selfhelp | [IC] Appointments Post

[If he hadn't been practicing so much on his own and with Katniss, Teddy wouldn't be near as good as he is now. But no - He's done a lot of it, and it's been paying off, considering how he can play a song even he finds difficult. He loves this style; It doesn't pull on the strings too hard, there's hardly any force involved, it requires more concentration, and is just better for someone like him.

Months ago, he'd gotten a basic few notes in his head while Billy napped on him, and he wrote them down with no real thought of continuation once his arms were free. As he played and inevitably thought more about it, more notes came about, until slowly, a song started to come together. He's no Taylor Swift; he can't come up with something in two weeks flat. It took a long time for what he played to be like this. But every note was with Billy in mind, his smile, his hands, his eyes, everything about him. Every time Teddy shut his eyes while his fingers played along the strings, he'd think of the love he has and how beautiful it is. And now, he thinks of how far they've come, and how much they could have in the future.

His eyes are closed when he finishes, the butterflies returning to him stomach. He isn't sure what Billy would think of it, but when he dares to open his eyes and see the grin on Billy's face... Teddy knows he doesn't have to worry at all. He gives a big smile as well, though his is more on the shy side.]

... You like it?

[Billy would like nothing more than to pounce on Teddy and kiss him senseless for that amazing gift, but he's not about to risk damaging the guitar, so instead he leans up and gives his boyfriend the most passionate and pleased kiss he can muster, hands pressed gently against his cheeks. He's still smiling as he pulls back, his eyes soft and grateful.]

I love it. I love you. Does it have a name?

[... Oh

Well

That certainly answers his question. Teddy's surprised at first, but the he shuts his eyes an leans into the kiss, keeping his hands to himself for the first moment before he lets go of the neck of the guitar in favor of resting his palm against Billy's chest.

Once Billy pulls back, it takes another few seconds before Teddy comes down from the kiss enough to get what he's saying.]

... Huh? Oh, uh... Unless "that song" counts as a name, then no. I never got around to that part...

Haha, that's so like you.

[Teddy Altman, never really one for unnecessary words. Though names are important... still, it really is the thought that counts. And this one counts for a lot.]

Well, you wrote it for me, right? So maybe I'll find a name for you.

I think I'd really like that.

[Billy liking it so much that he's willing to find a name for it, making it a real, bonafied song rather than an idea? And the both of them contributing to it? Teddy loves that idea, and he knows that whatever Billy comes up with would be better than anything Teddy does.

Now that his present is done, for the most part, Teddy ducks his head to slide the guitar up and away from his body; much easier to kiss and cuddle with the boyfriend when there's not a big instrument between them.]

You're the better namer between the two of us, anyway.

Oh, I know. I haven't forgotten "Warlock Boy".

[He really shouldn't be allowed to name anything. Even Hulkling is a bit dorky, but then, it wouldn't be Teddy if he wasn't dorky. And Billy can certainly live with that- as long as Teddy's happy.

With the guitar out of the way, he snuggles in closer, winding his arms around Teddy's waist and burrowing comfortably against him.]

You're going to give me an inferiority complex, you know. I should've done mine first.

[Teddy lets out a chuckle as he wraps his arms around Billy's shoulders; yeah, okay, so "Warlock Boy" wasn't exactly his finest hour. Even if it still sounds clever to him.

In fact, he would argue his point, but the suggestion of a present coming up makes him push it aside. That sounds much better than defending his naming choices.]

Nope. You're not allowed to say that until you show me what it is first.

Mm... I don't know, I hear you're supposed to wait half an hour between presents.

[He's half-joking, but he really does kind of wonder if his gift is going to come across as half-assed now. He'd spent so much time in his own head lately, worrying about his problems and Teddy's problems and their problems that he hadn't come up with a lot of good ideas. And he can't magic things up anymore, either. It had mostly been luck that he'd found anything.]

Pretty sure that's only for eating before swimming. Which doesn't even apply to me.

[He curls his fingers, making a grabby-hands motion with them, even if his arms are around Billy's shoulders and thus the motion isn't seen as well.] Gimme.

[Hrngh. He's not going to be able to talk his way out of it, is he. With a quiet grumble he shifts up a bit, tapping his hand against Teddy's.]

Okay, okay... let go, then, I need to dig it out.

[Without a word, Teddy does let go, though not without pressing a kiss to Billy's forehead. While Billy moves away to dig whatever he has out, Teddy sits in the chair again, idly playing some soft tunes on the guitar, occasionally playing a riff from the song he played for Billy. Though he can't help glancing at Billy's back; he can only be patient for so long, after all.]

[...Man, now he doesn't want to interrupt. He loves it when Teddy's just idly strumming; it sounds so quietly experimental, and he feels like he's sitting in on a musician's jam session. Reluctantly sliding away, he goes to crouch next to his backpack, rifling through it for a moment before straightening up again with a wrapped box in hand, with a card attached. He shuffles back over and sits on the bed next to Teddy's chair, offering it out when Teddy stops playing.]

It's not exactly the most sentimental of gifts, but I figured you'd like it.

[... It's realer, with Billy offering the gift like that. He's giving him a gift. For their anniversary.

Teddy ends up staring for a moment, then reaches out to take it, fingers fiddling with it as if he's unsure whether he should rip open the wrapping or not. He would normally, but this is particularly special for him, even if he feels a bit silly for it.]

Heh... You know I'll like whatever it is. [Instead of going for the present, he goes for the card first, opening up and reading what's inside.]

[Billy fidgets a bit, waiting and fretting quietly; the card is a simple rough sketch of a tiny Billy and Teddy cuddling in one of the springs, with "Happy Anniversary" spelled out in the steam. Inside is the sentiment repeated in Billy's normal handwriting, along with an "I love you" and his signature. On the opposite side, though, is a little sadface and the note, "IOU one drawing or painting of your choice, the sky is the limit, ETA three weeks (ish)."

Billy gives him a long moment to read it before he shifts awkwardly on the bed again.]

I, um. I'd have liked to have something ready on time, but since... you know. [He gestures to his left shoulder, where he'd been shot.] My hand's been kind of shaky. You might've noticed. [Teddy notices everything, annoyingly, though he really has worked hard to hide it.] And it's getting better! I just didn't like the idea of wrecking your present. Better late than crappy, right?

[It's all rough sketches and promises for later, but it still makes Teddy smile like it told him he was the most special person in Billy's life. It's the effort put into it, despite Billy's shaky hand. It's the I love you. It's a simple card, yet for Teddy, who still quietly feels unsure of himself and where he stands - it's so much more. It means the world.]

I did notice. [And he can't help worrying a little, wondering if the shake might be permanent, if they should see someone about it. But he has been getting better, Teddy can tell that, too.] I don't think I'd mind either way, but I'll probably need time to think about it, too. Give you something fun to draw that I'd like.

[He smiles over the card more - honestly, that could be Billy's gift and Teddy would be blissfully happy. But he does have a present, and so Teddy carefully sets the card aside and on top of his guitar before setting his sights on the wrapping paper. Time to rip into this thing!]

[The fact that Teddy seems to like it is both reassuring and delightful, and the way it makes Billy relax is pretty visible. He shifts a little bit closer as Teddy tears through the paper, revealing what's inside- a box set of Bioshock 1 and 2, thankfully for the PC since that's all either of them have right now.]

That's the one you said you- you'd like to play, right? Like, forever ago, back home?

[God, please let him have gotten this right. He doesn't have the points to try again right now.]

[... omg

When Teddy rips enough of the paper to reveal part of the set, he stops for a moment to stare. No way. No way.

Sure enough, Teddy quickly gets the rest of it unwrapped, and - there it is. He remembers talking about it once or twice in the past, but never really thinking that he'd ever get to play them. His mom was wonderful, and they lived comfortably enough. But a single mother living in New York City with real estate's income isn't exactly ideal, so he had to pass up a lot of things that he wanted.

But now...]

Oh my god, yeah... I can't believe you remembered! [He lamented over it with Billy once, sure, but that was just once and, like Billy said, forever ago. The fact that he actually remembered...]

How did you get - [... Oh.] Wait, you didn't...

[Oh thank god it was the right one

Billy's lips quirk into a smile as it seems to dawn on Teddy how he got it, but he'll say it anyway.]

Remember that trip into space? We went just to get away for a while, so I forgot that we earned something out of it. But yeah... points. [He gestures. Ta-da?]

[Points. Which means that Billy had to ask the Malnosso for this. The people who threw them into that whole awful mess in the first place, who hurt them over and over - and Billy had to go to talk to them to request this.

With that in mind, Teddy sets the games aside, moves to sit down on the bed next to Billy, and holds his cheeks as he leans in to give him a slow, tender kiss.

Billy contacted the people the two of them probably despise the most right now just to get something that would make Teddy happy. That means more to him than anything.]

[He's not surprised by the kiss - Teddy's smile upon opening it basically guaranteed that it would happen - but he's still pleased to receive it, leaning in to return it with pleasure. His hands lift to hold Teddy's sides, quietly hmm-ing his delight. He could certainly stand for more of this.]

[Teddy could, too. But after a long moment of that, Teddy pulls back to breathe, and he tilts enough to rest his forehead against Billy's.]

Thanks. Really. [His hands drift downward, gently stroking the sides of his neck.] It means a lot to me.

Hey, I'm just glad you like it. This is just an added bonus.

[Billy leaves his eyes closed for a long moment, looking contented and pretty damn satisfied, before he opens them to meet Teddy's gaze.]

Happy anniversary, though, really.

[... God, Teddy can get completely lost in those eyes. Words can't describe how much he missed them while Billy was possessed, wondered if he'd ever see that beautiful brown color again. And here they are.]

... Mm. Happy anniversary. [He shuts his eyes, just taking in the feel of Billy so close to him.] Going on year three now... Wonder what's waiting for us this year? [He hopes they'll be good things. For both their sakes.]

[Billy's thinking much the same, himself. They've gone through hell this past year, and he's sure that Luceti will have more to throw at them later, but... they're still here, still going strong. Surely they can survive it and come out on top just like before.]

Whatever it is... I'm pretty sure we'll face it together. I'd love to have a lot more anniversaries with you, Tee...

[There's just the slightest hitch in Teddy's breath before he lets it out slowly, his thumbs stroking along Billy's jawline. A lot more anniversaries... Which means Billy wants to be with him just as much, and just as long, as Teddy does.

It's been a long time since that one little thought wormed its way into his head, about really sealing the deal and asking Billy if this could be forever, officially. It doesn't stick around, though; there's still some small, quiet doubts that Teddy needs to work on. Both he and Billy need to be in better places for it to work, and he himself needs to have more faith in how strong their relationship is.

Maybe, when that happens, he...]

I do, too. A fourth, a fifth... and on and on. [Twentieth, sixtieth... However long they live.] I feel like I can take on anything if you're there with me.

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