Another Night In (Michael/Dare)

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare released his wrist, then bent to pick up his bag. It was tempting to ask Michael to go with him; Dare was already getting tense, and he just prayed his nerves wouldn't get out of control. All the same, though, he probably stood a better chance of getting a job if he went alone. "I want you to come with me," Dare said, "but you shouldn't. So, like, go ahead to the shop and I'll meet you there, all right?" Dare took a deep breath. "Think we ought to go get our trunks?" It was a big move, but then at least they wouldn't have to come back to the dorms every day, right?

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

"Wouldn't that be a little obvious?" Michael asked, raising an eyebrow. He wondered if he could shrink it...but no, that was a little too much to do. He glanced absently around the room and his eyes caught on the two sketchbooks and, beside those, his other one with the small box laying on top of it. The two, the red and creme ones, went into his bag, the other two things...he looked at them and then back up at Dare. He couldn't stand the thought of keeping them, but he couldn't stand the thought of throwing them away, eighet.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare followed Michael's gaze, rubbing his wrist absently as his thoughts paralleled Michael's. It didn't feel right throwing away Michael's art, even if it had been disfigured. He didn't know a way to fix it, but if there was a way... Dare took a deep breath, released his wrist again and cross the room. He wordlessly stuck both items deep in his own bag, shut it, then turned back to Michael. "Are you ready to go?" he asked.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael had watched Dare, silently amazed at how he had handled it, and then went towards him. He tilted his head up and kissed Dare lightly, and when he pulled back he nodded. "Let's go," he said, taking Dare's hand. The walk down was going to be bad, but at least he knew what to look out for and was a little ready for it.