selfhelp | [IC] Appointments Post

[They're so close, and he can feel it- the return of Twila's voice, louder now, just as desperate and frightened as Billy had been while draining Teddy just moments ago. But Billy isn't scared anymore. He feels calm, completely at peace, and more than anything, content, satisfied, which means that nothing Twila might try to offer him is unnecessary. He has everything he needs right here, right now, connected to his heart, soul, and mind by a tiny strand of blue, by touching foreheads and interlocked fingers.

But with that calm comes understanding, and he realizes what he needs to do now.

It's okay. It's fine, really.

We won't lock you up again. You're safe now. Just let us go, and it'll be okay. We can both be free.

Please, go.

He feels a tug, a hesitant whisper, a tremble that goes straight to his core, his hands shaking against Teddy's. And then he inhales sharply as the magic net is breached, the shadows bursting outwards for a second before they settle, flowing out of him and dissipating like a cold black mist.

Only when it's finally gone does he let himself breathe again, shaking and gasping, wearily clinging to Teddy like a lifeline. He releases the spell, the magic fading around them, and he feels like crying again for a very different reason.

They did it. Together, they did it. He's free.]

[Nala more than anything feels the shadows disperse. It's pride he feels, from himself and from her. Pride, sympathy, and determination, for this to never happen again.

Teddy hasn't stopped glowing yet, because Nala is still there, yet her own power is starting to wane. His body dims, and his still glowing eyes shut while he feels in tune with the spirit for the last time.

Thank you. I might not be here if it wasn't for you.

You helped us both. You helped set us free.

Thank you.

Now, go.

There's another touch just like when he first felt Nala possess him, that feeling of a mother's touch caressing him, a sensation he still remembers. As her own light rises out of his back, the glow in his hands fade, and finally, his wings, and Nala's spirit fades away as if it were rising into the air and separating, influencing everything.

Immediately, Teddy breathes harder again, feels tired again, but he can't stop smiling, and even he feels tears prick at his eyes. They did this, together. They're free.

He opens his eyes, not even bothering to hide the wetness, and lets out a weak chuckle.]

Hey... we did it.

[Billy starts slightly at Teddy's voice, eyes flickering open to meet his boyfriend's. There's tears in his eyes again, already trickling down his cheeks, but when he sees the light gone around them, feels the difference in the air - normal temperature now, the warmth of their bodies and no chills, no dark and cold surrounding them - he leans forward to press his forehead against Teddy's, a soft, hiccuping sob escaping his lips before he manages a smile.]

We did... we did it...

[It's such a relief, such a relief that Teddy feels the wetness in his eyes travel down his cheeks, just a few, and he lets out another quiet chuckle, wishing he could laugh. But as soon as he shifts to get in a better position -

It's as if his body finally realized just how much it had been through. Healing every person he saw who was injured, every animal, his power being taken advantage of by Twila-folk, both his boyfriend and others alike, and finally, this massive purging of the spirits...

That feeling he couldn't identify earlier, that "pass out" feeling, is returning, but this time it's even stronger. Enough that everything fades out, making him break the contact between their foreheads to hang his head and sway, and then everything blackens, making him pitch forward and not even feel it as he ends up falling into Billy's lap.

It's a short black-out though, and just as soon as he's down, he's awake again, blearily so, and blinks hard a few times while holding his head.]

Ugh...

[Short as it was, the black-out was enough to send Billy into a panic. Teddy's unexpected weight on him had pushed him backwards, and he has to scramble to grip the couch cushion for balance, dragging himself back up and pulling Teddy with him, clutching the other boy to his chest.]

Teddy? Teddy!?

[His voice is pitched with fear, breath quickened, like when Teddy had been pushing for a kiss, and now he's scared that it was too much, that he'd fought and released Twila too late. He shakes Teddy gently, tucking the blond against his shoulder and brushing his hair back to see his eyes. When he stirs, Billy finds that he can breath again, but the fear is still very much there.]

Oh god, oh god, Teddy...

[When some clarity returns to him, Teddy's first thought is How did I get here? It makes him frown a little with confusion, because one moment he was sitting in front of Billy and touching foreheads, and the next, he's in Billy's arms with his head against his shoulder...

But when realization comes to him, his eyes widen slightly, and he glances at the spot where he once was before he looks at Billy again. Did he seriously just - Has he ever -

Those thoughts don't stop him from noticing the look on Billy's face, and so Teddy lifts up his hand, heavy as it feels, to stroke his cheek.]

Hey, hey, it's okay, I'm - [God, everything still feels dizzy and muted and dull. Teddy shuts his eyes and lets out a quiet groan before he keeps going.] I'm okay, I'm just... not feeling so hot.

[Billy watches him closely, feeling sick with worry; Teddy's hardly ever like this, his healing ability taking care of pretty much any injuries or weakness, never getting sick... and in a flash of realization Billy is reminded of the draft, of the Skrulls attacking.

And he did this.

He flinches slightly, then pushes his guilt aside - there'll be time for that later - and reaches up to grab Teddy's hand, tugging it down from his cheek and pulling the blond back against his shoulder, gently stroking his hair.]

I-I... god, I'm so sorry... just relax, try to rest. I'll take care of you.

[He can't fix this, much as he wishes to; exhaustion can't be healed. But he'll do whatever he can to help.]

Mmm. [Relaxing and resting sounds good right about now. And the fact that Billy's here, the fact that he can sink into his warmth, his warmth, and not have to fear him. There's still an urge to push him away, wired into him after too many times of getting partially drained. But he pushes it back down, because this? This is home. This is where he belongs, in Billy's true warmth, just Billy and no one else.

Which brings up his next question, as he opens his eyes again to look up at him wearily.]

Can you stay for a while? [Maybe he's not normally so vocally needy, and he doesn't like the way that came out of his mouth, but...

It's been a while, and he's missed this so much.]

God, as if I'd go anywhere...

[A part of him wants to keep himself as far from Teddy as possible, in case something's still wrong with him, but he wants to make up for what he has done already, and that means respecting Teddy's wishes. Though it helps that the rest of him just wants to cling for all he's worth. He glances around, noting the pathetic state of the couch, then holds Teddy closer, murmuring under his breath for a moment. He's tired too, but he has enough power for at least one spell; when the blue light around them fades, they're on the bed, and he nudges Teddy into lying down, kissing his forehead.]

Sleep, okay? Don't worry, I'll be near.

[Teddy tries giving in to the strong urge to reach his hand up and caress Billy's cheek, to lean his head up and kiss him in return. But raising up either of them is a chore, so he settles for just smiling instead. It's weak and weary, but still a genuine one all the same, and full of love.]

... We did good, okay? I'm proud of you. Of us, too.

[Though it's hard to raise his hand up, he can slide it over to hold onto the hem of Billy's shirt, wanting to return the contact in some way, and to ensure that Billy does stay nearby rather than go off alone.

Then he shuts his eyes, and sleep comes to him almost immediately.]

[Billy doesn't answer, merely rests a hand over Teddy's and brushes back his hair, cradling him close as he falls asleep. The guilt's eating away at him, and the concern is ever-present, and maybe later the one will win out over the other; he'll head out, clear up the place, make sure he's safe to be around again. Check and see what's going on, if anyone else needs help, if it's finally over. Mostly make sure he's safe.

Right now, though? Right now he'll stay like he promised. The worry's won over the rest, and he's going to watch and make sure Teddy sleeps through the night before he budges even an inch from this spot.

It's his fault that this happened; he owes Teddy far more than just this.]

[IC] Appointments Post

[Action, June 1st]

[Action, June 1st]

[Action, June 1st]

[Action, June 1st]

[Action, June 1st]

[Action, June 1st]

[Action, June 1st]

[Action, June 1st]

[Action, June 1st]

[Action, June 1st]

[Action, June 1st]