Guilty Pleasure

[Annabelle Hennessy]

When they stopped dancing at the end of the song Anna had stepped away creating as much of her normal space boundaries as possible. The same wasn't true for Robbie. It was irrational for Anna to feel protective over Markise and she knew it but she couldn't help wondering just how well they knew each other. She could tell with just a glace around that their behavior wasn't out of place, but she still wasn't used to sharing him with anyone.

She assumed his we included her as well and nodded her agreement even if it wasn't required. When they turned to head off the dance floor Anna reached out and linked her arm through Markise's. Leaning up into him she spoke just loud enough for him to hear over the music. "You like dancing with him. Is he your usual partner?" She was completely unaware of the meaning usually aplied to the gay community and the word, meaning it only in the form of dance partner.

[Markise Sterling]

Markise flushed slightly at the question and glanced over to where Robbie was waiting impatiently. Then he looked back to Anna, keeping his voice just loud enough for Anna to hear him over the music. "We're not like, dating or anything," he said, unsure what exactly Anna had meant by the question. "We both dance with other people, we just... yeah, I like dancing with him." Markise gestured for Robbie to lead the way, hoping whatever it was that was bugging Anna could be finished by the time they got to the tables if he let her work toward it.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

"So is everyone so, so, familiar with each other?" If they were, she couldn't imagine dancing without Markise there to fall back on, both figuratively and literally, if needed. There were few people that Anna had ever met that didn't trigger alarms of warning for her if they got too close. Somehow Markise had become one of them. And if the recent dancing said anything, apparently just his presence was enough for her to feel comfortable enough to let others nearer.

[Markise Sterling]

Markise blinked, then looked away almost sheepishly. "Not everyone," he said, hoping after the fact that she wouldn't pick up on his inflection. He didn't know whether to look innocent or grin, so he focused on following Robbie through the crowd toward the edge of the dance floor. "I've known Robbie a while," he added. If she thought that had been familiar, he was glad he'd kept himself and Robbie under control.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Anna was relieved slightly at the knowledge that not everyone was like that. She wasn't sure what to make out of him and Robbie knowing each other for a while, or that they weren't like, dating or anything. Markise had told her enough about his ex that Anna didn't think Robbie was him but she still felt like there was something about the story she wasn't being told. She let the conversation drop with a nod of her head and continued in silence until the came to their destination.

[Markise Sterling]

The guys were all there, and from the nearly full glasses in their hands, they hadn't been there long. There were four, not including Robbie, all in their early to mid twenties, in various styles of dress. Markise introduced Anna around the booth table, and the guys gave friendly greetings, inviting the newcomers to sit. Markise gestured for Anna to go ahead, since he and Robbie would be the first back up.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Anna greeted each of the guys with shy smiles or nods of her head. It felt weird to be the only girl in the group and the fact that she was the only straight one of the lot only adding to it. She noticed the drinks the others had and looked around, wondering where she could get something. Looking back at Markise before she sat, she spoke quietly, feeling intimidated by the guys all looking their way. "I'm parched Markise, does a waitress come by to get us drinks?"

[Markise Sterling]

Markise's brows drew slightly together in confusion, though if he'd realized it, he would have tried to smooth his expression. "No," he told Anna, then raised his voice slightly for the others to overhear. "I'm sure you could talk one of the guys into running to the bar for you. Do you want water?" A couple offers followed Markise's declaration.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Anna took her seat, scooting in close next to the others so there was still room for Markise and Robbie. The guy on the other end stood up at Markise's request to get her something to drink. "Oh, wait. Let me give you the money." Anna reached into her front pocket, pulling out small handful of money. She handed him a few Euros, not sure how much bottled water would cost, and stuffed the rest back into the tight pocket. "Thanks."

[Markise Sterling]

When the guy had left, Robbie scooted in next to Anna before Markise had a chance. Markise stood, looking at Robbie expectantly while the redhead looked just as expectantly back. The remaining three guys watched in interest. Markise wanted to flick a glance toward Anna, but didn't dare. He didn't want her even asking. He sat on the bit of seat that Robbie had left and scooted into him to push him over, then gave the other guys a look of warning. He'd told them he was going to behave for Anna and they expected him to sit on Robbie's lap?

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Anna watched the exchange with a confused look, not knowing why Robbie took Markise's seat next to her and didn't even make room for him. When one of the guys cleared his throat, Anna turned to him expecting him to say something. When he noticed Anna's attention, he said the first thing that came to his head in a strong British accent. "So, Anna is it? How do you know Angel?"

That he used the same endearment that Robbie had earlier didn't escape Anna's attention. The fact that he was using an alias made her pause, and she wondered what else he didn't want them to know. She tried to look at him, but Robbie was in the way. Before she could think of some type of partial truth to say, the question was answered for her.

[Markise Sterling]

"She fell for me," Markise cut in, giving a practiced smile that almost always got attention when he wanted it. His eyes flickered toward Anna in as warm a glance as he could muster with as nervous as he was. He ignored the sudden warmth of Robbie's arm stretching against the booth behind him. "She must have been thinking deep thoughts. She tripped over me and the rest was history!" His gaze returned to Annabelle, pausing for just a second in a plea he hoped she would understand. Please play along! Please don't mention school!

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Anna laughed at the version Markise told even if it was a bit embarrassing. It was all true, and it left out any details about their lives. She met his eyes and smiled, silently trying to tell him that she wouldn't tell them anything about their lives. She assumed they were all muggles since it was a muggle club, so mentioning Hogwarts was out of the question, as was school in general since they were supposed to be 18.

[Markise Sterling]

Markise gave the guys just a bit of a vague, but slightly over exaggerated story before Joe returned with Anna's water. The longer the conversation went on, the more energy was building up in Markise, and the more Robbie was trying things he couldn't get away with in front of Anna. Finally, Markise decided that Anna looked comfortable enough and stood, letting Robbie shift out after him.

"I won't be gone too long," Markise promised Anna, then gestured for her to stand. He realized how little he'd told her and wanted her to be prepared for when he wasn't there. He didn't want her grilling the guys so badly that they started figuring things out.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Anna followed Markise's instruction even if she didn't understand why since she was staying there. She stood directly in front of him with her back to the booth. Cocking her head to the side she sent him a questioning look before speaking low so only they could hear. "Anything else I should know about? I don't want to screw up anything you might have told them, Angel." She spoke the last with a playful smile, letting him know she was fine with going along with his nickname and whatever other games he was playing at.