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Post by Markise Sterling on Sept 27, 2009 16:53:49 GMT -5
It had been a stroke of genius to meet in greenhouse 2, or so Markise thought as he made his way through rows of exotic plants and useful herbs. Greenhouse 1 was where all the lower-level herbology classes were held, and greenhouse 3 was full of dangerous plants that he didn't want to deal with. As far as he knew, greenhouse 2 was for the professors. If there was a risk of getting caught, it was less with the professors, right?
Besides, there was no one here right now. Markise had walked around long enough to be sure, and now he settled in one of the back corners, shaded by massive umbrella-sized flowers hanging from the ceiling and surrounded by row upon row of potted plants.
It smelled nice here. It was warm and moist, and Markise slid out of the button-down shirt he'd been wearing, leaving the thin sleeveless tee he'd had on beneath. He was silent, listening and waiting for the door to open, and for the even sound of Ariel's shoes on the floor.
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Post by Ariel Logan Callahan on Sept 27, 2009 17:15:56 GMT -5
Ariel wasn't sure about the greenhouses, but he figured it was a decent idea. It felt like there should be a lot of people wanting to go to them, to get things, but the closer he got the less likely it seemed that someone would find them. When he walked in, he nearly gagged with the thickness of the air, humidity being something he wasn't used to. At least it was warm, and he knew Markise was going to be there.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Sept 27, 2009 17:24:41 GMT -5
The sounds of the door and Ariel's footsteps resonated against the thick glass walls, but the plants themselves muffled the detail in the sound. Markise had to listen for a minute before he could decide it was Ariel, and he left his bookbag and his shirt on the floor as he pushed to his feet. "I'm looking for Professor Dakota," he called, just in case he was wrong. He figured it was safe since the Herbology Professor still hadn't shown up. And if he did, he was also Markise's Head of House. It would be reasonable to ask for him, right?
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Post by Ariel Logan Callahan on Sept 27, 2009 17:29:34 GMT -5
"I'm afraid you've not found him," Ariel called back as he looked toward where the voice had come from. He still wasn't used to the sense of something like relief that came through him when he saw Markise each day. He ruffled his fingers through his hair as he started making his way back towards Markise. It was definite; the greenhouse was a great place for them to meet up.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Sept 27, 2009 17:44:09 GMT -5
Relief swept through Markise as well, and with that slight wave of relaxation, his lips curved into a smile. "Too bad," he called back, the tone of his voice changing considerably now that he knew. "I'm looking for something, and I can't find it," he teased purposefully. He decided to stay put and let Ariel find him, and ducked down. On second thought... Markise knelt down and settled to wait.
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Post by Ariel Logan Callahan on Sept 27, 2009 18:06:06 GMT -5
A small smirk pulled up the corner of Ariel's mouth at that. "Maybe I can help with that," he said, working his way slowly to the back to find Markise. "Are you going to tell me what it is or make me guess?" he asked as he found his way to the back, finally able to see Markise kneeling there on the floor. That sight sent a thousand ideas rushing through his mind and at least a couple of them made his eyes shine slightly.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Sept 27, 2009 18:11:57 GMT -5
Markise had parted his lips to speak before he caught sight of Ariel. His smile returned, and his eyes glittered playfully. "I think you can guess," he said, his voice softening. They had so little time together at school, almost entirely in cold, empty classrooms since the lake was so risky. They still hadn't had their night in the Room of Requirement, but right now, this was just as good. Markise crooked a finger and gestured for Ariel to come closer. "I'll give you three tries," he said.
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Post by Ariel Logan Callahan on Sept 27, 2009 18:58:10 GMT -5
Ariel's lips curved further and he slid his hands in his pockets as he took the last few steps to Markise. He looked up at the ceiling for a few moments, trying to come up with a good answer. "Let me see...a rare, delicate flower," he tried, amusement sparking in his eyes when he looked back down at Markise.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Sept 27, 2009 19:02:26 GMT -5
Markise shook his head, hair falling out of place with the motion. "It's not that delicate," he teased. His hands settled at Ariel's waist, moving lightly to smooth fingertips against the sturdy cloth. "Guess again," he prompted. Why hadn't he thought of this sooner?
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Post by Ariel Logan Callahan on Sept 27, 2009 19:19:00 GMT -5
Ariel thought for a little while, giving himself a few moments to enjoy Markise's hands at his waist before his lips parted to speak again. "You didn't lose your wand, did you?" he asked. His eyes traced Markise's hairline, where the hair had fallen around his face. He was perfectly content with this little game and was willing to watch Markise and let him do as he pleased.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Sept 27, 2009 19:25:47 GMT -5
"You're getting hotter," Markise said, letting his hands converge. "But I'm not looking for mine." His eyes glittered as he looked up at Ariel, then back at his hands to begin actually dealing with that belt. This was so much fun, and for a moment he hoped with everything he had that he'd been right about how unpopular the greenhouses were. After that moment, he let himself forget about it and enjoy.
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Post by Ariel Logan Callahan on Sept 27, 2009 19:43:39 GMT -5
Ariel couldn't help but smile at Markise, however small a smile it was, before he pulled his hand from his pocket to run through Markise's hair. He loved these little things they did, something he never would have had the chance to have if his brother had never gotten that job in London. Would he appreciate it all as much if he hadn't had those hard few months at the beginning of the year?
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Post by Markise Sterling on Sept 27, 2009 20:05:10 GMT -5
Markise loved the way Ariel looked at him. It warmed him in ways he would never have guessed, and it was impossible not to smile when he saw those lips he liked so very much smiling. He closed his eyes a moment at the feel of fingers sifting through his hair, then blinked them open to look up again. "You have another guess," he said softly. His hands went on, continuing to tease.
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Post by Ariel Logan Callahan on Sept 27, 2009 20:25:41 GMT -5
Ariel blinked himself out of his thoughts and tried to think of a witty answer, but failed miserably. "Do I have to say it?" he asked, raising an eyebrow down at Markise. It was a fun game, but he quickly ran out of ideas though he knew Markise could probably go on long after he was out. His hand slipped to Markise's jaw and his thumb curled up to brush lightly against Markise's lips.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Sept 27, 2009 21:21:26 GMT -5
Markise's eyes slid closed again, the better to feel that familiar skin against his lips. He pressed a soft kiss to the pad of Ariel's thumb, the motion somehow shifting the mood, replacing playfulness with something else. He wanted this, and he took his time, giving to Ariel and loving the intimacy of it, loving knowing how much he could please Ariel. It was a massive ego stroke when he pulled away to look up.
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