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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on May 25, 2009 14:50:02 GMT -5
Heat spread up the back of Dare's neck as one of the girls began to flirt outrageously, having decided he was safe to practice on. Another interrupted, just as determined as before to hear who proposed and how. Of those who were in that part of the conversation, it seemed like most of them were sure Michael had done the proposing. Dare shook his head. "I asked him," he corrected, his lips quirked into his crooked smile.
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Post by Michael Blackwood-Hardt on May 25, 2009 15:03:38 GMT -5
"This past Christmas day," Michael added, to a veritable shriek of aww from one of the girls. His hand was passed around so they could examine the ring better, and they all expressed approval that the two rings matched in design. That led to questions about how long they had been together and details on the ceremony, along with one declaration that it wasn't fair they couldn't have a proper wedding.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on May 25, 2009 15:20:30 GMT -5
Dare shook his head, his eyes dropping at the reminder, which only got him about three consecutive hugs for consolation. He did his best to ignore the sensations until the last one, at which he looked up at Michael in a state approaching panic. She's not wearing a bra! he mouthed, letting her go to declare even the light, friendly hugs over.
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Post by Michael Blackwood-Hardt on May 25, 2009 15:31:44 GMT -5
Michael's eyebrows had both raised at that and silently thanked whatever it was that made him lucky enough not to be bombarded with hugs. He gestured for Dare to stand. Elouai wasn't going to be going anywhere. It was nearing discomfort being the focus of the group of girls, and having Dare closer, even just by standing, would help.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on May 25, 2009 15:38:23 GMT -5
Dare's eyes widened slightly, and he gave a nearly imperceptible shake of his head. For all he and Michael had done that morning, the last time he'd gotten a hug like that had been well over a year ago, and wanted or not, he'd reacted to it. He just so happened to be in a position by Elouai that obscured things. Dare's eyes begged forgiveness.
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Post by Michael Blackwood-Hardt on May 25, 2009 15:47:03 GMT -5
Michael's eyes widened slightly as things clicked in his mind and then he put his hands firmly in his pockets. He took a breath and refused to let himself think about what had just happened. It wasn't something easily controllable, he knew, but that didn't make it any less strange and uncomfortable. The more he tried to push the thoughts away, the more persistent they became. His answers to the girls' questions became shorter.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on May 25, 2009 15:55:20 GMT -5
The moment he saw recognition in Michael's eyes, Dare gave the conversation an immediate change. Everything turned back to Elouai, to housetraining her, to the mishaps they'd had, and to how much she'd grown. Anything to shift the conversation and the attention off him. He worked to keep his mind off himself for as long as it took to cool down. Then he apologized to the girls en masse and excused himself, Michael, and Elouai. He stood, took the Frisbee that had started all this, and as subtly as he could, hopefully offered his hand to Michael.
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Post by Michael Blackwood-Hardt on May 25, 2009 15:59:00 GMT -5
Michael took Dare's hand without question; they had held hands through much worse than an unwanted reaction. It had, all together, been an interesting encounter to say the least. Elouai stood and walked happily beside them as they began to head back to the blanket underneath the tree.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on May 25, 2009 16:06:41 GMT -5
Dare only partially heard the last round of awww behind them disappear into rapid chatter. He threaded his fingers through Michael's and squeezed lightly, turning his head to look aside at Michael. "I love you," he said softly. He lifted their hands and pressed a kiss to the back of Michael's, hoping Michael wasn't inwardly seething.
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Post by Michael Blackwood-Hardt on May 25, 2009 16:13:55 GMT -5
Michael looked up at Dare, "I love you, too." Then he looked ahead of them again. He wasn't inwardly seething, but it was...uncomfortable to see someone else get that reaction so very easily. He tightened his own hand lightly around Dare's. He didn't like it, but there was nothing he could do about it.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on May 25, 2009 16:21:24 GMT -5
Dare could feel the tension in Michael, even if it wasn't anger, and he wanted badly to soothe it. When they were back on their blanket, he shuffled close to wrap his arms around Michael's waist. It occurred to him that he could put his shirt back on, but he was already holding Michael and didn't want to let go. He looked at Michael with wide, hopeful eyes. It would all be better if he could get Michael to smile, right?
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Post by Michael Blackwood-Hardt on May 25, 2009 16:32:21 GMT -5
Michael glanced up at Dare and even with his thoughts he couldn't keep a small smile from pulling at his lips. He rested one arm along Dare's and dropped his eyes momentarily. Then he tilted his head up to steal a light kiss. I'm okay. He was sure that he would think about it more, but he wasn't angry, only a little confused, maybe a little hurt. But it was nothing he could hold against Dare.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on May 25, 2009 16:47:31 GMT -5
"You sure I can't show you here?" Dare asked, the words a soft tease going back to their earlier conversation. As nice as those girls might have felt before he'd become so uncomfortable, he would be perfectly happy to forget most of what had happened He wanted Michael. He nuzzled lightly into Michael's hair, afraid to push too much after what had happened, but needing to feel like this was all resolved. He didn't want even a little thing to build up with everything else.
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Post by Michael Blackwood-Hardt on May 25, 2009 17:10:51 GMT -5
Michael closed his eyes briefly and considered. He wouldn't really let them go too far out in the open like they were, but he didn't want Dare to stop just yet. This was helping push out those uncomfortable thoughts very well. While he knew that Dare wanted him, it was still nice to have the reminder after something like that had happened.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on May 25, 2009 17:29:04 GMT -5
Michael hadn't done anything discouraging, so Dare opened his eyes long enough to check for kids, then slid one hand back to Michael's stomach. He told himself he'd be careful, that he wouldn't let himself lose control, but that he could get away with this much. His hand moved slowly up to Michael's chest, up his neck to his jaw, then moved to lightly turn Michael's face toward his. He let everything he wanted and felt show in his eyes, more than he'd ever dreamed of feeling for anyone.
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