--
"All right," said Cam, wiping his hands on a towel. "I think it'll be okay."
Dustin looked around at the beginnings of their dinner, impressed. "Thanks Cam, a lot."
Cam nodded, then looked at his watch once again. "Ten-thirty," he said, shaking his head.
Dustin watched him a moment. "You're really looking forward to this, huh?"
"Of course," he answered, not looking at him. "It's been a while, after all. It'll be good to have all of us together again."
"Yeah," said Dustin slowly. "I just didn't think you'd really be so anxious. It's not, well, like you."
He shrugged a little. "This is different." He glanced out the window and then came over to sit across from Dustin at the table. "So how have you been? It's been a while since I've seen you."
"I'm all right," he replied. "I've just been pretty busy, with the holidays coming up and all we've had a time of it, you know?"
Cam nodded. "I understand. But when I heard what happened with Jeff and them, I got a little worried."
Dustin shrugged. "I told you it was nothing." He paused. "Did you hear what Shane did?"
Cam rolled his eyes. "What did he do now? Look, don't worry, he's leaving in less than a month, so—"
"Whoa, wait a minute," Dustin cut in. "Man, you are wired today!" He shook his head. "No, it wasn't like that. He helped me out. Saved my ass, really, and totally kicked Jeff's. I'm surprised no one told you." He paused. "It just doesn't make any sense, I mean, why would he do that? All he's said the past three months is how much he can't stand me anymore, and now he does that."
Cam paused a moment. "I don't know what's going on with him, he's been acting pretty strange lately." He stood. "I think I'll go out for a little while, I'll be back in a few minutes."
Dustin smirked, looking up at him. "You trust me to stay here with all this?"
"You might have a point," he said wryly. He went over and placed a hand on Dustin's shoulder. "Try not to think about everything right now, okay?"
Dustin nodded. "Okay."
Cam left and Dustin took a deep breath, putting his chin in his hand. If they didn't get there soon . . . he was going to go crazy.
He waited for a while, and then stood, leaving his quarters and heading down the hall. He left the building and looked around, feeling a little nervousness form as he wondered what was going on. They were probably just running late, nothing serious, but what if something had happened?
Dustin sighed and sat down on the bench outside. He was freaking out way too much, it wasn't even that late. He just couldn't wait for them to get there.
He looked up and saw Jeff coming over, and prepared himself for whatever was sure to happen. Waiting out there for Hunter, he was just asking for it. But Jeff went by him, only giving him a look as he passed. Dustin let out a breath of relief. Apparently Shane had taught him a lesson for a while. Dustin couldn't help but smile to himself. He might not get Shane at all, but he couldn't argue with the results.
"Hey, you waiting for someone?"
Dustin looked towards the voice and grinned, standing up quickly as he saw Hunter only a few feet away. "It's about time!" He went over to him quickly, but stopped as he saw the young woman behind him. "Hey," he said casually. "How's it going?"
Hunter laughed and reached a hand behind Dustin's head, pulling him in for a long kiss. Dustin got over his surprise quickly and returned it, mindless of all else for a few moments. Then they pulled apart and Hunter smiled. "Anyway." He turned to his companion, one hand still on Dustin's arm. "This is Kara. Kara, this is Dustin."
"It'd better be," he said with a smile, offering a hand. "Hi, it's good to finally meet you."
He shook her hand. "You too." He paused. "So . . . you guys wanna go inside? Dinner's already cooking."
Hunter paled. "Dustin . . ."
"Oh come on!" he exclaimed. "I'm not that bad!" Hunter gave him a look and he sighed. "Cam helped."
"A lot, I hope," Hunter said. "Where is he?"
"He left a little while ago," he said. "I think he just went for a walk or something. It got a little boring waiting for you guys, you know."
"I know," Hunter said. "We're a little late. But we got a late start, girls take forever getting ready."
"You did not just blame me," Kira stated.
Dustin shook his head. "Careful, Hunter . . ."
He smirked. "Thanks."
Dustin looked at him. "So, any word from Blake?"
Hunter nodded. "Called a while ago, said he'd be here around noon. Long drive."
He glanced around for Cam and caught Jeff's eye from where he was standing a ways off. Dustin looked at him a moment, then looked away, unnerved.
Hunter looked at him carefully. "You okay?" he asked.
"I'm fine," he said. "Just, thought I saw something."
"All right," he said, frowning a little. "Let's get inside, we've got some shit with us."
Dustin nodded and turned to Kara. "Here, I can take these." He took her bags and led them both inside. "It's kind of a mess in here," he said as they arrived at the door. "Sorry."
"It's fine," Kara said with a shrug as Dustin opened the door. They all went in and she looked around. "Smells good."
"Mmm," Hunter agreed. "Cam must have helped a lot."
Dustin made a face and Hunter smiled back at him, dropping his bags on the floor. Dustin couldn't help but smile back.
Kara looked at them and smiled herself. "I think I'm gonna go look around. Give myself a tour of the Academy, if that's okay."
"We'll show you around," Dustin offered. "We have plenty of time, and nothing else to do anyway."
She shook her head and went to the door. "No, I can find my way around." She turned back. "Just so you know, I might be a while. Have fun." She winked and left the room, closing the door behind her.
Dustin felt his face color and laughed a little. "Okay . . ."
Hunter's face was slightly darker as well. "She can be like that sometimes."
"Not too shy, huh?" he asked.
He shook his head.
"But you know what?" Dustin asked, smiling a little.
Hunter looked at him. "What?"
He shrugged. "She read my mind."
--
Blake looked around the grounds of the Academy and took a deep breath, smiling to himself. It had been way too long. He looked at his watch. Past noon, he was a little late. But they had all weekend to make up for it, and he had no doubt his brother was finding a way to pass the time till he arrived.
He approached the main building slowly, looking around for anyone he knew, but didn't see anyone. There weren't many people around at all, which wasn't surprising. They were probably the only ones spending their Thanksgiving at the Academy.
Blake entered the building and glanced around. "Sensei?"
He appeared from the other room. "Blake. It is good to see you."
Blake smiled. "You too, Sensei. Have you seen any of the guys?"
Sensei shook his head. "Not today. I believe they are preparing dinner."
"Okay," he said. "I guess I'll find them."
He turned and met Cam in the doorway. "Hey," Cam said. "I thought it was you I saw."
"Hey," Blake said with a grin. "How's it going, man?"
"Fine," he answered. He came over and offered a hand, and Blake clasped it tightly. "I was wondering when you'd get here."
Blake shrugged. "Believe me, I got here as soon as I could."
"I don't doubt it," he said. "Hunter's here already, they're all at the other building. Come on."
They went outside and Blake looked at Cam. "I can't believe how long it's been. How is everything? I've hardly even talked to Hunter lately."
"It's good," Cam said. "As much as can be expected, I guess."
Blake nodded. "Yeah." He stopped walking as he saw Tori standing a ways off, talking with some people. Blake shook his head slowly. "Man, it's been a while."
He felt Cam's hand on his shoulder and turned to face him. "Come on," Cam said. "You can talk to her later. Let's go say hi to everyone first, okay?"
Blake nodded quietly, watching Tori again for a moment, so many thoughts running through his mind. But they could all wait. "All right," he said.
They went to the other building and Blake immediately saw Hunter sitting outside, then recognized the others with him. "Hunter!" he called.
Hunter looked up, then stood quickly and ran over to Blake, hugging him tightly as soon as he reached him. "Hey bro, when did you get here?"
"Just now," Blake said as they pulled apart. "I didn't know where you'd be, so I went to find Sensei."
Hunter shook his head, looking at Blake a moment. "Man, I missed you," he said quietly.
He smiled. "Same here." He looked over at the other three sitting around. "Hey guys."
Dustin came over, a big grin on his face, "Hey." He slapped Blake's shoulder. "Glad you could make it. Finally."
Blake rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I know." They all went over to the chairs set up, and he looked at the two girls sitting there. "Marah," he said, barely recognizing her. "And," he paused. "Kara, I'd imagine?"
"Yeah," she said. "Blake, I'm guessing from the welcome you got?"
He laughed a little. "Yeah."
They all sat down and Blake looked at them all as they started talking. So much like old times, and yet . . . He looked back to where he'd seen Tori. She was still there, mindless of him as she spoke with her friends. Then she turned and met his eyes.
--
Tori's breath caught in her throat as she saw Blake sitting there with the others, looking straight back at her. She looked away quickly and turned back to her conversation, but she'd lost interest. She had to see him.
She glanced back at him, but he'd turned and was now talking with Hunter, laughing about something. Tori felt a wave of sorrow hit her as she watched, knowing she could—should—be there with them. But it couldn't be now.
Tori shook her head, then looked at her friends. "I have to go, okay? I'll see you later." She left and went the opposite direction that Blake was in. She had to talk to him, but not now. She'd let him have his good time, he probably needed it.
She took a deep breath and tried to get him out of her mind. But as much as she tried, she couldn't. And something told her she would never be able to.
"Are you okay?" asked a voice.
She stopped and turned to see Shane approaching her, looking a little concerned. "Yeah," she said. "I'm fine."
He paused. "They're here, huh?"
Tori nodded.
Shane glanced towards the building. "Are you going to talk to him?"
"Yeah," she said. She shook her head. "I probably shouldn't. I mean, it won't do any good, but . . . I just have to tell him how I feel, make sure he knows."
Shane looked at her a moment, then nodded. "Yeah. Me too."
Tori looked at him. "What did you say?"
He shrugged. "Nothing." He took a breath. "Take care, I'll see you later."
"Yeah," she said, watching him go. She shook her head, dismissing the new questions. She had enough to think about.
--