They're in the courtyard by the time Shane catches up to Tori- and holds her by the arm.

"Hey! Tor- what was that?"
Tori doesn't look him in the eye. She isn't usual the shy girl but--

"Well, my classes ended early today," she explains.

Shane nods. Tori is a sensei too, and an excellent one.

"And... well I came to check on you. You know you really were hot teaching those moves there--"

Shane chokes. To be said it in the face... is embarrassing, and only Tori can say such things unabashedly. 

"What? What do you mean, Tor?"

Tori blushes a little, and the words tumble out of her mouth the next instant.

"I was saying you looked cool, intense, like you're in control... you know I've always liked the look on you. That's how you'd look while we're battling off the enemies.. And.." She trails off with a chuckle.

Shane laughs. So that's the reason is it? It wasn't a challenge at all... And now Tori's laughing too-- before swallowing a little

"Shane, I... didn't mean anything when--"

Shane hurries to place a finger against Tori's lips.

"No. Please let me, will you?" 

He grips her shoulders and summons the words he must say. "Tor, I'm so sorry... I hurt you. That wasn't my intention but... I guess, I just got jealous, maybe... you know?"

"Haha." Tori laughs, looking him in the eye before nodding.

She was annoyed, mad at her stupid best friend cum boyfriend but not anymore.  "Yeah... I kinda thought it was that. I was mad at first but then, you know, thought you were jealous and I couldn't be mad."

She pulls his cheeks, and he pouts. Honestly someone pulling red ranger's cheeks-- unthinkable, and Tori does it like it's casual.

"Hey! Did you even listen to me? I said maybe I was jealous! Maybe I was... just maybe!"

"Just maybe?" Tori raises an eyebrow, biting her lip.

Shane nods, "yeah. Maybe."

She laughs again, and this time he's the one to kiss her sweetly on the lips. He pulls away too quickly, noticing the other rangers coming their way, but she wraps his arms around her, holding him in place. 

She tastes like cinnamon, and vanilla and all those flavors he's always wanted. Shane smiles when their kiss ends--

"So you're happy now?"

Tori asks with a shy smile on her face.  The other rangers are by their side now, everyone  whistling and teasing. Shane gives them a look, and the guys fall silent, distancing themselves a little.

"Uh..." Shane is still breathless. Being with Tori is like being hit with the storm itself. And he's drowning.. Always drowning in her love. How he wonders what her feelings are in this moment.

"Look, it's not like I'm ashamed to do it before others." Tori explains, hands still resting on his chest. "They are all our friends. Besides they already know... but I dunno... I kinda felt that maybe we shouldn't show off before them though, especially before Blake.. But if you think I'm wrong.."

Shane shakes his head, putting his arms around her. "No. You can never be wrong. You're the logical one after all. Tori I... you're right... we shouldn't cause discomfort to Blake--"

"Hey! I hear my name there!" Blake exclaims, stepping between the two rangers. 

Tori and Shane pull away looking like they were caught in the middle of some sinister act.

"Now... what's going on?" Blake folds his arms looking at the two, "You guys wanna hold back on my account? Please don't! Well, I liked Tori.. I did, okay. But that's... that's different. These kinds of things keep happening. You're attracted to someone but true love is something else."

He continues, "and don't hold back when you've found true love for yourselves. Ah, I'm gonna find mine too, soon."

The cheerful smile on his face is a treat. Tori and Shane end up hugging him at the same time.

"Oh! Now don't squeeze me too tight... Well, I'm off to Thunder Academy. There's a lotta work to do. And then gotta see Kelly before calling it a night."

"Yeah. Yeah. So all's well now huh?" Dustin is back to give the three of them a clap on their backs.  

Hunter smiles and waves, and Shane and Tori are left alone as the others disperse quickly.

"Hey!" Shane turns to Tori who's looking up at the skyline. "Did I tell you I love you?"

Tori shakes her head, and glances at him. "Not since two days..."

She loops her arm in his and rests her head against his shoulder, pouting.

"Then I'll tell you again to make it up to you," says Shane twisting a little so she's in his arms.

"Hm, yeah. Please do."

"Yeah, Tori.. I love you."

"I love you too..."

She says, and their lips meet when she looks at him again. And what a sweet ending to the day it is.

***

TBC!

Comment if you like it or not. I'd like to hear your thoughts. Any suggestions/prompts are welcome. Will bring other couples later on in this book, or maybe in another.

toodles! stay safe n happy.