play god [mal]

[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

4 September 2027

It had been almost the perfect day. Addy, Ivanka and Brígh had lounged by the seaside for hours, splashed about in the sea, and gotten properly buzzed (but not too drunk) on oversized margaritas. It was exactly the sort of holiday Brígh had envisioned. On top of that, she hadn't even gotten sunburnt! She'd been very prudent about her sun cream application. The girls had returned to their hotel room to prepare for a night out in old town, and continued sinking cocktails and shots until they had all been pleasantly inebriated.

Donned in a golden dress and sandals to match, Brígh had left her red hair loose around her face. Her cheeks were flushed with both the alcohol and the heat of the day. It didn't help that the club they'd ventured to was absolutely rammed with people. Attractive people, too. But Brígh missed Aidan desperately - they hadn't had much chance to talk recently as he was up to his neck in projects for the MWRC. She said nothing of this to her comrades, as she didn't want to sully the vibe they'd crafted. She was able to forget the longing for the most part, but there were times when she felt it more than others.

Addy and Ivanka were locked in a dance battle, and Brígh had claimed she couldn't decide a winner as she was too invested in both girls. They tried to get a stranger to judge and with a snort, Brígh tottered off to the bar to collect more drinks for them. "Three er... three margaritas please. No salt," said Brígh, beaming at the bartender. The person beside her nudged her slightly, and with a furrowed brow, Brígh turned to look. "Look I'm -- Mal?" Brígh recognised the older (and very, VERY attractive) former Slytherin, who was now a full time curse breaker. She hadn't been paired with him much, having been taken in by Rhys instead, but she knew his face and name, and not really much else. "Small world," she said, more to herself than anything as she gave him an appreciative once over.

malcolm calan clark

[malcolm calan clark]

September 2027
Crete, Greece

After a long day exploring beaches and day drinking with Jack, the boys found themselves at a booming seaside club. The building was packed to the brim with happy faces and bodies moving to upbeat music. Jack was flirting with a blonde at the bar so Malcolm silently worked on his own version of poaching. Leaning against the bar, he knocked back-to-back shots with some rowdy frat girls from America wearing stupid pink cowboy hats before slipping away.

As Malcolms hazel eyes scanned the club, he noticed a familiar head of hair. It wasn't a Weasley, but O'Dalaigh. The young man pushed through the crowd of bobbing bodies to lightly shove Brigh at the bar. More for her reaction and it was worth it, catching her off guard. They didn't know each other well, but they went to Hogwarts together, and he remembered briefly seeing her training for Curse Breaking before they made the youngins go back to school. Malcolm couldn't help but think how pissed he'd be if he had a taste of adventure before having it yanked away from him only to do course work all over again. Well, sucks to suck.

"Brigh O'Dalaigh." His lips formed into a small and proud drunken smirk. ”Couldn't miss that head of hair a mile away.” he teased, draping an arm around her shoulder to get into her personal bubble. His lips found her ear, since it was very loud. "Who're ya here with?" Malcolm asked, hazel eyes giving her a look up and down of appreciation.

BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Brígh had been caught unawares as Mal moved into her space, greeting her as an old friend and slinging an arm around her. Had her mind been clearer, she likely would have shrugged out of Mal's embrace. But as it was, she was steaming and he did look like he had a lot of muscles. She snaked a hand around his middle and gave a sneaky squeeze - the muscles were confirmed. "Och, you know I like to be recognised," she replied with an easy grin.

Feeling like she was a deer caught in the sights of a predator, Brígh stared back at Mal. He leaned forward, his breath tickling her neck and raising goose flesh. She shivered, her body reacting naturally. "My mates, Addy and Ivanka," she replied, turning her head so that she could shout her reply into his ear. Brígh had the sense to look around - both girls were occupied. Addy was speaking to a tall man with a head of sandy hair. Brígh silently hoped that sandy hair would take Addy back to his room so she could have the bed to herself. Ivanka was nowhere to be seen, but Brígh knew her fellow cursebreaker could take care of herself. "But they seem sorted. Fancy a margarita?" She offered one to Mal and kept two for herself. After all, she had paid.

"You look great! What brings you to Greece! And don't lie and say work because I tried that one and it didn't work!" said Brígh sipping her margarita. Her hips moved with the heavy beat, her head bopping ever so slightly as they moved away from the bar. "And who're you here with? I know you don't go anywhere on your own, you've usually got a throng of minions trailing after you," she added with a smirk.

malcolm calan clark

[malcolm calan clark]

September 2027
Crete, Greece

As Brigh snaked an around around his middle, he folded forward to give her a warm embrace. She was with her friends. His eyes shifted in the direction her eyes darted. Toward a pretty blonde whom Jack was chatting up. She looked familiar...gears were turning in his head as his eyes scanned the room confidently. That was because they played quidditch together at Hogwarts. She was one of the few who took it seriously, while him, not so much. ”Oh. Addy Slater?” he asked, arching a brow in thought. The redhead humorously balanced three glasses, extending one to him. Malcolms expression flickered with a smile at the sight. He loved nothing more than a lady with lowered inhibitions. The lower, the better.

Mal accepted the glass with a cool guy shrug. ”Cheers, mate. I'm more of a whiskey guy myself, but I’ll do the service of polishing it off for ya.” he raised the glass dutifully with a quick clink of both of her glasses in her possession, taking a hearty sip as he bobbed his head to the music with a disinterested look. Malcolm was having fun, he just had a wicked resting bitch face.

Brigh moved her body to the music like an invitation in his twisted inebriated mind. His eyes watched without shame, appreciating her figure in her gold dress that hugged in all the right places, hair falling on her sun kissed, freckled skin. ”Sounds like ye don’t know the right people.” he teased, corners of his lips curled into another proud smirk. Hell, he knew he completely lucked out being assigned to the gig. Brigh asked who he was with, knowing he typically had people with him. Mals hand raised to brush a strand of hair from her bare shoulder, ”I just finished an expedition investigating the Minoan ruins. We completed everything earlier than expected so my brother joined me before term starts next week.” he shared, eyes slowly meeting her gaze as he took a drink. For once in his life, he wished the margarita would disappear.  

He gestured toward Jack and the blonde, who he assumed to be Addy, tucked off to the side. ”Looks like he and your lass Addy are hitting it off..so you have me all to yourself...” he hinted playfully, tone oiled with flirtatious intent. "Wanna dance?" 

BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Brígh inclined her head. "Yeah, and Ivanka. You remember her," said Brígh mildly. "Dunno where she's gone off to though, but I'm not worried. Ivanka can handle herself," she added with a smirk. Brígh arched a brow at Mal's retort regarding preferring whisky over margaritas. She took a moment to take a long sip of her drink, before replying. "I didn't realise we were expressing preferences for free drinks. But I'll make a note." There was a challenge in her tone, a playful tilt to her lips.

Mal had perfected the look of cool disinterest. His dark gaze darted around the room, whilst Brígh focused on him. She picked out tiny flaws in him, though she had to admit there were very few. But his muscled bulk made her miss Aidan, who held her and made her feel safe. Brígh asked how Mal had found his way onto the island and snorted at his response. "Clearly Greyback has it out for me. Merlin forbid he'd ever give me an interesting assignment. And to be chucked back in school. I just constantly remind myself that in a year it will all be worth it," said Brígh, sighing before draining the first margarita and starting on the second. "Ivanka and I talked about doing that. But then we've just been lazy and stayed on the beach drinking all day." Brígh shrugged. There was a time and a place for an adventure holiday.

At Mal's behest, Brígh glanced over at Mal's brother and Addy, who looked to be having a pleasant conversation. The brother bent low as to hear something that Addy was saying to him, and Brígh felt an unexpected weight lifted off her shoulders. Her gaze snapped back to Mal and she smiled. "Well, since you asked so nicely..." she replied, sauntering off to the dance floor. She didn't look back to see if Mal had followed her, but made sure to give him a show as that was all he would get. She closed her eyes, letting herself feel the music as her hips moved along to the beat, her head tilting up as her hair tumbled down her back. She opened her eyes and spotted Mal, giving him a little smirk as she did so.

malcolm calan clark

[malcolm calan clark]

Mal watched her lips as she continued to speak about her friends, he wasn't really listening. Brigh teased about how he should be grateful for a free drink and he shrugged. Her reaction was cute and precisely what he was looking for, he knew she had a sharp tongue. Mal shot Brigh a smug look that melted into a more playful smile, finishing the margarita with an unbroken eye contact. 

Dear Merlin, this girl talked a lot. It seemed like her lips just kept moving. He was more interested in undressing her with his eyes. Mal shrugged, "You'll be finished with training before you know it." he said, smirking."It still sucks to suck." Malcolm laughed drunkenly, the flicker in his eyes showing he was joking.

It didn't take much convincing Brigh to get on the dance floor. Not that it ever took much convincing for a free spirit to dance. Mal was never much of a dancer because he was a big guy, but he enjoyed using dancing as a tool to get closer to women. The alcohol helped loosen his body and forget about how stupid he probably looked. Brigh darted off into the rowdy crowd and he trailed behind her, bobbing along to the sea of people. A blanket of lasers covered the sea of people as a booming bass melody swept over the crowd. She smirked at him, moving her hips along to the music. He was captivated. Mals hands slowly dropped to her waist, gripping possessively as they closed proximity. He attempted to meet her gaze, "You have beautiful eyes." he complimented, slowly closing in.

BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

The smug look that Mal gave Brígh didn't permeate her sodden mind in the least. He finished his drink as she polished off hers, before dutifully starting on the next one. "The vote of confidence is appreciated," said Brígh tartly, but there was a playfulness to her tone. But before Mal could reply, she darted off to the dance floor.

Brígh danced like a siren song, the golden fabric of her dress shimmering in the lights of the club. She threw a look over at Mal, smirking at him from her vantage point. Within moments, he was beside her, his hands dropping to her waist as she moved in a sinful manner. Brígh pressed her back into his chest, enjoying the sturdiness of his body behind her. It felt nice to be chased, after all. Desired so openly. She reached a hand up, hooking it around the back of his neck.

Mal murmured a compliment in her ear, but it was so cringe that Brígh pretended to ignore him. But his breath was on her neck and Brígh was feeling a bit foggy. "I'm hot, I'm going outside," said Brígh at once, creating some very much needed distance between herself and Mal. She took a deep breath, and turned to Mal. "Are you coming?" she asked, tilting her head so her long red hair tumbled over her shoulder.

malcolm calan clark

[malcolm calan clark]

The music in the club was electrifying, sending the spirits high and endless booze flowing. Malcolm wasn't typically a dancer but he enjoyed being close to ladies. The proximity between he and Brigh was thrilling, his drunken inhibitions travelled her body sinfully. The thought of seeing Brigh at work hadn't crossed his mind at all. After closing the distance between them, he felt Brigh start to pull away, untangling from him on the dance floor and stating that she was hot.

The redhead asked if he was going to follow her outside and he trailed behind her. Well, she didn't have to pull his arm. Being an opportunist, he'd take a quiet moment alone with a pretty girl while Jack was preoccupied. The young man bobbed his head into a knowing nod at her previous statement. ”Yeah, you're pretty hot..” he agreed easily with a cheeky smile as she looked over her shoulder. Malcolm followed, sneakily grabbing two shots of tequila off of a parties tray as an unsuspecting server walked by. He handed one to Brigh with a sly smile and knocked it back with ease before leaving it on a table.

His eyes traveled to the beach, where waves gently lapped the shore that was mere feet from the bar. Malcolm turned to Brigh, "Lets go to the beach.." he suggested, seeing if she'd be down for spontaneous fun, or hell, maybe a snog..

BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Brígh trusted herself fully. She was completely smitten with Aidan, happy in a relationship that made her feel fulfilled. However, she did not trust Mal one bit. Despite enjoying the teasing and light flirting, and the way she had ground up against him as they danced, Brígh didn't want anything from him but a good time. She sank the rest of her drink and announced that she was hot and needed some air. Mal agreed that she was hot, another jibe that she dutifully ignored in favour of not blushing at the absolute cringe nature of his flirting. With a quick thanks, she downed the shot before leaving the empty glass on the table.

The night air was refreshing as it caressed Brígh's overheated face. It wasn't particularly cooler outside, not by a mile. But the open space did wonders for her. Mal suggested the beach and Brígh agreed immediately. A smile curled at the corner of her lips, her eyes flashing mischievously as she glanced from the sea to Mal. "Still hot out here, isn't it?" said Brígh, a hint of a challenge in her voice. And with that, she kicked off her heels, and set off across the sand.

With each step that brought Brígh closer to the sea, she became more emboldened. The breeze coming in from the water was pleasant, but still not enough. She pulled the gold dress up over her head, discarding it on the sand beside her. She didn't chance a look back at Mal, but her knickers and bra followed shortly after. Brígh stepped into the tide, pausing for a moment to revel in the feeling of the sand between her toes and the water cooling her skin. She wasn't afraid and she wasn't ashamed, but she stepped deeper into the sea, her confidence soaring and her temperature diving. When the water was up to her waist, she dived in, popping up after a moment. She turned back towards shore, and spotted the hulking figure of Mal, as well as two others darting along the boardwalk that lined the beach. There was a familiar flash of blonde hair that had Brígh smirking before she returned her attention to Mal. "The water's really nice..." she called out. "Unless you're afraid of getting a little wet!"

malcolm calan clark

[malcolm calan clark]

The pair made their way down to the beach, kicking off their shoes immediately as they reached the sand. Brigh was a bit more eager, stripping her clothes off and running straight into the water that shimmered in the moonlight. Malcolm smiled at the sight, admiring her naked form. He wasn’t shy in the slightest, having worked hard for his physique,  and loved any reason to get naked. Especially when initiated by a female. Without wasting any time, his pants and shirt hit the white sand, followed by briefs. He laughed, darting into the water, surprised how warm it was at night. Malcom easily treaded the water before going under and swimming out further to up the challenge. Naturally, he hoped they wouldn’t be a meal for any sea creatures. He never heard of shark attacks in Greece but...

His eyes widened as he pretended to see a shark behind her. ”Oh, shit, Brigh! Behind you!” he bellowed with a splash, ending with a drunken laugh and teasing smile. The boyish part of him trying to scare her so that she'd swim closer to him and he could make a move.

BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Brígh knew she was toeing the line between playful and appropriate, but the alcohol surged her forward. She could say no - she would say no. But the attention that Mal was drowning her in settled a warm fire within her. He had that broody face, where Aidan's was so open and loving. Brígh dashed into the water, diving under when it got deep enough to douse the flames stirring underneath her skin.

Brígh was quickly joined by Mal, who shouted at her. Her skin prickled as she looked around, but could see nothing of note. In the end, it was just a ruse, and he splashed her. Brígh couldn't help the snort of laughter that escaped her lips. "Prick!" she replied, though there was no venom in her tone. The water here was deep enough that she could barely touch the ground. "Why are you treading water?" asked Brígh, drifting over to him. "Isn't your monstrous height enough for you to stand? What good is being tall if you don't use it?" she added, placing her hands on Mal's shoulders and pressing down.

malcolm calan clark

[malcolm calan clark]

The ocean water was refreshing against his warm, sunburned skin. Waves lapped gently around them as he peered at the shore. It appeared further away at night but still peaceful. He could see the lazers in the club and bar area reflecting off the white building they were previously partying with their friends in. And he could see the light on in his and Jacks flat. That dirty dog made his way back with Addy...

Brigh handled the shark joke like a champ, truly unfazed. He laughed along with her as she snorted, drifted over to him, and asked why he wasn't using his height advantage in the deeper water. His feet touched the bottom and anchored in place as she pushed down on his shoulders. ”Oh..” he chuckled dumbly with a drunken smile of realization. Now his shoulders were no longer submerged as he touched the bottom of the ocean floor. He wouldn’t tell Brigh he got the creeps from touching the bottom and preferred to float, because he'd never admit being scared of anything to keep up the macho man façade. (Okay, other than maybe the occasional bee that surprised him.)

Mals arm hooked out so Brigh could use his height advantage, quite enjoying the view in front of him. His hazel eyes wordlessly searched for her electrifying gaze, fingertips trailing her bare back lightly to swoop her in without thinking twice as he leaned in to kiss her.

BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Brígh joked that Mal should be able to touch the bottom here, and there was a flash in his eyes of some mysterious feeling before he was chuckling and Brígh was giggling. The waves lapped over their bare bodies, and Brígh retracted her arms from his shoulders, suddenly realising how very close to each other they were. Had she ever noticed the tiny crease between Mal's eyebrows? Or the speckle of gold in his eyes? It spoke to their proximity that she could see both now in the light of the moon.

And then, Mal was leaning in to kiss her and there was a split second in which Brígh perhaps wanted him to. But the moment of insanity passed and she took a quick step back, losing her balance and splashing backwards into the water. As she surfaced, spluttering, Brígh scrubbed the water from her face as she looked warily at Mal. "We're colleagues," she reminded him carefully. She stood up, feeling rather ashamed of the whole thing. She had teased him - the skinny dipping was certainly too far. But it had just been so fun and freeing, such an adventure. And she didn't want it to quite end yet. So she made no mention of Aidan, even as she yearned for her boyfriend across the sea and the continent. How warm and comfortable he made her. How safe and secure she was with him.

Brígh ducked under the water once more (by choice this time) in a vague attempt to set her drunken mind straight. When she needed to breathe, she returned to the surface, and caught Mal's gaze. She dropped it quickly, instead looking up at the night sky. The stars winked at them, brightened by the light of the moon rather than bled out. "I haven't seen this many stars in years," she admitted quietly, praying that Mal would think twice about trying anything again. She knew she had the courage and self-awareness to say no, but it was the fact that the way he looked at her as if he wanted to eat her and give her an amazing, toe-curling experience that worried her.

malcolm calan clark

[malcolm calan clark]

Brigh clammed up immediately, which Mal wasn’t expecting. His fragile male ego had a hard time with rejection because he rarely heard the words ’no’ in his world. Instead, Brigh told him 'we're colleagues', drifting backwards into the water with a small splash. Mals jaw clenched, rolling his eyes with a smirk. Maybe just a hint of irritation. ”Seriously? We’re naked.” he countered, dumbfounded at such an excuse, he had to laugh. Since she made an effort to put distance between them, he wasn’t going to close the distance again. Mal wasn’t a complete creep.

As Brigh dove under water, probably to gain herself more time, she tried to change the subject by bringing up the stars. They were beautiful, but Mal was silent. He wasn't sure if she was hard to get or maybe just a tease. Hell, he was confused. Them being colleagues wasn't enough for him not to bed someone. He cared about his job but he also knew he'd probably ignore Brigh if he saw her at work anyways, since he was mister cool guy. Mal dunked his head in the water before shaking it out and looking back at Brigh like a Calvin Klein model, "What happens in Greece, stays in Greece.." he said with a cool guy stretch before falling backwards into the water.

BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Brígh had been taken aback by Mal's forwardness, and tripped backwards, landing on her ass with a resounding smash. There had been a moment, a millisecond where she had wanted him to kiss her. Then, Aidan's sweet face had flashed through her head and she was glad for the water knocking sense back into her. She tried to reason with Mal, citing that they were colleagues and they really shouldn't. Anything to make this less awkward than it had to be. The set of his face changed however at her dismissal, shifting so something more dangerous. Brígh scoffed at his observation. "Oh, well done. You know wearing clothes is just a construct by capitalism to make us spend money?" she shot back with a challenging glare.

To buy herself time, and to clear her head really, Brígh dunked under the water. She remained until her lungs burned before surfacing once more. She mentioned something about the stars, more to distract herself than anything. But Mal was persistent, and she was his quarry. And Merlin, did he look absolutely delicious when he shook the water from his hair and gave her that smouldering stare. She tried to swallow, but her mouth had gone dry. Pressure was building between her thighs, but Brígh refused to give into it. Mal's words rattled about in her head - she could keep this all to herself... but she struck out instead, placing some much needed distance between herself and the temptation that Mal presented. She wanted to keep playing games, but she was afraid of the fire that would surely follow. "I thought people only said that about Vegas..." she called after him, treading water.

malcolm calan clark