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[Action, July 11th-13th]
[To say that Billy is a bit of a basket case right now would be a severe understatement. His mom is here. His admittedly teenage and therefore doesn't-know-who-he-is-and-kind-of-alternate-universe mom, yes, but that doesn't seem to make the intensity of his feelings about the matter any different. One small comfort is that they're getting along (so far), and their shared powers gives them common ground, but there's still that lingering... risk that he can't stop thinking about. That he won't be able to keep his secrets, that eventually everything will come crumbling down. He's terrified of that.
The first day, he does little else but fret and mull over it, after separating from Wanda; Teddy's kind enough to cancel any of his daily doings, since he's in no state to be pretending like everything's normal. It had been hard enough with Wanda the first time. Today, though, he feels much better. His head is more clear, he's found his center of calm, and he spent at least half the day and night before meditating so he figures he has a firm grasp on his sanity again.
There are certain things that he knows he needs to do, especially since he ditched all his usual priorities the day before, so he's made himself a list, and today he's going through it all. It is as follows: He swing by the art gallery and removes some of his work, namely anything that features the Scarlet Witch (only a couple of pieces, mind you, and they're his, but art theft is still art theft). He attends training with Logan and begs for forgiveness about skipping the day before (beg may be an overstatement of what actually happens because he isn't really sorry at all). He'll attend X-Men Training and try to perform decently despite feeling ridiculously scatterbrained. And finally, he'll probably talk to some Very Important People in the process of completing the rest of his list.
In the end, well... he's decided to track down Wanda again, maybe not now, but some time in the near future. Because despite his fears and misgivings, despite everything he's likely to say to everyone else - that it's a bad idea, that he'll mess things up, that he'll accidentally reveal himself - the temptation of sharing his powers with hers, teaching her, helping her, is too strong to resist. This is about more than a lost family, now. This is about magic.]
The first day, he does little else but fret and mull over it, after separating from Wanda; Teddy's kind enough to cancel any of his daily doings, since he's in no state to be pretending like everything's normal. It had been hard enough with Wanda the first time. Today, though, he feels much better. His head is more clear, he's found his center of calm, and he spent at least half the day and night before meditating so he figures he has a firm grasp on his sanity again.
There are certain things that he knows he needs to do, especially since he ditched all his usual priorities the day before, so he's made himself a list, and today he's going through it all. It is as follows: He swing by the art gallery and removes some of his work, namely anything that features the Scarlet Witch (only a couple of pieces, mind you, and they're his, but art theft is still art theft). He attends training with Logan and begs for forgiveness about skipping the day before (beg may be an overstatement of what actually happens because he isn't really sorry at all). He'll attend X-Men Training and try to perform decently despite feeling ridiculously scatterbrained. And finally, he'll probably talk to some Very Important People in the process of completing the rest of his list.
In the end, well... he's decided to track down Wanda again, maybe not now, but some time in the near future. Because despite his fears and misgivings, despite everything he's likely to say to everyone else - that it's a bad idea, that he'll mess things up, that he'll accidentally reveal himself - the temptation of sharing his powers with hers, teaching her, helping her, is too strong to resist. This is about more than a lost family, now. This is about magic.]
[July 11th | Action]
His starkphone is too far away to reach, so he can't play his calming music (which mostly just consists of Oblivion tracks). He can, however, hum some tunes from said game album, knowing just about every one by heart. Maybe, hopefully, his humming voice can be just as good. Like how Billy's humming and rare singing can make Teddy feel warm and peaceful.]
[July 11th | Action]
Mostly he's just enjoying the heck out of himself and wondering how he wound up so damn spoiled today.]
[July 11th | Action]
But this is much easier, Billy being on his stomach. Teddy moves to a better seating position, then continues with his ministrations, this time being able reach the gluts before sliding his hands back down, pressing a little harder into the muscles that would ache more due to being bent for so long. Around the knees, his thighs, even the feet, where he'd likely put pressure on them.
It takes about eight minutes for each leg, and by the time he's finished, Teddy's got one of Billy's feet against his shoulder while he walks his fingers up and down the Achilles tendon.]
Want a break? I don't think you want to let your drink melt.
[July 11th | Action]
Man... first you bring me coffee and then you try to put me to sleep? Make up your mind...
[He can't entirely be a brat, though, sliding his foot over the surface of Teddy's neck and shoulder, toes grazing gently as if stroking the skin.]
...Thank you, though. This feels amazing.
[July 11th | Action]
[It's not often that Teddy mentions his mother, and for good reason. In fact, he gets off of the subject pretty quickly, reaching over to take Billy's drink and move it up closer to him, waiting for him to take it.]
Did you figure anything out?
[July 11th | Action]
[Billy sits up more, accepting the cup and sipping thoughtfully for a long moment. Figure anything out? He's not sure that was even the purpose of today. He'd needed this break for his sanity, not for sorting out his own thoughts. Though in retrospect he knows he should have done that, too.
He does have a few decisions to be made, after all.]
Not... exactly. But I feel better, a little. I mean, I'm not freaking out about it as much as I was a few hours ago.
[July 11th | Action]
[And he means it. Even if nothing's been figured out, having a clearer head and accepting the words of others - particularly Teddy - is always a good thing. This is a big issue, after all.
Now that they're on this subject, Teddy lowers Billy's leg to the couch and walks his hands up, and up, until he reaches the small of his back.]
Do you want to talk about it, or...?
[It'd be okay if Billy didn't want to talk about this in particular with Teddy; he could never really understand the way he'd want to, what with having grown up with only one family member and now having none whatsoever... biologically speaking.]
[July 11th | Action]
But... he'd brought up his mom, and Billy's being more careful this time. Hrngh... why does this have to be so hard?]
...What would you do? If, like... Anelle showed up here as a kid or something. Would you tell her the truth, or...?
[July 11th | Action]
Even so, as he pressing his hands against Billy and slides them up his back, his thoughts jump to something else. Not Anelle, but...]
I know we shouldn't talk about the future, but... After the war ended back on our world, there was a broadcast of Captain Marvel saying that he came back. In the flesh, Billy, actually back. We were on a date in Times Square when it happened, and I decided to be a lousy boyfriend and bail to try to find him.
[He doesn't mention that Billy followed him, or that he made a callous remark that made Teddy actually have to warn him.]
I did find him. Apparently, it was some kind of time travel thing that made him show up again. And I kind of blurted out immediately that I was his son.
[A half smile comes up, slightly bitter and not at all real.] He bolted. I don't know what I was expecting, some kind of father-son reunion or... whatever. God, I acted terrible to everyone after that. Sorry in advance for that.
[July 11th | Action]
Teddy, oh my god...
[It shouldn't be a surprise, really, considering the number of times superheroes have returned from the dead, but- god, sometimes you just assume they won't return because it's been so long since they died. Marvel was one of those people.
But... alive? Teddy's dad is alive? That's kind of incredible. Even if he bailed, at least there was a chance...!]
[July 11th | Action]
[Teddy tries not to inject too much emotion in his voice, since the meeting still leaves him so conflicted. Instead he keeps going, focused on Billy's back and where his hands press against him.]
He met up with me later, and we just... talked for a little while. How the Kree children grew up, how I grew up, how I'd talk to a picture of my dad when I was a kid... And we hugged at the end, once.
[His hands slide up to Billy's neck, thumbs rubbing circles in the back of it with tenderness.] Billy, at that moment, for just a second, I felt like I wasn't truly alone in the world. But it was just for a second... [He slides his hands down once more.] He had to go back to his time. I thought it wasn't fair, even if I... sort of understood. [If by "sort of" he means "throw a tantrum and cry on the roof like a stupid kid".]
Then he flew off, and I never saw him again after that.
[July 11th | Action]
I'm sorry... I'm so sorry, Ted.
[July 11th | Action]
It's okay. [He's kind of come to expect it now.]
My case is different from yours. Mar-vell isn't Wanda, especially not this Wanda. But I guess what I'm trying to say is... What are you expecting, by telling her who you are?
[July 11th | Action]
He settles for filing that information away for later, tilting his head down to the pillow again, fingers drumming against the coffee cup.]
Honestly? I wish I knew. The dreamer in me wants to believe that she'll accept me as her kid, and we'll have awesome magical bonding time, and everything will be fine and we'll both be better off for it. But at the same time the realistic half - or cynical, whatever - is reminding me what a horrible idea this is. I could really mess her up, and... it's selfish of me to even consider it.
[Yet he can't seem to stop doing just that.]
[July 11th | Action]
[With Billy's head tilted down again, Teddy slides his free hand up to rub at the back of his neck again, where it's likely being strained.]
It's not selfish. Take it from me. I know I felt the same thing when I flew around like crazy trying to find Captain Marvel. If there's one thing I learned from that whole experience? It's that every kid who has a real parent out there wants to know more about them. Especially if the opportunity's there. It's not selfishness. I'd be surprised if you weren't thinking about it.
[He lets a small pause go on between them before he goes on.] I'm glad you're actually taking the time to think about it. I didn't think at all before I pulled my stunt.
If you want my opinion? I think she might be better off not knowing. I can't exactly predict her actions or anything... but I don't see it going well no matter how she reacts.
[July 11th | Action]
I'm pretty sure if she'd been an adult I'd have told her right away. It's the fact that she's a teenager right now that just... I dunno. It's messing with my head.
[Not telling her... is a really good idea, he knows. Most likely the best idea. Honestly, he's sure it's what stopped him from blurting out the whole truth within the first ten minutes of meeting her. It's a stupid, rash, emotionally-driven decision, one he seriously doubts would have zero consequences.]
You're... probably right. But what if it's not up to me? Luceti's not exactly a great place to keep your secrets hidden. What if something happens, and it comes out? I don't know how to deal with that...
[July 11th | Action]
The thought of that happening to Billy (and he'd seen it, saw that very thing happen right before his eyes and they'd only been dating for a few months and it still felt like his entire world had shattered - "teddy, help, i'm -") makes his hand pause its movement briefly before it starts up again. Even if Wanda knew, that wouldn't happen. This is a different Wanda, after all. The possibility of the Young Avengers existing in their world looked pretty grim.]
... Well. [Right, time to get his head back on the subject.] How many people know about it?
[July 11th | Action]
[The fact that he's managed to let Wanda and his connection to her sneak into so much of his life without warning is a little unsettling, but he can't dwell on that right now.]
[July 11th | Action]
[He stops his motions again, lifting his hand entirely from Billy's back to brace his elbow near him, allowing him to lean down nearer to his head.]
You know, even if you do decide to tell her, I'll be with you on that, right? Not telling her is just my take on it.
[July 11th | Action]
[As Teddy settles in next to him, Billy shifts again, sidling up to set his cup back down on the table - it's mostly empty at this point anyway - and wind his arm around Teddy's neck, forehead pressed up against the blond's shoulder. He doesn't feel so desperately in need of comfort anymore, but a hug would be nice, both for his and Teddy's sake. A lovely massage - and good advice - merits some TLC reward, at the very least.]
...And... I know. Thanks, Tee... for listening, for being here. For everything.
[July 11th | Action]
[Teddy shifts his elbow from under him to settle on his side completely just as Billy leans in close, arm around his neck and face to his shoulder. No good hug is complete without reciprocation, so Teddy winds his own arm around Billy's back, hand resting just below his feathers, and turns his head to nuzzle his cheek against Billy's hair. They both could use this, what with Billy's situation and retelling the event that Teddy went through. And Teddy's more than happy to lay here as long as Billy needs him here - for he himself needs all the time he can get with him, too.]
[July 11th | Action]
Hey... what you said before... you know you're not alone in the world, right? Not ever...
[His grip tightens, just enough to be meaningful. You've got me.]
[July 11th | Action]
I know. I know... I forget sometimes. I think about the whole... everything, and it's hard to remember when I do.
[He tightens his own grip, meaningful on its own.]
I've got you. And you're the best family I could ask for.
[Yes, he does miss his mother, and her death had left a hole in his heart that could never truly be filled. And yes, he does wish his father could have stayed, even if only for a day more.
But he's never truly alone, even if he does forget in the times when he misses his unattainable family. Because he's got one right here in his arms.]
[July 11th | Action]
[Billy relaxes against him, giving Teddy's hand a gentle squeeze, and rests his head comfortably against his boyfriend's. He'd been worried a little, not much, but just enough, and hearing that is immensely reassuring.]
...Good answer.
[July 11th | Action]
But Billy is his now and forever, a presence that's by his side and supporting him through all the good and bad times. One who loves him, one who fights for him and protects him, holds him when he needs it and when he doesn't, learns from him and helps him learn as well.
How can that not be family?
With a contented sigh, Teddy presses a prolonged kiss to Billy's shoulder and tangles their legs together, then shuts his eyes and just drinks in his boyfriend's presence. He'll probably doze off like that, cozy and completely relaxed in his boyfriend's arms, but after all that happened today? This is definitely a time to stay at home with each other.]