Moonlight Swim (closed)

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare loved the freedom Michael was giving him. He touched and explored however he wanted, kissed and nuzzled against him, and in the end, held him tight and murmured pretty words of affection. The cool water was a relief to his overheated body, and it was an effort not to collapse into it. Finally he gave in and let himself relax entirely to float. His hand caught Michael's in silent request. Float with me.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael relaxed back alongside Dare, slipping his fingers through Dare's. "I think this was a good idea," he said softly, looking up at the stars and the moon. It hadn't started out as that great of an evening, but it had changed so drastically, and it felt like things had been accomplished without even trying. It had definitely been worth coming all the way to the school.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael's voice was muffled from the water, but Dare could make out enough to understand. Still, there was nothing to be said back. He gave Michael's hand a light squeeze and watched the sky instead. It was surreal doing this, but it was something he'd needed.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Elouai had never really been exposed to water of this magnitude before, and so she hadn't dove right in like her parents had. She had hopped around at the edge of the water, a mix of excitement and anxiousness, and dipped her nose into the water every so often, only to back away and whimper, unsure of the whole idea. She had given up for a few minutes to lay on the shore, when it was obvious they weren't coming back any time soon, but soon after she stood and splashed into the water for the first time.

Michael heard the sudden splash, and glanced over to the shore. "Is she really just now getting in?"

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

It was easy to hear the disturbance of the water with his ears submerged, and Dare looked aside at Michael, then followed his gaze. Elouai was panting excitedly, her ears tipping at odd angles as water splashed around her and she decided what to make of it all. Dare chuckled, and after a moment stopped floating to tread water. He could hardly see her in the dark, but caught a flash of her eyes as she turned to look at him.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael shifted in the water along with Dare, smiling as he watched Eloua's outline moving through the water. "I guess this means we'll have to do this more often," he said, glancing over at Dare. He didn't mind making this something they did every so often. They couldn't do it much, or it would just become another thing they did, wouldn't it?

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

"Definitely," Dare said. He glanced up at the sky, where the sliver of moon hung high. "How long do you think we've been here?" he asked. It couldn't have been too long, though he had to admit he really had no clue, considering all they'd done. His lips curved at the thought.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael shrugged, though the effect was lessened by the fact most of the visible area of his shoulders was under the water's surface. "An hour? I really have no idea." He wasn't very good at telling time anyway, one of the reasons it was very good to have a clock in whatever room he was in. "We can get out before the gates close for the night, I'm pretty sure."

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

It had to have been more than an hour just for the time they'd been in the water, but Dare nodded all the same. "We ought to go, then," he said. He headed toward shore, letting Elouai play for now. They could dry her off when they were dressed and head home. He scanned the dark ground looking for his clothes, then finally found them when a beam of moonlight filtered through the trees and struck the metal on his belt.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael followed, coming up behind Dare to slide his arms around him and press a lingering kiss to his neck beneath curling hair. They could leave, but he wanted one last little piece before drying and dressing. When he let go, it was reluctantly, but they had all the time in the world when they got home, so he let himself think of that as he headed for his clothes.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare turned to watch Michael walk away, his blood heating again from that touch and that kiss. He was tempted to pull Michael back into the water, but it was late and they could spend all night together if they wanted. When he was dressed, he called Elouai out of the water, a difficult task since she wanted to keep playing. Eventually she came and he wand-dried her fur, then caught up Michael's hand to head toward the gates. His lips were curved into a secretive smile at everything that had happened.