actualwizard | Prismatica Inbox

[It's been awhile since they've talked at length— they've said hello here and there, checked up on one another, but by and large, Teddy has tried to keep his distance, difficult though it's been. Knowing what Billy went through before coming to this place, the last thing he wants is to rush him into spending time together before he's ready, regardless of the context, and Teddy has his own reasons for needing space, as well— but that doesn't mean that he doesn't care, or that they can't talk.

He'd been lucky to escape recent events unscathed, but he knows not everyone was quite as fortunate.]

Hey. How are you holding up? Everything okay over there?

[ It’s always nice to hear from Teddy. As awkward as their conversations feel sometimes, the fact that he still reaches out gives Billy hope that someday maybe they could be what they were. He realizes a lot of that falls on him, Teddy thinks the ball is in Billy’s court here; but a part of Billy wants Teddy to fight for him. For them. It was so easy in wonderland for Teddy to just give up- and Billy doesn’t want that here. Not again. ]

Hey! I’m okay, how are you doing? Last month was...rough. Did you make it out okay?

[The response is a friendly one— he’s glad for that. It’s a little less stilted than previous conversations have been. Progress, maybe?]

I was one of the lucky ones. Got out pretty much unscathed, but I know that wasn’t the case for everyone. Never a dull moment here in space, right?

I’m glad to hear you’re okay. I was worried.

I don’t think we’ve ever had a dull moment in space. Always getting chased by things, or kidnapped and given swords.

I was worried about you too.

You know, we could do this face to face. If you wanted.

Space is pretty exciting by default, it's true- for better or for worse.

You know, I'd like that. Coffee?

[Impersonal enough that it doesn't seem to be assuming anything, but— it's distinctly date-like, in its way.]

Coffee always sounds good. There's a really good coffee house across the street from the university, you know it?

[ Coffee is a good start. Maybe they can start putting themselves back together in some way shape or form. ]

Yeah, I know the one. I can be there in twenty minutes, unless that's too soon.

[He doesn't want to come off as too eager and make Billy gunshy, but...]

Works for me. I’ll see you in 20

[ He might have changed outfits like three times, but he was never going to admit that. Thank the gods for magic, because it still managed to teleport there on time just as Teddy was rounding the corner. Did his outfit look casual and nonchalant, and not like he was trying too hard? He hoped so. ]

[Teddy had made about three false starts leaving the apartment, continually catching himself for fear of being too early and looking too eager (and thus desparate), and hoping for his own air of nonchalance as he rounds the corner— just in time to catch a glimpse of Billy.

He gives a lopsided smile and waves, one hand deep in his pocket.

Right. They've got this nonchalance thing nailed.]

Hey.

[Yeah, that's cool, right? 'Hey.']

[ Billy’s heart gives a swoop at Teddy’s smile. Because it always does. Since the day they first met. It probably always will, together or not, that smile just does things to him.

He shoots him a grin in return, he is genuinely happy to see him, even if things are a little awkward, and they definitely have a lot to work on, that fact that they are meeting face to face after weeks of just texts is nice. ]

Hey.

[ Definitely nailing it.

A pause. ]

We should- inside?

[ An awkward gesture towards the doors. ]

Inside would be good.

[Billy saves him the trouble of making the same offer even more awkwardly, but noticing that they're both a little off-kilter actually does him some good— his smile hitches a little wider, relaxing some, and he takes the liberties of holding the door as he ushers Billy inside with the other hand.]

It's— really good to see you.

[Text-only has been rough.]

It’s good to see you too.

[ He flashes Teddy a grin over his shoulder as he walks in. It is good to see him. It always hits him, how much he’s missed this boy, when they come face to face again. He’s had four years of convincing himself he was okay with out Teddy. And he was. He proved that, but he also hasn’t let himself miss Teddy in a long time, so sometimes it all hits him at once. How much he really does. ]

I’ll get drinks you get a table?

[He nods, his smile pulling wider.]

Sure. By the window, right?

[He knows he doesn't have to tell Billy how he likes his coffee.]

I'll get us a good one.

[ Billy nods, his grin also pulling wider. It’s easy, to fall back into old comfortable habits. ] It’s like you know me or something.

[ His tone is teasing as he leaves Teddy to find a table and gets in line. He doesn’t have to think of what Teddy would want, he knows. He orders their drinks and throws in two muffins for good measure, before collecting everything and heading back to Teddy. ]

I didn’t know which kind of muffin you’d be in the mood for so I got both- I figure we can share.

Weird how that works, huh?

[It's nice, how naturally they seem to be able to fall back into this— even if there's a little bit of awkwardness, Teddy is feeling just how strongly he's missed Billy now that they're meeting up again. He'd managed to get to a point where he wasn't thinking about it day in and day out, but it was still on his mind more often than not.

By the time Billy returns from the counter, Teddy has claimed them the best table by the window, smack in the middle of them with a great view of the street beyond, and he offers another smile as Billy settles in.]

Sounds good— we can split them. Everyone wins.

[ Billy is still grinning as he slips into the chair across from Teddy, his hands wrapped around the warm cup in front of him as he sips his coffee. ]

So, how have you been? This place takes some getting used to, you settled in okay?

[ It’s a concern that’s been weighing on his mind. Especially after how Teddy settled in to the last place they were stuck. As in not at all. ]

[He reaches to take hold of his own cup of coffee with a nod of thanks, followed by a lopsided smile.]

I'm hanging in there. I think I've been pretty lucky so far— whenever things have gone sideways, I've had a pretty easy time of it, but I feel like that luck has to run out eventually. It's been... an adjustment. I'm getting used to things. They do have some great video games here in space, though.

[Like, the arcade is wild.]

How have you been? I've been wanting to check in more, but— kind of nervous about going overboard.

[He doesn't want to smother him, considering what he's been through.]

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