Honestly, Chapter I

Honestly

Mud flew through the air, slapping his visor as roars filled his eardrums. He pulled to the right, veering dangerously close to the edge, and then fixed his eyes on the black figure in front of him. He was fast, that was no doubt, but there was no way he'd win. His moves were too sloppy and he'd already risked falling several times. Hunter smirked as, in one spontaneous burst of energy; he swiftly glided past the one person ahead of him, easily winning the race.

Cheers echoed in his ears as he pulled his helmet off, his messy blond hair now free.

"That was awesome, dude," Dustin complimented, shaking his best friend's hand.

Hunter grinned, "Thanks man."

"Were you trying to make us nervous?" Tori asked with a sensual smile.

He smiled at her, "Were you nervous, Tor?"

"I wanted you to lose."

Hunter easily saw through her façade, "Right."

Dustin cleared his throat at the awkward silence due to the flirtatious nature of his comrades.

"So, who's up for pizza?"

"Nah, I'm not really hungry; I was gonna go call Blake," Hunter replied.

"Yeah, and I've gotta get to the beach before the swell dies down."

Dustin looked dejected, "Oh, sure."

With that, Tori said her goodbyes and began the trek towards her van, leaving Dustin and Hunter alone.

Dustin watched Hunter begin to walk away.

"Oh, Hunter," he called out in remembrance, "I was wondering if maybe you wanted to come over tonight and watch a movie or something."

Hunter looked torn. He knew where that movie watching session would lead, and that situation would definitely make his friendship with Dustin even more complicated than it currently was.

"Uh…"

Dustin's eyes pleaded, but the brunet remained quiet, awaiting an answer.

"…yeah, just let me get showered and everything. I'll be there around 8?"

The former yellow ranger's face broke into a beaming smile, "Yeah, sure dude."

Hunter gave a nod and then went on his way.

The sun was sinking into its otherworldly bed but Tori paid no attention. She subconsciously wiggled closer to the warm body holding her, taking in the scent and the safe environment. His room was always the same: not messy, not nitpicked clean, but just right. The only mess she could see so far was the abundance of clothes they'd both removed from each other in a speedy manner; a mass of blue and red garments strewed near the foot of his bed.

"Tor…my arm's asleep," he said, chuckling slightly.

She laughed slightly as well, moving her head so his arm could regain feeling.

"Sorry about that."

He shook his head, "It's fine…" then he paused, "What time is it?"

"Almost 6:30, why?"

She turned to look him in the face so they were less than centimeters from each other. She noted how intensely blue his eyes were, especially in the soft radiance of fading sunlight. Her mind traced the curvature of his lips—the same ones she'd kissed so many times in secretive passion. Then his face shifted as he began to speak about something she cared nothing about. She just watched him speak in such simple beauty.

"You didn't even hear a word I said, did you?" he asked.

She nodded quietly.

He rolled his eyes and took her in his arms, still caught in his emotional confusion. Who was he to choose? How was he to choose? Tori would be the easiest route, which was certain. She provided everything he needed to live a normal life and she was a girl that would definitely be ready to settle down and start a family, given she could provide a family. While Dustin, on the other hand, would provide spontaneity, constant companionship, loyalty, and youth; at the same time, he would never be able to provide a biological family and the journey through their relationship would be extremely difficult.

"When are we going to tell people about us?" Tori asked, interrupting his thoughts with a bomb-sized question.

Hunter instinctively responded, "Soon. I just…I don't want Blake to hate me."

Tori nodded, but on the inside, she was irritated—hurt, even. That had been Hunter's excuse for 3 months precisely. Blake. How long would it take Blake to get over her? And why did Hunter feel the need to meet secretively yet compassionately.

"Tor?" he whispered, sensing something was wrong, "I promise; soon."

She smiled as he gently kissed her and she photographed the scene privately.

"Shower?" she asked quietly.

He smirked and pulled her out of bed, carrying her to her bedside bathroom.

Frantically, Dustin tidied his living room. It was already "neat" but he wanted it perfect—everything had to be perfect for Hunter.

"Are you…cleaning?"

Dustin looked to the curious voice's source.

"Uh…yeah; company."

"I see. She must be mighty special," the voice continued.

Dustin laughed, "It's not like that mom, it's just Hunter."

She smiled inwardly. She was no fool, she knew about her son's feelings towards the blond man. She'd seen the obvious looks between the two and the smoldering sexual tension that encompassed them.

"Oh, Hunter! Has he eaten already? I can whip something up before dad and I leave."

Dustin laughed, "Mom…it's fine."

"Do you want me to leave money for a pizza or something? I don't want you boys dying of starvation while we're gone."

"Humans can go like, 3 weeks without food; but yeah, pizza would be nice," he smiled. Cam's useless ninja survival facts were fun to recite.

Smirking, she replied, "I'll leave 50; go wild."

If she only knew…

"You ready hon?" his father asked, straightening his tie as he entered the living room.

"You know it."

Dustin laughed inside himself; his family was so perfect…except for the terrible secret he'd hidden deep inside. That could never get out. It would devastate his mother and father to the point where he'd be incapable of living with himself.

"Have fun guys," Dustin said, waving as they exited.

"Be good," his mom teased as she shut the door.

A gripping fear came upon Dustin. Did she know? Of course not, she couldn't know. They'd been so secretive, so careful, and so undeniably evasive of the matter, that there was no possible way anyone could have known. She could speculate, sure, but she would never know. She couldn't. Several raps on the door awakened him from his subconscious ramblings.

Jumping up, Dustin swung the door open to greet Hunter.

"Sup dude?" Hunter asked casually as he stepped in.

"Not much, you?"

"Same."

The crimson-clad male strolled through the living room as he kicked his shoes off near the doormat.

"So what movie'd you feel like watching?" Dustin asked, closing the door.

"Ah…anything that's not a chick flick."

Dustin chuckled forcibly.

"I've got a couple comedies."

"How about something deep? I'm feeling philosophical," Hunter joked.

"Oh, actually dude, I've got this great movie Tori made me watch a couple months ago."

Hunter cleared his throat slightly at the mention of Tori.

Dustin's face twitched a bit but he carried on, "It's called Garden State."

"As in New Jersey?"

"I guess."

"Cool. Got any food?"

Dustin, putting in the movie, pointed with the DVD remote to the counter, "There's money on the counter for a pizza. You know what we like."

Hunter scanned the statement but rejected any innuendo that could've possibly been hidden. He made his way to the counter and picked up the cordless, watching Dustin's intricate yet clumsy movements. What was it about him that made him so…appealing? What was it about him that could evoke Hunter's worst, darkest cravings? What was it about Waldo Brooks that made Hunter feel a normal life was worth giving if it meant being with him?

"Tell me you didn't get sausage," Dustin pleaded as he plopped onto the couch adjacent Hunter's chosen sofa-chair.

"Oops…"

"Agh…what else did you get?"

"I didn't get sausage. I got that supreme thing with extra cheese instead of sausage and some breadsticks. I'm hungry," Hunter laughed.

Dustin grinned, "More like greedy."

Hunter returned the banter, "Don't forget selfish."

Dustin somewhat flinched. That actually did make sense. Hunter wanted Tori, Dustin knew that much. Hell, Hunter probably already had Tori; it was just that he insisted on pulling Dustin into the fray as well. He didn't care about Dustin's feelings towards him, he only cared about the satisfaction he got. Hunter Bradley was indeed selfish.

"I guess I can agree there," Dustin said, all joking aside.

Hunter sensed the change in tone instantly.

"Dustin…"

"You know, dude, it's like…I know it's wrong. I know it's wrong on so many levels—and I know you're with Tori, that much is obvious, but…that still doesn't stop me. And it should, I know it should—"

"Dustin."

"But it doesn't, it's like I don't even care. I guess that's kind of how you must feel huh?"

"Dustin, stop."

"You know Tori and I are best friends dude, we've been friends since I can remember. Yet here we are secretly fighting for you, for one prize; and let me say it's one hell of a prize."

"Dustin, shut up."

"I probably should, you know? Let's just go back to being quiet and hushing everything up, so that in a little while, you and Tori can go public, you and I will continue to be 'best friends' for all to see…but what happens to this?"

Hunter looked aside. He could feel the anger building up in him, yet there was something inside of him laughing like this was all foreseen. Which, in all fairness, it was; Hunter knew something like this would happen. It was human nature to be competitive; he just didn't know Dustin had that part of human nature.

"I—I dunno…" Hunter replied, having found his voice.

"When are we finally gonna be able to be honest?"

"We are honest…sometimes."

"I'm not talking about to others, Hunter; I don't care if you lie to them, just don't lie to yourself. Try being honest with yourself, you'd be amazed where it'll get you."

With that, the earth ninja stood and excused himself to the bathroom, leaving Hunter with the words echoing. He wouldn't be surprised if Hunter left; Hunter was good at running away from problems, especially when the problems were emotional.

"Being honest with myself…" Hunter sighed, "That is not what I had in mind by philosophical…"