Rocky stood back in the shadows of the Command Center and watched Adam teleport in. He ignored the flame that flickered inside. For the first time in nine days, Rocky was able to look at Adam without Adam running away. He looked a little haggard around the edges and that worried Rocky.

He had enlisted Zordon's help in getting Adam here, but that now that he was, Rocky hadn't a clue as to making it right.

"What's the emergency, Zordon," Adam asked, before realizing he was alone. "What's going on?"

Rocky stepped out of the shadows. "We need to talk."

He watched Adam wince and his stomach sank. He never wanted to see Adam afraid of him again.

Zordon spoke up. "I agreed to this only because your teamwork is suffering because you're avoiding each other. Alpha has put your communicators on standby, so no one can teleport in or out until there is a resolution. Find Alpha when you've reached it." He disappeared from his tube.

There was an uncomfortable silence until Rocky spoke.

"Why are you avoiding me, Adam?"

He shrugged hesitantly. "I'm embarrassed," he finally confessed. "I asked you to hold me, and …"

"You were upset," Rocky countered. "I told you that I would do anything for you; if that meant holding you when you're upset, then I'll do it."

Adam smiled weakly and his heart thundered wildly. "So we're okay?"

"Yeah, we're good." Rocky slid his arm around Adam's shoulders for a quick squeeze.

"I love you."

Rocky blinked. Did Adam really just say that? A quick glance at Adam confirmed his suspicions. The other boy was frozen in shock.

"Aw, shit," Adam muttered hoarsely. "Look, I'm sorry. Please don't hate me."

"I, uh, don't hate you." Belatedly realizing his arm was still around Adam, he hurriedly dropped it.

Adam flushed. Now he had finally done it; he had admitted his feelings and it was going to end badly.

"Adam…"

Rocky bit his lip and searched for how to word his feelings without hurting Adam.

"No. Don't worry about it. My feelings are free. They aren't meant to pressure you or scare you. They're my gift to you."

Rocky smiled warmly. Sometimes Adam revealed flashes of the man he would someday be and that made Rocky love him more.

Adam's heart pounded at the expression on Rocky's face. It was one he never thought would be aimed toward him.

"You mean more to me than I could ever say right now. More than I would say right now. But I'm not ready for you, Adam. Really, I don't think we're ready for each other. We're 16 years old and when I look at you, I see endless possibilities of us. We have a chance of making it together, but not right now. We need to grow separately before growing together."

He paused and drew a deep breath. His voice was thick when he continued. "I don't want you to wait for me because I don't know when or if I'll ever be ready for you."

Adam had never felt such a conflicting set of emotions before in his life. Part of him was thrilled that Rocky wasn't angry with him for being gay. Another part was sad that Rocky didn't want to be with now, but he was also hopeful because Rocky hadn't said they would never be together. His eyes were shiny with tears he refused to let fall. "It's more hope than I had before."

He wiped his eyes, and then held out his hand to Rocky. "So, friends?"

Rocky laughed before grasping Adam's hand. "Yeah. Friends."