selfhelp | [IC] Appointments Post

God, yeah. Going down wouldn't be as much of a problem as going up, but it'd still be a pain.

[At least, for Billy, it would be. Teddy, not so much. But he can empathize.

Once they reach the elevator and are waiting for it to reach their floor, Teddy leans over to kiss his fiancé's cheek. He does have one hand free, the other full of leash, but he doesn't want to jostle Billy too much by holding his hand or slipping an arm around his shoulders.]

Hey... I'm proud of you. You know that, right?

[Billy blinks in surprise at the kiss, his cheeks turning faintly pink, but mission accomplished, it seems: his smile becomes more genuine, and he glances down at the floor a bit shyly.]

I haven't even done anything yet, let's not get ahead of ourselves here.

[He could still chicken out and run back home.]

Let's not sell ourselves short, either. You're taking the first few steps, and those are the hardest ones. Or something like that.

[Especially since it's been months since Billy used any kind of magic. He tilts his head with a smile, then steps in a bit closer to let his arm touch Billy's.]

And I'm here for the rest of the steps you take, too.

...Mm. I know.

[Billy's gaze shifts to where their skin is touching, his smile softening, and he nudges Teddy to follow him into the elevator when the doors open. He feels... less guilty somehow, hearing that. Like it's okay to just try. Like he doesn't have to push himself too hard right from the start. If he's too worn out here, he'll really want to give up later, when he has nothing to fall back on.

Nothing but him, that is.

....

Slowly, reluctantly, he lets one of his bags slide from his shoulder and sets it on the elevator base to free his hand and punch the main floor's button. Then, after taking a deep breath, he lifts the bag up again... and offers it out to Teddy. It's the lighter of the two, mostly clothes and random supplies rather than the hefty excess of books he'd packed, but it's something.]

[Teddy glances at the bag, then softens his own smile as he wordlessly takes the bag and easily hoists it over his shoulder. It's not the bag he'd prefer to carry, but it's something. Lessening some of the burden and letting him carry some of it, at least.

Instead of actively pointing it out, Teddy just leans over and gives Billy's temple a gentle kiss as the elevator moves downward. He loves him so much, and he can feel his pride grow, too.

Because really, it's not about throwing himself into this headfirst and possibly draining himself in the process. It's about the fact that he's testing the waters for the first time, that he's going to try. For Teddy, that's the most important part.]

[It takes a while to get to the mountains, never mind up them, and on the way Billy's painfully glad that he gave up half his burden rather than trying anything reckless. The climb is at times perilous, and certainly difficult; it's enough of a trial without the added weight of too much stuff. He'd have been punishing himself just to walk up alone and carrying nothing.

Thankfully he had supplies, and more importantly he had Teddy, so they managed to reach their goal without dying horribly, and he considers that to be a victory. Even Optimus seems tired when they stop to set up camp, and that dog is practically impossible to wear out, so as soon as the tent is up and the blankets laid out, Billy sits down and flops on his back, staring wearily up at the sky. They'd left pretty early, but it's already approaching the evening.]

Oh my god. Oh my god, we are so flying down when we're done.

[That gets a smile to come up on Teddy's face as he sits beside Billy, knees up with his arms against them as he looks up at the sky as well. He's not quite as tired as Billy and Optimus are, what with the dog flopping down by the tent and panting while watching the two of them do all the work. But that was still quite a trip, even for a super strong guy like himself.]

Only if I get to carry the books while you carry Optimus.

[Although... the thought of flying, the thought of this going well enough for Billy to try flying, the image of soaring through the air side by side again...

It's a good image. And a good, yet longing feeling that comes up with it.]

Somehow I feel like you'll get the better end of that deal. Optimus is already a notorious wriggler, he's got to be ten times worse in the air.

[Still, the prospect is... not as terrifying as he thought it would be, leaving his mouth? He wasn't sure if he meant them both flying together or just Teddy carrying them down or...

Hm. Well, he'll start with the basics and see where the books take him by the end of the week.]

That's the whole point.

[He lets his leg lean to the side to bump up against Billy's teasingly before he pulls it back up again. Teddy's not letting him know one way or the other what he means, just in case Billy still doesn't think he's ready to fly. No need to put pressure on him or anything.]

It's pretty nice out. It'll probably get too dark to get started on anything tonight, though...

Mm... probably for the best. I study better in the morning.

[He inches over just enough to tilt his head against Teddy's hip, weary eyes gazing up at him. He knows Teddy isn't good with mornings, so maybe if he wakes early enough and meditates, or he sleeps in for once, or...

....

He really just wants to do this together, is all.]

...Did we pack a lantern or anything? Candles?

[That look on Billy's face just makes Teddy's smile soften, and he lowers one hand to cup his boyfriend's cheek and jawline. That's the look of someone who's tired, very tired, and a bit nervous. And with him seeking out contact like that...]

I think there's a lantern in my bag. And a flashlight. And candles too, actually, but they're for the ambiance effect thing.

[He doesn't move to get any of those things out yet, though. Instead, he's thoughtful for a moment as he strokes his thumb along Billy's jaw.]

You know... I can probably wake up earlier tomorrow. This is important enough to not sleep in for the day.

[Billy's response at first is simply a vague, musing sound; of course Teddy brought the important stuff. Billy may be the one who likes camping, but this time around he'd been too nervous and scatterbrained to pack some of the real necessities. At best he remembered the matches when it comes to survival gear... damn.

Well, there's a reason Teddy is considered to be the best boyfriend ever. Still, the offer makes him smile a bit guiltily.]

Compromise? This isn't all about me.

[At least, he's trying not to make it that way.]

[A compromise... Teddy makes a light hum of thought as he slides down to lay beside Billy instead, shoulder against his boyfriend's head rather than his hip.]

Maybe I'll sleep for a while, and you can wake me up whenever you feel like it's time?

[Which is... pretty much how they work at home anyway. But it's a method that works; it gave Billy his morning time and Teddy his rest, until it was time to really be ready for the day. He suspects it'll be the same way here too.]

Mm... okay, deal.

[It helps, in a way- makes this whole experience feel a little bit like home. A home away from home. ...A home away from home away from home.

Whatever. He shifts once more, nuzzling his face against Teddy's shoulder and getting close until he feels sufficiently cozy, closing his eyes. There's a long moment of silence, pleasant and peaceful, only interrupted by gently rustling leaves and chirping crickets.]

....We probably should've done this in the tent.

... Hmm. Yeah.

[Here Teddy had tilted his head to nuzzle his nose against Billy's hair and shut his own eyes, and probably would've drifted off already if it was just a bit noisier. He still kind of misses the sounds of New York at night, with the cars that pass through the less busy streets, the people who work all night or have dealings only at night passing by, a dog faintly barking... it's really nothing like wind and leaves and crickets.

Still, it's definitely peaceful, and it's something Teddy's slowly been getting used to. More importantly, it's the perfect atmosphere for what he and Billy want to do tomorrow; he knows how hard it was to concentrate back at home when a stray car horn would sound off just below.

He kind of doesn't want to move, satisfied in the entirely too noiseless atmosphere with his fiancé by his side. But Billy does have a point, and it makes Teddy slowly push himself up to his elbows and look down at Billy with a raised eyebrow.]

Wanna get inside? Or am I going to have to carry you over the threshold?

[... Heh. He really can't stop the smile that comes with that question; two months later and the thought of marrying the man beside him still fills him with absolute joy.]

[Billy snorts faintly at that, reluctantly sitting himself up and stretching his arms over his head. God, but he's stiff. Way too much climbing in one day.]

Threshold? Of a tent? You sure know how to seduce a guy.

[Not that he's protesting... although he can get up if he has to. He just knows how much Teddy enjoys doing that kind of thing, so it would be one small concession for making him go through all this nonsense again. Carrying rights in exchange for all the mini-zaps that will inevitably happen in the morning.]

[Well. Billy does have a point; the tent is a little too small to actually carry anyone through it without some uncomfortable ducking going on. But Teddy can unzip the front of it and hold his hand out to guide Billy over the threshold. (Hopefully it won't be this pathetic when the time comes.)]

Yeah, that's me. Mr. Seduce-tastic.

Well...

[Billy leans over to press his lips against the corner of Teddy's mouth, a soft, teasing kiss. His closest hand lifts to rest on the blond's chest for support, and his ring is there, glinting in the pale evening light.]

...you do alright, I think.

[More than alright. It isn't all about seduction, after all; if it was just sex, or even the dating part, then sure, but now that it's marriage they're working towards, it's a whole new level. The fact that Teddy will do this kind of thing for him, the fact that he's been flawlessly supportive in the decisions Billy's made the last several months when it comes to magic, the fact that he's still here. Seduction doesn't factor in because Billy's already hopelessly smitten with the one who had against all odds or good sense had chosen him as a future husband.

Best not screw this up. And he feels like, with Teddy here to support him, he'll actually do okay.]

[It's the kiss, and the hand against his chest, that makes Teddy blink, then duck his head somewhat shyly with a little smile and a flush to his face that he doesn't bother to hide. He lifts his hand to cover Billy's, feeling that cool metal under his own, and just revels in it for a moment. Seduction skills aside, they'll be at each other's sides for the rest of their lives, wake up and fall asleep together, be supportive of each other just like this, trusting the other more than they could trust anyone else... and each knowing that they'll now have a companion like this at their side for as long as the other lives...

... Still, he can't really let Billy get away with that comment. The tent's door is still open and waiting for the two of them, but Teddy, rather than getting the two of them inside, looks at Billy again with raised eyebrows.]

Only alright? I'll show you -

[And with that, he leans forward to the side of Billy's neck... to blow a raspberry against it.

He knows that there won't be anything particularly hot and heavy out here, that concentration on learning the magic again is what's most important. But he can't help teasing and having a little fun.]

[Billy sets free a choked snort, squirming away, the sound quickly dissolving into a laugh. God, his boyfriend's such a dork.]

Ahh, gross, you spat on my neck!

[He rubs at the spot, then reaches up to wipe his (admittedly not very) damp hand on Teddy's cheek. Take that, raspberry-blower!]

[Who's the dork now? Teddy wrinkles his nose, then wipes at the dampness on his cheek with the back of his arm, though a grin comes up to ruin the face of disgust he was trying to get going.]

Wait, so I can suck on your neck and get spit all over the place, but you can't take something like this?

[Billy sticks his tongue out, letting his hand drop to rest on Teddy's chest instead.]

Please. Sucking on my neck and blowing a raspberry are two totally different things.

Yeah, but still. Spit all over the place.

[Teddy sticks his own tongue out too, wiggling it from side to side as if to say see, there's spit here too - and in contrast, moves his hand to cover Billy's, fingers twining through the spaces between his boyfriend's.]

And you get to live with it for a long time.

Mmhm. As long as we both shall live, I hear, is the phrase.

[He can't quite keep up the teasing expression, saying the words aloud. It's a thrill, a quiet little delight that spreads through him like a shot of concentrated warmth. He's happy for the ring, happy for the promise between them that it represents, happy to have Teddy here, with him. Happy that he gets to share him and his spit and everything other part of him, body and soul, for the rest of his life.]

You forgot the "'til death do us part"... part.

[Despite that awkward little sentence-ender, Teddy ends up smiling too, and he leans his head down to press a kiss against Billy's hair while squeezing his hand, feeling the ring there between his fingers. He can still see it in his mind: Billy's face when Teddy looked up at him, when he said yes, the best word he'd ever heard in all of his life, and the huge smile on his face...

It's like the joy he felt on that day had never died down. And seeing visual proof of Billy feeling the same way, even the day before something as big as delving into magic again, makes him feel like flying again.

But no. He's cozy here, cuddled up against his fiancé as the evening sky turns into night, as stars start to wink into existence. This is where he belongs, after all.]

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