[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/210528/11997a7a66c2c8ed1727179b0486f1b5.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/iYKteQ5.png[/img]
[color=darkgray][sub]A [@Venus] and [@Aces Away] Collaboration
Featuring [color=A442AB]Elaine Lancaster[/color], [color=FF7F50]Danny Boaz[/color] & [color=DC143C]Mordechai Boaz[/color] in happier times.[/sub][/color]
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[color=silver][indent][indent][right][b][i]Sometime at the beginning of June 2018...[/i][/b][/right]

Decky rolled his shoulders a bit to regain circulation as he woke, not daring to move more and disrupt the two bodies under his arms. Leaned up against his chest under his right arm was Lanie, the slumbering girl, limply holding his hand in hers while she remained tucked into him with her feet underneath herself. To his left, Danny had passed out on his shoulder, and Decky had slowly moved his arm from the back of the couch to wrap around his younger brother. Tonight was the first night that they were officially staying in the Lancaster’s care, and the first night of summer vacation; the Boaz brother’s had all summer to get accustomed to living with the Lancasters before Decky and Lanie entered their Junior year of highschool.

The shitty sitcom they had been watching was still on despite the late hour, and Decky could swear it was the only show that played on that channel. The flickering light that glowed off the faces of his two favorite people in the world made them look as otherworldly as they sometimes felt to him, and the silence of the house- [color=DC143C][i]had her parents come into the living room and muted the TV?-[/i][/color] gave him the clarity he needed as he looked at his girlfriend’s soft features.

She had gotten him clean, she had gotten him safe, which in turn was allowing him to fully separate from the Serpents. She’s begun to open up to him a world never thought he’d see.

[color=DC143C]“[i]Fuck[/i], I Love You...”[/color] He whispered into Lanie’s blonde locks, letting it out like releasing a breath.

Elaine couldn't pinpoint exactly when exactly she had dozed off into DreamLand. The last thing she remembered was snuggling up next to Mordechai for some cuddles while they watched TV before her eyelids started to get heavy. Resting her head on her boyfriend's chest usually meant that the sound of his heartbeat, the rhythmic rising and falling of his breathing and the soothing warmth of his embrace were the perfect combination for Lanie to fall asleep. She had thought that the show they were watching would be interesting enough to keep her awake. But clearly, the level of comfort and safety her boyfriend's presence provided her conquered above anything else, because she had fallen asleep in the end.

The blonde had been in that weird stage of light sleep verging on wakefulness when she felt Decky's figure slightly move underneath her. She had been just about to shift her position to get more comfortable and go back to sleep when she heard him mumble something she couldn't quite understand, his warm breath on the top of her head.

[color=A442AB]"Decky?"[/color] Lanie mumbled groggily, her eyelids flickering a few times before fully opening to look up at her handsome boyfriend with sleepy eyes. [color=A442AB]"What's going on? Is everything okay?"[/color] she asked him in a whisper as she gently rubbed her eyes, trying not to wake the still slumbering Danny on the other side of Decky's chest.

[color=DC143C]"Um, yeah, yeah,"[/color] he assured her quietly, face heating up a bit. [color=DC143C]"I just, ah, I think I love you?"[/color]

Fuck, why did that have to come out like a question? He was sure of it a second ago! He still is! But now she's awake and staring at him with those sleep hazed eyes, cheek pressed against him and [i][color=DC143C]god, how did I get so lucky and-[/color][/i]

[color=DC143C]"I really love you…"[/color] he said, more firm in his words this time, but his body tensed a bit as if to prepare for a rejection.

The first time he said it, Lanie couldn't believe it. She had just woken up, after all, so she figured this was all part of her half-conscious imagination. But when Decky repeated the words, with a firm and absolute certainty she could hear emanating from the depths of his chest, the girl had no doubts that she had heard him correctly, and that he meant every single word.

From the moment she and Decky became close friends, Lanie hadn't been shy about the use of the L word. Part of her nature was to make sure her friends felt loved and appreciated, so casually telling them '[i]Love Ya![/i]' came as easy to her as saying hello or goodbye. When they had started dating, the meaning behind the word changed, and Lanie had found herself expressing it more often and fervently. She had never heard him say it outright (she'd been determined in not forcing him to do or say anything he didn't want to) but the reciprocation of the feelings always showed it in his actions. But to get this vocal confirmation was, beyond anything else, the ultimate expression of his love and trust for her.

Finally, without a doubt, Elaine Lancaster had completely captured Mordechai Boaz's heart.

Elaine stared at her boyfriend in wonder for a long moment, the sound of his voice admitting his love for her still echoing loudly and clearly in her ears. She tried to etch every single  one of his features to her memory, refusing to let herself forget this moment. The way his locks of silky dark hair fell on his forehead, how his deep brown eyes were looking down on her with infinite amounts of affection, his straight nose, the full lips that always gave her the best kisses… And before either of them knew it, the green-eyed girl buried her face in his chest and started to quietly sob.

Decky was in no way prepared for that reaction, and jerked his face away from Lanie in surprise. Unfortunately, at that angle it meant the side of his head met his little brother's with a skull rattling speed. Danny's eyes flew open and he flailed out of Decky's grip and towards the end of the couch, eyes wild as he put a hand to his bruised temple.

[color=FF7F50]"Decky! Wha-"[/color] his frantic gaze landed on watery green eyes and, against all odds, his eyes widened further. [color=FF7F50]"What did you do?!"[/color] Danny asked, and if Decky weren't feeling so bombarded himself he would have spared a second to think about whether or not the Lancasters had thin walls.

[color=DC143C]"I don't know!"[/color] He yelped back, hands facing out in defensive gestures as he twisted to stare between the two, rapidly trying to assess the situation. [color=DC143C]"I don't fuckin' know, Danny! Help me fix it!"[/color]

[color=FF7F50]"[i]Fix it[/i]?!"[/color] The younger boy squeaked. [color=FF7F50]"We don't know how you broke her!"[/color]

As much as Lanie wanted to stay clinging to Decky's chest savoring this very special victory, it was obvious that the Boaz brothers were both very overwhelmed and genuinely concerned about her behavior. 

[color=A442AB]"I'm okay, guys,"[/color] Lanie told them with a shaky laugh, wiping away the tears that had rolled down her cheeks. She took a moment to give both Danny and Decky a look full of infinite affection before she elaborated on what had just happened. [color=A442AB]"Sometimes I just cry when I'm [i]really really[/i] happy-- like right now. I'm sorry if I scared you,"[/color] she said apologetically, kissing Decky's cheek and Danny's forehead. [color=A442AB]"It's just… Having both of you in my life just makes me really really happy. I love you two so damn much right now… I want you guys to never forget that."[/color]

The face mirrored by the Boaz brothers was somewhere between ebbing panic and building discomfort as their cheeks burned red. A look at each other brought everything in order and Danny got up and moved to the other side of the couch, gently wiggling into the space between Lanie and the armrest. Together the two boys enveloped Lanie and Decky pulled them all back so they could rest against the couch. Decky cleared his throat and kept his eyes on the ceiling.

[color=DC143C]"I love you too,"[/color] he said, avoiding Danny's gasps and wide eyes, as well as the blinding grins that followed from both his brother and his girlfriend. [color=DC143C]"You fuckin' saved our lives, Lanie. You've been building me up from a cracked foundation from the day we met in the library."[/color] His arms tightened around the two people that made up almost his entire world- gotta leave space for Sunshine and the Southies after all- and he let out a large breath. [color=DC143C]"Fuck I'd probably die without you two. Broken heart is a thing, right?"[/color]

Danny gave a light giggle and tiredness began pulling him back to sleep, his head now rested in the crook of Lanie's neck and arms still tight around them both. [color=FF7F50]"Well we aren't in Southie any more, Decky, you don't have to worry about my early demise every day now."[/color]

[color=DC143C]"Yeah,"[/color] he replied sarcastically. [color=DC143C]"Because Northie's ain't fucked up in their own way. They just get you back legally 'n' shit."[/color]

[color=A442AB]"For once in your life, can you please ease up and simply [i]enjoy[/i] the moment, you salty little Sugarcube?"[/color] Lanie joked, rubbing the tip of her nose against Decky's own before kissing the top of Danny's sleepy head. Danny's resulting laugh at Decky's resigned grimace rang softly in the quiet space. [color=A442AB]"I'm not letting anything bad happen to you both under my watch. I don't think I'd ever forgive myself for it…"[/color] she trailed off as the jubilant expression that had been on her face just seconds before was momentarily clouded by a wave of grief.

[color=FF7F50]"No, don't do that,"[/color] Danny scowled, poking her quickly in the side before going boneless on her so fast that Decky let out a grunt of surprise at the shift in weight. [color=FF7F50]"Decky makes that face too, which means you aren't feeling a good emotion."[/color]

[color=DC143C]"Ouch, Boychik, that hurt,"[/color] Decky replied with an eyeroll. Danny huffed and pushed himself up, leaning over to kiss Lanie's cheek.

[color=FF7F50]"I'm goin'a bed, you got-"[/color] he gestured vaguely to Lanie and Decky. [color=FF7F50]"-this. Love you, g'night."[/color] Danny disappeared and Decky looked down to Lanie with a bit of worry.

[color=DC143C]"You ok?"[/color]

[color=A442AB]"Yeah! Totes!"[/color] the blonde replied with a shaky smile, nodding vigorously as if trying to convince both Decky and herself. But then she realized who she was talking to, and quickly stopped herself. Why was she trying to hide how she truly felt, as if Decky was just any other person? If there was anyone she could be open and honest with, it was her boyfriend. [color=A442AB]"Actually… No, I'm not…"[/color] Lanie admitted, turning away from Decky so he couldn't see the tears starting to cloud her green eyes.

[color=DC143C]“Hey, Danny was right, none of that now.”[/color] Decky curled a finger under her chin and angled her face towards his own. [color=DC143C]“Talk ta me?”[/color]

[color=A442AB]"It's just…"[/color] Lanie began, shifting around the couch so she could be cuddled up against Decky's chest. [color=A442AB]"Ever since you and Danny came into my life I've been so happy. I'm always laughing, and having fun, and I don't feel lonely anymore. And… I just don't ever want to lose you…"[/color] she trailed off again, digging her head into the crook of his neck and wrapping her arms tightly around him.

Tightening his arms around her, Decky rested his cheek against the top of her head and sighed. [color=DC143C]“I just need a little more time to fully leave the Serpents, but ReyRey knows my intentions and Sunshine is ready to step up. After alls done, you me ‘n’ Danny will have a long life together.”[/color] He wouldn’t promise, he never does because he has seen too many broken over his life. But at the very least he can let her know his intentions.

That’s all you have, sometimes.

His words brought Lanie out from her hiding place in Decky's neck just far enough away to face him. [color=A442AB]"You promise?"[/color] she asked him, cupping his face with both her hands and looking up at him with nothing but hope for their future in her green eyes.

[color=DC143C]“I-”[/color] Decky pulled back with a grimace, looking away. He kept his eyes cast aside but didn’t loosen his arms around her. [color=DC143C]“I can’t say that, but I...I can say I...I can say that I hope, and I don’t take that lightly.”[/color] he declared while tightening his grip on her.

Lanie should've known better than to ask for promises. It was a pointless thing, and an even more foolish stance to take considering the place they resided in. One day, you could swear eternity to one person, and the next day they would be gone. In a town like Edenridge, where tragedies seemed to be lurking right around the corner, hope was basically all anybody had anymore. And knowing that Decky still had hope in him, especially taking into consideration where he came from, was certainly good enough for her.

[color=A442AB]"Okay,"[/color] the blonde said softly, taking a long, good look at her boyfriend. She made sure to etch every single one of his features in her brain with the greatest of detail before she finally spoke again. [color=A442AB]"[i]I love you[/i],"[/color] she whispered, gently pulling his head down in her direction by the chin and locking their lips together in a deep kiss.

Decky followed willingly, allowing the kiss to be soft and searching rather than the frantic way he really wanted to act. He felt so amazing yet at the same time, he realized he now had that much more to lose. Pulling back from the kiss, he swiped his thumb gently over her cheek.

[color=DC143C]"I love you too, Lanie."[/color][/indent][/indent][/color]