“All right!”

Conner looked up as Ethan pumped his fists in the air. “I did it!” Ethan shouted, grinning at him. “Level twelve, and I just bust though the secret chamber! Man, I totally kicked ass.”

Normally, Conner would make a comment about Ethan’s obvious geekiness, or perhaps suggest that the other boy get a life. Now he just froze.

Ethan’s smile faded, and he blinked, possibly taking in who he was talking to for the first time. “Oh. Right. Forget I said anything. It was a mistake.”

Conner watched as Ethan turned back to his laptop, and wished, not for the first time, that he’d known what to say.

----

Trent looked up as Conner flopped beside him, face vaguely sympathetic. “Ethan still mad at you?”

Conner closed his eyes, taking a moment to enjoy the luxurious softness of Trent’s couch. “Yes. I think. I don’t know. Sometimes he talks to me, or he’ll turn to say something, but then it’s like he just remembers that he’s mad at me and refuses to say anything else.”

Trent had heard him complain before, but still managed to look like he actually cared. “I’m sure he’ll be ready to talk soon.”

Great. Another opportunity for Conner to piss him off. “Like that’ll do any good.”

“It might. You never know. And what about the other day, when we were all together? He didn’t seem so mad then.”

“He’s polite and all when we’re training or doing ranger stuff. And I think it’s ‘cause he doesn’t want to make you or Kira feel bad, so he tries to act normally when you’re around. It’s just when you’re not that he hates me.”

“You know, that was actually kind of perceptive. I’m proud.”

Conner would have taken offence, but Trent smiled as he said it, and generally went Trent smiled at him Conner found it easier to smile back than get angry. Very annoying, and definitely something he’d have to work on. But not now. “It must be your fault. I’m spending too much time with you.”

“Nah. Blame it on Kira, because I don’t think you spend enough time with me.”

Recently Conner didn’t see how he could spend much more time with Trent, although that was mainly because Ethan hated him.

“Although maybe you should spend more time with me,” said Trent. “I mean, just in case I do rub off on you. It’s probably best to try and make the most of it. Your brain cell needs all the help it can get.”

“Hey!” Conner tried hitting him, only for Trent to grab his wrist. So he went for a shove instead, Trent lying back without much resistance. He didn’t look like he minded much, still smiling at Conner, and Conner briefly thought about hitting him harder, but . . .

Leaned down and kissed him instead. Which was okay until Trent started jabbing him in the ribs hard enough to cause actual pain. “Ow!”

“Get off. You’re heavy.” And then almost kicked Conner by curling his legs up in what seemed to be an attempt to stretch out. Conner got the message and tried to move, but then Trent grabbed his arm and pulled him close again. Which really wasn’t helpful, but he got what Trent wanted and tried to lie down beside him on the couch, now feeling ridiculously narrow.

So ridiculously narrow that he could feel every curve and ridge and Trent’s body burning into him, and Trent wasn’t exactly helping by just lying there watching him. He could feel himself responding to Trent’s closeness: his palms sweating and breath growing shallow as he grew hard, Trent’s answering erection like a brand against his thigh. The little voice in his brain was still freaking out. But even if it would have been easier and safer to move away, even he could recognize ideas that stupid.

He felt Trent’s breath against his lips in the moment before they kissed. Trent’s hand on his side slid down, fingers bumping over ribs, somehow drawing his t-shirt up as they did. The air felt bitingly cold against the exposed skin of his waist, until Trent’s palm pressed against it, burning hot instead. Conner shivered, rocking his hips forward in an instinct too strong to be overruled.

Trent pulled back, eyes wide and dark. “Are you sure?”

Conner didn’t pause to think. “Yes.”

----

Conner lay still, his breathing harsh, happy and relieved and fingers still shaking. He felt the stickiness of his jeans whenever he shifted but ignored it to look at Trent instead, wanting to say something, feeling it on the tip of his tongue: a girl would’ve said ‘I love you’ and he might’ve whispered it back. But this was different, and he didn’t know what to say.

So he stayed silent, watching as Trent struggled against sleep, his eyelids sliding shut despite obvious efforts to stay awake. He sounded embarrassed and apologetic when he muttered, quiet and slurred, “You wanna shower?”

“In a moment.”

In a moment, Trent was asleep, and Conner lay and watched him.

----

Conner though he was showing admirable self-restraint. Ethan had got in trouble with Dr. O. Even better, Ethan had got in trouble with Dr. O over a geeky card game normally played by seven-year olds.

And Conner wasn’t saying a thing.

Mind, that was mainly because Kira was saying it all for him.

“Can you just shut up?” Ethan snapped, glaring at Kira. “This is serious! The Ruby Dragon card is a once-in-a-lifetime find. It was the holy grail of Dragon War cards. You could try showing a little sympathy!”

Trent shot him a sideways grin, and Conner felt himself blush in response. He quickly looked away, reading the notices pinned to the hall notice-board, pretending to have a sudden interest in next meeting of the historical society.

And then realized what he was acting like: himself, nine months ago, when Trent had first sat beside him in class and somehow not minded Conner acting like an idiot. So he looked back at Trent, who now looked slightly concerned.

“Nothing,” Conner said, quietly enough that the noise of the students in the hall around them would prevent anyone from overhearing. “I was just thinking . . . I’m so glad everything’s better now. That we’ve moved past all the bad stuff, and . . . that everything from now is going to be good.”

Kira and Ethan were still bickering, seemingly oblivious to Conner and Trent standing behind them. Trent still watched them for a moment, as if making sure they were involved in their argument and not listening, before responding, “We’ve not defeated Mesogog yet, you know.”

“I didn’t mean that. I meant with us.” And how did he say this without sounding like an idiot? “I’m happy. About last night, and . . . everything.”

Trent was distracted from replying by Ethan storming off, muttering as he stomped down the hall away from Kira. Kira spun back to face them, obviously ready to complain, but one glance made her flash them both a smile and drift a few feet further down the corridor. She kept glancing back, but Conner thought she was probably out of earshot.

Trent looked back at Conner and smiled, but something about it seemed tight and distracted. “Good. So am I.”

Conner hesitated, wondering if he wanted to ask what was wrong, especially with Kira watching. She was very pointedly checking her phone, but he wished she’d go and do it somewhere else. She was putting so much effort into making it clear she wasn’t listening she had to be straining to hear every word.

But he needed to know. “Is everything okay? You just look at little . . .”

Trent shook his head. “I’m fine. Just a little tired, that’s all. I think I might have a cold coming on or something.”

“Dude, it’s June. And don’t your . . . you know . . . protect you from that?”

Trent looked down. Conner felt his earlier happiness dissipate, replaced by a steadily growing tension. But he couldn’t say anything here, with Kira and whoever knew who else listening. “Look, you want to meet up later?”

Trent hesitated, about to reply, when he was interrupted by a commotion down the hall. People started running, though Conner couldn’t see why. But then one girl’s voice rose above the rest: “Come look!” she yelled. “Principal Randall and Dr. Oliver are outside! Having a fight!”

Kira spun back to look at them, face rapidly moving past confusion to alarm. The bell rang to announce the beginning of the next lesson, but none of them paid any notice, running for the main doors instead.

----

“You know, I think Trent might have the right idea,” said Kira, glancing around the White Ranger-free clearing. “I think the news that Principal Randall is Elsa, is shocking enough that we should get the day off to recover.”

“Nice try,” said Dr. O. “But no. Conner, do you know what’s up with him? Why he might skip training?”

At this point, it did look like ‘skip’ rather than late. He was over an hour late, and hadn’t contacted any of them. And in that hour, Conner hadn’t done much but sit and brood. “I don’t know, Dr. Oliver. I mean, he’s been acting kind of weird lately. Like, there’s something he’s not telling us.”

“Well, dude, you’ve got to admit Trent isn’t exactly the most open about what’s going on with him,” Ethan said. And Conner knew he was right, even if the idea that Trent still didn’t confide in him hurt.

“And what’s with him going after the Ruby Dragon card?” Kira asked. Conner nodded, remembering Trent’s behavior after the fight. Why would he even think about going to Mesogog’s lair for a stupid card?

“He’ll be here,” said Dr. O. “He probably just got hung up at the cybercafé,” Dr. O continued. He looked about to continue, but when his eyes widened and he jerked into a fighting pose Conner no longer felt any sense of surprise.

Another monster, standing at the edge of the clearing they’d been about to start training in. This one providing an answer to at least one question.

“Speaking of the Ruby Dragon card,” said Ethan.

“Elsa didn’t waste any time.”

Kira had already skipped ahead. “If Trent went after the card . . .”

“Not good,” Ethan finished.

“We’ll find Trent later,” Dr. O said, cutting them off. “Right now we have more pressing things to deal with.”

Conner’s cue. He stepped forwards, feeling his morpher materialize on his wrist. “Ready?”

“Ready.”

“Dino Thunder, Power Up!”

----

Conner hit the ground hard. In front of him, Dr. O was struggling to get up: Ethan and Kira lay to either side. The monster stood over them all. “The Ruby Dragon always wins!”

Conner tried to push himself up, struggling to think of a solution when Super Dino Mode had failed, when the repeated blasts had left him feeling battered and drained. Could he access the battilizer? He didn’t know. He didn’t think so. But he had to do something. The Ruby Dragon began to raise its weapon, and Conner braced himself.

White arrows suddenly burst across the clearing, exploding against the Ruby Dragon. Conner looked up, seeing Trent appear speeding towards them on his Dino ATV. Just in time.

“We’ll see about that!” Trent skidded to a halt, and drew his Drago Sword. “I’ll handle this freak myself. If he’s up for the challenge.”

Conner scrambled to his feet, energy returned in the brief rest. The others got to their feet around him as he stepped forwards. “Trent, that’s crazy!”

“Conner’s right,” said Dr. O. “He’s too strong to take on by yourself.”

Trent didn’t look at either of them. “I know how to play his game.”

“Speaking of games,” the Ruby Dragon growled, “Why don’t you tell your friends the truth?”

The truth? But Trent just curled his hand into a fist. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Now let’s do this!”

He ran towards the Ruby Dragon, getting a few good hits in before they separated again. Trent jumped, the Ruby Dragon following him into the air, both moving so fast they were only colored blurs, sending sparks flying each time they connected. The Ruby Dragon landed on his feet, but Trent fell, suit smoking as he gasped in pain.

Conner ran forwards, the others behind him. “Trent!” He dropped to one knee, careful to keep an eye on the Ruby Dragon as they grouped around Trent. “You okay?”

“Yeah.”

“I got it.” Conner raised his laser, ready to shoot.

“Wait!”

He turned to look down at Trent, still lying on the ground. “Let me take him!” Trent demanded.

What? “What’s the matter with you?” Why did Trent suddenly care so much about who destroyed it? Conner knelt back at Trent’s side, the monster’s words replaying in his head. “And what is he talking about?”

He heard a crackle, like high-voltage electricity, and looked up in time to see white light arch over them. It exploded, sending them all flying back to the ground, panting in shock. Green light appeared above the monster’s head, and Conner hurried to get to his feet.

Elsa appeared through the invisiportal, along with the usual herd of tyrannodrones. Conner pushed all distracting thoughts out of his mind, and rushed into the fight as Elsa cried out, “Attack!”

He beat away several tyrannodrones, the movements coming so automatically he could keep half his attention on monitoring the real dangers: Elsa and the Ruby Dragon. The Ruby Dragon seemed content to lurk at the edges of the fight for now, but Elsa was tangling with Trent. They tangled, exchanging a few words, before Elsa flung Trent to the ground.

Conner leapt in front of him, raising his saber. Elsa looked past him to Trent, her concentration so single-minded she didn’t even seem to see him. “And what fun would that be, huh?” she asked, raising an eyebrow at Trent. “Then I wouldn’t get to see you reveal your big secret.”

Big secret. The truth. “Secret?” he looked down at Trent, who looked away. “What secret?”

“It’s nothing. She’s just trying to mess with us.”

“Then why don’t you tell them?” Elsa said, smile smug.

“Conner, can you take it from here?”

What had happened to wanting to fight the Ruby Dragon himself? But this was a fight, and there wasn’t time to ask Trent for the answers he wanted. “Yeah,” he replied, feeling the Triassic Shield appear in his hand as he spoke. “Kira! Ethan!”

They appeared almost instantly, as if they’d been waiting for it. They probably had. “You ready?” he asked.

“Yeah!”

The Triassic Power ripped through him, but he didn’t stop at that, calling the battilizer. The tyrannodrones were already scrambling in fear, Elsa and the Red Dragon withdrawing from the fight.

Except there was no longer any fight. There was Conner, his battilizer, and some very fried tyrannodrones.

Elsa thrust a fist into the air before Conner could turn to her, green light appearing to swallow her and the monster. Conner felt a moment of regret, but Trent was at his side, patting his arm and saying something congratulatory. “Trent, what was she talking about?”

“If there’s something you need to tell us,” said Dr. O, “Now’s the time to do it.”

“We’re you’re friends,” said Kira, sounding gentler than Dr. O. “Whatever it is Trent, it can’t be that bad.”

--