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.]

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[Time to impart some wisdom.] My friend taught me this one. First, you have to know you're dreaming. We can do whatever we want in them, but not always on purpose. So get in the habit of asking yourself if you're dreaming. This is a good trick. Say "if I'm dreaming, I could make beer or food here now". If it doesn't show up, you're awake. Try it again later, and if it works, you know you're dreaming. Then you can do anything you please.

[That sounds a little bit like wishful thinking, to him. Then again, he's never actually tried it.]

What if it feels too much like you're just an observer? Like you're watching some kind of messed up play in your own head.

It could still apply. You can try to wish yourself out of the play. I know it sounds stupid, but it works. The trick is to know you're dreaming.

[Hahaha... well, he's certainly wished himself out of worse scenarios. It's just that usually he was awake for it...]

Right... I'll give it a try then, I guess. Thanks for the advice.

[You and your superpowers, Billy.] I'm glad I could help. I've been having the same problem, but the trick helps. Though if it doesn't, you could always talk to Doctor Law. He might be able to help.

[Same problem, eh? He makes a mental note of that.]

You really think this is something worth bothering a doctor about? It's not like I'm hurt or anything.

Only if you deem it necessary. If it starts getting so you can't sleep, you should ask him.

I don't want to start drugging myself over this. It's just a dream.

[He's not a therapy case, his mother would be so ashamed.]

[He's glad to see that Ace is using his advice and even recommending it to others, (play it forward Ace!) so Marco will just add to/expand what he can.]

Depends on why you're having nightmares.

Just a dream. Is that right? [So this is how Marco felt. Well, Ace is going to take a risk here.]

Do you want to talk about it? That alone can work wonders.

[When has he ever wanted to talk about it?]

It's kind of... involved. And hard to explain.

There isn't any kind of universal remedy for this sort of thing?

[He was hoping for advice, like a cup of cocoa before bedtime or something, but now people want to talk about it... erk.]

Okay, then we don't have to talk about them. But if you've got a friend or someone you trust here who does understand it, you should tell them.

Trust me, it only hurts them a lot more when you don't. [AND HE SEES YOU DOWN THERE, MARCO, GOSH.]

[Talk to a friend, huh.

Well, Teddy probably hasn't been here long enough to notice, but he will eventually if this keeps up. Maybe it's time.]

This kind of thing doesn't just go away eventually, does it.

[It's about time Teddy got a break, seriously. He loves Billy Kaplan with all his heart, but there are times when he'd like to be alone, you know? Even just a few hours to himself would be nice. He can understand why Billy's so attached to him, and he's been patient and supportive of him, but he just needs a bit of alone time. Enough to get out and explore on his own, either just looking at buildings and people, or silently ogling characters he recognizes.

It's about when he's in the general store that he sees a message from Billy. Not to him, but to the general public. A request, and drawings. Teddy knows what this is about, and it makes him grow a little somber as a result.

So, he decides that Billy ought to come home to something good.

He takes a few things from the store, at first digging in his pockets for change before realizing that he doesn't need it, then awkwardly makes his way out while trying not to feel like he just stole something. Still, the items he got are pretty important right now.

Because when Billy gets back a few hours later, he might smell something delicious coming from the kitchen and the apartment. The kitchen's been cleaned, though the smell still lingers. Might want to check out what's up, huh, Billy?]

Edited 2012-07-19 09:43 (UTC)

It can. [That much is true, he knows it.] I had nightmares pretty badly for a few months until my brother made me talk about it. He taught me that trick, and you know what? I've barely had nightmares this past month. Talking about it isn't easy, and it probably never will be. But trust me, it'll turn out better for you and others.

[Actually no. Keep your problems to yourself. He doesn't even know you. ~~And Marco's not as nice as Ace.~~]

Sometimes it can be what you eat before you sleep causing you problems. Or what you're sleeping on. Or in.

[Barely...? If it's that effective, then he definitely needs to give it a try. He's tired of waking up the way he has the last several weeks, since the draft ended, and it came and went even before then. Enough is enough. Especially since he has no way to get answers in this place.]

I do have someone I can talk to, so there's that.

[WHAT A RELIEF.]

Sleeping in? It's just a bed.

I meant like pjs or something. If you're sensitive to heat it could be affecting you while you sleep.

Then there you go. Words of comfort can often do a lot better than medicines, anyway. [And this is speaking from plenty of experience. He just hopes it'll help this kid, too.]

I hope things get better for you. By the way, my name is Ace. Nice to meet you.

[The scent of whatever is cooking (or already cooked) meets his nose as soon as he hits the floor, and since it's so obviously food, Billy pokes his nose in the kitchen to check it first, hoping to see what's on the menu - whether it be his or someone else's. Finding it clean and abandoned, he follows the scent to his apartment, brows lifting. Maybe Susan started cooking early today? Whatever it is, it smells amazing. And oddly familiar.

He juggles his bags over into one hand to get the door open, glancing around in search of his boyfriend or their floormate.]

Teddy?

Oh, clothes. Got it. [Wow, he'd never have thought of that.] It has been pretty warm the last few weeks- more than usual, anyway.

[No small relief there. He's not a fan of drugs, medicinal or otherwise.]

Nice to meet you, too- and thanks again for your help. I'm Billy.

Aye. I can't get used to a regular rotating four-season weather system at all, it's too bizarre.

Try doing something to cool your room down and see if that helps.

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