For Joan

[theodorelasso]

Continued from here.

(warnings: sexytimes. also, panic attacks, brutal violence, attempted murder, discussion of suicide and actual murder... )

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[formersurgeon]

Getting some fresh air isn't just a euphemism...it actually is really nice to get a breath of the cooler outside air, and to have the roar of the crowd be barely audible behind the door. But the best thing is definitely being alone at last with Ted and not having to keep herself from touching him, or kissing him.

When he kisses her she sighs against his lips in pleasured relief and wraps her arms around him, holding him tight, kissing him back. When the kiss ends she stays close, arms still around his neck.

"This is hard," she murmurs.

[theodorelasso]

Ted nods in definite agreement at that. He does at least feel immediately better, getting to hold her.

"Yeah, I'm not very good at this sneaking around," he admits sheepishly. Ted doesn't think he could ever cheat on someone from an emotional or moral standpoint, but he also definitely couldn't do it just from the sneakiness and lying that would be involved either.

[formersurgeon]

She feels immediately better, too. She shifts her arms so that they're around his waist instead of his neck, and lays her head against his shoulder.

"I'm not sure I want to keep sneaking around," she says.

[theodorelasso]

Ted smiles. "Well, I just told Sassy that I wasn't seeing anyone, so do you think it'll be awkward if we walk inside holding hands?" he asks jokingly, giving a little chuckle.

Awkwardness or not, he'd actually prefer that. He'll just tell her the truth that they were trying to keep it secret, and she'll understand. Then at least he doesn't have to fend off advances.

[formersurgeon]

She smiles. That's how that went. No wonder he was so uncomfortable. Lying has to be some serious cognitive dissonance for Ted. "It would definitely be awkward," she agrees.

She lifts her head and kisses him again, then pulls back to meet his eyes.

"I want to be with you," she says softly. "Officially. Publicly. Let's do it. Let's be awkward."

[theodorelasso]

Ted is perfectly capable of lying when he needs to. And there's a pretty simple rule for it too: it's not really lying if they don't deserve to know. Lying to Rupert about talking to Rebecca? Easy enough. But lying to Sassy about not seeing anyone... First of all, he trusts her discretion enough that she wouldn't say anything. Second, he feels like he's leading her on or something, even if he isn't really.

When Joan says she wants to be with him, his heart swells. Not just because it's a relief, but... It just feels so good to hear her say that.

"Let's be awkward," he agrees with a laugh. "Although... Let me tell her first, I feel like she deserves to be told." Since he did just lie to her, he doesn't actually want her finding out by watching them.

[formersurgeon]

Her heart swells as he agrees, and her happiness is clear on her face. It's been a long time since she's felt like this, this certain that she wants to be with someone for the long term...or as long term as they can manage. There are still questions about how this can jive with her life in New York. But for the moment she's not even thinking about that. She's just thinking about wanting to be with this sweet man, and him wanting to be with her, too.

"Okay," she agrees. "We can hold off on the public display of affection for a little longer."

[theodorelasso]

"Yeah, I think we can manage," he answers with a chuckle.

And then he has an idea, which he is aware is extremely cheesy, and... He kind of wants to surprise her with it, but he's not entirely sure if she would be okay with it, so he's going to ask first, since he doesn't want to embarrass her.

"Would you mind if I announced it with a song?"

[formersurgeon]

The idea surprises her, although she realizes it really shouldn't. It's exactly the sort of thing Ted would do. And Joan tends to be more private, but in this case...in this case she wants to let Ted be Ted. It feels so good to be the object of his enthusiasm.

"I would like that," she says, smiling, eyes on his.

[theodorelasso]

Pretty much everyone who's at this gathering are going to find out anyway, so might as well make it romantic. Just as long as no one puts it on youtube or anything like that.

"Alright, second question. How do you feel about Elvis? Or Elton John?" he asks with a chuckle. If he's gonna be cheesy, he might as well lean into it.

[formersurgeon]

She laughs at that, blushing a little, imagining what songs he must have in mind. This is going to be so cheesy. And she's going to enjoy every minute of it.

"Can't go wrong with Elvis," she says, eyes shining.

[theodorelasso]

"That's why he's the King, right?" he agrees with a grin, and leans in for a quick kiss. "Alright, come on, let's go back inside," he adds, reluctantly letting go of her.

And when he turns around to head inside, Roy is standing there looking at them, with raised eyebrows and what might even pass for an amused expression.

Ted just smiles sheepishly and presses a finger to his lips at Roy, who nods.

[formersurgeon]

Of all the people to catch them, Roy is probably the best, being as he's the one least likely to immediately tell everyone.

Joan lets Ted go in first, and pauses before following him so they're not technically together. She turns to Toy and smiles.

"Thank you," she says softly, then heads in. She goes to the couch and sits down next to Keeley, who's busy cheering the current lady on stage.

[theodorelasso]

Ted pops by the karaoke list first of all, to sign himself up. It's a pretty short wait, probably people have been going up somewhat impulsively.

It's thankfully easy to track down Sassy and pull her aside so they can talk quickly. He apologises for not being honest earlier, and explains that he's dating Joan, but that they've wanted to keep it quiet.

Of course, at first she's surprised (and maybe disappointed?), but she graciously moves past it almost immediately, even giving him a hug as she congratulates him. Ted grins happily and relieved as she pulls back, and she even seems to make a conscious choice to let go of him and remain a respectful distance as he thanks her for her understanding.

[formersurgeon]

As Joan gets back into clapping and cheering, she sneaks glances at Ted. She sees him talking to Sassy, his expression open and respectfully apologetic. The next time she glances over, Sassy is hugging him. Joan smiles, warmed by how Ted can address difficult situations with love and kindness.

"Where's Ted?" Keeley asks when the song is over, looking around.

"There was someone he wanted to talk to," Joan says. "He'll be back soon."

She glances over again and meets eyes with Sassy. She smiles and raises her drink to toast Joan. Joan returns the gesture.

[theodorelasso]

Ted barely has time to return to the table and grab his drink, before Beard is waving for his attention. "Oh, I'm up," he says, giving Joan a look and a smile before he heads towards the little stage.

"Alright, y'all, it's just be this time, sorry about that," he says, gently poking fun at himself to chuckles around the room. (Everyone knows Rebecca's the best singer there.) And he's definitely nervous now, hoo boy.

"Um, I'd like to dedicate this song to.. my girlfriend, Joan," he says, smiling at her.

There are definitely a lot of surprised faces around the room. Which then turns into hoots and whistles as the music starts playing. (Beard does not look surprised, which is in itself unsurprising.)

As for song choice, 'Can't Help Falling In Love' is probably the cheesiest thing Ted could've picked, but it's also perfect. And he doesn't play it up, like he maybe usually would, instead singing it completely sincerely. He's a bit shaky at first, but then he starts singing directly to Joan, and it's like the entire world around him melts away and he's just singing to her.

[formersurgeon]

When he announces the dedication, Keeley gasps and shakes her arm. "Oh my god!" she exclaims. "You cheeky devils, holding out on us like that!" Joan grins at her, then glances at Roy, who gives her a tiny smile and a nod.

She looks up at Ted and meets his eyes, and as he begins singing everything else fades away. There are people all around them, hooting and cheering, but she doesn't even hear them. She only hears him, only sees him. She smiles and presses a hand to her heart, her eyes shining.

Then he finishes the song, and as everyone cheers she gets up and moves to the stage to meet him as he's coming down.

[theodorelasso]

It's strange when he finishes, and his surroundings that had been muted throughout the entire song suddenly returns to full volume.

He smiles and raises a hand in thank you at the audience, a little embarrassed but also very happy. And then Joan is there, meeting him as he comes down, and...

Yeah, of course he's going to kiss her. But not in a showy way, not playing it up for the crowd or anything like that. He's just really happy to be open about his feelings for her, and to share the joy with his friends.

[formersurgeon]

Joan isn't playing it up, but she isn't subtle about it either. She throws her arms around him and kisses him firmly, much to the delight of those around them.

"That was beautiful," she says when their lips part, beaming at him.

[theodorelasso]

"Was it? I'm glad, I wasn't able to pay that much attention to how I was singing," he answers with a deep chuckle. There's definitely a bit of a blush on his cheeks, even if it's not obvious in the low lighting.

[formersurgeon]

"It was perfect," she says, and kisses him again, more quickly this time so that they can return to their seats.

When they get back to the couch Keeley pops up with a squeal and practically tackles Ted with a hug. Joan laughs, glancing at Roy, who looks gruffly amused.

[theodorelasso]

Oh, holy smokes, Ted was not expecting that, but he does manage to catch Keeley somehow, hugging her back while laughing. He catches sight of Rebecca too, who's obviously not quite as outwardly enthusiastic as Keeley, but who's smiling warmly and looking very happy for him.

"I feel bad for whoever has to follow that up," Keeley says quietly to both Ted and Joan, once she makes it back to her own seat.

And, of course, Beard is there to take the bullet for everyone. Though it's in no way a step down, because now Joan gets to see his famed rendition of 'Bad Romance'.

[formersurgeon]

And it is glorious. Joan is laughing and clapping and cheering as Beard absolutely slays. Once he's done and she's done applauding, she slips her hand into Ted's and leans against him with a happy sigh. It feels so good to be touching, to be together.

[theodorelasso]

Ted squeezes her hand and leans over to talk into her ear. "You wanna head home soon?"

He knows several of these people will stay and party and drink long into the night, but he's reaching the point where he'd rather just be somewhere quiet, just him and Joan. There's been a lot of excitement for today.

[formersurgeon]

"Definitely. Your place?"

If they sneak out now they might also avoid too much attention from everyone wanting to congratulate them and wish Ted the best. Joan will have to return to Baker Street eventually to help with the case, but she fully intends to spend some quality quiet time with Ted before she does so.