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monaboyd Oct. 22nd, 2005 12:07 pm)
dylan-dufresne.livejournal.com posting in monaboyd Oct. 22nd, 2005 12:07 pm)Title: Mistake Number Three - 5/19
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
dylan_dufresne
Pairing: BB/DM
Rating: PG-14
Summary: Morning arrives and with it, a new set of problems and challenges.
Feedback: Would be greatly appreciated as it’s my drug of choice.
Disclaimer: Not at all true in reality.
A/N: Warning of angst. Beta'd byfrojane. Thanks sweetie. I’d be lost without you.
A/N 2: Happiness is an exploding email box. Wow.
Previous Parts: Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Billy is in the kitchen, stirring some honey into a chipped cup of hot tea when he hears movement in the bedroom. Dropping the spoon in the sink, Billy picks up a small bowl with one hand, the cup of tea with the other, and walks back over to where he left Dom sleeping. Setting the bowl on the nightstand, Billy carefully perches on the edge of the bed and watches Dom’s eyes slowly flutter open.
“Hey.”
“Hey,” Dom rasps.
Billy smiles gently. “How’re you feeling?”
“What the bleeding Hell did you give me?” Dom asks, blinking several times in an attempt to get his eyes to focus. “My head-”
“Back when I was in uni, I used to get some pretty bad migraine headaches. I have a prescription for a painkiller with a sedative,” Billy explains softly as he brushes Dom’s hair out of his eyes. “That’s what I gave you.”
“Oh.”
“So, how’re you feeling?” Billy repeats before taking a sip of his tea.
“It really fucking hurts,” Dom admits limply, head sliding off the pillow, his cheek resting against the mattress.
“Okay.”
Setting his tea down, Billy picks up the prescription bottle and starts to open it.
“No,” Dom says softly. “I can’t take anymore of those.”
“How about some Paracetamol?” Billy suggests.
Silently, Dom nods, and Billy then reaches over to the nightstand to grab the other bottle he’d brought. After the pills have been swallowed, Dom looks closer at Billy. There are dark smudges under his eyes, his clothes are wrinkled and he needs a shave.
“No offense, but you look like shite, Billy,” he says. “Have you been here all night?”
“You thought I’d go home and leave you here all alone?” Billy asks incredulously, eyes wide with surprise. “After what happened?”
Closing his eyes, Dom doesn’t reply.
“Are you hungry?”
The sharp intake of breath answers Billy’s question, and he picks up the bowl he placed on the nightstand a few minutes ago. Curious, Dom slowly and carefully pushes himself up onto his elbows to see what it is.
“Porridge,” Billy tells him. “Eat up. It’s good for you.”
For a fraction of a second Dom wrinkles his nose, but then takes the proffered spoon, not missing the look Billy gives him. Saying no is clearly not an option. They don’t speak again until the bowl is empty and a bottle of water has been consumed.
“You should’ve told me,” Billy says softly, bringing the cup of sweetened tea to Dom’s lips so he can take a sip.
Looking up at Billy and meeting his eyes, Dom swallows the mouthful of warm liquid. “I’ll be okay.”
Bracing his hands on the mattress, Dom starts to push himself up, smothering the pain as best he can.
“Hey! Where the feck do you think you’re going?” Billy demands, fingers wrapping around Dom’s bicep to hold him in place after he quickly puts down the cup of tea.
“The loo,” Dom replies dryly.
“Oh. Sorry.”
Billy notices that Dom doesn’t refuse his help as he slowly slides off the bed and awkwardly stands up. Suddenly lightheaded, Dom starts to stumble sideways, and ends up pressed fully against Billy, his breath moist against Billy’s neck.
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay. Just take it easy,” Billy tells him, slouching down a little so his shoulder tucks under Dom’s arm, his other hand splayed across Dom’s bare stomach. “You don’t have to hurry.”
They look down at at the same time, realizing Dom’s state of undress.
“Good thing you’ve already seen me starkers, yeah?” Dom jokes breathlessly, giving Billy a tiny smile.
“Do you want to try walking?” Billy asks, wishing that he could wrap his arms around Dom’s waist to help support him. Hold him. Take away his injuries and the pain Dom is obviously enduring in silence.
“Yeah,” Dom replies with a nod, heart pounding at Billy’s proximity.
Their lips are mere inches away, warm breath mingling. Blinking, Dom forces his emotions back under control as Billy helps him across the room, past the pile of stained linen and into the small loo.
“Do you want some privacy, or do you need me to stay?” Billy asks quietly, not sure that Dom can remain standing on his own.
“Oh I’ll be-” Dom words are cut off when his knees suddenly buckle.
“Whoa!” Billy cries out as his arms are suddenly full with a very wobbly and naked Dom.
“Uh, stay?” Dom asks sheepishly.
“Of course.”
A few minutes later Dom is back in bed, Billy carefully drawing the blankets up to his waist. It’s only then that he looks at his watch and grimaces.
“I have to go open the shop. I’m sorry.”
“That’s okay,” Dom replies. “I’ll be fine.”
“I want you to stay in bed,” Billy instructs. “I’ll be back in a few hours to check on you.”
“I can’t,” Dom protests. “I have to-”
“You have to rest,” Billy interrupts firmly. “You’re in no condition to be doing anything else.”
“Billy, I appreciate what you did for me last night, but I have to get that m-”
“This isn’t up for discussion. You’re not going back out there.”
“But Billy-”
When Billy’s hand hits the nightstand, the bowl and spoon rattle because of the force of the blow. Surprised at the severity of Billy’s actions, Dom flinches visibly. Pulling his hand away, Billy points to the stack of bills now laying there.
“Fine. There you go. I’m paying for your time,” he says tightly. “And I want you to stay right where you are.”
Saying these words to Dom hurts him, as Billy’s never treated him like this before, like he’s entitled to talk to Dom anyway he wants because he’s paying. He’s always been gentle and respectful; a friend, not just a customer. Billy knows he’s hurt Dom when he looks away and closes his eyes.
“I’m sorry, but you need to rest, Dom,” Billy continues, softer now.
Saying nothing, Dom’s eyes are now open, but he refuses to meet Billy’s gaze. The muscle in his cheek jumps as his jaw clenches.
“Please, Dom,” Billy asks gently. “Give your poor body some time to heal. It’s been through so much.”
Finally, Dom looks up through a curtain of eyelashes, his lower lip red from where he’s bitten down on it.
“Okay.”
“I’m leaving you my mobile. I’ve programmed speed dial one for the shop, so if you need anything, just press the button and ask for me, alright?” Billy requests, laying his cell phone on the mattress. “I’m not far.”
“I’ll be fine, Billy. You don’t have to-”
“Promise me,” Billy interrupts firmly. “And if I come back and find out that you’ve fallen or something because you didn’t call me, I’ll be right pissed at you.”
“Alright, I promise,” Dom replies quickly. “I’ll call.”
“I’ll see you in a few hours, okay?” Billy says with a reassuring smile.
Nodding, Dom obediently lays his head back down on his pillow and closes his eyes. Unable to stop himself, Billy reaches over and gently smoothes back Dom’s hair.
“Just rest.”
After picking up the bundle of blood stained linen in the corner and tucking it into his duffle bag along with the carrier bag filled with used medical supplies, Billy slips the strap over his shoulder.
“I’ll see you later.”
Dom holds his breath until he hears the key turn in the lock of the front door, and Billy’s steps fade away. Knowing that Billy stayed with him all night, caring for him, so gently, overwhelms him, and Dom finds his eyes filling with tears, a sob rising in his throat.
Having someone show concern and take care of him is so foreign to Dom that he doesn’t know how to deal with the emotions washing over him. Everybody wants something. That’s what the last four years has taught him, over and over again. The one exception, in all that time, is Billy.
In the tender care he’s lavished on Dom in the last twelve hours, Billy’s given him so much, and asked for nothing in return. How different last night was in comparison to the one before.
Burying his face in the pillow, Dom lets himself cry.
* * * * *
Dom opens his eyes when he hears the key in the lock of the front door. He brushes quickly at his eyes to ensure that they are dry and then settles back down on his pillow. When Billy walks into the bedroom, showered and shaved, they both smile.
“Hey. I thought you’d be sleeping,” Billy says. “Been awake long?”
“Just woke up, as a matter of fact.”
“Have a good sleep?”
“Yeah.”
“Good timing then.” Sitting down on the bed beside Dom, Billy shrugs out of his jacket and opens the brown paper bag he’s brought with him. “Hungry?”
“Actually, yeah.”
“Well, I didn’t know what you’d like,” Billy explains as he unpacks the bag. “I brought a bacon and cheese burger, and a roasted chicken sandwich. Which one do you want?”
“Burger’s good,” Dom replies, pushing himself up onto his elbows. “Thank you.”
Little is said as they eat, Billy insisting that Dom have the coleslaw and chips that he brought as well. Another bottle of water is consumed with more Paracetamol, and then Dom glances over his shoulder in the direction of the loo.
“Do you have any more tea here?” he asks suddenly, looking up at Billy.
Billy nods. “Yeah. Do you want some?”
“If you don’t mind.”
“Sure.”
Once Billy has disappeared into the kitchen, Dom slowly pushes back the blankets and carefully gets to his feet. His head is clear now, and he can walk on his own, albeit a bit stiffly. When he returns from the loo, pressure relieved, Billy is waiting for him.
“I would’ve helped you,” Billy says, gazing at Dom sympathetically. “Why didn’t you tell me you needed to get up?”
“I have to figure out how to manage on my own,” Dom replies matter of factly. “I need to get back to work soon.”
“Not now,” Billy says, eyes filled with concern. “Not today.”
“No.”
Dom knows better than to even suggest that he’s going to return to the street. There’s no way Billy will allow him out of his flat in his current condition, despite the urgency of replacing the money that was taken.
“Okay then.”
“Don’t you need to get back to the shop?” Dom asks after Billy helps him into bed and covers him.
“Yeah,” Billy admits reluctantly. “You going to be okay?”
“Fine.”
Quickly, Billy cleans up the wrappers from their food and tucks the brown bag under his arm. “Okay, I’ll see you later.”
“Billy, you don’t-”
“I’ll see you later,” Billy repeats, interrupting Dom’s protest. “You just take it easy.”
“Okay.”
With one last smile, Billy leaves Dom to rest.
* * * * *
Business at the book shop has been steady all day, and Billy has just finished with a customer when the front bell rings again, signaling another visitor. The lack of sleep the night before is beginning to take its toll, and Billy’s body aches for a long soak in the bathtub and a nap in his large, comfortable bed. Plastering on a smile, he looks up, only to gasp in surprise.
“Dom!”
“Hey,” Dom replies, looking uneasily around at the shop, the walls and rows of shelves blanketed in books. “Nice place.”
“Thank you.”
Closing the distance between them, Billy lays a hand on Dom’s forearm. It’s then that he realizes Dom is trembling, and a fine layer of sweat is dotting his brow.
“C’mere. Sit down,” Billy adds, leaning Dom through the shop towards the back room. “Mark, can you keep an eye on things?”
Looking over, Dom realizes a young man around his age is standing near the register, openly starting at him. Brown eyes wide, his gaze slides back and forth between Dom and Billy as he nods to Billy’s request, his mind evidently racing. It’s clear to Dom that he knows who Dom is. What he does. It was a mistake to come.
“I’m sorry,” Dom says softly. “I shouldn’t have come here. I’ll just get out of-”
“What?” Billy interrupts, brow furrowing. “No. It’s fine. C’mon.”
Leading Dom into his office, Billy settles him in a chair before closing the door, ensuring a bit of privacy.
“What’s wrong?” Billy asks, taking another chair from behind the desk and sitting down next to him. “Why didn’t you call me?”
“I need a favor.”
“Okay.”
Suppressing a grimace as he leans back a little, Dom digs into the front pocket of his low slung jeans. A moment later he produces an envelope, filled with cash.
“I don’t want this to get stolen, too,” Dom tells him. “Will you hold onto it for me? Just for a couple of days?”
“You got dressed and left your flat for this?” Billy asks, shaking his head sadly as Dom presses the envelope into his hand with shaking hands. “Dom-”
“It’s all I’ve got left,” Dom explains, his breath hitching. “It’s not safe at my flat. If you can’t, I under-”
“Dom, stop,” Billy requests. “Of course I’ll hold onto it. Why didn’t you call? You shouldn’t be walking around.”
“I’m okay.”
Making a decision, Billy stands up and walks behind the desk, placing Dom’s envelope in the safe and locking it securely. “There. It’s taken care of.”
Dom sighs softly with relief. “Thank you.”
“I want you to do something for me,” Billy continues, walking back over to Dom and helping him to his feet.
“What?”
“Come upstairs.”
There is a sharp intake of breath, and then Dom slowly nods, his eyes downcast. Everybody wants something, not that Billy isn’t entitled, considering everything he’s done for Dom. It’ll be tough, but he can manage it. Billy will be gentle.
“Yeah. Sure.”
Catching the look Dom is trying to hide in his eyes, Billy cringes internally, realizing his mistake. What Dom is probably thinking.
“Dom, no,” Billy says softly, gently squeezing his arm. “That’s not what I meant.”
Looking up, Dom frowns in confusion. “What?”
“I want you to lay down for a while,” Billy explains. “Get some rest. You look like you’re about to fall over.”
“Oh.” Embarrassed, Dom’s gaze falls to the floor.
“Let’s go,” Billy says quietly before opening the office door.
Shame colors Dom’s cheeks and he doesn’t look up again until they’ve climbed the flight of stairs to Billy’s flat above the book shop. At the doorway, he pauses, uncertainty and exhaustion battling for dominance in his head.
“Dom?”
Coming back to himself, Dom meets Billy’s reassuring gaze.
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay. C’mon in.”
Walking into the living room, Dom starts to head for the couch, but Billy’s hand on his arm stops him.
“Dom, wait. I didn’t bring you up here to sleep on a couch I’ve had since my second year of uni.” Leading Dom down the hall, he finally stops in front of an open door. “Spare room. It’s an older mattress, but it’s comfortable.”
“Thank you.”
“Loo is through that door if you need it,” Billy points out. “Kitchen is off the living room. If you get hungry, help yourself to anything in the fridge.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Dom-” Billy says, a warning tone in his voice.
“Okay.”
“I’ll be right downstairs if you need anything.”
Wordlessly, Dom nods before heeling off his scuffed trainers and settling on the bed face down, letting his weary eyes close. When Billy covers him with a blanket and places a bottle of water on the nightstand, Dom doesn’t react. He’s already asleep and doesn’t realize that Billy watches him for several minutes before going back downstairs, a plan quickly forming in his head.
* * * * *
Chapter 6
Author:
dylan_dufresne Pairing: BB/DM
Rating: PG-14
Summary: Morning arrives and with it, a new set of problems and challenges.
Feedback: Would be greatly appreciated as it’s my drug of choice.
Disclaimer: Not at all true in reality.
A/N: Warning of angst. Beta'd by
frojane. Thanks sweetie. I’d be lost without you.A/N 2: Happiness is an exploding email box. Wow.
Previous Parts: Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Billy is in the kitchen, stirring some honey into a chipped cup of hot tea when he hears movement in the bedroom. Dropping the spoon in the sink, Billy picks up a small bowl with one hand, the cup of tea with the other, and walks back over to where he left Dom sleeping. Setting the bowl on the nightstand, Billy carefully perches on the edge of the bed and watches Dom’s eyes slowly flutter open.
“Hey.”
“Hey,” Dom rasps.
Billy smiles gently. “How’re you feeling?”
“What the bleeding Hell did you give me?” Dom asks, blinking several times in an attempt to get his eyes to focus. “My head-”
“Back when I was in uni, I used to get some pretty bad migraine headaches. I have a prescription for a painkiller with a sedative,” Billy explains softly as he brushes Dom’s hair out of his eyes. “That’s what I gave you.”
“Oh.”
“So, how’re you feeling?” Billy repeats before taking a sip of his tea.
“It really fucking hurts,” Dom admits limply, head sliding off the pillow, his cheek resting against the mattress.
“Okay.”
Setting his tea down, Billy picks up the prescription bottle and starts to open it.
“No,” Dom says softly. “I can’t take anymore of those.”
“How about some Paracetamol?” Billy suggests.
Silently, Dom nods, and Billy then reaches over to the nightstand to grab the other bottle he’d brought. After the pills have been swallowed, Dom looks closer at Billy. There are dark smudges under his eyes, his clothes are wrinkled and he needs a shave.
“No offense, but you look like shite, Billy,” he says. “Have you been here all night?”
“You thought I’d go home and leave you here all alone?” Billy asks incredulously, eyes wide with surprise. “After what happened?”
Closing his eyes, Dom doesn’t reply.
“Are you hungry?”
The sharp intake of breath answers Billy’s question, and he picks up the bowl he placed on the nightstand a few minutes ago. Curious, Dom slowly and carefully pushes himself up onto his elbows to see what it is.
“Porridge,” Billy tells him. “Eat up. It’s good for you.”
For a fraction of a second Dom wrinkles his nose, but then takes the proffered spoon, not missing the look Billy gives him. Saying no is clearly not an option. They don’t speak again until the bowl is empty and a bottle of water has been consumed.
“You should’ve told me,” Billy says softly, bringing the cup of sweetened tea to Dom’s lips so he can take a sip.
Looking up at Billy and meeting his eyes, Dom swallows the mouthful of warm liquid. “I’ll be okay.”
Bracing his hands on the mattress, Dom starts to push himself up, smothering the pain as best he can.
“Hey! Where the feck do you think you’re going?” Billy demands, fingers wrapping around Dom’s bicep to hold him in place after he quickly puts down the cup of tea.
“The loo,” Dom replies dryly.
“Oh. Sorry.”
Billy notices that Dom doesn’t refuse his help as he slowly slides off the bed and awkwardly stands up. Suddenly lightheaded, Dom starts to stumble sideways, and ends up pressed fully against Billy, his breath moist against Billy’s neck.
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay. Just take it easy,” Billy tells him, slouching down a little so his shoulder tucks under Dom’s arm, his other hand splayed across Dom’s bare stomach. “You don’t have to hurry.”
They look down at at the same time, realizing Dom’s state of undress.
“Good thing you’ve already seen me starkers, yeah?” Dom jokes breathlessly, giving Billy a tiny smile.
“Do you want to try walking?” Billy asks, wishing that he could wrap his arms around Dom’s waist to help support him. Hold him. Take away his injuries and the pain Dom is obviously enduring in silence.
“Yeah,” Dom replies with a nod, heart pounding at Billy’s proximity.
Their lips are mere inches away, warm breath mingling. Blinking, Dom forces his emotions back under control as Billy helps him across the room, past the pile of stained linen and into the small loo.
“Do you want some privacy, or do you need me to stay?” Billy asks quietly, not sure that Dom can remain standing on his own.
“Oh I’ll be-” Dom words are cut off when his knees suddenly buckle.
“Whoa!” Billy cries out as his arms are suddenly full with a very wobbly and naked Dom.
“Uh, stay?” Dom asks sheepishly.
“Of course.”
A few minutes later Dom is back in bed, Billy carefully drawing the blankets up to his waist. It’s only then that he looks at his watch and grimaces.
“I have to go open the shop. I’m sorry.”
“That’s okay,” Dom replies. “I’ll be fine.”
“I want you to stay in bed,” Billy instructs. “I’ll be back in a few hours to check on you.”
“I can’t,” Dom protests. “I have to-”
“You have to rest,” Billy interrupts firmly. “You’re in no condition to be doing anything else.”
“Billy, I appreciate what you did for me last night, but I have to get that m-”
“This isn’t up for discussion. You’re not going back out there.”
“But Billy-”
When Billy’s hand hits the nightstand, the bowl and spoon rattle because of the force of the blow. Surprised at the severity of Billy’s actions, Dom flinches visibly. Pulling his hand away, Billy points to the stack of bills now laying there.
“Fine. There you go. I’m paying for your time,” he says tightly. “And I want you to stay right where you are.”
Saying these words to Dom hurts him, as Billy’s never treated him like this before, like he’s entitled to talk to Dom anyway he wants because he’s paying. He’s always been gentle and respectful; a friend, not just a customer. Billy knows he’s hurt Dom when he looks away and closes his eyes.
“I’m sorry, but you need to rest, Dom,” Billy continues, softer now.
Saying nothing, Dom’s eyes are now open, but he refuses to meet Billy’s gaze. The muscle in his cheek jumps as his jaw clenches.
“Please, Dom,” Billy asks gently. “Give your poor body some time to heal. It’s been through so much.”
Finally, Dom looks up through a curtain of eyelashes, his lower lip red from where he’s bitten down on it.
“Okay.”
“I’m leaving you my mobile. I’ve programmed speed dial one for the shop, so if you need anything, just press the button and ask for me, alright?” Billy requests, laying his cell phone on the mattress. “I’m not far.”
“I’ll be fine, Billy. You don’t have to-”
“Promise me,” Billy interrupts firmly. “And if I come back and find out that you’ve fallen or something because you didn’t call me, I’ll be right pissed at you.”
“Alright, I promise,” Dom replies quickly. “I’ll call.”
“I’ll see you in a few hours, okay?” Billy says with a reassuring smile.
Nodding, Dom obediently lays his head back down on his pillow and closes his eyes. Unable to stop himself, Billy reaches over and gently smoothes back Dom’s hair.
“Just rest.”
After picking up the bundle of blood stained linen in the corner and tucking it into his duffle bag along with the carrier bag filled with used medical supplies, Billy slips the strap over his shoulder.
“I’ll see you later.”
Dom holds his breath until he hears the key turn in the lock of the front door, and Billy’s steps fade away. Knowing that Billy stayed with him all night, caring for him, so gently, overwhelms him, and Dom finds his eyes filling with tears, a sob rising in his throat.
Having someone show concern and take care of him is so foreign to Dom that he doesn’t know how to deal with the emotions washing over him. Everybody wants something. That’s what the last four years has taught him, over and over again. The one exception, in all that time, is Billy.
In the tender care he’s lavished on Dom in the last twelve hours, Billy’s given him so much, and asked for nothing in return. How different last night was in comparison to the one before.
Burying his face in the pillow, Dom lets himself cry.
Dom opens his eyes when he hears the key in the lock of the front door. He brushes quickly at his eyes to ensure that they are dry and then settles back down on his pillow. When Billy walks into the bedroom, showered and shaved, they both smile.
“Hey. I thought you’d be sleeping,” Billy says. “Been awake long?”
“Just woke up, as a matter of fact.”
“Have a good sleep?”
“Yeah.”
“Good timing then.” Sitting down on the bed beside Dom, Billy shrugs out of his jacket and opens the brown paper bag he’s brought with him. “Hungry?”
“Actually, yeah.”
“Well, I didn’t know what you’d like,” Billy explains as he unpacks the bag. “I brought a bacon and cheese burger, and a roasted chicken sandwich. Which one do you want?”
“Burger’s good,” Dom replies, pushing himself up onto his elbows. “Thank you.”
Little is said as they eat, Billy insisting that Dom have the coleslaw and chips that he brought as well. Another bottle of water is consumed with more Paracetamol, and then Dom glances over his shoulder in the direction of the loo.
“Do you have any more tea here?” he asks suddenly, looking up at Billy.
Billy nods. “Yeah. Do you want some?”
“If you don’t mind.”
“Sure.”
Once Billy has disappeared into the kitchen, Dom slowly pushes back the blankets and carefully gets to his feet. His head is clear now, and he can walk on his own, albeit a bit stiffly. When he returns from the loo, pressure relieved, Billy is waiting for him.
“I would’ve helped you,” Billy says, gazing at Dom sympathetically. “Why didn’t you tell me you needed to get up?”
“I have to figure out how to manage on my own,” Dom replies matter of factly. “I need to get back to work soon.”
“Not now,” Billy says, eyes filled with concern. “Not today.”
“No.”
Dom knows better than to even suggest that he’s going to return to the street. There’s no way Billy will allow him out of his flat in his current condition, despite the urgency of replacing the money that was taken.
“Okay then.”
“Don’t you need to get back to the shop?” Dom asks after Billy helps him into bed and covers him.
“Yeah,” Billy admits reluctantly. “You going to be okay?”
“Fine.”
Quickly, Billy cleans up the wrappers from their food and tucks the brown bag under his arm. “Okay, I’ll see you later.”
“Billy, you don’t-”
“I’ll see you later,” Billy repeats, interrupting Dom’s protest. “You just take it easy.”
“Okay.”
With one last smile, Billy leaves Dom to rest.
Business at the book shop has been steady all day, and Billy has just finished with a customer when the front bell rings again, signaling another visitor. The lack of sleep the night before is beginning to take its toll, and Billy’s body aches for a long soak in the bathtub and a nap in his large, comfortable bed. Plastering on a smile, he looks up, only to gasp in surprise.
“Dom!”
“Hey,” Dom replies, looking uneasily around at the shop, the walls and rows of shelves blanketed in books. “Nice place.”
“Thank you.”
Closing the distance between them, Billy lays a hand on Dom’s forearm. It’s then that he realizes Dom is trembling, and a fine layer of sweat is dotting his brow.
“C’mere. Sit down,” Billy adds, leaning Dom through the shop towards the back room. “Mark, can you keep an eye on things?”
Looking over, Dom realizes a young man around his age is standing near the register, openly starting at him. Brown eyes wide, his gaze slides back and forth between Dom and Billy as he nods to Billy’s request, his mind evidently racing. It’s clear to Dom that he knows who Dom is. What he does. It was a mistake to come.
“I’m sorry,” Dom says softly. “I shouldn’t have come here. I’ll just get out of-”
“What?” Billy interrupts, brow furrowing. “No. It’s fine. C’mon.”
Leading Dom into his office, Billy settles him in a chair before closing the door, ensuring a bit of privacy.
“What’s wrong?” Billy asks, taking another chair from behind the desk and sitting down next to him. “Why didn’t you call me?”
“I need a favor.”
“Okay.”
Suppressing a grimace as he leans back a little, Dom digs into the front pocket of his low slung jeans. A moment later he produces an envelope, filled with cash.
“I don’t want this to get stolen, too,” Dom tells him. “Will you hold onto it for me? Just for a couple of days?”
“You got dressed and left your flat for this?” Billy asks, shaking his head sadly as Dom presses the envelope into his hand with shaking hands. “Dom-”
“It’s all I’ve got left,” Dom explains, his breath hitching. “It’s not safe at my flat. If you can’t, I under-”
“Dom, stop,” Billy requests. “Of course I’ll hold onto it. Why didn’t you call? You shouldn’t be walking around.”
“I’m okay.”
Making a decision, Billy stands up and walks behind the desk, placing Dom’s envelope in the safe and locking it securely. “There. It’s taken care of.”
Dom sighs softly with relief. “Thank you.”
“I want you to do something for me,” Billy continues, walking back over to Dom and helping him to his feet.
“What?”
“Come upstairs.”
There is a sharp intake of breath, and then Dom slowly nods, his eyes downcast. Everybody wants something, not that Billy isn’t entitled, considering everything he’s done for Dom. It’ll be tough, but he can manage it. Billy will be gentle.
“Yeah. Sure.”
Catching the look Dom is trying to hide in his eyes, Billy cringes internally, realizing his mistake. What Dom is probably thinking.
“Dom, no,” Billy says softly, gently squeezing his arm. “That’s not what I meant.”
Looking up, Dom frowns in confusion. “What?”
“I want you to lay down for a while,” Billy explains. “Get some rest. You look like you’re about to fall over.”
“Oh.” Embarrassed, Dom’s gaze falls to the floor.
“Let’s go,” Billy says quietly before opening the office door.
Shame colors Dom’s cheeks and he doesn’t look up again until they’ve climbed the flight of stairs to Billy’s flat above the book shop. At the doorway, he pauses, uncertainty and exhaustion battling for dominance in his head.
“Dom?”
Coming back to himself, Dom meets Billy’s reassuring gaze.
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay. C’mon in.”
Walking into the living room, Dom starts to head for the couch, but Billy’s hand on his arm stops him.
“Dom, wait. I didn’t bring you up here to sleep on a couch I’ve had since my second year of uni.” Leading Dom down the hall, he finally stops in front of an open door. “Spare room. It’s an older mattress, but it’s comfortable.”
“Thank you.”
“Loo is through that door if you need it,” Billy points out. “Kitchen is off the living room. If you get hungry, help yourself to anything in the fridge.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Dom-” Billy says, a warning tone in his voice.
“Okay.”
“I’ll be right downstairs if you need anything.”
Wordlessly, Dom nods before heeling off his scuffed trainers and settling on the bed face down, letting his weary eyes close. When Billy covers him with a blanket and places a bottle of water on the nightstand, Dom doesn’t react. He’s already asleep and doesn’t realize that Billy watches him for several minutes before going back downstairs, a plan quickly forming in his head.
Chapter 6
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*sigh* poor Dommie.
i'm so glad Billy has taken Dom to his apartment. he's going to have Dom move in, isn't he?
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This was so heart-warming. I love Billy caring for him, I love Dom's skittishness, I love the whole feeling of being guarded and almost wary that I get from both of them.
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Yay
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No hints. Sorry.
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So happy that you're enjoying.
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He needs it. Glad you're loving it.
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You know better than to ask what is going to happen next. Heeeeeee.
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So happy that you're loving.
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Thanks for another good chapter. :)
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Thanks so much.
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There's something I wanted to ask: Is the title some kind of allusion (hope I got the right word from my dictionary) to Pretty Woman? I seem to remember something about rules for prostitutes. Like, don't kiss, never without a condom and don't fall in love.
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Dom's life must be even worse than I'd imagined, if he's determined to go out there again right away. I wonder how well Billy really understands this--has he been so distant from it until now that he simply accepts it? Or does he have similar experiences, in any way (any brutal job that takes advantage of you), that let him know Dom's mindset?
Billy shouldn't let Dom out of his sight again until Dom promises never to go back to work in the streets. And ultimately they live happily ever after. *nods*
Looking forward to tomorrow, prepared for more angst. :)
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I was working hard, writing away, but didn't have a title. I wasn't too worried, because I often don't have a title while I'm writing. The folder for this fic was called 'Rent Boy' forever. And then my beta sent me an mp3 of a song called 'Mistake No. 3' by Culture Club. I read the lyrics and something about it spoke to me. It was the final touch I was looking for.
How it all works with this fic, you'll have to wait and see. :) And I suddenly have an urge to watch Pretty Woman, because I haven't seen it in years. Hee.
Happy that you're enjoying.
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yeah, they'll understand.
*sigh*
off to check email and then get back to work. (lmfao... a sherriff officer is here in starbucks. eep. i really hope i can get back iny the apt.)
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no worries. i wasn't really expecting any :)
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Another installment tomorrow. :)
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You have to have priorities, yeah? Hee.
Work. Ugh. Behave around the Sherrif.
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I finally found a key :)
And I'm curious about said plan, naturally ;)
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