(AN: And so here we are! I've been waiting for this moment for a long time, so let the time of confessions finally begin! And with that as well, let's reference something new this chapter. We referenced an episode of Sonic Boom last time, so this time, let's do... hmm... the first five minutes of The End of Evangelion ;)

Also, thank you for the new reviews!)

WARNING: Starting from this chapter is when this fic is going to be almost breaking T rated territory and almost hitting M rated. The beginning of this chapter is proof of that, so please be ready.

The slow moving stream of water flowed through the various boats as the couples on them sat together, content being alone with their loved one.

Among these couples were an older Jet and Storm, sitting together as they looked up at the sky above them.

"Man, tonight's a good night is it not?" Jet said.

"Yeah, but out of everything that makes tonight special, it's you. You look gorgeous tonight," Storm said, putting his hand on the hawk's cheek. Jet chuckled as he blushed heavily.

"Oh you… stop it, Storm, you're making me blush," The hawk said.

The albatross looked down at his avian lover as he reached in for a kiss. Jet returned the loving kiss from Storm as the two kissed under the starry night.

Their kiss became more heated, and lover's passion grew stronger as the kiss turned into a make out session. Storm began to unbutton the dress shirt Jet had on until-

Jet awoke from his dream.

He looked up at the ceiling and saw he was in Cabin C. With the CPR Storm gave him yesterday that felt like a kiss, Jet realized he had to come to terms with a great issue.

"I c-can't! I won't do it! I don't think about Storm that way!" He thought.

However, his body wasn't telling him so.

Jet suddenly stopped in his tracks, realizing that below his pants, he felt very …stiff.

The green avian grew red when he realized what it was.

He looked around Cabin C and saw that no one was there.

"Well… I'm… all alone…"

Jet moved his covers as he reached his hand lower and lower, inching near his shorts.

For the next five minutes, the only noise heard in Cabin C was Jet's groans, his breath, and his soft moans as he thought about the dream he had. A tingling sensation went through Jet's entire body as he closed his eyes. Finishing his moment of lust, Jet opened his eyes and gasped at the sight.

A silky white fluid covered his feathered hand.

Jet simply lay in bed as he stared at the stained hand.

"…I… I do have a crush on him…" He softly admitted to himself. The hawk lowered his head, ashamed at himself for what he did.

"I'm so fucked up…"

After digging through some of the camper's bags and finding some tissues to clean himself up, Jet walked out of Cabin C. He made himself low profile, still feeling guilty about what he did. As he walked over to the Mess Hall, the hawk noticed various people wheeling in carts of fireworks.

"What's that for?" Jet asked himself.

He shook his head. Not wanting to bug them, he entered the Mess Hall. Inside, Jet looked to his right and saw Storm already sitting at their usual table. He blushed at the sight of the large albatross, remembering his dream. However, he tried to block it from his memory as he went to grab his breakfast.

Turning his head away from the large grey avian, he got his breakfast, and walked over to the table he sat at since day one. Jet sat down next to Storm.

"Well sleepyhead, someone's slept in today," Duke teased. Jet looked down, not saying a word as he began to eat.

"Hey, what's wrong with you?"

"Rough night…" Jet said, making up a lie.

"Really? Do… do you wanna talk about it?" Storm asked. This was the last thing needed, as he knew he wouldn't be able to control himself, and let his secret spill.

"I'm… I'm good, Storm. Thanks though…"

Deciding to change the rather moody topic, Eryx spoke up. "Anyway… did you guys see the fireworks?"

"Oh, yeah, I saw people wheeling them in when I was walking towards here. What's going on?" Jet asked, deciding to speak up.

"You don't know? Today's the day of the Fireworks Festival! Every two years, the boys and girls camp hold a fireworks festival and they ignite all kinds of fireworks. It's memorable because towards the end, they let out all the huge ones. I'm excited as heck!" Duke explained.

"Oh yeah… the fireworks festival… I forgot about that…"

Truth be told, something like the Fireworks Festival would be perfect for getting Jet's mind away from Storm. Not to mention, the last Fireworks Festival was exceptionally fun for 12 year old Jet.

"As you all know, my dad's a pyrotechnican, so I'm going to be the one lighting the biggies up," Nezbitt bragged.

"Huh, I didn't know that," Jet commented. Suddenly, Duke spoke up.

"A-As if! I've been waiting for the Fireworks Festival! And if anyone's gunna see them up close, it's going to be me! So shut your trap, fishbreath!" He argued.

"And get yourself blown up? Sorry, I'm not collecting your pieces. You REALLY don't know how fireworks work…"

"Hey that hurts, idiot! I thought I was your friend!"

Storm sighed as he relaxed back in his seat, listening to the morning cicadas from out the window.

"The calm… the peace and tranquility…" he said.

Jet looked up at Storm, debating on whether or not he should confess everything.

"I don't want to risk anything… besides… Paulie's warning yesterday seems true… weird…" The hawk thought to himself. The albatross looked down at the worried Jet.

"I wonder if Jet's doing fine…" he thought. "I hope so; Jet's normally someone who isn't down. I'll ask him later on… Still, even with that conflicted face of his… he's real cute."

…

"Whoa… whoa whoa WHOA… Am… Am I still thinking that? No… it can't be… not my friend…"

Storm took a deep breath to calm himself down, hoping that he wouldn't panic in front of everybody.

After breakfast, the Scoutmaster confirmed the day of the Fireworks Festival.

"It'll begin at exactly seven tonight. Now, you do not need to participate if you don't want to," he explained. "However, I'm hoping to see all of you as this is a time of enjoyment. But if there's ANY reason you don't wish to attend, please tell me."

"Pff, why wouldn't anyone attend? It's once every two years!" Duke said.

"Now, this doesn't mean our normal routine will be cancelled. So, you know what to do and where to go. Dismissed!"

Several hours later, the time of the fireworks festival arrived as the sun began to set.

The girls from the girl's camp arrived and everyone spread around Camp Silver Lake with their friends, or random strangers. The male and female camp counselors passed out small little fireworks such as sparklers and bang snaps. Jet, Duke, Nezbitt, and Eryx goofed off with the bang snaps, having a mini "war" with them.

"I've got you now…" Duke said, sneaking up on an unaware Nezbitt. Suddenly, a loud BANG was heard by his feet as the shark jumped, yelping.

"Gotcha!" Jet yelled, running past Duke.

Before he could go after the hawk, the cat came after Duke. Jet threw some of his bang snaps as Duke went after the two. As he ran, he passed by Storm, who was twirling sparklers in his hands, amazing some of the younger children.

Jet smiled at the sight, finding it adorable that Storm wanted to entertain children. He wondered if much like himself, Storm liked kids.

It was then that he heard a bang snap pop near him.

"Oh, you bet I'm catching up, Jet!" Duke yelled.

"Not if I can still run away!" The green avian replied.

After various rounds and even getting Storm involved in some of the action, 9 P.M. hit as the two Scoutmasters appeared next to each other.

"The grand fireworks show is about to begin! Everyone please come here for a good viewing!" The male Scoutmaster yelled.

"Oh yes, yes! So long guys, time to see a show, courtesy of me!" Nezbitt said as he ran off. Jet walked over to the shore of the lake and looked up at the sky.

However he had a thought in his head even before the show began.

"Maybe… maybe tonight I should tell Storm everything… We just need to find somewhere private… But first of all, where is he?" The hawk thought.

As the rest of the boys and girls walked towards the shore of the lake, Jet looked around and was unable to find Storm anywhere. The hawk saw Wave in the distance, who glanced for a brief second before turning around. Just then, he saw Eryx walking towards him and decided to ask him.

"Hey, Eryx. You've seen Storm anywhere?" Jet asked, getting up from the floor.

"Oh yeah, he was actually heading towards the part of the lake where we swam a few weeks ago," Eryx replied. "Said he wanted some quiet."

"Where we swam last time? Alright man, thanks."

"Wait… why are you looking for him?"

However, it was too late, Jet had already gone off. Eryx turned his head in confusion and wondered what was going on with Jet and why he needed to see Storm.

True to the blue shelled armadillo's word, Jet found Storm sitting by the lake, watching the now beginning fireworks show. The albatross turned his head and saw the hawk standing near him.

"Oh, Jet! It's a surprise to see you here," Storm said. "I thought you were gunna be with Duke, Nezbitt, and Eryx."

"Well I was actually, erm… l-looking for you…" Jet replied.

"Were you? You… you wanted to spend this evening with just me?"

"Y-Y-Yeah I guess you could say…" Jet blushed as the two avians stood in silence.

"D'aw, I'm touched. Well, c'mon Jet, sit down," Storm said, breaking the silence as he patted the ground. Jet awkwardly walked over to Storm and sat down next to the hulking avian.

"Why were you alone anyway?" Jet asked.

"Eh, I prefer the peace the quiet for something like this. But… having a friend here is nice," Storm replied. "Especially if it's you."

Jet looked down at the ground, the fireworks illuminating the two. Storm still had no idea about his crush, still referring to him as "friend". His face burned even harder as the two continued to watch the fireworks show.

"The view from here is beautiful, huh?" Jet asked.

"It is. The fireworks reflecting on the water makes it better," Storm said. "Every year on Fireworks Day, my folks and I would watch the fireworks at a boardwalk near my house."

"I see fireworks a lot, what with dad being an Extreme Gear racer. They ignite them after Grand Prix's, or after any race he just happens to finish first in."

In the mists of their conversation however, Jet's heart beat rapidly. He swore he could hear it clear as day as he looked up at Storm, the large albatross still having his attention on the fireworks. He could see a joy in Storm's eye as another burst in the sky.

As Jet looked at his reflection in the water, it was clear as day that he was blushing heavily.

"He looks so cute right now…" Jet thought.

He sighed as he debating in his mind, whether he should confess everything. His chest felt like it was tied up in a knot, and butterflies filled his stomach.

"We're all alone… but… who knows what he'll do… who knows HOW he'll react…"

In the midst of his monologue, the hawk was unaware that the albatross was looking at him.

"Jet's looks real nice tonight…" he thought.

Much like Jet, it was also hard for Storm to accept his crush on the green avian. However, with what happened yesterday, Storm knew he couldn't keep it hidden. It was now or never, and Storm felt the romantic tension in the air.

Fifteen minutes passed by and the fireworks show continued to rage on. More and more fireworks were ignited as the two avians could hear Nezbitt yelling from across the lake; "IGNITE MY CHILDREN! IGNITE!"

"Heh, Nezbitt's havin' a good time, wouldn't you agree?" asked Storm.

It was when the albatross noticed Jet did he stop.

"Jet?"

With a deep inhale, Jet knew that it was time to stop being silent and time to come out with everything.

"Storm… I have to talk to you… It's something important…" He said rather quickly.

"Hm? What is it?" Storm replied.

Jet looked up at Storm, and then looked down at the ground again. He inhaled once more and began his confession.

"Storm… you're a really good friend. A really really good friend. I still remember our first day meeting each other, and well… I honestly thought that if you hadn't sat down next to me during lunch that day, well… we would have never been the great friends we are now. Heck, we would have never done all those crazy things we've done here. Capture the Flag, the kayaking incident, helping you with your public speaking thing; we did so much together in this short time span…"

"Aww… I'm glad to see you're happy being friends with me," Storm said, smiling. "I'm… what's the word…"

"Happy? Glad?"

"I already said that! I don't wanna use them again!"

Jet chuckled, before looking back at the ground. "But…"

"Huh? But what?"

"Lately… I've been feeling kinda stressed… I've been doing some thinking and well… I realize I'm having feelings for someone I shouldn't have feelings for…"

"You mean… romantic feelings?"

Jet nodded. "Yeah… I should be seeing them as a friend, not as someone to date. Hell, I'm risking a lot just having a crush on them."

Storm was confused. Why was Jet talking about something like this? It was very unlikely for someone like him to do.

Unless…

"W-Well… there's nothing wrong with certain kinds of love. I'm sure whoever the person you have feelings for isn't THAT bad. Besides, sounds like you really love this person a lot. But… why are you telling me this?"

"Storm… do you promise we'll stay friends if I say what's been on my mind?"

"O-Of course, I mean I'll always be your friend."

Jet smiled softly. "That's good…"

"B-But what are you trying to imply?"

The hawk took a deep breath before speaking again.

"Storm… I know I said I'm your friend but… I've been seeing you more as a friend lately…"

Storm softly gasped as he turned to look at Jet. His blood went cold. Was he saying what the albatross thought he was about to say?

"Jet… D-Does that mean t-that…?" Storm said in a low voice, wondering if in his mind, he should confess too. Jet nodded.

"It does… Storm… I… I…"

And with one last deep breath, and no one there around the two, only three words came out of Jet's mouth.

"I love you…"

Another firework illuminated the dark shore as Storm saw Jet's face. He saw that the hawk looked very scared, most likely afraid of rejection, and how he would react.

It was a lot for Storm to process, but once he did, he realized that there were no secrets to hide anymore.

"It's now or never, Storm,"

He began. "Jet… I have something to tell you too… Remember yesterday?"

"Y-Yeah… why?"

"Well… you know how I was the one who went after you when you fell out of your boat, right? Well, when I got you, and carried you all that way, I realized something…"

Storm placed his hands on Jet's face and smiled at him.

"I realized how cute you are up close…"

Jet's eyes widened as he blushed. His heart beat faster as the fireworks continued. He stuttered, hiding his face. "S-Storm… you really mean it?"

"Yeah… You know, I could have fallen in love with some other bozo here. But… you? I think my feelings made a good choice."

Storm reached out and gently turned Jet's head to face him.

"Then… then you?" Jet could his breathing get heavier by the second. Storm nodded, chuckling softly.

"Yeah… Jet, I love you too…"

With his right hand on Jet's face, Storm reached in and kissed his hawk "friend" for the first time. Jet's face grew redder as he closed his eyes, returning Storm's soft kiss. The albatross' face reddened as their lips continued to stay connected.

While this happened, a firework that made the shape of a heart exploded in the sky. Most of the boys and girls oohed and ahhed at the sight, simply seeing it as an amazing symbol.

However, it felt like a sign that Jet and Storm's new relationship had begun.

Needing to breathe, Jet was the first to let go of the kiss.

"You're a great kisser for a first timer…" Storm said, grinning.

"I-I am?" Jet asked, chuckling.

"Sure you are. Aren't you confident?"

"Oh you asshole, c'mere."

Jet kissed Storm again to silence him. He put his hand behind Storm's head as he soon let go of the kiss.

"That's what I'm gunna do."

Storm became flustered as he hugged his new love, letting Jet rest his head on his chest. After a while, he let go as the large grey avian held out his hand. "Here… why don't we return to camp? It looks like the fireworks show ended. I'm sure everyone's looking for us,"

Jet smiled as he placed his small hand on Storm's larger hand, connecting the two.

"Yeah… let's go…"

The two new lovers left the shore and returned to camp by the dirt trail, holding hands the entire way back.

When Jet and Storm returned, they could see that majority of the camp was deserted, save for a few other boys still chatting.

"Huh, looks like everyone left," Storm said.

"Uh-oh, Storm, we should stop connecting hands now!" Jet exclaimed suddenly. Storm faced him.

"Huh?"

Despite Storm's confusion, the two avains let go of their hands to avoid anyone finding out about their relationship. They could see Duke, Nezbitt, and Eryx walking up to them.

"Just in time too…" Jet thought to himself.

"There you two are! We were wondering where you were!" Duke yelled. "Where were you anyway?"

Jet and Storm looked at each other as the hawk could see the albatross wink from the corner of his eye.

"Oh… someone more quiet," Storm said.

"Did you at least see my fireworks? Huh? Did ya? Did ya?!" Nezbitt asked, jumping up and down like an excited child.

"Relax Nezbitt, we did. Don't worry," Jet replied. "You did a good job, man!"

Stars filled in the cat's eyes.

"Well that's good. It was a fun time tonight," Eryx said. "But looks like we gotta head to bed now. Might wanna say good night to Storm before we head off to Cabin C."

The three walked off as the two avians stood idle. They looked around to see that pretty much everyone was gone.

"Well… we're all alone," Jet said. He turned to look at Storm as the grey avian reached down and gave a kiss to Jet's forehead.

"Night Jet… sleep tight," he said. Jet got on his tiptoes and kissed Storm's cheek.

"And the same to you."

Storm chuckled. "Heh… you know, I'm glad I met you…"

"And I'm glad you feel the same about me…"

Jet and Storm hugged as they sighed happily.

After sometime though, they knew they had to leave for their cabins.

"Remember, I love you," Jet said.

"And the same back to ya," Storm replied.

Running back to their retrospective cabins, Jet pulled off his shirt and got in bed just in time for Mido to come in and announce lights out.

Late into the night, after everyone was fast asleep. Jet couldn't sleep. Instead, he stay awoke, thinking about all the things he and Storm could do now that they're a couple.

"We're gonna have to stay underground though… but as long as me and him are together, nothing's gonna pull us apart," he thought.

He had one last vision of him and the grey avian kissing by the shore before he fell asleep from exhaustion, falling asleep proud of his confession, and proud of his newfound love.

If anyone could see him right now, they would see a big smile on the hawk's beak.