Is Love For Real?

Chapter One - Confessions

Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Power Rangers, Ninja Storm, and I'm not making any money from this fic

Summary: Hunter apologises to Dustin, and also confesses his feelings towards him. However, Dustin doesn't take it very well at first

Author's Note: This is slash... -Hides- Don't be mad! My muses made me do it. They won't leave me alone until I write it.

DarkAngel: -Rolls eyes- You've written one other slash fic...

RedFox: -Interrupts him- Actually, more like three

DarkAngel: Yeah, but it was only for one fandom. And it was ages ago

RedFox: -As an aside- He's only saying that because he forgot how many fics she actually wrote

DarkCat: -Looks at the two, and then sends the author a picture of them rolling around on the ground fighting-

Me: It's not going to go that far... Is it? -Notices RedFox and DarkAngel glaring at each other, and groans- Excuse me

On with the fic!

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Hunter walked into NinjaOps, pleased, and a little surprised, to see Dustin there alone. That wasn't usual. Cam would never have left his equipment unattended. Especially not where Dustin was concerned.

Dustin didn't appear to notice Hunter at first. That probably wasn't very surprising, as the yellow wind ranger was doing press-ups. Probably as punishment for something or other. Actually, Hunter reflected, it was probably to do with the brunette turning up late for practice. He never learned.

Hunter walked over to Dustin, moving slowly so that he could surprise the wind ranger. He reached out, and touched Dustin's shoulder.

Dustin's reaction was immediate. He jerked up, lost his balance on the table, and crashed onto the floor.

It was a struggle to keep from laughing, but Hunter managed it as he offered a hand to help Dustin to his feet. "You ok, bro?"

"Yeah, sure," Dustin muttered, ignoring Hunter's hand and scrambling to his feet, red-faced. "You just startled me, is all."

Hunter grinned. "That was my intention. What did you do? Turn up late for training yet again?"

"Actually, yeah," Dustin admitted. "You'd think that I would have learned by now... But I still keep on being late."

"Well, you can't exactly keep on leaving work early all the time," Hunter noted. "Kelly would start getting suspicious... But you could at least turn up on time some of the time."

Dustin raked a hand through his hair, and shrugged. "Yeah, well."

Hunter glanced around just in case Cam and Sensei had been lurking around and he hadn't noticed them. Then, he asked, "Where are Cam and Sensei?"

Dustin shrugged. "Cam's just... around. Probably outside NinjaOps somewhere. And Sensei's just doing whatever it is hamsters do, I guess."

Hunter blinked at Dustin. "He's a guinea pig, remember?"

"Hamster, guinea pig... Whatever."

"Dustin, I want to apologise," Hunter said slowly. This was, after all, the reason he had come here in the hope of finding the yellow wind ranger.

"You mean about the whole trying to destroy us all thing?" Dustin asked.

Hunter nodded slowly.

"Dude, that wasn't your fault," Dustin said. "The first time, Lothor tricked you... And the second time, it wasn't you. I understand that."

Hunter sighed. "Dustin, both Blake and I used you," he told the yellow wind ranger, wondering if Dustin actually understood what he was trying to say. "You trusted us... And we abused that trust."

"Dude, it wasn't your fault," Dustin repeated. "You don't need to apologise. I get it."

Hunter hesitated for a long moment, just watching Dustin's face. Specifically, his mouth. He had to do it. It was now or never. Before he changed his mind, the crimson thunder ranger leaned forward and pressed his lips lightly against Dustin's, then drew back.

Dustin stared at Hunter. "What was that for?" he wanted to know.

Hunter shrugged. "Isn't it obvious? I like you."

Dustin shook his head. "No way," he said. "Hunter, I can't deal with this. You..." He shook his head, then ran out of NinjaOps.

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DarkAngel and RedFox are sitting on opposite sides, not looking at each other, with DarkCat in between them.

Me: -Sighs- And hopefully, they'll stay like that

DarkCat: -Sends an image of the two fighting as soon as the author's back is turned-

Me: They'd better not

DarkCat: -Sends a picture to anyone reading this of lots of reviews and the author with a big smile on her face-