selfhelp | [Action/Written]

Entry tags:

[Action/Written]

[Billy has never thought of himself as one of those obsessive stalker boyfriends who needs to be attached at the hip to his significant other at all times. Really, he'd always figured they were pretty good about mutual space. A two-month separation with the potential of spending years in this place without seeing Teddy again is, however, apparently the trigger he'd needed to become one, so after one too many looks from Teddy - some patient, others not so much - he'd officially gotten himself banished from the apartment for the afternoon after too much worried lurking. Which is... not the greatest thing ever on a hot day like today, but ten minutes down the road he realizes that, yeah, he'd been a little ridiculous, either blowing off his responsibilities or dragging Teddy along for the ride. He's happy and eager to have Teddy here, but they'd lived separate lives at least half the time back home; no reason for that to not continue here as well.

It's just hard to let go after you've missed someone for that long.

Still, that's how he finds himself out and about for around five hours today, doing the following (in no particular order):

- a late lunch at Seventh Heaven
- searching around the library for comic books
- combat practice in the Battle Dome (with or without his trusty new teacher)

While at the library, a few sketches find their way into his journal, more or less like the following: this, this, and this. Some time afterwards, a scribbled message appears below.]

What are some good ways to deal with bad dreams?

[Once he's finished all his daily stuff, he'll be bringing groceries home around dinner time, in the hopes that he's allowed. Feel free to run into him at any time.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Technically, it's a movie quote. [One that may be before Billy's time, but Pepper doesn't need the reminder of the age difference. Sitting down at the table, Pepper places her bag neatly on the surface, off to the side and out of the way.] But yes, it's an oxymoron. One that probably applies in most healthy relationships.

What movie? [His is a somewhat selective preference, unfortunately. He nudges the plate of fries slightly in her direction as an inviting her to help herself if she wants.] It does make a twisted sort of sense.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. [Don't judge her Billy. It's a classic.

Pepper will take Billy up on that offer, since she's hungry and hasn't caught the attention of a waiter just yet.] Thank you. And I don't think it's twisted, exactly. If I spent every waking moment with Tony, I'd probably be twisted by now.

[She gives him a sympathetic look.] I'm guessing Teddy asked for some personal time?

...Oh, no wonder. My family's Jewish, we don't really watch the Christmas shows.

[At her question, though, his lips purse, and he sinks down to lean on the table, burying his face against his arms.]

He kicked me out. [And then, after a moment, adds hastily-] For the afternoon, I mean. Not forever or anything. It's just- he's right. I'm getting too clingy.

Oh, I see. Well, if you're ever curious, it is a cute movie.

[Then Billy sinks down, and yeah, it's a good thing that he added that descriptor. Superpowered or not, Pepper would've had to have words with Teddy if he'd meant it permanently.]

It's good you understand that, even if it isn't easy. I'm sure you missed him. [Like how Tony had missed her, signs of which Pepper still catches.] And you're living together now. That's a big transition for any couple even without the unusual circumstances.

...Actually... we were living together even before we came here, though it was a little different back home. Teddy moved in with me and my family a couple of months ago.

[And it's true that it is different, living in a busy household of six versus just the two of them, but shared living space isn't what's the problem. It's excessively shared personal space.]

[Pepper laughs at herself then.] Wow. That's what I get for assuming. Still, with your family has to be different than being by yourselves.

[She waves a hand, though, as if to dismiss the thought.] Anyway, the point is, it's important that you both have time for yourselves. Things that you can do that you like to do, but on your own.

I don't make it very obvious, but I'm usually a lot better at the whole personal-space thing. If it hadn't been so long, and if this place wasn't... what it was... I don't know. It's just harder to let go than it used to be.

[He'll get better in time. Probably. But the first few times are going to suck, he figures.]

You're right; you don't make it obvious at all.

[Pepper's teasing, but only a little. She feels bad for Billy, seeing him so clearly down.]

But since I doubt Teddy wants you to spend all of your time away from him moping, we'll have to see what we can do to make it easier. So, what would you do before you got here when you were on your own?

[Pre-Luceti which means pre-Tony's laundry. Pepper's trying to cheer up the kid, after all.]

[Thank god, because thinking about Tony Stark's underpants aren't going to make him very happy. Tony Stark in the underpants, maybe He mulls that over for a moment, pushing himself back into a better sitting position. In his mind his mother's voice is rambling about posture and blood flow to the brain and proper etiquette building character or... something...]

Well... back when I actually had free time, which barely exists once you're a super hero in NYC, I usually read novels or comic books, messed around on the computer, tried not to kill my little brothers... oh, and I used to draw a lot. Comics again.

[~~Sorry Billy. Tony in his underpants is for Pepper's eyes only.~~

She nods in understanding, since Pepper has been the one chasing down Tony ever since he took up the Iron Man mantle, tasked with trying to keep him on a schedule--also made by her, and followed less often than she wants to admit. Still, Billy lists off a few hobbies, and Pepper smiles at the last one especially.]

It looks like you still do. [She motions to the book in front of Billy.] And that you're good at it. Maybe you should expand on it.

[He blushes slightly at the compliment, feeling suddenly self-conscious; it takes a lot of willpower not to cover the paper up. He'd just been doodling, it's not that great...]

Expand on it? Like how?

Well, there's going to be a mural project. Maybe you can help with that? [Although that's a cooperative effort, and not quite the same style of Billy's doodles.]

Or you can get the supplies, and do actual drawings instead of just sketches in your journal. You know, I do have experience as a curator. [Sort of. Considering how valuable Tony's art collection had been, Pepper thinks it counts.] We could probably even set up a display of your works down the line.

...I... wh... are you joking? A display, like- like I'm an artist or something? I'm nowhere near that level! That's what professionals do!

[Ohgodohgodohgodohgod]

No, I'm not joking. It'd really just be a matter of finding the space--and of getting the work together, of course.

[Aw, Billy. So shy and cute.] Well, if it'd make you feel more comfortable, it wouldn't have to be just you. I'm sure there are other artists in Luceti--huh.

[Pepper's smile starts to widen, her eyes brightening.]

You know, that's actually a really good idea.

An... art gallery, you mean?

[Well... it might be nice? Make Luceti kinda cultural or something.

But the idea of it featuring anything of his with the label of "art" is still mortifying.]

Exactly.

[Pepper's very keen on the idea now that it's in her head. The mural had gotten a fairly strong response, so maybe an art gallery would too.

Ah, but Billy's not getting off the hook so easily.]

I wouldn't suggest it unless I thought you were good, Billy. You really should think about it.

[Uh. Uh. Um. Well.

Crud.]

I've never... really thought about doing art for real. It was just a hobby.

Well, it still will be. It's not like I can offer to pay you.

Think about it? It might help you work out a few things if nothing else.

[Then a thought occurs...an important one.]

Just one favor? If you do anything of Tony as Iron Man, don't tell him. He's already looking for something of himself to hang in his workroom.

...What if it was something embarrassing? Could I display that?

[Because the wheels of evil comedy are turning in his head already. Assuming he actually does have to draw stuff for this thing, anyway. He has a feeling she might win this one though.]

[Okay, so Pepper grins at that.]

Technically you can put together whatever your heart desires--although I do reserve the right to refuse anything that lacks appropriate artistic merit. [Billy is a teenager, and they can be cruel.]

Just because I'm not looking to boost Tony's ego doesn't mean I want to deflate it either. He is my boyfriend.

Killjoy.

[He smiles, though; he can appreciate that, since he'd be unhappy if anyone painted Teddy in a bad light, too. It's just not a thing you do - or, if you do it, don't show their significant other.]

I'll think about it, though. The art in general, I mean.

And that makes you sound like Tony.

[That's one of the nice things about Pepper and Tony's relationship: being able to poke fun at one another. And yes, it falls neatly in line with the unspoken rule of I can make fun of him all I want. You can't.]

I really do hope so. It might help you feel a little less alone when you're by yourself.

[Oh man, ouch. Back home that would actually be an insult.]

I must look pretty pathetic right now.

[Except Pepper 1) is not from your home, 2) loves Tony, and 3) is teasing. Remember that Billy.]

Why do you say that?

Re: [action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action] wow the html broke weirdly on that one

[action] it couldn't handle all the scantily-clad Tony talk.

[action] now I wanna see tony do a booty dance

[action] ...Pepper would hurt his ego by laughing, probably.

[action] it's okay, she surely wouldn't be alone there

[action] no, but she is his girlfriend.

[action] but she's probably seen him do worse, too

[action] there's youtube videos of him doing worse.

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

Re: [action]