-10 years ago-
***

"You want to go out with Takashi?!", Adam yelped out as the two toweled boys whirled around in surprise.

The teen's face who asked Shiro out was completely pink, but instead of surprise like Shiro, his face only displayed anger.

"Yeah, So?! It's not like you're going to go out with him anyhow Wolf.", he fired back, "Who asked you to eavesdrop on our conversation?!"

Adam gritted his teeth and looked between the two, his mind already giving up the fact that Shiro would never be into him.

Shiro was completely silent as Adam looked at him, his face shocked and sad looking.

Swallowing back tears, Adam wordlessly shoved the hairbrush into Shiro's palm and left, not looking back as he ran out in humiliation.

That boy had been right.
He could have never asked Shiro out on a date and probably wouldn't.

Why would he risk ruining everything they already had as friends?

Adam's face was flushed with anger and joy when the star struck kiss replayed in his mind. He had been right to fear it meant nothing, because it seemed it had been nothing more then a magical caught-up-in-the-moment thing.

It didn't really hold any value. He had been so stupid to take the risk of letting his feelings coming through.

His chest tightened further as he forced the tears back that wanted to come as he ran up the locked off metal stairs.

Right now he needed to be somewhere no one else could find or bother him, and that meant going to the roof and breaking some rules in order to do so.

His shoes made the whole staircase clang and vibrate loudly, but he didn't care as he finally pushed open the door to the outside and emerged on the giant concrete roof.
Wind blew through his hair roughly, making him squint his eyes as the sunset's rays glared at him.

Holding an arm over his eyes, Adam closed the door gently so the wind wouldn't bang it shut and alert the adults he was up there.

Jets flew overhead in formation and the sound of machinery whirred and beeped below as the the last of the drills were finished.
Sitting down on an old crate, Adam watched the world below and above him trying to appreciate everything he already had.

Who needed boys anyway?
It didn't matter... people would always let you down.
What wouldn't let him down was a perfect equation and if he happened to get it wrong, he could learn from that mistake... people were 100 times more complicated and not so easily 'fixed'.

Resting his chin on his upright arms which lay on top of his knees, Adam ignored the growing ache in his chest.

He wished he could stop feeling and stop caring so much. Life would be so much easier if his emotions just disappeared especially since he always felt out of place.

Even within the groups of introverts in the Garrison, he didn't seem to fit. He knew he could never hang out with extroverts either, so he usually was fine working alone.
Shiro had been the exception.

An unlikely friendship and bond happened between them that no one else would have guessed.

Sighing, Adam tucked his knees into his chest and stared at the orange and pink clouds and the last sliver of the sun as it disappeared over the horizon.

Adam then heard the metal door creak open, someone coming out onto the roof same as him.

He guessed it was an adult going to mess with the ventilation system, but he didn't care if he was caught and punished again. So he just sat there quietly, letting whatever happen just happen.

He tucked his knees tighter into his chest as he heard someone approach him from behind, stopping and most likely staring at him.

"Adam... please listen to me.", Shiro's voice said quietly making him jolt.

Looking up and around, he stared back at his crush angrily and sadly, "What do you want Shirogane? I thought you were planning out a date with that other kid.", he said saltily, "Decide to ask me for advice or something?"

Shiro looked hurt at his words, "No, I never said yes Adam! And I don't plan on going out with him anyway... I just came here to talk to you in order to clear things up and find out if you're okay."

"You don't have to lie to me Takashi... I might as well know the truth.", he sighed tiredly.

Shiro grabbed his shoulder, "I'm not lying Adam! I wouldn't lie to you!", he shook him gently, "I'm so sorry that we haven't been able to talk since the other night ago when we snuck out, and I'm sorry you felt that I didn't care about you in that way!
But do you really think I'm just some player boy or something? You should know me better then that... I would never do that to anyone, and especially not my best friend and crush."

"I don't know exactly what I was thinking when I told you how I felt... all I know is that you seem to have better times with other kids who also like you. I don't feel like I compare."

"Adam, I like you.", Shiro said gently yet firmly trying to make the sad boy hear him, "In a way that goes just beyond simple friends."

Adam's heart leaped and churned as butterflies in his stomach erupted. It was getting harder to not give in and completely believe Shiro's confession.

Did he actually just say that he liked him??

He stared into his eyes, trying to see the truth in them and if he meant it whole heartedly.

Shiro's eyes gave everything away, being an open reflection to his very soul it seemed as he saw the kindness, compassion, love, determination and concern shining in them.
It seemed so genuine, so authentic.

But he shook his head and looked back down, disappointment winning and stopping him from feeling joy and relief.

"I-I want to go out with you on a date...", he admitted, ", but I know we won't last long. You'll get tired of me Takashi.", he said regretfully, "I can't match your social energy and I'm not funny like other people. I'm just naturally way to serious... you won't want that."

Adam then stood up from his crate and brushed past him gently, holding back tears.

"It's best you find someone more like you... or someone less like me. I don't want to drag you down.", he said walking away.

"I won't get tired of you... I like you for who you are, how you are now.", Shiro said softly, so quiet in fact, Adam had barely heard it and made him stop, "You make me happy Adam... and I want to make each other happy in a special relationship meant only for us. I'll never tire of you."

He stood there silently as Shiro's whispered words processed in Adam's mind.

He was scared.
He didn't want disappointment or rejection later in his life if things didn't work out. And he didn't want to ruin the innocent friendship that they had had before.

Everything would change if Shiro truly liked him that way...

But would it be good or bad?
Adam had no way of knowing as the sun's final rays slipped out of view and stars made themselves more visible in the red tinted and violet sky.

The only way was to take the chance, balancing on the edge before taking the jump.

"What if you find out that you're wrong? What if we find out this, that us, don't work?", Adam questioned looking back at him all his worries shining in his eyes for Shiro to read.

"We'll figure it out together,", he smiled grabbing his hand tightly with his, ", just like we always do. One step at a time."

Adam gripped Shiro's hand back, feeling comfort and warmth radiating off it, making him feel calmer, "I just don't want to mess things up...", he admitted.

Shiro embraced him tightly, "You won't. I promise."

The hug was what made him stop holding back, sinking into the gentle feeling coursing through him as he lay his head on Shiro's shoulder.

He felt warm and nice inside, the worry slowly melting away.

"Okay, you convinced me.", he said against his body, "Let's do it then."

Shiro turned and looked at him, "Let's do what...?"

Adam broke into a smile and broke away from the hug, "Let's go on a date...", he blushed nervously, "An official one this time."

Smiling back at him, he leaned over and kissed Adam's forehead gently, making him stand there pleasantly surprised and having an even redder face, "I'd like that... especially since I'll have it with you. There's no one else I'd rather be with."

"Jesus, Takashi! We're only fifteen and just getting started.", Adam laughed nervously and happily, "You don't have to get so mushy already!"

"It's never too soon to get to mushy!", Shiro fired back squeezing Adam tightly as he picked him off the ground.

"Takashiiii, put me down!", he laughed as he spun around with Shiro, "You're gonna make us go over the edge!"

"Alright, fine....", he laughed.

Shiro then stopped spinning and set him down before pulling him him in for another surprise kiss, making Adam close his eyes and enjoy it this time without concern.

As they broke away, they both held each other close, staring into each other's eyes quietly.
And they both knew, that somehow they had an unbreakable bond and a string attached to their hearts that would make them always love each other... and this was the start of that beautiful feeling and relationship.

"I really like you Takashi...", Adam whispered softly.

"I really like you too..."