selfhelp | [Action/Written]

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[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.]

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[Billy groans quietly, leaning his body into it. Yeah, that's definitely the right spot. Too bad he lacks a certain someone's healing ability to take care of those pesky marks.]

That's a pretty nice way to ask... you've almost convinced me.

Any way I can fully convince you? [He says with a nuzzle against the spot, hands moving back down to relax against the small of his back.] I think I asked pretty nicely already.

Mm... okay, yeah. You win. [Billy wiggles a bit to curl in closer, slumping lazily against Teddy's neck, his hand massaging gently over the bare skin of his chest and arm. It's cuddle time whether he likes it or not.]

[But weren't we just making out - oh okay then

Teddy wraps his arms around his back and presses his lips to Billy's shoulder, quiet with thought. Billy had shut up about the issue before Teddy could say much about it... It's bothering him enough to have nightmares about it, it's likely still bothering him now. And while he'd rather Billy talk to him about this, it's possible he might just have to get his own opinion in without it.]

Mmm hey [He says as he lifts his head up - ] Billy?

[hush dear this is what you do in relationships

Billy is quiet for a long moment, his eyes closed, quietly content with his position. He doesn't feel like moving, and Teddy's voice feels almost distant against his ear. This is nice.]

Mm...? What is it?

[There's another few seconds of silence as Teddy leans the side of his head against Billy's and starts to move his hand, fingers trailing up his spine.]

I couldn't care less where or who you came from, you know. Even if that creeper demon's related to you somehow, or if Magneto's your grandfather... You could be related to Galactus for all I care.

[Once his hand reaches the base of Billy's neck, he moves it to his shoulder instead, where he gently pushes him back, enough to really look into his eyes. And move his hand down to Billy's chest.]

That's what matters to me. The rest of it doesn't, because you're a good person in here. You're good and honest, you care about so many people. Nothing's going to change that.

[Billy goes still as Teddy begins to talk, confirming a fear that he hadn't known he'd still fretted about- that they weren't done talking about that particular issue. And while it's true they probably won't just dust it under the carpet like Billy wants, not if he keeps having these nightmares, he'd hoped for a bit of an emotional breather. The whole situation has gotten him more stressed than he'd care to acknowledge. And everything else that's happened since he found out hasn't helped, either...

But then he stops fussing and fretting and feeding his own paranoia and listens. When Teddy tugs him up to look him in the eye, he doesn't fight. He stares, worried and wide-eyed, into the calm, patient, loving gaze of his boyfriend, and he takes in every word. And for a moment he finds himself unable to breathe.

Because a lot of the time he doesn't feel like a very good person. He's snarky, snippy, prickly Billy Kaplan, with near-limitless power and a lot of selfish uses for it. Who never seems to care about what other people think of him, which begs the question, is it because he doesn't care about people? And that's... not super hero behaviour. It's hard to believe in yourself when you know yourself so well, and his thoughts have always been somewhat clouded with self-doubt. The sarcasm is a fun little shield that never fails to backfire on him.

And then there's Teddy, who saw past all of that, who's always able to smile at him, who's put up with some of the most callous and badly-timed comments imaginable. Teddy, who knows exactly what to say and when it needs to be said. Teddy, who can look at him like that, and he's not sure whether he wants to kiss him senseless or cry or just hug him forever.

Teddy, who says something like that about him and means it.

There's a lot he could say in response to that, a lot that would either smooth over or exacerbate the conversation. So many options, and nothing seems particularly satisfactory in the wake of what Teddy just said.

So, instead, his reply is this:]

...Galactus? Seriously?

[It's something Teddy saw in Billy even on the day they first met. Of course, Billy was staring at him like he'd punch him any second, and flinched at his offer to help a few times before he got used to the idea that a guy who looked like a jock and could turn into a big hulking monster could be a nice guy. His powers had only just surfaced, and there were many times where they just plain messed up. Setting his clothes on fire, causing it to rain instead of making lightning, accidentally frying Nate and causing a brief reboot.

But he tried so hard and so earnestly behind it. He didn't just wave off concerns or criticisms; he'd wince and apologize and try again despite having messed up, giving up very rarely. Honing his power wasn't just for himself, but to find a way to help people with them. To be like the heroes that they looked up to so much.

They were all young, stupid wannabes, yet they were all desperate to use their powers to help, to do some good for the people of their world. And no matter what came their way, Billy kept up his humor, his desire to be good, his want to help others.

That, plus several other things, are what made Teddy fall desperately in love with him in the first place, and keeps him so hopelessly in love with him.

Even now, with nothing to say except about his throwaway comment about Galactus, he feels his smile grow and that warmth in his chest to bloom.]

Galactus. Seriously. [Teddy leans in to press his forehead to Billy's and keep his palm against the other boy's chest, giving in to that sudden urge to feel his heartbeat.] What, did you want me to say Apocalypse? Still doesn't matter.

...Oh god. [Setting free a low groan, Billy closes his eyes, tilting his head to give Teddy's a gentle nuzzle. Beneath the blond's hand, his heart is beating loud and fast, and his fingers curl against the other boy's chest. His voice may sound normal enough, but his body is definitely showing signs that what Teddy had said wasn't being dismissed.] Don't even joke. If I was related to Apocalypse I would be hideous. No one would ever date me.

[It's a little vain, but he likes being ~~ridiculously~~ reasonably good-looking. He could've ended up with traits from Mephisto or Vision and how awkward would that be?]

So being related to Galactus is okay, but Apocalypse makes you undateable? I think I'd still date you anyway.

[It's obvious to Teddy, at least, and he returns that nuzzle while sliding that hand around to trail down his back again. He always feels this sense of love and pride when Billy listens to him on important issues such as this, and this one in particular is extremely important.]

But I have to say, I'm glad you got all the good looks whoever's in your family had to offer.

You have the worst taste.

[Billy sets free a soft, somewhat relaxed sigh, though, sliding down just enough to press his body against Teddy's, his head pillowed on the blond's chest, smiling faintly.]

I'm glad you feel that way, though. We make a pretty nice match.

The best match, you mean.

[Look at Kate and Eli. Or Tommy. And Vision and Cassie. Compared to their love lives, Billy and Teddy are pretty much the most well-adjusted out of all of them combined. Even some adult relationships don't seem to have it together.

Teddy's pretty sure he's a part of something wonderful with Billy. And he'd rather not lose that for as long as he lives.]

Mm-hmm. I stand corrected.

[Billy tilts his head just enough to press his lips against Teddy's jawline, letting the contact linger- less driven by desire or sex or anything needy this time. Just affection. Just love.]

...Thanks, T.

[He really does feel better.]

Mm.

[Teddy lets his actions speak for themselves; he brushes Billy's hair behind his ear, follows the shell, then traces the back of his fingers along his jawline.

He's happy Billy's feeling better. And he'll always be here whether he needs him or not.]

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