Hyperopia
by Anthy

Cam Watanabe had been warned off-hand, but he didn't take it for more than jest. For all of his knowledge, Cam did not have the social intelligence to deal with peers. He lacked the patience or understanding of the motives behind many interactions. It left him awkward and stuck in situations beyond his control, as it was he was better off without them. It turned out, however, that the warning about the oldest thunder ranger should not have been dismissed.

You do not want to make Hunter beg, it isn't pretty.

Hunter Bradley turned out to lack the same social IQ that Cam did, but managed to cope differently. Where Cam postured himself in the most intimidating light he could, Hunter would lower his consciousness to the point of harmless gullibility. Who could bring harm to such a wide-eyed, smiling expression, disregarding that Hunter was tall, broad-shouldered and undeniably strong?

It made Cam find anything to his knowledge to anger the crimson ranger, for he could deal better with Hunter's frustration. He never understood it, or why Hunter kept at it, but he did. For the weeks that Hunter had loitered about Ninja Ops, their interactions seemed to turn out in the same manner. Being offered to see a kung fu matinee the next day was easily dismissed and the two promptly went through the motions of annoying and shutting out the other's presence. Somewhere along the line Hunter Bradley seemed to make up his mind that Cam had to see this film with him. The forlorn pout in Hunter's bag of tricks turned out to be a powerful trump card, as it was difficult to decline then.

They had returned from the theater, again at Hunter's insistence, for the day was still young. Cam would have rather made his way back to Ninja Ops to complete the project left unfinished on his hard drive, but apparently this was what teens had to do. Hunter turned out to be better company than Cam expected, though the film was predictably dull and ill-conceived. Cam followed a step behind his taller companion, detailing everything wrong with the film.

"Ever think it was meant to be bad?" Hunter asked, a faint trace of amusement coming through his irritation.

"How can something that bad even be considered good? It wasn't even historically accurate."

"Dude, because it's stupid." Hunter turned on his heel and began to walk backwards. "Come on, you have to admit the action scenes were good."

"The technique was lacking in every scene, but the camera crews disguised it well."

"...lost cause."

"You invited me."

"You accepted."

"You begged."

"Still could've said no."

"Curb." Cam stated just as Hunter's right heel slid over the curb's edge. He couldn't help but laugh as the blond teen recovered, to his surprise Hunter laughed along with him.

"So, yeah, our apartment's there." Hunter turned and pointed to the three-story building in front of them. "It was a bit of work finding something furnished that didn't drain the wallet."

Cam fished in his pockets and pulled out his glasses. "I wondered about that." He commented as he put them on. Hunter looked thoughtful for a moment before stepping in the direction of the building.

"When we were taken in by the Thunder Academy, we earned our keep but Sensei Omino insisted on giving us allowances. Once racing started to pay for themselves, it was just held aside for a rainy day."

"Moving away from home to save the world-"

"-would count." Hunter finished Cam's sentence. He climbed the steps and stopped in front of the first door. "Don't tell Dustin but I was a bit glad we were coerced to working as stock boys for Storm Chargers. Funds have to come from somewhere."

"Yeah." Cam chuckled under his breath. Any offer to help would be rejected, he knew, independence meant a lot to the Bradleys, it was a trait he found admirable. Idiotic in many respects, but if he were in their shoes he'd do the same. Following Hunter into the apartment, he found it was more spacious than he expected.

Hunter clicked his tongue once inside and began to pick up random navy garments that were scattered on the floor and couch. "Not exactly cleanest roommate," he said as he brushed past Cam into the kitchen. "Want anything to drink?"

"No, thank you." Cam followed Hunter into the kitchen. The washer and dryer were lined side-by-side, next to the stove. Hunter opened the lid of the washer and deposited the clothes inside. He peered into the dryer before hefting a full basket of clothes in one arm. Cam pulled his glasses off and folded his arms. "I hope you didn't invite me over to help fold delicates."

Hunter gave Cam a flat look before carrying the basket into the first bedroom. "I invited you because I wanted to."

"Very reassuring." Cam stepped inside the room, noting by the navy blue that seemed to litter every space of the otherwise beige bedroom who it belonged to.

"Quit following me."

"Then what?"

"Watch TV."

"I don't." Cam smirked as Hunter made a face over his shoulder. He leaned against the door frame and commented. "It looks like a hurricane in here."

"Only room I'm not allowed to clean, thank God." Hunter picked a few garments before stepping into the door space. Cam lifted his arm to put up his glasses but immediately found Hunter's hand on his wrist. The contact was gone just as fast as it came, and Hunter stepped away, running a hand through his unruly hair. "That's annoying." He muttered under his breath.

"What?"

Hunter shrugged and made his way back into the kitchen. Cam shook his head, but nonetheless put his glasses back in his jacket pocket as he watched Hunter go into big brother mode as he made his way through their apartment.

"And you asked me over-"

"-to watch me clean." Hunter rolled his eyes, pointing to the last room down the hall. "It's called hanging out, doing nothing. I thought I'd give it a try."

"Seem to manage well on your own." Cam stepped into the bedroom, Hunter's place looking more put together and organized than he imagined.

"Thought I'd make it a group effort, even though you seem incapable of doing nothing."

Hunter noted airily, closing the door behind them. Before Cam could open his mouth, Hunter added, "Blake's shift will be over soon, unless you want to deal with him-"

"Rather not."

"Thought so." Hunter made a wave around the room before falling back on his bed haphazardly.

"Make yourself at home."

"By doing what?" Cam asked, pulling his glasses out of his pocket and setting them on his face as he glanced about the room.

Hunter glanced up and sighed. "For the love of-"

Before Cam could ask, the other boy was standing and in his face. Hunter gripped the frame of Cam's glasses and pulled them away. "Hey!" Cam reached out for them but Hunter extended his arm, placing the glasses out of reach.

"Are these a prescription? You're far-sighted right?" Hunter lowered the glasses over his own eyes.

"That's-" Cam started before trying to reach for the frames but found them again hefted over Hunter's head. "That's right. Far-sighted."

"So things get too fuzzy when they're too close, right?"

"Yes."

"Anytime else?"

"What?" Cam made a swipe at Hunter's arm with no success. The way the other teen was looking down at him made his stomach twist. "No."

"Seems you can't make up your mind when you're out whether to just keep them on or not. It's annoying." Hunter continued to seize Cam with his eyes in a manner that was disconcerting.

Cam frowned. "How could that possibly be annoying?"

"These are reading glasses." Hunter concluded, leveling his face to the shorter teen. Cam took a half-step backward, the words in his mouth knocked flat by that revelation.

"So?" He managed to say, that intense, frustrated gaze he enjoyed from a distance was now staring entirely too close. It was simple, assert back, don't let Hunter Bradley gain the upper hand.

"You don't need them."

"Give them back." Cam stood his ground, stepping into Hunter's personal space rather than allow the other teen to invade into his own. His pulse started to race, but he willed his expression passive as he kept his head tilted upward.

Hunter didn't back down and rather inched forward, pausing only to wear the glasses himself. Cam made a grab for them but found his wrist caught again, he went with his other hand and Hunter held both hands at Cam's chest. "Make me." Hunter announced with a smirk. "Or you can admit you're not as cool without them."

"That's not," Cam struggled, but Hunter's grip on his wrists didn't budge. Think damnit, think. "It's not that-I do, alright?"

"Dude, I won't laugh." Hunter said, laughing slightly as he let go.

Cam pulled the glasses from Hunter's face. "You just did."

"Because you're being stupid."

"What do you care?" Cam scoffed, reaching for the corner of Hunter's shirt and started to clean the lens with it.

"You still need to wear them around me."

Cam's head snapped up at those words, and he could barely register the implications before the minute distance between them seemed to disappear altogether. Just as warm breath against his face were replaced by lips pressed against his own, a loud rapping noise was heard against the door behind his back.

"Bro, I'm nuking a Hot Pocket. You want?" Blake's muffled voice was heard through the door and Hunter stepped away, looking as if he had been slapped instead of just having kissed someone. He didn't kiss back, did he?

"No, I'm-" Hunter started, just as Cam took the opportunity to open the door and push past Blake.

"Insane." Cam finished, pulling on his glasses with a huff. "Remind me never to be left alone with him again."

"Likewise." Hunter snorted and slammed the door on them both.

"What was that about?" Blake glanced over at Cam, a suspicious frown appearing on his face.

"The less said, the better." Cam uttered as he stormed down the hallway and out of the apartment without another word, slamming the front door behind him.

tbc