It's Been a While

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael laughed, a thought somehow fighting its way through his mind that he hadn't had such easy fun in a long time. There was a split second where his eyes met Dare's, his own gleaming with laughter, "Prove it," he challenged, just able to grin quickly in between laughing. So maybe he wouldn't just let Dare have the control, he would make him take it, at least this time.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare shifted again, back over Michael, gasping out his words through the laughter. "I'm on top, aren't I?" His eyes were bright, laughing as loudly as he was. He fully realized that their current position had been accidental, but he'd use whatever he could to stay ahead of the game. It was more fun than he'd had in several months, and he was going to enjoy it for as long as it held out.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

"That could change," Michael said, grinning. He fought to grab Dare's hands, it wouldn't be very hard to flip over and switch positions, though he wasn't willing to do it just yet. That and the fact that he didn't know how strong Dare was. His fingers curled around Dare's wrists, but it was an akward hold and he didn't think he would be able to keep his hands still for very long, just enough to let them catch their breath.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare laughed breathlessly when he realized he'd been caught. He probably could have twisted free without hurting anything, but their new position was irresistible, and so he only grinned knowingly down at Michael. "So it's like that, eh?" he asked. "And what am I supposed to do without my hands?" He had a few ideas, pretty obvious ones, all things considered, but he waited for now, wondering what Michael would have to say to that.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael met Dare's eyes, his own glinting with the possibilities. "Why don't you just experiment," he said, smiling, "You're smart, surely you can figure something out." As his mind was coming down from his previous high, he was surprised to realize that he was comfortable with Dare in a way he never thought he could be with another guy. But the thought was still uncomfortable and he let it go, focusing on the feelings instead of looking too far into it.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare's eyebrows arched for a moment in surprise at Michael's flirtatious challenge. But it was only a moment, then his lips spread into a slow smile. His gaze dropped, skating over Michael's lips, then rising again, intent clear in his eyes. He lowered his head, let his body press to Michael's, and kissed the corner of his lips, teasing, then traced a path to his jaw. Maybe he'd thought about doing this before, but he'd never actually expected it, so he took his time, enjoying what he could of Michael's skin as his lips followed the smooth line of his jaw.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael's eyes closed against the mixture of pleasure and sudden awareness of Dare's body. His fingers tightened lightly around Dare's wrists and his head tilted away, his eyes shut tightly. He didn't push Dare away, he wanted it, the warm press of his body and feel of his lips on Michael's skin was unique, and Michael wanted to take in as much as he could before it became too much.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare's lips traced the edge of that jaw he'd drawn so many times, knowing the curves visually and absorbing them through sensation. He paused just beneath Michael's ear, then swept down, breathing in the scent of Michael's hair as he traced his neck. His lips parted lightly, now and then widening to taste, pausing at a curve or hollow he remembered drawing, remembered shading in with oranges, browns, and soft shades of cream.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael felt his hands tighten again, the knowledge becoming too real for him to continue to ignore. He was overthinking, he knew, but he couldn't help it. He pulled in a deep breath, "Dare," he said, softly. Just enough so that, if Dare noticed both Michael's voice and his hands he would know. The thoughts were becoming too much, even if the sensations were still what Michael wanted.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

"Hmmm?" Dare could feel the changing tension in Michael, but he couldn't interpret it. He raised his head, trying to shake off the haze that hummed through him enough to figure it out. His eyes sought Michael's, and he recognized that wall, the nerves and the awareness. "It's okay," he said softly, though in his mind, he was railing at the fates for interrupting.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael took a deep, bracing breath, his fingers loosening around Dare's wrists, though he didn't let go. After a moment he met Dare's eyes again, "Sorry," he murmured, even though Dare had already said it was okay. His eyes fell away from Dare's, hoping that he hadn't messed up. It wasn't that he didn't want to continue, he just needed the time to step back.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare shifted, bringing his face down into Michael's line of vision to meet his eyes. "I meant it, Michael. It's okay." He began to shift, an awkward attempt, with his hands still in captivity. He paused, pressed his lips to Michael's in a soft kiss, then began to move again, drawing part of his weight off Michael to give him some breathing room.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael let Dare move his hands as needed, thankful for the space, however slight, at the same time glad for the continued contact. "Thank you," he said, meeting Dare's eyes again. He let himself relax again, the tension leaving once more. Dare knew that he didn't regret it, he just needed the space.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare's eyes searched Michael's a moment, assuring himself that they were all right, that Michael was all right. Satisfied, he lay back on the grass at Michael's side and took his hand. He felt like he should say something about what had happened, but he couldn't think of words that were enough without sounding ridiculous. His entire body was still humming with awareness, and the press of their palms felt distractingly warm. He let himself just enjoy the sensations as he went over things in his mind.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael took a few more seconds to get under control. Then he let himself go back over the day, feeling a pang of guilt when he realized how he had done Anna, but it was quickly overridden by the joy he had felt when he had agreed to be with Dare and the resulting words and actions. He smiled, the pleasant rush in his blood more than enough to push the insecurities away.