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It was a cold winter night, and all three of the Curtis brothers were sitting in the living room together and enjoying each other’s company. The rain outside was harsh and very loud, but quiet against the laughter and stories from inside. Sodapop had made them all hot chocolate so they could stay warm. Of course he couldn’t do it the normal way though, which is how they ended up with purple hot chocolate. Not like anyone minded anyway.
Ponyboy had just finished gossiping about the random people from his school when there was a sudden white flash from one of the windows in the kitchen, soon followed by the sound of thunder. Ponyboy’s face lit up with a smile as heard it. “Let's go out and watch the storm!” Ponyboy said, not even waiting for permission before he ran out of the house with his hot chocolate. Darry sighs softly while Sodapop only smiles at his brother’s antics.
They both followed Ponyboy outside with their own hot chocolates in hand, but they actually put on a jacket first. They go outside and see Ponyboy happily looking out into the rain. Darry drapes the jacket on top of Ponyboy’s head with a grin, “You forgot something, little buddy.”
Ponyboy rolls his eyes, but hugs the jacket slightly closer to his body. “I was fine without it, I have my hot chocolate.” Ponyboy replies. The reply makes Darry roll his eyes slightly as well. Sodapop eyed it for a moment to make sure it wouldn’t turn into a petty fight and ruin the relaxing and fun night they were having, but it luckily didn’t in the end.
Darry ruffles Ponyboy’s hair aggressively with a grin, “Sure ya did, bub.” Sodapop smiles at the interaction as he basks in the fresh air. Ponyboy smiles at another bright light flashing a bit away. It wasn’t close enough to be a problem, but it was close enough to the point that they could see it clearly.
Darry flinches as the thunder makes itself known a few seconds later. Sodapop frowns as he looks at his older brother in worry, holding his hand to comfort him. The two of them share a silent look. Sodapop could tell that Darry’s fear of thunder was obviously acting up, but he still seemed like he wanted to stay out with Ponyboy while he watched the storm. Sodapop smiles in reassurance and squeezes Darry’s hand gently. Darry returns it with a small smile himself, taking a sip of his hot chocolate to calm down. (Probably wishing it was some form of coffee just because he’s an addict lol.)
They all stayed out there for another ten minutes, but eventually they all knew they had to go to bed soon. “C’mon, Pone, we gotta clean up the living room and get ready for bed.” Sodapop says with a smile on his face. Ponyboy didn’t even look mad this time around, just seeming happy with what happened.
Ponyboy stands up, “Okay.” Darry looked surprised at Ponyboy’s behavior since he hadn’t even groaned a slight bit. Sodapop chuckles and follows Ponyboy into the house. Darry stands outside for a few more seconds before following the two of them inside.
Ponyboy and Sodapop had started cleaning up the living room, though there wasn’t much to clean anyway. Sodapop took the empty cups and set them into the sink for the morning when they usually washed dishes.
Ponyboy plops onto the couch with a soft sigh, Darry sitting right next to him. Ponyboy climbs over and lays on top of Darry’s body, his back to Darry’s chest. Darry smiles and pats Ponyboy’s head, “I don’t think we’re sleeping here, Pone.”
“Too bad, I’m already comfy.” Ponyboy responds with a small snicker. Darry shakes his head lovingly. Sodapop comes back from the kitchen and grins at the two of them on the couch.
“Where’s my invite?” Sodapop asks.
Darry gestures Sodapop over, “Here, c’mon.” Sodapop grins bigger and walks over. He lays onto Ponyboy, chest to chest.
Ponyboy grunts with the extra body weight on top of him, “Yer’ heavy.” Ponyboy then starts to laugh as Sodapop starts to tickle his sides a bit aggressively. “Stop-” Ponyboy pleaded through his laughter. Sodapop continues his merciful tickles, Darry soon joining in and tickling Ponyboy’s neck. Ponyboy scrunches up and tries to avoid the attacks on all sides, begging for mercy through his laughs. Eventually the two of them stop and let him catch his breath. “My sides hurt.” Ponyby says after a few moments. Darry and Sodapop chuckle.
“That happens when you laugh a lot.” Darry says. Ponyboy rolls his eyes since he already knew that, having been tickled by the two many times in the past. Sodapop pokes Ponyboy’s nose. Ponyboy giggles again, making the two of them smile bigger.
They stay in silence for a few minutes before Sodapop suddenly says, “I love you guys.”
“I love you too, Soda.” Ponyboy and Darry said at the same time. Sodapop laughs at their faces as they realize they said the exact same thing at the exact same time. They join him in his laughter soon enough.
None of them would ever take their time together for granted anymore.