Another Night In (Michael/Dare)

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare was going insane, he knew it, his head swimming, and Michael's reactions only dizzying him further. He couldn't take much more, and yet he couldn't give it up! Dare's hand pushed at Michael's shirt, raising it , and then he moved, parting his lips against that spot his hand had moved against only moments before. He couldn't think, couldn't draw enough air, and God, he loved it.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael took in another quick breath at that, and he was unsure if he wanted it or if he was just, but no, it felt too good for him to not want it. Still, his body froze and he closed his eyes tightly, the new sensation almost too much to take. His body was on fire, pulses coming from that one spot to engulf his entire body in pleasurable waves. He loved what Dare was doing, but didn't know how much more he could handle, it was all so intense.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Like a bee to honey, Dare let that spot breathe only to seek the other, his hand anchored at Michael's side as he drank this in. He tried to slow himself, to react to the tension he felt in Michael's body, but he couldn't seem to stop, completely lost to the whirlwind of everything he was feeling. He didn't want to be stopped, the idea of the thought occurred to him, and Dare rose up, bringing his lips back to Michael's, wanting his kiss all over again.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael was glad for the change, the other stimulation had almost been too much and he had been close to saying something, however much he had liked it, and the kiss was welcome. One arm remained around Dare's neck while the other wrapped around his back, holding him close for the kiss, perhaps even trying to ground himself with the extra contact.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare pressed his body to Michael's then, the contact of their bare abdomens, the press of Michael's arms around him everything he needed. His want for more was still there, but it was only a want, and he set himself to taking what he knew Michael would give. His hand rose, spearing into the hair at the other side of Michael's head, holding him with both hands into the kiss. He didn't know how this was going to stop, and he didn't want it to.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Eventually it did stop, slowing down from the desperation to the pleasant hum that Michael was so used to. He didn't take his arms from around Dare, but let himself enjoy the continued connection it brought and nuzzled into Dare's neck as his breathing slowly returned to normal. "I love you," he said softly, pressing a light kiss to Dare's neck after he spoke.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

"I love you, too," Dare echoed, his brows still drawn together as his blood pulsed through his veins, resisting slowing. He didn't know how he was going to get to sleep, not with his adrenaline rushing the way it was, but he couldn't bear to pull away from Michael, and considering the timing, wouldn't excuse himself to use the restroom. So Dare resigned himself to staying and sighed into Michael's arms, ignoring his body as best he could to take comfort in what he had.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael loosened his arms, and relaxed back onto the bed, pulling his eyes open to look up at Dare in the dim light. He almost asked what had brought it on, but some part of his brain said it had to have been the book, and that he didn't want to know what Dare thought about its contents. His hand moved into Dare's hair, and Michael's eyes trailed over his face, smiling softly.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare had, if not forgotten the sketchbook, put it aside for now. He had already thought over every picture as he looked at it, committed many of them to memory, as disturbing as they were. They were with him, but they stood no chance of taking over when Michael was so close, when Michael was smiling. Dare's lips curved as his eyes traced that smile that seemed so rare no matter how many times he saw it. Then his gaze rose back to Michael's, softly shining in the near-dark. "You're amazing, you know that?" he murmured. Dare's body pulsed, but he ignored it to bask in the moment.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael dropped his eyes to the side, shaking his head gently against the pillow. "I'm just another Purist Bastard," he said, then brought his eyes back to Dare's, "I just got lucky." His eyes searched Dare's, wondering how in the world he had been deemed worthy of the happiness he found with Dare, then he let his eyes drop again, examining Dare's jawline and neck.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare's smile softened, and his eyes laughed lightly. Just another Purist Bastard. "You're not just another anything," he murmured, nuzzling lightly against Michael's nose. "You did get lucky, though. I don't let just anyone in." No, he thought people in general tended toward stupidity and being sheep. Even a lot of the self-proclaimed rebels were following a formula to do it. "You're my Purist Bastard," Dare whispered, "and I love you for it." Mine.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael felt incredibly close to Dare just then, and he was sure it shined bright in his eyes in the second before he closed them against the intensity of the emotion. He only let them open a small sliver to pull Dare the inch or two down to kiss him before shutting them again. There were so many thoughts of what he could say to Dare in response that he hadn't been able to pick one, that a kiss seemed the best way to show what he was feeling.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare had seen that shine in Michael's eyes in the moments before their lips met. He could feel everything in the kiss, the amazing bond between them that was far more than a connection, the soul-deep emotion that brought everything so far beyond friends that it was indescribable. Dare took Michael's kiss and returned it, slow now, patient as he let it wash over them, lending everything a soft glow that couldn't be seen, though he could feel it warming his body. I love you.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael was sure he was floating away, because surely there was nothing in the world other than him and Dare there together. When the kiss ended, all Michael was aware of was the feel of Dare against him and a warm tingle deep in his chest. He wondered if Dare realized how happy he made him, a true happiness that Michael hadn't had the chance to have very often. He smiled again and remained silent, because the words you make me happy wouldn't come.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare didn't need the words. The glow in Michael's eyes and the curve of his lips told Dare everything he needed to know. He watched Michael for some time, just observing the bits of him he could see in the light, the way the shadows fell, but couldn't do anything more than accentuate that smile, that glow.

Dare didn't know how long it was before they fell asleep, but his dreams were filled with Michael, with reliving things, and with things he'd never confess. The night had been strange, an emotional roller coaster ending with intense emotion rather than the usual quiet slowing down. Dare clung to Michael in his sleep, and it felt natural to thread their limbs together, to hold Michael close. He could smell Michael in his dreams, vivid dreams, heated dreams inspired by that brief, endless time before bed last night. He had waited, and now, in his dreams, he wanted.