An Ode to Maybe (Jory/Dare)

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

There was no missing or misinterpreting Jory's reaction. Dare let out a heavy breath and glanced around again, somehow unwilling to have any kind of conversation about the subject if he found an uninvited listener. A minute or so passed before he looked back at Jory.

"Listen," he said, dropping his voice again, "It was partly because we were the only ones. Partly because Gryffindors and Slytherins will find any excuse to pick a fight. We didn't want to be out, so instead of fighting we tried to keep to ourselves. I'm not gonna tell you that you should, 'cause it won't be easy, it'll never be easy, but I'm not gonna tell you that you shouldn't, either. Being outed was as much a charm as it was a curse." If they hadn't been forced out of their dorms, what would have happened? Would they still be dating? Still sharing stolen kisses and working not to look too long at each other?

[Jory Addison]

Jory looked up at Dare for a few moments before nodding. "My family knows, a couple of my old friends know, and three people here know, but one's my best friend and she doesn't really count." There was no way he could have avoided Layne knowing, he had played dolls with her before. He looked down at his necklace and then tucked it away beneath his shirt. "I guess that's enough for now." He would much rather everyone know and be able to be comfortable and be himself. But maybe it was better if he kept it quiet.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare nodded, though the motion wasn't any kind of comment. He refused to be responsible for someone else choosing to come out and getting any backlash from people who had just quieted down, for the most part. He'd never asked to be a role model, never even asked to come out. "Sorry I'm not any help," he told Jory.

[Jory Addison]

Jory shook his head and gave a little shrug. "It's okay," he said. "It's just...it's good to know there are others." He was still thinking about it, though he didn't know what he wanted to do still. It would be easier to just hide and refuse to let anyone else know, but would it be best? "If..." he trailed off and didn't finish. He wasn't even sure what he wanted to ask. He wanted to have someone that understood that he could go to, but he felt like it would be too much to ask for when he had just met Dare.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

"If what?" Dare prompted. He was no good at guessing games. He could pick up if someone was hiding something, could pick up on hidden emotions when he was in drawing mode, but as for thoughts or motives, he was lost. And he was too curious by nature to just let something like that go. He'd wonder for the rest of the day.

[Jory Addison]

Jory took a deep breath and tried to bring up how easy it was to talk to Layne to use. "I never talked to anyone at my old school, never knew someone that was like me, other than one person, until a couple of months ago. I just...want someone, you know? I don't mean like, dating or whatever, just someone to talk to, to help if I decide to come out." Layne couldn't understand, and Lyric would be just as clueless as he was.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

"Oh," Dare said, glad for that not for dating disclaimer, though his mind did jump to Markise with it. Hadn't Markise said the same thing? And Dare knew he wasn't enough for Markise, even if they could get past whatever the hell had happened at the reception. He just couldn't give the kind of attention Markise needed. And if it kept him away from Ariel all the better. Dare was seriously debating sending Jory in Markise's direction. But not to get rid of him.

It didn't feel right outing Markise, even to one person, so Dare kept that to himself for now to think of if there was any way he could justify, or any way he could tell without telling. He pulled his mind firmly back to the conversation for now.

"If you need someone to talk to, you can talk to me," he said. He looked around before dropping his voice again. "I live on Diagon Alley, above the pet shop, but I work at the club in Hogsmeade. Just... don't tell anyone or I swear..." He shook his head slightly. "Only a few people know I work there, so don't out me on it.." He gave a slightly lopsided smile, hoping to ease some of the tension in the conversation.

[Jory Addison]

Jory managed a small smile and his eyes brightened a little at the promise of someone to talk to. "I won't, I promise," he said, complete with the childish drawing of an X over his heart. "Thanks for putting up with me, I kind of jumped it a little..." But he hadn't been able to resist! How could he have given up the chance, something he might never have been able to do again?

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

"Nah, it's cool," Dare said. "I had a friend," had, meaning he was distancing Markise so he didn't have to feel like he was outing him, "and he came out alone. It didn't go well for him." Dare didn't even want to think of the specifics Markise had told him. "He was the first out at the school though, like me and Michael were, but without anyone who'd stick up for him. I wish I'd been there. I've got no problem helping someone else if it means they don't have to go through that."

[Jory Addison]

Jory nodded as he listened, then another small smile spread over his lips, "Thank you, really." He went silent then, thinking over everything. Did he want to come out? Well, that was a definite yes, but was he brave enough? He wasn't so sure about that one. He imagined he would have to talk to Lyric and Dare both a lot more in order to figure that one out. "Would you mind telling me where the divination room is?" he asked, attempting to move away from a subject he couldn't think of anymore. "I've had to hunt down my last few without much for directions...."

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

"Yeah, no problem," Dare said. "Divination's in the North Tower. There's a staircase to the left when you get out of here that'll take you up to the seventh floor, then just head as far north as you can til you get to the trap door." Dare didn't know if they were in the same class, but he wasn't going to offer to lead him there. He had his own stuff to do in the meantime, and as much as he liked Jory, he just wasn't that social anymore.

[Jory Addison]

"Thank you," Jory said, smiling softly before he looked toward the front of the library. "I guess I should let you try to find your book, then." He ran the directions over in his head, then nodded again; he should be able to get there without much problem. He gave a little goodbye wave before turning to head to the front to get his book.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare watched Jory disappear, thinking how bizarre that had been. Just when he thought he knew every gay guy in the whole school, one popped out of nowhere to get his opinion on coming out. And directions to the Divination classroom. Dare shook his head slightly and headed back toward the potions section. He'd have to say something to Michael. Later, when he told him about this assignment.