analienprince

I guess so.

[But no, he's still going to feel guilty and hurt and... a lot of other feelings he's trying to keep pressed down. Billy doesn't need to deal with them right now and he's good at pretending to be okay. He can do this.]

Be right there B.

[He puts away his device and heads out as soon as possible. He doesn't want Billy teleporting ether, not if he's that bad off. From the air, it's easy enough to spot Billy eventually anyway and touch down beside him.]

( his face does look pretty gross: tear stains down his cheek, eyes red and puffy. billy's--made himself on an old wooden bench, at least. but he gets up as soon as teddy lands close by, moves out both arms to wrap them around him.

holds on tight. )

Thanks.

[He wraps his arms around Billy when he hugs him like that, holding on tight.]

There's nothing to thank me for, B.

[He tips his head in, pressing against Billy's affectionately.]

Let's get you home, okay? We can get you into bed, we can talk or do whatever you want, okay?

( teddy's arms have always felt safe, this isn't any different. he tilts his head in, and billy tilts his, too. nuzzles in close, takes a slow, shuddering breath. )

I'm--sorry, too. I know this isn't easy for you either and finding out like that wasn't great. I just--can't believe Loki, it's been almost a year, Teddy. And it. . honestly, it took me forever to trust him at first, after everything. Now I don't know if he was just lying the whole time or--

It's not your fault.

[He lets out a sigh and tightens his arms a bit before he starts to smooth his hand over Billy's back, trying to comfort in whatever ways he can.]

I don't think he was lying-- not about you at least.

He's the god of lies, Teddy. Who knows what he's been lying about. ( it's grumbled low, but. billy pulls back a little, shoves his face into teddy's shirt to smear off dried tears. )

Are we walking?

I don't think he'd have fought so hard for you, if he didn't care about you. I just-- can't believe he was sleeping around behind your back. [He's angry that Billy's hurt... and he's angry that he's hurt as well. He'd thought they'd all been trying to make this work. Cheating and lying about problems doesn't make anything work though...

He lets out a sigh, bringing up a hand to brush through Billy's hair.]

We can walk or I can fly you back.

You'd think that after everything we've gone through, dealing with this wouldn't be so. . hard. ( but it is. and it's less about what loki did and more--why he did it. the way he went about it. if there had been a little more honesty, billy wouldn't be even close to as upset as he is. this is what he gets though, isn't it? trusting the god of chaos, mischief, lies--and everything else.

a step back, and he's raising palms to shove against his eyes, taking a deep breath. )

Can we fly?

Yeah... I'm sorry, B. I wish I could make it better for you. [But he can't. He can't say he's surprised Loki lied either -- not when he's the god of them... he'd just hoped Billy wouldn't be hurt in the process.

He moves forward at the question to pick Billy up, hold him close as he shifts his form.]

Of course we can. Come on.

( arms wrapping tight around teddy's neck when he's picked up, billy presses in close, leans into teddy as best as he can. )

Next time the portal opens up--after we get Peter back--we'll go home, maybe. Get the Young Avengers back together, enjoy our apartment. . all that nice stuff.

[He turns his head to press a kiss to Billy's forehead, too uncertain to do much else, not sure how much of what Billy is saying is just because he's upset and grieving.

But it's all too fresh to prod at it, right? And he's too angry to be tactful when what he'd like to do is go punch Loki in the face -- preferably repeatedly.]

We will, B. But right now-- we've got an apartment with your brother to enjoy, right? And you know I'm with you until the end, right? No matter what happens.

I know. You're amazing, Teddy.

( his tone lacks the normal luster he talks about teddy with though; nerves frayed after the whole bit with loki himself. )

We'll figure it out.

[He honestly doesn't feel particularly amazing right now, but he flashes Billy a quick, fond smile before he takes to the air, keeping Billy close.

Right now, he wants to focus on getting them back home and safe, that's all.]

Of course we will... we always do.

I love you.

( softly, murmured into the curve of teddy's shoulder as he holds on tight. )

Thanks for sticking by me.

I love you too... I always will, you know?

[He lets out a short huff, amused.]

Who else would I want to stick with, Kaplan? I told you 'til death do us part and I meant it, wedding or not

I was really excited about it.

( quietly; there goes his mood again. )

Loki never thought it was the three of us, you know. Which just pisses me off even more. He never even--tried to communicate anything.

I had a feeling... I don't think he really wanted me in the equation, B. Maybe if I'd just-- stayed away, you could have had your wedding.

[But again, he'd hoped, at least.]

I thought he wanted to try it, try to make it work with the three of us...

You don't lie to me, or cheat on me then tell me it's because I can't appreciate your other forms.

( gripping on even tighter to teddy, thank you. )

I thought he wanted to try, too.

Of course not... I wouldn't cheat on you ever, B. [There are just... some things he believes in and not betraying Billy like that is at the top of his list.] It's not your fault though. That's a crappy excuse to use... he knew that going in.

[He gives a sadder smile as Billy holds tighter.]

I'm sorry it didn't work out... I really wanted it to. I liked seeing you happy.

( it'd be one thing if loki had talked to him first. had even given billy an inkling of what was going on, but--no. not a word. nothing until it came up accidentally. thanks a lot, loki laufeyson. )

I know it's not my fault. Thanks though. ( leaning in a little closer, lips pressing to the curve of teddy's jawline. )

'll get over it.

[He lets out a sigh at the kiss, arms tightening on Billy protectively.]

You really are amazing, you know... and you deserved better than being lied to like that. Especially over that.

Can we punch him a little.

( grumbled soft, eyes closed as he holds on. )

Maybe later.

Punching, maiming... We can do all that later.

[He turns his head to press a kiss to his forehead.]

Right now, I want to get you home and get you comfortable.

Yeah, thanks.

( he's comfortable wherever teddy is, but billy understands what he's getting at. somewhere to sit for a while. try and relax, as if that's actually going to happen. )

Definitely at least a punch. I'll have to get my stuff out of the Sanctum. .

Do you want me to go get it? He offered me a room there... I guess I need to collect anything I left.

[Because he's definitely not interested in staying anywhere near Loki at the moment. That wouldn't end well, he's pretty sure."

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