It's Been a While

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

"Maybe I like to be in control," Michael said, one side of his lips turning up into a good-natured smirk. It was mostly a bluff, he had never really considered himself a leader, though he had been assertive when needed. "Then again, I wouldn't want to walk all over you, where's the fun in that?" If he were completely in control, with no opposition, it would be much too boring.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

"Ah, indecision, a sure sign you don't want control." His gaze dropped for just a moment, pausing on the curve of Michael's lips, then rose again to meet his eyes. "I'd ask you what you do want, but there's that indecision; would you even know?" he teased. He was having fun with the game. It was a relief after their previous conversation.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

"Probably not," Michael admitted, laughter in his eyes. "I guess I'll just have to let you have the control," he said, sighing as though he didn't want to relinquish control, his eyes turning away from Dare's for a second. Then he looked back up, the grin coming back across his lips. He knew he could be indecisive, he supposed he'd just have to let the more experienced Dare rule.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare grinned, only just holding back a chuckle. "I think I can handle that," he said, his eyes bright as they moved over Michael's face. "Most of the time, anyway." He didn't want to be in control all the time. Every once in a while it was nice to just give in to something, the way he gave into his art. But for now... His gaze paused again on Michael's lips. "All that power could go to my head, you know," he suggested.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael wrinkled his nose, "I'll be sure to take it back when you start getting cocky." Not that he really thought it would go to Dare's head, but if that was what Dare wanted, then he would do it. He noticed the direction of Dare's gaze, the thought bringing a smile as his own eyes trailed over Dare's face, then copied him, Michael's eyes settling on his mouth.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare's smile widened at Michael's assurance, and his gaze rose only to find that Michael's had lowered. His grin tempered, then grew crooked, but only for a moment before he'd closed the space between them and fitted his lips to Michael's. The game was fun, but they'd been working toward this, and Dare wanted it too much to keep waiting.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael tilted his head into the kiss, his hand coming up to Dare's neck, his fingers venturing up into his hair. He went easily and comfortably into the kiss, not really thinking it odd that it felt so right. For all the talk, he was still unsure about it, and was exceedingly glad that Dare had initiated the kiss. Michael thought that, perhaps, he had used up all of his bravery in kissing Dare that day in the Room of Requirement, though he knew it would soon be much easier to go after what he wanted.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare's blood was already running, the game having revved him up, and somehow the kiss became an extension of that game. He raised one hand to settle on Michael's cheek, his fingers sweeping lightly, just enjoying the sensation, completely glove-free. His other hand hovered in the air as his lips parted a fraction, then shifted, taking it slow for now, but ready for more.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael's skin tingled pleasantly where Dare touched and he let his hand run up farther into Dare's hair, enjoying the feel of his hair all around his fingers. His other hand settled on the ground, gently bracing himself against the rush of physical and emotional feeling running through him. He matched Dare's movements, opening his lips to meet his, silently declaring he was willing to do more whenever Dare was.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare was feeling playful, and it showed in the kiss. He teased a moment, his teeth light against Michael's lip, then he tasted, a slow and entirely satisfying motion. It was already a world of difference from their previous kisses. The feel of Michael's hand in his hair was temptation, and his own free hand moved on, sweeping into Michael's burnished red locks as he swept into Michael's mouth.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

A light shiver raced down Michael's spine at the feel of Dare's teeth and tongue. It took a half second for him to recover and then he was right back in on it, meeting Dare with his own explorations, enjoying the taste that he could quickly become addicted to, that he already craved. He shifted slightly, taking the light weight off of his hand on the ground to give it free movement, though he didn't let it go just yet.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare's hand didn't settle, but sifted through Michael's hair as they kissed, letting the strands slide through his fingers. He wasn't thinking anymore about whether he might scare Michael off. They'd talked about it--God, they were dating! There was a freedom in knowing that, and it only made everything more everything.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael found himself mimicking Dare's hand in his hair, running his own through Dare's and keeping him pulled close. His other hand found its way up to rest lightly low on Dare's back, shifting his body closer. He couldn't quite believe he was with Dare, but he couldn't for the life of him summon up any regret, he only hoped they could continue on the same path they were on, remaining comfortable while letting everything progress so very naturally.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

The light pressure at Dare's back was enough to move him, to bring him just that much closer to Michael as they sat side by side. Dare shifted, his thigh brushing Michael's entirely by accident, though he could feel the results spike through him. Both hands slid into Michael's hair now as the kiss deepened, just a bit, in response. His fingers anchored now, light, but all the same, holding on, to Michael, and to himself.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael sighed into the kiss, the light brush of Dare's thigh and the close heat of his body teasing him. His hands tightened, the one in Dare's hair tensing lightly before spreading out to touch as much of Dare's scalp as possible. The other moved over, closer to Dare's side, debating pulling him even closer. He was content, just for the moment, and didn't act on it.