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It was July and they were in Tulsa. So that meant it was hot as all hell. Thankfully the group knew of a small lake on the very outskirts of Tulsa. Now, the group was still the gang, that’s what they called themselves and it consisted of everyone, Ponyboy, Johnny, Soda, Steve, Two bit, Dally and Darry, but two people had joined. Those two people were Cherry and Marcia. Yes, both were Socs but they didn’t like it and after Bob being killed along with Randy’s stunts not many Socs cared to bother with the three. Randy ran off on his own. Leaving Cherry and Marcia. Many of their friends were other Socs and they dropped Cherry and Marcia after everything. So, that left only Ponyboy and his gang. At first they were hesitant to let them into their gang, but eventually they all came around.
So, the gang found themselves at the small lake. Cherry and Marcia stayed mostly on the shore, sometimes wading into the water. Pony and Johnny were exploring the rocky part of the shore. Soda and Steve were tackling each other. Dally and Two bit were sitting on a small dock, smoking. And well, Darry, he had to work unfortunately. But, everyone was having fun with their partners. It was a relief that they could finally do something to cool down after being in the heat for days on end and the heat hadn’t had an effect on the water.
On the sandy shore, Cherry and Marcia were laying on a blanket Cherry brought. Marcia’s head lay on Cherry’s stomach, the redhead's fingers threading through dark brown hair. Both girls lay there, watching the clouds and making small talk. Suddenly, Cherry sat up, grabbing Marcia’s hand and dragging her over to the water. This sudden movement startled Marcia, it wasn’t something she expected Cherry to do.
“Oh, what was that for?”, whined Marcia.
“It’s hot outside and besides the water feels nice”, Cherry replied, grinning.
Cherry then began wading into the water and Marcia followed, their fingers still intertwined. Cherry was right, it was hot and the water wasn’t that bad. Suddenly, Marcia had an idea. Marcia bent down and Cherry followed suit.
“Hey, Cherry”, Marcia sweetly said.
As Cherry turned her head to look at her girlfriend, Marcia used her fingers to flick water at the redhead. Cherry gasped and Marcia was certain she messed up.
“Cherry, I’m so sor-,” Marcia was stopped when water hit her face.
Cherry had a wide smile on her face as she splashed Marcia again with water. Marcia’s grin was back and she flicked the water again with a little more force. And so the two tried to splash the other. Once they were both soaked they began making their way back to the shore. On the way Cherry slipped but Marcia was there to catch her.
“Thanks love,” Cherry said, turning around and giving Marcia a peck on the lips.
Marcia smiled and laced the two’s fingers together as they made their way back to the blanket. Once they made it back to the blanket the two girls lay back on the blanket, soaking up the sun with their fingers still intertwined.
Johnny and Pony were sitting on the more rocky part of the shore. Both were sitting on a bigger rock and admiring the cloud. Even though the clouds weren’t as interesting as the stars or the sunset, Pony was still happy to be spending time with Johnny. They would occasionally point at clouds and tell the other what they thought it looked like. But other than that the two didn’t need to talk to communicate.
Suddenly Johnny sighed, he really didn’t mean to.
“What’s wrong, Johnnycakes?” Pony asked, pressing a kiss to the other boy's cheek.
“Bored,” Johnny huffed back.
“Well…..c’mon let’s go explore,” Pony said, grabbing Johnny’s hand and pulling him up.
Johnny did reply he just went along because other than reading and star gazing, Pony also loved to explore. Eventually the pair found themselves on a cliff. It wasn’t that high, maybe 5 feet from the surface of the water.
Pony was leading the way but turned around every once in a while. Johnny had trouble walking long distances after the fire at the church and being on rocks wasn’t helping. When they were nearing the cliff, Pony looked back and saw Johnny face screwed up and he looked tired. Thankfully they happened to be close to a rock that was big enough for the both of them. Upon reaching said rock Pony pulled Johnny down onto the rock.
“Hey, what was that for?” Johnny asked.
“You’re tired and need to rest.”
“No I am not.”
“Yes you are and I’m not gonna argue with you.”
Johnny just sighed and leaned his head on Pony’s shoulder. Even though he wouldn’t admit it Johnny could really use the break. After about 5 minutes, Pony began whining, “I’m hot.”
“Well, then why don’t ya jump in,” Johnny replied, eyes closed.
“Only if you join me,” Pony smirked back.
Johnny let out a huff. I swear Ponyboy, you’re gonna be the death of me, he thought to himself.
Both of them stood up from the rock they were sitting on. Pony let go of Johnny's hand, taking off his shirt and discarding it on a nearby rock. Pony turned around to see Johnny with his shirt still on and a nervous look.
“What’s wrong, Johnnycakes?” Pony asked, cocking his head.
Johnny looked like he was about to burst into tears. And then it clicked. Johnny’s burn scars. He’d been very insecure about them. Pony thought the scars made him look tuff. So Pony made his way over to Johnny and wrapped his arms around him. Johnny wrapped his arms around the taller boy and let his face rest in the crease of the other boy's neck.
“Johnny?”
“Hm?”
“Is this about your burn scars? Because I think they make you look tuff.”
Johnny looked up with hopeful eyes.
“I really do,” Pony whispered. Pony then pecked Johnny's lips and untangled the two. Pony then turned around and walked a couple of feet away. It’s not like Pony hadn’t seen Johnny shirtless after the incident but that was in the privacy of The Curtis’ house. After a few minutes Johnny made his way to Pony and tapped on Pony’s shoulder. Pony turned around and sure enough Johnny’s shirt was next to Pony’s. Pony smiled and intertwined their fingers once more, as both of them made their way to the edge. Pony could tell Johnny was nervous because of his worried expression. Pony just squeezed his hand and it seemed to help. So, Pony started to count down. 3….2….1! They both jumped still hand in hand. Their hands were still intertwined when the both came back up for air. They were both laughing and having fun. They began to play a bunch of games.
After a while Pony could tell Johnny was getting tired again.
“You done Johnny?” Pony asked, swimming over to Johnny.
Johnny just nodded and began to wade his way back to shore. When he felt an arm on his back and under his knees. Pony picked him up and carried Johnny back to the shore bridal style. When they reached the shore Pony set Johnny down on a rock big enough for the two of them. Pony sat down next to Johnny and the pair sat and basked in the summer heat. Someone, Pony, would grab their shirts later.
As soon as the gang had arrived at lake Steve and Soda had chased each other into the water. Using their hands and slapping the water to splash the other. That was until their arms were stinging from slapping the water so much. Soda was standing in the water spaced out, when a force slammed into him and submerged his head. Soda knew it was Steve, Steve was the only person Soda had that relationship with. The pair had always shown affection, ever since grade school when the two met. So, when the pair finally realized their feelings for the other, it wasn’t much of a surprise to the gang. Not much had changed after they finally got together with a lot of begging from the gang. They still play fought all the time, except now they usually ended in soft kisses and a giggling fit.
Back at the lake, Soda had gotten back up and Steve was laughing at the blond haired boy.
“Oh, you think this is so funny, huh?” Soda asked, a wide shit eating grin appearing on his face.
Steve straighten up real quick, “Sodapop Curtis, knock that shit eating smile off your face. You better-”.
It was too late. Soda had moved closer to Steve, bowed his head and began to shake like a wet dog.
“SODA,” Steve shrieked and tried to get away but that was the downside to knowing each other for so long, Soda already predicted Steve. Soda chased after the brunet, they were both laughing. They eventually settled down near the shore just casually talking. Talking about the DX, school for Steve, their futures and what not. Suddenly Soda got an idea.
“Come on”, Soda said, dragging Steve back to the water.
“But why”, Steve whined, dragging out the y.
“Because I have an idea.”
Steve just huffed, knowing not to question Soda anymore. This better be something good, Steve thought to himself as he and Soda began making their way towards Two bit and Dally.
Two bit groaned,” I dunno Dal. I don’t think I’mma ever get it.” Two bit and Dally had been smoking on the dock with their feet in the water. Dally was trying to teach Two bit how to blow smoke rings, but it wasn’t working.
“Nah, man, c’mon try again,” Dally replied, pushing the cigarette towards Two.
“Now, would ya look at that The Dallas Winston’s got a soft spot and for me of all people” the raid head chuckled and took the cigarette.
“Well no shit dickhead,” Dally laughed along with Two bit.
The two fell back into a comfortable silence, with Two occasionally sighing and coughing.
“Stop that you're gonna make yourself sick, dumbass”, Dally smirked, taking the cigarette from Two’s hand and taking a drag.
“Hey! I ain’t gonna get sick smartass. Plus, you’re one to talk, Dallas-who-smokes FORTY damn packs a day.”
Dally just shrugged and smiled. Two lightly nudged Dally’s shoulder. Just then Two was splashed with water.
“Hey, I only nudged you, what the fuck?” Two exclaimed.
“I didn’t do shit, man!”
Just then Dally was splashed and giggling was heard.
Two looked at a confused Dally and mouthed, “Steve and Soda.”
It appeared that both of them had the same idea as they exchanged smiles.
Steve was holding onto poles holding up the dock with his arm, Soda had his arms around Steve’s neck. Soda would not stop giggling, that’s just how he was.
“Shut your trap, you're gonna give us away,” Steve whispered shouted.
Soda just kissed Steve on the lips. Steve kissed him back, until they heard what sounded like jackets dropping on the dock. Then there were quick footsteps and a flash of blond and red hair and then they were hit in the face with water.
Soda and Steve swam over to Two and Dally, who were laughing their asses off.
“What the hell was that for?” Steve asked angrily.
“We had to stop y'all's make out session”, Two shot back, “plus, y’all started it.”
Dally was making kiss noises behind Two, who was still laughing. Soda and Steve were redder than a tomato. The group of four ended up playing pool chicken. Soda sat on Steve’s shoulders. At first, Dally tried to sit on Two’s shoulders but the redhead couldn’t keep the blond up for the life of him despite being taller. That’s how Two ended up on Dally’s shoulders. Two and Dally didn’t win a single round but it was fine by them, everyone was having fun.
Everyone was happy and content spending time with the person they loved but nothing gold can stay and they all had to leave the lake. It wasn’t like they wouldn’t return but here at the lake they weren’t labeled as “fairies” or “dykes” in Cherry and Marcia’s case. They could show their love for each other with others' judgment. But they savored every minute of it they could get and hoped one day for a better, more accepting world.