I've lost a chapter somewhere. I had this all planned out at 6 but now that I'm here, I've only got 5. Oh, well. That was totally random but I didn't have anything else I wanted to say here.

The Change

Everything was not fine.

Rocky rested his head on the back of the ugly brown couch and closed his eyes. He held his beer in one hand and the fingers of the other was keeping time to the radio playing softly.

He took a healthy swallow of beer before laying his head back down. I really need to get out of here.

At first, it had seemed like old times. Back when they had been kids and even teenagers before Rita and Zedd, before Tanya. Before life had intruded.

Then, even with the beer in his system, he sensed something in the air. Something tense that charged the air and made his skin burn and it was killing the nice buzz he had going. Like maybe Adam thought that he was going to lose it and molest him. A smile curved his lips. He might be a fool, especially where it concerned Adam but he wasn't that stupid or that drunk.

He could tolerate getting his ass kicked but he would never risk not having Adam in his life. Maybe he didn't like the coldness in their relationship but never seeing those almond-shaped eyes and tousled hair or hearing that raspy voice would kill him. I'm becoming as mushy as a girl.

He raised his head to glance around the room. Adam had left the living room earlier without a word which meant that he could finally relax. And while he was half-convinced that Adam was gone because it was a hint for him to leave, he wasn't going to disappear without a word. If Adam wanted him gone, he could come back first.

Rocky stood up and his head spun around sickly. He fell more than sat down again. Jeez. How many beers had he drunk tonight? He hoped Misty didn't go into labor because his mom would kill him if he showed up at the hospital drunk.

His skin prickled and he warily opened his eyes. Adam was standing at the end of the couch, watching him.

Jesus. Getting turned on wasn't an option. "Maybe I should go," he mumbled before trying to stand again.

"You're not going anywhere," Adam's voice was softly dangerous. It wasn't the first time that evening he'd heard that tone or had seen that look in the dark eyes, but it was the first time it had made him tremble.

He moved away quickly. He wasn't completely sure if his reaction was fear, desire, or an unhealthy mixture of both but he wasn't going to stand around figuring it out. His plan was to get of there before he did something crazy. Like begging Adam to kiss him.

"Rocky, don't be ridiculous. You have a forty minute drive and you can barely stand. Either call someone to pick you up or stay here."

Right. Either call a friend or family member at 3 a.m. to drive him home or stay the night with someone that was starting to freak him out. Easy decision that was going to be. He sighed. "Okay, I'll stay. The entire family is on baby watch. If I call any of them, they'll kill me."

Adam nodded; his downcast eyes shielded from Rocky but he could tell that Adam was pleased. Adam pulled the beer out of Rocky's suddenly numb fingers. Adam wrapped his fingers around Rocky's wrist and tugged him down the hall and into an open door on the left.

"Extra toothbrush is in the bathroom," he said, gesturing off to the right.

Rocky knew his mouth was hanging open like an idiot but he'd never been so stunned before. "But…isn't this your room?"

Adam smiled slightly and watched Rocky closely. "I promise to stay on my side of the bed." He hesitated momentarily, searching for something before turning and leaving Rocky alone.

Rocky went into the bathroom and looked at himself in the mirror. His brown eyes were wide with panic and his cheeks were covered in the pink flush that happened whenever he drank.

Why would Adam want to share a bed with him? It would be different if Adam had ever shown some sort of interest in him but this was unexpected and unsettling. This was going to come back and bite him in the ass, he was sure of it. It wasn't as if they'd been particularly close lately and they hadn't shared a room since they were 15, after he'd gotten his own room instead of sharing with his younger brother. This would be decidedly different; at 15, he didn't know he was gay and was only peripherally aware of sexual attraction.

He finished in the bathroom and walked across the room with determination, wanting to get the hell out of Adam's bedroom. But when he stepped out, he found Adam leaning against the wall. His head pounded, his heart skipped a beat, and he knew he was screwed. How was he supposed to run when Adam was using that look? The one that made him want to do anything that Adam wanted.

Adam studied him closely before commenting wryly. "I guess you're not drunk enough to stay?"

"No, I'm not." And, God, his voice cracked on the words. Way to sound decisive, man.

"Will you stick around tomorrow until I can talk to you?"

"Why tomorrow?" What he really meant was why not right now but his vocal cords seized up the moment Adam grabbed his wrist.

"Just stay. Please." It was the please that did it. Just a little hoarse and a little desperate.

He shivered and Adam's fingers tightened almost painfully.

He swallowed hard and nodded. "I'll be here."

Adam smiled and while the smile radiated pleasure; the eyes displayed a hint of nervousness.

"Thank you," he said softly and dropped his hand. With a finale glance at Rocky, he went into his bedroom and shut the door behind him.

Rocky went into the guest room, surprised his knees held him up despite the jelly-like consistency of them. He stripped down to his boxers and climbed between the sheets, willing himself to sleep. He was confused and aroused - a frustrating combination.