Just tell him, dumbass, he thought as he watched Adam go back out the patio doors. In the ten minutes since Adam's life-altering comment, Rocky had been wired. The fire, the one that he'd felt regarding his friend for years, was flaming out of control. He felt as if he was being burned alive.

Since then, he'd been leaning against a wall, watching Adam dance. The only sign that something wasn't right was the fact that the first time Adam saw him, he mouthed 'later'. And that resulted in a conclusion he hadn't thought of yet. All these years, he'd been ashamed of himself; that he hadn't been able to tell Adam how he felt. Except Adam, who had no trouble saying it, never stuck around for the reaction of the announcement. And deep down that was what he'd needed. He'd needed to know that Adam wasn't ashamed or too embarrassed to talk about it. Wasn't that a kick in the teeth; to know that he was spiting himself because he was trying to teach Adam a lesson?

Aisha came up beside him and grabbed his arm. "What exactly are you doing? I asked you to talk to him, not stalk him around the dance floor."

He looked at her and his expression gave him away. She smiled softly. "So that's how it is, huh?" She rubbed his arm. "It's about time, Rocky."

His jaw dropped. "What are you talking about?"

"You and Adam." She frowned. "You are going to do something this time, right?"

"What do you know about it anyway?" He shook his head. "Never mind. I'm not talking about this now; I have something else to do."

He started toward the door and Aisha watched him go with a smile. "Good luck, guys.


Adam leaned against a column and welcomed the spray of rain in his face. The storm outside mirrored the one he had raging inside of him.

He knew Rocky would be outside shortly. Tonight was the night. The one where he explained to Rocky exactly what was going on with him and why he couldn't, wouldn't remain here any longer. Part of him wished that it could wait until tomorrow; when he could rid himself of the emotion from watching his other closest friend marry and the beer he had drunk.

He turned, so lost in his thoughts that he hadn't heard the door, and was surprised to find Rocky already behind him. The other was looking at him steadily. "What are you thinking about, Adam?"

He shrugged, feeling reckless. "About you and about me. Us." The word was softer but held a lot of power.

Rocky took a few steps closer, an expression in his eyes that Adam couldn't identify and one that made him nervous. That emotion made his tongue loose. "Why do you only date girls?" He said instead of what should have been spoken.

Rocky flinched at the question. "There's not a guy I'm attracted to…" he started.

Adam swore he felt his heart break at that instant. His eyes filled with tears and he reacted harshly. "So this is the way it's going down, huh? You're not attracted. Fuck this." He whirled toward the exit and ran toward the gardens.

He was now grateful for the rain because his eyes were burning and he struggled to hold his tears back. He was always crying over Rocky; it was embarrassing.

He went into the gazebo and he closed his eyes, struggling for control. So that was his answer. At least he could leave now, with a clear conscience, but a shattered heart.

He was grabbed by rough hands. "Why are you always running away from me? If you'd stick around instead of jumping to conclusions, you'd know that there isn't a guy I'm attracted to…since you. Only you."

He opened his mouth to respond, but Rocky continued. "I was afraid of saying something. Afraid that you had changed your mind."

Rocky looked uncertain. "You need to say something, instead of just gaping at me."

"I haven't changed my mind," he blurted, then winced at the words. He had a lot more to say than that.

Rocky laughed gently. He leaned against Adam and with a shift, they were fitted together perfectly, thighs to chest. They wrapped their arms around each other. Endless minutes passed while they soaked up the other's presence. Adam breathed in Rocky's scent; for once totally content to stay where he was and he swore he felt those empty places inside get smaller as they stood there. "Now what do we do?"

"We'll figure it out," Rocky murmured. "But first…" he tilted Adam's face up and gently touched their lips together. It was a gentle kiss, one he hadn't anticipated. The heat was behind it, but flickering in the background, letting them explore each other the first time. Their lips rubbed together softly, until Rocky flicked his tongue against Adam's lips who's opened with a gasp. Their tongues dueled and bodies burned until Adam felt as if he would explode. He pulled away and rested his forehead against Rocky's. "That was a hell of a first kiss."

His lips curved in response. "You know what they say: practice makes perfect." He dipped his head but murmured softly. "I love you, Adam." He sealed their lips together and they kissed hungrily but Adam needed to respond. He pulled his mouth away a fraction of an inch. "I love you, too." Then the outside world went away for awhile as the two men held each other and listened to the rain.