Breakfast had been delightful and he'd eaten like a man just released from prison, scarfing down equal amounts of coffee and bacon to go along with his eggs and three whole danishes. That's right. Three. It was all due to the psychological duress caused by the sudden kidnapping Dare had suffered from the diminutive singer. Now, they were standing in line and he was happy he'd brought his hoodie with him..because that wind would have ruined any enjoyment he'd managed to build up. Well. Almost any. His eyes moved to Penny for a moment and he reached up to rub his jaw while he glanced ahead to see how much closer they were getting to the ticket booth.
And then, of course, there was the pair of young men behind them. Talking loudly about the best Alpha Psi Theta kegger that had ever existed, how the Deuces rocked harder than anyone else, and how their own exploits would probably be legendary by next year. A deep breath was taken through his nose to calm his pulse a bit, as those types of entitled and pompous guys raised his hackles. Another few steps taken forward and he decided to look around, glancing back at the pair while appearing to look over the length of the line behind them. Dare ignored the sizing-up he received from them both or the way they kept going on, seeming to embellish more on how popular they had been. He even ignored the blatant look one of them cast at Penny's backside. But then, well, he caught a hint of the thoughts that were passing through the fellow's head.
Truly (at least Dare thought so) it was accidental. Reflexive. Done without premeditation. But the quick flash of mental images caused his fist to tighten, knuckles going white as he turned to look at the man and his eyes narrowed for a second as they made eye contact. The next second, the man's hand lashed out and a fist connected with his friend's cheek. The sudden cry of pain turned into outrage and the fellow who had tried to stare down Dare stood looking shocked, then he was snapped down to the ground with a tackle. The two fraternity brothers were busy brawling while Dare and Penny kept moving forward, a hand's gentle insistence on the small of Penelope's back.
It was probably the humming that gave away he'd done something roguish and was feeling very pleased with himself.