[It only takes a moment, just a few words and a simple touch, one he's done hundreds of times before, but hardly ever carried the same meaning behind it before, and it's like everything's changed again. Billy sets free a quiet exhale, shuddering briefly beneath Teddy's fingers, and finally surrenders to that urge to shift away and pull back- only to return again, not leaving but re-positioning himself to let his knees straddle Teddy's thighs on the couch, the pose meant to be intimate rather than sexual, facing him properly and pressing close. He lifts both hands, touching his palms gently against Teddy's cheeks, and leans in to rest their foreheads together, thumbs gently stroking.
He knows. He knows Teddy's only saying all of this out of worry. Out of fear, even. Because he had so little to begin with, and yet he's already lost so much. In this place especially, all they really have is each other, but even back home Teddy has precious little to call his own. Billy can't imagine how he'd feel if their roles were reversed, nor does he want to.
How can he possibly be upset with Teddy for trying to protect him? It's part of what made him fall for the other boy in the first place. Part of what made Billy love him so much.]
You're not going to lose me.
[His voice is firm when he finally speaks, no longer uncertain or shaky- not angry, or upset, or even sad anymore. It's strong, determined, full of an unshakable conviction. The tone of someone who knows what he wants, who is willing to fight for it.]
Not ever. Not ever, Teddy. I promise- I'll be right here with you.
[Even if he goes home tomorrow. Even if he goes home tonight. Even if Teddy's fears are right and Loki's planning something horrible, and betrays them all, and everything goes wrong-
This is where he belongs. Right here with Teddy. This is what he'd always choose, if he was forced to make such a choice.]
[action; january 28th]
He knows. He knows Teddy's only saying all of this out of worry. Out of fear, even. Because he had so little to begin with, and yet he's already lost so much. In this place especially, all they really have is each other, but even back home Teddy has precious little to call his own. Billy can't imagine how he'd feel if their roles were reversed, nor does he want to.
How can he possibly be upset with Teddy for trying to protect him? It's part of what made him fall for the other boy in the first place. Part of what made Billy love him so much.]
You're not going to lose me.
[His voice is firm when he finally speaks, no longer uncertain or shaky- not angry, or upset, or even sad anymore. It's strong, determined, full of an unshakable conviction. The tone of someone who knows what he wants, who is willing to fight for it.]
Not ever. Not ever, Teddy. I promise- I'll be right here with you.
[Even if he goes home tomorrow. Even if he goes home tonight. Even if Teddy's fears are right and Loki's planning something horrible, and betrays them all, and everything goes wrong-
This is where he belongs. Right here with Teddy. This is what he'd always choose, if he was forced to make such a choice.]