selfhelp | [IC] Appointments Post

[This was the first mission the two of them had been on since they were trying to gather points for the portal project, one that would ultimately end in failure. But right now, this isn't about points. This is about just getting away for a while, away from all the heartbreak of missing friends, away from the conflict of friends who tried pushing the other away. Just a mission where everything is made up and the points don't matter. Well, the points do sort of matter, and the mission is certainly one that was already outlined and chosen by the two of them. But it's not quite their priority.

Teddy is doing his best to keep his excitement in check. They're going into space. Space! Even though he loves Earth and never wants to leave, he's always, always wanted to go to space. Hell, he can remember as a kid that if he couldn't be a super hero, he'd proclaim that he wanted to be an astronaut. And he had so many space pictures saved on his computer, and stick on glowing stars on his bedroom ceiling, both at home and in Luceti, and - okay, he's a huge space nerd.

But this is mostly about his boyfriend, who'd been hit hard by Jane's disappearance. So no matter how he feels about the dark tunnel they're walking in (he feels nothing short of disturbed, with his powers off and feeling so helpless and weak and so confined), and no matter how much bubbling excitement he feels in his chest (it all makes for rather conflicting feelings), he finds Billy's hand beside his own and takes it, lacing their fingers together, and gives him a small smile.]

Almost there. I think.

Just about, yeah. I remember it being close.

[Billy gives Teddy's hand a squeeze, appreciating his presence all the more now that they're actually leaving. Originally he was going to head out on his own, clear his head and give Teddy (and the rest of his friends and allies) a break from all the angsting he's been doing lately, but the response had, predictably, not been great. Not that his boyfriend had freaked out about it - it was a non-violent, pretty tame mission kind of that he'd considered originally, and Teddy respected his needs - but there'd been such an obvious conflict that Billy hadn't had the heart to leave him behind. If it was a choice between watching Billy brood or waiting worriedly for his return, well... apparently this was the lesser of two evils. And Billy can't argue that this is the alternative he prefers.

And hey, they'd sure as hell found a perfect compromise- the job of a cafeteria cook (server, in his case, since his skills in the kitchen were so mediocre) wasn't glamorous, the fact that they were going into space made all the difference. He'd been there before, of course, his first draft ever, but this was an opportunity for Teddy that he couldn't pass up. His boyfriend was such a space nerd, even when they'd first met, it's no wonder he wound up being an alien.]

Just... I hope you're not disappointed by what we find up there. It's not exactly like you'd expect.

[With both Sabriel and Jane disappearing, Teddy's pretty sure that Billy would spend his time worrying as well, wondering if Teddy was still there, if he'd leave while Billy was gone, or get kidnapped... it was another thing that fed Teddy's worry, if Billy never really got to relax while he was out there. This was definitely the best thing for the both of them. Billy's already sounding better than he did a couple days ago, now that they're leaving.]

Disappointed? Why would I be disappointed? [Again, he does his very best to keep his excitement under control. It's not like Teddy's expecting to see a nebula or a galaxy or a cluster of stars or anything, even though he secretly yearns to see those. But just to be in space, even if it's not as grandeur as the pictures on his computer...]

It's hard to describe. But it's definitely weird space, so... I guess I'm trying to say, brace yourself. Or something equally dorky.

[The teleporters are in sight now, and Billy's relieved; Teddy's excitement is contagious, and he really just wants to be there instead of in these dark, creepy tunnels. He hates being powerless, and it's just another reminder of how lousy this place has been to him lately.]

All right, all right. I'll brace myself... for the final frontier.

[Yeah, a smile's creeping up on his lips now that he's said that and the teleporters are in view. His grip on Billy's hand tightens; to think, when he came here all the other times, it'd be out of anxiousness, as if keeping them from being separated, to reassure his boyfriend. Now, it's out of barely contained glee, as if he were about to walk into the world's largest comic store.]

To boldly go where no man has gone before! [Bullshit when it comes to this mission, he knows, but let him be a geek.]

[Billy sets free a little snort at that, the closest he's come to laughing in days. Much as he wishes they could stay connected the whole way there, he knows the teleporters go one at a time, so he lifts Teddy's hand to his lips to give the back of it a light kiss, then slips free and walks up to the teleporter, humming the Star Trek theme song as he moves. He's still humming it as the machine activates, and as he disappears from view, spirited off into space, the last couple of notes echo and bounce off the tunnel walls.]

[...

God, he's so, so in love with him.

Teddy takes a short moment to let out a little laughter of his own, then runs his hand over the back of his neck and lets out a long, lovesick sigh, his gaze showing a deep affection on the hard floor below. Almost two years together and he still makes him act like before they got together, when he was nursing the biggest crush he'd ever had on him.

Once he recovers, Teddy shakes his head, then steps forward, speaking as he moves and steps onto the teleporter.]

Captain's Log, Stardate 21716.2. We are entering a "weird space". This is supposed to start off as some time away from other people, but if what Billy says is true... this might just be weird.

[And if that's true, he's sure he won't regret it.

It's just as he finishes that disappears, too, spirited off into space to meet his boyfriend.]

[When he arrives, Billy's already off the teleporter and getting briefed on the mission details by one of the staff members. Nothing particularly thrilling, just directions to the cafeteria (which Billy apparently didn't need, as the layout of this ship is the same as the one he'd been on during the draft), a time of when they had to be there, and a contact name for the cook. Billy's half-paying attention, half-watching the teleporter, so when Teddy appears, Billy smiles faintly and tilts his head in the direction of the nearest wall- and more notably, the nearest window.

Go on, boyfriend, go check out the view. He knows you're dying to.]

[Teddy knows he should probably go over and be briefed for the mission, too. Get his own instructions and directions, since he'd never been here before. But the moment he shows up, the temptation to look outside is great, and when Billy gives him permission, it's way too hard to fight. He shifts his weight on his feet for a moment, as if he's deciding between if he should go forward or to the side, expression unsure. But then he seems to decide as soon as he glances at the window, because he's stepping forward and puts his hands up on the glass as soon as he reaches it.

The first thing he notices is that there aren't any stars. Which is a bit of a disappointment, but not a surprise - space is dark. If that's what Billy was worried about, then he has another thing coming; the second thing Teddy notices is the view of the planet from here, and it makes him take in a gasp, then let it out in a breath of awe, eyes wide and lips curving into a big smile. He looks just like a child would upon seeing a toy they desperately want, and, even though he knows Billy's been here and has seen this before, Teddy still turns back to him and tries to wave him over, heedless of the staff member who looks at him with a raised eyebrow.]

Billy! Billy, come look at this!

[It's the only time he dares to look away; he's staring a scant second after the call, tilting his body as if he can get a better view.

It's not the starry field that's saved on his laptop, but it's still everything he'd ever dreamed of.]

Edited 2013-07-18 12:16 (UTC)

[Well, that pretty much slays any concerns Billy might have had about Teddy not enjoying it as much, judging by the excited look on Teddy's face when he'd gotten a brief glimpse of it and the way he's urgently being called over. Billy tries to listen to his guide for about five more seconds before hastily cutting the man off and apologizing, then making his way over to where his boyfriend is being a complete spazz. He bumps lightly up against Teddy's side, one arm winding around his shoulders, and glances out the window with him.]

So, what do you think? Pretty boring, isn't it?

[He's trying to keep a straight face, but his tone betrays how little he actually believes the words coming out of his own mouth. He knows damn well that Teddy's loving this.]

[Teddy would've understood if Billy didn't come to him - he's getting all the important details, after all. That doesn't mean he isn't happy when he does; in fact, Teddy looks even happier, if possible, and settles his hand against Billy's waist to keep him against his side.]

You're kidding, right? This isn't boring at all! This is - God, I can't even tell you the names of these things, this is just amazing - !

[Not just the planet, but the moon, god, and it looks so different from their moon. Not exactly, of course, but the craters are different, the color is slightly off, just - all the things he's noticing just feed his excitement.]

[Billy can't help it; he chuckles softly, tilting his head to lean it against Teddy, feeling amused and relaxed and just good, much better than he's felt for a while now. This really was such a great idea.]

Space nerd. Go on, tell me all about it.

[You have total permission to ramble, bf. Take advantage of this offer while you can...!]

You sure you don't mind?

[Billy's not as into it as Teddy is. But even without an answer, Teddy launches into it anyway, now that he's got permission and he's right there.]

Okay, so I don't know anything about this planet or what the moon's called or anything, but - look at those craters - did you know that the only reason some of the asteroids that flew toward our planet didn't hit us is because of the gravitational pull of the moon? Do you know how doomed we'd be if we didn't have the moon there like some kind of shield? The largest crater on our moon is 220 miles, and some of the ones we've got there are more than two billion years old! You know the gravitational pull is uneven, too? Sometimes the satellites that go around it end up going off course a little before smoothing out again - NASA still doesn't know why, they're still researching it. Oh my god, if I could go out there...

[But that's not what his mission is and he knows it, so he merely longs for it instead. He's not astronaut by any means, but if he could just look at the craters, he's sure he could at least guesstimate how old they are...!]

Edited 2013-07-18 12:54 (UTC)

[God, okay, this is pretty much the cutest thing he's ever seen. The view itself is nothing new to him, and nothing terribly interesting, either, since the stars and multi-coloured galaxies were always what interested him about space, so instead he leans on the glass to watch his boyfriend, amused.]

We could, actually. When we get some free time, we could take a ship out. Or I could fly us out with a shield, if it's safe enough. I did that last time.

[That makes Teddy finally look away from the sight, eyes wide as he looks at Billy with bubbling hope in his chest.]

We can go out there? Are you serious? [PLEASE SAY SO]

[It's like offering a piece of bacon to a hyperactive puppy.]

Sure, why not? I told you before, I got to fly in a spaceship before.

[WITH OBI-WAN. IT WAS AMAZING.]

[There's only the slightest pause before a happy, dimpled grin comes across his cheeks.]

Oh my god, I love you - [And then he cuts himself off by moving his hand to Billy's shoulder and abruptly pulling him closer to kiss him, one that's full of excitement. God, he's got the coolest, sweetest, most thoughtful, best boyfriend ever.

The guide clears his throat at the display, because this really isn't the time for fanboying or kissing or anything. But Teddy doesn't really care.]

[Oof.

Okay, he's good with this. Absently the throat-clearing is noticed, but Billy doesn't pull away, waving his hand at the man over Teddy's shoulder. He's busy making out with his boyfriend right now, excuse you.]

[The kiss lasts for a moment longer before Teddy realizes that yes, he really should be paying attention to the guide; the guy probably thinks they're totally unsuited for the job. He pulls back with a smile on his face, though he can't help running his hand through Billy's hair, lips still brushing gently while he lets out a quiet chuckle, the sides of their noses brushing lightly.

Finally, though, Teddy pulls back completely with a muttered apology, and another one to the guide once he goes to him. There, he looks the picture of professionalism: back straight, looking the man in the eye and nodding, asking all the right questions and saying all the right answers. He figures he doesn't really need a layout; Billy can show him the way. But he could certainly use a run-down and all the other things they need to know.]

[Billy takes a moment to magic his clothes back into civvies; he'd been in costume in case they were suddenly ambushed upon entry or something - considering where they are, it isn't that ridiculous an assumption - but since it seems pretty safe now, he figures, why not be comfortable? And this is much better. By the time he's done with that, Teddy's about finished with his part of the mission briefing, or at least close enough to done that Billy figures it's safe to kidnap him away.

He sidles over and snags Teddy by the hand, cutting in as politely as he can and taking the folder with additional instructions and whatnot from the man, then saluting him and tugging his boyfriend away. He's already gotten the gist of it, so it's time for the tour. Or at least as much of one as they have time for on the way to the cafeteria.]

Sorry about that. I know how this works, and they really never stop once you get them going.

[If Billy's pulling him away, then he can explain the rest of it, and Teddy would rather hear this from his boyfriend than some man he doesn't know. He gives the guide a wave and a helpless smile before he follows along, soon moving up to walk beside him. Man, this is one of those times he wishes he shifted his clothes on, rather than slide on his costume which he's discovered lately is rather limiting.]

Should I be swooning and calling you my hero for pulling me away?

You could, but then I wouldn't be able to explain what we're supposed to be doing. Plus you'd miss the tour.

[He gestures to the row of windows along the corridor they're passing. Look! More of space! So much space! Swooning would be a total drag.]

[SPACE? SPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE

Teddy ends up slowing down as he stares out the windows, his pace only half the speed of Billy's, and thus he's probably dragging his boyfriend down. He can't help it though; it's such a gorgeous view, and some deeply buried part of Teddy wants to go out in it, travel far, see the stars, see the worlds.

Thankfully, it's only a very small part of him. The rest is completely tied his real home, and he makes it known by giving Billy's hand a little squeeze and speeding back up once more.]

Go ahead and explain, then. I solemnly swear to pay attention.

You sure? You're really ready to hear it? [And then, without waiting for an answer-] We cook.

[Sorry, were you looking for a serious answer? Give it a minute, Billy had to indulge his sass first.]

Actually, to be more precise, we're basically slop mixers and microwave operators. The food here sucks - that, I remember very clearly - but it's easy to make, so the job's pretty low effort. A couple hours of prep, serving, and clean-up per meal, odd jobs in between. If there's no attacks in the meantime, that means we'll get some serious downtime.

[What does that mean? Tours and moon-hopping, obviously.]

[Teddy raises an eyebrow, looking a little perturbed by Billy's description of the tasks they have to do. It's not really the prep and clean-up and everything, but...]

Isn't there a way to make it taste better? I don't want to serve sucky food...

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