The Joy of Love

Disclaimer: Same as before.

A/N: I know the Skylab was a ride at Kings Island, but I loved it so I made the fair have it. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter!


Chapter 2: Sparks Fly

The next morning Rocky woke up and glanced at the clock on his bedside table. He gasped and leapt out of bed and hurried to the bathroom to take a quick shower. He was supposed to meet Adam and Jason for lunch Surf Spot at eleven forty-five and it was already ten thirty! He'd wanted to be up by nine to work out but he'd overslept. That was probably due to the fact that he'd lay awake for hours last night thinking about Zhane.

He'd never met anyone like him before. It was like instant attraction the moment their eyes met. As he undressed and got into the shower he thought of Zhane's beautiful blue eyes and killer smile and his heart fluttered. The guy was just so adorable! He closed his eyes and saw himself take Zhane into his arms and gently brush his lips against the other boy's. His heart raced and his breathing quickened at the thought of Zhane's beautiful lips touching his.

Suddenly, he felt scalding hot water on his shoulders and snapped out of his daze. Cursing, he quickly turned the hot water down and shook his head. He couldn't believe he had let himself get so carried away like that! He had just met the guy for Pete's sake. Most likely, he was completely straight with a girlfriend. Anyone that gorgeous had to be! And he'd probably run straight for the hills if he knew what Rocky had been thinking just now! And Rocky wouldn't blame him one bit. So many people had done just that; The majority of his friends back in Stone Canyon, former karate students of his, and even a couple of relatives had wanted nothing to do with him when they found out that he was bi. It was a devastating blow, but with his family and closest friends by his side, he'd gotten through it.

As he got out of the shower and dried himself off, he thought once again of how lucky he was. His family and close friends had stood by him and accepted him without hesitation. Sadly, a lot of people like him weren't nearly so fortunate thanks to all the prejudice and hatred of his kind. Someday, he hoped that would change and people would be a lot more accepting than they were now.

He got dressed and went down to the kitchen and cooked himself some breakfast. As he ate, he thought about the evening ahead at the fair with Zhane. He hoped it would be perfect; because he really liked Zhane and wanted the blond boy to like him as well.

As he cleaned up the kitchen after he'd finished eating, he decided not to tell Adam or the others how he felt about Zhane until he knew where they stood with each other. That way, if he made a fool out of himself, as least no one else would know and be able to laugh at him. He also really didn't want to explain his feelings because he was scared something would go wrong; and knowing him, it would. He'd shoot off his mouth without thinking or do something really stupid and ruin everything with Zhane. It had happened more than once before. He sometimes had trouble being serious which was the problem. But this time he was really serious. He had never wanted anything as much as he wanted to be with Zhane now.

About twenty minutes later, at around eleven- fifty, he arrived at the Surf Spot. He entered and immediately spotted Adam and Jason at a table. He walked over and sat down beside Adam.

"Hey, Rocky, you're late," Adam told him.

"Rocky glanced at his watch. "Only by five minutes," He replied.

"Well still, you'd better be careful or you'll start to pick up Tommy's bad habit," Jason teased him.

"Hey, I am not always late, Jason!" Rocky said indignantly. "I just didn't wake up until around ten-thirty. "

"That's because you were sleeping off all those pies you ate yesterday," Jason said.

Adam shook his head. "Not Rocky. He can handle a lot more than that!" He pointed out.

"That's not funny, Adam," Rocky told him. "I'm a growing boy."

"Yeah, growing sideways!" Adam joked, causing Jason to laugh.

Rocky glared at his best friend. "I'm glad my appetite is so amusing to you," he said witheringly.

A waitress came over to take their order before Adam could reply. Once she left, Adam turned to Rocky. "Hey, I was just kidding," He said.

"I know, but I get tired of just being nothing more than a joke magnet. I have feelings, you know," He informed him.

"Rocky, you're a lot more than a joke magnet. You're my best friend and a great person," Adam replied.

"Yeah, man," Jason added. "And you're a great martial artist as well."

"And we never meant to hurt your feelings," Adam reassured him, putting a friendly arm on his shoulder.

Rocky nodded. "I know. I just want people to treat me like more than just a big goof off," he said.

"Hey, we do, Rocky," Jason pointed out.

"I know you guys do, but hardly anyone else takes me seriously," he said sadly.

"Hey, people treat you seriously, Rocky," Jason told him.

"Jason's right. Where's all this coming from anyway?" Adam asked him.

Rocky shook his head. "I'm not sure. It's been on my mind for awhile now, though," he replied. Actually he did know. It was Zhane. He really liked him and he wanted to be someone that Zhane liked as well. In fact, he wanted Zhane to love him. But he wasn't ready to explain that yet.

"Is it because you're bi?" Jason asked in a whisper.

"No, it's not that. I told you, I just want people to take me seriously," he answered.

"Hey, discovering you're bi is a big deal. It changes your life. It's perfectly normal to feel self-conscious," Adam told him gently.

"I told you, that's not it," Rocky said, a little more forcefully. "I guess there just comes a point in a person's life when it's time to change."

Adam nodded. That made a lot of sense even though it was unusual for Rocky to have deep thoughts like these. It seemed like his best friend was beginning to grow up.

Just then the waitress came back with their orders and they began to eat. They were silent for a little while as they concentrated on eating. When they were finished, Jason asked if they wanted to spar. The agreed and for the next couple of hours they took turns sparring with each other.

Afterwards, as they were getting ready to leave, Adam turned to Rocky.

"Hey, do you and Jason want to go see a movie this evening?" He asked.

"Sure, that sounds like fun," Jason answered immediately.

But Rocky shook his head. "It does sound like fun, but I already planned to go back to the fair this evening." He checked his watch. "As a matter of fact, I need to get home so I can take a shower and get ready," he told Adam.

"That's okay. I know you like fairs. Just go and have fun," Adam replied.

"Thanks, Adam. You guys have fun too and I'll call you tonight when I get home if it's not too late," Rocky said. Adam nodded, and with a wave, Rocky turned and left. When he was gone, Adam and Jason discussed this new change in Rocky for a several minutes before they left as well.

Later, after a shower and a quick snack, Rocky found himself back at the fair. He headed straight to the Ferris wheel to wait for Zhane. As soon as he got there, he checked his watch. He was early; it was only three fifty-three. Still he glanced around anxiously. He was eagerly awaiting Zhane's arrival.

After what seemed like forever but was actually only a few minutes, He spotted Zhane heading toward him. His heart began to race as he took in Zhane's faded blue jeans and yellow button-up shirt, his still damp blond hair, and his perfectly chiseled features. He was even better looking today than he was yesterday!

Rocky felt like he was going to melt as Zhane reached him and smiled at him. "Hi, Rocky," he said.

"Hi, Zhane," Rocky replied, barely managing to keep his voice normal and light.

"So what do you want to do first?" Zhane asked him.

"Definitely the rides; they're awesome!" Rocky answered enthusiastically. There was always a chance that Zhane would grab him and or hold onto him on the scary ones. He hoped Zhane would, anyway.

"Just what I was thinking," Zhane replied with a grin. "Let's go on Skylab first!"

Rocky loved that ride. He remembered how they would have to drag Kimberly on that ride. She hated to go upside down! "Great idea, Zhane! Let's hurry up and get some tickets!" He said happily.

The two headed over to the ticket booth and bought a bunch of tickets and then headed straight to the Skylab. There was a short line but it went quickly. Before they knew it, they had entered a car and gotten strapped in. After the operator finished loading all the cars, the ride started. The ride was awesome and they both screamed, but to Rocky's disappointment, Zhane didn't grab him once. He shook it off though, and they rode a bunch more rides, laughing and talking as they did so.

Finally, as they got off the Paratrooper, Rocky's stomach growled. "What do you say we stop for dinner?" He asked Zhane.

"I say yes," Zhane replied. "I'm starving!"

"Man, I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!" Rocky exclaimed as they headed for the food stands.

Zhane grinned. "I've got you beat. I could eat an entire herd of cattle!" He told Rocky.

Rocky burst out laughing. "We are definitely two of a kind, aren't we?" He said.

Zhane's eyes glowed. "It's really starting to seem that way," he replied happily.

Rocky's heart just about soared entirely out of his body at Zhane's words, he was so happy. Maybe there was a chance that Zhane felt the same way about Rocky that he felt about him!

They agreed on burgers with everything on them and got in line at the burger stand. There was four people ahead of them. The line went fairly fast and when there was only one person ahead of them, Zhane got bumped from behind which cause him to stumble into Rocky.

"Oof!" Rocky grunted, trying to avoid knocking into the person in front of him. In doing so, he lost his balance and instinctively grabbed Zhane to keep from falling. "Whoa!" He cried.

Rocky quickly regained his balance and looked up, finally realizing just who he'd grabbed. He looked at his hand on Zhane's shoulder and blushed crimson. "Zhane must think I'm a total idiot now," he thought, disgusted with himself. But an instant later he realized that Zhane was blushing deeply as well. "I'm sorry, man, I can be such a klutz sometimes," he stammered, looking down at the ground.

"Hey, it wasn't your fault. Some kid bumped me from behind," Zhane assured him. "And anyway, accidents happen."

Rocky looked up at him in wonderment. He couldn't believe that Zhane wasn't upset at him! The he realized that his hand was still on Zhane's shoulder! He quickly removed it even though it was the last thing he wanted to do. "I didn't mean to hold on so---" He let his voice trail off.

Zhane smiled. "It's okay Rocky, I mean it," he said, looking him directly in the eye.

Rocky just gazed back at him. This guy was almost too wonderful to be true. Anyone else, even his friends, would have teased him good-naturedly about the incident, but Zhane just acted like a gentleman. It touched him so much! As he continued to gaze at Zhane, his eyes fell on his full lips. God, he just wanted to kiss them so bad! He almost couldn't resist it! Without really being aware of it, his head slowly moved closer to Zhane's. His heart was pounding and his knees were weak. His mouth moved closer to Zhane's. Was it Just his imagination or did Zhane start to move his head closer to his? Rocky closed his eyes and leaned in even closer.

"Hey, are you two going to order something or not!" An irritated voice suddenly yelled, snapping them out of it and making them both jump.

"Uh, yeah," Rocky said and ordered. A few minutes later, after he and Zhane both had their food, they headed for the picnic tables to eat. They chose one and Rocky sat down dejectedly and placed his plate down before him. He made no move to eat though. He just sat there, shoulders slumped and eyes downcast.

"Hey, Rocky, are you alright?" Zhane asked, seeing him sitting there not eating and looking sad.

Rocky didn't respond for a moment. Then he looked straight at Zhane. "That fucking vendor! He was rude as hell, screaming at us like that!" He burst out angrily.

"He was rude," Zhane agreed. "He didn't have to yell like that."

"Damn straight! Rocky replied. "He ruined everything!"

As he spoke, Zhane noticed that Rocky was blinking rapidly, trying to hold back tears. He got up and sat beside him. "He didn't ruin anything," he said softly, putting his arm around Rocky. "He was just a stupid jerk, that's all."

But Rocky knew he did. One second more and he and Zhane would've kissed. He looked at Zhane, willing himself not to cry. "I just wish he would've left us alone," he murmured.

"Oh, Rocky," Zhane said, looking at the young man next to him. He was deeply touched. Rocky has just voiced his own thoughts. "Don't worry. We have the whole rest of our lives to be left alone."

Rocky looked straight into Zhane's eyes. "You really mean that?" His voice was hopeful.

Zhane nodded. "Of course I do," he replied firmly, giving his shoulder a squeeze.

Rocky smiled a little. "Thanks, Zhane," he said. He was feeling a lot better now. Of course, Zhane's arm around him had a lot to do with it. "I think we better eat before our food gets cold."

"I think you're right. There's nothing worse than cold food," he said, giggling. He got up and went back across the table and sat down. Twenty minutes later, they finished eating and went to play some games so their food could settle before they rode some more.

Four hours later, after a bunch of games, lots more rides, a walk to see the animals, and ice cream cones, they decided to call it a night. They walked to the parking lot together, heading for Rocky's car. When they got there, Rocky turned to Zhane. "Thanks for coming. It was one of the best nights I've had in a really long time," he told him. "Even if I did get over-emotional for a few minutes right before dinner."

Hey, don't worry about it. It happens to everyone from time to time. I'm really glad I came. I haven't enjoyed myself this much for so long," Zhane replied.

"Do you want to come back tomorrow," he asked hopefully.

Zhane grinned broadly. "I was just about to ask you the same thing! Of course I do!" He replied.

"Great!" Rocky said happily. "Do you want to meet at the Ferris wheel like we did today?"

Zhane nodded. "That sounds great! Same time?"

"Sure. That's perfect," Rocky replied, smiling. On an impulse, he hugged Zhane close. To his surprise, Zhane hugged him back. As they hugged, Rocky couldn't help thinking how right it felt, being in Zhane's arms. It felt so good that he wished that they could stay this way forever. But of course they couldn't and all too soon, the hug ended.

Rocky got into his car and started the engine. He rolled the window down and thanked Zhane again, before waving goodbye. As he headed home, all he could think about was Zhane. He knew without a doubt that he was falling in love with him.


A/N: What do you think so far! Do you think it's realistic for Rocky to fall in love like this? Please review and tell me what you think!