if i think i can figure things out, is that curiosity or arrogance?

"The more you run, the better at it you get," Tony said, barely winded by the pace. Because he did this every morning for the past year, thank you very much.

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Billy was somewhere between Tony and Topher, both in his ability to run, and in where he was positioning himself. Normally, he would try to keep up with Tony, but the urge to stay slightly behind was just too tempting today. He could only be so strong for so long. "It'll get easier the longer we stay out here," he said. "Your body's got to warm up."

Maybe not the best choice of words today, he realized after he said it.

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"It's -- a million -- degrees," Topher panted. Oh god, he was so sweaty and gross and he just wanted to take a cold shower and maybe have sex with Billy and -- wait, what?

"Aksjgdkhkdogisoh." Or some other combination of whiny syllables.

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That got him a look of concern from Tony as he turned to jog backwards in order to make sure Topher hadn't swallowed his tongue or something.

"It is kind of warm," Tony admitted. No it wasn't, really. But he couldn't tell the difference this week. "Weird for a February, right?"

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It was probably a good thing that mind reading wasn't one of Billy's powers, or he might have tripped or flailed or something equally embarrassing. "Really weird. It's been a weird winter, yeah?" Totally the explanation, really.

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Topher wheezed some more. Oh god, his sides were on fire. And so were other parts of him. WHY WAS TODAY LIKE THIS?

Finally he managed a nod.

"Very," he croaked out, "weird."

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Tony shot a concerned look at Billy. "Should we take a break?"

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"Yeah, that might be a good idea," Billy said, shooting a look at Topher and trying to ignore the urge to hug him. Or more. Bad brain! "Just keep breathing, Topher. You'll feel better in a minute."

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Breathing. Right.

In between pants, he managed in Tony's direction, "How many -- times -- do I have to -- do this before I'm -- allowed to -- help you again?"

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"Until you're not winded anymore." That worked, right?

Tony offered him a bottle of water before stretching his arms out over his head. "This is a short run for me."

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"I know it seems mean, but this is really for your own good. Our lives aren't exactly safe," Billy said. "It would suck if something bad happened to you just because you were around us and couldn't get away fast enough."

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Topher took the water gratefully -- tingling only a little at touching Tony's hand, thank you for asking -- and drank pretty much all of it.

Okay. He could breathe almost normally now. Whew.

"But I suck at it," he complained. "Can't I get a jetpack or something?" Thanks, Pepper.

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"Billy can fly on his own and he still runs," Tony pointed out dryly. Why was he watching Topher drink? That was weird.

He turned his focus onto Billy instead. Which did not help.

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What, Billy was just taking the opportunity to wipe the sweat off of his face with the bottom of his shirt. Nothing to see here...

"What if the jetpack fails? Or it gets taken away?" he said. "In the end, being able to run away is always the safest bet."

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Topher squeaked.

What? He'd never seen Billy's stomach before. And it was... nice. Yes.

"Or I could fly with one of you guys?" he pointed out in a slightly strangled voice.

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Tony shook his head, both to clear his thoughts and in response to Topher. "And if we're not around?" he asked, voice just a little lower than normal maybe.

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"You know we'll look out for you if we can," Billy agreed, assuming Tony felt the same way. "But if we get separated..." He straightened his clothes out, feeling a little self-conscious all of a sudden.

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Topher let out a breath.

"Yeah, I guess that makes sense," he admitted begrudgingly.

A beat.

"Can I get a jet pack anyway just to be safe?"

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"No jet packs," Tony said firmly. They didn't even work well. He took that moment to take off his hoodie, tying it around his waist so that he could run without feeling overheated anymore.

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"You--" Billy started, before any coherent thoughts went away as he looked at Tony. "Um. You might get hurt."

He was totally talking to Topher, even if he couldn't get his eyes off of Tony.

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Topher was too busy staring. Like, staring a lot.

After about two minutes it occured to him that he'd been addressed.

"Uh," he said dazedly. "Sure. Yuh-huh."

He had no idea what he was saying.

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"You guys good to go?" Possibly not the best thing to say.

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Billy coughed for a moment, and then nodded, tugging his shirt down a little again. "I, uh...yeah, sure," he said weakly. Maybe he'd be less distracted while he was running?

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Topher continued to stare. He didn't budge.

"Yuh-huh," he said again, dreamily.

It was possible that he needed to be pinched or something.

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