The Walking Ted

An independent multifandom RP blog for Ted Kord, aka Blue Beetle II. Sidebar image used with permission by theunbrilliant

[bluebeetlethesecond]

//like for a starter!

[bluebeetlethesecond]

"Are you... Santa Claus?"

“….WHAT’S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!”

[virtualbatgirl-archive]

The dry laugh was followed by a cough. She desperately needed a drink of water. The laughter died as the vibration caused the pain in her head to radiate more strongly.

“Oh. Oh damn. It only hurts when I laugh.”

[bluebeetlethesecond]

Ted wasn’t sure if he was supposed to, but he grabbed a glass of water and held it to her lips. He wasn’t supposed to even be there, after all. “They put ya through a scan and while your brain was definitely knocked around they don’t think there’s going to be any permanent damage to your long-term memory. They said the time around the incident might be a little fuzzy, which I was curious if it is, you having the eidetic memory and all.” 

[virtualbatgirl-archive]

If the nurses caught him, he’d be in trouble for giving Barbara any more than a pink sponge stick to wet her mouth, but she was pleased to have the moisture all the same and took a small sip, sputtering a little given the odd angle she lay at.

“I think I remember….Harley, and her mallet, but I don’t think she swung at me. There was someone else. I don’t remember who it was,” she croaked out.

[bluebeetlethesecond]

“The Joker?” Ted asked, gripping the side of her bed nervously. “Soon as I can, I’ll go back to your place and re-sweep the area for... for bombs, or traps, or anything like that. I looked well for anyone hiding, but not so much for anything that might have been hidden.” It was more than just he didn’t want to be blamed if something happened to Barbara’s place. If anything was damaged, her identity as Oracle could be compromised, and that would compromise many, many other superheroes. 

[bluebeetlethesecond]

“I would rather eat a bowl of vampire bats than spend an hour with Max Lord.”

“Well, you and I are in agreement there,” Ted said, not looking up from the computer and ignoring that just last year he’d cried the most when Lord finally came out of a coma. 

“But what brings that up?”

[virtualbatgirl-archive]

“At least you own it,” Barbara offered, extending the muscles of her back as best she could, stretching out what was often cramped by confinement in a sitting position.

Here in the lagoon, the water was reasonably mild. The breeze of the sea causing gentle waves to wash inward toward the shoreline before dragging quantities of wet sand and coral to and fro.

“Or maybe you’re just not into romance. You’re into those early, getting to know you phases, or the easy and undemanding togetherness,” she suggested.

[bluebeetlethesecond]

Ted shrugged. “Just gets boring after a while.” He flipped on his back and floated, the water feeling perfect to him. “As well as demanding. I always feel like people want something from me I can’t give or don’t fully understand.” 

[virtualbatgirl-archive]

“So you actually read Hot Chix for the articles?” Barbara teased him lightly.

Her hands rose in an arc to meet above her head without taking those hands out of the water. Her body shot down a few feet in the deeper water. It was a reckless move though in this event there was no adverse result. No cut on her legs or bottom from a stray rock, the ocean floor or even a bite from wandering wildlife. When at last she surfaced, it was with a gasp of breath.

As her breath returned, Barbara rolled onto her back to float, her legs still dangling loose ahead of her torso.

“I suppose there’s no such thing as a right way to have a relationship. There’s only what works for you, and whoever your partner is. So long as you try not to hurt each other.”

[bluebeetlethesecond]

Ted watched Barbara’s descent with trepidation, relief flooding him when she finally surfaced. He considered asking her not to do that, but knew she’d only get mad at him (and probably do it again.) 

“Oh, no, I like more than the articles,” he said in answer to her first question, with a grin. “I’m just not that great at the relationship part, once it starts. How’s you and, uh.... that one guy?” 

[bluebeetlethesecond]

"Your a lot stronger then I gave you credit for."

Ted grunted under the weight of the enormous telescope he carried in its box. “’Course I am,” he said, grinning. “You ever seen a weight lifting competition? Those little stocky guys win every time.” He set the box down and wiped his forehead. 

[bluebeetlethesecond]

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Ted had sat down on the grass with his legs in front of him and was screwing together bits and pieces of the telescope. “Just for that kinda thing, you can always ask and pay the favor back later, if that’s what you want. I getcha though.” 

[deer-maiden]

“I’ll keep that in mind then.”  She looks out to the quiet world.  “I should head back into the forest.  Being in the open makes me feel vulnerable.”

[bluebeetlethesecond]

“I understand. Thanks for helping. See ya around when you need me to do that thing.” Ted stood, brushing the grass off his legs, and finished screwing in the telescope. 

[bluebeetlethesecond]

“I would rather eat a bowl of vampire bats than spend an hour with Max Lord.”

“Well, you and I are in agreement there,” Ted said, not looking up from the computer and ignoring that just last year he’d cried the most when Lord finally came out of a coma. 

“But what brings that up?”

[virtualbatgirl-archive]

Luckily, she was watching vigilantly for signs of nasty, venomous little creatures. For the moment the lagoon seemed clear.

She nodded without truly understanding what Ted was alluding to. There was a time she’d felt they were flirting, though she pushed it aside. Dick was in the picture and it just wasn’t great timing.

“I’m fine here,” came her answer. “But have you considered that you’re more interested in the chase? The discovery? Isn’t that part of what drives you as a scientist and inventor?”

[bluebeetlethesecond]

Ted put her down in the water carefully, then began treading water himself as he contemplated her question. 

“That could be it, yeah. Booster says I just have a hard time committing, but I prefer your reasoning and not that it’s some character flaw of mine to add on top of everything else. I can’t help how I feel, but I try to be sensitive to him. …Not really a virtue of mine, but I try.” 

[virtualbatgirl-archive]

“At least you own it,” Barbara offered, extending the muscles of her back as best she could, stretching out what was often cramped by confinement in a sitting position.

Here in the lagoon, the water was reasonably mild. The breeze of the sea causing gentle waves to wash inward toward the shoreline before dragging quantities of wet sand and coral to and fro.

“Or maybe you’re just not into romance. You’re into those early, getting to know you phases, or the easy and undemanding togetherness,” she suggested.

[bluebeetlethesecond]

Ted shrugged. “Just gets boring after a while.” He flipped on his back and floated, the water feeling perfect to him. “As well as demanding. I always feel like people want something from me I can’t give or don’t fully understand.” 

[bluebeetlethesecond]

"Are you... Santa Claus?"

“….WHAT’S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!”

[virtualbatgirl-archive]

Coup-contrecoup contusions on the front part of her temporal and occipital lobes, with low level cerebral edema in the former. In surgery they managed to treat and reduce the intracranial pressure before returning Barbara to recovery.

In the end, she didn’t remember any of it. One of the first such instances in many years. It was terribly disconcerting. As she came to in recovery, she saw  a very nervous looking person in scrubs hovering near by.

“Ted?” she croaked. “What are you doing here?”

[bluebeetlethesecond]

“I had to keep an eye on ya,” he said by way of explanation. “That was major surgery. I made sure the doctors didn’t leave in a sponge or something.” 

He managed a smile, though honestly he felt like passing out. “How - how are you feeling?” He cringed. “….Dumb question.” 

[virtualbatgirl-archive]

The dry laugh was followed by a cough. She desperately needed a drink of water. The laughter died as the vibration caused the pain in her head to radiate more strongly.

“Oh. Oh damn. It only hurts when I laugh.”

[bluebeetlethesecond]

Ted wasn’t sure if he was supposed to, but he grabbed a glass of water and held it to her lips. He wasn’t supposed to even be there, after all. “They put ya through a scan and while your brain was definitely knocked around they don’t think there’s going to be any permanent damage to your long-term memory. They said the time around the incident might be a little fuzzy, which I was curious if it is, you having the eidetic memory and all.” 

[bluebeetlethesecond]

"Your a lot stronger then I gave you credit for."

Ted grunted under the weight of the enormous telescope he carried in its box. “’Course I am,” he said, grinning. “You ever seen a weight lifting competition? Those little stocky guys win every time.” He set the box down and wiped his forehead. 

[bluebeetlethesecond]

“Of course. And any time you need anything like this, you can just ask me. Don’t need to be repayin’ a favor, something important like this.” He smiled at her and stood, taking out his utility knife and cutting open the box. 

[deer-maiden]

“I don’t like debt, of any kinds.  The sooner I can pay one back the better.  This includes free favors.”  At least she’s not about taking all the time.

[bluebeetlethesecond]

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Ted had sat down on the grass with his legs in front of him and was screwing together bits and pieces of the telescope. “Just for that kinda thing, you can always ask and pay the favor back later, if that’s what you want. I getcha though.” 

[bluebeetlethesecond]

“Alright, alright,” Ted said, holding his hands up defensively as he stood then grabbed a  jacket. 

“That’s still a mood, though. But I’ll let it go,” he grinned. “Whatcha want? Big Belly Burger? Whatever it is it better be fast; my wallet’s kinda bare these days.” 

[nverheardof]

  Michael shrugged on his own jacket as he laughed innocently.   “There’s no mood, I swear on my life.” He exclaimed, shaking   his head a bit. “Yeah, that sounds good– don’t worry, I’ll    pitch in.” He patted his pocket, as if he had any more money    than Ted. But, hey, friends helped friends out.

[bluebeetlethesecond]

“Might see if I can scrape out a few more quarters out of the car floorboards,” Ted commented. “Ready to go?” The fast food place was fairly close by and a favorite haunt. 

[writhenwud-deactivated20160930]

Wanted to draw bara-style Ted again since I haven’t in a while~

[bluebeetlethesecond]

“Ah, you know I’m up for that. You seem to be in a mood, though. Everything okay?” Ted asked, pulling his shoes on.

[nverheardof]

 “What? I’m not in a mood.”  He replied,  getting up to stretch.   “I’m obviously really glad to be hanging out with my best pal,   can’t you tell?” Michael said teasingly, a light smile playing on   his lips. 

[bluebeetlethesecond]

“Alright, alright,” Ted said, holding his hands up defensively as he stood then grabbed a  jacket. 

“That’s still a mood, though. But I’ll let it go,” he grinned. “Whatcha want? Big Belly Burger? Whatever it is it better be fast; my wallet’s kinda bare these days.” 

[bluebeetlethesecond]

“Yeah, no kiddin’. Gold everything.” Ted yawned, though he wasn’t tired. “What’s up next in our unplanned guys-being-dudes night out? Catchin’ a movie? Night out on the town? I’m up for anything, long as it’s not working.” 

[nverheardof]

  Michael rested his head on Ted’s shoulder, turning off the Gameboy   and tossing it on to the coffee table before them.  “I dunno. I’m feeling   kinda hungry. Wanna get a bite? Burgers or something?”  He glanced   up at the other’s ceiling,  neutrally frowning. 

[bluebeetlethesecond]

“Ah, you know I’m up for that. You seem to be in a mood, though. Everything okay?” Ted asked, pulling his shoes on.

[bluebeetlethesecond]

"Your a lot stronger then I gave you credit for."

Ted grunted under the weight of the enormous telescope he carried in its box. “’Course I am,” he said, grinning. “You ever seen a weight lifting competition? Those little stocky guys win every time.” He set the box down and wiped his forehead. 

[bluebeetlethesecond]

“Oh.” Ted said awkwardly, then sat down on the telescope box. “Well, he’s a crap dad if he’s trying to kill you. I’ll do what I can to help you with that; he sounds like a real piece of work.” 

[deer-maiden]

“His layers will do everything to keep him out of prison and to make me look like a phony.  It’s why I need the recordings.  And I do greatly appreciate your assistance, Blue Beetle.”

[bluebeetlethesecond]

“Of course. And any time you need anything like this, you can just ask me. Don’t need to be repayin’ a favor, something important like this.” He smiled at her and stood, taking out his utility knife and cutting open the box. 

[bluebeetlethesecond]

YOU DID NOT GET THAT VIDEO FROM ME!

My lips are sealed, and it is saved to my hard drive. 

[bluebeetlethesecond]

"Your a lot stronger then I gave you credit for."

Ted grunted under the weight of the enormous telescope he carried in its box. “’Course I am,” he said, grinning. “You ever seen a weight lifting competition? Those little stocky guys win every time.” He set the box down and wiped his forehead. 

[bluebeetlethesecond]

“Oooo, a good cause. Not that I wouldn’t have done it if it were a bad cause, mind you. Favor for a favor and I don’t judge. Who’s trying to kill you?” 

[deer-maiden]

“My father.”  Her tone in telling him is clear and simple.  She didn’t care if he believed her or not, she knows the truth.  She will only have to prove it when the time comes.

“See, he’s… xenophobic.  He also happens to hate and fear meta-humans.  As far as I know, he’s the only family I have.  My mother is missing, or dead… I don’t know which.  I just gave up hoping to see her shortly after he tried to kill me.”

[bluebeetlethesecond]

“Oh.” Ted said awkwardly, then sat down on the telescope box. “Well, he’s a crap dad if he’s trying to kill you. I’ll do what I can to help you with that; he sounds like a real piece of work.” 

[bluebeetlethesecond]

"Your a lot stronger then I gave you credit for."

Ted grunted under the weight of the enormous telescope he carried in its box. “’Course I am,” he said, grinning. “You ever seen a weight lifting competition? Those little stocky guys win every time.” He set the box down and wiped his forehead. 

[bluebeetlethesecond]

“Oh, I can do that easy,” Ted told her cheerily. “What’s it for?”

[deer-maiden]

“Evidence to use in the court against someone who tried to kill me a few years back.  Still trying to today.”

[bluebeetlethesecond]

“Oooo, a good cause. Not that I wouldn’t have done it if it were a bad cause, mind you. Favor for a favor and I don’t judge. Who’s trying to kill you?” 

[trekkerbud]

Batman (Bruce Wayne ) Sings - Am I Blue.avi (by shinjukuthief)

[bluebeetlethesecond]

“I would rather eat a bowl of vampire bats than spend an hour with Max Lord.”

“Well, you and I are in agreement there,” Ted said, not looking up from the computer and ignoring that just last year he’d cried the most when Lord finally came out of a coma. 

“But what brings that up?”

[virtualbatgirl-archive]

She didn’t mind so much being carried bridal-style, as much as not being able to get down on her own. That annoyed her. Somehow the mental image of Booster carrying Ted like a bride swept all of that away. Barbara raised her eyebrow and wondered if she should ask the question.

“What’s with you and Booster anyway?” she asked bluntly. “Are we talking just buddies? Or something more?”

[bluebeetlethesecond]

“Heh,” Ted chuckled, less nervous about the question than he would have been if someone else had asked. “Well, I know Booster would like to be. And sometimes, that seems nice to me, too. …But you know me. We dated for, like. A week. I run hot and cold. Doesn’t seem to be something I can help. I know it’s frustrating for the people that want me to be more in their life, but I’ve never been able to sustain those kinds of feelings. And you know, I always think someone’s got to be THE one, and as soon as they start paying me attention back, it’s over.” Ted waded into the water, enjoying the coolness against his body. It was hard to see over Babs in case of jellyfish, but he decided to risk it. 

“Want me to set you down here, or should I wade a little deeper first?” 

[virtualbatgirl-archive]

Luckily, she was watching vigilantly for signs of nasty, venomous little creatures. For the moment the lagoon seemed clear.

She nodded without truly understanding what Ted was alluding to. There was a time she’d felt they were flirting, though she pushed it aside. Dick was in the picture and it just wasn’t great timing.

“I’m fine here,” came her answer. “But have you considered that you’re more interested in the chase? The discovery? Isn’t that part of what drives you as a scientist and inventor?”

[bluebeetlethesecond]

Ted put her down in the water carefully, then began treading water himself as he contemplated her question. 

“That could be it, yeah. Booster says I just have a hard time committing, but I prefer your reasoning and not that it’s some character flaw of mine to add on top of everything else. I can’t help how I feel, but I try to be sensitive to him. ...Not really a virtue of mine, but I try.”