faesphere | [Random RP Post

[At first, coming back had been too disorienting to feel anything. Billy had woken up in his chair, strapped to the VR equipment in this damned prison, and he had a sudden rush of deja vu. Hadn't he just done this? Back in- no, wait, where? Had that even been real?

We were- we were together, we were free, we were going home- from-

Luceti.

And after that, the memories had come back to him, trickling in one by one, and it was easier to focus on them than his situation. They'd been trapped there for so long, but they'd always had each other. And now- now, oh gosh, he could feel it. The ring, his ring, on a chain around his neck, hidden beneath the costume. He hadn't had it when they'd left for the chemical factory, but now, here it was. The cool metal on his skin was a reminder that it was real, all of it. One small comfort that kept him from breaking.

Teddy's coming. He promised, he said he'd get me out. I just have to wait.

So he waits, and waits, and as much as it aches to be stuck in here, he believes in Teddy's promise.

And now, when he hears Teddy's voice (for real, not an illusion, real with warm hands and shaky breath) he tentatively opens his eyes to make sure. Is this it? Is it finally over?]

...Teddy...?

[Oh god, oh thank god. Teddy lets out a long sigh of relief, and he can feel most of the rage inside leave with it. All he wants to do is drop to his knees and pull Billy into the tightest hug he can give without squeezing him too hard.

But he knows, he knows he has a job to do, and if he messes this up, everyone suffers for it. Still, he can't resist cupping Billy's cheeks with his hands and leaning in more, checking to see if he's dazed, in shock, or any other sign that he'd need more time to recover.]

Billy...

[For just a few seconds, Teddy presses his forehead to Billy's. It's too short for him, but he's probably already spent too long here.

He pulls back after that, though he still keeps his hands on Billy's cheeks. This time, though, it's to get his attention as he speaks.]

I'm going to start breaking everyone else out, and I need your help. Cap and the others are going to go up against Iron Man, and the plan is to have everyone broken out to join Cap's side. We don't have a lot of time, and we can't screw this up. You get me?

[It's him. It's really him. Billy lets free a long, tremulous breath, eyes closing as he leans his own head against Teddy's. He knows they don't have time to linger, and in truth he's more than happy to rush out of here as soon as possible, but- just a moment. He just... needs a moment like this, to take it all in.

And to remind himself- Teddy might not know. Might not remember. Not yet. For him, it's been a few months, not... not years, god. This'll be hard to keep to himself.

Teddy's right, though. There are more important things they need to deal with right now. The rest can come later.]

Yeah... yeah, I get you... just. Get me on my feet, I'll...

[He grips Teddy' shoulders, pushing himself out of the chair- but it's been so long since he's gotten to stand that his legs drop under him immediately, and he clings for balance. Whoops, too soon.]

...Okay, um. Go help the others first? I'll catch up...

[Teddy holds onto Billy's elbows, keeping him up, but... yeah, Billy's right, too. He needs to get going and not stay with his boyfriend, as much as he'd like to. The thought that he'd missed him and worried for him and was so fucking afraid for him nearly makes him just hold on and cling, but no - not yet. Not until they're out of danger.

So instead, Teddy lowers Billy to the floor so that he can kneel there instead, then backs off enough so that the only contact they have is Teddy's hand on his shoulder.]

Right. Make sure you tell everyone what I just told you, all right?

[And then, Teddy turns as he stands, shifts back into Pym as he runs out. Sure enough, after just a moment, Billy will likely hear the sound of door upon door opening as Teddy makes his way down the hall. Unlike with Billy, Teddy doesn't linger too long with the others. He has to hurry, before Iron Man's team catch on to what they're doing.]

[Billy can't quite help slumping back against the chair once Teddy lets him go, taking a few moments to regain full feeling back into his legs. There's so much to do, and he hates being so helpless, but until they're out of the prison he won't be much good for anything. His powers are likely to set off a hundred alarm bells, and the atmosphere of the place still makes him dizzy, even after all this time.

He's needed, though, and he can't just sit around while Teddy headlines a rescue. He's free, and he has an obligation to help. That's what superheroes do.

Grimacing, he uses the chair to pull himself back to his feet, shaking the pins and needles out of his limbs until he can walk again. Then he's out the room and hurrying down the hall, doing his best to support Teddy's efforts.

They can do this, they can get out of here. And then... well. Then, they have some serious talking to do.]

[Everything falls into place after that. The whole place starts to come apart thanks to some very angry heroes, and for good reasons. They all manage to make it out, giving Tony Stark the biggest surprise of his life. Teddy even got to be the reveal. The best kind of "fuck you" that Teddy wanted to give, although he'd really, really like to punch him instead.

And then, after the fight, it was... over. Just... suddenly over. Cap surrendered. Everyone just... stopped. It was done.

And Teddy... Teddy can't really believe it's happening. It makes him feel a little sick, seeing Cap surrender to Iron Man, especially when it's over something like fighting for heroes' rights.

He'll sort it out later. They all will. Right now, Teddy weaves through the heroes who were all fighting each other just moments ago, now standing and trying to figure out what to do with themselves. Teddy knows what to do now, and that's to find his boyfriend.]

Billy? Billy!

[Billy's exhausted after the fight, especially so soon after getting out of that hellish prison, but no power on Earth could stop him from using his magic to teleport directly to Teddy's location. He's tired of waiting.

In a flash of light he appears directly in front of Teddy, taking barely a second to visually find the blond before he practically lunges into his arms. He doesn't care who's around or if it's the time or place for it. The fight's done, they've been given the OK to retreat. He just wants to go home.]

Teddy... we're okay...

Billy -

[If Billy hadn't done so, Teddy would've pulled him in for a tight embrace instead. But right now he catches Billy and wraps his arms around him, wanting to cling but knowing he can't. But god, god, he was so worried, he hardly slept, had an angry, twisted knot in his chest that just made him want to punch something -

He ends up falling to his knees with Billy, face pressed to his shoulder and fingers curling against his boyfriend's cape.]

I was so - I didn't know what they'd do to you, I had to wait to come after you, I'm so sorry we took so long -

It's okay- it's okay, I knew you'd come as soon as you could.

[He can't tell Teddy that he literally did know, that Teddy had told him directly, but he can at least try and ease the guilt. He knows it must have eaten up at Teddy to just leave him in the prison. Maybe this one small thing can help that.

He can't say for sure what he'd have believed, without Luceti's interlude to share his future. Would he have doubted? He doesn't want to believe that, not after everything. Teddy came. That's all that matters.

He curls up as tightly as he can against Teddy, tears trickling down his cheeks and seeping into their uniforms. Outwardly it's just relief at being free, but... it just feels so good to be back.]

I just... let's go home. Can we go home? I need to see everyone, I...

[God. God, this is going to test every lying-to-parents skill he's ever learned over the years. How is he supposed to pretend it's only been a few months at most when it's been years since he saw nearly everyone he's ever known?]

[It does feel a little better, knowing that Billy understood, had faith in him all that time. It's the one of the few good things that came out of this, that and actually getting Billy out of there.

He nods as much as he can against Billy's shoulder and, while Teddy would love to keep clinging on to him, he knows they should get going. They're free to go home. No arrests, no fighting, no anything. It's time to get home.]

Right... yeah. Let's -

Hulkling! Wiccan!

[But as he pulls back, Teddy hears a voice and turns to see the rest of their team running up... minus Cassie, that is. Eli, Kate and Jonas, all coming to check up on them.]

Guys! It's okay... I got him. He's back.

[He looks at Billy with a question in his eyes, though he's not sure if his boyfriend will interpret it; "do you still want to go home, or see them for a bit?"]

[It's not really a decision he has to make at all; the Young Avengers are home, in a sense, and it's been a long time since he's seen many of them, too. With a teary smile he hurries forward to greet his friends with as many hugs as he can get away with, clinging especially to Kate and Tommy - whom he's closer to than ever now, albeit one-sided - and Eli, whom he missed dearly. Even Vision gets a big hug. He's just so glad to see everyone.

Well... almost everyone. But while he knows it'll take a while before either side will be ready to join up again, he's not really angry with her for leaving them anymore. Maybe distance helped with that. Or maybe because he hadn't been there to witness it, anyway. He'll have to decide later.

Whatever. He's too happy to care.]

[Some of them seem surprised about all the hugging - pretty much all the other boys, but it's also written off as Billy just being glad he's out of the prison. Teddy himself stays back, letting his boyfriend reunite with everyone, noting just how relieved and happy he is to see all of them.

God, he missed him so much.

And, of course, he doesn't say no when Kate comes to hug him, too. In fact he returns the embrace, and is so grateful for it. At times like this? He needs some kind of physical assurance, too. It's over for now... Everyone in the group - well, mostly everyone, but everyone's okay. They're all (almost) a full team again.

And Cassie... They'll just give her some time. She can hang out at the big kids' table, sure, but hopefully she'll see that the lame-nerd-table is definitely where it's at.]

[Eventually Billy is able to drag himself out of his urgent need to cling to his friends; they're still in the middle of what had basically become a warzone, and if they stick around for much longer, they're likely to get arrested. (And like hell he's letting them take him back to that prison.) So with a quick murmur to the group, he reaches out to take Teddy's hand, tugging him in close as he starts up a spell to take them back to their old hideout.

It's still in rough shape - all but abandoned since they were captured, a gaping hole in the upper floor where the feds had blown up poor Eli. But the building is sturdy, and they'd always felt safe there. He doesn't linger, though; once everyone is there and in one piece, he pulls Teddy away from the group, giving his hand a squeeze.]

Okay, seriously. Home? Please?

[Teddy's not quite as dazed as the others because of the teleportation, but he still does seem a bit out of it when Billy starts to pull him away. It always does feel weird, and - well, it's just a relief to see that Billy got it right, especially after he'd been locked away and weakened for so long. It's impressive, actually.

He snaps out of it though, enough to look at Billy long enough to nod, wave back at the group with a tired smile, then face forward once more. Home... The Kaplan family are already out of their minds with worry, have been for weeks now. It'll be so nice to be able to bring their son back... even if it probably means he'll have to do something else on his own for a while. That doesn't even matter to him; his boyfriend is here, he's safe, and his family is going to be so happy.]

Home, yes. Let's go.

[Once they get out in the streets, there's still a nagging at his brain to let go of Billy's hand, because people could be looking, because what if they get glares, what if... But no, no. He loves the feeling of Billy's hand in his own, and Billy isn't letting go either, so... that means he probably likes it too, right?

Besides, there's something else more pressing on his mind. He gives Billy's hand a squeeze, a way to get his attention.]

But seriously, B... are you okay? [It's not just physically; Teddy can't imagine what they did to him, what kind of holograms he had to sit through, not being able to do anything...]

[One more flash of magic, and the costumes fade to civvies; Billy doesn't think to ask, but he's done it enough times that he assumes it's okay. He'd honestly like to just teleport or fly right there, but he's tired, and he doesn't want to deal with the superhero stuff right now. He wants to go home as himself, Billy Kaplan, walk through the door like a real person and greet his family like everything's fine. He can deal with all things horrible when he's had time to savour the good that's come of this.

He's ready to rush right for the metro when Teddy's question halts him, and he pauses, not able to face his boyfriend right away. Is he okay? God, he is so, so not. And he'd love to tell a pretty lie and reassure Teddy that yes, he's fine, he's just tired, and he's so happy to be free, and- okay, the last two are true, but... it's too much. Years of misplaced memories, the knowledge that he's the only one who knows about any of it, everything he went through before and after Luceti, everything in Luceti...

He takes a deep, tremulous breath, glances over his shoulder, and gives Teddy a faintly pleading look.]

I... can't talk about it. Not yet. But I promise, I will when I'm ready.

[Please, please let that be enough. He can't bring himself to explain anything if Teddy chooses to pry right now.]

[It isn't really enough, but the promise does reassure him a little. Plus, Teddy doesn't want to upset Billy too much, not after... all of this. Not after he's finally free and back by Teddy's side. He does look a little unhappy, but it's only because he's still scared for him, like Billy's still locked up with nothing Teddy can do for him.

So he sucks up the worry with a breath that's just a bit deeper, then nods, a warm smile on his face as he squeezes Billy's hand again, even though he can't quite get the concern out of his eyes. Hopefully his boyfriend won't notice and add that to the pile of things on his mind.]

Okay. I'll hold you to that. [Or maybe not, but it's enough. The sentiment and the promise is enough for him.]

Come on - [He says it as he pulls ahead this time, leading Billy towards the metro. It's time to get his boyfriend back home - finally, after all this time.]

Edited 2015-07-09 06:44 (UTC)

[Billy does notice, but he has to force it to the back of his mind for now. Pushing himself now would just cause as scene, and he'd probably end up freaking out and making things worse for the both of them. His head's too much of a jumble to explain how he's feeling in a way that won't give Teddy stress nightmares or something. That's the last thing either of them need.

Still, he can't quite stop himself from leaning heavily on Teddy as they head back, gripping his hand like a vice while they walk, tucking himself up against Teddy's side on the subway. Mercifully it's a short trip to their stop. He's already certain that he's going to start sobbing the moment he walks through the apartment door. What the hell is he even going to say to his parents? Teddy's seen the prison- how does he explain anything to them?

Shivering, he burrows his face in Teddy's shoulder and closes his eyes, allowing Teddy to lead them home. Almost there. Almost there...]

Edited 2015-07-09 07:11 (UTC)

[Teddy isn't quite sure what to do with himself; Billy's never really sought out this much of his touch before. Not that they don't do it at all, but soaking up this much of him is... it's so nice, but so different, too. They usually reserve this for when they're in private, is all.

He doesn't think much of it though, for Billy has a good reason to be like this, and Teddy doesn't hesitate at all to return that affection. They just need to get home, get out of the crowd of people that's always around New York and get back home. Billy's not the only one who missed it, even though Teddy still doesn't consider it a home just yet.

Thankfully, the whole trip doesn't take long, and Teddy keeps Billy tucked against his side while he leads the way. Up the stairs of the apartment building, up the elevator, and down the hall until -

Until the door opens suddenly, and Mrs. Kaplan is there, eyes wide with worry and shock and - and relief, utter relief. As soon as Teddy sees her, he lets go of Billy and steps aside - this is something for a mother and her son.]

Billy? Billy, Oh - Jeff! Jeff, he's home!

[She doesn't even finish speaking before she moves forward to pull her son tight into her arms. He's home, he's finally home.]

[And just like that, he's home again.

For a long moment, Billy is frozen, unable to move, unable to fully comprehend this reality. Home. Home. Back to his apartment, back to his family, back to his room and his school and his annoying baby brothers and the team and- and- everything-

Arms wrapped around him, hands on his back, where there are no wings anymore. His mother clinging to his neck where there used to be a barcode, crying into his shirt, his father pulling them both into a strong, hearty embrace. The pleasant scent of something cooking in the kitchen, the hum of the evening news on the TV a dull buzz in the background detailing the battle that had taken place less than an hour ago. His mother is talking, asking questions, but he doesn't hear any of it. There's just a dull ache in his chest as that lonely hole he'd been carrying for more than two years' worth of memories is finally, finally beginning to close up.

Home.

His breath catches, and he finally moves, arms lifting to cling to his parents, and he goes ahead and lets the tears flow freely. This is what he'd needed, all this time.]

[And even the little brothers rush out with calls of Billy's name to cling to their brother's sides and legs. It's an emotional family reunion, a big Kaplan family pile.

And Teddy, standing away from them with his hands in his pockets, just watches with a happy, yet wistful smile. He'd done what he promised; he brought Billy back to his family, safe and well. And he's so happy to see the result of it, and yet - yet he's a bit out of place here, and it feels an awful lot like he's peeking in on an intimate moment that he shouldn't be looking at. When he looks down at the floor because of it, his mind helplessly wonders what it'd be like if his own mother was alive right now. Would she have pulled him into her arms too, cried against his shoulder? Would there be a pleasant scent of homemade food waiting for him? Would she press kisses all over his cheeks and forehead and nose and ask so many questions at once?

He feels like he should leave. The hallway is suddenly too small, and he's intruding on something he shouldn't be. He takes a step back and turns, though he doesn't even make it halfway when - ]

Teddy - No, stay, hold on -

[... How does she know these things?]

No, it's okay, Mrs. Kaplan, I'll be back later -

[Funny, how it's Teddy's name that finally breaks through the fog- not his mother's tearful welcome or his father's careful questions, but Teddy. Then again, it also makes sense- Teddy's been his only family, his sole supporter, for a long time now, even if he's the only one who remembers it. He lifts his head, startled by the words. Back later? He's leaving?

He's genuinely startled by the sudden panic, moving before he can even think about it- wriggling free of the arms of his parents and reaching out to grasp at Teddy's sleeve like a desperate child. His voice is shaky as he speaks up, hesitant- he doesn't understand why Teddy would leave, where he's going, why, don't go, don't leave me-]

Teddy...?

[Teddy looks down at the hand holding his sleeve, then up to Billy's eyes, seeing the desperation there and not entirely understanding it. He would've thought they'd let him go, go to... wherever, probably wander or see his mom's grave, just to give them some time alone together. This was their thing, not... his. He lost his not long ago, after all.

He doesn't keep going, and he takes a step back toward Billy as well. But he does look at him as well as the rest of the family with a question in his eyes, because he feels on the spot, he doesn't know what to think, this is still such a new thing for him.]

I, uh... was going to go out for a while? You know... [He gestures to the them all.] So you guys can catch up. [As a family, goes unsaid. But...]

Don't be silly, [Mrs. Kaplan says as she walks past Billy, squeezes her son's shoulder, then gives Teddy a hug about as equal as the one she gave to Billy.] You're just as much our family.

[Billy can only nod, hoping that just how much he agrees with his mother's words is conveyed through his eyes. There's so much he wants to say, but so much he can't. How Teddy literally is his family, how he has so many memories of their time spent together, how they'd shared a home and a bed and a life, how the ring at his neck, tucked beneath his shirt, is a symbol of just how much of a family they are.

Not yet, though. Not yet. And his heart aches to remember that Teddy doesn't know all those things. He wants to confess it all, but knows how crazy and unbelievable it would be.

Instead he just clings, refusing to let Teddy go, and pleads silently. If Teddy truly wanted to go, no one could stop him. But it's clearly for their sake, not his.]

[Well. How is he supposed to leave now? From Rebecca's hug to Jeff agreeing with his wife and clasping his shoulder, from the way the brothers hold his sides and legs too to...

To Billy looking at him like that, with a plea in his eyes and still holding his sleeve.

There's still a huge hole in his heart where his mother - his only family - used to be, and Teddy knows it could never really be filled. But moments like this... it's not so bad. He even feels a little bit like the family Rebecca's talking about, even though he hasn't known them for long.

So he ducks his head with a somewhat shy and very humbled smile, and the tension that'd previously filled his shoulders relaxes out of him. He still feels like some kind of intruder, like he shouldn't be here. But they want him here, they want him to be part of their family, and... he kind of wants it, too.]

Yeah... okay. Sorry about that...

[And now that that's settled, it's about time for them to stop lingering in the hallway. Soon enough, the boys are bullied back inside by the parents, where they're smothered with affection and worry and, in the brothers' case, annoying questions. But it's home. As much as Teddy can call it a home, at least. He mostly stays quiet with his hands on his knees, as Billy is the one who'd been missing, locked up at a prison this whole time. Yet there are times where he'll reach out to take Billy's hand, or rest his own against the small of Billy's back. He's here, and he'll be here to stay.]

[What a relief. With Teddy at his side, Billy feels less like he's about to fall to pieces; he's still tense, and refuses to say much- something he knows is going to earn him even more family therapy sessions with Dr. Mom later, but screw it, he doesn't feel like talking. Right now he just wants to sit quietly and soak in the presence of his family. When Teddy takes his hand he holds it tight, his breath evening out a little more each time. The mantra is perpetual and hushed at the back of his mind, home, home, home, home. It's incredible. It's like a dream, and if he hadn't walked right out of a nightmare that day he'd have wondered if it was even real. But no- he's seen enough dreams and illusions to recognize it, now.

Eventually he grows too weary of it- the awkward silences, the urgent, fretful gaze of his parents, the questions from his brothers. Half an hour or so into poking disinterestedly at his dinner, he murmurs about feeling tired and not the slightest bit hungry, and his mother immediately rises and brushes a hand through his hair, over his forehead.]

Of course, sweetheart, you must be exhausted. Why don't you go to bed, and we'll talk in the morning?

[Normally such a comment would be halfway a threat, but right now it's all care and concern, and he loves her all the more for it. He nods, leaning in automatically as she kisses his forehead and steps away to let him rise.

Before he moves, though, he glances at Teddy, to see what he'll do. He doesn't want to ask, but...]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject