A/N: This takes place after the episode with the boxing kangaroo, I totally made up the part about Deke, and the part about Jon. Creative license available on request. They are both plot devices, although Jonnie-boy's going to be a rather long term one.
Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers
Blake found Hunter at the beach where the Wind Rangers sparred when not at Ninja Ops; the Crimson Ranger was sitting on a blanket watching the waves. He walked down the beach and sat down, "Hey," he said quietly, "What's up?"
Hunter looked over at him, "I thought you were making things up with Tori."
Blake smiled, "She's already forgiven me, and you seemed kinda down."
Hunter sighed, "Yeah, I'm fine, Blake."
"Don't give me that attitude, Hunter," Blake said, "remember, I'm the one you tell all your secrets too."
Hunter snorted in amusement, "Yeah, whatever," he said. "Blake, I'm fine, ok? I'm just, well, lonely. I mean, you've got Tori." He paused, "Remember Deke?"
"Yeah," Blake said, "you really liked him." Deke Hawkins had been Hunter's boyfriend for a year, until the other Thunder Ninja had graduated and left the Academy. They had split amicably, both realizing that Hunter's future would be with the Academy, and Deke's future was as his father's heir. The whole year, Deke had been under pressure from his parents to 'grow out of his phase' and to 'find a proper woman'. He'd sworn up and down that he would choose his own future, and wouldn't let his parents' threat of disinheritance dissuade him from his chosen future.
"I did," Hunter said, "I called him the other day, since we haven't talked in a year. He's married."
"Married?" Blake said, stunned, "I thought…"
"So did I," Hunter said. "I think I scared him straight."
"Now that's not true," Blake said. "You have no control over Deke. Same as he has no control over you. If Deke decided to pass up a great person in favor of parental pressure, then he wasn't good enough for you."
Hunter grinned, "Isn't that my line?"
"What, you don't think Tori's good enough for me?" Blake asked.
"Actually," Hunter said, pretending to think about it, "I'm not sure that you're good enough for Tori."
Blake clapped his hand to his heart, "Stung, by my own brother!"
Hunter laughed, and he relaxed, "I just wish I could find a guy," he said finally. "I mean, it's all right when I hang with the guys, but it would be nice to date someone who knows nothing about my side job as a Ranger."
"You could go clubbing," Blake said, "I overheard some of our neighbors talking about a great gay club in Blue Bay. It's 18 and over."
"Gay club?" A voice behind them asked, confused.
Hunter and Blake turned to find Shane and Dustin behind them, "Hey guys," Hunter said, standing up. "What's up?"
"Nothing much," Shane said, "what's going on?"
Blake stood up as well, "Nothing much, why?"
"I'm confused," Dustin said, "a gay club; isn't that for, like, guys who like guys?"
"Yeah," Hunter said. He squared his shoulders, "Seeing as I am gay, it would be something I'm interested in."
"What?" Shane said, "You're gay?"
"Yes," Hunter said. He wasn't going to hide his sexuality from anyone. He didn't flaunt it, but he wasn't hiding either.
Shane didn't say anything, he turned and stalked away, when he was further down, he switched to Ninja Streak. "Uh oh," Dustin said. "That's not good."
"What?" Blake asked.
Dustin paused, "Tori knows the story better than I do. She's coming down."
Just then, Tori's light blue streak appeared over the cliff. When she landed, she looked around, "Where's Shane?" She asked.
"He left," Dustin said, "Tori, did you know Hunter's gay?"
Tori blinked, "Shane found out?"
"Yeah," Dustin said.
Tori frowned, "That's really not good."
"Hey, I'm standing right here," Hunter said, "What's going on?"
Tori hesitated, and then said, "Shane has two older brothers, Porter and Jonathon. He totally looks up to Porter, but he never talks about Jonathon. Porter's about ten years older than Shane and Jon's another six before that. If Shane is his parents' miracle baby, and Porter is their pride and joy, Jon's the disappointment. Jon left home when he was seventeen, he graduated early and was accepted at Stanford, he was going to study medicine. A year later, he returned home and came out to his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are very religious, when Jon told them; they went into hell child and demon spawn mode instantly. I don't know what Porter thinks of Jon, but Shane was raised with a lot of homophobia and religion. Shane told me about Jon about a year ago; when another of our friends, Bryan, told us he was bisexual. Shane cut Bryan out of his life, and we never talk about it."
"Great," Hunter said, "so we have a homophobic Red Ranger that I have to deal with."
"I don't think he is," Dustin said, "I mean, he likes Cam."
Tori gave Dustin a Look, and then smiled at the bewildered Thunders, "Cam is bisexual. Shane knows, but, I don't know, something happened and I think Shane just ignores that fact."
"Well," Hunter said, "He's just going to have to deal with me, because it's not like we can switch teams or something."
"I'll talk to him," Tori replied, "It may take time."
Hunter nodded, "Just know, I'm not going to take any homophobic stuff lying down. That's not my style."
"I'm not going to take it either," Blake said, "I'm sorry, Tori, but if the choice comes between Hunter and Shane, I'm going to side with Hunter."
Tori smiled, "That's ok. I'll go talk to him now, and I'll see you guys at training tomorrow." She turned and streaked off.
Hunter glanced at Blake, "I have to get to work, Blake. I'll see you later." He turned and streaked off as well.
Blake sighed, and looked at Dustin, who looked thoughtful, "What's up?" Blake asked.
"Dude, I know Cam's single, and I think Hunter said he was, right?" Dustin said, Blake nodded carefully, "Why don't we set them up?"
