Sight for Sore Eyes

by Elise

Part three

au because Cam has his own apartment. Cam/Hunter

The doctor sighed as he finally signed Hunter's release papers. "Mr. Bradley, It would be nice if I never saw you in this ER ever again. You seen to be a frequent visitor."

Before Hunter could respond, Cam grabbed his shoulders and pushed him out the door, "Thank you, Doctor, we'll do our best."

Hunter glared as he was led to the waiting room. The entire team was there. Hunter heard them as they stood up. He must have looked like a fright. His arms were covered in bandages from the burns. His head luckily didn't need stitches, but he had a massive head ache. His arms were bruised, but he knew that they would heal quickly. He had his ranger powers for the time being. Tori spoke up, her voice rushed, "Hunter! How are you feeling? Are you alright? Can you go home?"

Hunter nodded, "Yeah, Tor, I'm alright. Just feeling stupid."

Blake sighed, "You should have never left like that! Waiting till Cam had left! What is wrong with you?"

Shane stepped in, raising his hands, "Hold on, folks, let's keep in mind that Hunter has been cooped up in a house for a while and needed to get out. Yeah, it was stupid and ended badly, but it could have been worse and we would have all done the same in his position."

Cam shook his head, "Let's get out of here, because Shane is making a lot of sense and It's making me feel crazy."

Shane lightly punched the samurai in the shoulder. Hunter chuckled, letting himself be lead out.

Cam was silent the entire car ride and Hunter found himself wishing for the angry yelling Cameron over this. Hunter cleared his throat, "I'm sorry, Cam. I didnt mean for any of that to happen."

Cam sighed, not responding. Hunter mentally berated himself and leaned back in the seat. "Are you going to talk to me?"

"I don't know what to say to you, Hunter. I don't want to state the obvious." Cam's voice was calm and tight, as if holding back.

Hunter didn't like this and nervously said, "Well, say something."

"You're an idiot."

"That's been established." Hunter said, "I'm sorry."

Hunter felt the car pull over, and knew they weren't at home. Hearing Cam shift in his seat, Hunter heard him say, "I came very close to watching you die. You will never know what that feels like, Hunter."

Hunter was speechless. His thoughts were in a whirl. He never thought about the death part in relation to others. He didn't think that Cam would be scared, he assumed he'd be angry. Hunter turned to face Cam. "I... I don't know what to say. I didn't think and death just isn't.."

"You're not invincible." Cam said.

"So I would have died. It's a part of-" Hunter said before being cut off by Cam.

"Don't you even think about finishing that sentence. You're selfish. I care about you dying. I care a little too much. Leave it to the Powers That Be to make me care so deeply about someone so stupid and ungrateful."

Hunter turned away, looking out the window. Cam's words had cut him. The pain of his injuries seemed to increase and Hunter noted his breathing was shallower, faster. "Take me home."

The rest of the car ride was in silence.

Blake had taken to having his lunches at Cameron's. The attack had shaken him up a bit. Today they were lounging in the backyard, eating sandwiches and chips. Unfortunately, most of the chips were on the ground from an earlier food fight. Hunter was looking across the yard, as if he could see it. Perhaps old habits died hard, and Blake wondered what Hunter actually saw. He was wearing his dark red sunglasses today, a necessity for his eyes. Blake flicked another chip at Hunter. "So, everyone at Factory Blue is asking about you. They're thinking of ways you can work until you come back."

"I'm not going back, bro, we have to accept this." Hunter said, his voice emotionless, as if he were reading the stocks.

Blake shook his head, "Hunter, the best way to heal is to remain optimistic. If you don't, you'll just curl up and die. What do you plan to do? You can't remain at Cam's your entire life."

"I've heard it before, from Cam." Hunter said, "I don't know. I think I should focus on healing and maybe... I don't know. What can blind people do?"

"More than you're doing. There's not much I can do that a blind person can't. Driving perhaps." Blake scratched his head, "Teaching? You could start your own dojo. Your skills are still good."

"Yeah, because panic looks so professional." Hunter sighed heavily, "I can't believe Cam puts up with me."

Blake shook his head, not willing to enable Hunter in his self deprecation. "What about Cam? Can we talk about him?"

"He's still not talking to me." Hunter pointed out. "I don't know how many different ways I can show I'm sorry."

"Well, Cam has been pretty shook up since then. He's either fighting or at Ninja Ops. He's reprogrammed everything. It's annoying because that leaves CyberCam to be around."

Hunter laughed, "Yeah, I don't miss CyberCam. I do miss my Cam."

Blake smiled to himself as he saw Hunter blush at putting things that way. Blake nudged his brother with his shoulder. "So.. about that..."

"It's nothing. I just meant that I never see Cam anymore. When he is here, I feel guilty and just want him to talk to me."

"I'll talk with him. He shouldn't be ignoring you." Blake said, "And I disagree. I don't think you and Cam are nothing."

"What do you mean?"

Blake raised an eyebrow, surprised at how oblivious his brother was. "Hunter. You like Cam."

"Of course I do. He's a part of the team." Hunter seemed a bit hurt, thinking that Blake was implying the opposite.

"No. I mean you really love him. You would have moved in with me if it weren't true. Hunter, I think he likes you too. You should take this time together to tell him."

Hunter nibbled on his bottom lip. "When did you find out?"

Blake shrugged, "Well... remember Danny Bruno, the neighbor?"

Hunter blushed and nodded. Blake laughed, "You had such a crush on him, it was obvious."

"Did not."

"Oh.. Danny," Blake said in a joking voice, "You're such a great basketball player. I wish I were as good as you were. No... I don't want to play... I'll just watch."

Hunter laughed, pushing Blake. "I was never that bad."

"Yeah, you were, Bro. We all knew. So we're now in full circle back to Cam. What is stopping you?"

Hunter sighed again, seemingly a trend, "He hasn't been speaking to me, remember?"

Watching how Hunter's shoulders seemed to remain hunched for the entire conversation had begun to bother him. Blake reached out, grasping Hunter's shoulder, squeezing it in support. "You focus on getting yourself better and we'll deal with Cam later."

Hunter nodded. "I think i'm going to nap, Blake."

Blake nodded. "Need a bandage change?"

"No. It's just my hands now. I'm going to miss giving up these powers. Hell, my head doesn't even hurt." Hunter waved his hands to show that his burns had downgraded to two degree burns.

Blake stood up and grabbed his brother's head, kissing the top of it. "Alright buddy, You take your nap, i've gotta go talk to Kelly anyway. Think about returning to work. We've got stuff you can do."

Hunter nodded, "I'll think about it."

"Later, Bro. Feel better." Blake said.

Hunter tilted his head, listening as Blake drove away. The sound of the motorbike made him freeze up a bit, but that was much better than the panic attacks from earlier. Hunter stood up and made his way to the grassy backyard. He kicked his shoes off. Prior to the large accident, he had never taken the time to notice how nice grass felt on his feet. Hunter stopped and enjoyed the moment before bringing up his hands. He straightened his back and leveled his head. He started a kata, not knowing that Cameron had come home and watched him from the window.

Cam had gotten home early. He coughed a bit before moving to the kitchen. Pouring himself some water, he searched for Hunter, making sure he was safe. Cam wanted so badly to run to Hunter, tell him his feelings and protect him, but that wouldn't help Hunter learn to live on his own. That, and Cam was pretty sure that Hunter would reject him. Cam walked to his bay window and saw Hunter outside. The younger man was observing the backyard, as if he had eyes that saw. Cam sighed and sat down, watching him. Hunter moved his hands up and began to move, slowly. First the left leg, thrust of hand, then the right, thrust of hand. Cameron smirked as he realized that it was the kata he had taught him last week. It hadn't been that long since the accident, but it had seemed like months. Hunter turned, arms raised and yelling a kya. The man faltered a bit and Cam whispered out, "Return to original position and move right... come on, you remember."

Hunter stopped and took a step back before returning to his original position. He grinned to himself and stepped to the right. Cam leaned his forehead against the window. He had come so close to losing Hunter. He could very easily have been at a funeral. Cam shook his head. He shouldn't grieve for a friend who hadn't died yet.

Hunter began to move again, thrusting his hand forward. His face grew confidence and determination. Cam marvelled at him. There were too many incredible things about Hunter Bradley for Cam to pick just one thing. Hunter slipped off his shirt and started the kata again, this time making his muscles tighter. Cam smiled as he recognized Hunter's effort to make the kata more of an exercise in power. Hunter had always loved feeling strong and in charge of things, including his body. Cam had always been able to tell when Hunter was bothered by something. His katas became more intense and his movements faster. Hunter began the kata again, Cam amazed at how quickly he was picking up on it.

Cam made his way outside, Hunter stopping at the noise of the door. Cam cleared his throat, "I've ordered food. Your left foot needs to be at a forty-five degree angle."

Hunter looked down at his foot. Cam was wondering when Hunter was going to stop making the small gestures that seeing people made. He hoped never. Hunter replied, his voice almost mechanical, "Thank you, I'll be right in."

Cam moved from one foot to the other, all of a sudden nervous. He hadn't been treating Hunter very well at all. "If you want, we can do a kata together."

Hunter shook his head, not realizing that Cam was trying to apologize. "No, I'm done here."

Cam nodded, walking indoors, knowing that Hunter knew his way in. Cam coughed again and Hunter said, approaching behind him faster than Cam had expected, "You sound horrible, Cam."

"I'm fine."

Hunter sighed and moved his way towards the living room. He seemed to like sitting on the couch in there. Cam cleared his throat and waited for the delivery guy. The space between them seemed large, neither of them wanting to appear weak willed to the other. Cam rubbed his face. How could he ever date Hunter if he couldn't even maintain a basic friendship? "Doesn't matter," Cam said to himself, "I've got too much work at Ninja Ops to want anything more."

Hunter awoke to the sound of someone coughing. He turned his ear towards the door, attempting to hear better. He heard some coughing and the sound of someone throwing up. Hunter stood up and made his way to the bathroom. As expected, Cam's voice whispered out, raw, "Didn't mean to wake you up."

"I was up," Hunter lied, "Why didn't you tell me you were sick?"

"I'm not sick." Cam said, "It must have been the food or something."

Cam was seized by another coughing attack. Hunter bent down and placed his hands towards Cam, recognizing a shoulder. "Cam, you're burning up and clammy. Let's get you to bed."

Cam squeezed his eyes shut. He didn't want to be babied. "I'm fine. I've got to go to work."

"I may be blind, but you still gotta go through me before I allow you to go to work." Hunter said. He lowered his voice, making it kinder, "Please let me take you to bed."

Cam chuckled to himself and Hunter smiled, despite his best efforts, "I didn't mean it that way. Let's go."

The two of them made their way to Cam's bed. Cam helped lead Hunter, who in turn supported him. Cam collapsed on the bed, his head rolling back. Hunter knelt down and began to cover Cam with blankets. Cam shoved them off. "Stop that." Hunter said, "You work too hard."

"Do not." Cam said, "I'm fine... I'm cold now."

"You just kicked your blankets off." Hunter exclaimed.

"Well... now I'm cold." Cam said.

Hunter replaced the blankets and stroked Cam's hair from his face. "What can I do? Water? Aspirin? Soup?"

"Aspirin will put down my fever..." Cam yawned, "I'm so tired, Hunter... It's like I haven't slept in days."

Hunter shrugged, continuing to play with Cam's hair. "You probably haven't. You really have to stop working so hard at Ninja Ops... I miss you."

Cam moved his head into Hunter's hand, as if prompting him to continue, or cuddling. Hunter blushed as Cam said, "I miss you too..."

"Well, you're sick now, so I guess we have got to spend some time together."

Cam opened his eyes, astounded that even though Hunter's eyes could not see, they still portrayed emotion and Hunter's eyes showed that he cared. Cam smiled, "I'm not sick. I've got too much to do."

"You're stubborn. We both are." Hunter said. "A great deal."

Cam smiled, shutting his eyes and reopening them, "Brat."

Hunter laughed, actually enjoying Cam's teasing again. "Hey, who is the brat now? You're working yourself to death."

Cam shook his head, not bothering to say anything, knowing that Hunter knew. He always did. Hunter nodded his head, "Oh yes, you are. You're staying home tomorrow and I'm taking care of you, like you take care of me."

Cam leaned into Hunter's hand again, "I have to take care of you. It's my job. I love it."

Hunter shook his head. Cameron was now speaking far too candidly, he must be sick. Standing up, the blonde boy cleared his throat, "Well, it's my turn. You can be the brat tonight. I'm getting water and Aspirin."

Cam nodded and shut his eyes again, the fatigue getting him. He was getting hot and kicked off the sheets, wondering where Hunter went. He hated his brain being this foggy. Sooner than expected, Hunter was pulling the covers up over him again. Hunter set the water down and said, "You need to point at which bottle is the aspirin, Cam. I need you to do this and not mess up. I don't want you taking medicine you don't need."

"I won't."

"If you take a laxative by accident, i will be forced to laugh at you and remind you of these times in inappropriate places, such as your wedding day, or in nice restaurants." Hunter warned, his voice teasing.

Cam smiled and took a bottle, taking the aspirin. "Hunter... I'm sorry..." Cam took a sip of his water, coughing, "I'm so sorry to have ignored you."

Hunter smoothed down Cam's hair again. "Don't worry about it, Cam. I understand. Now you're sick and need to sleep."

"I don't want to."

"I don't care." Hunter said, "You're sleeping and I'll tell you when you can return to work, ok?"

Cam seemed to accept this because he flipped to his side, attempting to get comfortable. Hunter stood up, making his way out when he heard Cam's voice ask, small and tiredly, "Hunter, please stay. You make it better."

Hunter nodded, moving towards the bed and lying down beside Cam. This was probably the only time he'd be close to the green samurai, Hunter thought, when he is delirious from illness. Cam turned into Hunter, his muscles relaxing. The older man was soon asleep, with Hunter watching him.

tbc...

Thank you to all who reviewed. it really has made my day. I look forward to all of your responses in the future chapters. It looks like such a sweet ending here huh? Remember that I like angst. On a serious note, I do not know where this is exactly going, just broadly going. There might still be a few things up my sleeve.

THANK YOU MzDany, Melly, Sreym, BJvision, CamFan4ever! Your reviews are amazing! Also, Kat8cha, for your invaluable input.