selfhelp | [Voice/Action] Forward-dated to the afternoon of the 9th

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[Voice/Action] Forward-dated to the afternoon of the 9th

[He should have seen this coming- it's like it's some kind of retaliation for what he'd done on Teddy's birthday. He still manages to be surprised when Teddy shoos him out of the apartment some time after breakfast on the 9th, barely given time to grab his coat and stuff his laptop into a bag before he's been officially banished from his own home.

...Well then. Looks like he's in the wind today. First things first: while he isn't usually the type to announce this kind of thing, thanks to having the afternoon to himself (whereas usually his birthday is filled with doting parents and obnoxious little brothers vying for attention) he's feeling indulgent enough to go for it, and he remembers something in particular...]

Okay- first of all, question for everybody. Now that I know about that whole... Valentine's Day thing that's supposed to happen every year, does anyone know how to avoid it? Or should I just lock myself in my room for a few days and hope for the best?

And second, to the X-Men? If the team training is still on for today, it's probably safe to go ahead and assume I won't make it. I'm allowed to have plans on my birthday. But happy birthday to Logan whenever he gets back- 180 is a pretty big landmark, right?

[Hopefully he won't get killed for that one, but he just couldn't help himself. Even if the accuracy of that number is questionable.

The rest of the afternoon will be spent in the following ways: goofing off in the Battle Dome with some self-indulgent hologram scenarios blatantly ripped out of Star Trek, wasting time in Seventh Heaven with excessive amounts of coffee and his laptop like a proper teenage hipster, and then, when his battery's running dry, returning to building #5 to bully Teddy into feeding the laptop's power cord under the door, at which point he'll be curled up on the floor outside his apartment playing Minecraft or something while he waits for his boyfriend to finish... whatever he's doing in there.]

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[The smile on Teddy's face is just one more reason to celebrate, and Billy gives him one more quick peck on the lips before rolling off and pushing himself upright, offering a hand out to pull Teddy back to his feet before he returns to the box to give his gift a proper examination, pulling the camera out at last. It would have gotten a pretty damn pleased response if it was just a camera, but it had only taken a few seconds to recognize that it was much more than that.

No, it was his camera, the one he'd had back home. Right down to the nicks and scratches of much-loved use, the labeled SD card, the white-out dots on the surface that defined his favourite settings. It was perfect. Everything was perfect.]

I can't believe you got it... I think- [Click-] Oh my god, there's even photos on the card...!

Don't worry, I didn't look at any of the photos. Tempting as it was.

[He grins as he sits down at the table again, reaching under it briefly to take the guitar he hid under it.] You can look at them if you want; I think we've got enough time.

[Yes, that does mean he has more planned. But he won't elaborate, instead he just smirks a little as he tunes the guitar, and then begins to play, as if passing the time to let Billy look at photos he'd taken before he came here. But if Billy pays attention, what Teddy's playing might be very familiar.]

[Billy grins, his cheeks a little pink, because- okay, he's kind of predictable, because he's already using the camera's view screen to flip through the photos. He's quiet while Teddy's tunes up, glancing over a couple of times curiously before the pictures catch his attention again.

It's like a massive nostalgia trip; there's the view from the apartment window during a particularly nice sunset, his parents banter in the kitchen, his brothers playing Mario Kart with Tommy, a dozen or so shots of the cityscape that he'd taken on his and Teddy's last flying date before the SRA went live, and- even some pictures of Mrs. Altman, elegant, smiling, and approachable as ever, shot during his final visit to Teddy's place before she died. Something to save for later, so as not to upset Teddy right now, but definitely a treasure he hadn't expected. More surprising is a series of photos he can't even remember taking, as if the camera had come from Teddy's time, not his own. He'll have to ask about that.

When the song starts, though, he's immediately distracted. Those chords are instantly recognizable to him, and the fact that Teddy's learned to play them is just as much of a delight as the extravagant set across the room from their seats. He lowers the camera, at first watching Teddy play with an expression that could only be described as adoring, and before long he closes his eyes, just listening contentedly to the music and letting it carry him away. Next step is to hum along, then to mouth the words, and then - during the last verse - he's singing quietly along without even realizing it.

God, but he loves that song.]

[While he'd love to see Billy's reaction, Teddy can't exactly look up without messing the song up, so he just smiles a little while he looks down at what he's doing. He'd been practicing this song much longer than preparing the apartment, waiting for a moment just like this to play it for Billy. Considering the soft singing he can hear at the end, he made a good choice.

Teddy definitely isn't one for Sound of Music, having never actually seen the movie all the way through without nodding off on Billy's shoulder. But the parts he has seen, he's paid attention to, and he'd hear Billy hum or mouth the words to the songs, and this one always gave him a soft, content smile. That's how Teddy knew which one to play.

When he looks up, he definitely knows he made the right choice. His smile grows, and he lowers his head again, strumming the strings lightly to gear up for another song.]

When you feel like it, let's head to the Battledome. I've got something else there for you. [And after he talks, he plays again, another song Billy ought to be familiar with.]

[Billy's brows lift at that - oho, he gets a treat over there, too? It's a busy evening - but instead of getting up to tug Teddy into leaving, he crosses his arms and leans them on the table, resting his chin on them and watching Teddy again, looking perfectly content.]

Or I could sit here and let you keep serenading me. There's nothing quite so alluring as a hot guy with a guitar.

[Teddy grins in response, though doesn't say anything else. Again, it's a matter of concentration. It's hard to do something like play guitar and thinking about what words to say at the same time, as he's come to learn a while ago.

Once he's finished, he taps the front of it, then leans forward to give Billy a smile. There's something in his eyes that makes him look excited, maybe for what he has in store, or maybe for what he says next.]

By the way, we're not going to teleport there. Let's fly.

[Billy's eyes widen slightly at that, and he slides back his chair and straightens up, eyeing the camera for a moment before slinging the strap over his shoulder. If they're going flying, he's totally going to take advantage of them being in the sky, oh yes.]

I'm okay with that. We haven't gone for a while, have we?

[He steps up to Teddy, taking his hand and giving it a light squeeze - and leaning in to give him one more kiss - before he pulls back, heading for his room.]

Just let me get my coat and I'll meet you in the kitchen.

[It's got the best take-off window, after all.]

All right.

[Teddy watches him go, a look on his face that can only be described as fond, before he stands and heads to the kitchen, already starting to unbutton his shirt. He has these clothes on for a reason, as they're plain and unassuming, and will do a better job of fitting in with the scenario his has planned than anything else he has.

So when Billy gets to the kitchen, Teddy's already at the open window, looking out at the sky with the sleeves of his shirt tied around his waist. When he hears his boyfriend come in, he smiles, both happy to see him and amused by what he's wearing; he so knew it.]

Ready? [He holds out his hand for him. Even just this part, taking off together, is wonderful to Teddy.]

[He tries not to be predictable, honest, but when he gets to his closet to grab his coat and his uniform is just hanging there, practically begging...

...well, what's the harm? So of course he comes out wearing his Wiccan cape instead, totally unashamed. It's his birthday, dammit, he'll wear what he wants.]

Ready.

[He returns the smile and accepts Teddy's offered hand, his gaze running (equally shamelessly) over the blond's bare chest before they both step out of the open window and take off into the sky, one with powerful flapping wings and the other drifting weightless on a current of blue magic. He loves this every time, with the glow around their bodies and the beat of air with each movement of Teddy's wings, the warmth of their joined hands and the way the ground gets smaller and smaller the further they go.

He looks at Teddy again, this time focusing on his face, and floats closer to brush his shoulder up against his boyfriend's.]

How did you know this is exactly what I wanted?

Oh, I don't know. Probably because it's exactly what I wanted, too.

[He takes to gliding now that Billy's closer, not particularly wanting to hit him with his wings, and just looks at him with a warm smile, cheeks slightly flushed to back up his statement. He loves this just as much as Billy does, feeling the wind through his hair and the warmth of his lover's hand contrasting against the nip of the winter air. Seeing the ground so far beneath them, watching the sights that would be impossible to see from below, being so close to the sky - Teddy loves everything about it, and it makes him so grateful that he thought wings might be a good idea a year ago, and Billy backed him up on it.

With him looking at Billy like this and seeing that expression, Teddy just can't help himself; he leans his head over to press his lips against his boyfriend's, though not for too long, seeing how he needs to watch where he's going. The whole flight would just be ruined if they crashed into a bird mid-kiss, huh?]

Edited 2013-02-08 06:50 (UTC)

[Billy half-laughs against his lips, breaking the kiss and bumping his forehead against his boyfriend's, thinking much the same thing. It's not like it would ruin the date or anything, but it would make things a little awkward. Albeit hilarious.

Token affection wholeheartedly returned, he lifts his free hand to tug the cap off his camera, turning it on and lifting it to his eye to snap a picture of Teddy, grinning behind it.]

To capture the moment! Not that I'll be forgetting it anytime soon.

[Teddy had, at first, looked a little surprised to see the camera pointed at him, but he managed to give a smile just before the picture went off. And wow, it even gave a flash, something that was missing from Billy's iPhone. He blinks hard, then lets out a soft chuckle as he lets go of Billy's hand, veering off to the side slightly.]

In that case, go nuts. You've got to be dying to use that thing.

I've been dying to take pictures in general. You should see my phone, it's already half-full of photos.

[He has no idea how much space he's got, but at least he has his laptop back, so that's not really a concern. He gets three or four photos of Teddy before he turns the camera on the scenery, taking pictures of whatever looks interesting.]

Really? Here I thought you'd filled it up already.

[Teddy watches Billy take pictures for a moment, simply enjoying how his boyfriend is so enthusiastic about one of his passions, and then faces forward, glancing towards their destination before his eyes look to the sky. New York never had a sky like this; it was always obscured by buildings and the numerous lights that lit up the city. Now? He can see it clearly just from the ground, not even having to fly or be on a rooftop. If there's one thing he actually likes about Luceti, it's this, flying with his boyfriend in clear skies like this, sometimes claiming it as their own like days such as this.

It's a special kind of magic to Teddy. So, he shuts his eyes and spreads his arms, just enjoying flight without the stress of battle or destruction looming around them. It's not often back at home that they got to do that.]

[It doesn't take Billy very long to notice that their flight is getting a little aimless, with him focusing on the pictures and Teddy with his eyes closed. He glances down at the camera, then smiles and lets it hang against his side again, using his magic to boost himself in front of Teddy. He reaches out his now-free hand to grab the one Teddy has outstretched, legs kicking at the air to set him in a gentle spin.

It's dorky, yes, but really- who the hell cares? It's not like the opinions of other people have mattered to him before, so it certainly won't when he's in the middle of having a good time with his special someone.]

Careful- we don't want to crash.

[Teddy opens his eyes once Billy catches one of his hands, and he automatically reaches out to catch Billy's other hand once they start to spin in the air, almost like a dance.

... Dork. His boyfriend is such a dork. And while Teddy is far more self-conscious than Billy, not only are the in the air where people probably won't look at them, but Teddy has learned how to, simply put, not give as much of a fuck as he used to.

So instead, he uses his wings to slow down their flight a little, shifts his hands so that he can entwine his fingers with Billy's, and just lets his boyfriend guide their movement while he handles the speed and direction. He might have his attention on Billy's face, but he still glances away every now and then to make adjustments and to see if there's anything they might crash into.]

Nah. I've got you. And I'm not about to let a crash ruin your birthday.

[Billy smiles brightly, suddenly getting an idea. He gives Teddy's hands a squeeze and closes his eyes briefly, muttering under his breath. The blue glow around them flares, his eyes glowing beneath closed lids, and after a moment the glow spreads outwards to surround them both, a faint blue sheen of a magic shield separating them from the rest of the world.

He opens his eyes again, still tinged with blue fire, and the smile shifts into a satisfied smirk.]

Who's got who now?

[Teddy glances around the shield, his lips quirking up appreciatively, and gives Billy's hands a squeeze, his gaze falling back on his boyfriend again.]

I like to think we got each other.

[And after a small pause, Teddy just can't help letting out some laughter, and he ducks his head to hide a small blush on his cheeks.]

Oh my god, Billy, look at us! We're sickening, aren't we?

Totally.

[Billy just chuckles alongside him, pulling Teddy closer and twining his fingers through the shapeshifter's, trying to blow his hair out of his face despite the attempts of the wind (and Teddy's flapping wings) to keep it hopelessly untamed. It's a losing battle.]

Should've worn my headband, geez...

I'm glad you didn't, actually. It wouldn't fit the theme at all.

[He gives a little smirk, letting that be his only hint for what's to come. But he also glances at Billy's hair, and - oh god, yeah, it's a complete and total hopeless mess now.]

You might want to smooth your hair a little when we get there. [After all, with what he has planned? Messy hair just would not do.]

[Billy finally lets go of one of Teddy's hands to fly straight again, glancing around and veering around a nearby building. From the direction they're headed, he can make a guess at where they're going - there isn't that much in the southern area - but he'll keep it to himself in case Teddy's hoping to surprise him.

That "theme" comment has him intrigued, though.]

Maybe I should invest in some gel or something. We can't all have perfectly tousled hair all the time.

[It's pretty obvious where they're going, but as for the contents? That's the surprise here, and Teddy's sure he'll catch Billy off-guard with it. Pleasantly, of course.

With one hand free, he holds his arm out behind him, as if he were copying the way other heroes fly. And - yes, there's the Battledome in the distance. Almost there now.]

That'd be cool. Who knows what you could do with your hair with that stuff. [He grins - ] You could even make a mohawk if you wanted.

[People at his school wore gel a lot, and he's seen a lot of interesting and creative ways they fixed their hair. Others... not so much.]

[Dis face.]

Really. I mention hair gel and the first thing you come up with is a mohawk? Seriously?

[He doesn't try to envision himself with a mohawk. He knows it's ridiculous without even giving it consideration.]

Hey, it's pretty much one of the most gelled up styles in gel history!

[With that, he turns his head to look at Billy and shapes his hair into a stiff, purple mohawk, and he sticks his tongue out with an unimpressed gaze. The stereotype of people with styles like that.]

[...ff. Fffffff.

Yeah, okay, you just lost him, Teddy. A snort escapes him at first, then another as he tries to hold it in, but it only takes another second to two and he caves to a sudden attack of laughter. It's too ridiculous not to laugh at it.]

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[action] teddy are you trying to kill him

[action] maybe a little

[Action] ye devil

[Action] only for you bb

[Action] sickening

[Action] totally

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