Fic: Always; Chapter Three (Adam/Carlos) PG
Chapter Title: Passing the Torch
Rating: PG
A/N: This chapter is more of an interlude before the main event, but I still feel the episode was a turning point in the Adam/Carlos relationship. Many thanks to Blacktiger-550 for checking this one over for me.
If you missed the previous chapters of this fic, it starts here
Materialising in downtown Angel Grove, Adam and Tanya could see that the evacuation in that part of the city was already underway. The police force of Angel Grove had long since organised means of directing the population to secure areas of the inner city, away from the fierce battles that often raged in the abandoned sectors on the city’s outskirts. They had developed with many years of emergency deployments an impressive degree of speed and efficiency and as the rangers arrived were guiding the last groups out of the area. Aware of the approaching danger, Adam and Tanya immediately set to doing what they could to help.
Over the passing wave of frightened citizens, Adam caught sight of a familiar dark head stationary beside the wall of an abandoned storage lot. A break in the flow of humanity allowed him a glimpse of the broad shouldered figure he would have known anywhere and his breath caught in his throat.
Through the melee that was going on around him, he could hear Carlos calling to the fleeing civilians “C’mon, this way…C’mon” His heart went out to the brave youth who, in assisting the evacuation had placed himself in harms way.
Knowing that there wasn’t much time, Adam still couldn’t resist the urge to race up to Carlos side, and reassure himself of the other boy’s welfare.
“Carlos will help” He called to Tanya, already ducking through the throng. As he approached he could already see that the other youth was unharmed, noting the alert posture and commanding presence with approval.
“Carlos, we need your help. Will you make sure everyone gets to safety?”
Though Carlos couldn’t see through the visor on the green ranger’s helmet, the inside of the tough dark-tinted material was designed to provide Adam with clear vision in any given situation. He could see the compassion in the other boy’s eyes and the resolute determination.
“Sure” He replied, before returning to herding his charges away, strong voice driving them on. “C’mon…C’mon”
“Thanks” Adam called, taking one last look at the youth’s back and praying no harm would come to him. The green ranger rejoined the battle for the city.
The podium was part of a natural formation in the bedrock upon which the command centre was built. Gathered together as rangers for the last time, the group formed a semi-circle in front of the imposing presence and spoke a few words of welcome to the newest team.
Adam knew something would be amiss if he didn’t say a little and so he stumbled through a few words about Carlos’ qualities that seemed clumsy in comparison to the eloquent welcome the other rangers had received. He could feel Tanya’s eyes on him and knew she was already doing the math, but at that moment it didn’t matter. He only had eyes for the tall handsome youth beaming at him from the raised dais.
Excitement from the day’s events was still coursing through their veins as Adam and Carlos entered the park. Time spent in debriefing following the power transfer had only served to heighten the pent up energy of the two active youths, and as soon as they reached the open stretch of path around the lake both boys broke into a run.
Possessing the faster healing and greater speed of his newly gained powers, Carlos pulled ahead. Letting him take the lead, Adam smiled in indulgence at the youthful high spirits, remembering the day he had first received the power. When they had finally run themselves out, Carlos slowed to allow Adam to catch up and they fell into an easy jog side by side as they continued through the park. It was too early to go home just yet and there were things that needed to be said on both sides, but until either boy could find the right words they were content to just continue in the companionable silence that had built around them.
They passed few others as they made their way around the lake, the late hour leaving the park almost deserted. The sun had set and it was fast approaching nightfall, the last muted echoes of light lapsing into the dusk grey sky. At the curve of the southern shore a side path diverged from the lake to pass under the sweeping branches of a small stand of trees before leading to the picnic lawns. Without a word exchanged between them, the two boys turned and entered the shaded recess; slowing to a walk as they left the marked path and stepped onto the soft grass.
It was a warm night, and only the soft sounds of a few sleepy crickets broke the quiet stillness. The waxing moon cast tendrils of magic into the clearing and the white clematis flowers which surrounded the benches captured and reflected it, adding a warm glow to everything it touched. As Adam stepped out ahead of Carlos from between the trees pale golden light danced across his skin and the younger boy froze, watching him.
With a sigh, Adam sank gratefully onto the bench stretching out his legs in front of him. He looked up in query when Carlos didn’t immediately join him and his breath caught in his throat when he met the intensity of the other boy’s gaze. The light breeze suddenly felt cool against his heated skin.
Carlos moved forward and sat close beside him, never taking his eyes off the other boy. Each felt the tension that had been building between them all day and now as they drew closer together there was only the distance of a breath between their lips. And then, there wasn't.
Alone in the park, neither knowing who made the first move, they were only aware of the thrill they felt as their tongues touched for the very first time; hands flickering over shirt fronts in a mixture of awe and excitement at what they had found in each other.
Then abruptly Adam pulled away, his expression unreadable in the dim light.
“I’m sorry” was all he said, before turning and walking away. By the end of the week, he had left for collage without a word to anyone.
Though they never spoke about it afterwards, Carlos knew he would never love another. He had tried time and again to find one he could become romantically involved with, but for one reason all attempts failed; his heart belonged to Adam Park.
And it had all started with that kiss.
A/N (II): So I'm mean - I'll admit that! You didn't think I'd make it that easy for our boys did you? There's more to come, so stay tuned.