005 - Action/Voice

[halfnhalf]

[Today marked a big day for Teddy Altman: He's eighteen today. If he were back in New York, he could vote in elections, own a credit/debit card of his own, and not have to groan over papers and applications that had a little note for people who were under eighteen. He's pretty much an adult now.

He still kind of feels like a young teenager who has no idea what he's doing, though, so he can't help being a little disappointed when he wakes up and doesn't suddenly feel like a man with a plan who knows everything and can do anything.

After gently being coaxed outside by Billy, Teddy decides to do all the things he usually does, seeing how Luceti is sorely lacking in ways to celebrate a milestone year like this. He wanders and chats up store owners, from the bakery to the weapon shop to Seventh Heaven to even the general store. He gets himself a large meal for lunch, as is customary for a guy like him, and orders his favorite just for today. He visits the library and reads up on whatever new comics they have, and that's where he gets lost in thought enough to open his journal and ask a question that's been on his mind since the day began.]

When someone turns eighteen, do they do anything special? It's a pretty big thing for teenagers in America; you can vote and get drafted and pretty much be considered an adult by the law. But does it mean anything in other worlds? Call me curious.

[He goes to the Battledome after that to simulate a basketball game – just to watch this time, not to participate. The 1992 East Regional Final, Duke verses Kentucky, one of the most suspenseful games in history and something that Teddy had watched on YouTube, but certainly not like this. It's no wonder that he's particularly hyped when he walks out. So much so that he takes to the sky as soon as he's outside, deciding that he'd rather take the joyride home rather than plain old walking. He's still a teenager, and he still feels pretty invincible even without that adult knowledge he was expecting, so why not?

Teddy might not feel any different, but it's still a pretty special day.]

Comments

[voice]

[halfnhalf]

[Teddy's flying in the air at this point, a big smile on his face as he feels the wind in his hair and his wings and still feels the adrenaline high of seeing one of the best games in history. The ping from his journal gets him to land on the nearest roof, and when he opens it to see who's talking to him, Teddy feels like that smile will never leave his face. Heh... He looks off towards the direction of their place - not too far now.]

If that's why you pushed me out of the place, then I really hope you picked out some cute strippers. And made a cake big enough for him. And breathable.

Okay, strippers coming out of a cake is a terrible idea.

[voice]

[selfhelp]

Did you forget that you're dating a witch? Maybe it's an enchanted cake. Or an enchanted stripper.

[There's a brief clatter of dishes, and the sound of running watter for a few seconds.]

Of course they'd be cute, though. I have awesome taste in guys.

[voice]

[halfnhalf]

Yeah, but would they match up to my tastes? [Footsteps are heard on his end -] Heads up, wind coming up. [Then a push of wings as he takes off, the journal still in his hand, but picking up the sound of air more than anything as he flies on .]

[voice]

[selfhelp]

What, you don't trust me to find a mutually-appealing stripper for your own birthday?

[The wind catches his attention, and a face hovers over the camera for a moment, too close to distinguish any features.]

...Aww, you went flying.

[HE HATES MISSING FLYING SESSIONS]

[voice]

[halfnhalf]

Haha, sorry! We can fly together later!

[He makes his voice a little louder to be heard over the wind, meanwhile glancing at his journal since Billy does sound closer. ... Aww, he can't see him very well. Still, Teddy shakes his head with an amused smile. Attractive shot, bf.]

Anyway, I'm just saying that if I find a stripper that looks a bit like me, we might have to talk, B!

[voice]

[selfhelp]

It's okay, today's not really a good day for it. We'll go another time.

[Not when he knows what the wind does to his hair, thank you very much. Unless he enchants it... and that might take practice, ugh.]

What if it looked like Cap? Wait, that'd be weird now, um... Nightwing?

[voice]

[halfnhalf]

Huh? Okay...

[B-But today's the perfect day to go flying, considering that's his favorite way to fly, with his boyfriend at his side. But... well, Billy said that for a reason, so...

... And it's kind of sad that he can never look at Cap the same way ever again, what with that suggestion making him feel weird more than anything else. But the second option makes him pause for a moment.]

If you got a stripper that looked like Nightwing, I might have to kiss you instead!

[voice]

[selfhelp]

...I'm not sure whether that's something to celebrate or lift an eyebrow at. Should I be jealous? Do I need to get myself some ice cream and binge-eat the birthday cake all by myself?

[voice]

[halfnhalf]

... I'd be kissing you and not the Nightwing guy?

[voice]

[selfhelp]

Your one saving grace. Okay, I'll save a slice for you.

[voice]

[halfnhalf]

You know that's my birthday cake you're saving a slice for, right?

[voice]

[selfhelp]

It's not yours until I put your name on it, light the candles, and sing you a dorky song. Right now it is a cavity-inducing monster I slaved away all afternoon to create.

[What was that about hoping your BF wasn't making it? Because he totally did.]

[voice]

[halfnhalf]

[SHIT well it's not like he'll refuse to eat it, and at least Teddy has a pretty decent iron stomach...! And Billy did slave away all afternoon at it...!]

How about I claim it from here? I'm putting my name on it with my mind! Oh, hey, I'm almost there! [The window's in sight, at least.]

[voice]

[selfhelp]

Hey, hey, hey!

[There's a sudden clattering as Billy scrambles away from the journal, his voice more distant.]

You didn't say you were coming home! I'm not ready yet!

[voice]

[halfnhalf]

Huh? ... Oh.

[Teddy tilts his body upright and flaps his wings in front of him a few times to get himself to a stop, where they beat the air below him to keep him upright. After a small pause, Teddy lifts the journal near his face, knowing that Billy's further away, and thus doing the equivalent of shouting after him.]

Do you want me to do something else for a while?

[voice]

[selfhelp]

Um- hang on-

[Crash, clatter. There's a muffled curse, and Optimus starts barking.]

Dammit- oh my god get out of that-!

[A collection of rustling sounds, then a whine, and-]

Teddy, can you call your damn dog!?

[voice]

[halfnhalf]

[... Oh wow, what's Optimus doing to warrant a double-curse out of Billy?]

What's even - Uh, hey Puptimus! Here boy! Come to daddy!

[... Even though he's up in the air and still away from the building wow this is awkward]

[voice]

[selfhelp]

[A pause, a clatter of dog nails on tile, and then suddenly the camera is filled with snuffling dog nose. Then a wagging tail, then dog nose again. Puptimus is looking for daddy and daddy is not there 8(]

Ugh, thanks. He got into some chocolate, and do you know how heavy he's getting? I really didn't want to kill your dog on your birthday. ...I mean, not ever, but especially not your birthday.

[voice]

[halfnhalf]

Hey, Optimus... [His tone sounds scolding as he directs it towards his "kid".] What did I tell you? No. Human food is not dog food.

[And since he doesn't particularly like flying in place like this, he leans down and to the side to get on top of one of the smaller rooftops.]

Daddy'll be home soon, though. [He at least says that part affectionately, then lifts his head as if he can see around OP's nose to see Billy.]

Thanks, B! I owe you. And chocolate, huh?

[voice]

[selfhelp]

Yes, chocolate. Your dog went and spoiled the surprise.

[Oh well. It's not like chocolate is the extent of the cake he spent the afternoon on.]

So, okay, the original idea was to go out for dinner, since it's super obvious that I can't cook, but I was going to ask you where you wanted to go before you came home... uh... want to meet up somewhere? If you wait for me, I'll bring the cake and we can have, you know, a birthday date. Or something.

[voice]

[halfnhalf]

[There's a small pause before Teddy lets out a quiet chuckle; that's what this was all about, huh?]

So like a "birthdate". [He even does finger-quotes with his free hand. But... hm. Where to go... Well, he already went to Seventh Heaven to eat for lunch, so going there again would be a bit redundant. Plus, he goes there for dates, romantic or friendly, all the time. Time to mix it up a bit.]

How about Shot in the Dark? I know we work there, but I still think the atmosphere and smell there is one of the best. [Coffee is pretty much one of the best smells in the world, after all.]

[voice]

[selfhelp]

[......

Finger quotes should be outlawed, and that joke should be arrested. Goddammit, Teddy. But he grins anyway, because- well, it's Teddy.]

Wherever you want is fine with me, but Shot in the Dark sounds great. Meet you there in a bit?

[Honestly, considering the cake they have to eat, a light snack instead of a full dinner is probably for the best.]

[voice]

[halfnhalf]

Yeah, meet you there.

[He gives Billy a grin, then shuts the journal, and he can't help standing for a moment and letting out a fond sigh. That boy...

But after spending a moment to let that lovesickness settle down, Teddy takes to the sky again, this time heading for Shot in the Dark. Heh, it's a date like any other, yet there are butterflies in his stomach. Maybe it's a birthday thing, or an anticipation thing, or something.

Nevertheless, he arrives first, and he already sits and waits for Billy. Can't order coffee and let it go cold before Billy even gets here.]

[action]

[selfhelp]

[Billy arrives not too long after - though it does take a bit because he still had to pack the cake, convince Optimus to behave, and then walk over, but thankfully he'd been pretty much ready before he left. With a gift bag hanging from his wrist and a box with the cake in it under his arm, he steps into the coffee shop, feeling equally nervous, though for likely different reasons: part of what had taken him so long was that he looks different. Not only did he dress himself up in something new, clean, and kind of tight, including a new necklace, but he's fixed up his hair in a style he's never tried before. ...Actually, truth be told, he's never really tried styling it, period, and even now he's not sure if it's even decent-looking. He likes it well enough, sure, and it's apparently fashionable, but this is supposed to be him dressing up to look good for Teddy. And he hasn't decided whether that was a good idea or if it's just the most selfish birthday gift ever.

Well, at least it's only Part 1 of it... either way, he's heading over as soon as he spots Teddy waiting for him, trying not to look as jittery as he feels.]

[action]

[halfnhalf]

[... oh

wow

did an angel just walk into the cafe or

Teddy ends up staring, eyes wide an jaw slacking a little when he sees his boyfriend walk in. Somehow, it feels a bit like time slowed just slightly. That outfit is clinging to all the right places, accenting his hips and waist and legs and everything he finds particularly appealing, and the colors bring out every good thing about him. And the hair - the hair is new, definitely new, as Teddy had never seen Billy style his hair before. He remembers when he suggested it during Billy's birthday, mostly just to keep it out of his eyes when he complained. And now...

He looks amazing. Just - amazing, beautiful, gorgeous. Billy already looks wonderful to him, but seeing him primped up, dressed up just for him on his birthday... Just as Billy gets to the table, Teddy stands, giving his boyfriend's body a look from hair to toes and then to his eyes.]

... Wow. [A smile slowly comes up, and he lifts his hands to cup Billy's cheeks, fingertips just above his ears to touch his hair.] You look great.