Prompt #44: Mistakes
Disclaimer: Nope, still haven't won the rights.
Warnings: Smoking, swearing, and slash, oh my! xD
Michael had found a new hideout for their leisure time, a quiet alcove that faced away from the setting sun. He bragged that it was perfect for warm, lazy afternoons, so Baroona answered offhand that he'd check it out. He also boasted that it was perfect for dusk because there, you couldn't see the sun fall or watch the colors spark and dwindle. There, the only evidence of passing time was the wispy shadows thickening and clustering around the bare torchlights. He claimed that this new side was a far more interesting perspective. Baroona thought it disgustingly ironic of Michael, but answered only, "Fine. I'll come."
And of course, Michael had to be right. The place was an amazing find - shade easing the heat slightly (but not enough to discourage lethargy) and seclusion just sneaky enough that Baroona didn't mind Michael's sweaty lips against his neck. In fact, Baroona's position encouraged the warm kisses, sprawled out on the sun-warmed earth with his head tilted to the side. Mind slow and muggy, he amused himself with his cigarette, watching through half-lidded eyes as the curling strands shriveled and disappeared under the unrelenting sun.
Then, Ares skidded around the corner. Panting and flushed, he burst into their silence like the blinding light of curtains cast aside. He threw a quick, guilty glance over his shoulder before stumbling to a halt. The distraction gave Michael enough time to shift onto his back, lying next to Baroona rather than curled into him.
Satisfied with the apparent lack of pursuers, Ares looked back to the pair, wearing a shit-eating grin the way most people wear a medal of honor. He took a second to evaluate the little nook, nod cheerfully at Michael's half-hearted glare, and then saunter closer.
"What're you guys doing?" he stood up on his toes, peering over and around the two as if his investigation might reveal a hidden scarf they had been secretly knitting. Baroona had long since realized that Ares appreciated the luxury of laziness only in certain moods. Today, evidently, he wasn't in one.
Baroona exhaled a gauzy cloud of grey, and glanced sideways at Michael. When the other remained stoic as a statue, Baroona took charge, languidly answering the blonde: "Getting into less trouble than you."
Ares rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, fuck you, too. I been getting into fun, not trouble."
Michael just snorted at that, and Baroona thought he couldn't have said it more derisively himself. Ares stuck out his tongue at the pair, but flopped down to join them anyway, gangly limbs collapsing to the ground like a dropped marionette.
"But really," he insisted, "what're you guys doing here?"
Michael sighed quietly, more of a hiss, and pushed himself up to sit eye-level with Ares. Before replying, he reached over Baroona for the half-empty cigarette box and pulled one out, nodding a silent thanks to Baroona (even though he hadn't asked and Baroona hadn't agreed). Spitting out his characteristic stalk of grass, Michael said, "Smoking", and slid the cigarette between his lips.
"Lighter?" he mumbled at Baroona, wholly ignoring a squawk of disgust from Ares.
"When did you start smoking?!"
"Mm...'s here somewhere..." Baroona patted his pockets slowly, working through them in no rush.
"Hey! You don't smoke - er, I didn't think you smoked - why are you - "
"Found it..." Baroona pulled the lighter from his back pocket and handed it over.
"Michael!!"
"What?" Michael snapped, finally heeding the blonde's (progressively louder and shriller) cries of protest. He frowned at Ares in vague annoyance, then flicked open the lighter. Quick as the burst of flame, Ares lunged forward and snapped the metal shut.
"The hell are you - "
"The hell are you doing!" Ares tried to snatch the lighter away, but Michael caught the thieving hand easily with his free one.
"Trying to light this, actually."
"Yeah!" Ares leapt on the words like they were a confession of murder. "I mean, no! I mean, why! That stuff smells like shit - no offense, Baroona - so why are you smoking? Already have to put up with one person stinking like that - sorry, Baroona - so I don't want you starting, got it?"
Michael scowled around the cigarette, then flicked the lighter back on. "Deal with it."
One hand caught, the other needed for leverage, Ares only had one option - and being Ares, he took it. He growled and lunged forward, just evading the little flame, and grabbed the unlit cigarette with his teeth. Naturally, he went all-out and bit down on the middle of the cigarette rather than the end to secure his grip; his lips nearly touched Michael's. Michael's head jerked back in violent whiplash, and Ares easily retrieved the little stick, grinning like a puppy who had just beaten his master at tug-o-war. Of course, Ares then realized what was in his mouth and spat it out with a childish 'puh!' of disgust, sticking out his tongue and gagging.
While the blonde threw a fit, Baroona tried to catch Michael's attention with a questioning look. To no avail – Michael was busy running a thumb over his lips, very slowly, like he was searching for something. Baroona said nothing, because he couldn't tell from this angle whether Ares had actually kissed him or not.
"Now that we got that settled," Ares announced smugly, apparently recovered from the cigarette, "wanna get off your lazy ass and come spar with me?"
Michael was on his feet before Baroona could say a word - and after he recognized the keen, beastlike hunger in Michael's narrowed gaze, Baroona didn't want to say a word. Michael had found his target; distracting him now would be a fool's deathwish.
Ares crowed, "Knew it!" with a brilliant smile, and took off laughing, Michael following (a little too) close behind.
---
Michael showed up after sunset, sweaty but unsatisfied. Baroona managed to wander to his feet and ask if anyone was nearby before Michael had him against the wall with clutching hands and desperate lips.
They didn't discuss the sparring or the smoking that night, but for the next week, Michael smoked at least three cigarettes in Ares' presence every day. Finally, Baroona complained about the drain on his money (and didn't mention out loud that Ares had Ariadne), so Michael reluctantly returned to grass stalks (and to Baroona, though he had never really left).
I'm still addicted to Michael, unfortunately, horny bastard that he is. So, please, please be a considerate reader and review. By the way, if you'd like a certain topic, feel free to request it, too.
(AND WRITE SOME ARES FANFICS! xP)