009 - [Video]

[halfnhalf]

[With the knowledge of getting out of here soon looming on the horizon with no set date, Teddy's been thinking more and more about his home. The thought of seeing his friends again, his weird, pseudo-family, the tall buildings of New York City, the crowds of people... it makes him so, so excited to just hop on the next plane back home and say goodbye to this place for good.

At the same time, he can't really deny that Luceti's been... okay, for what it was. A glorified prison for glorified lab rats, a vacation house in the middle of a very pretty hell. Horrible things have happened here that Teddy would rather forget about. But, just as well, some pretty incredible things happened too. There are some things he doesn't really want to forget, although he wouldn't mind the alternative. Start the adventure all over again with Billy at his side through all of it – it sounds more and more appealing the more he thinks about it.

Which he's doing as he flips through his journal, looking back on not only his own past entries, but his friends as well. Birthdays, introspection, some rather embarrassing or plain hilarious things... It's all kind of nice to look back on, and he can't help wondering a few things, too. Might as well before the end, after all.

So he turns on the video, where he taps his Starkphone against his upper lip for a moment before he addresses everyone.]

So hey. Before we all go back – or not, for some of you guys, I wanted to ask something. What's the best memory you have of this place that you might wanna keep with you? It doesn't have to be the happiest or anything. Maybe it made you proud or relieved or whatever gave you feels. But there's got to be one little memory you're at least kind of fond of, right?

Or, you know... one of the best, if you don't want to talk about your favorite one. I get the privacy thing, it's cool.

[And... this will probably, hopefully, be his last post on this thing. He can't help thinking of that as he waits for responses, too.]

Comments

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Hmm. Well. I proposed to a very handsome wizard about a year ago. That was a really awesome memory. Probably my favorite.

[His smile softens a little as he looks down at his hands, where his own ring is. Not only did they decide to spend the rest of their lives together, but Billy had been so happy too, so absolutely joyful, that it was probably one of the most vivid parts of that day for him.]

He gave me some of the best birthdays, too. He got me games I wanted, played a sport he didn't even like just for me, sang for me, made me a giant chocolate bar... made me laugh... gave me the stars.

[selfhelp]

[Hah... apparently two can play at this game. At least he's well-versed in this enough that compliments from Teddy don't get him so flustered the way they once did. It's still a thrill, of course - probably always will be - but it's a familiar and comforting sensation, and it makes him grin.]

How do you give someone the stars, anyway? Ridiculous. It's like something out of a story book. I'm pretty sure I read that one.

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Hey, hey. He's a wizard. He can do all kinds of amazing things, even story book stuff. He could make the stars show up on his clothes and it'd be completely legit.

[... That'd be pretty cool, actually.]

[selfhelp]

...You really think he could?

[Because now he's thinking. And that? Would be totally amazing.]

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He definitely could. Give 'em the old razzle dazzle.

[Someone's heard that song far too many times and it's all probably thanks to his fiancé.]

[selfhelp]

Hmm. That would involve either a sing-along striptease or a day in criminal court.

[He knows which one he'd prefer.]

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I could live without the singalong part. But the striptease? Hell yes.

[Does that mean Billy's gonna give him a striptease later oh please yes]

[selfhelp]

I hope that isn't the kind of story you'd be sharing with the public.

[He's offering a vague "maybe". The potential is definitely there.]

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What happens behind bedroom doors stays behind bedroom doors. Cross my heart.

[selfhelp]

Good to know. Not that it has anything to do with me...

[halfnhalf]

Oh, no. Not at all. I'm talking about my handsome fiancé, after all.

[... He still really likes saying that word.]

He should be pretty close by, actually.

[selfhelp]

I don't doubt that. Anybody would want to stick close to a catch like you.

[And yeah he's pretty much like a room over, max.]

But in that case, I should really leave you to, you know, whatever.

[halfnhalf]

Yeah. Gonna whatever it up now.

[And with that, he shuts his journal.

...

And after a few seconds, he shows up in the doorway with a big smile.]

Well, hey there.

[selfhelp]

[Billy was already setting aside his own journal, and he can't quite help smiling back. Yeah, they were being a bit silly, but it was fun.]

Hey there, yourself. What've you been up to?

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I just got done talking to a really cute guy. [He sits down beside him, gaze up on the ceiling.] He kept trying to pull fast ones on me. But I told him about how charming and handsome you were, and he just had to back down after that.

[selfhelp]

[Billy shifts a bit closer, edging his toes beneath Teddy's thighs. He's got socks on but his toes are a bit nippy, and nothing warms his up like Teddy does.]

I guess there's no competing with infatuation these days. Are you sure he isn't just biding his time and hoping to seduce you later?

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[omg boyfriend, rude. Teddy makes a face from the sudden icy cold sensation against his thigh, though he doesn't move away, as this is something Billy regularly does when he's cold. He just raises an eyebrow at him, then shifts a bit to let Billy's toes be more comfortable.]

Pretty sure I've already been thoroughly seduced. By a guy who's pressing his cold toes up against me, no less.

[selfhelp]

[Billy's response is an innocent look, walking his fingers up Teddy's arm. You're too sensitive, boyfriend, he's not that cold, gosh.]

Someone with cold toes? There's nobody like that around here. My feet are pretty cozy right now.

[halfnhalf]

Hmm. In that case, should I make another post? Ask who's got cold toes? I can't be thoroughly seduced if the guy who caused it isn't here.

[He makes no move to grab his journal though, just slides a hand over to run his fingers in a circle around Billy's knee.]

Or maybe I should just say it was a guy who had cold toes.

[selfhelp]

Oh, well. I guess that could mean me, then.

[Billy's fingers reach Teddy's shoulder, gliding smoothly along the bare skin just beyond his neck, the gesture both teasing and explorative.]

But if you really want to go searching for someone else, I'm not sure I'd be able to stop you.

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[Teddy ends up quirking his lips up at the gesture, shoulder dropping a bit to give his fingers more access.]

Mm, I'm not so sure about that. [His own fingers, meanwhile, trace around Billy's knee to the back of it instead, where they continue their circular motions.] I couldn't get very far from a great catch like you.

[selfhelp]

Hmm... okay, at least you've got your priorities straight.

[Not that he'd expect anything less from his man. But who doesn't love hearing that sort of thing out loud, really?

As a reward he leans in closer, replacing his fingers with his lips. He appreciates such devotion, even in the middle of a teasing session.]

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[That smile of his turns into a full on grin as he tips his head back, and he lets his hand slide from Billy's knee to his thigh instead, now that his boyfriend is on the move. He lets a chuckle escape too, because wow, someone's full-on eager and affectionate today.]

I'd say that's pretty much the only thing that's straight about me. [HEH HEH GET IT]

[selfhelp]

[You and your dumb jokes, bf. You're lucky he loves you. Billy muffles a groan against Teddy's neck, teeth gently grazing.]

Well thank god for that.

[halfnhalf]

Mmm. [He shuts his eyes, loving the feeling of what Billy's doing to his neck. And come on, Bee, you know you love Teddy's dumb jokes; why else are you engaged to him? Certainly not for his good looks or sweet nature.]

Yeah. This would be kinda awkward if it wasn't like that. [But, seeing how Teddy lifts his free hand to curl his fingers through Billy's hair, it's not awkward in the slightest.]