[Hartley is just standing there, unsure why exactly Michael feels the need to come out here and suspecting that it's not for any good reason, which already puts him on the defensive.]
[Despite how prickly that response is he wants to diffuse the situation, feeling as if he's done something wrong here. He needs to smooth over however he hurt Hartley, because he feels like he has upset him. So when he steps up to him he'll reach out and wrap long, gentle fingers around Hartley's hand, skimming tips down his palm to weave their fingers together. He'll lean in and gently give him a peck on the lips, assuming he's not too pissed at him and won't pull away.]
I want you to stay, but I won't make you if you're uncomfortable.
[And a light squeeze of his hand and a genuine furrow of his brow in concern.]
[He trails off, because he ends up holding Michael's hand too tightly and then he has to close his eyes to focus on the feeling of his lips, even after he pulls back. He lowers his head finally, slowly exhaling.]
[They almost seem like teenagers, standing on the stoop of his apartment building in the middle of Central City holding hands, unafraid of any one passing by and seeing their PDA. Michael steps just a little closer, being cautious and not wanting spook the other but he can feel how tightly he clings to his hand. His free one will rise to gently brush the backs of his knuckles over his cheek and back to cup his face lightly so he can look him in the eye.]
I promise you, as soon as he leaves I'll come find you. Alright?
[He wants to respect Hartley's space, but he also doesn't want to cut their night short either.]
[Michael gives another soft smile and leans in to kiss Hartley again, something tender and warm. A little morsel to keep his mind occupied away from more negative thoughts.]
You're always worth my time, even if all we do is sit and watch a movie together until we fall asleep on the couch.
[Wry commentary is definitely better than whatever visible insecurity he's just put on display here. He nods and lightly shoves Michael's shoulder in a playful way.]
[He laughs softly at the shove and sighs exaggeratedly.]
Alright, alright, I can take a hint.
[Another quick peck to his cheek, near the crook of his jaw.]
See you soon.
[ He lets their fingers unravel and disappears inside. It'll be around 10 that he finally texts Hartley to let him know he's coming over and about 10 minutes later till he's knocking on his door.]
[Hartley opens the door within the minute. His place is small, mostly filled up with his workbench and the rat cage and otherwise minimalist, but that's just how he is. It coincides with how it's also what works best for his wallet.
The walls however are filled with music as well as calculation and sketches, which substitutes for posters or any other decoration.]
We could have just met tomorrow, you know?
[Not that it keeps him from grabbing Michael by the shirt and pulling him inside.]
We could-- [What he was going to say is cut off by the bubble of laughter as he's pulled into the apartment. He just barely manages to get the door closed behind him in the process. He then steps forward to wrap his arms around Hartley's waist, leaning in for a kiss.]
But I was really looking forward to seeing you today.
[A shrug and a small, playful, verbal jab at his lover.]
When has that ever bothered me? [He'll stay by Hartley's side, keeping an arm resting around his waist as they move to the couch to have a seat together.]
Ah, fascinating. [He says warmly, honestly curious or interested in what Hartley is working on rather than just appeasing him with flowery words as some might.]
And what do you plan to use the "flute" for. [He'll sit next to Hartley, slinging an arm around his shoulders as they cuddle in close.]
Taking over the world, of course. [While the words sound very matter of fact, it's also rather obviously not true. If he planned on taking over the world, he wouldn't announce it like that. Also, he might need a slightly larger influence.]
Mostly just ongoing experiment with frequencies. I'm best with the flute, out of the instruments I play, so it seemed natural to go down that path.
I am curious how it's going. [Another kiss, closer to his shoulder.]
It's important to you. [Another at the junction, nuzzling in past the collar of his shirt. He smiles against his skin and kisses again when asked what he's up to.]
Nothing. [His response is said playfully and in mock innocence, knowing damn well he's sort of distracting Hartley. It's what he wants and his free hand spreads out over his thigh, rubbing down to his knee then slowly inching it's way back up the inside. His other innocently remains draped over Hartley's shoulders, fingers just barely brushing back and forth over his collarbone.]
Do you want me to stop? [He'll massage his lips over a spot he knows will drive Hartley wild, suckling lightly with a slight graze of his teeth or press of his tongue, not quite raising a hickey but obviously trying to work him up.]
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[Hartley is just standing there, unsure why exactly Michael feels the need to come out here and suspecting that it's not for any good reason, which already puts him on the defensive.]
What is it?
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I want you to stay, but I won't make you if you're uncomfortable.
[And a light squeeze of his hand and a genuine furrow of his brow in concern.]
Are you sure you're alright?
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[He trails off, because he ends up holding Michael's hand too tightly and then he has to close his eyes to focus on the feeling of his lips, even after he pulls back. He lowers his head finally, slowly exhaling.]
I'm fine. I just don't want to go comparing.
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I promise you, as soon as he leaves I'll come find you. Alright?
[He wants to respect Hartley's space, but he also doesn't want to cut their night short either.]
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[Like what? Insecure, fragile and emotionally sensitive? Obviously he is, but he doesn't want to be and that is worth something at least.]
I'm not like this. Not really.
[Hartley turns his head to kiss Michael's palm, then he smiles at him, perhaps with just a bit of a mischievous note to it.]
I'll make sure it's worth your time, checking in with me after.
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You're always worth my time, even if all we do is sit and watch a movie together until we fall asleep on the couch.
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[Wry commentary is definitely better than whatever visible insecurity he's just put on display here. He nods and lightly shoves Michael's shoulder in a playful way.]
Go entertain your friend.
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[He laughs softly at the shove and sighs exaggeratedly.]
Alright, alright, I can take a hint.
[Another quick peck to his cheek, near the crook of his jaw.]
See you soon.
[ He lets their fingers unravel and disappears inside. It'll be around 10 that he finally texts Hartley to let him know he's coming over and about 10 minutes later till he's knocking on his door.]
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The walls however are filled with music as well as calculation and sketches, which substitutes for posters or any other decoration.]
We could have just met tomorrow, you know?
[Not that it keeps him from grabbing Michael by the shirt and pulling him inside.]
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But I was really looking forward to seeing you today.
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I'll allow that.
[Gladly, by all appearances.]
The place is a mess, I was working on something.
[Has been for a while and that takes priority to mundane tasks such as cleaning.]
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When has that ever bothered me? [He'll stay by Hartley's side, keeping an arm resting around his waist as they move to the couch to have a seat together.]
What were you working on?
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[He gestures vaguely in the direction of his workbench before dropping down on the couch.]
A ...flute, for lack of a better term. Still working with sound-wave and the manipulation of them.
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And what do you plan to use the "flute" for. [He'll sit next to Hartley, slinging an arm around his shoulders as they cuddle in close.]
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Mostly just ongoing experiment with frequencies. I'm best with the flute, out of the instruments I play, so it seemed natural to go down that path.
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[He'll ask with some curiosity, but it's clear he's getting distracted from the conversation as he leans in to gently kiss along Hartley's throat.]
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[He's also not sure how invested he can stay, not with lips against his throat. There's definitely something that he'd much rather get invested in.]
It's going all right. I need to do more experiments and dear God what do you think you're doing?
[Not complaining, mind.]
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I am curious how it's going. [Another kiss, closer to his shoulder.]
It's important to you. [Another at the junction, nuzzling in past the collar of his shirt. He smiles against his skin and kisses again when asked what he's up to.]
Nothing. [His response is said playfully and in mock innocence, knowing damn well he's sort of distracting Hartley. It's what he wants and his free hand spreads out over his thigh, rubbing down to his knee then slowly inching it's way back up the inside. His other innocently remains draped over Hartley's shoulders, fingers just barely brushing back and forth over his collarbone.]
Do you want me to stop? [He'll massage his lips over a spot he knows will drive Hartley wild, suckling lightly with a slight graze of his teeth or press of his tongue, not quite raising a hickey but obviously trying to work him up.]