selfhelp | [IC] Appointments Post

[Billy had thought of all of those risks and more before today, but now they're a million miles away. He knows that any time he starts to worry about them, all he'll have to do is think about the ring around his finger and he'll feel better. That's how it should be, right? The love of your partner should overcome any obstacle, it should support you in any of the doubts you might have. That's the point.

And for Teddy to have been thinking about this for god-knows how long... it's so touching, Billy's at a loss for words. When did it start? When did he begin to wonder about it? When did he get the ring? Was it before or after everything went to hell? If it was after, god...

He really does love me. He loves me, no matter what I've done, no matter how little I'd felt I deserved it before. He loves me...

He shivers, fingers curling in the material of Teddy's shirt, and when the words still don't find his voice he leans in for another kiss, softer this time, tender and loving, all the emotions he's feeling but can't describe. It's wonderful, Teddy's wonderful, the ring's wonderful, and just... the very idea of being married, whether it's tomorrow or next year or years from now, it's all wonderful. It's what he's dreamed about and more than he'd ever hoped for.]

[It's so wonderful, and Teddy shows all of his love in return as he kisses back, keeping one arm around Billy's waist while the other reaches up to hold his cheek, and - god, what was he even afraid of now? It seems so silly, now that he's asked and Billy's said yes. How could he have almost taken it back again, given in to his fears and missed out on this, which is easily one of the happiest moments in his life?

If there had been any doubt left in his head after everything went to hell, if he still had any lingering thoughts that Billy wants something better than him, more conforming or better looking or whatever, that one word melted it away. Yes, and life became a bit more colorful than it already was with Billy in his life. Because now, even if Billy's sent home, the love they have, the one that Teddy's absolutely sure of, will stay.

By the time Teddy's body demands more air, and before it shifts to accommodate this, he's lowered Billy to his feet again, and when he pulls back, he keeps his eyes shut, breathless and so, so happy. He has a big, dimpled smile on his face and he doesn't even care how ridiculous it looks. All that matters is that Billy's here with him, here now and forever.]

Ha... We should probably get back home soon. Unless you want me to keep kissing you out here...

[A little breathless, but happily so, Billy opens his eyes, and he's glad that the first thing to greet him is Teddy's grand smile. Really, with this as a reward, with Teddy cemented firmly in his future now, how could he possibly have said anything but yes? It really was a no-brainer. He couldn't possibly do any better than Teddy, and he wouldn't want to try looking, either. His life is right here, right in front of him.

The suggestion to go home takes a couple of seconds to burrow through the bliss of his mind, and he glances around, feeling suddenly sheepish to have shared such a heated moment where anybody could have seen it. True, they are still pretty isolated, but...]

That's... probably a good idea. If we do that again I don't think I could stop.

Me neither... Don't think I want to stop, either.

[But first, they have to gather up everything they brought with them. It'd be kind of rude to leave their blanket and leftover food and everything. It's hard to let go, and Teddy ends up pressing another kiss against Billy's lips before he pries himself away with a little laugh. God, they're utterly hopeless.

Thankfully, with Billy's help, it doesn't take long at all to gather everything up again. With one arm holding the heavier things and the other around Billy's waist, Teddy looks down at him with a raised eyebrow, the nerves at his back already tingling.]

So. Should I fly my fiance home, or should we walk?

[It's kind of ridiculous how much he loves that word now. Fiance, fiance...]

[Billy's gaze shifts to the route home, then back to Teddy's face, and he's warmed by the tone of voice and the expression he sees there. Without another moment to think about it, he turns and winds his arms around Teddy's neck for extra support, his cheeks faintly pink as he smiles. He can see, out of the corner of his eye, the glint of the ring where his hand is touching Teddy's neck, and it makes him all the more sure. Fiance.]

I don't mind if you fly us home.

Home it is.

[Just as Billy can see the ring, Teddy can feel it against his neck, a sliver of coolness amid the warmth of Billy's hands. It's a feeling that makes him giddy, and one he can definitely get used to.

With his boyfriend's permission, Teddy tightens his grip securely around him, pushes his shirt up with a bit of shifting along his back, grows his larger wings, and takes off with both bundles in his arms. He grins against the wind; he felt like soaring when Billy said yes, and now, he can finally do that, too. And maybe, maybe someday, he can fly alongside his boyfriend again, each using their powers to own the sky and make it their own big wide playing field.

But even if that never happens, Teddy's fine with that. He loves Billy not for his powers, but for him, and Teddy is always willing to take him into the sky and make it theirs just like this.]

[It's been so long since they were in the air together, since Billy was in the air, that in the first few moments, his breath is taken away by the sudden rush, by the change of altitude, by the wind in his face. He blinks rapidly but forces himself not to shield his face or look away. He wants this, and the day's events have made him feel self-indulgent enough to acknowledge that fact. What he'd left on Teddy's note all those months ago was still just as true as it had been that day- he did miss flying, and experiencing it now is one more reminder of why. Teddy's arm around him, the wind in his hair, the freshness of the air above the village, above everything, the way his bare skin tingled from the slight chill.

It's different, being carried like this instead of flying himself there. He's not stupid or delusional, he can acknowledge that fact, too. His body doesn't have the same weightlessness as it did when he used magic to keep himself aloft, and it's only the speed of their flight that keeps him from hanging off Teddy like a deadweight. He's being carried by Teddy instead of soaring through the air at his side. And while it isn't necessarily bad, it's just... not the same.

One more thing to mull over later, maybe. Not now, though- now, he doesn't care how they get home, just that they're going. They're engaged now, they've a promise between them that didn't exist when they left, and he wants to spend the rest of the day celebrating that fact.

And in the meantime... well, he's going to enjoy the hell out of the flight, even if it isn't the way both of them would have liked it to be.]

[If it didn't take long for them to reach the cherry tree grove in the first place, then it takes even less time to get home. Teddy's a fast flier anyway, and the prospect of celebrating their engagement in the privacy of their place has got him wanting to get there even more.

There's a few more moments of disbelieving happiness, quiet laughter and joyful kisses, before Teddy reaches the window they usually went through after flying together. Even with Billy unable to help, Teddy's still got this covered; he shifts another arm to open the window, then uses that to help Billy get inside. Ever since that time months ago, Teddy's slightly weirder shifting to make things easier on himself or to get past an obstacle had been held back, hardly showing itself due to how... well, weird it was. Right now? He doesn't care how it looks; Billy loves him, Billy loves him and wants to spend forever with him, so why should he worry about how he looks when he shifts?]

Careful. [Not that he'd ever drop Billy, but...]

I'm always careful.

[Which is just about the most bald-faced lie he's ever told, but he doesn't care. He doesn't even look twice at Teddy growing an extra arm, merely lets the blond help him climb in the window and reaches back out to take the picnic basket so Teddy can join him. The sooner they get that out of the way and into their apartment, the happier he'll be- which is impressive, since he's already on Cloud Nine, so to speak.

It's a little sad that the flight is over, but he knows well enough that any time he wants to go again, all he needs to do is ask.]

[God, Billy didn't even raise an eyebrow or anything. Even now, a little more than two years since the day Billy took one look at his tested Hulkling form and looked about ready to wet his pants, he can look at the forms he takes without batting an eye, love him all the same and ask for nothing more or less, and make Teddy feels less like an alien in a human body.

And someday, he's going to marry this man. It's impossible to think of himself not loving him as much as he does, loving his smile and laugh and his honesty and openness and everything about him.

Once the basket is out of his hands, Teddy climbs inside with two arms instead of three, and - well, Billy better hope he put the basket down already, because Teddy's coming up behind him to grab him around the waist and lift him off his feet again. It's almost like he just doesn't want Billy to touch the ground that much - or he's so happy that his sense of tactile affection and love of sweeping Billy off his feet are at sickening levels.]

You know the last thing I'm thinking about is the picnic basket, right? [He says as he already heads to their door.]

[Billy sets free a gasping laugh, suddenly off his feet, and he can't help but wriggle a little, letting the basket drop on the closest surface he can reach as they pass by.]

Ha- no, but I can take a guess- oh my god, someone's eager.

[Not that he can really blame Teddy for being excited. They're one door away from the freedom to grab and cling and make out and god-knows-what-else, and he's pleased by the prospect, too.]

Was it that obvious?

[It's more of a rhetorical question at this point; Teddy hasn't felt this eager, excited and happy in a long while, not all at once at least. It's obvious and he knows it. And - Maybe in the past he was better at keeping his emotions in check, making sure the more embarrassing ones had been kept under wraps. But since meeting Billy, since he started to trust him and open up to him more, show how he felt and talked to him and just let him know things... He's been more comfortable showing it. Not fully, of course, but so much more than he'd been in years. It's yet another reason why Teddy wants to spend his life with him; he's sure he won't find that level of security and comfort with anyone else.

The thought only passes briefly through his mind as he finally, finally gets through the door. Still, he doesn't stop walking until he reaches the couch, where he deposits Billy before sinking down beside him. Immediately, his hands reach out to brush Billy's hair back and slide down to stroke his neck - Teddy's already tactile, how's he supposed to stop himself from touching his boyfriend now?]

So I was thinking of what day we'd pick when we get married - [And not if anymore, but when, wow.] It can be this year or whatever year we want it to be, but as for the day, I thought -

[Billy smiles musingly, leaning his body into the touch and sliding both hands up Teddy's shirt to his shoulders, working towards wrapping his arms around the blond's neck. When he thinks about a special date they'd both love to share, that they'd both easily remember, that doesn't interfere with birthday or holiday or anything else, there's only one day that comes to mind-]

May the 4th?

[It's them, after all. What else could it be?]

[And Teddy was just getting out the "M" part when Billy spoke up. He laughs a little as a result, helpless and so amused, and slides his hands down Billy's sternum to wind his arms around his waist.]

May the 4th. That's exactly what I was going to say.

[It's not even a solid date or any real plans - those can come later, when they actually are ready to be married. But just that, just the day and the knowledge that his new fiance is on the same wavelength, makes him so eager for the future.]

That is both super dorky and awesome at the same time.

[How very... them. Yeah, that's definitely the word for it. Though Teddy's words give him reason to pause, and he leans back a bit, eyes widening, one hand resting on Teddy's chest between them.]

But- wait- you want to do this here? Or- like- soon?

[He'd said this year or whatever year but what does Teddy want to do? Suddenly he's unsure.]

Mm? [Teddy blinks, seeing the look on Billy's face and wondering the reason for it. That fear from earlier rises up - maybe he's having second thoughts, maybe he doesn't actually want to do it after all, maybe - but mostly, the happiness is still winning out enough to make it a dull curiosity more than anything.]

Or... whenever, wherever. Here, at home, or whatever world we're pulled to, when the time is right for the both of us.

[One hand rests on the small of Billy's back while the other moves to hold his hand, thumb touching against the ring on his finger and feeling like it belongs there.]

This is my promise for the future. Life is too short to wait around until the moment we want to get married to spring the question... And I wanted to promise you here and now. I'm yours, here and when we stand at the altar and years after. In other realities, or back at home, or even if we're separated.

[He smiles a tad helplessly as he leans in to bump his forehead against his boyfriend's.]

And I didn't want to wait to promise you all this.

[Teddy just hopes this isn't Billy having second thoughts. Please be okay with this, please want this just as badly...]

Edited 2014-04-01 07:31 (UTC)

[Billy can't help but stare for a long moment - because really, really, how is it that they're so perfectly in sync about even this? - until finally he leans in again, throwing his free arm around his boyfriend and burying his face in Teddy's neck. That was the best answer he could possibly have hoped for.]

That's- that's perfect. That's exactly what I want. I love you... god, I love you... thank you so much...

[Teddy lets out a sigh, both in relief and with just how much he loves the man in his arms right now, and leans his head against him while closing his eyes. How did I find my soulmate so early on? Sometimes he thinks it to himself, sometimes jokingly when they do something like finish each other's sentences or are obviously thinking the same thing, but right now? Those words are all serious in his head, and he can't help but think that he's so, so lucky.]

Thank you. Thank you for being here... Thank you for being you.

[And quietly, in the back of his head, he thanks God for letting him find this person so early in his life. He even wishes he could thank Wanda and Mr. and Mrs. Kaplan for making such a wonderful person, but not only would that be impossible right now, but also incredibly ridiculous.

He can't help it, though. He just so, so happy.]

Shockingly, I can't be anyone else.

[And neither can you, he doesn't say - since Teddy does have something of a cheat for that one, but shapeshifting doesn't make it any less true - so he hopes the way he starts to press his lips and tongue against Teddy's neck in a pointedly sensual manner conveys his intent: that he wouldn't want Teddy to be. He's agreed to marry this man, one day, shape-shifting and super strength and big nose and Adonis hair and dimples and all. He wants all of this and more, forever, till death and all the usual stuff.

And he'd very much like to prove it yet again, pulling himself up and winding his legs around the blond's waist. He's here to stay.]

Mmm, good.

[And... oh. Teddy is liking where this is going. He drifts his eyes shut, a soft and pleased smile on his face as he tilts his head enough to give Billy more room. One hand drifts to the small of his boyfriend's back once he feels those wonderful legs wrap around his waist, and the other winds into Billy's hair to encourage him further.]

You think it's too early... to think of a color theme?

...You want to talk about this now?

[Like- okay, he doesn't think it's too early, not really - and now he'll be thinking about it too, oh, dammit - but he definitely has other ideas for what he'd like to be doing with his tongue at the moment. And none of them have anything to do with themes or colours or the bells and ribbons of running a wedding. That's... later-stuff. When his engagement boner isn't going to pop right out of his pants, maybe.

Still, if Teddy has some ideas, he's perfectly willing to listen...]

[You know one of the things that can really get Teddy to laugh?

Him trying to be flirty in a sentimental way and Billy having absolutely none of it. Hell, it's one of the reasons he does it - Although he did have an idea or two for colors, ever since he started thinking about what it'd be like if Billy said yes.

But he laughs instead, head tipping back as a result to let it out. When he's finished, he lowers it back down to bump his forehead against Billy's shoulder, still chuckling a little.]

Okay, okay. Better question. You think it's too early to wonder what engagement sex is like?

[Billy snorts indignantly, though he gives himself a moment to listen and appreciate that sound before he responds to Teddy's much more satisfying suggestion.]

I think that if we're not about to find out the answer then I'm going to flush this ring down the toilet, because I couldn't possibly marry someone so cruel.

[He wouldn't - probably - just like Teddy wouldn't - hopefully - but he's fairly certain that he could not be less subtle about this if he tried.]

Who's the cruel one here?

[There's a grin on his face when Teddy says it, though, and the expression turns more mischievous as he moves in to press a line of kisses along Billy's neck.]

You'd make me have to tear the building apart... just to find the ring and propose again...

Nnn...

[Billy shifts a little to give Teddy more space - and in the process, more access to his skin. Now he's glad that the collar on this shirt of his isn't too high. Nice pick, Bulla.]

Don't say that. You just make me want to do it... you proposed so well the first time I'd love to see you do it twice.

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