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Rocko and his friends made it to the Beaver's dam to party. Rocko was nervous because he hadn't met Norbert's friends before. What if they don't like the way he looks or acts?
Heffer said that it'll be ok and they'll be by his side to help him socialize, but Rocko highly doubts that. They got out of the car and walked towards the door. Every step made Rocko's heart race faster and faster. Spunky sniffed and noticed Norbert on the other side and barked excited. "Is that the sound of my favorite puppy?", Norbert asked as he opened the door and smiled wide. Spunky jumped on him and licked his cheek while Norbert laughed, "Hey Spunky! Glad you came with your dad and uncles!". He then saw the boys and waved them inside, "Come in! The party just started!". The boys went inside and immediately Heffer and Filburt left to look around the place.
Norbert kissed Rocko's cheek, "Hey Party Rock! How are you doing?". Rocko smiled and blushed at the sweet gesture, "I'm doing ok. Just a little nervous here.". Norbert smiled and held his hand in a comforting way, "Don't worry, I told my friends about you and they really wanted to meet you. I also explained your issue and they should approach calmly that way it won't be too overwhelming for you.".
Rocko smiled and squeezed his hand lovingly, "Thank you Norbert I appreciate that.". Norbert nodded and placed Spunky down and stretched, "I'm almost done cooking, but if you need me I'll be in the kitchen ok?".
Rocko nodded understanding and waved him goodbye. He watched Norbert leave and then turned around to see Heffer talking to a large bear. He walked up to them ready to say hi until he heard Heffer, "Yeah Rocko and Norbert usually do stuff in all places. The couch, his bed, the kitchen table, the restroom, even on the walls! Rocko usually to-".
"Heffer!", Rocko said while his face was red in embarrassment. Heffer looked and smiled nervously, "Heeeeey Rocko! Barry here was just asking about you and Norbert's relationship!". Rocko crossed his arms at him, "Heff I told you and Filburt not to talk about our private life. What we do in my house stays in that house.".
"What do you mean? I told Barry that you and Norbert usually do stuff like play games, paint your walls, watch movies, take Spunky a bath, and cook together! Is that private or not?", Heffer asked while looking confused. Rocko felt his heart stop and looked at him dumbfounded, "Uhhhh. N-no that's ok. I thought.". Heffer looked at him confused but realized what he meant and smirked, "You really did That in those places?!". Rocko shut his mouth while his face was even more red than before, "Hush!!".
"Wow I didn't know Norbert caught a freaky one. Don't worry baby. Your secret is safe with me.", the large bear said as he pat Rocko's head. Rocko looked up at him and smiled nervously, "Thank you Mr. Bear. I uhhhh I apologize for my behavior I didn't want uhhhh.". Barry chuckle and rubbed his head, making Rocko's hair messy, "Don't worry bout it baby and you can call me Barry.". Rocko calmed himself down mentally and smiled, "Thank you Barry.". Berry smiled and left Heffer and Rocko alone.
Heffer looked at Rocko and smirked, "Did you seriously do it on the walls?!". Rocko frown then looked at him, "Yeah and on the kitchen table where you eat at.". Heffer's face was dumbfounded and realized that he always dropped his food on the table. He picked it back up and, "Eyuuuhgh!!!!". Heffer ran off to find a place to wash out his mouth while Rocko laughed.
Then a large rabbit came up to him and picked him up by his shirt, "Your little turtle friend over here says that you fight. Is that true little wallaby?". Rocko felt extremely nervous, "No! I-I always say that v-violence is not t-the answer!". He was then dropped and the rabbit spoke, "So you do fight? Just not pick anyone to fight with?". Rocko nodded, "Yes I mean no I just uhhhh.". He then sighed and admitted, "Yes I do fight, but only in self defense. I never want to hurt anyone because everyone can have a bad day. It's just hard to express your feelings to someone. Whenever I get angry I try to calm down and express how I feel. Whenever I don't I apologize and bring something really nice for them to make amends.".
"Guess Norbert chose a really good one after all. We all thought you like to pick fights and yell at anyone because you feel like it. That's what your turtle friend said. Sorry about that kid.", the rabbit said as he patted his back. Rocko got the wind knocked out of him but smiled, "It's ok Mr. Rabbit it was a harmless misunderstanding and usually my friends don't really explain who I really am. They just want me to be safe.". The rabbit nodded, "True that my friend, true that. Also you can call me Big Rabbit.". Rocko smiled and nodded at him. Big Rabbit soon left and Rocko felt more at ease. Norbert's right, his friends are very nice and calming. He then sees Spunky running around him and picks him up gently. Spunky grew excited and licked his face earning a laugh out of Rocko. Guess he can get used to making friends.
"Hey so you know Norbert right? Of course you do, you're his boyfriend! What type of Kangaroo are you? Are you a baby kangaroo or a mixed breed of a kangaroo and a beaver?", a small gecko said in speed, startling Rocko to where he accidentally dropped Spunky. He tried to pick him up but the gecko kept getting on his face. "You're not a talker huh? Norbert sure did choose a quiet one. Why are you so quiet? Usually everyone here is never quiet. They're very loud and talkative. Norbert likes that in everyone. Why did Norbert choose you instead of staying with TreeFlower? Oh sorry if that's a sensitive subject. Is that a sensitive subject? I guess not because you're so quiet.", The gecko continued. Rocko felt himself shaking and his heart raced fast. This guy just couldn't stop asking questions and it's really stressing him out. It can't get any worse. "Why aren't you talking to me? I see you talk to everyone else. Am I annoying to you? Geez you don't have to be rude about it! I know I talk fast but you can at least say something! Hey guys, why does he talk to you and not me!!! You say he's nice and all but he's not talking to me!!! Ain't that rude!!!", The gecko screamed while pointing at him.
Everyone looked straight at Rocko and Rocko felt a panic attack coming up. His heart raced, his mind grew fuzzy, and his breathing grew short. Everyone surrounded him and he felt cornered. Spunky was barking but no one could hear, so he ran towards the kitchen leaving Rocko behind.
"Rocko you feeling ok?" Heffer asked, concerned and tried to get his attention. Filburt told everyone to give him some air but no one listened and kept towering over him. "Rocko? Rocko can you hear me?", Heffer asked but all Rocko can hear is the ringing sound in his ears. Rocko felt the room spin and his breathing grew shorter and shorter. He immediately pushed everyone out of the way and ran to the nearest room to lock himself in. Everyone kept talking and tried to open the door but no luck. Rocko felt overwhelmed and held himself close for comfort. His heart raced and his body was shaking. He felt the walls closing in to where he tucked his head in his knees and tried to cover his ears from the sound.
Norbert just took out the food from the oven, and placed it on the stove to cool off. All of a sudden Spunky was barking at him and Norbert looked at him curious. He was going to ask what's wrong until Daggett came in. "Norb! Rocko locked himself in the closet and everyone was getting worried. I don't know what happened but you need to check it out!", Daggett said while pacing around the kitchen. Norbert grew worried and rushed out to where everyone was located at. They tried to open the door but he went in front of them, "Guys Guys cool it! I have the keys just to give us some privacy ok? Does anyone know what happened?".
"Bing said that Rocko was being disrespectful towards him and we wondered why. He looked pale and his friend tried to talk to him but he ran off.", Big Rabbit said while backing up from the door. Norbert looked at Bing, who looked away from him, and then the door. "I'll talk to him. Everyone continue partying and I'll ask Rocko what happened.". Everyone nodded and left but Bing looked at him and spoke up, "I deserve an apology because he decided not to speak to me.". Norbert brushed him off and opened the door.
His heart broke as he saw Rocko huddled at the corner on a verge of tears while holding himself close. He closed the door and locked it behind him, to give them privacy, and walked up to Rocko. He got on his knees and pulled Rocko close and rubbed his back soothingly. "Shhhhhhh. It's ok Rocko I'm right here. Listen to my voice ok? I'm right here.". He felt Rocko's breathing slow down and body beginning to relax a bit.
"That's it Rocko just breathe for me ok. Take your time and breathe sweetie.", Norbert said comfortingly while kissing his head. He felt Rocko wrap his arms around him and clutching his fur. He then felt Rocko's heart racing against his chest and he pulled Rocko on his lap, "It's going to be ok Rocko. Just breathe for me ok?". He felt Rocko shift to where he's on the floor in front of him and wrapped his legs around him. Norbert felt him shake and his breathing quicken. Norbert then thought of something and massaged Rocko's head.
"Some day, when I'm awfully low. When the world is cold. I will feel a glow just thinking of you, And the way you look tonight.".
He felt Rocko's shaking come to a halt and his hands relaxing a bit.
"Yes, you're lovely, with your smile so warm. And your cheeks so soft. There is Nothing for me but to love you. And the way you look tonight.".
He felt Rocko chuckling on his chest and noticed his ears going red. Norbert chuckled and kissed them while rubbing his back. As he continued to sing for the Wallaby he felt him begin to breathe normally and his heart beat slowing down. Once the song ended he felt Rocko sigh with love, "I love it when you sing Norbert.".
Norbert chuckled and kissed his head, "Do you want to explain what happened out there?".Rocko looked at him and nodded, then he leaned on his chest and began to explain what happened.
The door slammed open and everyone looked towards the closet startled. They grew quiet seeing an Angry Beaver looking for someone. Norbert's eyes scanned the room until they locked on Bing, who was talking to Heffer. He stormed towards him in anger. Rocko followed behind to stop him but was stopped by Barry. "Hold it baby I'm sure we all wanted to know what happened.", Barry said as he looked at Norbert and Bing.
Norbert was getting close to Bing and noticed Heffer seeing him and backing up. His hand slammed against the wall, pining Bing there, and watched Bing get startled. "Listen here and listen good Lizard. I have told you and everyone here that Rocko has Social Anxiety and that you guys need to approach him calmly. You did the Exact Opposite and Overwhelmed him with Questions! I did Not ask you to bring up my past relationship and here you are Doing That!! Even decided to Publicly Humiliate him and make it Seem like He disrespected You! You made him feel like He Doesn't even Deserve Me!! So. You better Apologize to him or I'm going to Make a Coin Purse Out of You!!!", Norbert yelled while Bing shrank more and more. He backed away and Bing looked at him and Rocko. Rocko felt eyes on him and looked down, fiddling with his hands.
"I'm sorry Rocko. I-I didn't mean to overwhelm you with these questions. And humiliate you for that.", Bing said nervously. Rocko nodded, "It's ok. N-No hard feelings.". Bing nodded then ran away from Norbert only to meet the other guys who looked at him disappointed. Norbert then took a deep breath, "Sorry you guys had to see that side of me.".
"Don't be baby that lizard deserved it. We were worried about your man over here because he was very respectful towards us, and knowing how Bing is we got worried he said something to Rocko.", Barry said as he pat Rocko's head. Norbert smiled and went up to Rocko and took his hands, "You feeling alright Rocko?". Rocko felt his face flushed and nodded, "Y-Yes. Thank you Norby Beauty.". Rocko heard chuckling and realized what he called Norbert and turned more red. Norbert blushed as well and laughed, "Told you guys he's a charmer.".
Everyone laughed and they all left the two lovers alone. Norbert took Rocko's hand and pulled him to the kitchen, where Spunky waited with Daggett. Spunky grew excited and tackled Rocko. Norbert chuckled and went up to Daggett, "Yeah you were right Dag. Bing was the cause of it. I already talked to him and he should be quiet now.". Daggett laughed, "Yeah, talk to him. I can hear you screaming at him from a mile away.". Norbert rolled his eyes and went back to cooking. Rocko placed Spunky down and scratched the pup's head.
Few minutes later they brought out all the food and everyone grew excited at the meal. They all began to eat and talk about their past, while Rocko listened and laughed at a few things that happened. He then talked about where he worked and how he and Norbert met which everyone laughed at. Norbert chuckled and joked that they actually kissed, by sharing a drink and putting their lips at the same spot.
This made Rocko flustered and he looked away, "I actually prefer the real kiss. It's much softer than the cup.". Norbert's face grew red and everyone chuckled at that. This night just got better and Rocko knows that he gained more and more friends.
