[There's no hesitation in Billy's response, only a contented smile and a slight shiver. Now that they've stopped moving for a moment he cuddles in closer, pressing his body against Teddy's and wrapping his arms around him. It's not that cold, but it's still so much warmer to be up close and cozy with the one he loves. He could stay like this forever.]
And thank you... for this. For everything. I can't think of anything I'd rather do than... be here, with you.
[It's more than just the skating. The skating's fine; it's still not his sport of preference and it's still too cold to be something he'd suggest himself but with Teddy, it's fun. With Teddy, he can smile and laugh and give it his all without fear of failing and being put down for it. With Teddy he knows that he's safe and respected and loved.
It's the skating, and it's the time and effort he's put into dragging Billy back out of his depression and finding ways to make him feel alive again. It's the way he never gave up, not once, even when he was struggling with his own identity and suffering in silence. It's the way he's always put Billy first, even with how selfish and self-loathing Billy himself could be. It's the way he can say that Billy is all his has with a straight face, truly believing it, pouring his all into keeping the person he treasures safe, healthy, and happy, and...
It's not just the skating. It's so, so much more than the skating. It's everything he wishes he could be in return, everything he's trying to be the further away he gets from the memories of what he'd done during his possession, with their anniversary sitting neatly between like a wall against the bad. Billy holds on tightly, burying his face in the crook of Teddy's shoulder, and breathes in deep the scent of him- the fresh air out here is great, but nothing makes him feel more alive than Teddy's smell. Just knowing he's close and holding him is enough.
I want this. I want this as long as the universe lets me have it. As long as you want it. I want to be right here with you...]
[Action, January 8th]
[There's no hesitation in Billy's response, only a contented smile and a slight shiver. Now that they've stopped moving for a moment he cuddles in closer, pressing his body against Teddy's and wrapping his arms around him. It's not that cold, but it's still so much warmer to be up close and cozy with the one he loves. He could stay like this forever.]
And thank you... for this. For everything. I can't think of anything I'd rather do than... be here, with you.
[It's more than just the skating. The skating's fine; it's still not his sport of preference and it's still too cold to be something he'd suggest himself but with Teddy, it's fun. With Teddy, he can smile and laugh and give it his all without fear of failing and being put down for it. With Teddy he knows that he's safe and respected and loved.
It's the skating, and it's the time and effort he's put into dragging Billy back out of his depression and finding ways to make him feel alive again. It's the way he never gave up, not once, even when he was struggling with his own identity and suffering in silence. It's the way he's always put Billy first, even with how selfish and self-loathing Billy himself could be. It's the way he can say that Billy is all his has with a straight face, truly believing it, pouring his all into keeping the person he treasures safe, healthy, and happy, and...
It's not just the skating. It's so, so much more than the skating. It's everything he wishes he could be in return, everything he's trying to be the further away he gets from the memories of what he'd done during his possession, with their anniversary sitting neatly between like a wall against the bad. Billy holds on tightly, burying his face in the crook of Teddy's shoulder, and breathes in deep the scent of him- the fresh air out here is great, but nothing makes him feel more alive than Teddy's smell. Just knowing he's close and holding him is enough.
I want this. I want this as long as the universe lets me have it. As long as you want it. I want to be right here with you...]