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Post by Markise Sterling on Feb 16, 2009 21:55:42 GMT -5
Markise watched Ariel curiously, or maybe suspiciously, as he got to his feet. "Why do you do it then?" he asked. It didn't make sense in any part of Markise's mind and wouldn't even if he could think straight, but he wondered now, and if he'd forgotten by morning, it wouldn't matter anymore. Markise's tired eyes lowered from Ariel's, dropping slowly to settle on his chest. Then he closed his eyes entirely and leaned forward, leaning against him for comfort neither of them needed. If Ariel pushed him away, fine, but he'd have his moment first.
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Post by Ariel Logan Callahan on Feb 16, 2009 22:00:28 GMT -5
Ariel was momentarily shocked that Markise had leaned against him, but after a moment his arms settled loosely around him. It was a long few seconds before he finally answered Markise's question, after a good deal of thought. "It's good money. And it feels good." Most of the time. He shrugged absently and settled his head against Markise's. "Why shouldn't I make money doing something I like?" Not that it was an entirely pleasant job, or one that he would be proud to announce to a group of peers, but it held a certain excitement that he had become addicted to.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Feb 16, 2009 22:18:34 GMT -5
Markise tensed again, his stomach clenching in warning this time. He would have pulled away from Ariel, would have pushed him away if it wasn't for the feel of Ariel's head against his and the false comfort of Ariel's strong arms around him. "'Cause it's wrong," he whispered. "'Cause it's not safe and I don't want you to die." Markise didn't even hear himself, nor did he pay any real attention when his hands stopped bracing him against Ariel's shoulders to slide around the back of his neck.
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Post by Ariel Logan Callahan on Feb 16, 2009 22:24:41 GMT -5
Ariel stared blankly out into the room as he thought over Markise's words. Could it really be considered wrong? Both parties got what they wanted and agreed on the terms before anything even started. He couldn't see it as wrong, it made sense, perfect sense. He had fun and got his money and the other guy got a fun night. "I've already told you I'm safe, I won't die." Even so, Markise's concern bit through the shell he had built up around himself and picked at the bit of attachment Ariel felt for him.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Feb 16, 2009 22:40:09 GMT -5
"But what if some one hurts you?" Markise asked, even softer than before. He squeezed his eyes shut tight, letting himself cry softly and very, very quietly. He didn't want Ariel to die, and he didn't want him to get hurt, but it was dangerous. Markise didn't have any solid thoughts about caring for Ariel, but he felt them, and right now, that was enough.
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Post by Ariel Logan Callahan on Feb 16, 2009 22:47:08 GMT -5
The tightening in Ariel's arms was the only sign of the tightening in his chest he felt from Markise that he wouldn't even admit he felt. "No one will hurt me," Ariel said, as though the thought had never crossed his mind before. But it had, whenever he had to go down one of the dark streets in the very early morning or late night. Something told him that Markise was drunk and that nothing he said could really be taken seriously, but for once it felt like someone cared about him, so Ariel let himself believe that it was true.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Feb 16, 2009 22:56:28 GMT -5
"Mmhm, you're too stubborn to die," Markise hummed, sniffling lightly as his tears lessened. For the moment he could believe it. Ariel was independent and invincible. There was nothing that could catch him long enough to hurt, was there? He snuggled against Ariel, reassuring himself and letting himself bask in his little dream.
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Post by Ariel Logan Callahan on Feb 16, 2009 23:01:42 GMT -5
Ariel certainly didn't remember it feeling so good to have someone against him like that, and it nearly made him uncomfortable. When he finally couldn't take any more, he pulled away, bringing one hand up to wipe at the streaks on Markise's cheeks. "Let me get you a room," he said softly. He didn't intend to even stay in the same room as Markise, it wouldn't be right to, but he wouldn't let Markise be alone like he was or head to the school, either.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Feb 16, 2009 23:08:52 GMT -5
Markise's chest ached when Ariel pulled away. That hand so soft against his cheeks nearly brought another wave of tears, and it was some long moments before he could open his eyes and look up at Ariel. He gave a light nod, then pulled his hands regretfully back, letting his palms linger on Ariel's chest for as long as he could handle before crossing them tightly over his chest. He was far too tired to argue.
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Post by Ariel Logan Callahan on Feb 16, 2009 23:17:57 GMT -5
Ariel regretted pulling away, though he knew that they needed to head out of the club. He put his hand at Markise's back, yearning for some kind of contact, to lead him to the door. "I'll go with you back to Hogwarts in the morning if you want me to," he said, though he knew that both of them would be capable of going alone and getting there just fine.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Feb 16, 2009 23:26:35 GMT -5
Markise looked back up to Ariel's eyes at that, and he wanted to hate himself for how much that offer meant to him. He couldn't, though. "I want you to," he said. There was no thought of the morning, just the feeling that right now, he wanted Ariel to stay with him for as long as he could.
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Post by Ariel Logan Callahan on Feb 16, 2009 23:34:32 GMT -5
Ariel told himself to ask again the next day, then led Markise out of the room and out of the club. He forcibly ignored any looks he got and refused himself the glance toward the tall man from earlier as they walked through, and only relaxed when they got outside.
When they finally reached the Leaky Cauldron, Ariel paid for two rooms but only went to one at first to make sure Markise got settled in. "Will you be okay for the night?" he asked, pocketing the key to the room and glancing around. It was hard not to think of the last time they had been in one of the rooms together.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Feb 16, 2009 23:42:47 GMT -5
Markise's eyes widened slightly as he looked up at Ariel. "You don't wanna stay with me?" he asked. He was still holding onto Ariel a little from the walk, but he tried to pull himself away now. He shook his head at himself, but ended up grabbing onto the nearest solid thing with both hands to keep from toppling.
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Post by Ariel Logan Callahan on Feb 16, 2009 23:48:44 GMT -5
"I'm staying right across the hall," Ariel said, reaching out to help stabilize Markise. "You're drunk, do you really want to wake up next to me in the morning and wonder?" he asked, guiding Markise towards the bed. He didn't think it would be right to sleep with Markise during the night, not when he knew how Markise was going to wake up. "I'll come in here as soon as I wake up." He would wake up long before Markise, anyway.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Feb 16, 2009 23:59:34 GMT -5
Markise groaned at Ariel's reasoning, but he couldn't argue. Not really. He held on to Ariel as they made their way to the bed, but he refused to lie down just now. "Will you stay with me til I'm asleep?" he asked. He could wake up alone, he always woke up alone in the morning, he preferred it when he'd been drinking the night before. "I don't wanna let you go yet."
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