I could get used to this, tags Mike

[Dare Madison]

Dare woke and froze when he felt strong arms holding him in place. It only took a moment though for him to remember how wanted those arms were and he relaxed, inhaling Mike’s scent. “Mmmm you feel really good,” he murmured, fairly sure Mike was still asleep. He crawled out of bed and then moved to replace the blanket he had dislodged. His eyes widened upon seeing healing bruises on his new boyfriend’s lower torso. “Oh fuck,” he whispered and escaped to the bathroom to think about his discovery. ‘No wonder he tenses up every time I reach under his shirt,’ he thought as he began to run his bath. It also explained why Mike had made no effort to go further than making out even though Dare was obviously more than willing. He couldn’t help wondering if Isaac had given him the bruises when he was rescuing him. He didn’t know of any other altercations where it could have happened and so he felt rather guilty about the whole thing. He stripped out of his pajama bottoms and then slipped into the bath tub, adding some bubbles as well. The scent of cucumber and melon filled the air which he found very soothing, but he still couldn’t relax.

Meanwhile Syn decided to continue her self-improvement campaign by making breakfast for her brother and his boyfriend. She found some frozen breakfast wraps in the freezer. They were tofu and egg, so she only made enough for the boys. No matter how nice she wanted to be, tofu in the morning wasn’t going to be happening, not for her anyway. She made some fresh orange juice as well and some cinnamon buns. When everything was done and being kept warm in the oven, she knocked on the bathroom door and informed Dare of her good deed. He was wrapped in a towel as he dried his hip length hair and he thanked her before climbing the ladder to his loft. Sitting next to Mike he gazed down at him for a bit and then leaned to give him a soft kiss. “Wake up, gorgeous,” he said softly and caressed his face, which honestly could use a shave. “Breakfast is ready and school starts in about 30 minutes.”

[Mike Spruill]

God damn sleeping in baggy shirts. They always rise up. This is why Mike normally slept in a tight tank top, but his clothes had been in the washer, so this is all he had. Mike woke up to Dare's kiss and smiled kissing the boy back. "Morning." Mike barely woke up this early, so this was good. Apparently not passing out helped. Mike Noticed his shirt and quickly pulled it down. He hoped Dare did not see it.

"School. Wonderful. Remind me again why school is five days a week. its like a full time job." He smirked as he crawled out of bed. "So do you have any clothes I can wear, or are my clothes dry now?" Mike could go to school naked, but doing that might not be good for the school. Still the idea was tempting.

Mike followed dare out but made a pit stop in the bathroom. he really should have thought this out. cause Mike had to resort to using his finger as a tooth brush. At least his hair was short enough he could run his fingers through. Thank god for the vein part of him cause he always carried cologne with him, which he picked up from the night stand before he left the bedroom. "Smells good."

[Dare Madison]

"You could eat in the tub if you want a bath, there are new toothbrushes and disposable razors in the medicine cabinet,"Dare offered, they kept them in case his dad's band members stayed over while they were recording. It actually happened quite often. Following Mike around, he was having a hard time keeping his hands to himself as he caressed Mike with soft loving touches. "Mike did Isaac give you the bruises on your abdomen?" he asked, when he couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. "If he did, I should take you to my doctor for them. I probably should anyway." He felt guilty he hadn't noticed earlier and done something to help Mike. "Would you like to go see my doctor? It wouldn't cost you anything and I am sure he could tell us what to do to ease the pain." He fetched a tray with their breakfast .

[Mike Spruill]

A doctor...oh god...if he did that, it would involve x rays, which would show his other bruises. "Nah...its cool. It looks worse then it is, trust me. The coloring is all there is...no real pain." A lie. Of course he was in pain, but god, to admit....to admit he was abused would surely send Dare screaming. Yet lieing was the old Mike. Although he was not completly changed. So he was not ready to talk about the beatings, but he would suggest it o Dare. "Some of these are old anyway. I might look touch, but I know how to take a beating, but thanks"

He told Dare and thats all he would say. "So breakfast?" He said grabbing the plate from the tray. He took a bite hoping to change the subject. "Now this is good." He said eating. "Man I coulde at like this every morning. I might have to take up cooking lessons." He said with a laugh. He eyed Dare and pulled the boy onto his lap.

"I got to say I enjoyed waking up this morning." He kissed Dare's neck. It was nice to have a guy to focus on. For once Mike could actually see clearly. Which meant he needed to talk to Jade. "Look man there is something I want you to know. I am trying this whole honestly thing. I have an ex I still have feelings for. I like you Daren, and I want to hang around you more, but I thought you should know the truth."

Okay Mike told the truth, now it was time to see Dare's reaction. He held the boy in his lap, in hopes Dare was okay with what Mike said and still wanted to hang out, giving Mike a chance to get over his feelings for Jadew. If he could do that.

[Dare Madison]

Dare couldn’t force Mike to see a doctor. Dare couldn’t even force Rufus to sit. Despite his boyfriend’s comforting words he was still worried. “I have some balm, I will give you a massage. Do you want to stay home today?” he asked, willing to skip to help Mike. “I learned to cook when I decided I wanted to be vegetarian, it was self defense.

Listening as Mike explained about his ex-lover, Dare couldn’t fault him for his experience, it was one of the things he found attractive about the boy. “Do you wish you were still with him?” he asked, feeling inadequate. He knew if it came to a fight over Mike, he was not equipped. He only had his feelings which were strong and his desire to please which was very strong. “Is it likely I know him? Mike… I really like you and I want to be with you, I will do what I have to in order that I can be your boyfriend, but I don’t want to be hurt again. Please don’t play games with me.” Dare was terrified he would become depressed again and Evan wouldn’t be there to save him next time.

[Mike Spruill]

Mike smiled, "How about after school. I have missed too much already." Mike had missed more thent oo much. If he missed anymore he might get held back. He needed to go the rest of the time to pass his finals. Although the idea of skipping sounded nice, but also Mike hated for people to see the bruises. He was ashamed and liked to hide them. Yet Dare's offer was nice. "I would love to try some of ytour cooking very soon." MIke said kissing the other boy.

He sighed when Dare asked if he wanted jade back and that he would do anything to be his boy friend. Mike had no idea what he wanted to be honest. He was a bundle of confusion. There was this strong pull to Jade, but seeing Jade with Jeremy hurt and Mike only had himself to blame. But he was sober now. He knew his mistakes, but was it too late. Should he move on? Did he want Jade back? Mike was not sure.

"I don't know. I told you this so I dont play games. I still like Jade, but I like you too...a .lot and I don't know to be honest." A first. "I need to speak with Jade and figure things out." He eyed Dare. The beautiful eyes. Mike was trying to be honest, no matter how hard it was. He was trying not to play games. "Give me a day to talk to Jade and figure things out...no games."

[Dare Madison]

Dare had of course hoped that Mike would want him forever and want to forget about Jade. Really what kind of name was that for a guy? Dare was called that because his father thought Darien was too feminine so had shortened it to something he felt was masculine and cool. He smiled at Mike. "I want whatever is best for you. I will be patient and you can tell me your decision when you're ready. I am yours I have been since you rescued me on the beach."

Dare fetched the balm for bruises he had from the cupboard. "Ok I need you to lie on your back somewhere, either the couch, the floor or my bed. He also grabbed some gauze and an elastic bandage, he said, wanting the healing to start soon. "After you are done talking to Jade, we can talk tonight maybe over some of my cooking, what kind of things do you like to eat?"