Disclaimer: own nothing

Author Notes: Last chapter, this is a short but sweet story but I've really enjoyed exploring this. My first Ninja Storm story and I think it came out ok. Thanks for the reviews, thanks Sreym and YellowCrimsonForever for reviewing the last chapter. Sorry its taken so long to update. I hope u enjoy it!

The Final Step

There was a crispness to the air which showed in the slight smoggy quality of Dustin's breath. He saw a similar quality in Hunter's breath.

Hunter.

Bathed in crystal quiet darkness yet unable to hear his engine and noisy hails.

So quiet and serene.

Yet his anger, his emotions all twisted like ropes filled his wide eyes. It almost made Dustin afraid to speak. It was like Hunter would disappear from too much interaction.

"Um……hey?" Dustin tried before berating himself for his choice of words. "Didn't think you'd be out here tonight."

Of course once he'd recognised Hunter's distinctive crimson bike and seen his signature style, he'd amped up his own engine to catch up with him. There was a desperation to it which he hoped no one else saw. He had to play it cool, he had to if he wanted to say anything serious to Hunter. And Dustin didn't do serious very well. But after fessing up to Shane and Tori today, he felt like today was a day of confessions and if he could, he would confess his love for Hunter.

"Ok," Hunter broke the delicate silence. "Just…..had things in my head, you know."

"I know," Dustin said, heartfelt. "So know that feeling dude, been burying myself in motocross and teaching for like months."

Hunter nodded and there was a compatible silence as the two bikers shifted their positions, leaning on their bikes. Dustin was afraid to speak.

"Wanna take a walk?" he asked tentatively.

Hunter shrugged and carefully stationed his bike.

"Sure why not."

Dustin smiled and stationed his bike as well. No one would be out at the tracks this late at night and so they didn't have to worry about thieves. Awkwardly and yet comfortably, they walked side by side. Both bundled up in fitted motocross gear.

"I took a big step today dude," Dustin said quietly. "I took your step."

Hunter paused in his walking as he looked at his companion. Dustin tried reading his eyes but all he saw was admiration.

"You came out?" Hunter ventured, almost afraid of getting it wrong.

Dustin smiled and shrugged embarrassedly. His heart felt like a freight train was tugging it along. He quickly resumed walking.

"Yeah well had to do it, right dude? I mean you understand it right?" he said, looking back at Hunter.

Hunter nodded, a wide smile splitting his face.

"Yeah when you got it inside of you, it's unhealthy to keep it in," he agreed finally.

Dustin scuffed a foot along the well-trodden path before finally making himself stop. Hunter paused, looking at Dustin questioningly.

"Shane and Tori totally supported me," Dustin said, his eyes fixed on his feet.

"And you thought they wouldn't?" asked Hunter incredulously. "Dustin, they're your best friends. They didn't stop speaking to me because of my sexuality. What made you think they'd be different with you?"

"Dunno, big step, nerves you know," muttered Dustin inadequately. "Wasn't sure how they'd react."

Hunter shook his head. He hadn't pegged Dustin for being so insecure. He wondered briefly if his friend knew how cute he looked when he chewed his bottom lip. Then he realised Dustin was still talking to him and snapped back to reality.

"Tori even offered to fix me up," Dustin said brightly with a laugh.

"And……are you gonna let her?"

Hunter didn't want to even think about why he was suddenly crossing his gloved fingers out of sight of Dustin. He didn't want to think about Dustin with anyone. Dustin was looking at his friend now, his eyes almost glassy in the dim light. There was a strangely nervous air to him despite his serenity.

"I don't think so," Dustin replied quietly. "There's kinda only one person I want to be with in that way."

"Who?"

The two young men looked at each other. Each barely dared to breathe, let alone speak what was currently crowding their minds. Dustin tried to read his friend's eyes but couldn't decipher the mix of emotions he saw. Taking a mental deep breath and praying to whatever god decided to hear him; he reached out a hand and gently brushed his fingers over the crimson chest plate before him. He felt his friend jump a little at the intimate gesture. Swallowing hard, Dustin decided to continue. He hoped things wouldn't get too weird.

"You," he managed in a soft shaky voice.

He didn't dare to look into Hunter's eyes, keeping his gaze firmly focused on his feet. Then he felt fingers cup his chin and force him to look up into intense blue eyes. Hunter was gazing at him with scrutiny. Dustin felt as though everything inside of him was being exposed.

"You're not lying," stated Hunter at last, releasing Dustin's chin.

Dustin looked at him in complete surprise.

"Why would I lie about that dude? About something that's been bugging me for so long?"

"I don't know. Sometimes, jokes have been played on me before with stuff like this."

"I swear dude, this isn't a joke. I've got all this stuff inside of me and I really wanna be with you. I can't explain it," Dustin trailed off hopelessly.

Hunter smiled and took a step towards Dustin. Someone he'd wanted for so long. He slipped his arms around his friend's waist. Then he leant forward and pressed a kiss to Dustin's lips. He tasted warm; there was something in his lips that reminded Hunter of the earth. Dustin responded cautiously at first and then pushed himself forward into Hunter, winding his arms around Hunter's neck. Finally a need for air made them surface.

"I take it you like me too?" asked Dustin coyly with a mile-wide grin.

"Something like that."

"Man the others will flip when they find out! I mean, do you think they'll be weird about us? I mean if there is an us?"

Hunter grinned suddenly and released Dustin's waist to take possession of his nearest hand.

"There's an us if you want there to be," he said seriously. "I want to be with you Dustin."

"Really?" Dustin sounded extremely excited. "Cool, then there's an us."

"Now that's worked itself out, you want to race the track?"

"You'll kick my ass dude. You always ace me on it."

"I haven't raced you in a while though, you might have improved."

"Yeah you haven't been round the tracks when I've been there recently dude. What gives?"

Hunter fixed him with an expectant stare as they walked back towards their parked bikes hand in hand.

"Oh right, avoiding me," surmised Dustin. "That's totally cool. You're not gonna avoid me now though are you?"

"I doubt it."

There was silence as they broke contact to pull their colour-coded helmets on. As they each stood astride their bikes, Hunter yelled the command. In a roar of petrol and smoke, the two bikes tore off down the track. As they did, two blue figures emerged from a nearby clump of trees.

"Two problems killed with one stone," declared Tori, smoothing her now tangled hair away from her face. "They're a cute couple."

"You won't say that when you find them making out in me and Hunter's apartment," warned Blake.

"Whatever. At least Hunter's happier now and Dustin's mood's lifted. I think things in Blue Bay Harbour are gonna be a lot more peaceful," decided Tori. "At least, Dustin and Hunter wise. Lother's still gonna be a pain in the ass."

Blake laughed and swung his arm around her shoulders. Together they walked off towards Tori's van which was parked discreetly off in the distance. Blake had been right about finding Hunter at the new tracks and about Hunter's crush on Dustin. They'd arrived just in time to see the two of them kiss.

"Home then?" asked Tori, swinging into her seat gracefully. "It is kinda late and I have classes to teach in the morning."

"I promised Hunter I'd help teach his classes while I'm off the circuit," added Blake, snapping his seatbelt on beside her. "Guess we've both got early starts."

"Uh huh, wanna go see a movie tomorrow night?"

"Sounds good to me."

They smiled at each other and Tori started the engine. With a last glance at the racing spluttering figures, the van pulled away and headed back to the road. On the dirt track, all that could be heard was the roar of motocross engines. Hunter and Dustin, none the wiser about the sneaky observers, revelled in their favourite sport, the freedom the night had brought them and the fact that finally they were together.

I finally found what I've been looking for

And now you know I'm going to love you more

Hold me tight coz it's always been you

To think that you were always there

To be my friend and wipe away my tears

Now it's clear that it's always been you

- Chorus of 'Finally Found' by the Honeyz

The End