1. This story is written for the Power Rangers Slash Write challenge. You can find the rules for this challenge, and all fics written for it, at the Livejournal community prsw22. Link available on my profile page here on fanfic dot net.

2. This chapter in the story is set in the night following the season finale. This is the last chapter of this story.

3. Love: to my wonderful friends and beta readers, Camille and Mara. You are amazing, and you absolutely rock.

If someone had told him, that morning, that he would be having a white night, Shane would've probably laughed it off: losing a full night's sleep was not an option when one might be facing a battle at a moment's notice. If someone had told Shane, that morning, that Lothor would be gone before the sun set again, Shane would've certainly laughed it off. As it was, though, the Rangers had faced off against Lothor in a final combat that day, and they had won. Sensei Watanabe was human again; the stasis fields broke with the destruction of Lothor's ship, returning the kidnapped ninjas of both the Wind and Thunder schools, and even the buildings. Between the trials of the Action Games, and the tribulations of the final confrontation, that day felt more like a week.

It was late at night – Shane had no idea what the hour was, and felt no particular need to check his watch. Tori and Blake were god knows where – they disappeared hours ago, saying something about a stroll on the beach. It felt good, not having to worry for them, being able to quench the habit of keeping tabs on everyone's whereabouts. Cam was by the fire, tending to it. The flickering light made him look older, casting deep shadows across his face, but he smiled when Shane caught his eye, and the smile was warm and relieved: we won, Cam's smile seemed to say. I have my dad back. There were two nests of blankets, one on either side of the fire. Dustin and Marah were in one, asleep together and cuddled in more blankets then Shane could make out in the semi-darkness. To the other side of the fire was Kapri: asleep, in Earth clothes, she seemed strangely vulnerable to Shane. Then there was him, somewhat more distant from the fire, leaning against a rock with his legs stretched out in front of him; and next to him, lying with his head in Shane's lap, peacefully asleep, was Hunter.

Hunter's sleeping face was captivating to him. He'd never seen Hunter asleep, before: they had spent so many night hours together, but they never so much as gone to sleep in the same room. How many times had Shane wondered what it would be like? Shane had asked Hunter over, more than once, but Hunter had always declined. Shane accepted that – both because he didn't really have another choice, and because he knew Blake had never stayed over at Tori's, either. Then again, Shane was yet to come out to his parents. Perhaps now that the responsibility of a planet didn´t weigh on his shoulders anymore , and certainly not without Parker's help.

Those were thoughts for another time, though. Shane looked again at Hunter's peaceful face, at his own fingers weaving in and out of Hunter's hair. That was a miracle in its own right. Earlier that night everyone had been awake and by the fire, laughing and fooling around with s'mores. Shane had sat at a small distance from everyone else, wanting to take in the full view. Hunter was there in seconds: first sitting by Shane's side, and then he lay down and let Shane mess with his hair. After a while, when Tori and Blake had wandered off, Shane had wanted to ask Hunter something – and discovered that he was asleep.

That moment held a revelation for Shane. By the time he raised his head and noticed other people again, Marah and Dustin had already fallen asleep and Cam and Kapri were chatting quietly by the fire – a development that quite surprised Shane. He had no idea how much time had passed since then, or what the time was, and he didn't care. He was quite willing to let this night last forever.

He must have been absorbed in watching Hunter again, because he didn't notice the approaching figure until the shadow fell right before him. Shane raised his eyes, and saw Blake.

"Hi," said Blake after a moment. His expression was that of wry amusement, but he didn't say anything regarding Shane's lack of attention to his surroundings.

"Hi," replied Shane, not quite sure what to say. In the distance he could see Tori, standing by the line of water and gazing away from them, into the ocean.

"We took a walk by the water," said Blake unnecessarily.

"I noticed."

"Yeah, well." Blake's toe dug into the sand. "I wasn't sure what exactly you noticed and what not."

Apparently, Blake couldn't avoid being a smartass.

"He's never this peaceful, you know," said Blake suddenly.

"What?"

"Hunter," clarified Blake. "He's never this peaceful when asleep."

"Oh."

Pause.

"He hasn't been sleeping well lately."

"I know."

Blake gave Shane a sharp look, then sighed. "Probably better than I do, huh?" He seemed sad, and in a flash of insight Shane finally understood. "Probably knew before I did, too."

A moment passed in silence, and then another. Shane opened his mouth, but Blake was first to speak.

"I didn't get what was going on, you know? I mean, we were both having a hard time. By the time I got my head out of my own problems and started looking around, I couldn't get to him, anymore. He wouldn't let me in, and that drove me nuts. Never happened before, you see: we were always very close, after…" Blake looked away. "After our parents were killed." Murdered. The word hung in the air, though Shane had never heard either of the Bradley brothers say it aloud. "My brother was suffering and I couldn't help him. Do you have any idea how that feels?" Blake shook his head. Shane said nothing, just waited. After a moment, Blake continued.

"Then things started getting better, and then I found out about you two. By accident: but hey, at least things have been getting better since. We're even talking about stuff again." Blake's tone was that of feigned lightness, and Shane discovered that that was hurtful.

"Hey," he said. His sharp tone made Blake pause. "You're being too hard on yourself. Like, this finding out by accident stuff. He could have avoided telling you that night, you know, but he told you anyway. The way I see it, that's not what 'by accident' means. If you would've walked in on us or something, and we had no way of getting out of it, then you would've found out by accident. But that's not how it happened."

Blake just looked at him. Shane wanted to say more, but he wasn't quite sure how to say it. He wanted to tell Blake, Hunter didn't really shut you out, he just wanted to protect you, but he knew that Blake would bristle and protest – and he couldn't fault Blake for that. So, he just waited.

"Thanks," said Blake quietly. "Y'know…" He shifted uncomfortably, then gazed behind his shoulder to where Tori was patiently waiting, ignoring the boys and gazing at the waves. "It's just that knowing those things doesn't really help, okay? It used to be just us, and now it isn't, and that takes getting used to."

"And there's everything else that has happened this past year. You can't ignore that, Blake."

"I'm not." Blake took his hands out of his pockets. "But those things take time."

"I know."

Blake looked at him strangely. "Yes," he said after a moment. "I guess you would."

Pause.

"He doesn't usually sleep quietly. Not lately, at any rate."

"I gathered."

Pause.

"I'm happy for you," said Blake suddenly. "I really am, you know? Because you're definitely good for Hunter, and that's good. And I don't mind you myself. I mean…" he added hastily.

"Yeah," said Shane with a slight smile. "I get you. I don't mind you myself, either."

"Good," said Blake firmly.

"Yes, good."

Shane almost told Blake of his revelation, in that moment. He'd been bursting with it for half the night, and he seriously needed to get it out. He didn't, though: Hunter would have to be the first to know.

Perhaps sensing what Shane had almost said, Blake's expression softened. Looking at the longing on his face, Shane realized yet again how deep Hunter and Blake went: deeper than most siblings did. The life they had had made them that way. It shouldn't have been just the two of you, Shane wanted to say: it just wasn't healthy, you know what I mean?

"Stop looking at me like that," said Blake suddenly. "I'm perfectly all right, okay?" Then he smiled and shook his head. "Great. Now I have two over-protective big brothers, not just the one."

Shane raised an eyebrow. "Dude, when it comes to family, I say the more the merrier."

Blake's expression sobered. "Anyway…" He glanced at Tori again. "Tori and I are going to find a nice cliff to climb so we can see the sunrise from the top. Just thought we'd let you know before going."

Sunrise? Shane had no idea it was that late – or, actually, that early. He nodded. "Sure."

Blake almost turned away, but then hesitated, and turned back towards Shane. His expression was too complex for Shane to read in the faint light.

"Take good care of him, okay?"

Shane glanced down automatically at the sleeping Hunter. Then he looked up, made eye contact with Blake and said, as if it was the most obvious thing is the world: "Yeah."

Blake nodded once, and then turned and jogged off towards the water line. Tori, perhaps having heard his steps on the packed sand, turned around and smiled brilliantly at him. Shane watched as she practically threw herself at Blake, who somehow managed to catch her without falling though he was not much larger than her. The two exchanged a few sentences, and then Tori looked over at Shane, smiled and waved once. Shane waved back. Then she and Blake walked off.

Shane looked down at Hunter, wondering if he should wake him up. They'd never watched the sunrise together. It could be a neat, romantic something to do. Shane's hand hesitated over Hunter's shoulder.

He could smell it in the air, now, over the ocean's spray: the almost metallic scent that indicated that morning is near. He should've picked it up earlier, with his ninja senses, but he was too absorbed in something else.

He put his hand on Hunter's shoulder and shifted gingerly, hoping not to wake him. Hunter's sleep was sound, though. They'd watch sunrise together another day: today, this was more important. Carefully he bent down and kissed Hunter.

I love you.

Much love and thanks to the beta readers who helped make this story good - Roie, Mara and Camille.

Thanks and warm fuzzies to the readers/reviewers, who made writing this story an even more wonderful experience. You know who you are.

As said, this is the last chapter of Two Sides of Midnight. I have another Ninja Storm story, Constellations, which will probably go up in a short while. Constellations is a season rewrite - quite the huge project - and it, too, will feature the relationship of Shane and Hunter. (Among many other plot lines, I assure you.) I'd love to see y'all there as well.

Until then!