Pain

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare was already carried away, more than a little dizzy from the kiss and glad of it. He wanted to forget the morning and go on, wanted to immerse himself in Michael. He'd stop himself before he got too far, he swore it to himself with that fraction of his mind that was still working, but until then, he'd take whatever they could handle. Dare's hands slid low, then slipped under Michael's shirt, spreading against his back and sides. I love you. I want you. I'll wait.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael didn't know what he wanted to do, different parts of him warring for control, he wanted to lean into Dare, but he wanted to press into his hands, he wanted to pull Dare closer. His hands mimicked Dare's, sliding under the edge of his shirt and staying at that smooth area just above the waist of those fitting jeans he wore. He could feel the blood pounding in his ears.

[Emilian Sota]

Emilian hadn't heard the door open, hadn't gotten an alert that someone had left the shop, and, a couple of minutes later, he had heard raised voices. He had sighed and opened the door to head down, only to have the voices stop. He almost thought he had missed the door opening, or that his spell wasn't working to tell him that someone had left, so he had went down the stairs, back in his shirt, to find the two of them kissing.

It was a shock that made him stop in his tracks, lips parting slightly. Not that he didn't know that Michael and Dare were together, meaning, naturally, that he knew they kissed, but seeing it was so.... Emilian tilted his head, then his eyes narrowed. It was a slap in the face and, were Dare's hands under Michael's shirt? He opened his mouth, "While it's wonderful to see that you two have made up," he said in a slightly raised voice, "I would appreciate it if you didn't do it in my shop."

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

It took Dare a second to register the voice, and a second longer to put everything together. He broke from Michael on a gasp, his hands retreating, space magically appearing between them as Dare shifted half a step back. He was drawing quick breaths of air, and his head was spinning, so he didn't bother looking up, but kept his head down where it felt slightly more balanced. One hand rose, pushing lightly into his hair, a casual movement that wouldn't fool anyone. Please don't let him kill me, he thought. Dare knew that Emilian had a possessive streak when it came to Michael, and it made him more than a little nervous, even aside from the heart-pounding shock still coursing through him.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael's heart went from a constant pounding beat to nothing for a few long seconds as he realized that Emilian had walked in on them. Then, all at once he felt his heart beating again, his breath came in a gasp, he felt heat rise in his neck and cheeks which wasn't from the sun, and his eyes couldn't focus through the dizziness from the sudden stop. He couldn't think of anything to say, could barely think at all, much less something worth saying to Emilian.

[Emilian Sota]

On the other hand, Emilian had plenty of ideas on what he could say as he surveyed the two in front of him. None of it was appropriate, of course, but amusing nonetheless, bringing a sparkle to his eyes that only barely covered his aggravation at catching them. "Perhaps next time you'll be better at," his eyes trailed over them, "Hiding things." A more tame version of the things he might have wanted to say, and his eyes flashed, there was no need for them to be doing things in his place. He conveniently forgot to consider that there had most definitely been times that they were alone.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare already felt as though a vein were about to burst in his neck, but Emilian's words almost undid him. Whether it was what Emilian had meant or not, Dare was suddenly aware of yet another embarrassing situation. He reached for his sketchbook, and as subtly as possible, even though he knew it was too late, held it self-consciously in place. He was still a little dizzy, still a little breathless, but his thoughts were just beginning to return, along with annoyance. "Learn to knock," he said under his breath, referring to Emilian's own words. The door had been ajar that day, for chrissake.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael raised his eyes to Dare, an eyebrow coming up before his eyes widened and he pushed his hands into his pockets uncomfortably as he turned to face Emilian more fully. Everything was slowly coming back down under control and he hunched his shoulders slightly as though to hide from Emilian's eyes. "He has a point," he said, tilting his head towards Dare.

[Emilian Sota]

Emilian's eyes darkened slightly, "I shouldn't have to in my own shop." His eyes traveled to the sketchbook, wondering if Dare actually thought he was being subtle and hiding anything by doing that. He crossed his arms over his chest, "I certainly hope you weren't planning on dirtying up the place." While he didn't particularly like the image that came into his mind, he couldn't pretend it hadn't occurred to him.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare's brows knitted into a frown, and he glanced sharply up at Emilian from beneath his fringe. He had several responses to Emilian's words, but held his tongue firmly. He didn't want Emilian getting pissed off and telling him not to bother coming back. Dare was glad that his mind had cleared enough for him to realize that. Telling Emilian that he hadn't planned on it, but that the best laid plans often go awry probably wouldn't help things much.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael's eyes darkened at how Emilian was joking about that when it, in a way, had been the reason they had been so uptight upstairs. "I have no intentions of dirtying up this place, or any place like this where you can just walk in." He had no intentions of dirtying up any place any time soon, actually, but he was sure that it didn't need said.

[Emilian Sota]

Emilian raised his eyebrow at Michael, "Well I'm not sure that would make for a very happy Dare, now would it?" He turned his eyes back to Dare, he hadn't missed the silent additions. Then he tilted his head slightly, a calculating look in his eyes. He didn't really think that that could be it, but there was always the possibility that that had something to do with it. He mentally shook his head, no, that wasn't it.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare's eyes widened and shot up to Emilian, then darted aside to Michael before dropping down to his sketchbook, which was hiding less and less, though still more than he'd prefer, all things considered. All of a sudden, a thought sparked in his mind, and his lips spread into a crooked smile. "Michael keeps Dare really happy, actually," he said, implying far more than they'd done. But still, if Emilian was going to push, pushing back a little wouldn't hurt, would it? "But glass counters just aren't as comfortable as a nice couch." He couldn't look up, but he was grinning widely. The best lies were based in truth, weren't they?

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael raised his eyebrow and looked over at Dare, but his lips curved when he saw the smile on Dare's face. He watched Dare for a second before turning his eyes to Emilian through his hair. He personally wasn't brave enough to get in a battle with Emilian about something like that, so he kept quiet, though he was interested in the outcome of the conversation.

[Emilian Sota]

The images floating around in Emilian's head suddenly became much more vivid with Dare's assurance. It took him a moment to sort through them enough to speak, sure his eyes gave away what he was thinking. "A bed is even better, but there's something to be said for the change a glass counter top brings." His eyes glinted and he grinned, his internal slide show of Michael and Dare interrupted by Adara.