Don't call me that. ( not after all this, all the bullshit and now loki's going around murdering people who--sure, weren't innocents, but they didn't deserve to die like that. no one truly deserves to die to a dagger in their face. he's tired, exhausted, his limbs hurt and it's taking an effort to stay on his feet like this, but--this corner wasn't getting hit with suppression fields, it was safe, for him. he could help people running through, help piece them back together.
and now he's trying to pull his hands out of loki's own, despite how little strength there is behind it. his arms are still shaking, eyes bloodshot but billy doesn't give up easy and he certainly isn't giving up now. )
There were four people here and now two of them are dead! ( inclining his head towards mr. corpsy mc daggerforehead. ) These people didn't deserve to die, either! I'm--I'm fine here.
[ ... Fine. Fine, he thinks, I'll be the bad guy. His jaw clenches. ]
If any more of these lunatics find their way into this atrium they will not be leaving it. Not if you force me to stay with you like this. I came here to free you and I intend to see you out of their clutches! You're a mess, you need medical assistance!
( a few days without sleep is plenty to throw billy off. his eyes narrow as his head tilts up, really looks to loki. eyes unsteady, but he does his best to keep them trained up onto loki's own. )
Do you really want to do this here, Loki? I'm already pissed. If you want a fight I'll give you one.
( he's bitter, yes. pissed. at loki, at the cultists. at himself, mostly. but billy lowers his voice a little, tries to pull back from loki once more. )
You wanted to shut down that bond, remember? Close it off. Why are you listening to it if you don't want it?
( he was scared. absolutely terrified. he broke down and cried more times than he can count when they were all locked up in cages. couldn't sleep, and every time he almost fell under something happened. they'd make a loud noise, throw them over to keep them awake. it was awful, it's--still awful. )
I--I don't know where Tommy went, he was freaking out, he really doesn't do well in small spaces especially like that and they depowered him but I can't--all the suppressors are messing with my head, you killed those guys, Loki, I can't--
( he'll remind loki again, just in case. the bodies around them definitely show loki's intentions to be. something else entirely. later, he'll get more mad about it. later he'll scream at loki for the corpses left behind. billy's too tired right now. )
We don't kill. [ But Loki can alone; it's never a group effort. Not that he specifies that loophole, Billy is too tired to deal with the number of slain who lie in the temple because they blocked Loki's path to his lover. ] I hear you.
[ Stepping closer, he raises a hand to the largely unbruised side of Billy's face. ]
We'll be home within the day, asleep in our bed. I'll keep watch. [ Far more sincere promises. ] You'll be safe with me.
( loki's bullshitting, but billy is too tired to deal with it right now. too exhausted to bitch at him much further. he wants to argue that he shouldn't be leaving here at all, that here, he can help. he can do something. make a difference. but that requires a shitton more energy than he has and if loki's going to be insistent, acting like nothing's wrong at all despite how their last conversation went--
( that's--a lot of self control displayed, right there. it catches him off guard a little, to see how well loki caught himself. arguing and causing trouble now would be absolutely stupid. so billy nods his head instead, moves a hand to grab onto loki's own tight. )
[ It's very little self-control to Loki, the grander kind is in not knocking Billy out and teleporting him to the nearest hospital, everyone else be damned. He squeezes his hand and takes the lead through the temple, daggers shimmering back onto the belt at his waist; he plays vaguely nice for Billy's sake, although any cultists who acquaint their face with his fist will have dental issues later on. ]
Have you seen Teddy since they brought you here? You mentioned Tommy was in a small space.
( as long as they're not dead it's fine. it's--a weird rule to live by, honestly, but--it's an acceptable level of violence that fits the situation and billy is not going to blame loki for taking part in it. his steps are more than a little unsteady, running into the godling's side every few paces and leaning the unbruised side of his face up against him. )
There're cages, Teddy and I were in a bigger one, I think. ( the brainfog after having his head rammed into shit really isn't helping. ) I think I saw Tommy rushing around in the battlefield.
I can find the cages, [ he really is going to return here under cover of darkness and destroy everyone who participated in putting Billy in a cage, but for now he sounds driven with a better purpose, ] you don't have to come back down there.
[ Traumatising an exhausted Billy even further is the last thing he wants. ]
( billy trusts loki, to an extent. he trusts loki not to fuck him over, not to be an asshole to him. he doesn't trust loki alone in a dark tunnel full of cultists not to go on a murder spree as soon as billy can't see what he's up to. )
It's okay, I'm fine. ( no, he's far from fine. talking hurts the bits of cheek that have been bitten into, the bloodied split lip, walking hurts aching feet, his face has taken damage billy's not sure will ever mend quite right, but he's fine enough to keep going down here. there's no damage that has not already been done that can happen with loki by his side.
but he does stop in place for a moment, twists to the side and shakes his hand loose from loki's so he can wrap both arms around the other's neck from behind, hitching a leg over a hip to try and climb his way up. no godlings are going to commit a murder with billy on their back, and it gets him off of his feet. )
[ When he realises what Billy is up to he assists immediately, hitching him in place, legs around his own waist. Now that he has Billy, Loki's objective is to move silently and unseen, sneaking past the brawling fights instead of engaging them. Deeper into the temple, the noise dies down; people have been running toward fresh air above, not into the bowels of the horrid facility.
He can sense the way his magic thickens in his veins as, somewhere, Stark destroys the last of the power-suppressors, relief flooding his jangled nerves. Worst comes to worst, he'll teleport himself and Billy directly into the hospital. ]
( the shudder running through his spine signifies when billy does start to feel a little better. a little less frayed around the edges with the suppressors out. loki is comfortably familiar, cool temperature bleeding even through clothes and billy's--tilting his head a bit, pressing the bruised side of his face up along the side of the godling's neck. leeching off that cooler temperature. )
Sorry, I--I don't know? I can't remember.
( the caves are all the same dark and dreary. billy can't tell one from the other, especially given the panic he'd been going through earlier, where his attention had been focused during his own escape. but he takes a breath in, breathes out a soft, ) Teddy.
[It's been chaos, but the very minute Teddy saw Spider-Man around, saw other people coming in to save them... he let himself be a little hopeful that everyone would get out, that things could be okay.
So, he's scared, he's panicked... but Teddy is angry too. He's pissed off that anyone touched Billy, that they touched Tommy, and innocent people that didn't deserve any of this. He's not out of the caves yet. He hung back to help people who were too weak to get themselves out, to get a few punches of his own in... and the only thing he kind of regrets? They're not as hard as they usually are. The damn collar keeps him from shifting, it keeps him weak... it's not letting him heal right.
He hates it.
He's a bloodied, exhausted mess, leaned heavily against a wall and trying to not fall apart entirely by the time Loki and Billy seem to find him. He'd lost Billy and Tommy both somewhere along the way -- and he'd hoped to god that they'd gotten out, that they were safely away...
At least he can find relief in the fact that Loki is with him and that Loki can get him out quick, if need be.
He pushes himself off the wall after a moment, wincing as his body protests, but he manages a tired smile. It might be bloody looking, it might contrast sharply to the nearly black bruises and cuts on his face, but it's mostly for Billy's sake anyway. He already freaked out once over the sight of Teddy, over him possibly dying... he doesn't want that again.]
Why are you two down here? You should be out of here-- far out of here.
[He looks to Loki, hoping that he's in agreement with the 'Billy needs to be far away from the caves' train.]
[ It's not by chance that they run into Teddy around the very next corridor; Billy's spell shifted the layout somehow, he's sure. That makes things a lot easier, however, and the look he gives Teddy is a wry one of "Did you think he would leave without you?" In actuality, Loki says, ]
We came looking for you, Billy says Tommy is already outside. [ The collar catches his attention, as do the unhealed mess that is one Altman. ] Need some help with your jewellery? It's out of season.
( the sag to his shoulders is near-immediate when they find teddy--even if it has a hiss as his ribs settle painfully against loki's back, fuck. still, he opens both eyes, looks forward to teddy and offers a small smile in return.
trying nnot to think about all the murders loki committed on the way down here, really. thanks for that. )
We're a no one left behind kind of team, remember? The four of us. ( what young avengers there are left. he counts loki for now. even if he'll probably fire him (again) later. )
[ Waving off the need to be owed anything, he slips his dagger free and waggles it to show what he's using to pick the lock on the collar. One-handed, because Billy needs some support on his back.
The collar clicks free obediently, as most locks do for him. ]
Alright, I vote we head to the hospital first to settle any serious damage, then home later. And, you know, I'm only saying "vote" to give the illusion this is a democratic decision.
I--got kicked around a little. I don't need a hospital. 's just bruises. Kesler gave me worse in school.
( also loki's neck is comfortably cool and he's perfectly fine staying right here, now that they've got the last of them out of the underground. teddy's collar coming off means he'll be fine, right? he pieces himself back together rather quickly, at least. so billy--lets his eyes close once more, presses in closer. )
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and now he's trying to pull his hands out of loki's own, despite how little strength there is behind it. his arms are still shaking, eyes bloodshot but billy doesn't give up easy and he certainly isn't giving up now. )
There were four people here and now two of them are dead! ( inclining his head towards mr. corpsy mc daggerforehead. ) These people didn't deserve to die, either! I'm--I'm fine here.
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If any more of these lunatics find their way into this atrium they will not be leaving it. Not if you force me to stay with you like this. I came here to free you and I intend to see you out of their clutches! You're a mess, you need medical assistance!
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Do you really want to do this here, Loki? I'm already pissed. If you want a fight I'll give you one.
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I came here to save you! First you were terrified, then you weren't anywhere! Please, come home ...
[ Angry with himself for his temper, his pleading comes out through a strained sob. ]
Just come home with me.
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( he's bitter, yes. pissed. at loki, at the cultists. at himself, mostly. but billy lowers his voice a little, tries to pull back from loki once more. )
You wanted to shut down that bond, remember? Close it off. Why are you listening to it if you don't want it?
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Because ... Because I love you.
[ He digs a heel into the dirt, straightening. ]
And I'm not leaving here without you, no matter how many times you tell me to. I won't.
[ He learned from past mistakes, there. ]
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( he was scared. absolutely terrified. he broke down and cried more times than he can count when they were all locked up in cages. couldn't sleep, and every time he almost fell under something happened. they'd make a loud noise, throw them over to keep them awake. it was awful, it's--still awful. )
I--I don't know where Tommy went, he was freaking out, he really doesn't do well in small spaces especially like that and they depowered him but I can't--all the suppressors are messing with my head, you killed those guys, Loki, I can't--
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We'll find Teddy and Tommy. Come away with me, stay close. I'll keep the monsters at bay, Billy.
[ By being a bigger one. ]
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( he'll remind loki again, just in case. the bodies around them definitely show loki's intentions to be. something else entirely. later, he'll get more mad about it. later he'll scream at loki for the corpses left behind. billy's too tired right now. )
Promise me.
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[ Stepping closer, he raises a hand to the largely unbruised side of Billy's face. ]
We'll be home within the day, asleep in our bed. I'll keep watch. [ Far more sincere promises. ] You'll be safe with me.
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billy won't push it. )
Are you done throwing a fit, then?
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[ Jaw clenching again, he drops his head for a moment. After the frustration passes, looks up at Billy again. ]
We need to move, let's get out of here. You want to find Teddy, yes? That's first on our agenda.
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Thank you.
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Have you seen Teddy since they brought you here? You mentioned Tommy was in a small space.
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There're cages, Teddy and I were in a bigger one, I think. ( the brainfog after having his head rammed into shit really isn't helping. ) I think I saw Tommy rushing around in the battlefield.
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[ Traumatising an exhausted Billy even further is the last thing he wants. ]
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It's okay, I'm fine. ( no, he's far from fine. talking hurts the bits of cheek that have been bitten into, the bloodied split lip, walking hurts aching feet, his face has taken damage billy's not sure will ever mend quite right, but he's fine enough to keep going down here. there's no damage that has not already been done that can happen with loki by his side.
but he does stop in place for a moment, twists to the side and shakes his hand loose from loki's so he can wrap both arms around the other's neck from behind, hitching a leg over a hip to try and climb his way up. no godlings are going to commit a murder with billy on their back, and it gets him off of his feet. )
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He can sense the way his magic thickens in his veins as, somewhere, Stark destroys the last of the power-suppressors, relief flooding his jangled nerves. Worst comes to worst, he'll teleport himself and Billy directly into the hospital. ]
Guide me.
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Sorry, I--I don't know? I can't remember.
( the caves are all the same dark and dreary. billy can't tell one from the other, especially given the panic he'd been going through earlier, where his attention had been focused during his own escape. but he takes a breath in, breathes out a soft, ) Teddy.
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So, he's scared, he's panicked... but Teddy is angry too. He's pissed off that anyone touched Billy, that they touched Tommy, and innocent people that didn't deserve any of this. He's not out of the caves yet. He hung back to help people who were too weak to get themselves out, to get a few punches of his own in... and the only thing he kind of regrets? They're not as hard as they usually are. The damn collar keeps him from shifting, it keeps him weak... it's not letting him heal right.
He hates it.
He's a bloodied, exhausted mess, leaned heavily against a wall and trying to not fall apart entirely by the time Loki and Billy seem to find him. He'd lost Billy and Tommy both somewhere along the way -- and he'd hoped to god that they'd gotten out, that they were safely away...
At least he can find relief in the fact that Loki is with him and that Loki can get him out quick, if need be.
He pushes himself off the wall after a moment, wincing as his body protests, but he manages a tired smile. It might be bloody looking, it might contrast sharply to the nearly black bruises and cuts on his face, but it's mostly for Billy's sake anyway. He already freaked out once over the sight of Teddy, over him possibly dying... he doesn't want that again.]
Why are you two down here? You should be out of here-- far out of here.
[He looks to Loki, hoping that he's in agreement with the 'Billy needs to be far away from the caves' train.]
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We came looking for you, Billy says Tommy is already outside. [ The collar catches his attention, as do the unhealed mess that is one Altman. ] Need some help with your jewellery? It's out of season.
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trying nnot to think about all the murders loki committed on the way down here, really. thanks for that. )
We're a no one left behind kind of team, remember? The four of us. ( what young avengers there are left. he counts loki for now. even if he'll probably fire him (again) later. )
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[Bad, from the looks of it, so even if he knows it's not like Billy, he kinda wishes he'd left and gotten help anyway.
But it's a pointless argument and the prospect of getting this collar off-- that actually has him genuinely perking up.]
Yes. Definitely. If you know how to get it off-- I'll totally owe you one, Loki.
[He's dying to feel like his old self again. Hopefully not literally, but he's probably taken on some damage that needs healing up quick.]
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[ Waving off the need to be owed anything, he slips his dagger free and waggles it to show what he's using to pick the lock on the collar. One-handed, because Billy needs some support on his back.
The collar clicks free obediently, as most locks do for him. ]
Alright, I vote we head to the hospital first to settle any serious damage, then home later. And, you know, I'm only saying "vote" to give the illusion this is a democratic decision.
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( also loki's neck is comfortably cool and he's perfectly fine staying right here, now that they've got the last of them out of the underground. teddy's collar coming off means he'll be fine, right? he pieces himself back together rather quickly, at least. so billy--lets his eyes close once more, presses in closer. )
There's more people who need help though.
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