[Backdated] Storm: Our Lives On Display

[doubled_speed]

WHO: Tommy Shepherd, Open
WHERE: Temba
WHAT: Two Stormy Memories
WHEN: During Storm Week
WARNINGS: CW: Child Abuse in starter 2

I. A Memory of Delight

Storms. Tommy hates the storms. In fact, if he could just have 100% less storms, he'd be very happy. The happiest a man can be. With the storms he's just... He's lesser. It's always upset him. Always hurt him. Always left him frayed around the edges. But hey, this time they were supposed to be spotty? So he tries to go about his life.

Problem is, this one hits when he's alone, and man if Tommy wasn't on his way back from the new Avengers manor or whatever Tony was calling it. Turned out he didn't like being in his room there, still a work in progress, when the storms and world felt so draining. So walking back was a thing.

And of course, that's when a storm rolled in over him. The second the rain started he felt his powers go and Tommy just cursed. Because, well, what the fuck was going on here? Why did the rain hate him in particular? Cursing one more time, this time in Polish just for good measure, he finds a bit of stone overhang and sits his ass down. If he doesn't move, logically he shouldn't have troubles, right?

Except there's something different today. Of course there is. The rain is getting thick enough that it's hard to see beyond his hand and for some reason... it almost looks like he's in his room above the diner, which makes no sense at all.

II. A Memory of Pain | CW: Child Abuse will be depicted in threads from this starter

That was an experience that was shaking, and for a while, Tommy just stays back in his room at the diner, cuddled up by the fire even though it made him too hot because it just reminded him of what was happening in the moment. It was safer. It was better.

It wasn't enough because anxiety was prone to driving Tommy out of comfortable situations. Which was why he was outside again, heading for the greenhouse. His other safe place. The one that made him feel like he was useful and had a place where he fit in. Even if he had no powers, he could help the plants, right?

What a mistake that was, going outside. Because while it was clear when he stepped out, by the time he made it across the square and was nearing the greenhouse, the rain started. And this time, well, the change comes quickly.

Too quickly.

Comes in the form of his feet stepping not on the road but on familiar worn down wood. He knows the creak his foot produces almost instantly. And there's the sound of a truck door closing.

Sure it's Tommy there, but it also isn't Tommy there, because to another person's eyes it's Tommy but younger. Tommy but with hair as dark as his brother's, not a hint of white in it. A younger, childhood Tommy who is flinching at the sound of booted footsteps nearing in the rain...

Comments

[doubled_speed]

"Babe, I never had kids books read to me," Tommy points out, his voice soft and sad.

Frank and Mary had lost interest in him as a kid pretty quickly. Almost to much so. Enough for it to have hurt when he thought about it in the past. So he doesn't have that reference.

"You definitely don't have horns, babe. I would have noticed."

[playingtough]

"Maybe we'll fix that one day. Maybe we can ask the aliens for some and see what they give us for 'kids books'." He grins at the thought of it. That free hand pushes gently at Tommy with the intention to try and get his partner to lay on his back, and frowns when the guy doesn't move. Fine.

He lays back down to hug his partner again with a sigh. "I bet I do have horns. They're just hidden in my hair so no one knows I'm a devil outright."

[doubled_speed]

"I think I'm fine with what I already read, babe."

Because he does. Quite a bit, when he can get his hands on stuff. For now, he just lets himself think. And refuse the pushing. He told Billy he needs to be able to get away.

"I've messed with your hair enough not to buy it.

[playingtough]

Billy would push more, to try and test the boundary... but he doesn't. Mostly because he's tired, but also because that was Tommy saying no. No was a boundary. "Dashing my hopes and dreams. First about reading shitty kids books to you, then about finding horns in my hair."

He presses his face to Tommy's shoulder so he can feel that playful pout. Then it just turns into a little kiss.

"I like cuddling you. I know I can't, but... but it makes me feel like I can shield you against the stupid shit out there."

[doubled_speed]

"Well, I guess if you are reading them to me, I can approve. Just a bit."

But the horns he can't help with.

"When I'm sure that there won't be any sudden power surges, you can do exactly what you want. I'm okay with that. Promise. I like... Feeling supported. Desired. Anchored."

[playingtough]

"I know. I'm trying to be patient n' stuff about it. I know you promised to come back if the power stuff happens, but-" 'I'm still scared you won't' teeters on the tip of his tongue before he bites it back. Rubs his face a little against Tommy's back.

He makes an amused noise. "Heh. Yeah? I like doing that for you. I guess I figured it'd be obvious with how I went out to that storm looking for you and let you borrow my clothes..." He holds onto the speedster just a little tighter, not wanting to let go like this. Even if he did agree that they could flip over so his boyfriend could have a quick escape.

[doubled_speed]

"When we make promises we have to trust them," Tommy says. "Otherwise they're meaningless."

So he's going to stand his ground on that one. And not argue it anymore. Billy can either trust him or not. That's on him, not on Tommy. But Tommy's trusting that Billy will let him go, will let him hold Billy instead. Will give him that chance.

"They are a bit big on me."

[playingtough]

Trust. That was the foundation of what they had, right? A relationship. He presses his face firmly into the space between Tommy's shoulder blades, willing to let go and turn over. Tommy said he'd come back. He would.

He would, he would, he would.

His mother had only left. She never made a promise to come back. Just because she left all those years ago didn't mean that Tommy would do the same. Finally, his grip starts to soften and slowly, as if Billy hadn't entirely made up his mind, pulls his hands away. He trusts Tommy. "Yeah? I wonder why that is, hm?" Teasing, keeping out of his head, which is easy enough as he focuses on turning over so his boyfriend can be the big spoon.

[doubled_speed]

"Because I like guys that could theoretically manhandle me," Tommy says. And he's so happy. He rolls over and wraps himself eagerly around his boyfriend. Perhaps holds him a touch tight, but he doesn't have his enhanced strength at the moment either. It's still nice.

[playingtough]

Billy's never been the little spoon before. It's strange but...he likes it? Oh. And Tommy's even holding him tight and it feels kind of like a blanket with weight in it.

Oh.

One hand goes up to just lay on Tommy's arm as he basks in being held. "Wait, hang on—"

Billy shimmies a little bit, getting further down on Tommy so that the speedster can put his chin (or face, really) in those golden curls. "How about that? I could manhandle you all the time but only when you say so."

Like at the stairs, he could've done it, but chose not to for Tommy's comfort.

[doubled_speed]

Barnacle mode activated. He did warn Billy. He warned you, bro. He's even highly pleased when Billy shifts so that it's easier. More comfortable. Yeah, that works for him most definitely.

"This works. And you're welcome to manhandle me plenty. Not like I can't avoid it most of the time. When you manhandle me, it's always cause I let you. Except times like this."

[playingtough]

The warning was there, and Billy didn't think anything of it. But now that it's happening... he likes it. It's nice and... surprisingly comforting. He even sighs and actually relaxes under his partner's grip.

"I could, right now. I could get what I want and roll over to pin you to this bed." It sounds like he's going to do it, but Billy doesn't move. "But it's like you with my clothes. I respect us too much to actually do it."

Even if Billy REALLY wanted to do it.

[doubled_speed]

"See, that's what I like. Respecting the limits. Later, if things are okay, you can be my blanket."

Because fuck, he's cold right now. Without his powers his body is always cold.

[playingtough]

"I want to be your blanket," he pouts, moving only so he can grab the blanket to throw over them again. "I'll keep you warm on evenings like this." This time he pats Tommy's arm and wiggles to get comfortable."

"Never been the little spoon before. Ever. It's weird but... I like it. You're good at getting me to try new shit, Shepherd."

[doubled_speed]

"I am happy to expand your horizons, Sunshine."

But for now he snuggles close and just... lets himself rest. Doesn't close his eyes. He doesn't dare.

"Sleep. I'll be with you in the morning."

[playingtough]

"Hmm," he hums with a pleased sort of sound. Billy is tired and Tommy is a comfortable weight against his back and head. Amazingly he doesn't hate feeling cocooned like this. Actually likes it. A lot. His hand still rests on Tommy's arm, more lax now as the sleep starts to take over his mind.

"You better... don't go breaking my heart, Daisy Dukes." Or the promises, either.

[doubled_speed]

"I couldn't if I tried," he gives back immediately. Okay, he knows some music. This works for him though. Being comfortable. Being close.

"Rest, babe. Just... just rest. It's been a hard fucking day."

[playingtough]

Billy wiggles a little, tucking his head more underneath Tommy's as he drifts. He may not have the tape player or the medicine from Tae, but falling asleep like this is just as good it feels. So he does, barely hearing his partner comfort him down into sleep. It has been a rough day, filled with nightmares and flirting and a mixed bag of things.

But he had Tommy.

And Tommy had him. For as long as the moon would let them, anyways.

[doubled_speed]

When it gets late enough Tommy carefully, gently, squirms free. Slips silently from the bed and then goes to grab his shoes. Slips out of the room as carefully as he can.

Because safety had to be a thing.

And, not an hour later, he returns. Toes his shoes off at the door and shuffles, on tired feet, toward the bed. Pauses there to look at Billy.

"Hey babe, I'm back. You going to be my blanket?"

It's safe. All he needs is room.

[playingtough]

Billy is still sleeping that hour later when Tommy carefully squirms free. Not without challenge though, as some movements only caused Billy to shift and hold on again. But eventually his partner goes and he drifts again.

That voice pulls him from his slumber and he rolls over to look up at Tommy with sleep filled eyes.

"Tommy?... What?-" Oh. OH! He blinks some of that sleep out of his eyes. "You came back, babe." Not that he actually doubted Tommy because the guy hasn't lied to him, but he's still so surprised. He rolls over and makes room. "Yeah, yeah, I'll be your blanket."

[doubled_speed]

Tommy smiles as he slips into the room that was made for him.

"I came back," he agrees. Because really, what more is there to say.

[playingtough]

The moment Tommy is under the blanket with him, Billy is pulling him close. Physically confirming that it is Tommy and not some weird dream or hallucination. Can't be too sure with the aliens. "I should've believed you when you said you'd come back. 'm sorry. No screaming moon? You okay?"

He's trying to be attentive and still half asleep.

[doubled_speed]

"No screaming moon. Just a wonderful man who is going to keep my still cold body warm," Tommy promises. "Smother me with his amazing muscles."

[playingtough]

"Mmm kay." No screaming moon meant they were safe. Actually safe this time. With his boyfriend laid down, Billy lays over his torso, pressing his ear to the smaller man's heart. It takes some finesse to get the blanket back over them, and he shivers at the coolness of Tommy's skin, but doesn't complain. "Thanks for... for coming back."

[doubled_speed]

Oh. This... Feels better than nice. Tommy can't help the little sob that escapes him. He feels safe. He feels warm. He feels wanted. And that's no small thing for him.

"Whenever I can, babe. Whenever I can."