Hours had passed since Eric had arrived and the hospital was a quiet as the hospital was going to get. The storm had decreased in its intensity – whether it was due to Eric and the Thunder ninjas drawing upon power for themselves, or just the natural passing of the storm was hard to determine. The rain continued, but the thunder, lightning and wind had disappeared.
Dana continued to monitor the conditions of all of the Rangers, but at the moment there was very little for her to do. It was close to midnight and most of the rangers were sleeping. She had managed to arrange for Tommy to crash in a room usually reserved for doctors working double or triple shifts. Jason, Billy and Kim went with him, freeing up some space in Conner's room. Eric, Ethan and Kira remained sandwiched together on Conner's bed – none of them seem inclined to move. In fact, their seemingly uncomfortable positions hadn't prevented any of the three of them from falling into a deep sleep. All of the ninjas remained stationed in Blake's room. After disappearing for a time, Kanoi had reappeared and connected with Haley and Ethan's parents. Evan, though delighted to meet Ethan's parents, chose to remain with his sons and camped in the chair where Hunter had been seated. Peace reigned and rangers recovered.
Cam couldn't determine when he had fallen asleep, but he woke up with a dead arm where Hunter had been laying on him for hours. Moving cautiously not wanting to wake up the sleeping Crimson Ranger, Cam levered himself up off the bed to look over Hunter at the others. None of the ninjas, including himself, were drawing on their power anymore. As the storm passed there was less need to protect Hunter and Blake from its power. Eventually he and Tori had fallen asleep drawn in by the influence of their bed mates.
Shane and Dustin were still standing between the beds, and it seemed to Cam that they hadn't moved. Cam was impressed – one thing neither the Red nor Yellow ninjas had ever had much success with was meditation. Cam couldn't look at his watch because his wrist was pinned beneath Hunter, but he'd guess it was somewhere close to midnight, and that meant Shane and Dustin had been meditating for hours. They both appeared relaxed and focused; neither one was fidgety nor restless. Things had definitely changed.
A glance between the standing ninjas gave Cam a look at Blake and Tori. Blake looked better than he had all day; and Tori's expression in her sleep was totally peaceful. So, the only one who didn't have any peace of mind was Cam. With a soft sigh, Cam lay back down on the bed. He tried hard not to acknowledge Hunter's proximity, but there was no way to do it. And now that he was awake he felt awkward about putting his free arm around Hunter again. His position was definitely uncomfortable. He wished he could pull Hunter close the way Tori did with Blake, but he knew it wasn't his place.
Cam let his thoughts wander. If there was one thing the events of the day had taught him it was that time was fleeting and he'd spent far too much of it attempting to ignore his feelings. Although he knew the chance of rejection was great, Cam was no longer willing to hold himself back. He was going to let Hunter know how he felt; he just didn't know how he was going to do it.
A violent twitch from Hunter snapped Cam out of his reverie. Hunter had bolted upright into a seated position. Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, he jostled Shane and Dustin. "Blake?" Hunter demanded.
It was clear from the sound of his voice that Hunter wasn't quite awake. Dustin laid a hand on Hunter's shoulder and pushed himself as far back against the equipment between the beds as he could so Hunter could get a clear look at Blake's bed. "He's right here, Hunter. He's fine."
Cam reached up to put a hand on Hunter's back to steady him. Hunter peered around Dustin, but still seemed fuzzy. "Blake?" he repeated.
"Hunner…" was Blake's mumbled reply. He reached out his right hand to Hunter; Hunter grabbed it with his left. Whatever passed between them was enough to reassure Hunter that Blake was fine. What Hunter did next surprised everyone and changed everything. Instead of getting up from his seated position on the bed to go over to Blake, Hunter swung his legs back up onto the bed. Scooting down he turned his back toward Blake and curled himself against Cam's side throwing his left arm across Cam's waist and pulling him closer. With a contented sigh, Hunter was nearly asleep again in an instant.
Cam was so shocked his body went rigid with surprise. He simply didn't know what to do. Even in his semi-conscious state, Hunter picked up on Cam's tension. He started to wake and pull away, upset. "Cam?"
It was only when Hunter began to react by pulling away that Cam responded. Cam pulled him closer and was astonished by how naturally Hunter fit into his embrace. He spent a few moments soothing the Crimson Ranger. "It's okay, Hunter. Go back to sleep. Everything's fine."
A mumbled " 'kay" indicated Hunter's acceptance of Cam's ministrations.
And everything was fine. When Cam risked a glance over the blond head resting on his shoulder he was touched and moved because what he read from the others was support on every side. Shane was close and easy to read; his thoughts held a strong tone of it's about time. Cam couldn't read Dustin as easily, but his feelings of approval and support came through loud and clear. Tori's blond head had popped up from the far side of Blake's pillow. She was grinning from ear to ear, and was obviously happy for Cam's change in circumstance.
But it was Blake who finally put Cam's fears to rest. Blake slowly turned his head to look at Cam. The Navy Thunder ninja's eyes shone with welcome and acceptance. Cam could feel the terror of uncertainty unclench is grip upon his lonely heart. Blake's words were soft, but full of meaning. "Welcome to the family, brother."
Tears of joy sprang into Cam's eyes as he reflexively drew Hunter closer. He would not be afraid or alone any more.
TBC
This is what happens when I get four days off!