"Dude! What about us?"
By: (I like feedback!)
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The not so original but always needed DISCLAIMER
I don't own any of the characters here presented and/or any of the Power Rangers Ninja Storm stuff, that is property of SABAN and DISNEY, not mine (I wish they were, but...)
Also, If you don't like male/male relationship don't even go further because that's all you're gonna find. One more thing, the sexuality of any of the actors here implied is not of my concern and this is just a FICTION product.
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Chapter 9
The Metaphor of the Packs
"That night, I just... I just feel broke. Like nothing that I tried worked at my favor. Have you ever felt that way, Hunter?"
Evan was sitting on a Bench. Hunter, the man who accompanied him was at his right side, just listening, one thing he was good at. He heard his new friend Evan who came from Stealth Ice academy. They both were tired from the walking, even when they were ninjas, they needed to take a break, because Siren's Chant, the shore were they had a little argument, was so far away from the Blue Bay General Hospital.
"Yeah..." Hunter was assorted on other things. His eyes were just in the conversation, as his full body, but his mind was not.
"You're not even listening..."
"Yes I am. You came to Ninja Ops asking for help to do some fake ID's but instead Cam told you no and so you returned home bummed"
Hunter just placed a face with a sign of "I told you so" in his forehead. Evan understood it.
And also, the lie that he told to Hunter also was effective. Since he promised not to tell what he saw at Ninja Ops when he really entered to ask for Fake ID's, he said that white lie to Hunter, so no one could suspect more on Shane and Cam's relationship.
"Well, you're paying attention. Good."
"And how that answers my question?"
"What question... oh that?"
Evan then refreshed his mind on what he asked him. In the way to General Hospital they both were talking about their love life and Hunter asked him what was the motif, the motif of his love, why he loved Dustin, what make him tell the Yellow one his true feelings, and so on.
"It was, well, I just gambled... and well... Lady Luck and Dustin smiled me"
Again a lie. He just couldn't tell anyone: "Hey, I looked Shane and Cam making out and that made me think that, if they could have something, then I could try it too!"
But it has a truth within it. What really make him think more and more about the love for his new friend was that smile. Dustin's smile was not too wide, and too small, it was perfect, and those bold lips of Dustin, not so bold but not so thin. He really liked that smile, even when it was a goofy one, because that made Evan smile even in the worst conditions.
"You know" Said Hunter "When I first saw you; I never thought you would like him. I mean, you don't seem like the type of romantic guy"
"And I'm not. I'm not romantic, but Dustin just... I can't help it when I'm with him"
"I kinda understand yo" and Hunter completed "I don't know how you two fell"
"Well, that was easy. Dustin once told me that he fell for me because he liked the way I acted. I was shy and serious, something that Dustin would never be. And the same worked for me... I liked him because he was so silly and funny, something that I just can't be"
"And what you did that night, man?"
"Nothing. In fact I did nothing. I just stood there, trying to make some homework and reading comics but, I just couldn't focus. I really wanted to go and hear him play"
He took air and continued
"He came home that evening, and as always he was tired. Kelly had a lot of costumers since there was a skateboarding contest near, so everybody wanted a board. Shane helped them, but even with it, they just couldn't stop selling. I helped Dustin with the housekeeping and with some of the school works."
"He took a bath and then we have dinner. It was awfully quiet...."
Dustin sat at the table. Evan prepared some stew with potatoes and some other veggies. When he entered, Evan already was looking at his dish; he was just tired of thinking how to go to Pen's & Poems.
The dinner just passed. Both chewing and eating but not enjoying the true taste of the food.
"Dude, I really wanted to go"
"Me too. But it's a shame we're just eighteen..."
"There must be a way, like a scroll or something to make us bigger..."
"Trust me, if there were, I would have found it for now"
"Dude, I really wanted to go..."
"Yeah, you've said that enough times to make me crazy"
"But I wanted to go... I feel so powerless"
"Powerless! That's a new word for you"
"I've been doing my homework"
They continued with the silence. Then Evan just stood up and left the table, leaving a worried Dustin behind. He went to the dorm and looked at the place. There were some pictures of the rangers in the wall, One with Tori at six age, and Shane in other, one of Dustin's brother and other with his full family when he was seven.
He realized there was, lying near the door, the sax. He stepped before him and beheld, as if it was the most praised thing in this world, as a relic from another time, as a treasure. He held it in his hands and put it then in his mouth. He enjoyed the feeling, because he thought that he was kissing Dustin, since he used it and placed his mouth the same way the pale Evan did.
He blew it. And the sound he made was so noisy that it could even wake the dead.
Dustin just ran to the dorm to see what happened, and when he saw Evan blowing through it, well... he just freaked out!
"Dude! That's not a toy!"
The yellow one scolded him. He just stopped and placed it aside.
"I'm sorry"
"It's ok..." Dustin approached.
He just placed his hand in Evan's shoulder. In a sign of confidence, both guys watched in the eyes, looking at the deep space between them. Evan couldn't help it but apologize as many times he could.
Dustin wasn't angry. In fact, he couldn't be angry with Evan, for no reason. There simply was no reason for him to be mad at him, even if Evan made the worst mistake, Dustin will always support him. Maybe they finally shared something.
"If you want to learn how to play it, you can tell me dude"
"I was just goofing around. I didn't mean to..."
And Dustin took the Sax and blew through it. He not only blew it but he started to play, for no reason at all. In the first place, Evan wanted to feel, to know, what that magical instrument had to capture Dustin's soul, and that was the primary impulse to make him blew. Dustin in fact had no reason to play the sax, but seeing Evan trying to learn, well, that reminded him how he started.
Dustin played one and another. Evan was amazed of the ability of his friend; he never saw that much dedication! Dustin played some cheery songs and some others more sorrow, some were touchy and some other just made him drool, literally.
Dustin was tired of playing and that was when he stopped. He sat just near his friend to see what happened, what he liked and what he not. Evan just was amazed, and had no words.
"Horrible, I know...." Dustin translated the face on his speechless friend.
"No, that was... Man, you really take my speech away! That was awesome!"
"I don't think it was..."
"Believe me, I have heard some of them, they just don't have that energy, that soul you seem to have. I really like that part when you..." And Evan did the movement with his hands, following the rhythm. "You get it, right?"
"I kinda understand, dude"
Evan just let his mind soar trough the time, and then he just embraced Dustin, out of nowhere.
"What was that?" Asked his puzzled friend
"Well... umm... I just... I mean, congrats! You really are a great artist. I wonder if with that talent of yours you can create a song"
"I did once... I wrote it, but I lost it, dude"
"Man! That sheet is pure gold! I mean, if you can play other's songs like that, I can't wait to hear one of yours!"
And Dustin just rolled his eyes, to the floor. He then, did the same that his friend.
"That was just...?"
"Dude, thanks"
"Why? I'm just being honest with you. You really have talent, bro"
"Are you serious? I need some practice and to work on some other notes"
"Umm... I'm not really into jazz, so I don't know much of music, yet I think you're one of the greatest I've ever heard"
"Dude, well... umm..." Dustin hesitated a minute, then continued "I'm really glad yo like it... I mean, there are bunch of critics out there but I think that loyal and sincere friends are better for critics"
"I consider it too"
Dustin put his arm around him. Evan blushed because of the sudden contact with his partner. It feels strange for him, since he never had a friend like Dustin; in fact, he never had known the friendship and warmth of the human spirit as now, with the yellow ranger.
"Please" say Evan, trying to get apart.
"I'm sorry dude."
Dustin just quits his attempt to make him feel the warm of his body. Somehow Dustin likes to touch, to feel. He always makes use of the eye contact and even with the stare he intimidates, but Evan, being so shy and lonely; it's just awkward for him that way.
"Hey, Dustin... I've been thinking about something... Y'know..."
"And what is it? Spit it dude!"
"Well, umm... What you guys think about guys who like... well... guys?"
"You're not one of them? Are you?"
Evan just laughed and answered "Mom, please, don't ask that!" in a very sarcastic way
"Well..." Dustin returned to the question "umm... I just don't care. I mean, if they like guys it's ok, as long as they're not hurting themselves or me, it's ok...."
"That's a cold way to see things..."
"Dude... I think you missundaztood... look at the packages of food. They come in all different packs, I mean, there is one of just one portion, and then there's that of four rations for a complete family"
"Or a very fat man" completed Evan
"Well, a very fat man; and then there's the big pack with more than four portions... that's exactly the same with romance and all those stuff. It comes in different packages, and everybody picks just what suits them... Now my turn, why?"
"Umm... can I tell you a secret, and promise you won't tell anyone?"
"Is this a déjà vu dude? Because I remember telling you before that I won't get mad! I'm your friend for God's sake!"
"This time it's not mine... it's... y'know... a friend of mine..."
"Why there's always a friend involved?"
"Dustin! This time it's real! I mean, not that I've lied you before... anyway, there's this friend of mine who I ran into him once, kissing with... well... another guy"
"And?"
"And, well, the problem is that he doesn't tell any of his other friends, and that just keeps me thinking why... is it that bad?"
"Nope... that's..."
Dustin was silent and Evan was confused. The feelings they shared before, it was all confusing, and now even more.
"I have to tell you something, Evan"
"Ok"
"Umm... I have also a friend of mine who is into guys"
"So?"
"Well, he likes this friend who lives with him and shares lots of things. I think that what he really likes of this friend is that he takes him seriously for the first time and laughs of all his bad jokes... this friend doesn't consider me as a goof or a dumb"
"Have you realized you said "me" instead of "my friend"?"
"Umm... well..."
Dustin stopped and then the silent just step between them. It was different this time. Now the lie has discovered what Dustin really felt
"It's ok Dustin"
"What's ok dude?"
"What you said..."
"Evan, truth is... well, I like you dude. I'm not into guys, I don't like boys, but with you... it's different. I feel a lot better with you than with anyone! I feel like I belong... you always laugh at my jokes and you treat me as an average normal person"
"Average and normal have the same meaning. Just use one in the sentence"
"See! That's what I mean dude! You don't laugh at me! You even try to make me see my mistakes and you correct all of them!"
Dustin suddenly embraced him. He tried to make him as close as he could, so his mouth was just near Evan's ear. And the pale companion heard his breath and felt his heartbeat.
"I... don't know how to say this, because I've never even told this to a girl, but I really like you... and when I heard your story, well... I thought that you would never like me..."
Evan opened his eyes, and breaking the moment, he just separated from him
"Wait! Do you think that what I asked you before is because I like you?"
"Yeah Dude! What other reason would you have to ask me this?"
"I think this IS a misunderstood...."
Dustin was bummed. He thought that Evan loved him and now finds out that not.
"Look" continued Evan "The point is... gosh! It's so hard... I was asking you because I saw Cam and Shane making out and... well; I wondered why they haven't told you guys"
"Cam and Shane? You serious?"
Evan just tried to adjust himself to the situation
"Yeah... I mean, I saw them when I went to Ninja Ops and I was looking for some way to make Fake ID's... y'know, to go to Amateur's Night, but it all failed because they were... y'know... kissing..."
"Man! I can't believe it!"
"Either does me, but... well, I think they've already choose they pack"
Dustin just giggled. His friend caught the essence of the metaphor he was trying to use.
"So you don't like me?"
Evan just stood up and tried to walk off, but when he was in the doorway he stopped. He then turned to Dustin and, with no hesitation, locked his lips with his other friend. The kiss didn't last long, but it felt like an eternity in there. They, sharing their mutual feelings, and caress, because Evan was touching Dustin's cheeks when he was kissing him and the hands of the Yellow ranger just were touching Evan's head.
It was a magical moment, and when it was over, Evan took air and said
"And for your information, I do like you"
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Now that they're updating the fanfiction web page it's been a slow way to die not to talk or post my stories: Hopefully, you all still looking and reading for mines, thanks!
And Keep the feedback! I really like the comments even when they're not so flattering!