Cam couldn't stop thinking. The processes of an algorithm scrolled down his computer screen but he barely paid attention. Every second of each kiss replayed in his mind in slow motion. In reality they were fleeting, not much of anything. Yet his mind amplified them to more than what they were. There was nothing more and if Cam had his way, would never be. It made the idea revisiting his abandoned virtual replicate program alluring, but he found that human behavior was at times unpredictable, even his own. Time had passed and yet neither had brought up the instances again, and it didn't appear a chance would present itself to recreate them. Until that day.

Hunter was wearing cargo pants. That in itself wasn't unusual, but the fact that he entered Ninja Ops dressed casually meant he wasn't there for business. The black t-shirt and crimson button down meant he wasn't stopping through on the way to the track either. He had a blithe grin as he casually walked over to Cam's station.

"I figured it out." Hunter announced, placing his hand on Cam's arm rest, looking down at the seat's occupant with bright eyes.

Cam continued to work on his project. He was unsure why he continued to shrug off Hunter's company, and he seemed even more confused on why it mattered. Even more confusing questions remained on why he acted upon impulse and kissed a guy he very well should have punched. Or how Hunter could wander in as if nothing had changed. He waited for over a minute, but he realized the cold shoulder wasn't going to work. "What did you figure out?" He echoed, a hint of irritation in his voice.

"Dustin said you might be a sandbagger, whatever the hell that is, Shane said you scare him with or without glasses, and Tori said it was a Linus thing." Hunter scrunched up his face in thought before the grin resumed on his face. "I always thought you used them to intentionally block people out, but it's a security blanket."

"My glasses are not a security blanket, Hunter." Cam muttered, wondering for the twentieth time why the Crimson Ranger seemed obsessed with Cam's glasses. He took them off, almost in defiance, and set them next to the keyboard. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes as he listened to Hunter sigh.

"So, why do you wear them even when you don't need them?"

"Not all of the time."

"When you're comfortable."

"I never thought about it." Cam saved his last document and closed it, twisting his chair around to glance up at Hunter. "That's why you traveled all the way here?"

"No," Hunter smirked and shrugged his shoulders helplessly. "I was just in the neighborhood."

"Right." Cam sighed as he stood, brushing past Hunter to pick up a few documents on the table behind him. "I really don't have time to-"

Something in the way their eyes met before he crossed, the unspoken challenge and acceptance of dares, Cam knew that his glasses would be missing by the time he returned to his desk. And so would Hunter.

"I'll be back later, Dad." Cam called out randomly over his shoulder as he sprinted up the stairs.

---

Cam ran, using abilities he was technically not supposed to know. He figured that Hunter, like everyone, assumed that he wouldn't be able to catch up. He stopped outside of the clearing as waited for Hunter to run into him. The tall blond looked pleased with himself and he stepped through the trees. That expression wavered slightly when he found Cam waiting on trail in front of him.

"I didn't know you were that fast."

"I'm a sandbagger." Cam snapped, adding after a pause. "Dad made me run as punishment."

"You need them that bad, huh?" Hunter crossed his arms defiantly. "I don't know if I want to give them to you today."

"What?"

"Yeah, I think I might want to hold on to them, a keepsake of sorts."

"Storm Chargers has better souvenirs."

"Okay, maybe I want to...test them?"

"Just give them back."

"No, I want to figure you out." Hunter spoke, unfolding his arms. "Then maybe we can stop this whole 'kiss-and-run' thing before it becomes a trend."

"You started it."

"But-" Hunter started to counter, but rolled his eyes instead. He held his arms out, palms open. "Look, I kissed you that day to throw you off, and I did."

"I returned the favor." Cam replied after he absorbed the information. While it settled the questions in his mind, he felt disappointment in its place. "Mystery solved?"

"Nope." Hunter raised his eyebrows as he smiled, fishing for the glasses in his shirt pocket.

"Give me my glasses back."

"In return, I get-"

"This isn't a trade."

"I never said it was a trade. I demand ransom."

"How about I don't break your arm?" Cam stepped forward, unsure to whether his offer came as a threat or something else, but judging by the grin on Hunter's face it was the latter. It was starting to become clear to him that he was the test subject, not the other way around.

"Or you can watch Space Mutiny with me tomorrow." Hunter held out the glasses in front of him.

"I don't like movies." Cam wrapped his fingers around the glasses, giving a flat look as the other teen didn't let go.

"Don't worry, there's nothing to love with this one. That's why I think you'll enjoy it." Hunter grinned, tugging back on the frames, reeling Cam in.

"Or I can break your arm." Cam replied, pulling back on the frames. He needed to root himself, not let himself get drawn in and beyond his control. "No more kiss tactics."

"I won't if you won't." Hunter nodded, releasing the glasses. "You still have to watch that movie with me tomorrow."

"Fine." Cam set about cleaning off his glasses. There were fingerprints all over the lenses, and he needed to see, to focus.

Hunter leaned forward, a sideways grin that was obviously up to no good appeared on his face. It was almost endearing. Almost. "Kiss on it?"

Cam made a face as he put his glasses on. "Goodbye, Hunter."

"Later, Cam." With a flash of crimson, Hunter was gone. That trick was far too quick to really be appreciated, he thought to himself. He also concluded that the world had gone insane. At least the next day would be interesting. He needed to prepare. And plan.

tbc

Author's Note: A sandbagger, according to Merriam-Webster, is to conceal or misrepresent one's true position, potential, or intent especially in order to take advantage of. Which in Dustin's mind, is so totally Cam, dude.