Busyhead | Technoblade

Forty-One | Home [End]

[ a/n : el fin. thank you for making it this far. ]

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TEAGAN COULDN'T GET ANY HAPPIER. Or at least she didn't think she could. As a relaxing morning turned into a lazy afternoon that ended in a quiet evening in Techno's apartment, a movie marathon playing listlessly on the tv as they talked and enjoyed each other's warmth, Teagan realized she was finally learning what her version of a perfect day looked like. She hadn't ever been able to picture herself in ten, twenty years. All of a sudden, she could see a million more days like this. Exactly like this, with him, in the busy Southern California environment that they had both chosen for themselves before ever know this is how they would end up.

Teagan didn't like using the word perfect, she thought it was overrated. But there was no other word that did her feelings justice.

A dull pain throbbed in her back, forcing her to shift her position on the couch. As if afraid she was getting up entirely, Techno's hands braced themselves on her sides, keeping her within arm's reach as she made herself more comfortable. She couldn't help the goosebumps that arose at his touch, and she wasn't sure if she'd ever get used to the butterflies she got from being so close to him.

Situating herself back into his arms, she leaned up to press a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you for today. And last night. And for just being with me," she rambled sweetly, her words dusting against his soft skin.

"There's nothing to thank me for," he dismissed quickly, a warm smile falling onto his lips just for her. "I'm exactly where I want to be. If anything, I should be thanking you for wanting to be here."

Teagan shook her head at the seemingly ridiculous idea of him owing her gratitude, when he had so drastically changed her life for the better without even knowing it. "I don't think I've ever been able to really relax," she suddenly admitted, the thought pressing at the forefront of her mind. When he turned his patient but unsure gaze on her, she continued sheepishly, "My brain has always gone a mile a minute, even when I think it's not. With you, I feel like I can just... rest. I think it's the first time I've ever really felt comfortable. Safe."

The admission was maybe more serious than she had initially intended, and the realization brought a blush into his cheeks. Techno, however, looked as though he was about to melt into the couch. Before answering her words, he took the time to dip his mouth to hers, leaving a lingering kiss on her lips. When he pulled back, his eyes glistened. "I'm happy to be that for you. You deserve to be safe and comfortable and loved," he said gently, before adding, "I meant what I said. I'm exactly where I want to be, and that's wherever you are. You make me feel like myself."

Teagan's heart thumped in an echo of his sentiment. His apartment was a cozy safe haven away from the busy Los Angeles streets and incessant internet chatter of their jobs, but the apartment didn't matter at all. Even in the thick of everything, when comments felt suffocating and she wasn't sure if California was for her, he was the eye of the storm. Somehow she knew in her gut that the where didn't matter, as long as he was there, too.

All of a sudden, a stab of guilt thrust itself into her stomach. She felt so safe and secure in their private little bubble, finally fully confident that they were away from the prying eyes of their audiences. They could breathe and be together, and enjoy every second of it. Everything could just be normal and comfortable and right.

But only because someone else was making that sacrifice in their place.

Teagan did her best to push the thought away. She knew what Mina would say if she pushed back, anyway. She didn't keep tallies of debts owed, but she knew both Mina and Ben felt like this was something they could do for Teagan's sake, and it came from a place of genuine care. It was a new feeling, sharing the weight of a burden. She was used to taking on the troubles of others without regard for herself.