"Thanks for driving me, Dustin."

"No problem. I know what it's like to share a car." He closed the black door, locking the car from the inside. "By the way, do you know if Hunter is coming?"

"I haven't seen him, yet. But I think he's still coming."

"Is something wrong?"

"Why are you asking?" Blake looked surprised that Dustin actually picked up on his feelings. It was either that or he wasn't hiding them as well as thought.

"I don't know. You look sad or something?"

"No." But in fact, he was thinking about his older brother. Blake hadn't seen him for three days, now. "I just hope Tori likes my present." Not exactly a lie, just not the whole truth.

Luckily, Dustin seemed to believe it. His mind concentrated on another presence. "Hey Shane."

"Hey guys."

Blake gave a soft smile, his mood lifting immediately at the sight of Shane.

"Does it still hurt?" Shane had a large discolouration on his left cheek, alongside a choice few in other areas. Although they weren't as prominent as they were a couple of days ago, Blake still wanted to make sure Shane was really okay. But was limited since they were both around Dustin.

"It's better, now. Almost gone, too." Although he tried, Shane's words did little to assure Blake.

"I still can't believe you got mugged like that." Dustin said.

"You can't believe? Dustin. I was the victim."

"So how was school?" Not wanting to be reminded that he couldn't do anything to help Shane, Blake decided to change the subject. Giving his friends a devious smile.

"Dude, that is so not fair."

"What can I say? Home schooling does have its perks."

"Don't rub it in, Blake." Shane wrapped his arm leisurely around Blake, tousling his hair. His hand lingering more than necessary.

"So what did you get Tori, Shane? I'll tell you what I bought if you tell me."

"Like I'm really going to tell you. And she's going to open everybody's later, anyway."

"I know, but I already asked Blake He wouldn't tell me, either."

"Probably because you'd blab what it was before she got a chance to open it. Remember when you asked what she got me for my birthday?"

"That was before Hunter and I came, right? Tori started to tell me, but she wouldn't finish."

"For the same reason I won't and Dustin better not tell you."

"That bad, huh?"

Dustin looked at Blake, shaking his head in exaggeration. "Dude, you have no idea."

Even though he didn't understand the inside-joke, Blake found himself laughing with his friends.

"It's okay if you won't tell me, then. But at least it's blue wrapping paper." Dustin pointed to the three gifts each of them was holding.

"That's kind of weird." Blake glanced at Shane.

"What? That it's blue?" For a moment, he thought Shane had something against the colour.

"No, it's just-"

"It is her favourite colour."

"Among other things." Shane mumbled more to himself. "But I still don't see the big deal. We knew that already."

Dustin looked thoughtfully at his friends. "I just think it's nice to remember."

As they neared the restaurant, Dustin saw a familiar profile in the distance. "Hey Blake."

"Hmm?" Blake turned his attention to Dustin.

"Is that Hunter?"

Sure enough, as he peered ahead, Blake saw that it was Hunter. He had difficulty controlling his excitement, as he hadn't seen his brother in what seemed like forever. And although it wasn't the first time, he felt better having Hunter in his sight.

It wasn't until he came closer that he actually saw the bruises on Hunter's face.

His smile of relief quickly dissipating as he turned to Shane. "Could you hold Tori's gift for me?"

"Ah…sure."

Blake gave Shane both the gift and a soft squeeze on the arm. "Thanks."

And if not for his sense of pride, Blake would have ran to his brother's side. "Hunter?" He gently stroked his brother cheek, hoping not to damage Hunter further. "You're hurt."

It wasn't as if Blake wasn't used to this scenario. Hunter got hurt plenty of times, but it never did get easier to see it.

Despite the fact that they were in public, Blake began a hasty search. Slightly lifting Hunter's shirt and gently patting his sides to check for any more injury. Hunter, happy just to be near his brother again, tried to reassure him, laughing happily at the thought of Blake's concern.

While Shane was left to watch.

"It's okay, Blake. I'm fine, really."

Blake peered into Hunter's eyes. Although, he could guess what happened, he didn't want to disclose Hunter's personal matters to Shane and Dustin.

Because they were just that. Personal. "Are you sure?"

Hunter enveloped his brother into a hug, which Blake eagerly returned. "Positive."

Dustin was awed by the display. Being an only child, he could never quite grasp the connection between siblings. But even he knew that it had to be more for Hunter and Blake. They apparently weren't bothered with showing their affection, either.

"Hey guys?" The brothers turned their attention to Dustin. "Happy for your "reunion" in all, but can we go inside, now? Tori's probably waiting for us."

Blake and Hunter both smiled sheepishly. "Sorry."

The five figures were seated around a circular table. Empty was the basket holding their only source of fulfilment for the moment. The butter container was suspiciously licked clean, as well.

"Thanks for coming, guys." Tori looked at the three presents, smiling at the thoughtful preparation. "And for the wrapping paper, too."

Dustin gave Shane a vindicated look. "I told you blue was important." Shane's only response was to roll his eyes.

"Here are your salads." The friends looked up at the appearance of the waiter. "Sorry for the wait. Your entrées will be coming shortly." Seeing the empty roll basket, the waiter offered more, an offer to which they declined.

"Are you sure…I hope I'm not being rude in saying this, but even the butter containers look pretty clean."

Dustin turned beet red, hiding his head in between his hands. Silently thanking Tori for coming to his rescue.

"No, we'll be fine." She looked at other four in her party. "Right, guys." Happy at the collective agreement.

"All right, then. Is there anything else I may get you?" As his friends were quickly devouring their salads, Hunter squinted to see the name tag on the waiter's uniform. "No thank you, Michael."

"Enjoy you salad." Hunter watched as Michael walked away. Although he looked different, not wearing all black, could it be the same one as-

"Hey Hunter." He turned to face his brother, who elbowed him lightly. "Are you going to eat your salad?"

"Yeah, just give me a sec, will you?"

"Shane, how are your bruises?"

"Didn't you just ask me that yesterday, Tori." Shane was entering unwanted territory. He didn't mind talking about it, but not with Hunter here.

"Excuse me for caring about you, Shane. Don't bite my head off for it."

"Sorry, it's just not a big deal, know?"

There then was a strange silence that permeated. A silence Tori hoped to get rid of. "So Hunter, did you get mugged, too."

"Huh?" Hunter thought, for a moment, remembering the small bruises on his face. "Uh, no."

"Blake didn't beat you up again, did he?"

"Yeah right, Dustin. Like Blake could take me." Shane noticed Hunter ruffle his brother's hair, an action he did but moments before. "It was just some personal business."

Blake scoffed at his brother's confidence. "Yeah, keep telling yourself, bro." Hunter turned to give his brother a soft smile, unnoticed by Tori and Dustin.

"And what do you mean by 'too'?"

Tori looked confused. "You didn't notice?"

"Notice what?"

Dustin, still excited about the news, was happy to fill Hunter in. "Shane got mugged."

Shane shrugged off the scrutinising look Hunter gave him. Trying his best to be nonchalant about it. "It's not a big deal."

But much to Shane's alarm and well-concealed surprise, Hunter continued to press on.

"Shane?" Speaking slowly as if Shane were a child. "How did you let yourself get mugged?"

He didn't want Blake to find out the truth, and Hunter seemed in no hurry to rush the discovery. Eager to corner Shane.

"I mean-"

"Sorry I'm late." The five friends were startled by the sudden entrance of Cam. He immediately pulled out a chair, setting his gift upon the table. "I just had so much to do. I even figured out a new way to increase the-"

"Stop right there, Cam. As interesting as I'm sure it sounds, not on my birthday, okay?"

Cam smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, Tori. I guess I can get carried away sometimes."

"Define carried away."

"Very funny, Shane." Taking a closer look, Cam noticed both Shane and Hunter shared similar bruises. "What happened to you guys? I know I haven't seen everyone in a couple of days, but did you get in a fight with each other or something?"

Tori and Dustin seemed calm, the latter answering Cam's question. "Shane got mugged in school and Hunter got beat up by his brother, again."

"Oh…Never mind then. Did you guys order me something, already?"

The issue seemed to be dropped as Tori, Dustin, and Cam discussed the menu. But Blake was not imperceptive to Hunter and Shane's sudden stillness.

"Uh…would you guys excuse us for a minute?" Blake smiled uneasily. Standing up from the chair and grabbing Shane's arm in the process. Much to his benefit, Shane didn't put up much of a protest.

Hunter looked at Shane accusingly, even though he spoke to Blake. "What are you doing?"

"Shane has to help me with something to do with Tori's gift. I almost forgot about it. Right, Shane?"

Shane could only hope he didn't look at suspicious as he felt. "That's right. I forgot, too. We'll be right back guys." He didn't know exactly why Blake wanted to speak to him. But he did have an idea. So he followed Blake, something telling him it wouldn't be good to make a scene

Shane found himself following Blake's lead. To a darkened area outside of the restaurant. He was taken back by the bitterness directed at him.

From Blake.

"Shane, you lied to me?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I was mugged? I know my brother is a lot of things, but I know he isn't the type to mug people."

Suddenly Shane found himself in the same situation he desperately tried to avoid. "Well, what was I supposed to do?"

"I don't know Shane. How about tell the truth?"

"Is this because I fought with Hunter?"

"It's one thing to fight with Hunter, but it's more than that Shane." Blake looked so hurt and lost that Shane honestly didn't know what to do. "Hunter gets into fights sometimes. I know that. It's part of Hunter. But he never lies about it."

"I didn't want you to know."

"Obviously."

"Blake, I was only trying to protect you." As noble as it sounded in his head; Shane cringed when he heard himself say it aloud.

Blake moved closer, no more than a hand's length away from Shane. "From what?"

Blake's anger was flaring dangerously. "You?"

Seeming to reach a peak. "My brother? I can take care of myself. And I can't believe you thought Hunter would ever be a threat to me."

Cornered, Shane took his last defence. "He started it."

"Listen to yourself. And if anything, Hunter was trying to protect you. I haven't seen him in three days, Shane. Three. He avoided me so I wouldn't ask questions."

Although Blake was shorter, in Shane's mindset his physical presence was suddenly overwhelming. "Because my brother would never lie to me."

For a moment, Shane actually thought Blake was getting to spit at him, but only shook his head. Giving Shane a look that literally crushed him to pieces.

Blake was disappointed.

"Tell the others I'm going home. And don't follow me." He watched Blake walk into the parking lot, towards his and Hunter's car, and perhaps out of his life.

Hearing a gasp, Shane turned back to the restaurant. Apparently his "disagreement" with Blake had drawn a small crowd. A crowd that included Dustin, Tori, and Cam. Shane took a deep breath, nervously massaging his forehead. This was not the way he wanted to spend the evening.

And out of the corner of his eye, he could see Hunter's silhouette in the background. Coming closer as he moved to follow his little brother.

A crooked smile all too noticeable on his face.

And I thought the last chapter was bad.

I suppose Hunter and Blake's reunion was a bit dramatic, but I wanted to contrast their relationship with Shane and Blake's. This is why Shane is so jealous of Hunter. Because he would never be that close with Blake.

And the trust thing is a big deal for Blake and Hunter. It will be explained in the next and final four chapters. :happy dance:

I hope the brothers didn't come out too touchy feely, but they were all over each other in the series. And remember Blake when Hunter was in control by Luthor? So not that out of character after all.