Tin-Tin's Space

rubyred21:

Summary: Falling and flying are two totally different things

Characters: Tommy Shepherd, Teddy Altman, and Billy Kaplan

Author’s Note: This is for colt. I hope you feel better soon!

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Cute, cute, so very cuuute! Ruby, how do you always keep everyone so in character?!

What have I done? ;A; Prepare for gross sobbing guys. I’m serious.

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6) (Part 7) (Part 8) (Part 9) (Part 10) (Part 11) (Part 12) (Part 13)

Tim took great care in wiping the blood from Billy’s face. Billy’s condition had only worsened over the next couple of weeks; his complexion was far too pale, his chin, lips, and cheeks were dyed red in his blood. The weather had warmed some, but the chill seemed to have seeped forever inside of the house. A fire wasn’t always lit, and even with the blankets, Billy shivered from fevers and fear from gruesome nightmares.

Tim was often distracted during work and sent home—an unfortunate thing, considering he wasn’t bringing in much without Kon anyhow. He grew skinny with the lack of meat and only on occasion could he find a vegetable to put into the soups. Billy was having a harder time keeping anything down, and the pair were as skin and bones.

There was a whimper from Billy as Tim tucked him in for the third time that evening. Billy often had a habit of kicking off the blanket as his fever would go down.

“Easy, Billy, it’s only me.”

“Teddy?”

Billy didn’t even open his eyes. Tim thought for a moment. Anytime he could come back and find Billy no longer breathing. What was the harm then, if he…

No. He couldn’t—it wouldn’t be fair to trick him.

Would it really be unfair? What was wrong with giving Billy—who was practically comatose now—a chance at being with Teddy just one last time before the end?

“I-I’m here, Billy.” His voice shook, but he tried to make it sound strong. From what Billy had told him, Teddy always had a soft, yet strong rumble to his voice.

“It always comforts me; and it’s such sweet music to my ears in the morning. I nearly melt into the sheets every time.”

“R’lly you?”

That hurt. It hurt a lot, but he couldn’t back out of this now.

“Yeah, it’s me.” Tim reached out and grabbed a hold of Billy’s hand. “I came back, safe and sound. I’m going to take you home.”

He was getting too carried away. What if Billy remembered this tomorrow? How was he supposed to do this? Billy let out a sob and Tim took in a shaky breath. He was being cruel. This wasn’t right.

“Missed you.” Billy managed enough strength to squeeze his hand. “Love you.”

“I love you too.” Tim answered softly, trying to achieve the deep, gentle voice. “You just rest.”

“Dream?”

It took Tim a minute to realize what Billy was asking. “No, Billy. I’m here.”

“Be here?”

“Of course.”

The moment ended and Billy choked on both blood and sobs. Tim desperately rolled him onto his side to help clear his pathways. More coughing and choking followed, but ended in shaky gasps.

“Rest, Billy. I’ll be here. I promise. Just—just sleep.”

Billy didn’t answer him and after a moment Tim rolled him back over. The shaky breaths continued and only small whimpers here and there were heard from him.

“Kiss.” It was a whisper, so soft Tim nearly didn’t hear it. “Last kiss.”

It was desperate and pleading. Tim hesitated. This was too much. He couldn’t—

“Please.”

So Billy knew it was the end. Tim suddenly was hit with a wave of panic. “Not our last.”

Billy didn’t answer, and Tim squeezed Billy’s hand harder. He couldn’t do this. What was he supposed to do by himself? What if no one came back? What if Kon didn’t come back and Tim was alone—he didn’t want to be alone!

Billy had given him a purpose; a reason to stay put and wait for Kon to come back. It was cold—it was too cold in the house. He felt the urge to break a chair and use it as fire wood. He just needed more heat to keep Billy alive, right? Then he wouldn’t be alone. That was all. Just a little more heat.

He went to pull away, but Billy’s small hand tightened just the slightest. He couldn’t leave him. Tim couldn’t—wouldn’t abandon Billy in his last minutes. He took a moment to calm himself down. As tenderly and as passionately as he could, he leaned down and kissed Billy.

It that simple kiss Tim conveyed everything he could; desperation, loneliness, fear, and grief. When he pulled away, he realized Billy hadn’t responded because Billy had already taken his last breath. Sobs bubbled up and out, and Tim buried his head in Billy’s chest.

Despite the hours of pleading for Billy to wake up, he remained silent and still. The sun peeked out of clouds, but Tim only felt it get colder.

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6) (Part 7) (Part 8) (Part 9) (Part 10) (Part 11) (Part 12)

A World War 2 Au starring Billy, Teddy, Tim, Kon, and Tommy.

-

The cold bit at his face, but Teddy trudged on. He wanted out of this wasteland. He wanted the warmth Billy provided and the smile he received every time he came home and kissed Billy’s cheek, hanging up his jacket and taking in a big whiff of the spices of dinner cooking in the kitchen. Billy always worked hard to make sure every detail of dinner was perfect.

It was their only meal together and every night it was safe and warm and comforting. It was an hour of focusing solely on each other and talking and being best friends. Then after the dishes were done the relationship evolved and they were in love. Little touches and soft words were the beginnings of tender kisses and loving embraces.

Teddy blinked through the tears. He missed Billy. He was scared and even more afraid for Billy. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small stack of letters. Flipping through them, Teddy took out the most recent and the first letter he received. A quick comparison with numb and shaking hands only confirmed what he’d been suspicious of for a while.

Billy wasn’t writing these letters.

So who was?

It had to have been Tim. There were things in these letters that only Billy would know about. Tim must have been writing as Billy dictated it. Why? Why couldn’t Billy do it on his own?

The letters say Billy had been doing well, but this obviously wasn’t the case. Teddy didn’t mention anything to Tommy, but he knew there was something wrong. Was Billy hurt? Panic overrode his body’s weariness and desire for rest. He picked up speed, blindly running through the snow. He was just racing to get back to Billy.

He tripped over a rock hidden in the snow, skidding into the frozen wasteland a foot or two before coming up to gasp for breath. That hurt—it really hurt and he had no idea if he’d broken any of his limbs. They were numb and tight feeling and his head was spinning. It took him a few minutes to gain enough stability to stand back up.

Teddy examined the sheer vastness of the snowy countryside.

What was he doing? Billy was fine—maybe he was just sick or broke his arm. Teddy hadn’t exactly been honest in his own letters about his condition so as not to worry Billy. Why shouldn’t Billy have done the same?

He needed to get out of France. He wasn’t going to ever reach Billy like this; he needed to find civilization—a warm place to regain his strength. He was sure it was quiet stillness of the country that was causing him to feel so utterly alone. It was suffocating him, strangling him in a fit of panic and worry.

A sickening realization dawned on him.

Tommy was feeling these things too. Teddy had just gone and left him. What if he got himself shot? What if he was dead? Billy was going to kill him. What was he thinking? Just because Tommy hadn’t exactly had a plan didn’t mean he’d let Teddy down before. Teddy just left him there to die—to rescue Kon by himself just because he was selfish and wanted to go home.

Not everyone in this war got to go home. Not everyone had someone waiting back at home for them. Teddy had lost sight of all of that. He’d just been blinded by loneliness to remember why he’d signed up in the first place. He was protecting Billy—protecting every single person who couldn’t defend themselves in this time of despair.

How many scared families had he seen crossing into the border? The people of France—of Poland, Austria, Hungary—they were all the same as the people of America or of England. They were all struggling against this oppression.

That’s why Billy was sent away. He couldn’t let Billy face this. Tommy wasn’t even supposed to join this war. Teddy was supposed to be the one who could handle this. Instead it was Tommy trying to hold them together while Teddy went and had a breakdown.

How could he have done something so stupid? Teddy turned around and with that same energy he’d released just a second ago reaching towards Billy, he backtracked and reached for Tommy. Tommy was the one in need right now. Billy was safe. Billy would wait for him. Tommy didn’t have time and neither did Kon.

Well this time Teddy would be the one reassuring that everything would be fine. This time Teddy would put Tommy back together and keep him moving toward the goal of home. It was about time he took charge of the fight for home; he only prayed Kon and Tommy were still alive to fight alongside him.

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6) (Part 7) (Part 8) (Part 9) (Part 10) (Part 11)

Tommy cursed himself for not having packed anything useful for their search and rescue escapade. He spared a glance back at Teddy, taking in the exhausted face and the small hint of pain laced in his expression. Four days they’d been out here, hiding in houses when they could, shedding their uniform for street clothes, hoping to mask their presence as much as they could in this occupied town.

Neither of them knew German, but Tommy understood enough to recognize words such as prisoner, enemy, and kill when he heard them. They were getting closer, but by the sounds of it, Kon was heavily guarded. Why had they left him alive, Tommy found himself wondering, but pushed the questions aside when Tim’s heartbroken face and Kon’s smiling one flashed in his head. As long as he was alive, he didn’t need to focus on the why’s or how’s.

“Altman,” Tommy called softly, halting his march through the snow.  “I think we’re getting closer.”

The crunch of Teddy’s boots against the frozen grass died as he too stopped. “How are we supposed to free him?”

Tommy didn’t exactly want to think about it. He just wanted to run in, grab their friend, and then somehow sneak back to England. If they made it to England, they could make it to New York. They could be free of this war and all of its horrors and traumas. Even if they got out alive right at his moment, none of them would be the same.

Still, they pressed on. Tommy could think of the future later, right now was the time to focus on the present. Breathing hot air onto his hands in an attempt to shake the numbness out of them, Tommy squatted down and put his finger in the snow.

“I think they’ve got him locked up in a prisoner tent not too far from here. It’s about three miles east and across the border.”

“How are we supposed to get into Germany?” Teddy sounded hopeless and defeated. Now wasn’t the time for that.

“Do you trust me Altman, or are you just going to lay down and die?”

“At this point… I’m not sure.” Teddy admitted. “I just want to go home.”

Tommy furled his lips and let out a snarl. “The only way to get home is to trust me. So enough with the quitter attitude. Get your ass moving!”

“You haven’t got a plan, do you? You’re just refusing to sit still. You’ve always been like this!”

“Yeah? Well at least my brother wouldn’t mope around like a kicked dog!”

“I’m not Billy. What’s your point?” Teddy’s voice was raised and anger was starting to exude from his posture.

“You’re pathetic, you know that? If it was Billy who’d been taken prisoner would you still be trudging along? Huh? Or would you stand up and fight like a man?”

“Yeah, well Billy isn’t the one who’s in there!”

“You’re right, it’s Kon! He’s been with us for months!” Tommy stood, fists clenched and itching to sock Teddy in the mouth. “Why are you giving up on him?”

“I’m not giving up, Tommy,” Teddy shot back, “I’m thinking about things! You just dragged us out here, no supplies, no plan, just took us out here to be called traitors by our own country!”

“If you didn’t want to go, then why did you follow?”

Teddy thought about it for a second, a cold glare forming. “You’re right. I don’t know why I’m following you. I’m going home, Tommy, and I’m going to live.”

Tommy let out an enraged yell and tackled him down into the snow. “I can’t believe you! You blame me for being out here, but who was the one who signed the roster in the first place!”

Teddy snapped back, pushing Tommy off of him with a strong sweep of his arm. Tommy rolled in the snow, but quickly righted himself. Teddy snarled in a mocking tone. “Then why did you follow?”

“Because I don’t like to see my brother cry.” Tommy admitted, kicking snow into Teddy’s face.  “You think you’re just going to go home and live happily ever after?! You try explaining to Tim—to Billy’s house mate—that you abandoned his loved one just because you were missing home! Well guess what?! Kon has a home too! You go on right ahead then! You just run away!”

Teddy slowly wiped the snow out of his and didn’t say a word as he got to his feet. He brushed himself off, took a few seconds to stare Tommy down, and then turned around. Tommy watched, breathing hard as Teddy’s back—one he’d been able to count on throughout this hell—slowly disappeared from view.

Tommy was alone.

A WW2 AU starring Billy, Teddy, Tommy, Tim, and Kon.

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6) (Part 7) (Part 8) (Part 9) (Part 10)

“I have given him all I could spare. These are hard times.”

Tim looked from the doctor’s old and wearied face to Billy’s agonized one. He’d given in and pleaded with Bruce to send him a doctor—one that would keep quiet about the situation. It was a long phone call and Tim finally pulled the “I also want to see if I’ve come down with it as well. It’s contagious, you know.”

A doctor was sent the next day, having been paid for his silence. Alfred was offered, but Tim had turned him down. He didn’t need Alfred in danger of getting sick as well. The old man was too important to risk to the same suffering he’d seen Billy go through in the past months.

“Thank you, Doctor.” Tim hesitated before asking his next question. “What about the test results?”

“You’re clean. It’s miraculous, but the longer you stay here with him, the greater the risk of you contracting the disease. I suggest you get yourself immunized quickly.”

The doctor picked up his bag and shuffled towards the door.

“One more question.”

He slowly turned to Tim, a small quirk of his large, furry white eyebrow was the only response the Wayne adoptee was given.

“How long does he have?”

The doctor heaved a sigh, looking at the ailing young man struggling to breathe. He’d seen worse cases, younger cases, more tragic cases, but there was something about this young man. There was something he was living for—a reason to fight the illness more than a fear of death.

“Months, if he is lucky.” The doctor admitted sullenly. 

Tim swallowed. Everyday there was new news on the war, but none yet had claimed the end was in sight. Was there even a chance Billy would survive long enough? What about after Teddy came back? Billy would still die and while Tim didn’t know Teddy, he knew Tommy. Tommy was still going to have to grieve for his lost brother.

“What is he fighting for?”

“He wants to see someone, just one last time.”

“Pray they come home swiftly, then.” The doctor advised.

Tim didn’t answer and the doctor showed himself out the door. It was only after the door closed that Tim sank to his knees next to Billy.

“I know you’re awake.”

“Got plenty of… time.” Billy offered a pined smiled, though his eyes remained shut. His fever had yet to release its hold on Billy’s body since the medicine had been administered.

Tim shook his head and turned around, leaning his back against the edge of the couch. “You’re delusional, and I don’t know if it’s the fever or just you.”

“Probably… just me.” Billy answered, struggling to hold down a fit of coughing.

He’d done enough coughing to last him a lifetime. They were getting worse and more violent. More blood spilled from his lips everyday and just a week ago he’d gone through a particularly nasty fit that cracked one of his ribs. As if breathing hadn’t been difficult enough.

Tim stuck through it regardless; keeping the fire going whenever they had enough to buy wood, cooking him meals that were easy to keep down, and picking up the blanket Billy shoved off of the couch whenever his fever went down and the heat threatened to suffocate him. It wasn’t just that, but Tim kept him company. He read him Teddy’s letters and took the time to listen to Billy gasp out words to write in response—no matter how cheesy and overly romantic they sounded.

“Tim?”

“What?”

“Aren’t you… tired?”

“It’s still early. If you’re tired, go back to sleep.” Tim’s eyes were solely focused on the dancing flames, enjoying both the warmth of the fire and the ever changing flames flickering and licking at the wood.

“No.” Billy took a deep breath, hoping still to push back the fit on the verge of bubbling up. “Of taking… care of me?”

Tim didn’t answer for quite some time. “Did you expect me to just hand you over to the sanatorium? I’d be incredibly lonely. Let’s not forget I promised your brother I’d take care of you. So no, I guess. I’m not tired.”

“I want… Teddy to come home.” Billy didn’t know what he was saying now. He was halfway asleep and sleep was good. It didn’t hurt so much anymore, and he could talk a bit easier. “I miss him.”

“I know.” Tim answered quietly.

“Think he’ll come home?”

“He’s still alive.”

“Want him home.” Billy’s voice was softer now.

He was met with silence and finally, his body was lulled into a deeper sleep than usual. Tim knew the antibiotics had run their course and he sat in front of the fire, listening to Billy’s breathing. It was lighter, easier—a sure sign of relief.

“Maybe you’ll make it.” Tim murmured. “Maybe I won’t have to tell them.”

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6) (Part 7) (Part 8) (Part 9)

It was three hours before a few soldiers hunkered back to take care of the dead. One was surprised when they found Tommy shivering and cussing and nudging a still unconscious Teddy in an attempt to rouse him. The two were helped back to base and even with two blankets wrapped around his lithe body, he was still freezing.

Teddy was out and would probably stay out for a while. A medic took care of the wound on his head, but other than that, there was nothing left to do. Tommy wasn’t sure if it was the head wound or exhaustion. In any case, Tommy was dealing with the effects of a severe case of hypothermia and could hardly even form the words to his questions.

The two were given two days to recover; Tommy was allowed to stay with Teddy through the first night in the medical tent. He wasn’t surprised to find the blonde tossing and turning, whispering Billy’s name in frightened tones. Nightmarish visions of blood splattered across the floor and headstones reaching high into the sky, the name of the one he loved carved into the cold stone.

There was nothing Tommy could do to comfort him, trying to shake him awake only sent him into hysterics. There was one night when Teddy didn’t stop dreaming even when he opened his eyes. He’d only grabbed onto Tommy and clutched so tightly at him his arms bruised whispering apologies and “I love you”s until Tommy whispered back.

Then there were the night Tommy was the one to have the nightmares. Each time Billy would be sobbing, demanding to know why he let Teddy die. Sometimes Tim was next to him, accusing him of running away—leaving the two to face death at the hands of the bloodthirsty enemies. There was only once Tommy dreamed of his brother’s death. He refused to tell Teddy about it and Teddy never bothered him to reveal the secret dream.

The two days spent healing were well appreciated and both men were back on their feet. It was a week of quiet snowfall, no blood having been shed before they heard the news.

“The American troops were attacked on the border. None returned alive.”

Teddy felt the blood drain from his face, mind reeling at the news. He’d just clasped hands with Kon a few months back; they had made a promise to stay alive. He couldn’t have just…

Tommy was taking it harder. The only thing he could think about was Tim accusing voice and betrayed face. He was going to have to go back and tell him Kon wasn’t coming home.

“You’re sure? No one survived?” Teddy asked, still hopeful, still praying that somehow this soldier was wrong. Kon had to still be alive. He had to have survived somehow!

“No one returned. There was…” The soldier hesitated, unsure of whether to reveal the information. “There was only one body missing. There’s a chance he’s alive, but it’s slim to none.”

“Who?” Tommy snapped, itching to grab the soldier and force him answer.

“He had a normal name. I don’t… it started with a C or a K. Uh… Casey or Cornwall….”

“Was it Conner? Was it Conner Kent?” Teddy asked, taking an eager step forward. His heart was racing and he was started to breathe heavier. “Please, it’s important!”

“Yeah! That was the guy! Conner Kent.”

“He’s still out there then.” Tommy grabbed his gun. “Come on Altman! We’re going after him.”

“Tommy, wait!” Teddy grabbed his own gun and hastily followed him.

“Wha-hey! Where are you going?! You can’t just leave!”

“Watch me.” Tommy bit back, hobbling off into the snow. “Don’t bother coming for us. We’ll find our own way home.”

“Tommy, is this the best thing to do? What if Kon is injured? If we don’t get him care—”

“He’s dead for sure if we don’t go after him. They’ll never send out a squad for just one man.” Tommy’s clutch on his gun tightened. “I’m not the one who’s going to abandon him. He’d do the same for us.”

With the image of Tim’s betrayed expression and Kon’s normally smiley one to keep him going, Tommy led the way out into the French countryside. The people here were warm enough to the Allied troops that he was sure any home they came to would be willing to put them up for the night or help them treat any wounds. They’d find Kon and bring him home.

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6) (Part 7) (Part 8)

Tim sighed, throwing as much wood onto the fireplace as he dared. The snow outside was making it impossible to go anywhere and the house was so cold Tim could see his breath. After stacking the wood, his near frozen hands worked on lighting a match. It took him four matches to ignite the wood and only after a moment of warming his hands did he turn and march up the wooden stairs.

The stairs creaked as he ascended them, but he ignored the creepy sound and quietly opened the door to Billy’s room. The wisps of his heavy breathing were discomforting and the angry splash of red on his cheeks twisted his insides.

“Billy,” He called gently, “I’m going to move you down by the fire, alright?”

Billy didn’t even crack his eyes open and the laborious breathing continued at a steady pace. Tim tenderly unwrapped Billy from the blanket, wincing when Billy whimpered at the loss of what little heat he’d acquired. He hoisted Billy up, wrapping one arm around his waist and the other pulled Billy’s left arm over his shoulders.

“We’re going to move downstairs now. Can you stand?”

Billy didn’t answer verbally, but struggled to carry some of his own weight as they moved slowly down the hallway. Getting down the stairs was a long and painful process, but from there it was only a few steps to the couch next to the fireplace. Billy was gently laid onto the couch, his head cushioned on a pillow Tim had already brought down.

“I’ll be right back. I’m going to get the blanket.”

Tim was true to his word, but by the time he’d gotten back a minute later, Billy was fast asleep. Gingerly, Tim wrapped Billy in the blanket, bitterly thinking how it should have been Tommy or even Teddy who was taking care of the very ill brunette. Billy’s fever was reaching dangerous levels and there was little medicine Tim could give him.

If he asked for anything to treat the Tuberculosis it endangered Billy of being sent to the sanatorium. At this rate, it didn’t seem likely Billy was going to survive either situation. It hurt to be the one who had to take of him. He was lonely, and Billy was asleep most of the time, trying to fight the fever.

He needed his brothers. As much as he hated Damian, even the brat showing up about now would be a welcome sight. No one knew where Jason had run off to lately; last Tim had heard, he’d been hanging with a couple of friends in San Francisco. Of course Jason never wrote home, that would defeat the purpose of running off in the first place.

Dick would know what to do. Dick always knew what to do. Bruce would able to tell him how to get medicine for Billy without giving him away and Alfred would know how to take care of Billy properly.

He wished he could call, but someone had crashed their automobile into the power lines. He couldn’t get through to an operator if he tried. Tim sighed and collapsed into a chair in the kitchen, trying to figure out if he should make something for Billy to try to keep down. On the table were scattered papers—letters from the very men who’d abandoned them.

Anger coursed through him. He didn’t need his brothers; he needed Kon! Why had he chosen to just leave him here? Didn’t he trust Tim to watch his back, to support him out at war? What a load of crock. Tim didn’t need to be protected; he could protect himself just fine.

 Tommy and Teddy had thought they were protecting Billy from harm, but he’d been suffering more than anyone. The feverish nightmares Billy would have on really bad days would send him into hysterics. He would cry that Teddy needed him or Tommy was hurt. He would shake and sob and have to be read all of the letters Tommy and Teddy had sent to him to ensure they were still safe—still alive and breathing and fighting to make their way back.

Instead of protection they were brought misery and loneliness.

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6) (Part 7)

The day came when the American troops separated from the British and Tommy and Teddy had to bid farewell to Kon.

“You just stay alive until this is all over, alright?” Tommy clasped hands with him.

“The same goes for you. Altman, you especially.” Kon clasped hand with Teddy next before shouldering his gun more securely. “I’ll see you on the other side.”

Tommy and Teddy watched him follow the rest of his troops, glancing back at the two of them every ten steps of so. It was one of the hardest moments of the war. The deaths were many, the devastation great, but saying goodbye to their friend, not knowing what fate had in store for him with heartbreaking.

The next few days were miserable. Tommy was constantly griping about one thing or another, and Teddy was counting the days he had left Billy alone. Four months of this hell had already passed with no end of the war in sight. When he thought about it, wars had gone on for years. There was the Hundred Years War, for example. What if Teddy and Tommy were stuck out here for years?

“I shouldn’t have left.” Teddy admitted quietly one night, curled against the wall of the trench. “I’m never going to see him again.”

“None of that.” Tommy growled from beside him. “I am not letting you play sob story over here. Keep your chin up, Altman.”

“How long will this war last, Tommy? What are the chances we’re getting out of this alive?”

“Look, I don’t know about you, but I’m making it through this. I didn’t put my brother through hell just to send him back there again.” Tommy tightened his grip on his gun. “I’m getting out of this alive. Are you coming with me or are you just going to lay down and die?”

Teddy looked away. Tommy had determination, but he wasn’t seeing the reality of war. So many of their friends and comrades had died. Kon was gone and who knows if he was even still alive?

“I thought you loved Billy, but if you can’t even decide to live for him then there’s no reason for you to come back at all.”

“I love him,” Teddy looked Tommy right in the eyes, “and I’m coming back with you.”

Tommy smirked, feeling accomplished to have put the fight back in Teddy. “Then prove it.”

They fought four small battles in the next two weeks, and it had taken its toll on them. Teddy was trying to keep track of Tommy’s wobbling form in the snow, but it was hard when the world refused to stop spinning. There was a ringing in his ears that he became familiar with after a grenade went off, but there was no ball of fire and smoke to indicate someone had launched one.

Tommy turned around and was saying something to him, but he couldn’t understand anything he was saying. Darkness was spreading from the edges of his vision and the ground tilted sideways. Teddy let out a heavy sigh before feeling the cold wet of snow coat his right side. After that; nothing.

“Altman!” Tommy hobbled as fast as he could over to Teddy’s prone form, dropping hard onto his knees in the snow. “Hey, get up!”

No matter hard Tommy nudged him or slapped his face, Teddy was out. Teddy was breathing, and his pulse was a little shaky, but he’d pull through.

“I thought you said you were going to get through this, huh?” Tommy muttered, trying to haul him up onto his back. “We need to get you back to Billy, alright? He’ll make you feel better. You just gotta hang through this.”

Tommy was able to take three steps forward before crumbling under the weight. Groaning in pain and sputtering snow out of his face, he rolled Teddy over onto his back and did the same.

“So much for not laying down to die. We need to get back to base before someone finds us.”

Silence met Tommy, and he shivered from the cold.

“Damn it! This isn’t working; but if I go back alone and you die out here Billy will kill me.” Tommy heaved a sigh and watched his breath puff out into the frigid air. “If I stay with you, I’m going to die. Damn, this is a great situation.”

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6) Part 7 (Part 8)

Teddy and Tommy weren’t the only ones keeping secrets. Tim was growing more and more concerned about the cough Billy had acquired. He’d tried over the course of the last couple of weeks to get him to go to the doctor, but Billy insisted it was just a cold or maybe the flu.

Tim knew better; the cough had lasted for two months and was only getting worse. Billy had tried to hide it, trying to mask it as a sneeze, or making a lot of noise in the kitchen during his fits. Tim had let it go—until that morning.

He’d woken up, groggy from shivering most of the night. It had snowed for four days straight and no matter what he did, he could not get warm. Despite the darkness still lingering in the early hours of the morning, he went to heat some soup. With rations being so low, soup with a bit of bread was all they had left for the month. In three days they could take more ration coupons and get some meat.

He descended the stairs, shocked into a state of awareness when an arm was on the floor, peeking out from behind the table and chairs. Rushing to Billy’s side, Tim carefully turned him over. There was blood on Billy’s hands and some on the floor. The most alarming thing was the source of the bleeding; Billy’s mouth.

Billy was wheezing, struggling to take in precious air and expel it. Tim cursed and very gently shook his prone form.

“Billy! Billy, open your eyes!”

There was another wet cough, and Tim spotted a bloody handkerchief lying on the other side of Billy. It was in various shades of red, indicating he’d been using it for a while and washing it. That idiot! Why hadn’t he said it was this bad? It was Tim’s own fault for not investigating further.

“Billy, come on!” Upon receiving no response, Tim carefully hefted his friend up, an arm wrapped around his waist and the other holding Billy’s arm over his shoulder. Slowly, he wobbled over to the couch. If he was lucky, the doctor was willing to do a house visit this early in the morning. He dialed the operator, but found none on duty. If he was going to go get the doctor, he was going to have to run to his house.

Leaving Billy alone in the house didn’t bode well either, and Tim weighed his options. It was still early, and most likely the doctor would be unwilling to do a house call. Billy needed help, but he was breathing. If he had been dealing with coughing up blood for a while, there was a chance this condition wasn’t as urgent as it seemed.

Could he take the chance, though?

There was a low moan, and Billy’s face scrunched into one of pain. A fit of coughing robbed him of enough air to startle him awake. Tim grabbed the handkerchief and held it gently to Billy’s lips. Through his hand he could feel the warm blood seep into the fabric, painting his hand in the process.

“Breathe, Billy.” Tim soothed, encouraging the brunette to take in deeper breaths until he wasn’t plagued by the hacking any further. “Can you hold on for a couple more hours? I’m going to get the doctor—”

“No doctor!” Billy grabbed Tim’s wrist. “Please, Tim, don’t send me away.”

“What are you talking about?”

Billy hesitated, before swallowing and spitting out his long kept secret. “It’s Tuberculosis. They’ll send me to the sanatorium, Tim. No one ever comes back out of there.”

Tim knew it was true, but if Billy really had Tuberculosis, then he’d die without treatment. If he was in the sanatorium, he could at least get some help. He might be one of the few who survived.

“If I go there… Tim if you send me there I’ll never see Teddy. Please,” Billy begged, “let me stay. I just want to see Teddy one last time.”

Tim sighed. “I won’t send you away, but you aren’t going to die, okay? We’ll find someone who knows how to treat you without giving you up to the sanatorium.”

Billy was crying now, overcome by the compassion Tim had just showed him. “Thank you!”

“Don’t lie to me Billy.” Tim stood, taking the handkerchief with him. “We’ve been lied to enough. It’s not fair, coming from you.”

Billy nodded and Tim sighed, collapsing in a chair. Things just got a lot more complicated.

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) Part 6 (Part 7) (Part 8)

“Altman, get your ass up!”

Teddy was awoken by a sharp kick to his side. He hastily got to his feet, the sound of gunfire and cries of agony and death surrounding the trench they’d been in for the last week. Tommy was cussing ferociously, hailing bullets upon the enemy. Kon was all the way on the other side of the trench, the only one still left on his side.

Teddy shared a glance with Kon and they nodded. Crawling over, Kon abandoned his post and tossed his gun to Tommy. Tommy dropped his original gun, taking up Kon’s and unleashing his wrath upon the German soldiers on the other end of the field.

Kon grabbed Tommy’s old gun, reloading it with a new magazine. Teddy took a deep breath before poking his head up and taking his time to pick off individual soldiers. His tactic was a lot more effective, and he downed six soldiers before the Germans retreated.

“Damn.” Tommy slid down the muddy trench, dropping his gun and shaking his hands. “If it wasn’t so damn cold, I’d have gotten them all.”

“I’m sure you would’ve.” Teddy agreed. His head was aching, and he remembered he hadn’t been just asleep when blood ran into his right eye.

“You’re bleeding. Where are you hit?” Kon leaned in for a closer look, struggling to tell the difference between blood and mud.

“Bullet grazed me is all.” Teddy reassured. “Head wounds bleed worse than they are.”

Tommy snorted. “That’s why you were out for over ten minutes.”

Teddy didn’t respond. Tommy cursed again, bringing his muddy hands up his mouth and blowing as much hot breath as he could on them. Kon tossed him a small roll of bandages.

“You need to bandage it. I can’t see where it’s coming from.”

Teddy slowly unraveled the bandages before shakily wrapping them around his head. His helmet had fallen off some time ago, leaving his forehead vulnerable to the bullet graze. Kon helped him tie off the bandages and Tommy passed him the fallen helmet.

“Don’t even think about dying anytime soon, Altman. I’m not explaining that to my brother.”

“Same goes for you Tommy.” Kon sighed. “And the same goes for me.”

“It’s going to be hard enough explaining the scars.” Tommy hissed as he readjusted his leg. A stray bullet had ricocheted into his thigh about six weeks ago. The doctor thought he’d be crippled, but he pulled through. He couldn’t walk for long periods of time, but he could get around.

Teddy had felt guilt about the whole thing. He was supposed to have been watching Tommy’s back, but he’d been distracted and the next thing he knew Tommy was on the ground, writhing in pain. He and Tommy both agreed to keep the incident a secret from Billy. If he knew, he’d just be even more worried.

“Get the injured to the medical tent. Leave the dead for now. We’ll collect them in a couple of hours. We all need rest.” The commanding officer ordered.

Tommy shimmied himself up the muddy trench and Kon helped Teddy up. The medical tent wasn’t far, but just far enough for Tommy to need support for the last leg of the journey. Teddy saw himself to the tent and Kon and Tommy went to grab a couple hours of sleep. There wasn’t much else a soldier wanted to do after a battle. The trauma sent the brain into a state of shut down.

It wasn’t so bad after the tenth, twelfth, fifteen time.  Seeing fallen comrades wasn’t as hard because no one bothered to get close anymore. Teddy, Tommy, and Kon had somehow managed to be the only friends who had survived. They intended to keep it that way, despite the impending separation. Kon was part of the US forces, and at any time he could be transferred to another part of France.

It was all they could do to band together and remind themselves of why they couldn’t just succumb to the bite of a bullet and lie down to rest for good.

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) Part 5 (Part 6) (Part 7) (Part 8)

“Billy!” Tim called as he entered the quiet house. He deposited the armful of groceries onto the wooden dining table before snatching the real prize within the bag and racing upstairs. He heard the coughing before he saw Billy doubled over in his room, struggling to breathe. “Are you alright?”

Billy waved a hand, grabbing the glass of water on the nightstand and gulping it down before taking in long, deep breaths. Tim watched him for a moment, concerned, but not enough to push for anymore answers. That cough didn’t sound serious, so he’d accept Billy’s excuse of dust in the air for now.

“The letters came in today.” Tim handed him two and kept one for himself.

Together, they picked their respective spots in Billy’s room, hastily opening the letters and reading the precious words inside. Billy opened Tommy’s first, knowing he was going to cry when he read Teddy’s.  His brother didn’t write much, but it was never his style to do so.

Billy,

We’re alive. Been through a few battles, but only a couple of our squadron has died.

A few days ago we ran into Kon. He told us you weren’t doing well. I know you’re still mad, but I could hardly read your letter. Quit your crying and man up, okay? I don’t need to come home to a mess.

Don’t worry about Altman. I’ve got him and I won’t let him die. You’d kick me harder than that pretty French girl I felt up last week.

                -Tommy

Billy smiled, shaking his head and putting the letter aside. Billy took a peek over at Tim, whose dark expression countered his own. Smile fading, he wondered if he could wrangle information from Tim after he was done brooding about it. Glancing at the second letter, Billy was far more cautious in opening it up.

Billy,

I’m so sorry I’ve hurt you. I know there’s really no excuse I could possibly give to make this decision less painful, so I’m not going to give you one.

I miss you. I miss you so much. I miss our home and the garden out back where you always plant tomatoes. I miss waking up next you in the morning and sharing body heat on cold nights. I miss tasting the dinners you slave away for hours in the kitchen making. I miss kissing you tenderly and knowing there’s no one else out there for me.

I’m miserable, Billy, but I know it’s my own fault. It hurts to know you’re miserable too. We’ll get through this and Tommy and I will be back. I promise.

Please, take care of yourself and don’t cry. I know asking you to forgive me is too much right now, but I hope one day you will.

                Love,

Teddy

Billy swallowed back tears and set the letter aside before the urge to rip it up consumed him. Why was Teddy always like this? Billy was supposed to be angry, enraged and through with this abandonment. Instead he was fervently praying Teddy wasn’t hurt.

Tim, sitting on the opposite corner had folded up his own letter, putting it into his pocket. He didn’t look angry, but he wasn’t exactly thrilled with the letter. The silence that followed was deafening, but eventually Tim spoke.

“Did either of them tell you?”

“They met up with Kon, yes.” Billy nodded, instinctively grabbing Tommy’s letter and rereading the contents. “It seems like they’ve been lucky.”

“It won’t stay that way.” Tim stood up, ready to make his leave and put away the groceries, start dinner, clean, anything to take his mind off of this.

“Don’t say that.” Billy said quietly.

Tim didn’t respond and silently descended the stairs. He would leave Billy to have hope, but from what he’d been hearing from Bruce, troops over in France never made it far without serious casualties and mass injuries. Kon was safe for now, regretting his decision, but safe.

Tim knew things weren’t going to end up okay, though. He knew someone wasn’t coming home; they were going to be lucky if anyone at all came home.

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) Part 4 (Part 5) (Part 6) (Part 7) (Part 8)

—-

Teddy struggled to move forward. It was cold, and the mud caked on his legs wasn’t helping matters any. Tommy was beside him, lucky enough to have gotten into his squad. France was a different place than he’d imagined. The countryside was desolate; the people were frightened into their homes, though some ventured out to offer things like clothing and food.

“Altman, c’mon, you’re lagging behind.”

“Yeah, I’m coming.” Teddy pressed onward, trying not to pay attention to how numb his fingers were, or how much he wished he could hold Billy’s hand to warm it back up. He stole a glance at Tommy, finding it harder than before. His brain was picking out too many similarities.

Tommy wasn’t faring as well he made out to be. He stumbled a few times in the mud, cursing under his breath before straightening back up, repositioning the gun on his back. These times were miserable, and the worst part was being slowed down. Should the enemy attack, they were going to be sluggish and the probability of death was great. The Germans knew the lands better than they did.

“We’ll be stopping in the next town!” Their commander called. “We’re meeting up with some American troops.”

“Americans, huh?” Tommy furrowed his brow. “Wonder if I’ll see some familiar faces.”

“I’d almost forgotten you spent a good three years abroad.” Teddy grumbled back. “Do you think Billy got my letter?”

“Course he did. The question is, did he read it?” Tommy sighed, shaking his head. “He’s more than a little upset about this.”

“How would you feel, being sent off while Billy and I went off to war?”

“I understand how he feels, Altman, but that obviously didn’t change our decision. We’re here, just like we ought to be.”

Were they really supposed to be here, out in the cold, wandering around? What could they do to protect these people? Sure, they had guns, but they weren’t as trained as they should have been. This war had been going on for too long, and everyone was afraid. Now that America was finally getting into it, hopefully it would tip the scales and the war would end.

That night was spent shivering, thinking of Billy. Tommy also wondered if his brother was alright. Tim and Kon were supposed to be watching over him, making sure he didn’t commit suicide or enlist himself. Those two were trustworthy, and he hoped they could handle the strain of his heartbroken twin.

Teddy was enough to take care of. The crestfallen expressions, the daydreaming, and worst of all, the glances he kept sending his way. It was bad enough to receive the glances, but knowing that Teddy was replacing his image with Billy made him uncomfortable.

That morning they walked for two hours before finally arriving in the next town. Tommy let his jaw fal open as he stared down one soldier who had just taken off his helmet to run a hand through his hair in stress.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?!” Tommy hissed, hauling the soldier back around the corner of one of the buildings. “You’re supposed to be watching my brother!”

“Tommy?”

“Damn it! Where’s Tim?”

“He’s back at home.” Kon answered, only slightly bothered that Tommy hadn’t let go of his uniform. “I sort of pulled a you.”

“You what?!”

“Look, I know it sounds bad. I didn’t exactly tell Tim I was leaving, and I’m sure he’s freaking out, but he knows better than to just leave Billy.” Kon looked towards his boots, grimace worming it’s way onto his lips. “It wasn’t pretty when I left. Billy’s a wreck.”

“Billy?” Teddy rounded the corner. “Tommy, is this the friend you were talking about? The one who’s supposed to be looking after Billy?”

“Yeah, this is him. His partner is still in New York.”

“How is he?” Teddy pushed Tommy away from Kon, taking his place. “Is he okay?”

“He’s a wreck man. He’s not taking it well at all.”

“But he’s safe?”

“There’s nowhere safer. Tim’s good at this sort of thing, he’ll help him through it.”

“Why’d you come, Kon?” Tommy asked, crossing his arms. “This wasn’t exactly the plan.”

“Yeah, well, you think I’d just let you two do all the hero work around here? I need to do my own part.” Kon ran his hand through his hair once more, offering a guilty smile. “There are people I want to protect too, you know.”

Tommy kept quiet and Teddy nodded solemnly. Kon brought the bitterest of news, and Teddy wasn’t sure how he felt at the moment.

“It’s good to see you’re both well, though. We’ve been worried.”

“Yeah, good to see you too, I guess.” Tommy slumped against the wall. “Now I’ve got two lovesick morons to watch out for.”

(I take all of your cries and produce them into more fic. I really need to record my reactions to every single new like and reblog of this fic. I just can’t even fathom how awesome you guys are right now. Seriously, thank you.)

(So much love I just can’t help but to post part 2.)

Left Behind Part 2 (Part 1)

—-

Billy received his first letter three weeks after he had been forced on the train. He was staying with two very nice people, Timothy Drake and Conner Kent. It had been three days since he had moved in, and he kept mostly to himself in his room. Tim had tried to come in and comfort him once, but he had been unresponsive.

With shaking hands, he broke the seal and unfolded the letter.

Billy,

                I’m so sorry to have left you. I didn’t want to, really I didn’t. I hope you at least read this letter. Tommy and I have enlisted, and we’ve been stationed in Lorraine, France. The people here are suffering, and already we’ve been in a battle. We’re both okay, but we lost a bunkmate. It’s hard over here, B. I miss you. I miss holding you in my arms and I don’t know that I made the right decision.

I hope you’re safe and well. Are Tommy’s friends good people? Talk to me, please. I really need some comfort, even though I don’t deserve it.

                Love,

                                Teddy.

Billy clutched the letter to his chest, sobbing loudly. Tim and Kon hovered by the door, clearly worried. He paid them no mind, focused only on the hurt and worry. Already a battle? Teddy was so far away, and the letter was dated to a week ago. If something happened to either Teddy or Tommy, he wouldn’t know it for a week.

He felt helpless. Why hadn’t they let him enlist as well? He should be there by their sides. Why had they chosen to keep him safe? It was worse than anything they could have done. He was so frightened to be alone. They were going to die and he would have nothing left.

“Tim, should we…?”

“I tried earlier, but I think it’s best to let him be. He’ll let us in when he’s ready.”

“He’s crying, Tim.”

“His significant other is out there fighting for his life, Kon. How would you feel?”

Kon stayed silent. He was already regretting his decision to keep Tim out of the loop of what he had just done, not two days earlier. Seeing Billy in tears, physically hurting over just being apart from Teddy and Tommy… his own hurt was growing.

It was too late to take back his name from the roster. He didn’t know if he was going to be able to face Tim when the time came. Most likely, he was going to be forced to leave behind a note. Tim’s hurt would be too much to bear. At least now he knew Tim could bond with Billy, and hopefully the two would keep each other going.

Tim gave him a funny look, but backed out from the doorway. Kon, grabbed Tim’s hand.

“Hey, can we… I just really need it right now. After looking at him…”

“I can’t. Not while he’s like that.” Tim squeezed his hand, but made his way to the kitchen. He needed to keep himself busy with dinner.

“When he’s sleeping, then?” Kon called out quietly. “Please, Tim?”

Tim looked back at Kon, at the desperate pleading eyes, and hesitantly nodded.

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6) (Part 7)

—-

“Teddy, no! You can’t!” Billy cried, desperate in escaping his brother’s arms, holding him back and away from Teddy.

“Stop struggling, Billy!” Tommy hissed, pulling him back further and trying unsuccessfully to wrangle him onto the train.

“Let go, Tommy! You can’t do this!”

Teddy bit his lip hard and felt the pinch of his nails digging into his palms. This hurt, it really did, but it was better this way. Every single tear rolling off of the hysterical Billy’s cheeks sent stabs of pain no bullet could rival into his heart. He watched Tommy finally push the screaming Billy onto the train before ordering the ticket collector not to let his brother off of the train, no matter what.

Tommy turned back to Teddy, giving a small nod. “Don’t you go and die, Altman. I’m not going to deal with the mess you leave behind.”

They both turned to look at the struggle between Billy and the ticket collector. Teddy looked away and took in a deep breath.

“I intend to survive this, Tommy. Just keep Billy safe in the States, alright? I’ll come back for him, I promise. I need to do this.”

“Got a little secret for you Altman.” Tommy gave a small smirk directed at Billy, and the brunette stood still for a moment.

“No. No! You too?! You can’t go! Let me come!” Billy made one last attempt to dart off of the train, but the ticket master closed the door. “Teddy! Tommy!”

The devastation on Billy’s face broke them both. Teddy couldn’t look away. Not as long as he knew it could be the last time he’d see Billy. The train whistled and slowly started to roll, taking with it a heartbroken Billy, who was pounding on the door as he sobbed.

“Who is going to take care of him?”

“Some friends in New York. They’ll make sure he gets on the boat and stays safe.” Tommy clasped a hand on Teddy’s shoulder. “C’mon, it’s time to go enlist.”

“Do you have their address?”

“Yeah,” Tommy pulled out a crinkled piece of parchment, “you worried they aren’t safe?”

“No. I want to send him letters.” Teddy answered, taking the parchment. “I just hope he’ll write back.”

Tommy shook his head. “He will. Just expect it to be hard to read.”

“Billy’s got great handwriting.”

“Not when it’s smudged with tears.”

The statement hurt them both, and there a small silence before they turned and walked from the train station.

Prompt: EDC gave the prompt; Billy is wearing a Hershey’s Chocolate shirt and Teddy decides he wants some kisses.

Teddy wasn’t sure if Billy was wearing that tight shirt on purpose, or if it was just him. No, that almost hidden smirk revealed Billy had definitely planned this. Well, Mr. Kaplan, Teddy was going to wipe that smirk away.

“Hey, B,”

Billy turned, the playful smirk morphed into a carefully constructed innocent pout. “What, Teddy? I’m trying to concentrate.”

Concentrate his ass. Billy was doodling all over his biology homework, pretending it was some sort of diagram. Really, Teddy had chosen the most playful boyfriend in the world. The chocolate colored shirt hugged his boyfriend’s frame. Even from behind, Teddy knew that the cold was perking up those delicious nipples. The shirt was a Hershey’s Chocolate shirt, and Teddy grinned. He had an idea; one that would emerge him as the victor.

Scooting down off of the bed and behind Billy, Teddy wrapped his arms around his boyfriend, latching his lips to Billy’s exposed neck. Billy unconsciously leaned back into it, before pulling forward again.

“Teddy, seriously, this is a lot of homework and it needs to be done by—ah!”

Teddy’s right hand had just so innocently brushed past one of those sensitive little nubs. Billy squirmed, once again inching backwards. Teddy’s tongue came out to play, caressing the neck and working it’s way up to the ear.

“I want some kisses, B.”

“Wha—?” Billy couldn’t help the small moan before he realized exactly what Teddy was referring to. He had only worn the shirt because it was tight, not because of the logo. In fact, he’d forgotten all about the logo. “Teddy you’re—that’s so not cute!”

Teddy smirked, advancing his hands lower. Billy squirmed a bit more furiously, before turning and shoving his hand against Teddy’s face. He was not about to let himself be ravaged with a line like that. Teddy opened his mouth, clamping down lightly on those fingers, running his tongue along the sensitive underside of them before sucking. Billy flushed, trying to pull back, but coupled with Teddy’s hand diving into his pants, he was stuck moaning and squirming.

Teddy coaxed Billy’s fingers away before finally reaching his prize. He slid his lips against Billy’s own and pushed him back over the biology homework. The large textbook was digging into Billy’s back, but at this point, he simply didn’t care. Teddy’s warm hands and lips were consuming him and he couldn’t help the gasps and moans.

The heat began to be a bit too much and just as he was about to hit that euphoric moment, Teddy pulled completely away. Billy was left panting and very much in need, bent over backwards against his very uncomfortable biology book.

“Teddy!” He whined, struggling to sit up.

“Hm?” Teddy was flipping through a comic book, seemingly unaffected by what had just happened.

“Teddy.” Billy called again, irritation coinciding with need.

“What, B? I’m trying to concentrate.” Teddy, however, couldn’t stop the mischievous and triumphant grin.

“Get down here and finish what you started.”

“I already did.” Teddy set down the comic book. “I told you. I wanted some kisses.”

Billy frowned and watched as Teddy stood up, walked over him and out of the door, giving him a cheeky wink as he closed the door behind him.

“You’ll pay for this, Teddy!” He called out after him. He was left alone in the room, cursing before starting to finish what Teddy had started, all the while thinking of ways to get his boyfriend back.