[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

[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."

[playingtough]

Oh, he hears that noise and picks his head back up. Curls fall in his eyes but it doesn't matter. "Everything okay? Wha's wrong?" Maybe Tommy was hurt and Billy was laying on the wrong spot? "Need me to put my head somewhere else?"

[doubled_speed]

"I'm just... I'm happy," he whispers. Almost shocked by it. "Please don't move. Let... let me have this."

[playingtough]

Maybe the way Tommy was feeling was the same response Billy had earlier to Tommy dropping the L-word to him. "Okay. As long as you're not hurt." He does lay his head back down to rest on his partner's chest, but watches him with those sleepy blue eyes still. "I'll let you have it all the time, if you want."

[doubled_speed]

Maybe it's similar. But in the moment it's a magical feeling.

"Babe, you're healing all my hurts. I promise," he says, his hand coming up to stroke Billy's hair. "And don't worry, I'll drop by plenty to share this with you."

[playingtough]

If he had the function for it, he'd be purring right now with that hand stroking through his hair. For now he just... groans. It feels nice. Maybe that was healing his hurts too. "Tomorrow. Drop by tomorrow if the storm is gone. I should be at the beach house again. Just us at the sound of the ocean. And maybe the lobsters."

Billy moves one arm to lay a little more on Tommy's leg while the other settles at his shoulder. "Or I can come back and find you at the diner."

[doubled_speed]

"I can help you move to the beach house if you want. Then I'll head back and do some more of the outfitting for the room Tony set aside for me. But next time I visit, gonna show you how to clean and cook those lobsters of yours.'

But the diner's always an option too.

[playingtough]

"Hold my hand while you do it?" Which was a sentence that made no sense. It was the sleep talking, really. He rubs his cheek against Tommy's chest. Maybe it's a little scratchy from that barely there facial hair he's failed to really grow in. "Stark got you a room? You movin' out of the diner?"