Billy Batson (originalmarvel) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-11-26 14:09:00 |
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Entry tags: | anya corazon (spider-girl), billy batson (captain marvel) |
"After all, I do need to treat my ex-wife well."
Who: Billy Batson and Cora Mallory-Dresden
Where: Her house
What: Two friends meet up again
When: November 8th--ish
Warnings/Rating: PG-13 for mentions of NPC character deaths and sexual inferences
Status complete
It had been a tumultuous week, with time travel and returns, with new reunions and possibilities, and with new sorrows as well. And today, as Billy pulled the car to a halt at Cora’s house, he smiled softly. He had a present for Cora, and he grinned as he lifted the package he had wrapped it in, heading toward her house. It was odd no longer living with her. He was getting used to it, slowly, but it was still odd.
With a gentle rap, he knocked on her door and smiled.
Cora smiled broadly when she opened the door and saw Billy standing outside. She still missed him sometimes, still woke up in the wee hours of the morning and reach for the warm body she was used to sleeping beside only to realize that she was alone. She wouldn’t say that she was jealous that he might be sleeping next to someone else, because she knew that she could slip on board Graymalkin anytime, and snuggle up to Nate. It was just different sleeping in her own bed again, on her own. Besides, Billy was still one of her best friends.
“Hey,” she said, stepping back to let him inside. “How are you doing?”
“Hey you. I’m doing good.” Now he was, and he smiled as he stepped in and then put the package down and engulfed her in a hug. Mmm, Cora hugs. “How are you doing, Captain Beautiful?”
He felt good, and calm around her, and all the chaos of the last few weeks faded away.
“Good.” She hugged him, throwing herself into it, and holding him tight. She’d missed spending time with him. They still talked, and it was good, but seeing him in person was even better. It just didn’t happen as often, because they were growing in different directions now, as they should be.
“Come on in. Make yourself at home.”
“Thanks.” He lifted the package and handed it to her, then and grinned. “I got something for you.” Inside the package was a small replica of a scarf she had worn back in time, hand woven from area fabrics and magic reinforced. It had taken awhile for Billy to find what he was looking for then enchant it. It was joined end to end with a broach that had a lightning symbol and a spider on a silver and red field. “Thought you might need something to keep you warm.”
When Cora saw the scarf, she wrapped it around her neck, and buried her face in it--trying not to burst into happy tears. She hugged Billy again, and kissed his cheek. “It’s perfect.”
He hugged her and blushed. “i’m glad you like it.” He grinned at her, eyes dancing. “After all, I do need to treat my ex-wife well.” He winked at her and ruffled her hair. “How are things for you?”
“If you treat your future bride as well as you treat me, she will be a very happy woman,” Cora said, poking Billy’s ribs. “So long as she’s not the jealous sort.” She was looking forward to meeting Barbara, one day, but she figured she would give them time to get reacquainted first.
“Things are good,” she said, “I’m getting used to seeing myself in my new face, and waking up in my old room, and everything. Just taking it slowly. You know?”
“I hope she’ll think so. I have a date with her in a few days.” He grinned at her, and then kissed her cheek. “And good!” He smiled at her, and bounced. “I can understand that. It’s weird, settling in here, but I am getting used to it.” He nodded.
He chuckled. “I’m considering going to college in January anyway, and taking courses via computer until then.”
“That’s great!” she said, with more hugs. She was excited, both for his date with Barbara, and school. She knew how long he’d waited for the woman of his dreams, and there were all sorts of new and exciting opportunities presented to them now. “I still don’t know what I want to study, so I guess I’ll just focus on finishing my high school diploma, and see if anything calls to me.”
“Sounds like a plan. And you know I’m always available for tutoring right?” He grinned at her and hugged her tight. “For my best friend, nothing is too good.” He bounced and grinned at her. “How’re things with Nate?”
Cora smiled, nodding gratefully. She was glad to have had Billy to help her along the way. It had made growing up a lot more enjoyable. He and Nate made it worth looking forward to. "Things are good," she said, "we're still taking it slowly, but the connection is still there. I think I'm a lot more ready to explore it than before we left."
“Good. I’m glad its going well.” He waggled his eyebrows at her. “May you find your explorations have all the depth and wonder you wish.” He nodded to her.
"And yours as well," she said, feeling her face flush in spite of herself. She would have been happy to explore with him, but her happiness was in no way diminished as they were now. She hoped that their happiness would only continue to grow.
He hugged her again and grinned. Who knows what time would bring, but they were both in good places, with good people, and that was a good thing. “So, have you gotten used to being in your old bedroom again?”
“Sort of,” she said, shrugging her shoulders. “It’s not the bed that feels strange so much as waking up alone.” She smirked a little, and added, “I’m working on that.”
Billy chuckled and winked at her. “Me too. If things go well with Barbara soon…” He nodded. “Good luck to you, too.” He nodded and then he sat, abruptly, and blew out a long breath. “There is something I kept from you, since we returned. The magic made it easy, but it was still hard. I needed to find a way to deal with it alone first and… I couldn’t… I couldn’t stand to talk about it.” And all the barriers he had built up crumbled as the sorrow crashed in anew. And his mind and his voice both told her of his lost parents and family, all gone now, in this new timeline, somehow.
His sorrow was less sharp than it had been, after a week of dealing with it, facing it, but it still held a freshness he could not put aside.
Cora felt the tears come to her eyes as Billy let his guard down, and told her what had happened. She wrapped her arms around him and held on tight, like they’d held each other in Egypt when the homesickness had set in. She knew there was nothing either of them could have done to stop the unraveling, and it could have just as easily been her own parents that had disappeared. It broke her heart knowing that Billy had come home to such a tragedy, and that he’d had to bear it alone.
“I know that no one will ever replace them,” she said, “But you still have me. You’re part of my family, and you always will be, for as long as we live.”
Billy hugged her close, tearing up and letting himself relax, and let it all out, sobbing again in her arms, and holding her tight against him as they had held each other so many times. “Thank you, Cora, dear lady. Thank you.” He hugged her tight and just let himself draw comfort from his best friend for now. When he finally was done, he drew back a little and smiled. “Thank you.”
Cora smiled at him softly, and kissed his cheek. They belonged together, even if the way in which they fit together had changed. She still cared for him deeply. “You’re welcome,” she said, “I’m always here for you. Whenever you need me, I’ll do everything I can to be there.”
“I know. I have always trusted you, and I know I always can, Captain.” He grinned at her. Ex-wife, best friend, fellow Marvel, and good person all around, he had found someone he could call on and who he could talk to, besides the woman he loved. And that was no bad thing. “Now, how about some hot chocolate. I do believe someone mentioned some when we were talking?”
“Yes,” she said, nodding. “That does sound really good right about now.” She stood, and held out her hand. “The kitchen is still right where it always was.” And familiar was good.
He took her hand, then slipped his arm in hers and nodded. “Sounds good to me. We can make it like we did long ago. With magic and a little talent, and a lot of love.” He nodded to her and walked with her toward the kitchen, and that awkward future.
Awkward, but not bad.
~fin~