry sundae can be served in a two-person portion if you want something more romantic."
Dustin had, unfortunately, chosen that moment to take a sip of water. He ended up choking quite violently. Hunter was torn between concern for his friend and laughter at the assumption.
"We're not a couple," Hunter said.
"My sincerest apologies. I assumed, since you usually come here with a date that this young man was..." the waiter trailed off.
"It's the flowers," Dustin said, having finally managed to stop choking but still struggling to breathe due to severe laughter.
"Yellows roses signify friendship," said Hunter, "At least that's what the lady in the shop told me."
"I can only say how sorry I am," the waiter said again.
"Don't mention it," said Dustin, managing to get himself under control finally.
"I think we'll go with the cheesecake."
The waiter left. Some of the other diners were looking at them with curiosity and confusion, not having heard what was said before Dustin nearly choked. Most were returning to their own meals, certain that the drama was now over.
Hunter and Dustin looked at each other and started laughing again.
Yeah, this had been worth it.
A truly exquisite cheesecake later, and the two were walking home. Now the conversation had trailed off to a slightly awkward part. If this had been a date, Hunter would now be working out how to get a kiss in. He looked at Dustin and chuckled slightly at the thought.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"No what?" Dustin asked, "Have I got cheesecake on my chin or something?"
"No, I was just thinking about what it would be like if this was a date."
"One of us would be wearing a dress."
"Well it would have to be you. I don't have the figure for it."
They looked at each other for several seconds before both of them collapse into mirth. Dustin almost dropped the roses. When the effects of the humour had worn off, they stayed where they were for a while, standing on a path above the beach. They leaned over the railings and looked down over the beach and the surf. The sun was setting slowly, bathing the world in a golden light.
"I had fun tonight," said Hunter.
"Yeah, me too. That's for calling me stupid."
"I really am sorry, Dustin."
"Are you going to tell me why you were so cranky yesterday?"
Hunter looked down, seeing the sand beneath him smooth and clean, empty of the usual surfers and swimmers who inhabited it by day. He stood in his trademarked silence, working out what to say and what to hide. Usually everything would come under the second category, but he felt he still owed Dustin something, despite the flowers and the meal.
"Come on," said Dustin, "if you're going to apologise, you should at least tell me why you did it?"
"I've not been sleeping well lately. I've been having dreams about when Lothor controlled me. I see myself hurting Blake and you guys." The words were said quietly. Hunter hadn't even told Blake about the contents of his dreams, though Blake had heard him in the night and knew about the nightmares.
"I was in a really bad mood because of the nightmares," Hunter went on, "and I couldn't take it out on Lothor, so I was snapping at everyone else. Including you. I'm sorry."
Dustin caught Hunter completely off guard by hugging him.
