halfnhalf | 005 - Action/Voice

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005 - Action/Voice

[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.]

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[Even with his eyes closed, Teddy can read it easily. Body language has always been more Teddy's forte than spoken words, and in time, he came to learn Billy's as if he were a book, one that never ended and only got better and better as the pages turned. He slides his hand down his ribs and waist and can feel how they're tilted towards him, he can feel the way Billy's fingers curl against his neck, the way he kisses him, the way he's near-wrapped around him.

It's easy to get the message, the end to a paragraph that makes Teddy's lips tilt upward, disrupting the kiss a little, but also making it more enjoyable. Maybe this is his favorite part of sex: the aftermath, the way that nothing exists except this pocket of space around them, bodies pressed together without a shred of clothing between them, sharing words without saying them. He loves this part, so much.]

[Billy feels that tilt, the way Teddy smiles, and he can't help but share it, setting free a bit of breathless laughter against the other boy's skin. He'd love to just keep kissing Teddy all night, or at least until they eventually doze off, but he'd made a bet, and that's as good as a promise, really. If he doesn't stop now he'll never be able to hold up his end of the bargain.

He tilts his head a bit to nuzzle his forehead against Teddy's, their hair tangling lazily together, blond on black, light and dark. So very yin and yang, he muses, smiling to himself, two halves of a whole. Pressed in close like this, he can feel Teddy's heart against his own, beat for beat, like they're keeping pace together. He doesn't know if it's unconscious or intentional shifting on Teddy's part, or just fate that this happens, and truth be told, he doesn't care. All he knows is that their bodies are in tune to the very core, and really, what could be better than that?

He'd been mulling on and off what song he would sing if he was forced to do it, his collection too vast to really decide on any one song, but his thoughts remind him of an obscure song he used to like as a kid, tracked down again in recent years - and he'd fallen in love with it all over again for very different reasons. Cuddled up beneath Teddy, skin to skin, relaxed and calm the way he can only get in the afterglow, he hums a bit of the tune, half to himself, testing his voice.]

[Teddy had been intending to follow up the nuzzle against their foreheads with one against his nose, then down to his lips, and he's nearly completed the cycle when he hears Billy start to hum. He pauses for a second, then opens his eyes and tilts his head back, letting out a quiet "oh?" as he registers what this means. Here he thought Billy wouldn't sing until tomorrow, or at least after they wake up from a long nap. What was that about a dying frog?

But Teddy isn't going to complain, nor interrupt. While he'd rather rest his chin on Billy's chest and watch him with adoring eyes, he'd rather not make him laugh right in the middle of singing. Instead, he settles back on his side, sliding his arm under the pillow to support himself, and strokes Billy's torso with his other hand, a gentle smile on his face. This is another thing he'd been waiting for.]

[The truth of the matter is that Billy isn't a performer, at least not of the arts; his interest isn't in theater and music on that side of the stage the way Teddy's is. He likes to watch, to listen, to just shut out the rest of the world and let their stories take him away. And the only reason he can draw with any semblance of skill is that generally there's no one around to watch him do it. Putting on a show for people has never been something he's overly fond of.

It's why, knowing that Teddy's watching him, Billy stretches out, gets himself good and comfortable in a position to let the air flow good and smooth... and then closes his eyes. He can pretend he's not being watched as he does this, because if he thinks too much about it, he'll probably just want to hide himself under the blanket rather than follow through on it. It can be for Teddy, to Teddy, just not... well, to him. Maybe someday he'll have that sort of confidence, but certainly not now.

Here, in the quiet, in the darkness beneath his eyelids, he can imagine an empty stage and just...]

I looked in the sky
And there I saw a star
Shining so bright above
I closed my eyes
And wished upon the star
That I would fine true love
Someone who needed me
Someone to share my life
For a love that would be true
I would wait forever

Edited 2013-10-26 08:13 (UTC)

[Oh no, this was going to be a cheesy romance song, wasn't it?

... Not that Teddy minded. Maybe he would've before he fell so in love, but now - hell, every love song makes him a little giddy, embarrassing as it is to admit. He's never heard of it, and he's not sure if it comes from a musical or not.

Either way, it's Billy singing, and that's enough to make Teddy watch his face, his throat as it moves, and feel a strong urge to kiss his cheeks, his neck, his shoulder, but for now, he resists. He just watches, feeling a warmth inside him from the words and the voice behind it.]

[Billy pauses for a few seconds, then goes back to humming, brows furrowing a little, though his eyes are still closed. It's been so long that the words are evading him, and he can't recall the second verse. He keeps that up for a long moment, shifting position to slide his hands up and brush them through Teddy's hair. Technically he's done enough- Teddy'd said he could sing Twinkle Twinkle for god's sake, and this is already much better than that. Still... it's his birthday. They'd made a bet. And in a way, he'd promised.

He can't just half-ass it. And soon enough, touching Teddy helps him enough to get back on track and remember the chorus, as well as giving him the courage to open his eyes and look at Teddy directly as he sings, albeit shyly. Even if it's just for a minute...]

One star
Brighter than the others
Two hearts
Beating for each other
I believe wishes really come true

[Teddy feels his eyes half-close, indulging in the feeling of Billy's hands in his hair, his voice, and his eyes, once they open, looking at him with nervousness and love at the same time. His smile widens at one of those lines; wishes coming true, heh... Billy's been getting so good at that now.

In response to Billy's shyness, Teddy reaches out to brush the back of his fingers across Billy's cheek. You're doing fine.]

[When Teddy touches his cheek, Billy falters again for a moment, a bright flush crossing his cheeks. He recovers after a moment, eyes closing once more to regain musical footing, humming a few more bars before his memory catches up again. Maybe he should have picked something he knew better, but... well, it had been so fitting.]

You just have to dream
Nothing's as bad as it seems to be
believe me

[And then, as if struck by sudden inspiration, his eyes open again and flare with a blue light for a couple of seconds. The lights and the window go dim, and somehow, when the brightness in his eyes fades away, the blue glow around them only intensifies.

This is it. This is the moment. He keeps his eyes open, watching Teddy... and nudges him onto his back, pointing up at the ceiling.]

Someone's waiting for you to try
There in the sky...

[Teddy had, at first, widened his eyes when Billy used his magic, unsure what he'd used it on. The lights dimmed, but at the same time, there's a different sort of glow around them, made clear when Billy's eyes fade to brown again. And when he's nudged to his back, and when he sees what's on the ceiling...

Well, he realizes that it's not their ceiling anymore. Or, rather... It is. Maybe. But it sure doesn't look like it, not when it's absolutely covered with stars and the vastness of space beyond it. It's like Billy opened up the ceiling and the roof for him, the barrier and the projection of stars, and showed him the real, actual sky, a view just like back home. It's one of the only reasons he'd leave New York City, flying just enough away to stare up at the sky, unobstructed by the life of the city.

It's just like that, and Teddy ends up staring for a long moment, awestruck, lips parted and eyes wide with wonder. He raises his arm, fingers stretched as if he could touch it, bring the stars closer to them until he has them in his hands. Impossible and silly, he knows... Then again, this should be impossible, too. And that glow Billy had in his eyes, and that song...]

... It goes on forever, and... [His arm lowers, the back of his wrist against his forehead, and he smiles a wide, dimpled smile, thinking the quote to be so appropriate right now.] Oh my God, it's full of stars...

[Billy lets himself trail off, then, feeling satisfied that his job is done. He sang the song and now Teddy is sufficiently distracted that maybe he can stop thinking about how embarrassing the whole experience was. Plus he's allowed to have a bit of an ego and admit that he did a pretty damn cool thing here. Their ceiling is space. Or at least, sort of a quasi-portal enchantment to his memory of what their space is supposed to look like. Back home, that is. It shifts on occasion, in very subtle ways, but even he's not sure how exactly it'll behave or how long it'll last. For a while, though, they'll have a very shiny ceiling.

....

He hopes they can actually sleep under it...

He grins, anyway, watching Teddy stare at it, amused by his quote. Such a space nerd. But two can play at this game.]

I'm the best at space.

[He made it! On the ceiling! Seriously! Is that cool or what!?]

[Oh god, that quote makes him laugh. It sounds a little giddy, because - It's space! It's on the ceiling! Billy made this! For him!

Teddy reaches for Billy, though he fumbles a bit, seeing how he can't take his eyes off the ceiling and the stars before him. Soon though, realizing he can't get a proper grip on him, Teddy finally turns his head and smiles wide, then turns onto his side to ruffle both hands through Billy's hair.]

You're the best at everything!

[And - And he suddenly wants to see two of the things he loves within range. So he wraps his arms around Billy, pulls him close, then turns onto his back again, pulling Billy with him, and he laughs quietly again when he loosens his grip on him.]

I mean - Seriously, oh my god, you - you did this? [A dumb question, but.]

[Billy laughs a bit breathlessly as he's manhandled against Teddy, reaching back to drag the blanket over their legs so the dampness of their lovemaking doesn't give them chills now that they're not going at it. Not that Teddy ever gets sick, but he'd prefer it to not spoil their morning-after. Nestled close and with his head resting on Teddy's chest, he has to tilt to get a good look at the ceiling. Honestly he's pleased that it turned out as well as it did; he'd tested it earlier, but it barely shows up unless it's dark, so it hadn't looked like much in the afternoon. The difference is like- well. Literally night and day.

And yeah, it's a bit of a dumb question, but he can't blame Teddy for being so stunned. Even he's taken aback by how nicely it worked out.]

Me? Of course not. I was just messing around on the computer when a wormhole opened up in the ceiling. It's been there ever since.

... So I should be fanboying the computer instead?

[Teddy chuckles afterward; his boyfriend ladies and gentlemen, ever the smartass. But that's one of the things he loves about him.

He runs his fingers through Billy's hair, that big smile still on his face.]

But seriously, you're amazing. [His gaze drifts back up to the ceiling, absolutely enthralled and enchanted by the sight.] This is amazing. You totally outdid yourself, B...

[He even notices the subtle changes that go on, how the stars twinkle in a way that isn't fixed, how - everything, it's all so incredible and beautiful. And it was a gift from the love of his life.

God, he loves him.]

Mm... I just hope it lasts. I've never done an enchantment like this before, so I don't know if it'll be like the apartment layout, or the soundproofing.

[AKA: permanent versus temporary. But it's not like he can't just recast it if it wear off, right?]

Anyway, happy birthday. That's the last present, I promise.

It's the best. Thanks, Billy...

[Teddy just keeps staring, running his fingers through Billy's hair as he admires and counts the stars. It's a wonderful gift; All of it was wonderful. And now, this, the last but certainly not the least. He gave him the stars.

And he can just imagine what they did just minutes ago with this sort of backdrop. Billy with his head thrown back, strands of hair sticking to his face as he lets out a moan and rides against him, or - or Billy with a sly smile on his face, lips parted to set free moans as he thrusts into Teddy, all the while absolutely surrounded by stars, their light shining on Billy's damp face, and -

Oh, god, Teddy can feel heat pooling in his gut thanks to those images, and his hand stops its movement in Billy's hair as he feel it happening, though his eyes remain on the ceiling.]

... I just had the best idea.

[And Billy, whose body is pressed against Teddy's, who can feel, under the blankets, exactly what's going on under there, tilts his head up to give Teddy a look.]

...Already?

[God, boyfriend, you are a machine. He really must've done something right, though- he's never felt Teddy get hard that fast, especially after round 1.]

[Teddy tilts his head down, seeing Billy's look, and raises his own eyebrows. Yeah, so being sung to and being given the sky can make him hard, WHAT OF IT]

... Or not? Or tomorrow. [Seeing how it is so soon after the first round and all. Whoops. He could always shift it away and wait for tomorrow.]

[Billy snorts quietly, easing back to stretch his body out, get a feel for- well, how he's feeling. There's a bit of an ache, but nothing unusual, and certainly nothing he can't handle. And while he might not he ready to go at it right away like Teddy seems to be, he's not completely spent yet.

Decision made, he rolls, swinging a leg over Teddy's body to straddle him, perching comfortably on his thighs. He smiles, the sheets sliding down his back to pool over their legs, and he reaches down to brush his fingers over Teddy's length.]

I don't know... this doesn't feel like something that can wait.

[... Oh. Oh, wow, okay, this is happening. Billy's sitting against him with the perfect background, the blanket sliding down his back and pooling against his knees, smiling at him while running his fingers over - nnngh.

Teddy keeps his already darkening eyes on Billy's face, his own hands moving to either side of Billy's knees, fingers stroking at the crevices between them and his legs.]

It could... but you're making it really hard. ... To. To wait.

[Because that was an incredibly lame and unintentional pun and he'd rather save face when it comes to getting Billy aroused enough for this.]

Ha, ha. [Billy's lips curve into a little smirk, feeling a stir in his own body as he eases the used condom off of Teddy's erection, tying off the end and dumping it in the trash can by the bed. Next, he tracks down the lube. He doesn't mind going bare if there's not another condom handy, but he sure as hell isn't going a second round without that.

Thankfully it's within reach, so it only takes a moment to get it on his hand and renew his touch, this time in a stroking motion to coat Teddy's length as well as rile him up even further.]

I'd have to be pretty mean to leave you hanging like this on your birthday.

[Teddy had wanted to say that Billy didn't have to be up for round two - he really could leave it alone or, if he really wanted to give Teddy something, just give him a hand/blowjob or something, or just let him deal with it on his own.

But before he can get a word out, Billy's lube-slicked hand is stroking his erection, and those thoughts pretty much die in his head. Instead, he takes in a deep breath, and lightly bites at his lip as he lets it out and tilt his hips up to Billy's touch. It's kind of amazing, the power Billy can have over him, just by touching him and saying things like that.

His hands remain flat on Billy's thighs for a moment before they move, sliding upward, then brushing along Billy's dick, hoping to rile that up a little as well. It wouldn't be half as enjoyable if Billy wasn't quite as into it.]

Ha... And I'd be pretty mean if I left you behind any day.

[Billy sets free a helpless groan at the touch, his hips moving unconsciously into it. He's not hard yet - not so quick to recover as Teddy, he'll freely admit that - but with Teddy's help, he doubts he'll be far behind. Encouraged by his boyfriend getting involved again, he adds more lubricant to stroke Teddy's erection a bit faster, sliding his own body forward. He's pretty sure he knows what he looks like right now- he'd seen a flicker of it, lying under Teddy not that long ago, seeing the starscape surrounding the blond's silhouette. And it looks amazing in the dark.

Yep, this was a good, good idea.]

Oh man... this is... not what I had in mind, but... 'm always open to suggestions, I think...

I don't... um, really... know...

[Teddy lets out a breathy chuckle of his own, and he reaches out his free hand to grab the lubricant from Billy. Two can play at this game, after all, and it might help Billy catch up a little. For just a moment, Teddy takes his eyes off of Billy's face and the stars surrounding it to pay attention to his hands as lets go of Billy, applies some lube to his fingers and palm, then wraps his slicker hand around him again, the stroking motions teasing more than anything.

Despite how mesmerizing it is to watch their hands work at each other, Teddy still lifts his gaze to Billy's face again, eager to watch him now that Teddy's returning the favor for him. He looks so breathtaking like this, his features just barely lit by the starscape behind him, the flush on his cheeks just slightly visible, and if Teddy wasn't sure this was a good idea before, he sure as hell is sure now.

... Even though it's still just a half-formed idea at best.]

I'm kind of just... going on the fly here, so... [They could keep going just like this, and Teddy would be equally pleased with that.]

Hrnghhh...!!

[Billy's hips jerk abruptly; apparently the lube was just the right addition to kick-start him into the beginnings of arousal. And really, who can blame him (or his body, at that) - it feels amazing.]

Oh, hell... good idea... very, very good idea...

[Keep at it, flyboy.

With how impressively-hard Teddy is, and the way the lube is slipping around his fingers, Billy knows not to waste too much time. He lets his shifting hips edge himself forward, raising himself up on his knees to hover over Teddy's length, positioning both it and his own body. He glances up at Teddy, smiling lopsidedly and trying to shake loose hair out of his eyes, with marginal success.]

Ready to go into orbit...?

[Teddy likes lame jokes, may as well indulge a bit. It's still his birthday.]

[... Seriously, Billy? Seriously?

Teddy still lets out a short bark of laughter at that, because that was such a lame joke and Teddy loves lame jokes. His own stroking stops for the moment so that he can place his hands on Billy's hips, a crooked grin on his face, and he plants his feet in the bed and curls his toes in the sheets in anticipation.]

Mm, yeah... Ready for liftoff.

[Well, if we're going with lame jokes here...]

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