Jayden's heart was a frenetic drumbeat against his ribcage, the aftereffects of an intense sparring session mingling with the creeping tendrils of anxiety for the next day's confrontation.

The cool splash of water did little to quiet the storm inside him.

He reached for the towel, its terrycloth rough against his skin, and patted his face in an attempt to soothe more than just the surface.

The soft whir of his bedroom door sliding open interrupted the silence.

Jayden didn't need to glance up to recognize the gentle tread of footsteps approaching; his body seemed attuned to the presence of others, a sixth sense Mike often teased him about, dubbing it his "spidey sense."

Jayden detested the comparison—no part of him resonated with the image of an arachnid.

He kept the towel pressed to his face, the fabric absorbing the last remnants of dampness as he spoke.

"Planning on talking me out of this?" Jayden's voice was a muted rumble, half-hopeful, half-defiant.

"I wouldn't dare," came the measured response.

Dropping the towel to the rack in a careless heap, Jayden finally turned to face his confidant.

Antonio leaned casually against the door frame, eyes locked on Jayden, an unreadable expression etched across his features.

Jayden moved past him, peeling away his damp training gear in search of something more comfortable, something that didn't reek of sweat and anticipation.

"There's no turning back for me," Jayden muttered, half to Antonio, half to himself.

"I remember," Antonio replied, his tone even and annoyingly serene. "I was there, wasn't I?"

"I have to do this," Jayden stated, more to himself than to Antonio, as he began shedding his training gear in search of pajamas, his back to his friend.

Antonio's voice was steady, a quiet anchor in the tempest of Jayden's doubts. "I know, Jay. I was there, remember?"

Avoiding a reply, Jayden focused on a neatly folded red shirt, but the weight of Antonio's gaze was ever-present, making his skin prickle with a mingling of vulnerability and resolve.

Antonio had moved, now standing by Jayden's desk, examining the photographs that served as silent sentinels of memories.

One captured a moment with Jayden's parents, the other a snapshot of their team—his extended family.

As Jayden pulled the shirt over his head, he joined Antonio, standing shoulder to shoulder with him.

"Don't sweat it for tomorrow. You've got this. Deker's in for a reality check once you're through with him," Antonio said, his voice holding a feigned confidence that nearly coaxed a smile from Jayden.

The smile was fleeting, chased away by the gravity of what lay ahead. "If I fall, you have to promise me you'll keep the team moving forward."

Antonio exhaled a long, weary sigh. "Jay," he began, his tone taking on the patronizing softness one might use with a child. "Tomorrow is going to be about you putting Deker in his place. After that, we're hitting up that barbecue place you love."

"Antonio, I—"

"No, Jayden," Antonio interjected, the strength in his voice belying his usual easy going demeanor.

He spun around, his hands finding Jayden's shoulders, gripping them with a sureness that somehow managed to ground Jayden.

"Everything has to be okay," Antonio pressed, his gaze intense, a fervor burning within that Jayden couldn't pin point.

Before Jayden could ask what he meant, Antonio was pulling him close and kissed him.

With a hard push of lips on his, Jayden froze for a brief moment.

The kiss changed completely when Jayden exhaled.

When Jayden felt Antonio's lips brush up against his, he sputtered out an answer.

Antonio had a flavor that was reminiscent of mint, tea, and something stronger.

Jayden followed Antonio as he backed up just a little.

Antonio was pulled against him by his arms as they circled about him.

His heart was beating in unison with Antonio's, and he knew it because he could feel it through his shirt.

To have better access, Antonio's hands shifted to cup Jayden's face.

Jayden could feel the softness of Antonio's lips against his own, and he knew that any other person he may ever kiss would be insignificant in comparison.

Their kisses turned chaste after a few minutes, and Antonio eventually distanced himself entirely.

Antonio's eyes appeared to be more dark, and Jayden's fingers were mousseing his hair as they both breathed heavily.

Despite the fact that Jayden was aware of his similar appearance, his stomach was still churning like a fusion of sickness and butterflies.

Antonio whispered, "Take off your clothing."

Jayden paused just briefly before following orders. He swiftly removed his shirt and pants to expose his strong body.

His entire body was scrutinized by Antonio's eyes as they roved over him with want.

Then Antonio started to strip himself, his actions unhurried and methodical. As Antonio displayed his own muscular figure, Jayden gazed in awe.

As they were both completely exposed, they continued to kiss while pressing their nude bodies against one another.

Jayden sighed softly as Antonio's hands swept over his back and butt because the sensation of skin on skin was almost too much to handle.

Suddenly, with his eyes blazing with want, Antonio shoved him onto the bed before climbing on top of him.

They were going to remember this night forever.

The hot, moist kisses from Antonio's lips followed Jayden's neck as they fell. Putting his chest up close to Antonio's mouth, Jayden arched his back.

Jayden's body was caressed and his nipples were teased by Antonio as his hands combed over it.

With his body shaking with want, Jayden gasped in pleasure.

After that, Antonio crept closer and softly sucked on one of Jayden's nipples.

When Jayden gasped, he reached down and tangled Antonio's hair.

Almost unbearable was the sensation of Antonio's mouth on his skin.

Jayden experienced a burning sensation across his body as need overcame him.

Still, Antonio wasn't done. He sank lower yet, leaving a trail of kisses on Jayden's hips and stomach.

Then, while Antonio groaned in gratification, he put Jayden's erect cock into his mouth and started sucking and licking.

Almost unbearable was the sensation of Antonio's mouth on him.

When Jayden's orgasm began to develop, his body began to tremble with ecstasy.

Jayden gasped as Antonio withdrew and yearned for more as he did so.

Taking a position between Jayden's legs, he moved back up Jayden's body and gave him a passionate kiss.

He then pushed himself inside, filling Jayden with his firm length.

As Antonio's shoulders were being seized by Jayden, he groaned with delight.

Almost unbearable was the sensation of Antonio inside of him, Jayden experienced feelings of impending ecstasy.

He started to move, making deep, forceful thrusts into and out of Jayden.

The red ranger's body trembled with pleasure as he sensed himself edging ever-closer to the edge.

Antonio kept thrusting into Jayden as their bodies started to sweat profusely and their groans filled the air.

Antonio was prompted to continue as Jayden's hands combed over his back and drew them both closer to the edge.

As soon as Antonio touched Jayden's cock, it was enough to push him over the edge.

When he approached, Jayden screamed while his body shook with delight.

As they gathered their breath, they both fell to the bed, bodies twisted together.

They simply laid there for a short while as the glow of their passion enveloped them. Then Jayden embraced Antonio and cradled him in his arms.

Jayden muttered, "That was wonderful.

With a light kiss on Jayden's forehead and a nod, Antonio replied. "You're fantastic,"

They merely lay there, engrossed in the warmth of each other's embrace, for a short while.

"You should get some rest." Antonio spoke as he got out of bed and started gathering his clothes.

Without Antonio by his side, Jayden suddenly felt lonely as he observed him.

Before he started to go, Antonio turned back to Jayden and said, "I believe in you. Good luck tomorrow." while grinning.

Afterwards, when Jayden lay in bed, he was certain that he would triumph the following day.

"Antonio believes in me, but can I live up to that? I have to; there's no room for failure. I won't let him down, not again."