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[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.]
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.]
[action]
It's just like it is in the comics, B! The danger signal and everything! [He scoots closer to touch shoulders with Billy, holding the badge between them as if to let them both look at it.] What'd you even do to earn this?
[action]
[Seriously that is like all he did. And then she got him ice cream.
...Oh god, has he been adopted or something.]
[action]
Oh, I get it. She found out your real secret power.
[action]
[A bit of the enthusiasm seems to fizzle and fade into a sulk as he clues in to what Teddy's implying there.]
That is not a secret power.
[action]
[He ruffles the back of Billy's head with his free hand, and his grin softens.]
I'm just kidding, you know. Whatever you did, I'm sure she had a good reason to give it to you.
[action]
[Billy takes the pin back, setting it down on his bedside table, his expression dismissive as he does so, until he abruptly rolls back and hooks a leg over Teddy's body to straddle him, going back to teasing the blond's neck with lips, teeth, and tongue. He wasn't finished with that, thank you very much.]
It's an art.
[action]
not that Teddy's complaining
nope, he just sets his hands on Billy's hips and lets out laughter, both from surprise and amusement, though it trails into a light sound of pleasure.]
Fine - ah, an art you've mastered, then. So does that make you the Fantastic Four's honorary fifth member?
[action]
Billy doesn't respond for a moment - mouth is occupied - but when he does, his hands are braced against Teddy's shoulders, nuzzling idly beneath his chin.]
Sue said we were the Fantastic Two, so I guess the Luceti version still has room to grow. You know, in case you're hoping to be a part of the team.
[HE KNOWS YOU WANT TO]
[action]
Teddy shuts his eyes, leans his head back against the headboard and gives a wide smile, both over how good this feels and the way Billy says that.]
You know me way too well, B. I haven't really done much yet, though... I can't master that art like you do. [Never mind that his ability can make him pull off a damn impressive pathetic face, but Billy's just naturally good at it, there's a difference. His hands smear up his back and right to the base of his wings, just barely touching the ends of the feathers.] It's okay, I'll just sit here in unbearable envy until maybe I can get in with you.
[action]
[Billy scoffs quietly at the very idea of Teddy not being good at it- he's had plenty of times where a single look gets him exactly what he wants. Though he suspects that it wouldn't work on Susan as well as it works on Billy himself...
Still, he has plenty of merits. Billy shivers at the feel of Teddy's fingers against his wings, lifting his head to trail a line of kisses up Teddy's neck and across each cheek.]
I'll let you wear the pin if you ask nicely.
[action]
[action]
That's a pretty nice way to ask... you've almost convinced me.
[action]
[action]
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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?
[action]
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?
[action]
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.
[action]
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?
[action]
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.
[action]
[It's a little vain, but he likes being
ridiculouslyreasonably good-looking. He could've ended up with traits from Mephisto or Vision and how awkward would that be?][action]
[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.
[action]
[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.
[action]
[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.]
[action]
[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.]
[action]
[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.]