selfhelp | [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

Yeah, so I've seen. High school romances...

[He smiles, looking a breath away from laughter, but his smile is fond and genuine.]

Maybe I wouldn't think this way with anybody else, I don't know. I just... know I have a really amazing thing with Teddy. I don't ever want to lose that.

[Seriously, do you know how hard is it to find someone who puts up with all of his crap? And Teddy can protect himself, that's a huge added bonus for a super hero's partner.]

[Give Pepper a second here. Billy used adorable, and it is super effective.]

Wow. That is really sweet.

[A blush crosses his cheeks at that, and he ducks his head, hastily waving it off.]

It's probably just easier to fall for someone when they've saved your life a few times.

[Which is oversimplifying it, of course, but it certainly doesn't hurt. There's a certain sense of romanticism about being carried out of safety in a strong pair of arms and a handsome face.

Oh god. That was such a damsel thought.]

Not... that I do it on purpose.

I guess I can't really argue that too much, since the first time Tony and I kissed was after he saved mine.

[Oh, but that next comment gets a look. Raised eyebrow and all.]

I really hope not. There are much better ways to keep a guy interested than putting yourself in mortal danger.

[Ahaha. She sounds like Teddy now, lecturing him on getting into trouble.]

If it helps any, we started going out while we were still training?

That actually makes it sound like you're putting yourself in increasingly dangerous situations to keep his attention. Which isn't helping your stance any, no.

You telling me that you're not actually doing it for that reason might help more.

Okay, okay. I can tell you with 100% honesty that I have never tried to get myself killed to seduce my boyfriend.

There you go. Now you sound like a rational person who doesn't need an intervention staged on their behalf.

My sanity thanks you. [He finally grins; the seriousness of their previous conversation is dusted neatly under the carpet and forgotten for the moment, just the way he likes it.]

Your sanity is quite welcome. [Pepper's glad to see Billy relax again, after the hard topics.] Luckily I'm pretty good at figuring out what people should say to project a positive image.

Did you write Tony's speeches for him? That wouldn't surprise me at all.

[Not that he paid much (if any) attention to his speeches ever, but he doesn't strike Billy as the sort of guy who would plan that.]

The ones he's supposed to give, usually. The ones he actually makes?

[Pepper shakes her head.] He comes up with things like calling himself the greatest Phoenix metaphor ever personified completely on his own.

The ego of Tony Stark- never failing to impress.

[At least it's spoken in good humour. He kind of likes it over the seriousness of the battle-hardened Avenger he knew back home.]

Impress is one word for it. And technically true, but it still sounds too flattering.

[Secretly, Pepper does too, even if it's a bit much sometimes.]

Well, you did make the rules. If I'm not allowed to mock him openly, I have to do it with sarcasm instead.

[That's more his style anyway.]

Right. And I'm not so cruel as to take that away from you. [Honestly, a bit of humor is necessary when dealing with Tony anyway.]

Your consideration is appreciated, then.

[He grins, finishing off the last cold french fry, leaning back in his seat and glancing around.]

I didn't notice it was getting so late... I've got a few more places to be before I head home, so I should probably get going. I'm glad you caught me here, though- the company was nice.

And I should probably get something more than french fries for lunch.

[Pepper grins and waves at Billy.]

I'll see you later.

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