Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers, but hey I can dream can't I?
*Italic indicates thought
Chapter Six: Little Brother Talk
A/N: Hello! Thanks for all the reviews! They make me happy! Please, please, please review this chapter! Thanks!
"We've all got both light and dark inside of us. What matters is the part we chose to act on, that's who we really are." -Sirius Black
The rest of the day went smoothly, and as normally as it usually would. Antonio went fishing and trained with Lauren, and avoided any PDA in front of Jayden. Later that night he was sitting in his room with Lauren. They we're sitting on his bed, his arms around her.
"So did Ji say anything?"
"Not at first. Unlike Jayden he actually let someone explain first."
"So he wasn't mad?"
"He did ask me if we needed to talk about...well...You know."
Antonio started laughing. "And how did that go?"
"It didn't. I assured him that I know my duty is to the world I would not do something stupid to jeopardize my fighting ability."
"What did he say?"
"He said ok, but I think he just wanted to avoid having that talk."
"Well i don't think it would be very comfortable for him."
"Definely not."
"I wonder how everyone found out so fast."
"Mike, Kevin, and Emily saw me, made their assumptions, and then passed the assumption onto Jayden, Mia, and Ji."
"You'd think they'd handle this better, living in a house of young adults and all."
"Well there is a reason that Ji has the boys and girls sleeping in different hallways."
Antonio snorted. "I think we've proven that couldn't stop us."
"True."
There was a knock on Antonio's door. "Who is it?"
"Jayden. Can I come in?"
"That depends. Are you armed?"
"Not with a weapon."
"Only with a lifetime of martial arts training," Lauren whispered to Antonio.
The gold ranger laughed. "Come on in."
Jayden opened the door and walked in. "Lauren, can I talk to Antonio alone please?"
"Sure," she replied getting up. "I have to talk to a few people about jumping to conclusions." She left the two boys, shutting the door behind her.
"What's up?" Antonio asked.
Jayden sat down on the edge of the bed, facing Antonio who sat against the wall. "We need to talk about you and Lauren."
"Look, what happened today-"
"Just listen. I'm sorry for overreacting, but I had a right to. She's my sister. My family. I love her very much."
"I know," Antonio said.
"I know you do," Jayden responded. "Which is why we're having this conversation."
"I don't understand."
"Let me explain it then. You two have been going out for a while now. She cares about you and you care about her on a level that extends past the usual friendship among the team. However, I want you to know that if you hurt her, gold ranger or not, I will kill you. And I am not joking."
Antonio nodded, feeling the severity of the situation.
"You two are allowed to make your owns decisions regarding the...actions on how far you take your relationship. Just remember that we have a duty to fulfill. Also, this is Lauren's first relationship and I don't want her to jump into something she's not ready for just because she got excited about having this special connection to you."
Antonio nodded. "Jayden I would never push her to something she's not ready for."
"I know. I trust you with her more than anyone else, because I know you better than anyone else. And better than anyone else I know you are a good guy. But, as Lauren's brother, I feel like I need to talk to you about this. I say it not as your friend, but as her brother. And if you break her heart, or take advantage of her, I will hunt you down, drag you back, and end you."
Antonio nodded. "I would never do anything to hurt her Jayden. I love her. More than anyone I've ever known. "
"I know you do. And I know she loves you too."
Antonio smiled. "Is that it?"
Jayden nodded. "Yup. I'll leave you to relax."
"If you see Lauren tell her to please come back."
Jayden nodded, smiling. "Will do."
He left Antonio and a few minutes later Lauren re-joined her boyfriend, snuggling on his bed.
"What was your talk about?" she asked him.
"Just standard boyfriend-to-only-brother stuff."
"Did he threaten you?"
"Only a little."
Lauren rolled her eyes. "I'm the older one. I don't need him to fight my revenge for me."
"He's just looking out for you."
"I'm an adult. I can handle my relationships on my own."
Antonio smiled kissed her neck. "I know you can."
Lauren smiled and kissed him back.
-Light and Dark-
A few hours Lauren was heading for her room. She detoured first though and knocked on Jayden's door.
"Come in," he said. "What's up?" he asked when she came in and shut the door behind her.
"We need to talk."
"About what?"
"You chasing my boyfriends around with a sword, threatening to kill them."
"I've only done it to one person."
"And that's more than enough. Jayden, you need to not overreact to my being in a relationship."
Jayden sighed. "I know."
"Then stop. If Antonio were to hurt me I can take care of it myself."
"I know you can. But as your brother I'm entitled to be protective."
"I'll remember that when you get a girlfriend."
"We'll talk when that actually happens."
"Gotta happen some time, little brother."
Jayden smiled. "But not yet."
"No," Lauren agreed. "Not yet."
"Can you promise me one thing?"
"What is it?"
"Don't rush into any commitments with Antonio. Not until you know you're ready."
"I won't Jay. Don't worry."
"But I do worry."
"And that's why I love you."
-Light and Dark-
While she got ready for bed Lauren thought over her talk with Jayden. Part of her was happy he was being so protective. The protective job was usually taken by the girl's dad, but that was something Lauren didn't really have. She loved Ji, but she didn't have that special bond he had with Jayden, even though at times he did feel like a father to her. Jayden stepping up and fulfilling the role lacking in her life right now made her happy.
It made her love him even more. And she knew that when he started dating, she would be there to fulfill the role to their absent mom. Her mind wandered back to her promise. She certainly wasn't ready to take the step everyone had assumed they'd taken. Not yet. She didn't even want to take that step until she was married, and she wasn't married to Antonio. Not yet.
"Maybe it's time we talked," Lauren said to herself. "Just so we know each other stands."
She decided this was a good idea. She truly cared for Antonio and wanted to be with him. And anything she could do to make that easier, and deeper, was fine by her.