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Post by Ariel Logan Callahan on Jul 13, 2009 15:02:38 GMT -5
Ariel sighed, grateful at least for that, but he remained in his spot. "Good," he said. I need someone. It wasn't going to be a comfortable two months between now and when they started school again. He hoped that if they got through the next couple of days they could at least leave this behind. He still wanted to know, to be able to understand, but right now anything sounded preferable to more arguing or fighting.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Jul 13, 2009 16:23:07 GMT -5
Markise was silent at that, thinking. Good. Then Ariel couldn't want to get rid of him entirely. He refused to start hoping again so soon, but it was impossible. Hopes and wishes came whether he wanted them or not. He tried to even his breathing, tried to get comfortable by shuffling a bit under the covers so he could go to sleep, but he found himself waiting, as though Ariel might decide to speak again.
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Post by Ariel Logan Callahan on Jul 13, 2009 20:10:42 GMT -5
Ariel didn't speak again, and he didn't get up, either. He stayed where he was for the next indeterminable time. He might have dozed off a couple of times, but when he was bombarded with vivid visualizations of his thoughts. Eventually, he had slumped over to lean against the wall, eyes focused on Markise's sleeping form.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Jul 13, 2009 20:24:31 GMT -5
When Markise rose to consciousness again, he still felt like crap, but it was a vast improvement over earlier. Even with the pain potion nearly worn off, his head didn't hurt quite as horribly. His mind was still fuzzy, and he woke slowly, testing his muscles in slow stretches beneath the sheets. He ached, but he could move easily enough that he began to contemplate dragging off his belt rather than let it continue to press into him as he lay.
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Post by Ariel Logan Callahan on Jul 13, 2009 20:41:55 GMT -5
Ariel shifted, finding a more comfortable spot against the walls as he watched Markise waking up. He still didn't speak, however much he wanted to reach out to Markise and try to get back to where they had been just a couple of days before, comfortable again with each other. He wanted to be comfortable again. He moved his arms from around his legs to cross them tightly against his stomach.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Jul 13, 2009 21:04:11 GMT -5
Markise yawned, a small sound escaping as his mouth stretched wide. He smothered it half-heartedly with one hand, then turned his attention to his belt after all. He wanted to look to see if Ariel was still here, despite the fact that he could feel him, but refused to crane his head over his shoulder just yet. Ariel was still on the other side of the room, and Markise had no clue what to make of that.
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Post by Ariel Logan Callahan on Jul 13, 2009 21:17:26 GMT -5
Ariel's eyebrows came together and he shifted again, his legs leaning to where one knee lightly touched the wall. He was afraid to speak. It seemed better to say nothing, maybe nothing would happen. Maybe they could forget it. If they forgot, though, would he be able to be comfortable and give those easy touches again? No, no he wouldn't. He needed Markise to ask him, to give permission, maybe.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Jul 13, 2009 21:36:12 GMT -5
When Markise had slid his belt free, he shuffled to sit, smothering another yawn. He opened his eyes to find Ariel just where he'd been earlier, curled up in that beanbag-looking seat like a beaten dog. His brows drew slightly together and he dropped his gaze, unsure what to say or do. "Are you okay?" he asked hesitantly. He made himself begin to roll his belt up, but glanced up at Ariel as his hands worked. Was it about what he'd said last night? Or what he'd said earlier? Or was it something entirely different? This isn't all about what you want. So what was it about?
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Post by Ariel Logan Callahan on Jul 13, 2009 21:45:04 GMT -5
Ariel refocused on Markise before dropping his eyes. He started to shake his head, but stopped after a couple of short movements. "I'll be okay," he said softly, his voice barely audible. A wave of fear washed over him at the very idea of talking, even if it was something he wanted to do, something that needed done. He silently cursed his parents and brother.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Jul 13, 2009 21:52:10 GMT -5
Markise's head tilted slightly, and the space between his brows narrowed. He wanted to ask, but if Ariel didn't want to talk, what right did he have to drag it out of him? He was silent again as he finished rolling his belt and set it aside, trading it for the stale glass of water he'd started earlier. He took a small sip, wishing now that it was coffee. He needed some comfort, and he wouldn't suggest that Ariel give him that comfort again, not if he would rather hide in a lumpy chair then sit on the bed. "I really am sorry," he murmured.
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Post by Ariel Logan Callahan on Jul 13, 2009 22:09:23 GMT -5
Ariel shook his head, "You were drunk." Markise couldn't be sorry for something he hadn't had control over, could he? Or maybe he could, Ariel wasn't sure. Everything Markise had said had to have come from somewhere. "My fault anyway," he mumbled to himself. It was, wasn't it? If he was able to figure out things on his own, if he had better social skills, then perhaps it wouldn't have happened the way it did. He squeezed his eyes shut against those thoughts.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Jul 13, 2009 22:41:14 GMT -5
Markise looked up, his head tilted again. "I'd been drinking before you got here," he said. They had to be in the Room of Requirement, Markise had just become aware enough to really notice his surroundings, but he recognized the room. There was a moment's shock when he realized where and when the room was from.
You'll regret it in the morning.
Hold me just like this, Ariel...
He got a powerful flash of visceral memory, of the comfort and pleasure he'd felt that night through all the heartache. His breath caught a moment before he could breathe again.
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Post by Ariel Logan Callahan on Jul 13, 2009 23:08:13 GMT -5
Ariel shrugged, "I told you to stop then." At least he didn't change for the worse when he was drinking or doing anything else, unlike Markise who could turn so very emotional so quickly. When Markise was silent, he glanced up and tilted his head at the look on Markise's face. "What?" he asked, though he immediately turned his eyes away from Markise.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Jul 13, 2009 23:15:22 GMT -5
Markise... don't...
Markise looked away, turning his head down and trying to shake it off, though he couldn't. "I... it's hard not to think... about last time," he said, the words coming with great difficulty.
Please...
It had felt so good, and so right, despite what reason would have suggested. He lifted his gaze now, but didn't expect Ariel to look at him, not when he was bringing up something he'd decided, if without saying it, that it wouldn't be more than that once. No matter how many times it had been so tempting to push Ariel for a repeat.
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Post by Ariel Logan Callahan on Jul 14, 2009 18:36:12 GMT -5
Ariel stared blankly at the bed, then shrugged and turned his head to look at the wall. He hadn't been thinking of that, but as soon as Markise mentioned it memories bombarded him. What if they could have that every day? Well, that was one thing he didn't need to think about. For now he needed to focus on getting better himself. "Sorry, this was the only place I could think of," he said finally, his voice soft.
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