Who: Billy and Teddy When: Early January Where: Teddy’s place What: Pizza cravings Rating/Warnings: Low/None Status: Complete
Teddy had successfully moved into his new place and Billy had been on hand to help and he had to admit that he kind of loved the whole house and it’s location. He’d been really happy that Teddy had liked it so much.
Their friendship was coming along nicely, luckily the mind reading hadn’t stuck around but they were both working on being more truthful with each other. Today, they had decided to practice Teddy’s control over his changing so that he had it sorted by the time filming resumed.
Which was why Theodore was clad only in baggy sweatpants to save his t-shirts from being stretched out, going from himself to Hulkling and back. He was sweating lightly, too, despite the fact that the OC had finally gotten rid of all the snow and was back to its normal 70 degree winter weather.
He flopped back onto the mats in the yoga studio/home gym he’d set up, and sighed. “I don’t remember learning control being this difficult the first time around,” he grumbled.
It was becoming rather distracting for Billy but he wasn’t about to let Teddy know that, there was being truthful and there was giving too much information.
“Magic wasn’t hard there either but here it can be a complete nightmare. Let’s just thank whatever is out there that I don’t have my chaos powers here,” Billy said, “You are doing really well though,” he added with a smile.
“You’re lying,” Teddy shot back, playfully, groaning from where he was laid out. “But that’s okay. I could use a little encouragement. Even if it’s false.” He propped himself up on his elbows, looking at Billy with naked affection. It was true, what he’d predicted--knowing now how Billy felt about him thanks to the temporary telepathy made it easier, somehow. They’d been honest, and now Teddy had to put his trust in Billy that they could make this work; that they could be friends.
“I think the problem is...I’m afraid of what would happen if I couldn’t turn back,” he admitted. “In the dreams, everyone is aware of mutants and other species and aliens existing, and as a dumb sixteen year-old, I didn’t have anything to lose. I could test myself without consequences. But here...every time I try to do something there’s the risk that it will be permanent.”
“I am not. You are doing really well,” Billy protested, “Much better than the first time you called me over,” he added, but in truth he really was coming along well. Billy looked down at him with a smile, happy Teddy seemed happy with the situation too.
“You know we wouldn’t let that happen. We’d find a way to turn you back, I’d find a way,” Billy told him coming to kneel on the mat next to him. “I promise.”
Theodore changed position, bringing his knees up as he sat up to rest his forearms against them, facing Billy. “I know,” he replied, smiling a little to try to break up the seriousness. “I know you’ve got my back. I wouldn’t even be brave enough to try without you.”
“I’ll always have your back. Who knows what kind of trouble you’d get into if I didn’t,” Billy told him with a grin, “You know you’re the troublemaker,” he actually managed to say that with a straight face too.
“Oh, is that how you remember it?” Teddy raised a skeptical eyebrow, though he was grinning. “Because I remember it slightly differently,” he replied, teasing back as he nudged Billy with his foot. “I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t even be an Avenger if it wasn’t for a certain nerdy Jewish teenager.”
“Your dreams must be fuzzy,” Billy told him grinning at the nudge, “I’m sure I’m actually the very cool suave sensible one. You are way more flighty than I am.” Though he couldn’t keep a straight face for long and soon burst out laughing.
Theodore smirked and dragged his fingers through his hair. “Cute,” he commented. “I think there’s supposed to be irony in the fact that I call myself Hulkling, but I never get angry. And we know there’s irony in your name, Ass-Guardian.”
“Wiccan,” Billy corrected, “The girls pointed out the irony before it became a thing. And thank goodness they did.” Because he knew somebody would pick up on that one real quick had he not changed it.
“Are you saying my ass is not worthy of guarding?” Teddy retorted.
“You know very well how worthy your ass is Theodore Altman,” Billy said not able to stop the small smirk from appearing on his face.
Teddy returned the smirk with a grin, showing off his dimples. “Well...it might’ve made a Top Ten list or two,” he replied, with faux-modesty. Though Billy’s opinion was, of course, far more important to him.
“And you know,” he continued. “I’ve been thinking. I don’t mind if you call me Teddy,” he admitted, shyly, no trace of the ego he’d shown just a moment ago.
“Top five at least if they have any taste,” Billy quipped with a smile because honestly it was a spectacular ass. Anybody could see that.
“Are you sure? I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable,” he said, knowing it had and since he’d made an effort not to slip up.
“I’m sure,” Teddy insisted. “I know it must’ve been hard--difficult,” he corrected, quickly, blushing slightly because, well, they’d just been discussing his ass and flirting, maybe. “And I appreciate you being considerate, but now it’s like...the more I dream, the more I feel...connected.” Both to the person he was in the dreams, and to Billy. “I’m not saying I’d want everyone to, but when you say it...it’s nice.”
“It’s because it’s you. Who you are I mean, at least to me,” Billy said, blushing a little bit. He had to admit, even though he shouldn’t, he kind of liked being the only one allowed to call him Teddy.
“And that’s why I don’t mind,” Teddy replied, his expression soft, open, even wistful as he regarded Billy. Billy loved Teddy. Of course Theodore didn’t mind if Billy thought of him as Teddy. If the closest he would be to having Billy love him was through his secondhand love of Teddy, then Theodore would take it. “You’re Billy to me, too, and I’d call you that even if you went by William.”
Billy kind of loved that expression the happy soft smile and affection in his eyes, it was times like that which made Billy sometimes wish that the dream world was the one which was real. And then he felt guilty over those thoughts once he got home. But still he couldn’t help feeling touched. “I’d let you. Since you’re special,” he said, then patted Teddy’s leg, “Now come on I’ll treat you to lunch. Anything you want since you’re working so hard.”
“Anything?” Theodore stood up slowly, stretching, feeling out his body’s soreness. “Because I had a challenge for you, if you’re up for it.”
“Oh?” He said eyebrows raising, “Well I’m always up for a challenge. Come on then, what is it you want?” he grinned.
“Pizza,” Teddy replied, and then waited a beat. “Real Ray’s pizza, from New York, because I may have only lived there for two years, but I grew up there in the Dreams and now I’m homesick for pizza I’ve never actually eaten in real life.”
“You want me to get you pizza from New York? You are aware that is probably a misuse of my powers right?” he grinned, “I’ve never been that far. If I get stuck in the middle of America you are coming to rescue me.”
“What, are the powers police going to show up?” Teddy rolled his eyes. “I’ve dreamed about you taking us halfway around the world without even breaking a sweat. I know you can do it. And what better place to try than New York? You grew up there--twice.” It was, for some reason, always easier for Teddy to have faith in Billy than it was for him to have faith in himself.
“...but if you end up in Kansas I’ll fly out and bring you home,” he promised.
“You never know,” Billy said, “We might both get arrested,” he laughed. But he was touched by the faith Teddy had in him and he would do his best not to let him down.
“I’m going to hold you to that,” he said, moving back from his friend and taking a deep breath. “Okay, well I’ll hopefully see you soon.”
It was instinct, to want to pull Billy close and kiss him before he disappeared, but Theodore bit down on his lip instead, dug his fingers lightly into his thigh to keep from reaching out. “You have your phone?” he asked instead. “Money? Let me give you cash,” he added, hurriedly.
Billy laughed, “Calm down. I have my phone and my wallet. Stop worrying. You know I can do it remember?” he teased a little before he gave a little wink and wave and disappeared.
The waiting was the worst.
Teddy paced the workout room, tidying up, but mostly waiting. Worrying, like Billy had said. He did have faith that Billy could do it, but that didn’t mean he actually had.
Billy surprised himself by actually arriving in New York, a few blocks away from where he had meant to but he was there nonetheless. He quickly made his way to the pizza place and ordered for him and Teddy, two rather large pizzas were in his hands soon enough and he found a quiet corner to disappear from.
“I did it!” he cried as he reappeared triumphantly in the workout room.
Theodore had been wrong.
Billy suddenly appearing was the worst.
He whirled around, instinctively shifting into his Hulkling “battle” form, before realizing that the intruder was Billy, at which point he relaxed, and his face broke into a grin.
“You did it!” he agreed, both excited and relieved, and then swept forward to wrap Billy in his arms for a Hulkling-sized hug.
Billy laughed, having just enough time to put the pizzas down before he was wrapped in a hug. “You better believe I did!” he said happily, “And I didn’t go wrong or get lost once,” he added pulling back as much as he could do to look at Teddy.
Teddy’s priority was Billy, not the pizza, so it was good that one of them was aware of the need to set the pizzas down before they were crushed. When Billy pulled back, Teddy reluctantly let him go, and sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck. “I knew you could do it,” he said, proud of Billy’s accomplishments as if they were his own. “And you didn’t even have to chant! I’m starting to think you’re even more powerful here, despite not having all your abilities.”
Billy beamed at him happily, “I know right? A lot of my powers have come through kind of more naturally. I wonder if it’s anything to do with not having my chaos powers here yet?” he said thoughtfully before shrugging, “But anyway, pizza!” he said, “Once you change back” he added.
“Pizza!” Teddy agree, grinning. Billy’s happiness was contagious.
Needing to change back made his smile drop a little, and he chewed his lip, concentrating until he felt the familiar shimmer of air around him, and he was himself again.
He looked down at himself, still amazed that his body could change like that without seeming to have any ill effects, and turned his arms, wiggling his fingers experimentally.
Billy clapped happily, “Well done!” he said happily, “See I told you that you were doing better. And as a reward you get pizza.”
Teddy flashed Billy a grin and picked up the pizza boxes, heading out the door and downstairs to the kitchen. “Plates and napkins,” he declared. “And maybe a shirt,” he mused, half-to-himself.
“I’ll grab the plates” Billy said, “Grab a shirt if you want but don’t feel the need on my account,” he grinned before turning to the cupboard and getting the plates down.
And that--that was definitely flirtatious, or at least appreciative. Theodore stared a little at Billy’s back, contemplative. “...I’m good,” he replied, deciding to take Billy at his word. He shouldered in next to Billy and set the pizza boxes down on the counter.
He opened the top box and inhaled, letting the scent of fresh New York pizza wash over him, and might have let out a soft moan. Not having the patience to wait, he grabbed a slice, folded it with years of practice, and took a large bite
Those were definitely moans now as Teddy chewed, his eyes closing in obvious pleasure.
It was flirtatious, Billy hadn’t been able to help himself and Teddy was pretty to look at. Billy gave him a little sideways glance as he stood next to him a smile smirk on his face. That was until Teddy started moaning and Billy couldn’t help blushing as his mind went back to where he’d heard those kind of moans before.
After Theodore finished his mouthful, he glanced over at Billy and espied his blush, which garnered a blush from him as well, one that went all the way down his chest, and he took a step back, embarrassed. “...it’s good,” he said, awkwardly, and laughed a little. “Thank you. For the pizza.”
“No problem. Anytime. We could try all kinds of stuff, right? As long as you keep improving of course,” he grinned.
Teddy returned the grin, his expression coy. “Well...it’s not the reward system I’m used to,” he replied, hoping he wasn’t the only one who remembered exchanging kisses and more as motivation.
The blush came back with a vengeance and Billy shoved Teddy with his shoulder, “Well it’s the one you’re getting,” Because he definitely remembered that.
Theodore laughed and moved away, leaning against the counter as he took another bite. “When I show up on Just Jared with the headline ‘Fat Theo!’ because I have no way of working off all those calories, I’m blaming you.”
“I’ll keep you fit, don’t worry about that. There’s no way I’m letting you lose that body,” Billy’s eyes widened as he realised what he’d said, it was too damn easy to flirt with this man. Pushing away from the counter her grabbed the plates and one pizza box, “Come on, let’s sit and eat,” he said pretending he’d not said anything and that he wasn’t the color of a tomato.
Though Teddy didn’t say anything, he smiled, hiding his face a little behind his slice. The flirting, like their friendship, was new, but at the same time, familiar. It was gratifying to know he wasn’t the only one having a difficult time separating the two, but if it was Billy wanted, he would try.