"Come on Two-Bit, tell me where we're going!" Pony whined again.

Two-Bit chuckled as he slowed to a stop at the red light. "Aw, if I did that, it would ruin the surprise."

"Okay," Pony huffed. "That explains why I'm blindfolded, but I still don't understand why my hands are tied up."

"That is because I want to make it to where we're going in one piece. Last time you sat in the front seat, you almost got us killed. So, it was either I tie you up or you sit in the back."

Under the blindfold, Pony rolled his eyes. "Whatever Two-Bit."

xXx

Johnny rubbed at the forming bruise on his shoulder. He was used to the pain by now; it was nothing. But Johnny had to be an actor. He had to act as if he was hurting so his father would stop. Otherwise, it really would start hurting. But there was one thing Johnny would never do and that was scream in pain. He would show he was hurt but never would he give his father the satisfaction of hearing him cry.

With a sigh, he fell on the ground under the giant oak in the lot. He closed his eyes, resting them for a minute when he heard his name being called by a familiar voice.

Instantly, he bounced up. "Hey Dal, where ya been?"

Dally removed the cigarette from his lips and threw it to the ground before crushing it beneath his boot. "You know John, I've been everywhere and back. How's it goin'? What'd I miss?"

What'd you miss? Johnny thought indignantly. "Well..." It was as good a time as any to fill Dally in on the new couple in the house. "... Pony and Two-Bit are … seeing each other."

Dally looked at Johnny closely. "You know, that was a good lie but, next time, remember who you're talkin' too."

Johnny shook his head, "No, I mean it. They've been seeing each other for some time now."

Silently, Dally took a seat next to the dark-haired boy. Johnny picked at the grass in between his legs, respecting his hero's silence and allowing him time to think over what all had just been said to him.

There the two hoods sat, Dally resting coolly against the trunk of the tree, Johnny twisting and pulling at blades of grass. Finally, Johnny built up enough courage to ask if Dally was mad about the news.

"No... I don't know Johnny."

"Well, you shouldn't be." Dally tossed a sharp glance at Johnny. It was meant to be a glare but Johnny had always softened Dally without even trying. "I mean, they can't help it if they're the way they are."

"You keep saying shit like that and I'll start thinking you're gay too."

With a new bound of confidence, Johnny asked, "What if I am?"

Another wall of silence collapsed on top of them.

xXx

"Okay," Two-Bit said. Pony could just hear the smile in his boyfriend's voice. "You can look now!"

"Finally," Pony grumbled bringing his right hand up to the back of his head. "This better be good Two-Bit or—" Pony stopped dead in his sentence, too stunned for words.

In front of him was probably the most amazing sight he'd ever seen.

He was staring out at a beautiful sunset over a clear-blue lake. Trees spotted the view with their lush, summer foliage. Never before had he seen such an amazing sight.

"You like it?" Two-Bit asked a bit worried.

"Yeah, I do. It's beautiful out here." Turning to face Two-Bit, Pony asked, "How'd you find it?"

Two-Bit scratched the back of his neck, looking embarrassed. "Well, my dad, you know, before he left, he used to bring me out here. It was our spot, ya know? I always felt so special that he brought me out here so we could be alone; I felt like his special buddy. But then … you know ..."

Pony strode over to his love and enveloped him in a warm hug.

"I'm sorry, Two-Bit. Thank you so much for telling me that. Thanks for bringing me out here."

"No, don't worry about it, Pony." Now Two-Bit felt terrible. He was complaining about his dad for leaving. Pony's dad was dead; Pony's parents were dead. At least Two-Bit had his mom. "I brought you here so we could enjoy ourselves. What do you wanna do?"

Pony looked around and his eyes locked on to the lake. "All right, close your eyes."

It seemed that Two-Bit had misinterpreted the evil glint in Pony's eyes as a seductive one. He chuckled, "Okay, baby!"

Pony grabbed his arm and slowly pulled him toward the still and peaceful water...

xXx

Two-Bit shook his head, water drops raining from his rust-colored hair. "I can't believe you did that, Ponyboy."

Pony followed his lover towards a pecan tree still chuckling at the wet man. "Oh come on! I had to!" They sat down.

"I should have pulled you in with me but I'm not that mean."

"Aw, I'm sorry, Two-Bit." He was ringing out his shirt. "How about I make it up to you?"

He stopped, "How?"

This time when Pony smirked evilly, Two-Bit cringed. Slowly, Pony moved so he sat on his boyfriend's legs. Pony placed his warm hands on Two-Bit cold cheeks, then lightly touched their lips together...