Dizzying Heights and Sweet Delights

The group was slowly gathering near the front gate. Florian and Aiden, who already seemed lost in their world; Jessica, who was overly excited and pointing at things on the map for Serena; and his hyperactive puppy Johnathan who couldn't wait to get in and explore. Serena had already hinted that she would be "taking care of" Jessica and that the boys should have fun on their dates. Serena had started enjoying the woman's company and liked going along with her whims. Nathan, of course, had been teased by her, only to be soon put on the spot when confronted with the fact that he seemed to be having issues walking and sitting.

Just the thought of the situation turned his face bright red once again. No dirty thoughts in a public place with kids. He shook his head slightly as he tried to calm down.

"So, are we all ready?" Nathan said, handing out the tickets to everyone.

"Yes!" the group answered in a union, only to rush off, leaving Nathan and Johnathan alone.

After blinking a few times and a few unrecognizable mumbles coming out of his mouth, he faced Johnathan with a bewildered look. The blonde quickly chuckled and laughed, giving him a pat on the shoulder.

"Guess I got you all for myself today."

Nathan couldn't help but grumble momentarily as he tried to process that they would be here for eight hours alone. Just the two of them. On a date. In public.

His phone buzzed softly, signaling some sort of notification. When he unlocked the screen, he saw a small red one next to his mail app. As soon as he checked the mail, he couldn't help but turn a bright shade of tomato red.

"Nate? You okay? You're looking kinda... suspicious right now."

"M-mail... Aaaaaaaaaah! This is so much more embarrassing than I thought." Nathan said as he showed Johnathan the email.

In the email, their teacher, who had guided them during the entire writing course, had given them back their grade. They passed the course but hadn't won the competition. However, she had written a very lengthy message about them and their characters, the development of the story, and the romance. And most of all, to congratulate Johnathan and Nathan on their relationship and that she would keep it a secret, having hidden their entry from the other teachers and competitors.

"Kill me, please," Nathan muttered as he crouched, hugging his legs tightly.

"Nope. I love you way too much for that." Johnathan said as he petted his head.

"John... we're in public. Please don't."

"Nate, who the hell even knows us here? Let them watch and see. I don't care about anything as long as I spend this entire day with you."

"Ugh... I can't win with you, can't I?" Nathan grumbled as he looked up to Johnathan with a red face and teary eyes.

"Nope. So what do you want first? A rollercoaster, a carousel, or me?" Johnathan said as he reached out his hand.

"You are so not fair."

Nathan quickly took his hand and stood up, but Johnathan didn't let go. He quickly interlinked their fingers and gripped the hand tightly, making it impossible to escape.

"Rollercoaster." he finally replied, dragging his lover along with him to the highest and steepest one in the park.

The park was peaceful since it was early, and there were no long ride lines. And since it was a Sunday, it was already calmer than usual since most families would go on Saturdays.

The closer they got to the rollercoaster, the more Nathan forgot he was still dragging Johnathan with him by the hand. For some reason, the excitement of the ride and the fact that they could make some good memories together overridden any shame and anxiety they had. However, he did feel his hand getting clammier by the second.

"There we are! Wow, it is pretty high up." Nathan exclaimed happily, pointing up at the ride with his free hand.

As soon as he looked back at Johnathan, trying to spread his happiness, he could see the man trembling. He seemed to be sweating profusely, and his hand was completely sweaty. His already pale skin got even paler, as white as a sheet. It seemed like he might be passing out standing there, gripping Nathan's hand.

"John? Are you-"

"No!" He snapped back before Nathan could finish the sentence, only to be startled by himself. "N-no. I'm okay. We can ride it."

Nathan couldn't help but laugh and smile as he patted his lover on the head. "It's okay to be scared."

"I'm not scared," Johnathan said, trying to put on a brave face.

"John, what do you want to do?" Nathan said as he kept patting his head. "I don't really mind any of the rides. I just wanted to well get out of the house for once."

"I-I... don't mind a rollercoaster. Just... something less scary." He said as he blushed slightly.

Nathan retook the lead with a soft smile and a reassuring nod, guiding Johnathan toward a more serene attraction. They found themselves in line for the park's monorail, a leisurely ride that offered a panoramic view of the entire park. It was a stark contrast to the dizzying heights of the rollercoaster, but it was a welcome change of pace for both of them.

As they boarded the monorail, Nathan couldn't help but feel a sense of calm wash over him. The gentle hum of the monorail, the soft breeze brushing against their faces, and the stunning view of the park from above made for a peaceful and intimate moment. They sat side by side, their hands still intertwined, watching the park unfold beneath them. Johnathan also seemed to relax, his earlier nervousness replaced by quiet contentment.

After the monorail ride, they spent the next few hours exploring the park together. They ventured into the haunted house, where Nathan jumped at every creak and shadow. He clung to Johnathan, burying his face in his shoulder whenever a ghost or a ghoul jumped out at them. Despite his earlier fear of the rollercoaster, Johnathan seemed to find the haunted house amusing, chuckling at Nathan's reactions and wrapping an arm around him for comfort.

They also braved a less intimidating rollercoaster popular with teens and children. The ride was filled with gentle dips and turns, and giggles and laughter replaced the screams of thrill. Nathan found himself laughing along, his earlier embarrassment forgotten in the face of Johnathan's infectious joy now that he knew the thrill of rollercoasters.

Time had rushed by, and it was time for lunch. Luckily the two of them had prepared their bento lunchboxes and stuffed them in their backpacks. They had a lot of different leftovers, from meatballs to fried eggplant. Rice and stir-fried veggies. They had just made and packed all their favorite foods, not considering the balance between the dishes.

"Hey, Uhm, Nate," Johnathan said, poking his eggplant nervously.

"Yeah? Also, can you please stop harassing that piece of eggplant?" Nathan said, trying just to eat his lunch.

"There is something I want to do... Later." Johnathan seemed to be avoiding his gaze, now munching on the eggplant.

"Okay? Well, what is it?" Nathan just wanted to do whatever his boyfriend wanted, at least for today on this date.

"Ferris wheel... and fireworks."

"Oh yeah, they do a parade in the evening. Completely forgot about that. I mean, I don't mind. Though..." He blushed slightly. "Is it not weird for two men to ride such a ride?"

"You were dragging me by the hand through the park!"

"Oh. Yes. Well, I don't mind. I don't get the appeal of it, but if you want to do it with me. I don't mind."

Johnathan turned a bright shade of red and could no longer form sentences, nodding profusely as he continued devouring his lunch.

"Want to head to that area with the arcade games after we're done?" Nathan asked, knowing Johnathan had a love-hate relationship with the more intense rides.

"Oh! I also wanted to take photos with you in the photo booth!"

And so the two of them went to the arcade, Johnathan trying several claw games, draining his funds to win a gift, while Nathan got a cute raccoon stuffed toy for him only three times. Nathan couldn't help but chuckle, seeing the man so frustrated he was about to cry. It confirmed once again how much he did love him. How much time and effort he was willing to spend on him.

"It's okay, John. Let's take those pictures together and get on some more rides. The fireworks show will be soon, and we still have to go on the Ferris wheel, right?" Nathan said as he took Johnathan by the hand, shoving the plush toy he won for the man into his arms.

"B-but."

"No buts. Don't go being cute and pouty. I don't want others to see you like this." Nathan said with a smirk.

"Oh my god Nate! Stop it! D-don't do that."

"Why? Can't walk?"

"Nate!"

Johnathan looked extremely flustered as he buried his face into the plush raccoon. Nathan gave him a slight squeeze and started to drag him along again. The two spend the rest of the afternoon taking pictures, eating different snacks, and riding more of the rides. Including the one daunting rollercoaster, they had attempted in the early morning.

Soon the evening fell in the park. The night sky was filled with a bright full moon, and twinkling stars were now looking down on them—the perfect time for a calming ride on the Ferris wheel. So the two of them got on. It would take them a good while to go around. They faced each other, looking away with a soft blush—the sudden silence and the fact that they were alone got to them.

"John. Thanks."

"For what?"

"Loving me."

Johnathan cocked his head to the side. "You don't have to thank me for that, though."

"Ah, no, I mean. Thank you for loving ME. Like I am. You know, without any expectations of how I'm supposed to be. Or act."

"Oh. You mean because you're ace?"

"Well... yeah. People always get mad when I don't meet their expectations of me. Or tell me what is normal and how I should be."

"Like Florian? I mean the middle school version." Johnathan asked, taking hold of one of Nathan's hands to caress it.

Nathan hesitated slightly before speaking, looking out the window at the view. "I've always been told I'm strange, broken, or weird. Been cursed and yelled at for saying I didn't think my partner was hot and been called cold and uncaring for not feeling like I wanted to kiss them."

"Ah."

"But with you, it's different. You knew exactly what you were getting yourself into. And I can feel it in everything you do and say, though sometimes you go too far." Nathan said as he gave his boyfriend a slight glare.

"Well yeah, I love you, Nathan. I love you exactly how you are. And I don't need you to kiss me or think I'm hot to know how much you care. I can see that just in the small things. Like how you just wanted to do whatever I wanted today. Or didn't make fun of me when I was scared."

"Well yeah, of course. Though you could have told me, you know." Nathan said with a chuckle.

"B-but! Okay, you're right but still. It's kind of embarrassing just to say that." Johnathan said with a whimper.

"John. I'm so sorry I haven't said this before." Nathan said with a soft smile.

"Say what?"

The brunette smirked as he leaned forward, placing his lips on Johnathan's. For a solid minute, the world came to a halt. The fireworks show that had started just a murmur of background noises by now. Their soft lips moved together in harmony. They were longing for each other as soon as they parted. Nathan could feel Johnathan doing something to his hand.

As he looked down, he saw a black with a green and purple accented ring on his right middle finger. Ah. Had he gone through all the effort? Even looking up what such a ring meant? For him? Tears quickly filled the corners of his eyes.

"I love you, John. Stay with me? Forever?"