kukkijar | Teddy Altman ; APPOINTMENTS

[Billy had half-expected another disagreement, at the very least, so Teddy's response is a relief, and it shows in his posture as the words sink in. He smiles faintly, shifting his hand from his neck to cover Teddy's at his jaw.]

...Because you love me?

[That, at least, isn't hard to believe - that Teddy loves him, why he does - even if Billy still struggles with his own feelings of self-worth. It's barely even a question.

He just really likes hearing Teddy say it. And... right now, he kind of wants it, and asking is his way of showing that he's... letting himself want it, a bit.]

[Teddy smiles against Billy's forehead, then leans back, one hand moving up to join the other in cupping his boyfriend's jaw.]

Because I love you.

[God, they're sickening.

But it's so easy that Billy wants to hear it - needs to hear it, and Teddy can't deny him when he's letting himself want it. Not to mention that Teddy loves to say it anyway, like he can't get enough of the word.]

[Billy hums a quiet, grateful response, momentarily tilting his head into the touch before caving to his impulse, pressing his body close to hug the other boy. He needs this reassurance, and now, holding him like this, Billy figures that Teddy needs it, too. It can't have been easy for him to confront him about this.]

I love you, too. ...And... thank you.

[Thank you for being patience with me.

Thank you for caring enough to try.

Thank you for not getting angry when I didn't say I could do it.

Thank you... for loving me when I can't, yet.]

Tommy catches him in the hallway, goggles askew and suit only half on. His hands are moving too fast, tugging at the zipper but barely paying any mind. ]

Supplies - we, need some of those right? [ He knows he's going. Tommy doesn't even need to ask, the second Billy was announced to be going they were both poised and ready. Tommy's pure nervous energy, regaining his speed has meant that he hasn't been able to sit still for a second. The speedster manages to zip it all the way up and rakes his hands through his hair, the trembling of them is minute.

This is a war.

He doesn't know what to do about a war. Are these people going to get back up if he blows their heads off? He's not like they are, he's rougher. He knows. They're all soft and innocent in all the ways he isn't, even after everything they've gone through, and he wants them to stay that way.

He grabs a few cookies from the tin and fixes his goggles. ]

[Teddy's expression is fixed in a frown as he zips up the backpack he brought from the clinic area, his outfit looking different than his usual one. As time went on, he'd come to realize that his costume was extremely confining for a shape-shifter like him. He still loves it, and bless Kate for getting someone to make it stretch pretty far. But with the amount of shifting he does during training, it just doesn't cut it. Better to have one entirely made out of his own form.

Costume matters aside, Teddy glances at Tommy before he stands, hoisting the pack over his shoulders, careful to avoid his wings. The fact that his face is practically stony probably says something; it's a mask morphed into place, hiding his nerves and worry, words from the patients echoing in his head (it was horrible, I watched him die, there were so many, the ground was red with blood) making him think the worst and know he isn't prepared for it.

But Tommy's here, they're going into war together, and -]

Cookies. Really? [Those are not supplies.]

Everything's better with cookies.

[ That's the best he can manage. Tommy's legs bounce extra with each step. He's nervous, that much is painfully apparent. ]

Want one?

I don't think I can stomach one right now.

[Teddy's got his arms crossed, hands curled into fists. It's not time to go yet, and he's trying to think of anything else they might need. The ring that Billy had left with him is safe on their nightstand, ready to go back on his boyfriend's finger as soon as he brings him back. Because they will bring him back.]

I have water and some medical supplies. Can you think of anything else?

Spare clothes, whatever food we can carry.

[ A long, slow sigh. Tommy tries to stop vibrating, to control his nerves. ]

It'll be fine. In, out, we've faced way worse. [ More to himself than to Teddy. ]

Have we, Tommy?

[He's been in war before. He had to fight against zombies, had to watch Billy turn into one, nearly turned into one himself. Nearly died there with him, and managed to save them both.

But at least Teddy was with him from the start. He's been with Billy just about every time they had to fight or face monstrosities like this. At this rate, he doesn't even know if Billy's dead or alive, even though he keeps telling himself that he's alive, he has to be, weak magic or not. He's heard nothing but bad news, and every day that news seemed to get worse.

With the way his mouth tugs downward unhappily, a slip of that mask, Teddy isn't sure if this will be nearly as simple as just going in and out.]

Hey.

[ Tommy zips over, delivering a light punch to his shoulder. ] Maybe you haven't, but if it wasn't for you getting kidnapped, I'd still be rotting in Juvie. We got this.

[Teddy blinks and looks at Tommy as if he was snapped out of a daydream. He's not sure if Juvie can compare to war, but... he knows it must've been bad. Really bad, if what he heard from Billy was true.

The topic of being kidnapped briefly makes him think of his mom and the fire, and it makes him tilt his head down again. But instead of brooding further on it, he holds his hand out; fine, yeah, he could use a cookie.]

So... you saying I should get kidnapped more often?

[ He gets a neat stack of six peanut butter cookies dropped onto his palm. ]

Not unless I get thrown in prison again.

[Yeah, Teddy's gonna get all six of those in his mouth; he's restless, nervous, worried sick, and hasn't eaten much since Billy got drafted. It's easy to eat pretty much anything when you can shift your jaw a little.

With so much cookies in his mouth, it takes him a bit of time to actually chew it all and swallow. But once he does, he lets out a long sigh and presses his hand against his forehead.

Dammit. That's his fiancé out there.]

The second we get there, we're looking for Billy. [And helping others, that goes without saying. But Billy is priority number one for the both of them right now.]

[ Tommy watches. It's sort of watching a snake unhinge it's jaw, cool but spooky - and extra spooky when it's a human jaw that's doing that. The speedster dusts his hands off and swings his suddenly packed bag over his shoulder.]

Obviously.

[After two days of trying to put people back together after the draft, everyone is still exhausted. To all appearances Mia is dealing with it; anyone watching her would see she eats enough, takes breaks, goes to bed and gets up in reasonable spans of time. If she's more subdued and haggard-looking than usual, well, isn't everyone?

She's heard some things about what went on in the village while she was away. Things that bring her to Teddy's apartment - after checking with him to be sure he's home - with a fragile almost-smile and a soft knock.]

[It's nice to get a bit of food, even if it is technically junk food. He doesn't care if Tommy thinks he's creepy for the whole jaw maneuver; his self-image issues are nothing right now. There are probably people dead out there, a few people died under his watch in the clinic, and he can't, can't let anyone else die. It's one of the reasons why he's so hyper-focused now; his head can't be on the blood and the light fading from the eyes of his own patients, of the way the hand squeezing his loosened. And he absolutely can't let that happen to Billy. Never.

He looks back at Tommy as he twitches his own shoulder, where his backpack rests.]

Are we ready?

I was ready like an hour ago. Let's blow this pop stand.

[ Forcefully optimistic and light, but done with the ease that one would never know. Tommy's a sociopath, after all. Amoral and brutal and thrives in the war. He's brutal and he's rough, the men attacking them are out to get them all, and he'll deal with it. He's got what it takes to protect them all.

And he's dealt with watching people he loves dying on him before. Teenagers aren't immortal, contrary to popular belief. ]

[Teddy had been holed up with Billy pretty much that whole time, dealing with issues of his own as well as worrying over his fiancé. Billy usually talks to him no matter what kind of horrors he's seen, so for him to clam up like this... Not that Teddy's any better, but at least that's normal for him.

He's lying on the couch and staring into space when the knock on the door snaps him out of it. So much, in fact, that he jumps a little. He should've heard the footsteps - God, he must be out of it. And though he'd rather just curl up and sleep rather than talk to people, curiosity wins out, and soon enough, he's opening the door. Once he sees who it is, he opens the door a little wider, and he smiles for her - small but genuine.]

Hey, Mia. Come on in - Billy's sleeping right now, so... [Which is a good thing. Billy hadn't been sleeping well since the draft ended.]

Is he? [Her tone agrees with Teddy's thoughts - Billy should be sleeping, none of them are going to get much peaceful rest for a while and they should claim it when they can.] I won't stay long. How is he doing, when he's awake?

[She keeps her voice down to just above a whisper, just in case.]

[He closes the door behind her once she's inside, slow and gentle, and keeps his hand on the doorknob as if to figure out how to answer that question. How is he doing when he's awake...]

He's... better than he was on the draft. But he's quiet. He doesn't eat much, doesn't sleep much, apologizes for nothing sometimes... [Teddy leans against the door, arms crossed and gaze on the floor.] I know I've got no business diagnosing anything, but I think it might be PTSD. Or something like it.

[Despite all of her reading and studying the sicknesses of other worlds since arriving here, that's one she still isn't clear about. She gets the general idea, though. Mia looks down at the floor.]

We...went through a lot. Billy moreso than most others, I think. [She found him invisible, shaken, in a corner in a dark room.] He will probably think there is some sort of time limit on getting "better". Try not to let him believe that.

[Since she didn't come to their apartment to throw their burdens all over the floor, she forces a change of pace and looks up at Teddy with the hints of a sly smile.]

And you? I heard a thing or two about you.

[Teddy's lost in thought for another moment, thinking about Billy and wondering just how much he went through, what happened to make her think he suffered more than others. After that, though, Teddy blinks, shakes his head, and gives her his attention.]

... What? What about me?

[Oh, if he wants to discuss Billy, she'll tell him what she thinks he should know in order to help him. For now, the steal-a-fry mischief shows up in her eyes.]

I heard Luceti became a...a battle hospital, of sorts. Before reinforcements came for us.

[Oh... She heard about that? Teddy isn't sure if there should be the sort of mischief he sees in her eyes over that, making him glance to the side.]

Yeah... Yeah, it did. Almost as soon as you guys left.

I heard that you helped.

[Oh, no, why isn't he looking at her? Maybe when she tried to look pleased, she just appeared tired and confused instead, or something worse.]

Helped a lot, I should say. I was proud to hear that, and I am still proud of you now. [The corners of her smile fade, and her whole face looks honestly tired.] I wasn't here to see it, but I know you did a wonderful job.

Teddy Altman ; APPOINTMENTS

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