it's morphing time!

        # LEADRANGER  a  private  &  highly  selective  narrative  exploration  of  jason  scott,  aka  the  red  ranger.  primary  influence  is  drawn  from  the  2017  film,  with  other  mixed-media  inspiration  gathered  from  past  films,  books,  &  video  games. 

a  study  in  the  burden  of  leadership,  the  weight  of  responsibility,  &   the  power  of  loyalty  &  friendship.   established  —  7 / 7 / 22,  low  activity  &   slow  reply.   morphed  by  alex.  he/him.   33.   pst.

**  IMPORTANT NOTE:  while  dacr.e  montgomer.y  is  used  as  the  primary  fc  for  jason,  as  he  portrayed  the  red  ranger  in  the  2017  film,  this  blog  is  ANTI-BILLY H.  and  no  ST  content  will  ever  be  used  or  present  here.  also  working  on  finding  a  good  alt  fc  for  those  that  would  prefer  that.  

kim  briefly  wonders  if  she  should  toy  with  him  in  her  response,    physically  loading  the  shot  gun  with  her  answer  that  manifests  as  a  sideways  smirk  that  is  turned  in  his  direction  but,    when  she  finally  meets  his  awaiting  gaze,    she  is  reminded  how  much  of  a  game  all  of  this  already  is.    the  lines  that  they  had  drawn  in  the  sand  have  been  largely  disrupted  in  small  measures.    it  keeps  deniability  at  bay  but  they  suffer  for  it,    agonizing  over  a  brush  of  their  fingertips  as  they  sit  too  comfortably  on  the  couch.    ❝    it  was  a  good  one.    ❞

it  is  all  she  can  say  without  pouring  salt  on  the  nature  of  the  wound    -    as  much  as  she  would  love  to  have  the  dream  play  out  in  real  life  rather  than  simply  speaking  about  it.

❝    wasn’t  embarrassing.    ❞    it’s  the  only  assurance  she  is  willing  to  provide  as  she  leans  back  against  the  sofa  cushions,    allowing  the  back  of  her  head  to  rest  there  so  that  she  is  looking  up  at  the  ceiling  and  doing  a  poor  job  of  hiding  her  wistful  expression.    ❝    are  you  staying  over  tonight    ?    ❞

the   lack   of   detail   invites   jason's   imagination   to   wander,   and   he   lets   it,   but   not   for   too   long.   he   couldn't   afford   to   go   down   the   daydream   rabbit   hole,   he   wanted   to   enjoy   all   the   time   they   had   together   without   distraction.   tomorrow   her   parents   would   be   home,   they'd   go   to   school,   and   this   little   slice   of   heaven   he'd   gotten   a   taste   of   would   become   a   dream   itself.   

❝   i   was   thinking   about   it,   ❞   he   glances   over   as   he   mirrors   her   posture,   letting   himself   relax   back   before   joining   her   in   admiring   the   off-white   landscape  above   them.   ❝   if   i   haven't   overstayed   my   welcome   that   is.❞   he   knocks   his   knuckles   lightly   against   hers   and   heaves   a   dramatic   and   long-suffering   sigh.   ❝   —   you   have   to   tell   me   more   about   this   dream,   ❞   he   bites   at   the   corner   of   his   lip,   grinning   at   the   ceiling,   ❝   what's   a   good   one?   ❞   

❛ why   are   you   helping   me ? ❜   —  @lovelack

it   wasn't   a   question   with   a   quick   answer,   instead   it   was   something   sewn   into   the   fiber   and   sinew   of   his   muscles.   helping   wasn't   cause   an   effect   with   conscious   effort   any   longer,      it   was   instinct.   aid   was   offered,   that   was   the   way   things   were   now.   though,   his   altruistism   was   easier   to   explain   when   there   were   monsters   invading   angel   grove   and   he   was   wearing   red   armor.   then   it   was   just   sort   of   expected   that   he'd   do   what   he   could   to   help   those   in   need.   nobody   ever   stopped   him   to   ask   why.

the   problem   became   who   he   was   without   the   helmet   on.   people   were   rife   with   self-interest   and   motivated   by   their   lesser   nature.   being   overly   nice   or   helpful   could   fan   the   flames   of   latent   suspicion,   as   if   such   an   act   were   so   uncommon   that   it   became   unnatural.   

❛ i  had  a  dream  about  you  last  night. ❜    —   @beingpink​

❝   —   hmm,   ❞      every   attempt   is   made   the   smother   the   smile   that   crawls   over   jason's   curious   features,   but   in   the   end   it   gets   away   from   him.   the   confession   was   unprompted   and   unexpected,   a   welcome   interruption   to   the   silence   that   had   enfolded   them.   it   had   been   an   entire   weekend   of   blissful   solitude,   the   sun   sinking   below   the   horizon   marked   the   time   slipping   away,   bringing   this   closeness   to   an   end.  

not   much   distance   is   kept   between   where   they'd   collapsed   on   the   couch,   hands   laying   on   the   cushion   between   them   close   enough   for   their   fingers   to   brush   if   either   moved.