"Does Darry work today?" Two-Bit asked as he stopped Darry's truck in front of the Curtis house.

"No," Soda responded.

"Well if he doesn't need his truck then let's go out. Let's get something to eat. You wanna?"

Soda just looked at Two-Bit. He knew Soda was scared, but he also knew baby steps needed to be taken. Soda turned to look out the passenger window and stared at his house. He knew Steve had to be going around, saying things about Two-Bit now. He felt at fault for that. Two-Bit didn't deserve to be in this mess, not so deep in it.

"Come on buddy. It's time for you to go out. You won't be alone. I'm here to help you."

Soda continued to stare at his house. Two-Bit tried staying patient as Soda debated with himself. He didn't want to rush Soda on decisions, although Two-Bit could admit he was ready to go out and do something himself. He was typically a social person.

"Well before you lock yourself up all day, can you tell me how you're feeling about this morning?" Two-Bit asked, "Can you at least do that for me?"

Soda finally turned around to look at Two-Bit again. "Let's go to the Tasty Freeze." Two-Bit smiled and nodded in response as they drove into town. The car ride was silent. Even Two-Bit was feeling his nerves on the rise, but he kept his guard up for Soda's sake. He knew there was a chance he could become just as much of a risk in public as Soda, even though there was no proof of anything.

The urge for Soda was becoming a lot. He wanted to return to that morning with Two-Bit, but was scared how Two-Bit was feeling now. Was he not going to want to experiment anymore? Soda wasn't sure if he could take that rejection. It'd hurt almost as much as Steve. During the car ride, he'd glance at Two-Bit and feel a little flutter in his stomach. He couldn't fall for him though, not like he had for Steve. Soda couldn't be hurt like that again. He'd have to put some control on it all, and push that urge to the side.

At the Tasty Freeze, the boys found a table in the corner. Eyes darted at them, some obviously surprised to see Soda out in public again. No one made it obvious, but Soda could see the secret stares and then hear the harsh snickers.

"You scared?" Two-Bit asked as they sat down. Soda slowly nodded, his eyes not moving from the table top. He couldn't dare look up at everyone. "Don't worry. You're safe."

"I hope so," Soda quietly said.

"Soda, please look at me."

"No," Soda shook his head.

"Why not?"

Soda just shrugged.

"Okay fine, then...about this morning?"

Soda sighed, "Well...I liked it if that's what you want me to say."

"Only if it's true."

"It is," Soda said.

"What's wrong though?"

"I'm scared."

"Scared of what?"

"A lot of things," Soda sighed.

"What are you scared of from this morning?"

"To hear you say you didn't like it and don't want to anymore," Soda spilled out.

Two-Bit was surprised to hear of that fear. He could tell Soda was scared of getting hurt again by another friend, but he thought he had given Soda the impression he wouldn't do anything to hurt him. Not like Steve did. "Soda, listen. Let me just say this first, but it doesn't mean how I feel about this morning, I just want to say it."

Soda prepared himself for the worst, "Okay, what?"

Two-Bit lowered his voice as he got closer to Soda, "Even if I didn't want to fool around anymore, I'm not going to stop being there or being your friend. You need to understand that."

Soda slowly nodded, "I should know that."

"I understand why you don't. Now look at me and ask me."

"Ask you what?" Soda asked slowly looking up.

"What you're afraid to ask me," Two-Bit said.

Soda sighed, "Well...what did you think of this morning?"

Two-Bit reflected on the morning for the millionth time. He wasn't ashamed to admit to himself he liked what he had done. He was getting more into the idea of experimenting with Soda. At first, he thought he really only kissed Soda the first time because he didn't know what else to do to help. But now it felt like it could become a little more, or at least Two-Bit would be willing to go further. It was scaring him a little bit to be feeling that way.

"I liked it too," Two-Bit admitted, "I really did."

Soda looked at him in disbelief, and let a small smile come across his face.

"Would you have wanted more?" Two-Bit asked.

"No," Soda said rather quickly, "Not yet at least."

"I get it. It's a lot for me too," Two-Bit said, "So, you don't want to stop then?"

"Two-Bit...of course I don't want to stop. But...you see exactly what I'm going through. You see how everyone is being in here. It was loud until we walked in. At least three tables left since we've been here. They glared right at us as they walked out."

"I don't care," Two-Bit said rather loud. Some people turned to look, so Two-Bit quieted down. "Soda, I don't care if I do. I don't give a damn, and you shouldn't either."

Soda looked down towards his lap, "It's going to hurt me to see you going through everything."

"No it won't, because I won't be moping around like you are. I've never cared what people thought of me or my beliefs or my life. I'm a crazy ass person who gets on people's nerves. If I cared what people thought, I wouldn't be known as that today. You didn't care what people thought of you either until now. Why is it so different now?" Two-Bit asked.

Soda opened his mouth and then shut it, unsure of how to answer. "I...I guess...it's because this is so...so..."

"Negative? Something you used to think was wrong? Something everyone thinks is wrong?"

"Well, yeah."

"So you've had a change of heart about it, so what? You've changed, and if people can't adapt to it, oh well. Life goes on. It won't hurt anybody."

"It could hurt us," Soda said, "It isn't just about people disagreeing. They hurt people for being this way. They beat them. Cops will arrest people over it."

"You know what I mean though. It isn't going to kill anyone for how you are or what we do together."

"It hurt Steve," Soda muttered.

"No it didn't. He's confused, angry, and wishing life was different. Soda, you aren't hurting him or anybody. Just...try your best to enjoy this new thing, okay? I just want you to do that much."

Soda smiled as he looked at Two-Bit, "Thanks Two-Bit. So...are we going to..."

"Shh," Two-Bit quickly said before Soda could finish. Soda followed Two-Bit's gaze to the door. Steve had entered the establishment. Soda watched as Steve's eyes met Two-Bit's, and they just stared at each other.

Soda grabbed Two-Bit's hand under the table and gave it a squeeze, "Let's go."

Two-Bit didn't respond or look at Soda. He kept his eyes locked on Steve. Soda knew neither of them, especially Steve, had already cooled off from their altercation a couple hours ago. Looking back and forth, Soda could feel his heart race as the two greasers continued looking at each other, seeing who would make the first move.

"Two-Bit please," Soda begged, "Let's leave. Please!"

Two-Bit stood up and Soda hurried behind. Everyone seemed to have their eyes on the three. Everyone watched as Two-Bit and Soda walked past Steve and towards the door. Soda didn't look at Steve, but he expected to be grabbed at. Nothing happened though as Steve just watched them walk out. Just as Two-Bit opened the door, they heard spectators begin to make loud comments and 'oohing' at the scene. Two-Bit and Soda got back in the truck and left.

"Are you okay?" Two-Bit asked.

"I think so."

Two-Bit reached over and squeezed Soda's shoulder.

"Are you going to talk to Darry?" Soda asked as Two-Bit pulled the truck in the driveway.

"Talk to Darry? About what?" Two-Bit asked confused.

"Just...us. Are we going to tell him or anyone about what we're doing?" Soda asked.

Two-Bit shrugged, not seeming affected by the thought, "Do you want me to?"

Soda looked out the windshield towards the house, "I don't know."

"Then I won't. We can keep it between us. We don't have to say anything until we know if it's going to be anything."

"Okay, I think I'd like that for now."

Two-Bit and Soda walked inside the house.

"Hey buddy," Darry said, "Where were you guys? I better not be about to hear my truck went on a speed race."

"We out-drove someone," Two-Bit grinned.

Soda rolled his eyes, "We didn't do anything Dar."

"We just hung out a little bit," Two-Bit said, "Went to the Tasty Freeze."

Darry looked up, "You went out to town?"

"Yeah. Two-Bit was with me the whole time," Soda assured his older brother.

"How was it?"

"It was okay," Soda said, "I couldn't really relax or anything though."

"People didn't really get involved until Steve showed up," Two-Bit shook his head.

"What did he do?" Darry asked.

"Nothing," Two-Bit said.

"Two-Bit was going to bash his head in if we didn't leave though," Soda said walking towards the kitchen.

Two-Bit looked at Darry while it was just them two, "I don't like what Steve is doing Darry. I can't help, but get angry if he's around."

"I know," Darry said, "Trust me, if Steve was around, I'd be ready to bash his head in too. We just have to be careful with Soda's feelings towards it all."

"But how can Soda defend him?" Two-Bit asked.

"It's not that," Darry said, "He's not happy with Steve, I'm sure he's mad at Steve, but that doesn't mean he can easily watch him get beat up right now."

Two-Bit scoffed, "Why not? Steve could easily watch Soda get hurt."

Darry just shook his head as he walked towards the kitchen, "Hey Soda, you want to go to the park and start a football game?"

"Oh um..."

"Hell yeah, let's go," Two-Bit finished. Darry, Soda, Two-Bit, and Ponyboy walked to the park and began tossing the football around. Everyone assumed Darry needed to get some steam out if he was bringing everyone to the park. And honestly, Darry wanted Soda to go have some fun where he might not be thinking about anything else.

The one thing Soda hadn't realized was how hard it was to not act like he was having feelings towards Two-Bit. He couldn't just jump onto him or say anything. He didn't want anyone to know yet, and he was scared how Darry would react if he found out.

Dally and Johnny eventually walked by the park as they were on their way to the Curtis house, and joined in on the game. Everyone in the gang seemed to be desperate to let some emotions out as the tackling became intense. It made Soda feel good that no one thought he was a disease as he was getting tackled and the ball thrown to as much as anyone. The gang was there until the evening hit and everyone was exhausted.

"So now everyone's going to need to use our bathrooms to clean up huh?" Darry laughed as he looked over everyone's sweaty, dirty bodies.

"Well it's either that or stink up the house," Ponyboy commented.

"Let's just grab the hose and water us down," Two-Bit laughed.

"I have a feeling that'd be a bigger mess," Darry said, "We're not animals."

"Well some of us aren't," Dally said as he glanced at Two-Bit.

"Hey, I resent that," Two-Bit laughed.

As the gang returned, Darry took a quick shower and got on the phone to order pizzas for everyone. He was too exhausted to cook. Dally, Johnny, and Pony took their turns to freshen up. Soda went upstairs for his turn. He began walking inside the bathroom, but before he could shut the door, someone kept it open.

"What are you doing?" Soda asked as Two-Bit walked in and shut the door, "Two-Bit, why are..." Soda couldn't get the rest of the question out as Two-Bit kissed him.

"Two-Bit," Soda whispered, "What if someone comes up here?"

"Just shut up for a minute," Two-Bit quietly said as he walked over and turned the shower on.

"No, no, I can't do that," Soda shook his head.

"Relax, it's just for noise," Two-Bit said as he pulled Soda close, pressing his lips onto his. Soda got into the moment, and just escaped the world for that minute, hoping it would be the longest minute ever.

When they broke apart, Two-Bit smiled, "Did you have fun at football?"

"Yeah, it was good to get out there."

"Good, go ahead with your shower. I better get back downstairs."

Soda smiled as he watched Two-Bit sneak out of the bathroom.

A/N: Hello my amazing readers! I know you all strictly read my fanfics, because of your love for The Outsiders (I know, our boys are awesome!) but if anyone has any interest, I have begun posting original stories on Fictionpress. My username is LJ Addyson if you want to search, otherwise the link is on my profile! Go check them out if you'd like, I've been working really hard on them! Thanks in advance :)