Standard disclaimer.
Thanks to everyone who has reviewed! I really, really do appreciate them, esp. after the last chapter. I hope this makes up for it.
Chapter 4: Secrets Revealed
Things improved in the time since Hunter's return. The brothers returned to training at Ops, Hunter mumbling an apology while Dustin, Tori and Cam apologized profusely. Shane mustered one, but ended at that. He didn't feel the same need as the other three. But one afternoon, about a week later, Shane went looking for Hunter. The secret needed to come out.
It was dark by the time that Shane found Hunter sitting on the ground overlooking the long-emptied track. The younger blond had his knees pulled up to his chest, his arms around them. And his white tanktop was obviously not enough to keep him warm in the cool night breeze.
"You wanna talk about it?" Shane asked, sitting next to Hunter, a hand on his shoulder.
"No."
"You want me to get Blake?"
"No."
"You wanna be alone?"
Pause.
"No."
A long silence followed, both staring over the track. Every once in a while, Shane could feel Hunter shiver.
"You're gonna catch a cold if you stay out here much longer," Shane finally said. "You're freezing."
"Blake and Tori are at my place."
"So? You live there too, you're allowed to be there."
Hunter cast Shane a look and Shane saw hurt and confusion in it. And suddenly Shane felt really dumb. Hunter was trying to give his brother some alone time with the girl he liked.
"I'm gonna walk around a little before heading home," Hunter said, standing.
"I'll go with you. Your place in on my way, anyway."
They cut through the woods as a shortcut and the silence was getting to Shane. Hunter seemed lost in thought and still hadn't mentioned where he'd been or what he'd done in the few days that he was gone. And Shane decided that it was time for Hunter to spill whatever it was.
"Hunter, where were you for the past few days?"
"Shelburne."
"Why there?"
"It's close. I didn't want to go far in case I was needed."
"What'd you do there?"
"A lot of thinking, reflecting, some meditating. And some bike shopping," Hunter truthfully answered, hoping to change the subject.
"You know we just want to help? Our intentions were good."
"They say that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions."
"Touche. Good intentions plus bad execution equals disastrous results."
"Took you long enough to figure it out."
"What's gotten into you? Sarcastic *and* mean isn't like you."
Hunter wisely kept his mouth shut and ignored him while he kept walking.
"Why won't you talk to us?"
"It's not something I want to share…not yet, anyways."
Hunter kept walking, but Shane paused. And Shane's impatience with Hunter's silence was getting the better of him. He caught up to Hunter, his hand on the other's arm and turned him around.
"How bad can it be?"
Hunter closed his eyes, sighing. He didn't want to do it, he didn't want to say. But Blake was right, he needed to get it out.
"It depends."
Shane only stared back as Hunter's eyes searched his own. Shane dropped Hunter's arm and took a step back.
"Just say it, whatever it is."
"I'm in love with you."