selfhelp | [IC] Appointments Post

[Billy laughs quietly, swinging himself back up to grab the branch with both hands, using it as leverage to get his legs unhooked.]

Okay, okay. Think fast, here I come.

[And then he lets go.]

Wha - [alskdfjaskdf JESUS CHRIST KAPLAN

Teddy was kind of expecting Billy to actually climb down, not just let go. Still, he's there to catch him, his brief surprise fading to amused exasperation, tinged with relief, once Billy's in his arms and lowered to sit on Teddy's lap.]

Ha... I didn't know Tarzan got out of trees like that.

[Billy just grins up at Teddy, completely relaxed and looking right at home in his boyfriend's lap. He hadn't had a single doubt that Teddy would catch him, and he knows Teddy likes this kind of thing. ...Although maybe not this particular method of getting it to happen, but Billy has to make it fun sometimes.]

I'm sure he fell out of his share of trees as a kid. I guess I'm lucky that you're "Jake" and not some giant man-eating jungle tiger.

[... ... ...

You know what he's thinking. I could totally change into that. And it sounds pretty awesome.

It's just there in his eyes as he rolls that last sentence over in his head. Giant man-eating jungle tiger...]

[He does know what Teddy's thinking, actually, and it makes Billy sigh in affectionate exasperation and set his hand over Teddy's face for a moment, as if to say no, Teddy as he sits himself up again to get a look at the display that Teddy's set up for the first time.]

Oh, wow. You really went all out, didn't you?

[Teddy ends up laughing when the hand is pressed to his face, and he's already peeling it off with a big grin on his face when Billy speaks up again. If Billy knew of his plans, Teddy would say that yeah, he did, and he had a big reason for going all out. Hell, if he didn't know, it'd be a pretty good opening to ask the big question.

But, again, he doesn't take the opportunity. Instead, he just holds Billy's hand in his own as he tilts his head around to get a good look.]

I thought it'd be cool - like, classic cool, if we did it the old way. Some of your favorites are in there. [Sure, he didn't have the basket to carry it all in. But that's a little too vintage there.]

No complaints here. There's so much that it's making my stomach growl already.

[Billy reaches for the nearest bit of food, something he'd started eyeing as soon as he spotted it, and dives right into the meal. Compared to some of the other meals Teddy's cooked, it's not like a picnic lunch takes a lot of skill, but Billy can definitely see the effort Teddy put into it all. It has him both pleased and intrigued, and he settles in next to Teddy, shoulder to shoulder, expressing his earnest pleasure as he discovers every little thing that his boyfriend thought to bring along.

Yeah, he's definitely going to have to come up with something good for their next date.]

[Teddy practically glows; he's so, so pleased, because nothing makes a cook feel better more than having the person they made everything for try it all and visibly express their approval. Especially for a chronic people-pleaser like him, something he'll likely never be fully cured of. Regardless, most of the dishes he brought along are Billy's favorites, like pierogies, one of the first things he made for him here.

He even brought extra servings of everything, seeing how much he likes to eat. It's enough that by the end, even he's feeling full, and there's still a bit left over. With one arm around Billy's waist, Teddy leans his head back against the trunk of the tree, shuts his eyes and smiles lightly, already feeling the need for sleep kicking in, just like the last few times he did this at home.]

Mm... Good stuff.

Definitely good stuff.

[Billy had filled up much earlier than Teddy, so by now he's settled in to sipping at his drink, nibbling at little bites here and there, and mostly just leaning against his boyfriend to enjoy the scenery and conversation. It's been so perfect, all of it, and he's so happy he ought to be glowing. Every now and then a breeze will knock off a loose cherry blossom, and he's tried catching the ones that get too close to the picnic blanket, so he even has a little collection of them to take home later, though he's not sure what for just yet. The memories alone are plenty reason.

Teddy's posture catches his attention after a moment, and he glances up, prodding the blond in the stomach.]

Hey, no falling asleep. I can't carry you home.

[The prod makes Teddy clench his eyes for a second before he stretches his arms up, arches his back, and gives a half smile as he relaxes again.]

I'd like to see you try.

[... But oh, are they going home already? And he hasn't even - okay, okay, not just yet, they have to gather everything and... Well, it's not finalized or anything, so maybe he has a bit of time still...]

So... Wanna stay out here a bit longer, or...?

I don't mind staying.

[Not at all, actually. The scenery's beautiful, and the company is even better. But the company bit is the part he's kind of stuck on.]

It's just that I didn't bring a book or sketching paper or anything. What am I to do if my only source of entertainment dozes off?

[OH THANK GOD -

Not that. He doesn't want to do it or anything, its just. Really kind of scary, the closer to The Moment he gets, is all.

That statement makes Teddy roll his eyes though, and he lifts a hand to lightly poke the side of Billy's neck.]

Wow, so that's all I am to you? A source of entertainment?

[Billy leans back slightly dramatically, as if the poke had actually wounded him.]

The truth comes out, and it offends him! I'm doomed, doomed.

[Teddy grins as he leans in to sets his hands on either side of Billy's hips, just waiting to lift them up under his shirt for a tickle attack. The situation is just begging for it.]

Come on, I've got to be other things. Like... mouth feeder, massage therapist...

Wow, you want a list now? How about... transporter, dog walker, shopping aid, delivery man, sex toy...

[He half-knows what's coming, but he doesn't squirm away from it, waiting to see what happens. He does shift his knees in a bit, ready to push himself back if he needs to escape fast.]

[Okay, the last one makes Teddy hang his head with a huff of laughter, then shake it with slight disbelief before he lifts it up again.]

Oh my god, you're the worst.

[Aaaaand GOING FOR IT Billy better be ready to escape, because Teddy's decided that's the opportunity to lunge for a full on tickle attack.]

[OH GOD IT HAPPENED. Billy yelps despite having waited for it, twisting his body and trying to squirm away. This sort of thing often becomes a war between Teddy's strength and Billy's flexibility and/or years of tussling with his siblings. Only time will tell which side wins out.

In the meantime, he's trying (and failing) not to laugh.]

[There's that free, unrestrained laugh that Teddy loves. But right now he's focused on keep Billy trapped under his hands, leaning a little further forward to ensure this. He's not being tickled, but he still laughs, unable to hold back that and the huge grin from getting the upper-hand here, though he's pretty sure it won't last long. Billy has a knack for squirming out of his grip somehow to get right back at him.]

[Billy doesn't even try to tickle back yet - Teddy has this knack for shifting something and making it a less-than-helpful method of defense anyway - instead wriggling his body and trying to roll away, his chest shaking with muffled giggles. He uses his tucked legs to dig his foot into the dirt and push, sliding his body over the blanket, though not quite out of reach just yet. It's all he can do not to fall right over.]

Oh god- oh god, unfair-

Do you surrender?!

[With Billy pushing himself away, Teddy attacks his legs instead, just waiting for the right or wrong answer. Right answer means moving away, wrong answer means launching right back to his sides again. Choose wisely.]

I'll never surrender!

[He says it with a stammer, still fighting laughter, letting himself fall back and trying to roll and twist away. He can't cave that easily, not when they've only just begun. And Teddy looked about to fall asleep a minute ago, so maybe he has a chance...!]

I'm going to go get a coffee. You ought to join me.

Right now? The coffee shop? I can meet you there.

[It's unusual to meet on a Wednesday, though. He's wondering what's up.]

Yes. I shall see you there.

[He's already there, at a table, with a book in his hands and his journal next to him.]

[It takes Billy a bit longer, since he has to walk there, but he was in the general area anyway, so before too much time passes he arrives at the shop, sliding into the opposite side of the booth.]

Hey, you. What're you reading?

[IC] Appointments Post

[Action, March 14th]

[Action, March 14th]

[Action, March 14th]

[Action, March 14th]

[Action, March 14th]

[Action, March 14th]

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[Action, March 14th]

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[Action, March 14th]

[Written] March 5

[Written] March 5

[Written] March 5

[Action] March 5