Fight
“I fell in love with a super hero, okay? And I’m not going to sit around while the city is being terrorized so I can waste my life on you!” Teddy shouted. His words crashed between them like a caved-in ceiling. He clasped his hands over his mouth. “Oh, god. Billy - ”
“Is that how you’ve been feeling?” Billy said quietly, eerily.
“No,” Teddy pleaded. “Oh, god, no, that’s not what I meant.”
“Yes, it is,” Billy insisted plainly.
“No, it just came out wrong - ”
“Teddy, it’s fine. I’m glad you let me know, because now I can fix this.”
“Oh, no,” responded Teddy automatically. “Billy, please, don’t do that.”
Billy narrowed his eyes. “You think I’m a fuck-up.”
Teddy blanched. “What?” Teddy shook his head. “Of course I don’t.”
“No, you do.” Billy nodded, considering this. This situation was warped - Billy composed while Teddy was frayed, the threading in the tips of his toes to the pads of his fingers coming undone. Billy glanced at his feet. “Look,” he reasoned, “it’s not like I’m unaware of the differences between us.”
Teddy couldn’t seem to get his bearings right. He had let himself lose control and now everything was messy. "What differences?“
Billy looked at Teddy like he was stupid. He motioned to himself. "Uh, skinny nerd who can barely hit the hammer at those carnival games?” He pointed at Teddy. “Naughty school boy rendition of Chip and Dale’s?”
Agitation scratched at Teddy’s neck, an impatient itch. “Smoke and mirrors,” he dismissed.
“Does it matter?” Billy asked. “Besides, if it isn’t physical, it’s academic and athletic. You get A’s and basketball trophies, I get C’s and a comfy seat on the bleachers. Plus, you’re a genuinely good person.”
Teddy raised his eyebrows. “And you’re not?”
A smile tugged at Billy’s lips. “Not like you. You run into burning buildings to rescue dolls for little girls. I set cathedrals on fire at weddings.”
Teddy rubbed his face. “I didn’t intend for this to become a testament to how you fail as a person, because I happen to think you don’t.”
"I know you don’t. And trust me, I’m not trying to turn this around so it’s the Great Anti-Billy Hate Debate.” Billy’s hands chopped the air decisively. “This is constructive. This is me telling you that things are going to get better. That I am going to be a better boyfriend. Fuck, I’m going to be thebest boyfriend. I promise.”
Billy walked swiftly up to Teddy, grabbing his face and pressing a kiss to his lips. Teddy stood still with his arms crossed, not feeling up to it. Billy backed away uncertainly, but still smiled. He gave a light punch to Teddy’s shoulder. “Go to bed. When you wake up, I swear things will be different.”
Teddy didn’t want overnight miracles. He also wanted with all his might to end the conversation that had started with calling Billy a waste. He sucked in a breath and attempted a smile. He ran his fingers through Billy’s dark hair, felt like crumpling when Billy laid his cheek in his palm. “Try not to bring the house down, alright?” he teased.
Billy dipped a kiss on his wrist. “Best boyfriend, starting tonight, remember?”
“Right. I’ll keep that in mind.” Teddy let his hand fall. “Good night,” he said, and walked toward the door.