The Outsiders - Slow Down, Darrel (Darry Curtis)

"As good as new," Madeline said, kissing him again, smiling brightly.

Darry smiled, but went serious a moment later, "You think, uh," he cleared his throat, "you think I'm worth stickin' around for?"

"Oh yeah," she smiled, "I told Ponyboy that on day one, honey," she looked down at her hands, "I think comin' back here might've been the best thing that ever happened to me,"

He smiled, and replied with a gentle kiss before the rest of the boys flooded in.

ONE WEEK LATER

Darry and Madeline were as happy as could be. His brothers had never seen Darrel so content, he started coming home from work happier, a hop in his step when he walked through the front door. And Madeline's brothers loved having so many big brothers to play around with, and if they were happy, it meant Maddie could let herself be happy.

There had been a good handful of spats between Darry and Pony, he had become protective of him since he'd been jumped earlier in the week. Soda knew it was only because he loved the boy, and tried to remind Pony of that too.

It was Friday night, Soda and Steve were out, Johnny was sitting next to Graham, who had taken quite the liking to Johnny in the last week, and Johnny seemed to care for the boy too. Jack was in Soda's room playing with the toys they'd found from Pony's childhood.

Dally had invited Johnny and Pony to go to the drive in with him, so Pony was in the kitchen pleading with Darry to go.

"You be home right on time, not a minute late, you hear me kiddo?" Darry said sternly.

"Yeah, yes, does that mean I can go?"

"I think that'd be alright," Darry said and turned to Johnny, "you keep him outta trouble Johnnycake."

Johnny nodded and said goodbye to Graham for the night, and the two headed out to find Dally.

"That was awful nice of you," Madeline said as Graham went running off to join Jack.

He shrugged with a smirk, "Maybe I did it for my sake," she'd never seen this look on his face, "empty house, whaddya say to a romantic dinner after the boys go to bed?"

"I'd go ahead and say yes," she smiled back at him.

After feeding the boys and reading them a couple stories each, they shut Soda's door and they fell fast asleep.

"So, what's for dinner?" Madeline asked, propping herself up on the counter.

"I thought maybe we could make some pasta," Darry said smiling, "together."

"Darrel I'm a terrible cook. You know this full well."

He grinned and picked up a pan, "Come on honey, I'll help ya."

They started cooking, well, Darry did, Madeline sat up on the counter, talking about anything that came to mind.

Every couple of minutes, Darry would turn around and hold a spoon out to Madeline and give her a taste. She told him every version was just delicious, which was true, but every time he would turn back around and play with the spices or the flavor.

"Mmm, very good Chef," Maddie smiled, Darry kissed her forehead and whipped back to the stove, burning his hand in the process.

"Damn," he said shaking his hand off.

"Slow down, Darrel," Maddie said, wrapping his hand up with a towel.

After what felt like 26 more taste-tests, Darry held out his hand and walked her over to the kitchen table, pulling out her chair and setting a plate for each of them.

They ate and talked and smiled, and Sodapop swung the door open, "Hey love-birds," he winked.

"Leftovers in the fridge little buddy," Darry rolled his eyes, leave some for your little brother."

Steve popped in a little later, like he smelled the food from a mile away. The four of them watched TV until Steve decided to go to his own home. Darry checked his watch and pursed his lips with a huff, Ponyboy was ten minutes past curfew.

"I'm sure the movie just ran late, Dar," Madeline said, laying her head on his shoulder.

"Well then he shoulda left early," Darry snapped, "Sorry doll, I ain't mean to yell at you."

"I know honey,"

After a come more hours, Soda had fallen soundly  asleep in the armchair, and Maddie was sleeping wrapped in Darry's arms on the couch.

Madeline sat up, rubbing her eyes when Darry stood up, leaving her alone on the couch.

She couldn't make out what exactly any of the brothers were saying through her grogginess, but she couldn't have missed what happened next.

Darrel had hit Ponyboy, immediately reeling back and apologizing. But Pony was out the door and running down the street.

Darry fell to his knees. Madeline hopped up and knelt next to him, "Dar, hey,"

"I didn't mean to Mad," he was hysterical, "I promise you."

"He knows Darry, he'll be home soon," she said, wrapping an arm around him, "let's get you to bed, hm?"

He shook his head, "I've gotta stay near the phone,"

"Ok, let's get you to the couch then, I'm gonna go grab you some blankets and pillows,"

She set up a couple pillows for him and poured a glass of water, "I'm gonna stay in the chair with you, you wake me up if you need me."

He nodded tiredly, and Madeline's eyes fell shut. Darry stayed awake and alert, pleading the phone to ring, it didn't. But Dallas and Two-Bit rushed in, rambling quickly.

"They ran I guess man," Dally said, cutting Two-Bit off, "cops found the body of that soc and the other ones told their stupid story."

Darry put his head in his hands, overwhelmed by the reality.

His little brother was wanted,

For murder.