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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on May 24, 2009 11:37:03 GMT -5
It had been, as usual, a little later than expected by the time they all made it out the door. Dare had woken in an especially good mood and needed to share it immediately with Michael, then they'd had a relaxed breakfast and shared their good moods again. Now, they were walking through London, Elouai pulling at her lead, as eager as any of them from the first time she'd heard the word park.
It was a beautiful day, almost unseasonably warm with a light breeze that teased here and there. Dare had traded his usual dark tee for one in a lighter color, though the wristbands and the rest remained. He had one hand wrapped firmly around the end of the leash and the other settled against Michael's hip as they walked.
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Post by Michael Blackwood-Hardt on May 24, 2009 11:43:53 GMT -5
Michael's change of shirts had been more from his pleasant mood that had lasted over the past few days than the nice weather. His usual button-down shirt was replaced with a slightly thinner long-sleeved tan shirt that clung a little to his arms if to nothing else. His arm was wrapped around Dare's waist and the camera was resting in one of his pockets. Not for the first time he was glad they hadn't bought a more traditional wizarding camera. "I can't believe we got this lucky with the weather," he said, not for the first time since they had woken up. The last time they had planned to go outside and do anything there had been a storm so they couldn't go to the lake.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on May 24, 2009 11:55:19 GMT -5
"Neither can I," Dare said, looking aside at Michael, "but I'm not gonna complain." He leaned to steal a quick kiss against Michael's cheek, then turned his attention forward just in time to see Elouai pull over to sniff something. He stopped and turned back to Michael. "You look good," he said, not for the first time since they'd gotten dressed.
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Post by Michael Blackwood-Hardt on May 24, 2009 12:05:55 GMT -5
Michael smiled and his chest warmed, just like it had every other time Dare had said it. "So do you," he returned. It wasn't normal to see Dare wearing light colors, but he did look really good. He remembered one time when he had avoided light colors because of his Mark, when it had burned darker than normal, but now it seemed, of all things, to be getting lighter, so he didn't worry nearly as much. Besides, it was an amazing day outside.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on May 24, 2009 12:13:58 GMT -5
Dare's hand slid further around Michael, and his gaze dropped to those curved lips. It seemed like he'd barely pressed his own to Michael's before Elouai had finished and tugged firmly enough on his hand to pull him back. He gave Michael a half-laughing, half apologetic look. "Apparently we're not allowed to stop unless she's stopped," he said, smiling.
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Post by Michael Blackwood-Hardt on May 24, 2009 12:21:20 GMT -5
Michael shrugged and shook his head, smiling down at Elouai. He glanced up at Dare and then looked back at Elouai again as he slid his hand into Dare's back pocket. It was a little thing, but something he never would have done in public months before. Now it seemed so natural, and he knew they wouldn't be persecuted out here in London, at the least not nearly as badly as they had been in other places. "It just means we'll get to the park faster."
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on May 24, 2009 12:53:59 GMT -5
"We're almost there, anyway," Dare said. At the comfortable feel of Michael's hand in his pocket, his own slid down into Michael's and his smile grew crooked. No matter how many times he did it, it still felt like he was getting away with something. The closer they got to the park, the more excited Elouai got, until Dare's firm hold on the end of the leash was all that kept her from running ahead. His book bag, slung against one hip with the strap crossing his chest, had their lunch in it, but Dare was glad he'd stashed some of Elouai's toys along, too.
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Post by Michael Blackwood-Hardt on May 24, 2009 13:02:48 GMT -5
It wasn't long before they were in the park, and Michael's eyes brightened noticeably when they walked in and he was able to look around. It wasn't the first time he had seen the place, but it was the first time he had seen it in such good weather. He saw a large tree off to one side and looked up at Dare, "I think that would be as good a place as any." He didn't see it getting too hot, but it still seemed like a good place to set up everything at, just at the edge of the shadow.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on May 24, 2009 13:21:16 GMT -5
Dare nodded and held firm to Elouai's leash as they made their way to the tree. Dare handed Elouai off to Michael, then looked around as he pulled the bag off over his shoulder and knelt beside the tree with it. No one was looking, so he reached in and dragged out a blanket to sit on, one that would never fit in a bag this size without magic. Then he moved to lay it out.
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Post by Michael Blackwood-Hardt on May 24, 2009 13:37:38 GMT -5
Michael squatted on the ground and tried to keep Elouai entertained before they pulled out toys for her. He didn't think she would run away, but playing fetch or something like that with her would give him peace of mind that she would come back so they could throw it again. "I'm surprised it's not covered up with people," he said, glancing around. Not that there wasn't anyone there, but there wasn't as many as Michael had expected when he had seen the weather.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on May 24, 2009 13:45:27 GMT -5
"Maybe it's just this area," Dare suggested. It was a pretty big park, after all. Just then, a strolling elderly couple passed from another direction. He gestured lightly toward them with a nod of his head as though to say, see? A moment later, his gaze shifted to take Michael in, softening as he got a somewhat amusing image of them hobbling along together. His lips curved.
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Post by Michael Blackwood-Hardt on May 24, 2009 14:00:05 GMT -5
Michael looked up at Dare, then over at the couple, and nodded. His mind didn't take the same route Dare's had, and he didn't catch the smile thanks to Elouai deciding that jumping would be the best way to get them to let her go and start playing with her. "I don't think she'll wait anymore," he decided, then unhooked Elouai, though he kept her from running off.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on May 24, 2009 14:09:35 GMT -5
Dare dug out a ball and held it up, immediately catching Elouai's attention. Her ears stood up, and she stood still, but tensed for the moment Michael would let her go. Dare pushed to his feet, then moved ahead of Elouai and Michael. "You want this?" he asked Elouai. Her tail wagged with excitement.
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Post by Michael Blackwood-Hardt on May 24, 2009 14:30:47 GMT -5
Michael watched Elouai and slowly started letting her go, when she was free, she bolted the few steps to Dare and the stood, watching the ball intently. Her tail moved, but slowly as she waited for Dare to release the ball. Michael dug out the camera. He didn't take a picture just yet, but he wanted to have it in case something happened.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on May 24, 2009 14:41:12 GMT -5
Dare pulled his arm back slowly, watching Elouai watch him, then turned and launched the ball, watching it fly away in an arc. Elouai took off after it, legs pumping as she tore across the grass, jumping in an attempt to catch the ball before it landed. It bounced away, and she veered after it, finally picking up the ball and heading back triumphantly. Dare laughed as he gestured for her to come for another try.
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