(Untitled)

[wasafreak]

If pressed, Teddy Altman would have readily admitted to living through some pretty bizarre stuff. There was only so much slipping through the time stream, getting caught up in fights between major super hero teams and finding yourself in the middle of religious galactic warfare you could experience before things started to shock you less- but they

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[honestlyrubbish]

Even though the view from the beach was one that Hermione could have enjoyed at any time, still, she made sure to clear a space in her schedule whenever she could, just for a glimpse of the many varied colors which would paint themselves across the sky. There was no word for it, other than serene. The crashing of waves all fell at a distance, arriving on shore with only the vaguest of whispers. Pockets of the island population didn't line every single stretch of beach; at most, voices at a distance registered as no more than murmurs, nothing to interrupt the progress of her day. But there was a difference between serene and solitary, and that evening made the fact infinitely clear, as Hermione came to a halt a few paces away from a young man she'd never seen before. (Although, she thought to herself, he did look somewhat familiar

[wasafreak]

Emma Watson is talking to him, and Teddy has to weigh that against how weird the rest of the day has been before replying.

"I think, sunrise," he ventures, stopping and taking his hands out of his pockets.

"Sunsets are beautiful, but sunrise always seems quieter and cleaner. A new beginning, every day." He hesitates a moment before scratching the back of his neck, a little embarrassed by his own answer, but offers her a smile anyway.

[honestlyrubbish]

It's a sweet answer, and Hermione's gaze drops in response, her lips curving into a faint, contemplative smile. He's right, she supposes. There is something wonderful about a sunrise, and the way it heralds a new day, a fresh start. Yet, Hermione thinks as she glances up at the horizon again, there is something to be said for the feeling of accomplishment as the sun creeps under the line of the water, its rays scattering over the waves, like a fire slowly being extinguished.

Or perhaps she's been weary.

"I like the answer," she confesses with a soft laugh, sighing as glances his direction again. Deciding that the smile probably suggests that he doesn't mind the company, she holds out a hand for a shake. "I'm Hermione, by the way. I don't think we've met."

[wasafreak]

Holy crapping crap it's Hermione Granger. Yep. So there's that. Teddy smiles genuinely and takes her hand, shaking it once, firmly.

"Teddy Altman. Nice to meet you, Hermione. That's a pretty name."

[honestlyrubbish]

Having been part of the Council for a fair amount of time, and having pored carefully through their records before that, there are few names that escape Hermione's memory. Beyond that, with Billy being a close friend, Hermione knows that she's heard the name dropped now and again. She doesn't want to assume that this is the same Teddy Altman from Billy's world, from his precise continuity, but still Hermione feels her heart leaping at the mere possibility of it, her grasp loosening for just a second before she nods.

"The pleasure's all mine," she protests with a widening smile. "And... you know, I don't get that sort of compliment very often. Usually, people ask how the name is spelled, or pronounced, if they see it written first. I think I might've seen your name before though, myself. You wouldn't happen to know Billy Kaplan, would you?"

[wasafreak]

His grip on her hand tightens immediately, and past the surge of hope and recognition he barely remembers not to crush it. He lets go, nodding.

"Yes. I was looking- You know him? Do you know where he is?"

[honestlyrubbish]

Her breath catches for a second, seeing the rush of desperation and worry in his eyes, and for all the complications that this arrival might bring out- only a week ago, she attended a birthday party organized by Billy for his boyfriend- Hermione can't help but feel that same swell of hope. Because she's sure, no matter how settled Billy may or may not feel on the island, that a familiar and loved face from home will make all the difference. A smile toys at her lips, brief but warm, though she doesn't let it show fully yet.

"Yes," she nods, the movement quick. "Yes, he's a very good friend of mine, I know where he lives, or where you can probably find him. But- then you are Teddy- his Teddy, right? He's missed you. He's missed you a great deal."

[wasafreak]

Leave it to the cleverest witch of his age to make friends with the cleverest witch of hers. He wants to make the quip but he can't, because then he'd have to explain how he knows who she is, and he figures that would be awkward and, actually, extremely impolite. He smiles back, though, because her words are going a long way toward turning what has been a very lousy day around.

Being referred to by Billy's friend as 'his Teddy' alone makes everything he went through to get out of Rapture seem like no big.

"Yeah," he replies, "I am. I was with him, before I came here, but I understand that's not how this works. That time is different, that he's been here a while. I'd... really, really appreciate it, Hermione, if you could point me in his direction."

[honestlyrubbish]

"Nearly two years, if I remember correctly," Hermione nods, the words soft. She can't imagine how it would feel to her, if either of the boys were to disappear for that long. Worse yet, she can't imagine how it'd feel to suddenly arrive in a place so new, different, completely inexplicable by any of the rules she knew back home. Yet there's a calm about Teddy, for all that the excitement around him is also palpable. The type of calm which suggests that all he needs is to find Billy and have that reassurance, the one that stems from proximity.

And it might not be her place to say anything yet. Really, it's Billy who has the right to explain all of it, but Hermione wonders already if she's raised Teddy's hopes too high. Is friendship enough?

"Anyway, of course... of course I can take you to him," she reassures. "Only remember that a lot happens in two years."

[wasafreak]

Well, that's pretty ominous.

"...two years?" he says quietly, as they walk. He tries not to look as stricken as he feels. Two years. That's as long as they've been Young Avengers, that's as long as they've been together.

Two years. In their line of business, that's a life time.

[honestlyrubbish]

She reaches out, taking the liberty of resting a hand gently on his shoulder; he doesn't seem like the person who would protest too much, and if it's intrusive, she'll back down without a fight. But somehow, she feels herself completely ready to throw her support behind him, in whatever way she can. There have been enough stories dropped here and there that Hermione finds herself feeling as though she knows what to expect. Someone unfailingly kind, and a rock in more ways than one.

"Two years, but..." Hermione pauses as the two of them continue walking. "But you'd be surprised how little this place manages to wash memories away. He'll be so happy to see you, Teddy, I promise."

[wasafreak]

The smile he dredges up is weaker, now, but it's still real.

"Well, the feeling will be mutual." Even if none of the others would be. He kicked himself, mentally, chided himself for jumping to conclusions and not giving his boyfriend the benefit of the doubt.

"So, Hermione, how long have you been here?"

[honestlyrubbish]

Comforted at the small smile, however faint, Hermione nods before pressing her lips together, facing the thought of her own time on the island, one that isn't any more pleasant. Every day, she still waits for at least one of them to leave. Preferably all, she thinks to herself, and at once. The island is wonderful in so many ways, but being barred from home isn't something that Hermione can easily tolerate. The environment, her family and friends, and even the touch of magic itself is something she feels naked without.

"A couple weeks short of a year," she replies, brow furrowing in spite of her smile. "Time's flown. I don't really feel any more settled than I did on my first day here, but I suppose that's my own fault. I've dug my heels in rather stubbornly, and so this place has yet to feel like home, though many people actually prefer it here. I don't know exactly what your world was like, though."

[wasafreak]

"It's tumultuous," Teddy says thoughtfully, "and it's dangerous, but it's... home. It's what we fight for."

Even if he's not from there, originally. For all the time he spends thinking about his dad, about the people he never rejoined, he still feels, in his bones, like an Earthling.

"And when we're not fighting, there's tv and Central Park and school. I don't know, it's pretty normal, I guess. That part just usually doesn't last too long."

[honestlyrubbish]

"Exactly," Hermione agrees with a light huff of air, glad to see that someone else understands. Or that, at least, someone else is willing to put into words what most people on the island seem to avoid. It isn't easy to think of home, Hermione knows, when returning is such an unlikely and uncontrollable feat. But Hermione's never shied from a thought, no matter how difficult, and try as she might, it's a little late to start now. Pulling her lower lip between the teeth, she worries it, feeling the breeze skim along her cheek. "My world was caught in a war when I left, and... no one in their right mind wants to return to that. But most of my friends and family are there, and I never hesitated for a moment before joining the cause of the war, because there are certain things you want to protect, no matter how difficult life can get

[wasafreak]

"Hermione," Teddy says, breathing out a long, silent sigh through his teeth before bumping her shoulder lightly, wearily with his own, "I know exactly what you mean."

Which he wouldn't have necessarily ever thought of as being true, just reading the books and watching the movies, but hearing her talk about it, just two people comparing notes, he finds himself grateful he can relate.

"Normally I wouldn't complain about a break, either, but the timing's kind of lousy. If Billy's here, though..." Then it's okay, he thinks, but the sheer enormity of his time on the island is still boggling.

"Two years. I'm really having trouble with this."