Disclaimer: It may come as a shock but I don't own them.
Author's note: This is it guys, the last chapter! (Sorry, Liz.) I had fun writing this one and I hope you had fun reading it! There may be more Hunter/Dustin stories but I'm going back to focusing on Supernatural. What can I say? It's my obsession! Lol. Thanks to all readers and reviewers for sticking with this story! Enjoy the last chapter! (Parts in italics are flashbacks.)
Love is in the air
Epilogue
Hunter stared in shock at the newspaper. He was clutching the paper so hard that it was wrinkling. Dustin was saying something but the words flowed over him, they had no meaning. His boyfriend pried the paper from his fingers and surprisingly enough, it didn't rip as he just let go, too shocked to be able to do much.
Dustin read the little article, eyes getting caught on the picture. A wave of relief swept through him. He felt a little horrible for feeling like that but after everything that had happened, he had every right to be relieved. Shane was reading over his shoulder and mumbled something that sounded a lot like 'good riddance.' Dustin could only agree.
He hadn't the newspaper to the other three anxiously waiting rangers. They looked up at Hunter, expectantly and a little worried about what was running through his head.
"I can't believe he's really dead. I can't believe he really killed himself." Hunter spoke, raising up his gaze to look at the group. Dustin wrapped an arm around his waist and rested his head against his shoulder. His body warmth felt comforting. It was finally over. Ben had finished what they had been unable to a week ago. They had beaten him to within an inch of his life, until he had about passed out and then they had simply left. Hunter had seen in Ben's eyes that he would leave, he'd seen something break inside of him. It had felt oddly satisfying to see Ben break down, it had finally set him free.
Now he was dead. In all honesty, he hadn't wanted it to end that way because he knew Ben had killed himself over him. It always made him wish he'd been able to get Ben the help he needed, he'd seen hints of a sweet man. If only he'd gotten help, then things might have been different. Ben had been his first love and how could anyone ever really get over that? Tears unwillingly sprung to his eyes. He didn't want to cry over the man that had caused him and Dustin so much pain but he wasn't crying over that man, he was crying over the guy he was when they had first met. A part of himself couldn't help but feel that it was all somehow his fault. Maybe if they hadn't hooked up, then Ben wouldn't have become this monster. It was foolish and he probably would've but the 'what if' kept going through his head.
"At least we know he can't hurt us anymore now." Dustin said.
"Yeah," Hunter pressed a kiss on top of Dustin's head. "I'm going to go for a walk. Need to clear my head. I'll be back in a little bit,"
Dustin reluctantly let go but let him go nonetheless. The last week had been hard for them but they had together decided they wanted to give their relationship a second chance. It wasn't going to be easy as Dustin was still dealing with the rape but Hunter was always there to wake him up when the nightmares started, would always just take him in his arms until he had calmed down. His friends had been really great too, they had assured him they didn't think any less of it. It had been a quite emotional talk between the six rangers.
Dustin looked at the group, tears shining in his eyes. They stayed quiet as he tried to think of how best to phrase what he was going to say next. He wrapped his arms more firmly around himself. He wished he was in Hunter's arms again but then he would stop talking about it and they deserved to know, they wanted to help but they couldn't unless he let them in. He'd read enough real life stories about people who'd gotten raped who pushed their friends away only to end up in a black hole. He was not going to let that happen, he wanted to deal with it, he wanted to move on. Ben's goal was to destroy him, all of them and he wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of doing exactly that.
"At some point … I actually liked it," The last part was spoken softly but he could see from their reactions that they had heard him. "I don't know why," he took a shuddering breath, "But I did, until he … you know." Dustin said with a wave. He still didn't feel like saying that part out loud and he was sure they got what he was saying anyway.
"It's not uncommon for rape victims to feel pleasure." Hunter spoke up, "I read it somewhere. And sometimes when Ben raped me, I liked it too. Well, parts of it anyway. The body just reacts. It happens."
Dustin doubtfully looked at him. "So you're not disgusted with me?"
"What? No, Dustin, of course not," Hunter spoke. He reached out and took his hand, squeezing his hand reassuringly. Dustin gave him a small smile and entwined their fingers. Hunter's hand in his felt good, it felt safe. He looked at the rest of his friends.
"It's okay, Dustin." Shane said, holding his gaze, allowing him to search his brown eyes. His expression was warm and genuine. The others nodded and mumbled their agreement. It was really all he needed to hear. He looked around the group, saw pretty much the same expressions of acceptance, worry, warmth and love in their eyes.
It became unnecessary to hide the tears. They were allowed to see it. He was pulled against Hunter's chest and he lightly stroked through his hair. Dustin grabbed a hold of Hunter t-shirt and just held on. He could feel the others' presence and their warmth, it was enough to lull him to sleep.
When he'd woken up, he'd actually been in Hunter's bed. Hunter had been right there with him, watching over him. The others had been waiting in the living room. Right then and there, he'd known he was going to be okay.
He was getting better though he was sure it would be a while longer before he would fully get over it.
He looked at the doorway Hunter had disappeared through. He was worried. This couldn't be easy for his boyfriend, none of it was.
"He'll be fine," Blake said, putting a hand on his shoulder.
Dustin nodded.
The computer started beeping loudly. The suddenly loud sound startled them all. They turned to look at the screen to find an ugly monster terrorizing the park. They looked at each other and suddenly, Dustin was laughing. It had been a while since they had fought a monster. The normality of the situation was almost hilarious, felt good too. Cam let Hunter know and then they morphed. It was good to be back.
--
Dustin snuggled closer to Hunter. He was practically sitting in the other boy's lap but since Hunter didn't seem to mind, he didn't move. The television was on but Dustin wasn't following, didn't even know what it is they were watching. He was content just sitting here with his boyfriend like this.
Tori and Blake had gone out so they had the apartment to themselves. Things were starting to really good between two shades of blue and Dustin was really happy for them. Now Shane and Cam needed to get together. He had to smile at the thought. Definitely not going to happen. Then again, stranger things have happened.
"Do you think Cam and Shane would make a cute couple?" Dustin asked when he noticed Hunter taking a sip from his drink. He wasn't surprised when he choked on it. Mission accomplished.
"Shane and Cam? I don't see that one happening any time soon."
"Me neither but that's not what I asked, dude." Dustin replied. He braced one hand against Hunter's chest and used it as leverage to push himself upright so he could look at Hunter.
"Maybe." Hunter replied thoughtfully. Dustin could tell from his expression that he was actually trying to picture it. He hid a smile. Shane and Cam would throw a fit if they could heard them now.
"I guess they would. Maybe we should play matchmaker." Hunter said with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
Dustin laughed. "Or maybe not. I value my life too much."
"Yeah, me too." Hunter agreed, making a face. The combined strength and wit of the red and green ranger would definitely make them suffer if they ever attempted such a thing.
"The things that go through your head sometimes .." Hunter remarked, shaking his head fondly.
"I know, I'm awesome." Dustin replied cheekily.
"You are," Hunter agreed with a soft smile that made Dustin blush. Hunter cupped his cheek and then leaned forward, capturing his lips for a soft kiss. It was more of a graze of lips but it was enough to send shivers of pleasure up Dustin's spine. Only Hunter had this effect on him. He might've gotten turned on with Ben but that had been nothing more than some kind of physical pleasure. With Hunter, it ran way deeper. Dustin's tongue slipped out, teasingly running over Hunter's lower lip.
Hunter pulled away, like he had done every time Dustin tried to deepen the kiss. He heaved a frustrated sigh.
"I'm fine, Hunter." He said with a little glare though he didn't really mean it. He knew why Hunter kept pulling it away, knew it was because he didn't want to force him into anything. The problem was that his boyfriend couldn't seem to get it into his thick skull that he was not forcing him into anything, that he wanted to kiss him. If he wanted to stop, he would do and say so. Trying to convince Hunter of that had been impossible and frustrating.
"I know you are," Hunter said.
"No, you don't." Dustin argued. If he did, there wouldn't be a problem. He decided to drop it and instead, rested his head back against Hunter's chest. Hunter's arm tightened around him.
He tried to focus on the television and managed to do so long enough for him to notice 'Supernatural' was on. Cute actors. It couldn't hold his attention for very long though. His thoughts started to wander again, thinking about everything and nothing but mostly, his thoughts revolved around Hunter.
He couldn't believe he had thought they wouldn't be able to get past this. He'd doubted not only his own strength but also Hunter's. He'd made it clear pretty quickly that he still wanted to be with him.
The others had given them some privacy. Standing here alone with Hunter, he was already starting to get regret his request to talk to him. He'd been great when he'd first seen him again and when he'd told his story but that didn't have to mean anything. Everything had changed. At least it seemed that way. Maybe it was just the rollercoaster of emotions he was going through that made it seem that way.
"What's wrong, Dustin?" Hunter asked softly. Dustin noticed he was keeping his distance.
He took a deep breath and bravely looked up at the other boy.
"I … I want to know where we stand."
"I know things haven't exactly been great between us but that doesn't mean I want to give up." Hunter answered.
Dustin felt hope flare up. "Are you sure?"
Hunter walked towards him and cupped his face. "Positive. I want to be here for you when you deal with what happened. I want to help you get through this. I love you, Dustin."
"I love you too."Dustin answered. Hunter pulled him into another embrace and Dustin held on for dear life.
The end
So, I ask you one last time: what did you think? Let me know!