Disclaimers: Ninja Storm belongs to Saban or BVE or both…or to someone who ISN'T me.
Chapter 3: Bickering over Breakfast
The next morning, Cam awoke to a wonderful smell. He slowly sat up, fumbling for his glasses. Once he had them on, he saw that Hunter was in the kitchen, standing in front of the stove.
"Morning," he managed just as Hunter turned towards him.
"Morning," Hunter echoed. "How'd you sleep?"
"Not too bad."
"You hungry?"
"Of course," Cam answered, then frowned a bit.
"What?" Hunter asked in response to the look that crossed Cam's face.
"Your ankle," Cam pointed out.
"It's fine. And I'm hardly using it."
Cam nodded, forcing himself to not to smother Hunter with concern. Hunter was a big boy, and he knew how to take care of himself. But he still wanted to make Hunter sit down and let Cam take care of him.
Why is it that all of a sudden I want to take care of Hunter? It isn't a Ranger thing, I don't feel the sudden need to take care of anyone else…unless…
Cam swallowed hard, but he couldn't bring himself to move. He couldn't help but stare at Hunter while he cooked. He watched as the blond pressed something into the pancake batter on the griddle. He didn't know what it was, it could be artichoke for all he cared. He'd eat it anyway. There was just something about Hunter being domestic that Cam found so damned sexy.
A man that cooks…
Cam had to shake the how-sexy-Hunter-looks-while-cooking thoughts from his head before he said or did anything stupid.
"Yo, Cam! You ok?" Hunter called over, waving the spatula.
"Yeah, fine. Just thinking."
Like that…
"What about?"
"Uh…nothing thrilling," Cam lied, standing and heading into the kitchen.
He tried acting nonchalant, but he couldn't tell if he was successful or not. He saw that the slices of something that Hunter was pressing into the pancakes were banana. A whole lot more appetizing than artichokes. He took in the entire scene: Hunter flipping pancakes, pouring batter on the griddle, slicing a banana…
"Dude, you sure you're awake?" Hunter asked, snapping his fingers in front of Cam's face.
Oh, what Cam wanted to do with Hunter's hand that close to that face. But Cam was the model of restraint and self-control. And at times like this, he wasn't sure whether that was good or bad.
"I guess I'm still waking up. Point me in the direction of coffee and I'll be more human."
"I haven't made any yet. If you give me a couple minutes, I'll start some."
"If I can do complex Zord programming, then I think I can figure out your coffee maker," Cam smirked.
"I have faith in you," Hunter laughed, turning his attention back to the griddle.
The two took turns watching each other work, although Hunter was a little more interested in watching Cam play with the coffee maker.
"Let's see what kind of coffee you have…" Cam mumbled, more to himself. "High test, high test, and extra high test. No wonder you two can be a bundle of nerves sometimes."
"Blake drinks the extra high test stuff more than me. One cup and I'm done. Anymore than that…well…you don't want to know."
"Ok, note to self: avoid extra high test. Any decaf?"
"No way, dude! Why bother drinking coffee if there's no caffeine?"
Cam rolled his eyes, then took a can of coffee from the cabinet.
"Is Blake up yet?"
"Nope. Still sound asleep. And if he doesn't get up soon, he's on his own for breakfast."
"That's awfully nice of you."
"If he's lucky, I'll save him some extras."
Cam turned the coffee maker on, then leaned against the counter to continue watching Hunter work. Within a few minutes, Hunter had two plates stacked with pancakes.
"Breakfast is served," Hunter grinned, handing Cam a plate.
"Not bad," Cam said after taking a bite.
"You doubted me?"
"You blame me? You don't exactly strike me as the cooking type."
The two continued their bickering throughout breakfast. Cam poured the coffee for both of them. And every time Cam thought they couldn't find anything else to bicker about, Hunter found something.
Cam had his eyes closed for a moment, sighing, "Just because my coffee's plain doesn't mean it's bad. I happen to think it tastes good."
"Coffee in general doesn't taste good. It's relatively bitter. That's why I load up on the milk and sugar. I'd buy the flavored creamer, but they're usually too expensive."
Cam suppressed a frown, he knew the creamer wasn't that much. He wondered if the Bradleys were having money problems, but he did notice that the fridge and cabinets were well stocked.
Again with the protectiveness, Cam. Get a grip.
And although that was easier said than done, he forced himself to keep up with his end of the bickering.
"Some people happen to like the slightly bitter taste of coffee. It offsets the sweet taste of the breakfast, when applicable."
"Ahh…whatever. Some people just happen to have no taste to begin with."
"You can spot those people from far away. They usually wear excessive amounts of weird colors, like crimson," Cam replied.
And he smiled when he saw that he had struck a nerve. But when a smug look crossed Hunter's face, Cam's smile dissipated.
"Green is the color of jealousy."
Cam was going to glare, but the smug look plastered on Hunter's face stopped him. No, he couldn't give him the satisfaction.