Crimson Fears here. Sorry for not getting this out sooner. Been having some difficulty lately, not to mention a writer's block. Anyways, on with the next chapter, because I don't think The Samurai Poet cares too much for author's notes.
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"Hunter," came a gentle voice from the doorway. Hunter's body rose from its reclining position upon the bed, his eyebrows rising up in curiosity, "What is it, Cam?"
The Samurai made his way across the room, shortening the distance between the two men. His face was lowered, long eyelashes settled against soft skin. The Crimson Ranger's head cocked itself gently to the side in interest. "Cam?"
Dark lashes fluttered open, Cam's eyes gazing deep within blue. The lithe figure leaned forward, his face inching to the ninja's. "I love you," he whispered softly. Nothing was spoken by the male in crimson, instead he leaned forward, their lips a mere inch apart.
Hunter Bradley jumped up, the loud cry of a child interrupting his slumber. Rubbing at his eye with the palm of his hand, he yawned as his free digit roamed the bed for the pacifier. Finger grazing the nipple, he grabbed at it, flipping it over as he carefully picked up the small body next to him.
"Gabriel, you woke daddy up during a good dream," he muttered, making the child's screams grow louder. "Ah, no, no, it's okay, Gabriel. Daddy forgives you! Shh, it's okay." Hunter's body slowly began to rock in place, hugging the baby gently to his chest as he placed the pacifier in her mouth.
"Come on, be a good girl and go back to sleep, alright?" He leaned down, placing a small kiss on the girl's forehead. He quietly began to hum a soft hymn, eventually soothing the child's sobs and putting her to sleep. Being careful as not to wake her, Hunter slowly eased her body down between him and the pillow placed vertically on the other side.
Blue eyes turned towards the small nightstand next to the bed, groaning silently at the numbers. 'It's 6:37? Third time she's woken up,…' he thought as he rubbed at his eye again. 'Oh well, I guess I can at least get as much sleep as possible.' He shifted himself slowly, trying not to disturb the snoozing child next to him as he settled into the bed. Only then did it hit him, '… Ah, hell, I've got work tomorrow.'
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Eyes fluttered open, the Thunder rubbing his eyes with a yawn as he threw his legs over the side of the bed without disturbing the slumbering child. Hunter's fingers intertwined in his sandy blonde locks, scratching his head briefly before lazily gazing at the clock. 12:06.
"… Fuck."
He turned his head to the side, passing a glance at Gabriel before standing up. He rolled his head about, a pop sounding before he walked into the living room. Hunter's pale gaze scanned across the room before landing on the object he was seeking. Making a small triumphant sound, he grabbed for the phone with his right hand, dialing a number.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Tori. Sorry to call you like this but I have a favor to ask."
"Sure, Hunter, what is it?"
"Well," he glanced back into the bedroom to the small sleeping frame of his child, "Do you think you'd be able to watch Gabriel for me while I go to work?"
"It depends: how long will I need to watch her?"
"Just 'til I finish my shift at work. I'm already late."
"Sure, I'll keep an eye on her. Want me to come there or what?"
"Come here. I haven't gotten ready or anything yet."
"Alright, be over in a sec!"
"Okay, and Tori? Thanks a lot, I mean it."
Pressing the 'talk' button to end the conversation, he threw the phone onto the couch and retreated back into his room. He opened his small closet, grabbing a pair of black pants and a fairly large red shirt, changing into them. He grabbed the sweatpants that now resided on the floor and tossed them into the black clothes hamper in the corner of the room, leaving the area to go into the kitchen.
"What is there to eat?" Hunter questioned out loud, opening the refrigerator door. An almost naked area stared back at him. "… Shit." He grabbed for the milk, pulling off the blue cap while he fished the cabinets for a glass. Pouring the white liquid into the cup he successfully found, he placed the jug back into the fridge. He downed the drink hastily, placing the container into the sink just as a knock sounded from the door.
"Come in!"
The white door slowly opened up, a blonde girl poking her head in. "I'm here," she grinned, coming fully inside.
"Thank God, I think Kelly's going to murder me," Hunter said, running a hand through his hair as he approached her.
Tori frowned at the dark circles under his eyes. "You haven't been getting enough sleep, have you?"
He shook his head as grabbed for his black jacket that draped arbitrarily across a chair, "Nah, haven't had the time, what with work, training, and Gabriel. Speaking of which, she's asleep in my room. I have a bottle fixed for her; it's in the fridge." He shrugged the jacket on, grabbing his motorcycle keys off the counter. "If you need anything, call me at work."
Tori nodded her head, "Don't worry, I will.
Say, Hunter, when are you going to tell the others about her?"
Hunter looked over his shoulder at the Blue Wind, shrugging his shoulders, "When the timing's right." With that, he left the apartment to start towards Storm Chargers.
