halfnhalf | 002 - [Action/Voice]

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002 - [Action/Voice]

[Late in the morning, only just after he had his morning coffee and just fixed toast for breakfast, Teddy had been surprised to find himself being shoved out of the apartment by his own boyfriend. Soon, he found himself blinking at the front door, a piece of cinnamoned toast still in his hand as the post-it note with his name beside Billy's door sign fluttered mournfully to the ground.

He got out a pitiful whine and forlornly posted the note back up before he ushered himself outside, finishing his toast in the meantime.

During the day, Teddy can be found at multiple places. The first is the Battledome, where he fiddles with the settings, some as harmless as a movie theater and some as dangerous as a warzone, but he doesn't fully go through with them. He's merely going through the options for later use. He may mutter to himself about how this must be what the Danger Room is like, and he may even be up for a light spar or something different if someone found him.

The second is Seventh Heaven, where he eats a light lunch of a small burger with fries, and he's a little proud of how he didn't compare it to New York's food outloud. It doen't mean he doesn't think it, though, and he spends more time subtly people watching and listening to conversations than really focusing on food and what the homelife was like. When he's done, he doodles a few musical notes on a napkin, again to possibly be used at a later date, before he stuffs that in his pocket.

The final place is on the roof of the school. He's not doing much of anything up there, just sitting with his legs pulled up and looking out over the village.

Teddy still can't help marveling over how different this place is from what he's used to. There aren't any sounds of car alarms or horns, no distant conversations or laughter, no police sirens or a far off explosion from an invading force (though, Teddy thinks to himself, he ought to be more thankful for the lack of the latter). Occasionally at night, he still wakes up and thinks that it's too quiet, too dark. And he really hopes he's not the only one who thinks that way.

With that thought in mind, Teddy reaches behind him to take the journal, left open in case Billy decides to let him back into the apartment, and decides to address the masses.]

Does anyone else feel seriously out of place here, or am I just being weird? And I don't mean the whole, "being held captive and having to suffer through lame shifts", but just the setting in general. Anyone else out there come from a home that's completely different from a village straight out of Golden Sun?

[He decides then that he'll chat with people for a while, then venture off the roof and see if Billy will allow him back inside. Not that Teddy knows what he did to deserve being kicked outside, but maybe he can beg for forgiveness enough to be let back in.]

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[And of course walking into Teddy is like walking into a truck, so he has to reach out and take Billy's shoulders to steady him, making sure that he's balanced before anything else.]

Whoa, slow down there... You okay?

[Good thing for that extra support, because walking into Teddy is, as always, something of a "body meets brick wall" experience- he can be the most gentle person in the world, but super strong aliens really are like mobile rocks sometimes. Billy is surprised for a moment, and it's only Teddy's hand that stops him from dropping the plate on his foot. As it is he clutches it awkwardly to his chest, blinking up at his boyfriend.]

Teddy! You're early.

[He doesn't sound displeased by it, though.]

Was I not supposed to be? [Someone didn't catch the memo.

But now that he sees Billy's in no danger of falling on his ass, Teddy glances down at the plate in his hands.]

Billy...? [the hell is that]

What? Oh- it was supposed to be a surprise. So, uh. [He holds the plate up in front of his face, concealing a sheepish blush, only his eyes and a mop of slicked-back hair - is that a headband? It might just be a headband, no one wants hair in their food - still visible above it.] Surprise?

[The plate itself is a replica of the old door sign- or rather, an improvement: instead of paper and a post-it note, it's wood and polished silver metal, the words "Billy and Teddy's Excellent Transdimensional Adventure" lovingly engraved on the front, with two sets of wings on either side, one feathered, the other like a bat (or a Skrull).]

[And Teddy stays quiet for a long moment, just staring at the sign.]

... Billy, it's... Wow.

[He lets out a quiet laugh as he reaches up to pass his fingers along the letters. These past few weeks, that post-it note would flutter down, having lost most of its stickiness. Teddy thought that maybe they could get another sign, but this? This is beautiful, and Teddy wasn't expecting it at all.

Once his fingers touch the feathered wing on the side, he grins, happy and awed and, inwardly, slightly giddy. This really is their place now (not that they needed a label, but it just feels more real with a bonafied sign and everything).]

Ha... Is this why you kicked me out?

[At Teddy's smile, Billy lowers the plate a bit to return it, inwardly relieved. It's not like he thought Teddy wouldn't like it - it could have been a scratched-up piece of junk and it would still be better than the flimsy post-it - but he's glad that they'd run into each other, because it meant he got the chance to see Teddy's reaction. Certainly makes it that much better.]

Actually, this part's been done since before the refugees showed up. The rest is inside, come on.

[He pushes the plaque into Teddy's hands, since he's stronger and has two good hands instead of one and a half, then uses the aforementioned good hand to try and tug Teddy inside the apartment. Once through the doorway, two things are immediately apparent: one, that Billy has kept himself busy in the kitchen, which ought to be alarming if not for the fact that it actually smells good, and two, that this is a party. Sort of. A party of two, but a party nonetheless- there are balloons and a few streamers hanging off the walls, and a glittery "Happy Birthday" sign hung over the fireplace. To top it all off, there are two big (but thin) wrapped presents leaning against the couch.]

[And here Teddy was about to ask about Billy's arm, something he'd been doing ever since he'd been awake and coherent enough to make it a day-by-day habit.

But he's stopped by Billy pushing the plaque into his hands, where he only has a second to admire it again, before he's interrupted again by being pulled inside. Then, all of his questions and thoughts are temporarily forgotten as he stares at the sight.

Balloons, streamers... a birthday sign, presents...

And, well. He certainly knows Billy's birthday is still months away.

As Teddy stares, a blush shows up on his cheeks, and his eyes seem to light up childishly. And he really can't help the grin coming across his face before he looks at Billy with raised eyebrows.]

Is this for...? But my birthday was like a week ago!

[Teddy gets a look for that particular protest.]

Yeah, and it was officially the worst day ever.

[Remember, that unpleasant afternoon where they'd almost died and had spent the rest of the day in the hospital? Hardly a celebration.]

I've actually been planning this for weeks, and it was supposed to be on time, but you saw how well that worked. I figured now would be safe for round 2.

[Billy gets a sheepish smile in return for all that.]

Point taken.

[Teddy goes to the sign above the fireplace, where he moves the plaque to one hand to reach his free one up and run it along the bottom of it.]

You went all out, didn't you? [It kind of reminds him of parties his mother gave him when he was a kid, though for his instance, it's definitely more of a fond memory than a painful one.

And that's when he realizes that something smells delicious. With Billy? That's surprising. So Teddy pauses, sniffs at the air, then looks back at Billy with wide eyes.]

Did you bake something? [Surely not.]

Edited 2012-09-04 20:14 (UTC)

[...What is with that skepticism, Teddy, it's not like he's a horrible cook or a... ny... thing...

....

Okay, yeah, the skepticism is kind of deserved. Oh well, maybe someday he'll be a good cook. ~~But not likely.~~]

Don't look so worried, I had help. And, uh, I might've used magic. A bit.

[He really wanted it to be perfect, okay D: He stands awkwardly for a moment, feeling judged (though more by his own self than by Teddy, because self-consciousness is his arch nemesis) until he caves and grabs Teddy's wrist again, tugging him towards the counter. There's a rice cooker and a covered frying pan awaiting them, which is probably enough for Teddy to recognize the meal.]

[Boyfriend you deserve all the skepticism. Do you remember the last time you tried to cook something?

Nevertheless, he only laughs softly as Billy drags him to the counter. He trusts whatever Billy has for him, and besides... even if it tastes horrible, Teddy would still eat it. It's the thought that counts, and Billy certainly put a hell of a lot of thought into this.

When he sees the covered pan, though, he stops... then makes a beeline for it.]

Stir fry?

[Billy just grins, releasing Teddy's hand and pulling the lid off the pan with a flourish. Inside is a saucy mix of chicken and beef strips and a pile of vegetables.]

Of course stir fry! People have to get extra-spoiled on belated birthdays. Plus it's a pretty easy recipe, so even I can't screw it up that badly.

[Even if the rice might be a little overcooked at the bottom and the sauce is too sweet.]

[Teddy steps in close when Billy takes the lid off, and he takes in a long whiff. Even if it's not as perfect as, say, takeout, it still smells good, which is a lot coming from Billy. He was already hungry for supper, and this just made him even hungrier.

But there is one important thing to ask. He turns to Billy, expression serious.]

There's one way I'll know that you didn't screw it up before tasting it. [Then, he gives a half smile.] How much love did you put into it?

[Billy's response is little more than an upturned brow at that. Really, Teddy? Really? And he can say that with a straight-faced smirk, too...

...dork. He's such a dork.

It doesn't stop Billy from setting the pot lid on the counter, fetching the spoon he'd been using to stir the mix, and fishes out a bit of meat and vegetable mix, blowing on it with a deliberately sultry-looking expression before offering it out.]

Why don't you try it and see if you can taste it?

[Now, is this better or worse than the fork-licking?]

[That earns a lifted brow from Teddy as well, which, combined with that smirk on his face, might be sultry on its own.

He keeps eye contact as he leans forward, fingers brushing against Billy's inner wrist, then taking a gentle hold while he takes the spoon into his mouth. Already, he can tell that it tastes good. Not the best, not by a long shot, but it's still very good, and that tells him more than anything else just how much effort (love) Billy put into it.

He slowly slides the spoon out of his mouth, giving Billy's wrist another brush of his thumb before he pulls his hand back as well.]

Mmm... [Still, he'll make a show of tilting his head, as if judging the taste.]

Edited 2012-09-06 08:33 (UTC)

[Already the noises he's making are good indications that Billy did well, but you can never be too sure, so with a slight smirk he leans in to press a kiss to the side of Teddy's mouth, wanting to kiss him but at the same time wanting him to enjoy the taste of the food first. He kisses the spot - and the area around it - a few times, murmuring as he does so.]

Well? How did I do? Enough love for you?

[Pfft, Teddy can't help grinning at that, and he winds his arms around Billy's waist to keep him close.]

More than enough. [And he tilts his head enough to kiss him, deeply enough to let it be a nice, stir fry flavored kiss. See for yourself how much love you put into it, Kaplan.]

[Oh, he's feeling the love, alright, but the stir fry has nothing to do with it.

He lets the kiss linger a little, enjoying the taste of dinner and something uniquely Teddy, but before long he gently urges the blond back, tapping the clean end of the spoon against Teddy's chest and offering up a satisfied smile.]

Mm, good- but we should eat it before it gets cold. And I hope you don't have plans for the rest of the night, either, because I'm kidnapping you.

[Okay, okay, he'll step back. But Teddy still keeps his hands on Billy's waist, and at first, he raises a brow at being kidnapped for the rest of the night. After that, though, moves his hand up to press the back of his hand to his forehead as he raises the pitch of his voice a little.]

Oh no, I've been kidnapped! What should I do?

[Billy snorts quietly at that, lifting his hand again to stuff the spoon in Teddy's mouth and nudge him out of the way to gain access to the rice and a pair of plates.]

Give yourself a drama queen award and go sit down, for starters. I am not microwaving my masterpiece.

[Teddy just grins around the spoon and leans over to flick Billy's shoulder with the end of it as he passes by. He'll head for the table then, taking the spoon out of his mouth to hold it in front of him like a microphone.]

I'd like to thank the academy for this drama queen award, and the Avengers because they deserve to be thanked even if it has nothing to do with them, and especially the best boyfriend in the world, for kidnapping me and even keeping my mouth shut with a spoon to provide realism! Thank you, thank you, I love you all.

[Billy misses the start of his display, fixated on trying to spoon the rice out of its cooker, but when Teddy starts up his speech he glances over his shoulder and just about chokes and drops the pot. He's grinning like an idiot by the end of it, though, a little bubble of brief yet genuine laughter escaping his lips.]

You, Teddy Altman, are ridiculous.

[And Teddy just smiles, because yes, he made Billy do that. And while he knows Billy's embarrassed by his laughter, Teddy thinks it's one of the most perfect sounds. Achievement of the day unlocked.]

And you, Billy Kaplan, love me for it.

[Just whose birthday is it, huh? Or is laughing present number three? (Or four? Are they up to four? Does dinner count?) Billy lifts a hand to cover his mouth, shaking his head, and finishes up with the rice, adding the stir fry mix and carrying Teddy's plate over. He'd tried for two but his wrist basically went "nope, nope, too heavy", so apparently that's a bust.]

What can I say, it's my kryptonite. [He passes the plate, brows lifting.] Dinner is served.

Edited 2012-09-06 15:54 (UTC)

[Oh my god it already smells delicious, and there it is right in front of him - But Teddy, being the polite guy that he is, will wait for Billy to be seated as well. In the meantime, Teddy watches after him with crossed arms and a raised eyebrow.]

I sure hope it isn't kryptonite. You'd be dead by now if it was.

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[IT'S FUCKING ACTION]

[IT'S ACTION FUCK]

[IT'S ACTION FUCK]

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[THIS SUBJECT LINE IS INCREDIBLY VULGAR]

[COULD MAKE IT WORSE IF I TRIED]

[I'D LIKE TO SEE YOU TRY]