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Post by Michael Blackwood-Hardt on Oct 17, 2008 9:55:18 GMT -5
Michael sighed softly as he walked through the empty corridor, his hands shoved deep into his pockets and his head down slightly. He had always known the corridors that were less used, but had never actually needed them until the Prophet had come out. It was sweet relief to be able to walk to a class without hearing anything, though he would always have to go through at least one crowded hall.
His thoughts were, as usual, on Dare, but not in the usual fashion. Instead of pleasant thoughts to keep his mind off of the people in the halls, he was debating, fighting with himself. On one hand, he wanted to tell him, Michael wanted him to know that he was trying to get better for him. But on the other, he was afraid that Dare might not like the idea that Michael had gone without telling him. Not to mention how extremely personal his talk with Kane had been, but if Michael could say those things to Kane, why shouldn't he be able to say them to Dare?
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Oct 17, 2008 10:39:15 GMT -5
When Dare turned onto the corridor, he wasn't looking for Michael so much as a few minutes of peace. But his eyes caught on Michael, and relief washed through him. Dare's feet picked up the pace a bit to catch up, no trouble considering that Michael didn't appear to be in any hurry at all. If he hadn't just escaped yet another highly uncomfortable situation, he would have noticed Michael's posture immediately and commented, but at the moment, he just wanted Michael's company, wanted to refresh and renew for the class he had after break.
"Michael," Dare said softly, slipping up beside him. One hand settled low on Michael's back, then slid around to the side of his waist. It was only then, when the tension began to fade, that Dare saw the pensive look on Michael's face, noticed the slump of his shoulders and the firm press of his hands into his pockets. Dare's mind jumped straight to his own issues, ones they undoubtedly shared, not knowing that Michael's were on something else this time. Dare's eyes lit with concern, and he leaned close, pressing a soft kiss to Michael's cheek.
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Post by Michael Blackwood-Hardt on Oct 17, 2008 10:45:34 GMT -5
Michael had relaxed slightly at the feel of that familiar had at his back then at his waist, at the sound of his name from Dare's lips. He smiled softly when those lips touched his cheek and turned his head, easily noticing the concern in Dare's eyes. "Remember what we talked about?" he asked, deciding in an instant that he needed to tell Dare, it wasn't right to keep it from someone who cared so much. "Sunday morning?" He knew that he was jumping right on the topic, but he also knew that if he stalled he would convince himself not to tell.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Oct 17, 2008 10:51:05 GMT -5
Dare blinked, but nodded all the same. "I do," he said. It was impossible to forget, for so many reasons. There had been Michael's panic, Dare's overreaction, his escape to the bathroom and their attempted conversation on the piano bench. The last had to be what Michael was referring to. Dare didn't want to scare Michael away from talking, so he didn't say another word, but swept his hand lightly against Michael's side and reached up his other hand to brush a lock of deep red silk back from Michael's face. Whatever it is, I'll listen.
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Post by Michael Blackwood-Hardt on Oct 17, 2008 10:57:16 GMT -5
Michael turned his eyes to the floor in front of him and took a breath, wondering how would be best to say it. "I've been thinking a lot about it," he admitted, glancing up at Dare before focusing again on a particular crack in the floor. "And...I want to move past it, I don't want to panic or...freeze." He hoped Dare wouldn't think bad of him for what he was getting ready to say, hoped that he wouldn't feel betrayed. "So yesterday...I went to the counselor," he said, his words growing softer as he did, the last word nearly a whisper. He licked his lips and glanced up at Dare again. Please don't be mad.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Oct 17, 2008 11:03:52 GMT -5
Dare had waited with bated breath through Michael's words, worried just from the tension in his body and the way Michael wouldn't meet his eyes. He exhaled a breath of relief at Michael's confession. "That's good," he said, sweeping his hand lightly against Michael's side. He turned, gathering Michael in his arms. "I didn't know how to help you," he said. He hadn't known what to do to help Michael be more comfortable with things, and the stress was beginning to wear on him, too. "What happened?" he asked, then added, "I'm sorry, you don't have to tell me." Dare hadn't been able to help Michael, so maybe it would be better if he stayed out of it.
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Post by Michael Blackwood-Hardt on Oct 17, 2008 12:43:27 GMT -5
Michael was in slight shock at how Dare reacted, and so it took him a moment to get through it before he could pull his hands out of his pockets and wrap his arms around Dare's waist without thought of someone coming down the corridor. "We talked some and he gave me some suggestions," he paused then, his eyes focusing on a point on Dare's shoulder before meeting his eyes. "And then I left." He thought he should probably have went into more detail, but he couldn't bring himself to tell Dare just what those suggestions had been, it seemed all too personal, something Michael had to get over, both for himself and for Dare.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Oct 17, 2008 14:53:10 GMT -5
One of Dare's hands rose to smooth against the hair at the back of Michael's head. "I'm glad you found someone to help you," he said softly. "I...I don't like seeing you...unhappy, and it..." It feels like it wasn't getting better, like it was only getting worse. Dare's arms tightened around Michael, and he brushed a light kiss against Michael's cheek. "I want you to feel better," he said. "Not just for us or me. I want you to feel better." Dare could wait. It was uncomfortable sometimes, and misery others, but it was so worth it just to hold Michael's hand, to sit and talk about nothing and everything.
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Post by Michael Blackwood-Hardt on Oct 17, 2008 15:43:05 GMT -5
"I don't like not being able to...do more, because I know you want to, and I want to for you." It was a personal struggle that Michael was going to have to go through, but the main reason behind it was because he wanted Dare to be happy. Yes, it was important for Michael to be okay with those things, but he never would have cared without Dare. Michael looked at Dare and sighed softly to break the conversation, "How has your day been?" He was fine, just happy that Dare was glad he had went to talk to Kane.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Oct 17, 2008 16:02:02 GMT -5
Dare recognized the change of subject and swallowed back a comment about Michael not having to do anything for him. He took a deep breath to regroup and shift his mind, then answered, "The usual crap. I was surprised, though. The Slytherins weren't on me today. They watched me walk by and didn't say a word." It made him suspicious, to say the least. Dare's hands shifted, both moving to rub up and down Michael's back. "I'm about ready to ditch Divination and go home, but I've still got work tonight."
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Post by Michael Blackwood-Hardt on Oct 17, 2008 16:29:07 GMT -5
Michael closed his eyes and smiled softly, even the words Dare said weren't enough to distract him from the comforting feel of those hands. After a moment, though, he spoke, "They've been giving it all to me," he said, though his eyes stayed closed. "They've figured out I've not been in the dorm room." He let himself enjoy the movements on his back for a few seconds, then opened his eyes, which sparkled. "I'm finding it very hard to convince myself to convince you not to ditch," he said, sliding his fingers down into Dare's tight back pockets. Just for the moment, he didn't care if someone came down the corridor.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Oct 17, 2008 17:41:11 GMT -5
Dare's lips curved, and a low chuckle rumbled in his throat at the feel of Michael's hands. "I need to go," he said softly, nuzzling lightly against Michael. "But my break period is all yours." Dare brought his lips to Michael's, sliding his arms tighter around him. He inhaled deeply through his nose as his lips parted for the kiss. It wasn't until some part of his mind heard distant footsteps echoing through the empty corridors that Dare regretfully pulled away, moss-green eyes smoky. "I ought to go," he murmured.
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Post by Michael Blackwood-Hardt on Oct 17, 2008 17:52:23 GMT -5
Michael sighed and licked his lips, smiling softly at the taste. "I suppose I'll let you go," he said, tightening his arms around Dare's waist for a moment before loosening them. He tilted his head up, just for one more soft kiss before pulling away, his ears finally catching the footsteps. "I love you," he said as he pulled back a bit more, telling himself that he would have plenty of time to be with Dare when he got off work, even if that wasn't a very long time.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Oct 17, 2008 17:55:46 GMT -5
"I love you too," Dare said softly. He slid his hands free and turned, his gaze on Michael's until the last moment, then headed back down the corridor. His thoughts were entirely on Michael now, on the taste and feel of the kiss, on that moment when Michael's hands had slid down into his pockets. Dare's lips curved at the memory.
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Post by Brindle Sterling on Oct 17, 2008 17:59:19 GMT -5
Dare had just passed a cross corridor when there was a loud gasp and the sudden rapid patter of feet. Some very brief moments later, a high voice pierced the air and a small, feminine body launched itself onto Dare's back, arms wrapping around his neck, legs around his waist. "Alasdaaaaair!" Brindle squeezed him excitedly, not even bothering to explain herself. She'd missed him!
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