notterryberg

[notterryberg]

drfcsters​:

          &.  OPEN  /  @reshieldedstart​​  !

          “  OH  MY  ––  UGH  ,  ”  the  brunette  mutters  under  their  breath  as  a  gust  of  wind  sends  her  papers  flying  .  not  even  a  moment  to  enjoy  her  morning  coffee  !  jane  scrambles  from  their  seat  to  retrieve  her  papers  .  grimaces  slightly  when  they  spot  the  last  piece  of  paper  caught  between  another  figure  and  the  backing  of  their  chair  .  “  hi  sorry  ,  ”  approaches  [  YOUR  MUSE  ]  .  “  would  you  mind  if  i  just  ––  ?  ”  plucks  the  piece  of  paper  .  “  that  wind  came  out  of  nowhere  .  ”

“oh no worries, i understand. it happens to the best of us, especially while working at the bugle for a sort of crazed boss who’s all too comical to be real.” he mused. 

[notterryberg]

lanternswill​:

“the rings don’t typically give you a choice whether you want to wear it or not,” kyle says, thinking over the multiple times he and the other lanterns had been accosted by a power ring—the red ring especially. some rings only chose new hosts in very emotional moments, which generally didn’t lead to well thought-out decisions. he wonders what had happened for terry’s ring to seek him out, why it hadn’t made terry wear it before dropping him here in another universe. terry hadn’t even worn the ring, and yet it had the agency to bring him to kyle. was it really just out of love?

maybe it’s self-centered, but it’s just so hard for him to accept. terry couldn’t love him so selflessly—not with their history. and yet he’s here, cooking kyle breakfast in bed, stealing penthouses with money from rich strangers, offering to help kyle get back on track with his art, and holding onto him with every bit of conviction terry has in him—with all his love. it’s… too good to be true.

terry sneaks a kiss before kyle gets past him, a quick peck to the corner of his mouth that leaves kyle’s skin tingling in its wake. it’s kind of juvenile the way his heart warms at the action, and kyle makes an effort to push it aside. it’s isn’t the time to get in his feelings—he wasn’t kidding about needing to get some work done. he cleans up the dishes used for breakfast before grabbing his sketchbook to start on warmup drawings. he always starts with drawing people he knows, whether it’s people in his life or other superheroes. he settles on kilowag, sketching the other lantern scowling down at a phone screen—attempting to use instagram, apparently.

“it’s someone with a star sapphire ring, dummy,” he scoffs, though with a lighthearted smile. “i can’t do anything to help with your shopping addictions—you find ways to fund them even without my help.” though, as long as they don’t get in trouble over it, kyle can’t say he cares much. someone needs to furnish their new penthouse, and kyle can’t say he cares much for owning things outside of his art supplies. as long as he had room for his mom’s painting and some of alex’s old photographs, kyle didn’t care how terry decorated. “you’re gonna be sick of me after spending that much time with me. don’t break my lease and then throw me out on the streets, alright?” he laughs, knowing terry would never, but it crosses his mind again that maybe things are moving too fast for comfort. “it’s your place, isn’t it? you’ve got full power to kick me onto the couch and take both rooms. it’s what a smart person would do.”

˙ ˖ ✶ Kyle Rayner

“weird, guess mine just had other plans then because it didn’t just latch onto my finger or anything of the sort. since it wasn’t green, i thought it was like defective or something so it’s why i didn’t put it on, plus it did lead me to you so i thought it was a green lantern ring.” terry shrugged, not really one to care much about how or why he got the ring, he was just truly happy that it had brought him to kyle. all he knew was that he loved a man so much that he was willing to jump into another world just to be with him. besides, there wasn’t much back for him on the other earth, just heartache and memories of a past best left behind.

terry had a very good idea of how kyle’s mind worked, and the inner machinations of it. having been around him as his intern for so long gave him an in depth look into who kyle truly was. there was a fear inside him that began all the way back to when he was a kid, but the seed was truly planted with alex. she was the catalyst of the path that had the man led to believe that any who loved him would be cursed to an early demise.

“aww, you remember my nickname for you.” he teased, playfully rolling his eyes at him as he sits down on the nearest surface and yawns.  “i did not travel to an unknown universe just so i could meet you again and throw you out on the street.” he huffed. “kyle, i’ve had feelings for you since i was sixteen, i’m twenty three now, clearly i’m not going anywhere and neither are these feelings. i’ve already done the whole boyfriend route once and we know how that turned out.” he sighed. “it’s our place, i got it for us. not just for me but for us. okay?” he mused. “also i spent too much time with you when i was an intern, i doubt you’ve changed much over the years, you’re not a creature of change.”

“besides, i still haven’t fallen asleep on your chest yet, it’s a totally selfish endeavor but one that must definitely be fulfilled for my soul to not die.” he teased, shooting kyle a wink. “we might have to shower together there, save water and all of that. can’t be sure that the water is running correctly unless we do that, and we’ll save the turtles or whatever.” terry shrugged, laughing as he bounced to his feet before making his way over to the fridge, grabbing a can of coke. “besides, i think you know me well enough by now that if you went to go sleep on the couch, i’d be asleep on the floor next to you. you’re not the most stubborn one here, babe.” he teased.

[notterryberg]

greenarrvws​:

          LOWERS  HIS  PHONE  from  his  ear  and  quirks  a  brow  at  the  other  .  “  it’s  a  joke  .  ”  refrains  from  commenting  on  his  other  comment  because  honestly  ?  oliver  really  doesn’t  want  to  know  .  he  gets  up  from  his  seat  .  “  while  you’re  still  wrapping  your  head  around  that  ,  i’m  heading  out  .  ”

...

“you’re too good of an actor to joke like that,” terry smirked rolling his eyes playfully at the man. “oh where to? going to go do some rich guy stuff or?”

[notterryberg]

lanternswill​:

kyle frowns as terry talks about the old man terry had apparently taken money from the buy a goddamn penthouse. he wasn’t sure he wanted to know that story. he rubs at his face tiredly. “we’ll… talk about that later. uh, okay, if you think you can break this lease, and that we can even imagine to afford the bills that will go with a penthouse, then sure. we can try it.” he’s still skeptical, but maybe it would be a fun experiment—even if it led to incredible debt. but pretending to live in luxury for as long as they could get away with would be a nice change of pace.

besides… he looks up at terry again, his expression softening at terry’s smile. if terry wanted kyle to go with him, kyle would follow him to the ends of the earth and beyond—a thought he has to shove away before he stupidly says it out loud.

and then. the ring. kyle blinks as terry says he hasn’t even worn the ring yet. somehow, that detail had gotten lost. “oh,” he says, articulate as ever. “i guess i hadn’t ever heard of someone not immediately putting on the ring when it chose them.” he admits. he’s honestly surprised the ring didn’t force itself on terry’s finger like all the other lantern rings. maybe this one was a bit more considerate.

but he smiles when terry talks about his job and his friends. maybe this was the fresh start terry needed—the new life he deserved, surrounded by people who love him and will protect him. if terry was happy here, maybe it wasn’t such a bad place after all?

they could build a life here, kyle realizes as he studies terry’s smile. he hadn’t been thrilled to be displaced here on this parallel earth, but if the people here accepted terry, if they embraced him, then maybe kyle could get used to it. even if he was nothing more than a miserable artist, terry being happy was enough.

he turns away at that. another dangerous thought. kyle shouldn’t get ahead of himself.

taking his last bite of food, kyle stands up from the bed, plate in one hand and the other reaching to ruffle terry’s hair. “if you’re up for it, then we’ve got some work to do before we start packing. and i’ve got a friend who should be able to help with that ring. i’ll make sure to introduce you to her, she lives in town.”

˙ ˖ ✶ kyle rayner

“breaking a lease is extremely easy especially with my very persuasive skills. all we’d have to pay is the monthly electricity, water, wifi and a few other things. rent is not a problem since we own it now.” terry was extremely happy that kyle was so onboard with moving in with him. his twelve step plan to get kyle rayner to fall hopelessly in love with him was going along a lot smoother than he had anticipated. living with kyle would feel like a dream, as if they never left that little studio back in the other world, and he would stare at the man working at some desk for hours, as he brought him food, water, blankets or whatever other materials he needed.

terry berg knew that no other man in all of the universes would ever compare to his kyle rayner. not even some alternate version of him, his kyle would always be the one he’d preferred, the one he’d like to share a life with. oh to be young and in love, some would say.

“are you really telling me when some weird glowing ring comes at people they just put it on without first trying to think of any possible weird circumstances that could come about?” terry raised a brow as he asked, now wondering how the fate of so many worlds was left in the hands of many who just jumped at the chance. guess fearlessness was a green lantern trait afterall. “did the ring act as a guide into this world? yeah, but it hasn’t really done much besides that, it’s been pretty chill. and i haven’t said the oath with it on or anything, i know that’s a thing.”

then he sees that smile and finds himself wanting to inch forward, pull kyle closer and kiss that silly grin off his lips because it’s all too intoxicating. but he stops himself midway as he watched kyle get up and ruffle his hair, forcing a giggle out of him.

“wait kyle, you forgot dessert,” he muses as he gets up, taking the plate away from the man and setting it off to the side before pulling him closer, standing on his tiptoes to steal a kiss. “there, all finished. now we can get to work on whatever it is that you need me to help you on.” he smiled, shooting kyle a wink as the all too revealing shorts began to ride just a little bit higher.

“someone in town that can help me out? this is either a therapist for my impulsive online shopping or someone with knowledge of a ring like mine. just spit balling here,” terry shrugged. “also i’ve already sent some things to the penthouse, mostly some of my things and things i got online for the place, and it’s already being decorated and such, except my room is gonna take a while because i decided to have it done up a little. meaning you might have to sleep with me for a few more nights.”

[notterryberg]

ptrmxmff​:

he blinks several times  ,  taking in what exactly the other just said  .  “  that’s neat  .  the love part  ,  not the banning dudes  .  is it any kind of love  ,  or only romantic love  ?  ”  sure  ,  he already has super speed  ,  but having contingency plans doesn’t hurt  .  besides  ,  it’s all just  —  hypothetical  .  “  and how do you use it  ?  do you have to  ,  like  ,  think about how much you love that guy  ,  or do you just be super super in love and the ring is like  ‘  ok  ,  you’re in  ’  ?  ”

...

“well they don’t ban dudes, they never have. the rings are sentient they chose their bearers, and if you’re worthy it will come to you. the ring of love is mostly worn by women because historically men aren’t really all that good when it comes to that particular emotion. at least in the corps standard.”  he explained. “romantic love, i believe but i could be wrong, i’m quite new to this so i’m learning myself. the ring won’t work for just anybody but your imagination and in this case the feeling of love will play a big part in what you can do. you can create light constructs, fly, and all sorts of things that i haven’t really tapped into yet.” he mused. “well, the rings seeks out those who’ve had massive heartbreak, like a devastating loss that would always stay with you. probably why when it comes to you it makes you swear its oath. for hearts long lost, and full of fright, for those alone in blackest night, accept our ring and join our fight, love conquers all with violet light.”

[notterryberg]

greenarrvws​:

          @reshieldedstart​​    //    “  I  OVERHEARD  SOMEONE  SAY  ‘  how  am  i  supposed  to  live  laugh  love  in  these  conditions  ?  ’  and  i  gotta  agree  with  them  .

...

“has a karen group kidnapped and brainwashed you? i’m still trying to wrap my head around what you just said, and it’s getting hard to do so. like the daddy factor dropped down a few points here.”

[notterryberg]

psymond​:

upper and lower lips press together. initially, it seems as if the other wouldn’t be telling their story but his mind changes for some reason. emma can see the FEAR in his eyes and body language. he’s trying so hard to be strong but the mutant knows what fear is like and she knows what this TYPE of fear is like. she’s seen it second hand after all. ❝ right. ❞ short and succinct as she thinks of what she should say next. ❝ i can offer 2 options. option 1 is we go right back to them and i dominate their little minds until they’re left looking like drooling vegetables or option 2. you continue walking with me and i can get you somewhere safe. and if they follow then well … option 1 is back on the table. ❞

...

Terry hated the fact that fear had become his new normal when it came to strange men, their eyes looking more hateful, their fists clenched, and he couldn’t help but flinch out of reflex. He hated the feeling of weakness, even when he had a way to stop it, to stop them, but it wasn’t something he should use, not something he should get accustomed to. “option 1 sounds extremely tantalizing, but I’ll choose option 2, if my boyfriend found out I agreed to that he’d probably be very mad at me, even though he’d actually do option 1 himself.” he sighed. “but nothing is saying they won’t follow.”

[notterryberg]

lanternswill​:

˙ ˖ ✶ 𝙏𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙮 𝘽𝙚𝙧𝙜​

just as sleep never came easy, neither does wakefulness. in a tired haze, kyle mechanically sits up in bed, glancing at the food without really seeing it. “thanks,” he mumbles, the sound barely recognizable as a coherent word once it’s past his lips. it takes a yawn and a full-body stretch for him to finally gain some sense of being alert. once he’s awake enough, he turns his attention to the breakfast terry so generously made for him.

it wouldn’t be an exaggeration in the slightest to admit the homemade breakfast was the best food kyle had eaten in a long time—longer than he was capable of recalling now. not that it was a difficult feat—kyle couldn’t cook to save his life, and he often forgot to drag himself away from his work long enough to get a decent meal for himself. pb&j sandwiches were a depressing staple of his diet. it’s a good thing green lantern is more responsible than kyle rayner, or else the world would be considerably worse off.

the delicious food is enough of a distraction that kyle lets the nickname slide. he tunes back into the conversation as terry talks about moving—at first disappointed at the thought of terry moving away, then greatly confused at the idea of them moving into a penthouse. together. “wait, what? how the hell would either of us be able to afford a penthouse? in new york? and i still have a lease?” it’s too early to have this conversation, he thinks, though when his eyes glance over to the clock he sees it’s fairly late compared to the time he normally gets up. which is impressive, considering kyle normally struggled to sleep much, if at all. he must’ve been more tired than he thought… or terry’s presence at his side relaxed him more than he thought.

still, he gives terry an exasperated look. “this is the kind of thing we need to talk about before going through with it,” kyle tries to say, but it feels useless at this point. he sighs. sometimes he thinks terry’s entire existence was created just to shake up kyle’s life.

the mention of the ring causes kyle to frown again, even as he attempts to keep his expression neutral (especially as he ignores terry’s comment—he does look good, but kyle is definitely not thinking about that). “it’s just… the ring. it’s not just a ring. and it’s not like mine. it’s… dangerous, and sometimes it…” makes you say things you don’t mean, chase after things you don’t want, “…has a mind of its own. your emotions take over, and you become them.”

kyle allows that thought to hang in the air, not ready to say the words he’s already implying. he knows terry won’t want to hear them—last night made that clear. but it feels wrong, and kyle needs to make sure there aren’t any other influences affecting either of them before things go any further. “look, i need to get some work done today, do you want to help me get some backgrounds done? we can get lunch after and talk about the ring and its powers more then. okay?”

˙ ˖ ✶ kyle rayner

Years had passed since Terry had first been hired as Kyle’s intern, and it didn’t take much time for it to shift from just work, to taking care of a man, not much older than himself. Kyle was young and learning about himself and the world, much like Terry was at the time, and he remembered the way he would forget to eat, would forget to take care of himself when his tunnel vision hit. That was how Terry knew when to make food for him, when to bring over a blanket and wrap it around Kyle when the heater was on the fritz. It had become second nature to him, taking care of something that would come to realize was love.

Terry quick to offer Kyle a smug glance as soon as he sees the man begin to eat. He was extremely proud of his cooking, especially since he had to learn everything for himself and ever since he became eleven, his mother had told him he’d have to learn how to cook. That might’ve been one of the only good things she had ever truly done for him, indirectly taught him how to fend for himself in a world that wouldn’t be kind to him.

“I have friends who owed me favors and I have the old dude who was paying for my old place’s credit card that he gave me. He’s literally swimming in money so this won’t make a dent in his account and it can’t be traced thanks to my mutant friend who helped out with all of those details.” Terry shrugged. “You do know a lease can easily be broken if you take it to the court and the state says it’s ok. It’s harder in red states but new york shouldn’t be too hard. Did you forget how good I am at getting things done?” he asked slightly amused at how surprised Kyle was. “For the lease to be broken all I have to do is pay off the next bit of rent, and the penthouse is already paid for and it’s not rented, it’s bought.”

“sorry, I know i’m a bit preemptive but i was planning on moving anyway, but then i found you so i sort of just wanted to do this with you, especially since it would relieve some of the stress from you.” he sighed. 

“yes, i know the rings are dangerous, but kyle, isn’t lantern 101 about the rings that they have to be worn to have any sort of effect? i haven’t put mine on at all, ever.” terry said smiling as he sat at the edge of the bed. “don’t hide things from me, you know i can tell when you’re being a certain way. “i haven’t really been any different since i got here, i made friends and then i found you and got a job offer, that’s all i’ve done so far.”

“Sure thing, i was hoping you’d know someone with a ring like mine and they can help me out with this sort of stuff, and did you think I’d say no to helping you out? Please, love. Terry Berg could take over the world if he wanted to.”

[notterryberg]

ptrmxmff​:

closed starter  \  w.  @notterryberg​

“  so i’m assuming this super-secret organisation doesn’t recruit just anyone  …  what got you sucked into the rabbit hole of superhero nonsense  ?  ”

...

“honestly these days it does seem like it, but um mine is strange cause it rarely allows males in it. um, would you believe me if i said it was love? sounds not legit i know, but this ring is powered  by love, and it only opened up a portal for me because i was heartbroken about not being able to see the man i’m in love with.”

[notterryberg]

oocktavius​:

closed starter  \  w.  @notterryberg​

“  that’s a cool ring you’ve got there  ,  what’s it made from  ?  ”

...

“Undying gay love for a struggling latine artist with a very nice smile and chest. Or like y’know glitters and rainbows i guess?”

[notterryberg]

statuhres​:

        “  oh  shit  -  i  think  i  do  know  him !   he’s  only  my  teammate  .  ”    and  best  friend’s  ex  .   drama  ,   much ?    “  oh  ,   i wouldn’t trust him  ,   he  probably  wants  to  play  a  prank  on  you  .  ”  

...

“I’m so sorry you have to deal with him on and off duty then,” terry said holding a hand to his heart as his face looked somber. “another one, it’s not as if he doesn’t live to call me short but then he’s like, i’d fuck you any day. if you know his favorite cologne, wanna fill it with raid and have him use it as a form of slight revenge. i’m terry, and from what he’s mentioned you’re...cassie for sure.”

[notterryberg]

Set It Up (2018) dir. Claire Scanlon

[notterryberg]

bylane​:

❝ yeah that’s me. ❞ reporter turns around and greets the other with a smile. ❝ no worries ! and uh i’ll just pretend you didn’t say that. ❞ she smirks. ❝ but no not about kyle. just heard you might be in need of a job. ❞

˙ ˖ ✶ lois lane

“how that’s so raven of you,” terry mused smiling over at lois, laughing at how she would ignore his calling of kyle his ding dong. “no worries, he’ll hear it more at home,” terry smiled. “yes, i do actually. sort of don’t have one right now, and the bugle might actually be the best thing for me.”

[notterryberg]

marvelbcys​: 

          “   rather   have   kankles   than   be   an   oompa   loompa   like   yourself,   ”     noh   shoots   back,   rolling   his   eyes   again.     the   two   friends   acted   like   children,   constantly   bickering   or   teasing   each   other   over   the   silliest   things,   much   like   now.     though   it   shifts   to   a   serious   matter   rather   quickly,   and   the   platinum   blonde   smiles,   fingers   slightly   squeezes   his   friend’s  neck,   urging   him   to   look   up.    “   i   was   only   joking,   t.     this   is   special   for   you,   so   it   should   be   with   the   right   guy.    don’t   settle   for   anything   less   than   you   deserve,   got   it?   ”     terry’s   words   sink   in   as   noh   blinks   repeatedly,   smile   appearing   on   lips.     “   you’re   my   friend,   of   course   i   care.     i   love   you,   t.     i’ll   always   be   here   for   you,   for   as   long   as   you   need.  ” 

˙ ˖ ✶ thotimus prime (noh-varr)

“Least one of my weaknesses isn’t store bought raid spray.” terry and noh would always bicker, they’d always tease each other relentlessly, but that didn’t mean they didn’t love each other like family. “got it,” he mused, while an idea popped into his mind and why not mess with his best friend. “so you’re saying you can’t be the right guy? and that me naked and on your body wouldn’t be everything you’ve ever dreamed of? having me unable to do anything except beg for more of you, doesn’t that sound...nice?” unable to continue acting like this he bursts out laughing from how ridiculous it all sounds coming from him. “I love you too, and to answer that, i’ll need you forever and always, i can’t really see me having a happy life if you’re not in it.”

[notterryberg]

˙ ˖ ✶ kyle rayner

His fateful meeting with his lost love, Kyle Rayner had happened. Now Terry had to figure out how to navigate all the feelings that were definitely there, and his suspicions on Kyle and what exactly was holding him back. He could’ve sworn Kyle was about to kiss him, but then     he didn’t. Morning comes all too soon as his eyes flutter open, and he gets up as silently as possible trying to navigate through their new shared place. It was definitely going to need an upgrade.

It doesn’t take him too long to find a place another place in the city and his mind begins to turn the gears as the idea takes shape. Without a second though it’s bought, all in thanks to the card that rich old man so generously afforded him. This wouldn’t even make a dent, and thanks to the mutant friend Terry had made, nothing could be traced back to them. Covering his tracks as always.

After finishing his little project, he decided on what to do next. Breakfast? He knows Kyle had spoken about boundaries somewhat jokingly, but he flew off into space when Terry was in the hospital, he could get away with this at least. Whipping up cinnamon roll pancakes, the icing on top, an omelet with cheese, spinach, ham, bacon, and hash-browns. Of course he couldn’t come out unscathed as a few burns now marked his fingers, nothing that would scar but just a mere annoyance.

Making all the final preparations for his breakfast in bed, Terry quickly changed into an outfit that would better serve his make kyle rayner fall in love with me plan begin without a hitch. His shorts reveal enough in the back, hugging his thighs perfectly, and cut off football jersey that served more as a crop top now anyway. But the second he was ready to bring the food over his heart lurched, he was really doing this, really bringing the man he was in love with breakfast in bed, and a silly giddy smile raced to his features as he took the first steps.

Placing the tray of food to the side, Terry gently nudged Kyle to wake, once a little touch, the second a kiss, and then maybe another or three, he stopped being able to count after a while. That didn’t work but he was happy nonetheless, still he gave Kyle a good shake to see if that would work. “Hey babe, as a thank you for letting me be here, I made you some breakfast.” he mused, showing him the tray as he laid it a little pull out sort of table that sat perfectly next to the bed.

“Also, um...how would you feel about moving from this place to a different one. Y’know considering I already bought a penthouse, and you won’t have to worry about rent since it’s all been covered. We’ll each have our own rooms, since you spoke about boundaries,” a necessary lie, but one that kyle would probably thank him for later, hopefully.

“So, the ring? Every time it even came up last night you had a weird look on you, like happy and proud but also worried, and I know you Kyle, I know the way you try to hide things and I even know when you’re thinking certain thoughts. So tell me please, what’s on your mind? I mean besides how good I look and how you’re oh so ravenous and can’t help to tear these clothes off of me.”

[notterryberg]

lanternswill​:

˙ ˖ ✶ notterryberg​

terry berg had never been a crier, not once did he ever shed fear in front of his parents from the fear of an act that they would consider unbecoming from a man. not a tear was even shed when the man who claimed to love and protect him, left him battered and bloody in a dark and damp alley. only one soul has ever seen terry cry, and it’s the same man who gave him all the reasons to smile again, the same man who inspires his love of art, his love for the world.

the world was harsh and devoid of color before kyle rayner, terry could only see the grayscale as he trudged through the abyss of of the blackest night, wandering aimlessly with no hope to ever know true happiness, true love. after that fateful meeting, terry berg learned what it was like to feel alive, to find a reason to wake up every day excited about the endless possibilities in a world now full of color.

now having kyle so close, terry’s heart was bursting forth unable to contain the well of emotions it’s kept locked away neatly inside since the day kyle vanished. the memory of his parents was still etched in his brain, their words seared his skin and burned his heart, but their flames of hate were never able to reach the parts of terry that were all kyle, the memories, the laughter, and the joy that was all him, the part of terry that kept him hopeful that he’d one day see him again.

terry’s lips quivered, trying to pull together the words that were desperately trying to claw out from the innermost parts of his soul. “my boyfriend      my ex,” he corrected. “he was never even gay to begin with, it had been something planned from the start, my attack, they wanted to do it wanted me to hurt for loving the way i do. he        hit me the most out of all of them,” it was something he had never told kyle, something he never thought he would fearing what kyle might do, but now worlds apart, the words just fell out.

“i’m here,” he hears and it’s the first time he feels as if he’s able to weather the storm. clinging to kyle, he finds the curve of his body. the rise and fall of his chest, and the way kyle tenses up at the mention of a few words, he sees and feels it all, he feels the mans heart beating rapidly, his own beating just as fast, beating for him.

“always,” terry mumbled, looking up with puffy tear stained eyes. his fingers curled on kyle’s shirt, softly gripping on the fabric, smudges of paint and splatter all around, everything about him feels so familiar, even the scents. the intoxicating smell of oil paints on a fresh palette, the woody aroma inside a new tin of charcoal pencils, and then mint and lanolin from that one master’s soap. everything and always so familiar, so    kyle. he was here, not some hallucination or vivid dream, this was him, his kyle, his first love, his only love.

“it was the ring,” terry mentioned, remembering that one fact about his appearance in this new world. “it had called out to me from a portal, pink in color like a swirling vortex and it showed me, you.” terry said trying his best to explain as he regained his breath. “it showed you, sad, as if there was something missing here, and i followed it. to you.”

terry didn’t mention what the ring had said, how the voice spoke inside his mind, and uttered these words.

You whose blood was forged in blood and fire

Must find the one whom green inspires

Another heart yet torn asunder

In another world where you will wander

Rose and Emerald come together

When tears rain down he’ll know surrender

The green clad heart with walls so big

Will come tumbling down with Terry’s kiss

Terry didn’t know what it meant at the time, but now here seeing Kyle again, pink and green, rose and emerald, it all made sense. yet he was still too afraid to do it, to take that first step and kiss the man he’s loved all these years. terry berg was still that boy too afraid to love.

With no more words, he finds himself smiling in Kyle’s room, looking around to see every piece of him plastered among the four walls. He finds himself resting his head on Kyle’s chest, his small frame against Kyle as he breathes, simply breathes. “your room still looks so much like it used to back…” he didn’t know what to say, the other world, home? his fingers tracing circles on kyle’s chest.

“you said i’d be safe, and i knew that, you’re home. i’m finally home, kyle.” he mused, looking up into his eyes before he takes the leap.

and just like that, terry’s kiss. it was soft, it was slow, but it didn’t lack passion as he pulled back. slightly anxious at how kyle would react. there was a brief moment when he believed this was a dream all again, like so many he had before, but he wasn’t waking up, this was real. “sorry, i promised myself that one i walked through that portal to find you, i would stop being a coward.”

“i don’t know what it means that i have this ring here, but it led me to you, love led me back to you, because love is all i’ve ever known when i’m with you. “

the tangle of emotions in kyle’s chest pulls tighter with every word that terry says, and it takes considerable effort to hold back the flare of anger that rises in him at the mention of terry’s ex. he’d wondered why david hadn’t been at terry’s side in the hospital, but he’d figured it was fear that kept him away. who knew the truth could get even worse? who knew the world had even more evil to offer? kyle had seen it for himself, but… it didn’t fully process until he’d come face-to-face with it.

he doesn’t speak up, letting terry talk and holding him through it. if terry needed him to be an emotional anchor, it was the least kyle could do for him. it doesn’t quite abate the thoughts of beating terry’s tormentors into bloody pulps and leaving them on the curb with the rest of the trash, but it keeps him here, where he should be, by terry’s side.

and the ring. they’re going to have to have a conversation about it—sooner than later. kyle’s very aware of how some of the rings affect their users, and he doesn’t want terry to be influenced by feelings being fed to him by the star sapphire ring. even if it’s only amplifying lingering feelings that already existed, it doesn’t seem fair to hold terry to words said and actions done when he isn’t fully acclimated to the powers of the ring. the last thing kyle wants is terry to feel trapped or obligated to stay with him just because the ring urged them together.

when they get to kyle’s room, kyle leaves terry momentarily to find more blankets and an extra pillow. once he has things settled they climb into bed. initially kyle doesn’t plan to stay, not the whole night, only until terry falls asleep. but as terry curls against his side and lays across his chest, kyle knows he isn’t going anywhere—nor does he want to.

“my interior design skills lack variation,” he agrees quietly when terry mentions it, unwilling to admit it had been somewhat purposeful. he needed somewhere in this world to feel familiar, like home, even if it had been a while since he’d even lived in that old new york apartment.

terry calls kyle his home and it sparks… something. it’s a warmth that rushes through him, that makes his heart race. he doesn’t get the chance to fully identify it as terry leans up without warning and presses their lips together in a soft kiss.

it takes him by surprise at first, but he relaxes into it, eyes closing as he leans into the feeling. it’s slow, careful, over too soon. terry pulls away first, and it takes everything kyle has not to chase him. the ache in his chest is replaced with an equally painful yearning, instantly missing the feeling of terry’s lips against his own. stop being a coward. maybe kyle should take that advice.

“a whirlwind,” kyle repeats from earlier, unable to keep the soft smile off his face as he looks up at terry. “we’re gonna have to talk about boundaries.” even as he says it, he’s got a hold on terry’s shirt, ready to pull him back down for another kiss.

but then terry mentions the ring again, and kyle stops himself. he doesn’t have enough experience with the star sapphire ring to know what kind of influence it could be having on either of them. how could terry love him after what kyle did? he can’t do this with so much doubt. carefully, he pushes terry back, the smile fading from his expression. “in the morning. we’ll talk about this. just sleep, okay?”

he can’t even look at terry now, shame gripping him, and kyle doesn’t know if he’s doing the right thing. he thinks he should save them the trouble and sleep on the couch, but he promised he wouldn’t leave terry alone. he keeps that promise as he merely turns on his side facing away from terry, closing his eyes and willing his heart to calm down.

˙ ˖ ✶ kyle rayner - fin

[notterryberg]

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.

“that feels like you meant it as an insult,” he scrunched his nose up slightly.

...

‘it’s means I trust you,’ terry smirked rolling his eyes playfully, “and besides have you ever known me to be all that insulting?”