The Day After - For WearingtheStars

[helpdesk_hero]

He knows it the second he wakes up. Because there's this void in his head. Can't explain it, can only say it's wrong. As deeply wrong as anything has ever been in his life. Of course the only reason he even woke up was because of all of the shouting. The fear and the pain. And David swallows hard because he's reaching and there's nothing.

Which is what gets him grabbing at his jeans and a t-shirt, throwing himself out of the room, barely even acknowledging Josh as the gold-skinned idiot wakes up. No, his concern is the room across the hall. Is pushing past people so he can pound on it. Billy.

"Billy!" he shouts through the door. He should have fought harder when Emma found out they were dating. He shouldn't have let people change their rooms. He should be in there, knowing if Billy is feeling this same emptiness too.

An emptiness that can't just be David, because he thinks he just saw a girl that used to have purple skin and horns walk by. Without either of those.

"Billy, open up! Dammit, Jay, if you're in there, open the door, I need to see Billy."

Comments

[wearingthestars]

I mean, practically.

[Smart as David is, natural leader...Billy can't envision a future where David's not helping shape other.

Even without the simulations, the space offers a sort of security. A familiar environment where Billy can experiment without fear.]

[helpdesk_hero]

[Well, David half expects to be send home. So shaping others seems unlikely.]

But maybe we can prove something, get them to take you seriously.

[wearingthestars]

Right. Well...we know I can glow, and...float stuff. What else should I try?

[For all his obsession with heroes and powers, Billy feels as though he's suddenly drawing a blank as to the possibilities his powers may present.]

[helpdesk_hero]

Well, we need to determine the difference between floating stuff and true telekinesis. So, basically, whether your power falls more in line with Julian and Jean Grey, or more with Wanda Maximoff. So, we bring some chairs with us and see if you can deliberately make them float, and if so, if there is any visual cues to go with it. Magic? Usually has it. Telekinesis? Nope.

[wearingthestars]

[That's such a logical starting point that Billy flushes a little for not having thought of it, and then gives a grateful look, nodding.]

And I'll try not to drop you this time. You okay, I didn't hurt you, did I?

[helpdesk_hero]

You didn't hurt me.

[They're almost at the area so David starts grabbing some of the most durable small things around them.]

[wearingthestars]

[Despite being more or less offline, the danger room was at least still open, and Billy looks around the space, feeling very much like he did on his first day here. David was there for him then too, and Billy smiles softly.]

...You remember when I first came here? Was I completely obvious in how cute I thought you were?

[helpdesk_hero]

[David smiles as he sets down his pile of stuff.]

You were literally my bi awakening.

[wearingthestars]

[Billy laughs, cheeks flushing.]

You have really weird taste. But I guess that makes me lucky. ...I'm really glad we got paired up that day. I dunno what I would have done without you all this time.

[helpdesk_hero]

Gone crazy? Fallen in with a bad crowd? Dated Victor?

[He smiles and pulls Billy close and kisses his brow.]

[wearingthestars]

Ooh, option two. Total bad boy. It would have been amazing.

[He grins, looking up at David and it's easy to forget in this moment all the bad that's happened.]

Okay. Let's do this. See what kind of a mess you're dating, mm?

[helpdesk_hero]

Yeah, I don't think Julian would have had the time for you.

[But he frowns at that second comment.]

You're not a mess, Billy.

[wearingthestars]

You know, without the self depreciating humor that leaves me with like...half as many jokes, right?

[Billy tries to keep up that teasing, but there's a slight sheepish look to him. He's glad David doesn't let him joke like that, but it's still a hard habit to break.]

[helpdesk_hero]

Half of zero is till zero.

[Don't do it, Billy. He loves you too much.]

[wearingthestars]

Ouch.

[Billy laughs, feigning a hand to his heart.]

I know, I know. I'm working on it.

[He really is.]

[helpdesk_hero]

[Good. David offers another hug and then backs away, taking a small stone orb and putting it alone on the floor.]

Time to practice then. See what you can do.