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

Oh, that's easy.

[And it is- it's like the most basic of yoga moves, and he's been doing that for years. To his toes go his fingers!]

Rest your hands flat on the ground.

[Not that much more difficult, but. Baby steps.]

[Baby steps indeed. This takes a little more effort, but he manages it; he's all spindly limbs so he doesn't have much mass to get in the way when he stretches, at least.]

Like this?

[Holding position...!]

Yes, very good. Now move your feet as far apart as you are able without bending your knees.

[Zevran settles across from Billy in a similar posture, working his way down into an even split.]

Like so.

Ah, geez, this is one I had so much trouble with back home. I'm better on my knees.

[The implications of that statement don't even occur to him as he focuses on the pose, easing himself slowly downwards. He can't get quite all the way, but with stretching being his main form of daily exercise, he gets pretty darn close.]

Most people are, you'll find. And certainly more agreeable while they're on their knees as well!

[A low crackle of laughter as he reaches out, giving Billy's shoulder a nudge.]

Posture. Sit up as straight as you can.

[Billy feels yet another hot blush crossing his cheeks as the implications sink in, and he resists the urge to slump, instead following the instructions and sitting up a bit.]

Will this help?

[Actually, it does feel a bit more natural. His mom is always complaining about his posture, so...]

[He is a terrible, terrible man, but leaving Billy flustered is just so amusing. He shakes his head, grinning at his own wickedness.]

It is a more natural posture, and uses a slightly different set of muscles in your legs for the split. Working with flexibility in these is easier. Now you are as far down as you can manage comfortably, yes? Try just a little bit further.

Preferably without breaking my pelvis or something.

[It's half-muttered, and somewhat reluctant, but after a pause he edges himself down a little further. Okay, he can definitely feel the strain, now.]

Only so much that you feel slightly uncomfortable, not so much that you feel pain.

[This was the tricky part- finding one's own limitations. Listening to your own body. It was difficult to teach but Billy was young enough that he should be able to sort it out.]

Good? Good. Now hold. For...sixty seconds. Then pull back up to where you were comfortable.

Sixty seconds, are you kidding!?

[He's already struggling with just a few! His legs are going to fall off if he holds it that long.]

Breathe through it and focus on something aside from the sensation. Like...your special someone, your favorite hobby, what it is you intend to do once you are limber enough to fold yourself in half without any trouble whatsoever- whatever strikes your fancy.

...Uh. Well. [That was... blunt. Ahem.

This guy just loves to make him blush, doesn't he?]
Right... okay.

[Aaaand he gives it a try anyway, eyes closed, stubbornly squashing his embarrassment (again). He thinks about Teddy, and then drawing, and then drawing Teddy, because it's a nice hobby with a nice view and ohgod don't start thinking about what he said, Kaplan-]

[He's being polite. He can be so much more blunt Billy, you have no idea. Zev shakes his head and settles into the stretch, thinking on Isaac. Lovely, violent Isaac. it's an easy enough way to pass the time until he's counted off sixty seconds and reaches over to nudge Billy's shoulder.]

And up.

[PHEW. Billy lets out a sharp exhale, relaxing his body until he's back in a more comfortable position. For such a short exercise, he's oddly exhausted.]

Wow... I didn't expect it to be that intense.

[Zev eases up a bit as well, offering Billy a smile.]

Most never do. Rest a bit, and then repeat. Eventually you will be comfortable here and be able to move farther.

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