Disclaimer: If I owned them, the show would still be on and this shit wouldn't be just a fanfic.

Author's note: I just wanted to say something about this story. There won't be a real plot, well no power rangers related plot. Of course, there will be chapters where they have to fight but I want to make this story more about their relationships and their friendship and the fights that can happen in certain situations. I want to focus on emotional pain more than on physical pain although the only thing I've focused on in the last chapters was the physical pain. Next chapter will be more about emotional pain, about their thoughts, their feelings of joy, anger, sadness etc.

Thalia-Sandy: Thanks, glad you like it!! And again, thanks for those 4 episodes ;)

CamFan4Ever: Thanks!!

Sporty-mia09: Ah, good question: what is the reason for Dustin's behavior? That question will of course be answered further in the story.

Buffyxenaman: I love Hunter and Dustin together as well which is why I've written all those stories about them, lol! ;)

Reviews are of course much appreciated and are a great motivation!!

Lovin', being loved
Chapter 3

Dinner passed with some happy chatting and teasing about things that didn't matter. Even Cam was joining in as he needed some time to relax. His working on the weapons was going well and he thought he'd found a way to increase the energy level of the blasts.

Hunter and Dustin had been stealing glances throughout dinner, wondering when it was best to tell their friends about their newfound relationship. There never seemed to be a right moment so when their discussions stopped, Dustin smacked Hunter's leg under the table to let him know it was now or never.

Hunter nodded and then cleared his throat to get everyone else's attention. Four pairs of eyes turned to him. He looked over at Dustin who was currently playing with his food and keeping his focus on that.

"Well, there's no easy way to say this so I'll just say it. Dustin and I have decided to start a relationship." Hunter said. Dustin looked up to see the others their reactions. Huge smiles broke out on the faces of their friends.

"That's great!" "Finally!" "Congrats!" "I'm so happy for you guys!" Four voices exclaimed at the same time. They were unable to figure out which thing came from who but it didn't matter because their friends were happy for them and that was all that counted.

Dustin and Hunter smiled widely at their friends, glad for their support. After dinner, everyone decided to head home. Blake was going to accompany Tori and Hunter agreed to go with Dustin to make sure he got home safely.

They said goodbye to Cam and the five of them left together. Outside the gate, they split up and sat their goodbyes. They agreed to meet back at Ninja Ops around ten the next morning. It would be Sunday then which meant Storm Chargers was closed and Hunter, Dustin and Blake had the day off. Like usual they'd spend their day together.

Hunter and Dustin slowly walked to Dustin's. Dustin was currently sharing an apartment with Shane. It wasn't too big but good enough for the both of them and for their budget.

Dustin was having some trouble walking due to the bruise but seemed to be doing fine enough to get home.

"The others took our news good." Dustin said.

"Yeah, they did but I never doubted they wouldn't." Hunter answered.

They walked in silence as both thought about the recent events. It was a bit much to take at once but they didn't want it any other way.

It was a chilly October night. Both weren't wearing all that much. Dustin couldn't suppress a shiver when an icy wind caught them by surprise. Hunter naturally noticed and laid an arm around Dustin's shoulder, gently tugging him closer. Dustin didn't resist and wrapped an arm around Hunter's waist, pressing himself close to Hunter's body.

The thunder ninja smiled. He liked having Dustin so close. They arrived way too soon at Dustin's.

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow." Dustin said smiling.

Hunter nodded. "How about I meet you here at 9? Then we can have some time to ourselves before going to meet the others."

"Good idea!" Dustin agreed. Hunter looked around and when he saw no one, quickly leaned in for a kiss. He smiled at the shocked earth ninja.

"See ya tomorrow." Hunter said and then walked away. Dustin watched him walk away and kept watching until he could no longer see Hunter. He smiled widely and entered his house.

The next morning, Dustin was waiting outside for Hunter to show. Checking his watch, he noticed it was only ten to nine but inside the apartment, he'd been going crazy. He really looked forward to seeing Hunter again, even if had been only a day. Things were different now.

Hunter arrived at nine sharp and found Dustin sitting at the side walk. Hunter sat next to him.

"Good morning." Hunter greeted.

"Hey." Dustin said smiling, "Look, Hunter, we need to make a few rules about us."

"Rules?" Hunter asked.

"Yeah, coming out to our friends is one thing but I don't think I'm ready for the whole world to know about us. So no kissing, no holding hands, no flirting in public unless of course it's like dark or there's no one around."

Hunter nodded. He could've guessed this might be coming which was actually good because he wasn't ready to let everyone know about them either.

"Sounds fair. Come on, let's go." Hunter said and got up.

"Where are we going?" Dustin said as he got up as well.

"To a place where no one can see us." Hunter said grinning.

Dustin laughed. "You just want to get in my pants, dude."

"Am I that obvious?" Hunter said smirking. Dustin smacked his arm and suddenly took off running.

"Catch me if you can, thunder boy." Dustin yelled. Hunter shook his head with an amused smile and took off after Dustin. He easily caught up with Dustin. Dustin sped up and when he saw no one was around, streaked.

"Hey, that's cheating!" Hunter yelled as he went into his own crimson streak. He caught up with Dustin near the gateway to Ninja Ops. Instead of going through the portal, they headed deeper into the forest to a spot they had once used as training spot. It was an open spot where they could look up at the sky.

The ground was covered in leaves that had various colors. Brown, yellowish and red. They sat down side by side, breathing heavily.

"You're a cheater." Hunter said grinning.

"Nah, that's using the power that has been given to me."

Hunter smirked. "I don't care what you call it, it's cheating."

"Aw, someone can't stand he's lost." Dustin teased.

"I so can stand that I've lost."

"No, you can't. You're a bad loser." Dustin said laughing. The next thing he knew, he was flat on his back with Hunter straddling him. The thunder ninja started tickling Dustin, completely forgetting about his injury. In the beginning, Dustin felt nothing but as Hunter continued, he started tossing causing his ribs to protest against the sudden movement. When he let out a cry of pain, Hunter immediately stopped.

"Shit, I totally forgot about your injury. I'm sorry. Are you okay?"

"Yeah." Dustin reassured him as he looked up in the worried face of the thunder ranger. Blue eyes met brown ones. He realized as well as Hunter did that their talking and playing around was over now. They stared in each other's eyes for several seconds before Dustin took the lead and wrapped his arms around Hunter's neck. He pulled Hunter down. Hunter came willingly.

Their lips met. The kiss started out like their last kiss but soon both wanted more. Hunter deepened the kiss by gently forcing Dustin's mouth open with his tongue. He met little resistance from the earth ninja who moaned and allowed Hunter to explore his mouth thoroughly.

When air became a necessity, they parted, both grinning like crazy. Hunter moved off Dustin and laid down next him. Both stared up at the sky for several minutes, neither speaking and both thinking.

Dustin sighed, causing Hunter to turn on his side and lean on one elbow.

"What's up?"

"Nothing, just thinking about how much things have changed."

Hunter laughed. "Dust, you seriously think too much, just let it happen."

Dustin smiled but could not stop thinking about what would happen if things went wrong. For one, it would have a negative effect on the friendship they developed and it would be difficult for both of them to work together as power rangers when they broke up but that of course depended on the reason of their separation. Maybe he did think too much about it all. He had to go with the flow.

They stayed at that spot, talking and kissing until it was time to go meet the others at Ninja Ops. When they arrived, the others were already there.

"Hey, guys!" Tori greeted.

"Morning." Hunter replied, "What's up for today?"

"Training." Cam answered. They all groaned.

"You've got to be kidding me!" Shane exclaimed, "We're still sore from yesterday's battle."

"Yeah, I know and to prevent that from happening again, you have to train!"

"But-"

"Guys!" Cam interrupted, "Unless you want to end up dead, I'd stop complaining and start training. You know you need it. Shane, you go against Hunter and Tori against Blake. Dustin, you're not doing a thing yet."

"Great!" Dustin said smiling widely as the others glared at him.

The four headed off while Dustin stayed with Cam who insisted on checking out the injury.

It wasn't much later that the alarm went. Hunter, Shane, Tori and Blake came running at once and groaned as they saw the monster was back.

"I so can't handle this today." Shane muttered as he got ready to morph. Dustin once again had to stay behind as the others streaked off.

"Cam, I should help them!" Dustin reasoned.

"With that injury, you'd be no help." Cam countered and Dustin had to admit he was right. He could walk properly but ducking and fast movements hurt like hell. He stayed with Cam, following the fight on screen. It became clear soon that the rangers didn't stand a chance. When Hunter hit the ground for the umpteenth time, Dustin was sick of watching his friends crash into the ground and get hurt. Before Cam even knew what he was up to, he had streaked off, ignoring Cam's voice through his morpher.

In his streak, he morphed and drew his ninja sword. He came out of his streak before he struck the monster. Like before it had no effect except that it stumbled back, giving the others some time to climb to their feet.

"Dustin, what the hell are you doing here?" Shane yelled as he and the others stood in a fighting stance next to him. Dustin didn't bother with an answer and opted for ducking when the monster fired a blast. He repressed a cry of pain and charged at the monster again, much to the others their annoyance and despair. Hunter immediately followed, blocking a blast with his thunder shield but having to take a second one in order to protect Dustin from further harm.

The others joined in the battle again, ducking blasts and trying to get some descent hits in while watching out for Dustin who wasn't moving as good as he was supposed to. At that point, he was more like a burden than a help but they didn't have much time to tell Dustin to get back because fighting the monster was taking up all the time.

"Ninja sword!" Shane cried as he jumped high but before he could hit it, it blasted him out of the sky. Shane fell hard and the others rushed to his side.

"Shane, you okay?" Tori asked.

"Yeah. I've had it with this guy! Time to bring out the big guns. Cam, tsunami cycles!"

/Good idea, Shane./

Shane, Tori and Dustin got on their bikes.

"Hunter, Blake, get out of the way!" Shane ordered.

"But-" Hunter tried to protest.

"Hunter, do it!" Shane yelled. Hunter grumbled but retreated to a save distance while the wind ninja's blasted the monster with everything they had. This had slightly more effect as they managed to break three of the weapons. At that point, three dozen of Kelzacks appeared, blocking the ninjas' path and creating a distracting so that the monster could disappear again.

"Come on, let's get this over with." Dustin said as he jumped off his bike and took out the two kelzacks closest to him. Shane and Tori did the same as the thunders joined in again.

Dustin kicked a kelzack square in the gut and then quickly ducked to avoid getting punched. He moaned in pain but straightened up again. The next punch he couldn't avoid and he stumbled back before getting kicked in the ribs by another one. Dustin bit his lip, knowing he had to continue fighting. Sweat was covering his entire body as jolts of pain shot trough his body with each movement.

Pulling out his ninja sword, he got rid of another kelzack but again, didn't move fast enough to avoid a kick. This time he doubled over in pain.

Hunter who was fighting several feet away, saw Dustin was getting in serious trouble and started cursing. Quickly finishing of two kelzacks and avoiding two more, he streaked to Dustin's side, occupying himself with the kelzacks.

Dustin managed to get up again and took out another kelzack with his sword. With that, all the kelzacks were defeated.

They all demorphed, sighing in relief. Dustin leaned against a tree, panting heavily. Sweat clearly stood on his face and his expression was one of pain. The others came to stand in a circle around him, looking as pissed as worried.

"Dustin, what the hell were you thinking?" Hunter exploded.

"What?"

"You were supposed to stay at Ninja Ops because you're still sore!" Hunter yelled.

That pissed Dustin off. "Yeah, I'll stay at Ninja Ops when you guys are getting your asses kicked. Excuse me for caring!"

"God damnit, Dustin! You were no help us to out there! You did not only put yourself in more danger but you also put us in danger! We had to bloody look out for you."

"I didn't ask you to! I can handle myself!"

"Guys-" Tori tried to interrupt but Dustin and Hunter were completely oblivious to her. Tori could hear the worry in Hunter's voice and understood his reaction but she had the feeling Dustin misunderstood his worry for anger which wasn't the case.

"Right, that's why you were getting your ass kicked by kelzacks." Hunter pointed out dryly.

Dustin glared. "Fine!" he hissed and then surprised everyone by taking of his morpher and throwing it at Hunter's feet. Before anyone could react, he streaked off.

"Damn it!" Hunter cursed and hit the nearest tree with his fist. The others winced as it obviously had to hurt but Hunter showed no sign of pain. They all knew Hunter could have a nasty temper.

Hunter was too angry with himself to feel any pain. He hadn't even been together with Dustin for a day and he'd already managed to screw up. He shouldn't have reacted the way he did but when he was worried, he couldn't let it show. He started yelling which of course didn't help. He sighed deeply and rubbed his temples.

The others were still standing next to him, not sure what to do.

To be continued…