Disclaimer: I don't own Degrassi!
Author's Note: Thanks everyone for the story alerts and favorites. And even author favorites. Wow! I never expected that! And I'm sorry this took so long. Hope you enjoy it. This is what I could have imagined happening in the little hammock scene ;)
Lying here with Eli under the stars in a hammock surrounded by dozens of people I hardly knew was something I never imagined that I would be doing, but I was enjoying it. I was more at peace than I had been for a while. A slow song was playing in the background, and I could feel Eli's heart beating steadily under my head. Everything was perfect.
"The stars are so pretty." I felt eli's hum of agreement.
"Not as pretty as you." He mumbled. I don't know if it was the laziness and contentment of the moment that made that slip out, or if he actually meant for me to hear it, but I turned my head up and smiled at him anyway. He smirked back at me.
"I'm really glad Adam came up with this idea. It's just what I've needed after everything that's been going on lately."
"Yeah, me too." Eli shifted us so we were laying with our faces mere inches apart. "And I know I say this a lot, but thanks for being there for me. It's way easier throwing stuff out with you there." I smiled and grabbed his hand, rubbing the back lightly with my thumb.
"It's no problem. I wouldn't be there if I didn't want to be. I care about you, so anything to make it easier." He smirked and brought his hand to the side of my neck before rubbing my jawline with his thumb. He brought my face closer to his for a mind-numbing kiss (which they all are with Eli, really.)
We pulled apart after a few minutes, and Eli pressed his forehead against mine.
We rolled back into our previous positions, Eli on his back with my head on his chest, and it was silent for a few moments, before Eli spoke again.
"Would it be cheesy right now if I said I love you?" My breath caught in my throat. We had never said that to each other before, and I wasn't even sure if Eli even felt that. I thought it would take a while until he was ready to say it. I looked up at him and smirked.
"I think it would be pretty perfect." He didn't smirk back. He had the most serious look on his face that I've ever seen.
"Ok. I love you, Clare. I'm in love with you." My heart started pounding.
"Are you sure? You don't have to say that yet, you know."
"I know, but I mean it. I've never been more sure of anything. You're amazing, and I don't know what I'd do without you."
"I love you too, Eli. So much." We kissed again, under the stars, and my night turned out even more perfect than I could have ever imagined.