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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[Heee pauses, as if he hadn't really thought of that before now.]

... I don't know, it said it could. And we had popcorn on my birthday, so...

[And even if it is fake food, they can just watch for now, maybe dance later, or head out to the last part of the whole birthday surprise.]

We had popcorn because I brought the kernels for it. I tried making it from scratch but it didn't really taste like anything.

[He gives Teddy a little prod.]

Anyway, I had dinner before I came home, and then you fed me a giant piece of cake, remember? So I'm fine. If you're hungry, though, there's those vending machines outside. Want something?

... You have no idea how hungry I am right now.

[Seriously. Teddy hasn't had anything to eat since he started working on this whole project this morning, and those vending machine snacks sound really good right now. He pulls Billy a little closer to give him a kiss on the temple though, before anything else.]

If you want to stay here a little longer, then I'll be right back. Or we can move on to the next thing...

[Billy feels a little twinge of guilt at that, mixed with indecision; he feels bad about Teddy not eating, since he knows he was kept busy for Billy's sake, but the idea of leaving this beautiful place so soon is... hrngh...]

If you're that hungry, we can go if you want.

[He's trying not to sound reluctant, but he's watching the dancers around them a little wistfully, as if taking in last minute glimpses of the scene in case Teddy says yes.]

[Teddy doesn't even have to look hard to see that Billy's practically telling a bald-faced lie. Trust his boyfriend to wear his heart on his sleeve. So he chuckles, then gives Billy's shoulder another little squeeze.]

Dork. You let me out of this booth prison, and I'll get food. You stay here and enjoy this place.

...Still the best.

[His reward is a grateful smile from Billy, and a quick squeeze of his hand before he slides out to let Teddy free. As soon as the booth is empty he scoots back to take Teddy's place, returning to full-blown happy lurker mode, leaning on the table to watch the dancing continue. He'll be content to do that - and maybe one last dance after Teddy's hunger is sated, and if his boyfriend is willing - until they finally leave.]

[And after one last romantic dance, thankfully without people watching and clapping for them this time, Teddy's back outside and programming something else into the main computer. He'd come back to the club with a big cup of coffee with extra shots of espresso, and he holds it now like it's his lifeline, especially for what he's got planned.

Once he's done, he takes one look at Billy, then offers him the cup as he heads toward the room again.]

You'll want to stay awake for this. [He would go on, saying that they wouldn't want the situation to be reversed for once, but that would probably be a dead giveaway to what Teddy has planned.]

[Billy's brows lift as he accepts the coffee, sipping gingerly at it to check the temperature. He's still got his suit on, the jacket slung over an arm, as if reluctant to let go of the little dream scenario too soon. He's honestly surprised that there's still more to do, especially since it's past midnight now; he's not often up this late since he gets up so early, so he's already starting to feel tired. Teddy was smart to get him coffee, that's for sure.]

I make no promises one way or the other.

[He's certainly going to try, though, if only for curiosity's sake, and follows Teddy inside.]

[And inside is that same large home theater that Billy had made for him for his own birthday. He did not come prepared with popcorn, but coffee should suffice. Besides, popcorn and coffee plus espresso tastes horrible together.

Still, Teddy smiles for him as he leads Billy to the plush seats, one arm hooked around his boyfriend's and the other holding the jacket of his own suit.]

Three guesses at what's playing right now.

[Oh! A movie. That makes sense. Billy mulls it over for a moment as they sit down; if anyone knows his favourite movies, it's Teddy, but now he's wondering which one Teddy would choose for both of them to watch on his birthday.]

...Uh. Fellowship? Prizoner of Azkaban? Stardust?

[Those are the best three he can come up with, anyway.]

[... Welp. That earns an unimpressed face as Teddy picks up the remote.]

You suck at this, you know that?

[Might as well let Billy find out for himself rather than just tell him outright. So, Teddy hands him the remote, then lounges back in his plush chair, giving a quick glance to see just where the coffee is. In reaching range, good. He will need it.]

Play it and see. Pretty sure you'll figure it out as soon as it plays.

You do realize that my list of favourite movies is ridiculously long, don't you?

[Don't make faces at him, Teddy. IT'S A LOT OF MOVIES.

Arguing won't get him a real answer, though, so he accepts the remote and flicks the movie on, leaning back with Teddy to watch and see.

Three seconds later the answer springs to mind upon hearing the first chord, spying the first scene. He knows this movie so well he can probably quote it line by line.

Or song by song, what-have-you.]

Wh- Sound of Music? But it's not even-

[Oh, past midnight. It is Sunday. Well-played, Teddy.]

...Wait, you picked this one for us to watch?

[Yeah, okay, Teddy kind of hates this movie. To him, it's boring, the random bursting into songs should be something that's only limited to Disney, and it puts him to sleep every time.

But it's special to Billy. It's one of his favorites, after all, although Teddy's pretty sure it is his favorite. And what can he do but be supportive of that, even if he doesn't like it nearly as much?

So, even with that dislike, he still smiles a little as the music starts, and Billy guesses it. It seems a little self-satisfied, really.]

Why not? We haven't watched this in a while.

[More like "you haven't forced me to watch this with you in a while", but let's not be too teasing before the actual movie starts and he inevitably has to shut up.]

More like I haven't watched it with you nearby to be my snoring pillow.

[Great minds think alike. ...Well, kind of. But he's smiling again, settling more comfortably in his seat, and after a moment of muttering under his breath - and another flare of blue as the lights in the dome theater dim - they're both in their pajamas, with one of Billy's warm, fleecy winter blankets spread out over the both of them. If Teddy's determined to keep him up until goddamn-early o'clock (even if he's not going to complain about it now) then he's buckling in for a slumber party.]

Why do you think I've got espresso with me - oh...

[He lifts his arms as the suit disappears, leaving him in his most comfortable pajamas (how did Billy know - scratch that, he shouldn't be surprised) and a blanket over the both of them. Once he's settled with that, he lets out a quiet snort and pulls the blanket up while leaning a little closer to his boyfriend.]

You're practically asking me to pass out again.

I think by now I've resigned myself to the inevitable. ...But thanks.

[He shifts as close as their separate seats will allow, resting his head on Teddy's shoulder and glancing sidelong at him, obviously appreciative.]

You can officially call this birthday a success.

Hmm.

[He says it with a smile on his face, pleased and equally appreciative. It almost feels like his own birthday all over again, with how happy the both of them are like this.

Though as the movie goes on, it is, of course, boring again. He's still content, with Billy still against him and obviously loving it, but that same contentment is starting to be his downfall. Even espresso can't help that nice, drowsy feeling from making him start to doze lightly about an hour into it. It is, at least, longer than he usually lasts, which is forty five minutes. Blame the coffee for that.

But also thanks to that, he blinks awake more often, and can actually understand what's going on before shutting his eyes again. He's never seen these parts before... not that they're any more special than the others. Though if Billy nudges him, he'll probably wake up more fully.]

[Billy usually doesn't bother Teddy during this movie; it had annoyed him at first, how Teddy fell asleep without fail yet still actually stayed and attempted to watch with him anyway, but by now he's used to it. It's like when he watches Teddy play video games that don't interest him sometimes- offering mutual support, enjoying his company, tolerating his interests whether they're shared or not because that's just what couples do at times. And Teddy falling asleep on him has become a cozy ritual over time.

The espresso and Teddy's words made it seem like he finally wanted to see the whole thing, though, so just as things with the Nazis start to get tricky near the end of the film, he prods at Teddy's side, whispering at his ear.]

T- hey, wake up. You might actually like this part.

[It's got a chase scene! Not as much singing! It's right up his alley. Extra incentive is that Billy's starting to feel pretty wasted, himself, even with the coffee, so Teddy being awake might help him stay that way.]

Mm - Huh?

[Teddy pulls himself together after that, his head lifting away as he focuses on the scene, and his hand reaching out to find what's left of the coffee. He downs the rest, although there wasn't much left in the first place, and then really takes a look at what's going on now that he can feel a shot of sweet, caffeine-induced energy flare up in him.]

... Whoa, hey, what's going on? [It all looks so... tense now.]

[Quietly amused, Billy offers up his cup with the remainder of his coffee if Teddy wants to finish it off. He tends to get so immersed in the movie and the music that he forgets about snacks, so it's been mostly wasted on him anyway.]

There's a war starting. That's exciting, right? ...Also the captain married Maria.

[He's always dead asleep around this part, so.]

You don't say...

[Pft, Billy, you know he's more focused on the war thing than the marriage thing. Teddy leans his elbow against his knee and rests his chin in his hand, and he actually looks halfway interested in what's happening.

Okay, it's not a high-adrenaline chase scene with explosions and heroes walking away from crashes relatively unharmed, but it's at least better than what was going on before that, and Teddy can get behind this. He idly sips at the coffee Billy offered him, feeling more and more awake as he does so. Dammit, now he's going to be up all night, isn't he?]

[And you were being so romantic up until now, man.

Now that Teddy's shifted position a bit, Billy returns his head to Teddy's shoulder, cuddling up and looking pleased to have found a part that even remotely interests his boyfriend. As for him, the fact that it's like 2 in the morning by now has finally taken its toll- it's not that late for most teenagers, sure, but he also gets up around 6AM. So his eyes are starting to droop contentedly.

He lasts up until just after the music festival (AKA when things get more interesting for Teddy again), and then starts to nod off, all but passing out on his boyfriend.]

[While Teddy's eyes glazed over at a few parts, he still ends up watching, and his attention renews itself when the movie gets interesting again. He very nearly nudges Billy to ask him about something, but

But he notices that he's asleep.

And he is surprised. This is the first time ever that Teddy's seen Billy fall asleep during Sound of Music. Then again, he's never been awake to see it happen, but he's sure this is the first time, and it's as shocking as Billy turning down a peanut butter cup or a bag of pretzels.

So after staring sidelong at his boyfriend, and then staring some more while wondering if he should turn off the movie or watch it until the end, he decides on the latter, and he looks back at the screen to watch.

He's surprised again when he sees the credits. Usually, he's woken up again by Billy by this time, not watching it for the hell of it. Sure, he still didn't watch it all the way through, but it's the first time he's ever seen the ending. And Billy was asleep for it. Aww.

Teddy knows that he can't possibly bring Billy home without waking him up, so he gets over his shock and turns off the screen, then lifts his shoulder to nudge Billy back into the world of semi-consciousness.]

Hey, Sleeping Beauty, do you want me to carry you home tonight?

[The only response Teddy gets at first is a vague, muffled groan against his shoulder as Billy buries his face, resisting the prod. He's warm, cozy, and comfortable, why in the world would he want to wake up? Eventually Teddy gets a barely-comprehensible reply, though one could not really call it an answer.]

'm not Sleep... Beauty...

[Uuugh, seriously, he needs more coffee if Teddy wants him to get up. It's like 3 in the morning, what sensible human being is awake at this hour?]

You totally are.

[It's said more affectionately than anything, and he shakes his head to himself before he gets off of his chair. He wouldn't mind sleeping here for the night, but he's pretty sure someone else will need the dome soon, and he doesn't want Billy to wake up with sore muscles. He himself doesn't have to worry about that, but...

So, he wraps the rest of the blanket around his boyfriend as he slowly lifts him up, bridal style, and lets his head rest against his shoulder. Once he's sure Billy's secure in his arms, he heads on out, and thankfully he finds it easy enough to open the door even with an armful of boyfriend.]

All right, home it is.

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