I know i've been gone for ages. I wrapped up my B.Sc. - still doing that, actually - and got called off to a war for a month and a week, so.
1. This story is written for the Power Rangers Slash Write challange. You can find the rules for this challenge, and all fics written for it, at the Livejournal community prsw22. Link available on my profile page.
2. This chapter is set in the night of "Shane's Karma".
3. Love: to my darling friends and beta readers, Camille and Mara; and to Navot, who should know why.
Enjoy, and please review!
Some days were too hectic even on the Rangers' scale. Blake had to all but drag his exhausted teammates to the Thetis. Standing by the bar of the beach club, soda in hand, Shane had to admit that Blake was right: they all needed proper unwinding.
Tori and Blake were on the outdoors dance floor, dancing together and, by the looks of it, having the time of their lives. Dustin was constantly moving – one moment dancing, another hitting on some girl, and then sitting indoors with Cam for a moment. Cam had claimed a table at the far end of the cooler café area, and sat there since they arrived, watching over Tori and Blake's drinks. He wasn't partying but didn't seem to be suffering, either; and that's as much as can be expected when dragging Cam to a public, crowded place, concluded Shane. Yeah, everyone within Shane's line of sight seemed safe and relaxed – but it was the person not within sight for whom Shane was worried: Hunter had drifted away when Shane had gone for a soda, and Shane hadn't seen him since. It had only been a few minutes, but Shane was already restless. Cam may hold the team's record of getting into trouble when left alone, but Hunter is a damn close second! Even with all those people around… Shane paused. All these people. Oh, shit. It was easy to miss, with the way he had always seemed at ease at the track, but Hunter tended to react badly to crowded places and loud noises. This tendency intensified when Hunter was already tired or otherwise run down.
Something flickered at the edge of Shane's line of sight, like a tiny flame. Shane turned his head towards that signal, beyond the glass doors and the deck, to the darkened area of the beach. For a moment, he thought it had only been an illusion of his tired mind. Then, he saw the outline of a tall, muscular figure, standing right by the edge of the water: Hunter.
Shane counted his paces as he walked towards Hunter. Twenty paces – that was the distance between the edge of the deck, and the water lines; the distance between the lit dance floor, and the peaceful lapping of the waves. Hunter didn't move, didn't acknowledge the approaching presence, but Shane knew that Hunter has had to sense him. While it wasn't usual for Hunter to ignore him, it wasn't too unusual, either, and Shane figured that his boyfriend probably just wanted to get away from the crowd; that is until, at a five paces distance, Hunter turned away and began walking north, not once turning towards Shane or otherwise acknowledging his presence.
That was when Shane realized that something really was up.
Five paces was the distance between them when Hunter began moving, and five paces was the distance Shane kept as they walked away. Thetis was the north-most spot on Blue Bay Harbour's tourist stretch; the area north of it was wild and empty, dark except for the light of the stars and the newborn moon. There were no noises except for the waves and the sand under Hunter's and Shane's sandals, no movement except their darkened shadows. As moments passed by, Shane found himself looking sideways, searching for an attack or an ambush. He wasn't too worried so long as they remained on open, sandy beach, but after a ten minutes' walk the cliffs came into sight, and Shane's heart beat a little faster: the cliffs presented perfect ground for an ambush. What the hell was Hunter thinking?
Upping his pace slightly, Hunter stepped up the path into the cliffs and disappeared from Shane's view. Heart hammering, Shane followed him.
The rock formations interrupted the line of sight: Shane couldn't see Hunter. He followed the path until, after the third bend, the path widened to become a small clearing – and there was Hunter, facing Shane, waiting for him without a word. Their eyes met as Shane came closer, and then Shane realized what this was all about, and what would soon follow. He took a deep breath, and tried to ready himself.
The kick to the head was swift and brutal, and Shane had only just ducked in time – he had no doubt that Hunter had purposefully timed it that way. He tried to respond, but Hunter's fist had already connected with his abdomen, with Hunter's other leg following and hitting Shane behind the knees, sending him down to the ground. Shane managed to keep his head from hitting the rocks, but still he saw stars as his back was hit at several different spots at once.
When his vision cleared, Hunter was kneeling next to him, his face very close to Shane's. "Don't you ever do that again," growled Hunter. "Don't you ever worry me like that; if you will, then I swear by my parents' memory that I will break your bones for it. Are we clear?"
"Crystal."
"Good." Hunter straightened a little, and helped Shane to a sitting position. "You okay?"
"I'll live."
Hunter frowned. "Seriously."
"Nothing's broken or bruised too badly," Shane assured him. "But dude, you freaked me out."
"You're talking?" demanded Hunter. "After the disappearing act you pulled today?"
Shane raised his arms in surrender. "Sorry."
"Don't bullshit me," said Hunter, and then planted one of his hands on either side of Shane, and kissed him.
With the full weight of Hunter's torso pressed against him, Shane had to hug Hunter with both his hands just to not fall back. It was a weird position, but not a totally uncomfortable one, even if it left Shane feeling out of control. He clung to Hunter as Hunter kissed him as if he had no intention of ever letting go, and by the time it was over Shane was more lightheaded than just a kiss had ever made him feel. He didn't let go of Hunter, and was rewarded by a full embrace. Yeah, Hunter was in a touchy mood tonight.
"You didn't even talk to me before you left," complained Hunter into Shane's shoulder. "Just Tori. Do you have any idea how that made me feel?"
"Yeah."
"No," contradicted Hunter. "You'd do it the same all over again, wouldn't you?"
Shane paused, and thought back to the morning scene, as he stood with Tori by the car, explaining her that he just had to leave. Was Hunter right? Would he leave in such a hurry again, without thought or consideration? He thought back to the way he had felt – that physical sensation of danger, crawling under his skin in ways he'd never felt before, beckoning him away. "Yes," he admitted quietly, "I'm sorry."
"It's okay," said Hunter. He pulled back his head so that he could look into Shane's eyes. "I understood, eventually. Whatever call that pulled you to Skyla this morning, it was stronger than you. I get that and I'm cool with that, so long as it doesn't happen again. What really bugs me is why."
Freefall: Shane had no idea how to answer Hunter's question. Just as he was about to say so, though, he saw something in the irises of Hunter's eyes: a flicker of flame, just like he had seen on the beach. Huh? That flame had to be big, for me to see it, and this is just… Shane's right hand moved as if on its own accord, coming to rest next to Hunter's cheek. Hunter shivered, but didn't say a word. Shane watched, fascinated, as his thumb caressed a line across Hunter's cheekbone, leaving behind a trace of fire. He blinked. What was going on here? This fire he was seeing, it couldn't be real – and why did he feel so out of control –
The flame appeared in Hunter's irises again, stronger this time, and Shane leaned forward and initiated a kiss, his left arm pulling Hunter closer as his right arm traced Hunter's backbone. Hunter moaned into the kiss and shifted slightly, pressing them even closer together. They lost their balance and fell, legs entangled, Shane on top of Hunter.
Hunter opened his eyes and stared at Shane. "Wow," he whispered, voice hoarse. "You have fire in your eyes, you know that?"
"So do you," whispered Shane back. His voice was so hoarse it was barely audible, and Shane coughed a little.
"What's going on?" wondered Hunter, and Shane only shook his head. "No clue," he admitted. The trails of fire were now everywhere across Hunter's and his skin, glowing and flickering but not really moving. "This is crazy."
"Yeah," agreed Hunter. "Makes me feel weird when I look in your eyes, like I'm drowning. Feels good, though," he added, as Shane frowned. "Like a dream, only good; a two a.m. kind of feeling."
The fire is within you, both of you, whispered a voice in Shane's head. What you see is only its outside manifestation.
Mentally, Shane reeled back. Skyla?
We are forever connected, admitted the voice in Shane's head, but this is but a memory of me that you hear now. The fire is within you, my brother, and it has always been there. The only difference is that now you can see it – and what you can see, you can manipulate. Use this gift wisely, for it is the most dangerous of all that I had given to you.
Hunter was giving him a strange look. "I heard that," he said.
Shane blinked. "You did?"
"Yeah," said Hunter. "Does this mean that you see the fire everywhere, not just…?"
Shane shook his head. "No. Not everywhere. Just… everywhere you touch me. Everywhere I touch you." Suddenly, the meaning came clear to him. He leaned forward to kiss – but Hunter's forehead, and not his lips. The fiery mark burned for only a moment before absorbing into Hunter's skin; as it did, Hunter's eyes closed, his entire body relaxing under Shane's. A shiver ran through Shane's body as he realized the gift he was given. Skyla was dead serious, saying that this was more dangerous than the battlelizer.
"You're going to explain this to me?" asked Hunter, eyes still close.
"Feeling," whispered Shane. "Emotion; this is what the fire is. I can see it, when it's really strong."
Hunter opened his eyes. "What you just did, that was more than just seeing, wasn't it."
Shane nodded. "I'm going to be careful with that."
"You should. That's… that's strong. I don't think you realize how much."
"I do," said Shane simply. His heart hammered, but he had to say it. "It's only as strong as what I'm feeling."
Hunter's eyes widened.
They remained in that position for a while.
"Better head back," said Hunter finally. "The others might be worried."
"Nah," said Shane, but he still rolled over and allowed Hunter to get up. "They're too busy partying."
They walked back south hand in hand. Shane was constantly aware of the threads of fire around their joined hands, curling up their arms, but he said nothing.
At thirty paces from the deck, Hunter paused. Looking at his expression, Shane was painfully reminded of the final trigger to Hunter's outburst: the beach club, with its light, loud music and many people, was a hostile environment to Hunter. It was one of the last things he needed after the kind of day they've had.
"We don't have to go back," Shane offered.
"Dunno," said Hunter. "Wouldn't want to spoil your party."
"You won't," said Shane sincerely. "Really."
Hunter looked at him, his expression wary and guarded. "Tell me you wouldn't prefer to be there," he said, tilting his head. "That's where you belong, you know."
Shane shook his head. "I'm not going to enjoy the party if you're here on your own," he said simply.
Hunter's expression didn't change.
"We can dance here," suggested Shane after a moment. "How about that?"
"You're kidding."
"I'm serious. Why not?"
Hunter regarded him carefully. "I don't remember when was the last time I danced," he finally admitted.
"Then we definitely need to dance." His left hand still holding Hunter's hand, Shane offered his right hand, palm facing up. "Come on."
Hesitantly, Hunter smiled.
