monaboyd | Mistake Number Three

Title: Mistake Number Three - 9/19
Author:

dylan_dufresne
Pairing: BB/DM
Rating: PG-14
Summary: As the neighborhood reacts, Dom receives some news, an evening out ends unexpectedly, and Dom grows more confident in making his own choices.
Feedback: Would be greatly appreciated as it’s my drug of choice. I’m like Charlie and heroin. Give me a fix?
Disclaimer: Not at all true in reality.
A/N: Another warning of angst. Beta'd by

frojane. Thanks so much sweetie. Lots and lots of hugs to you.
Previous Parts: Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Since Dom’s energy level is still not what it should be, Billy starts Dom in the shop slowly, just a few hours at first, and then building from there. There is an awkward moment when Mark arrives for work on Monday morning and Dom is suddenly overcome with nerves, but then Mark graciously welcomes him to what he jokingly refers to as ‘Boyd’s Towering Piles of Books,’ and within minutes they are on their way to becoming fast friends.

Thankful that Mark eagerly volunteers to show Dom around while things are quiet, Billy tells them he’ll be in his office doing paperwork. He later smothers a laugh when he hears them bantering heatedly about Man U versus Chelsea during a lull between customers. It feels good to hear Dom laugh, and it fills Billy with peace to know that Dom is settling in and starting to find his way.

Word in the small neighborhood has spread with remarkable speed, and within half a day of Dom starting at the shop, a fair number of people drop by, making no effort to hide their curiosity, supposedly perusing the shelves of books while casting glances at Dom from the corner of their judgmental eyes. There are no odd remarks or looks of disdain, however, much to Dom’s surprise, as he had prepared himself for them. Expected them. In Dom’s opinion, that is due in large part to Billy staying very close, arms folded over his chest and eyes sharp, almost daring someone to utter a single, negative word. The message is crystal clear. Leave Dom alone, or deal with me. You don’t like it, there’s the door. The only time he softens is when he looks at Dom, and smiles reassuringly.

Overcome by Billy’s fierce protectiveness of him, Dom is grateful to slip away after his shift and hide in his room until he can force his emotions under control and wipe away the tears that threaten to fall. As expected, the first day is the hardest. The next day is better, as is the one after that. Message sent and received, Dom quickly becomes old news, much to Billy’s relief. The sooner Dom can leave his past behind, the better, so he can move forward.

Wanting to make Billy proud, and not regret hiring him, Dom works hard in the book shop, learning quickly. He protests when Billy insists that he take it easy, but agrees when the exhaustion gets to be too much. Determined to learn all he can and be of use, Dom takes homework upstairs each day, reviewing and familiarizing himself with various areas of the shop.

All things considered, life runs relatively smoothly until Friday night, when Billy comes upstairs to find Dom huddled in a corner in his bedroom, knees hugged to his chest, two envelopes clutched in a tight fist. Billy knows something is very wrong, especially since Dom is wearing his old clothes again, like a protective shield. The newer clothes that he’d been wearing earlier have been tossed into a corner, as far away as possible.

“Dom?” Billy says softly, lingering in the doorway, his brow furrowed in concern. “What’s going on?”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Dom asks shakily, looking up at Billy with damp and fearful eyes.

“Tell you what?”

Confused and concerned, Billy steps inside the bedroom and sinks to his knees at Dom’s feet.

Limbs trembling violently, Dom offers the envelopes he’s holding, forcing his fingers to relax enough so Billy can take them. It’s only when Billy spots the return address that he cringes internally, realizing what Dom is talking about. Why he is so upset. It’s the results of Dom’s blood test. And his own.

“You didn’t tell me that you were sick,” Dom adds as tears flood his eyes. “That I gave you-”

“Whoa! Hold on, Dom,” Billy interrupts, sliding closer, free hand resting on Dom’s knee. “That’s not why I did it, I promise. Viggo just wanted to be sure.”

“You told him?” Dom whispers, eyes wide with stunned disbelief. “That we- That you paid-”

“I didn’t have to. He figured it out on his own,” Billy replies gently. “Viggo knows me pretty well.”

Finding the envelope with his name on it, Billy quickly tears it open and scans the contents. Smiling gently, he offers the piece of paper to Dom.

“See? I’m fine. Nothing to worry about.”

Covering his face with his hands, Dom swallows a sob of relief and blinks rapidly in an attempt to compose himself. A minute later he takes his hands away and meets Billy’s worried gaze.

“I saw the envelope and then I was so scared that I’d given you something,” Dom admits tearfully, brushing at his damp eyes. “After everything you’ve done for me. I just-”

“I really thought it would be fine since we always used protection, Dom, and I didn’t want you to worry about it,” Billy soothes. “I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s fine,” Dom replies quickly. “You’re okay. That’s what matters.”

“So, one down, one to go,” Billy says, offering Dom’s envelope back to him. “Are you ready?”

Shaking his head, Dom takes the envelope, gripping it so tightly that he creases the paper.

“Do I have to open it now?” he asks in a small voice.

“No, but I’m not letting you out of my sight until you do,” Billy replies firmly, laying a hand on Dom’s knee again. “You’re not going to be alone, Dom. I’m going to be right here with you.”

Two, very long, tense minutes pass before Dom finally slides his index finger under the flap and breaks the seal of the small envelope. Taking a deep breath, he pulls out the single sheet of paper and unfolds it. A few seconds later, his eyes are overflowing with tears, a ragged sob bubbling up in his throat. Dropping the paper into his lap, Dom covers his face again and curls into a tight ball.

Scrambling closer, Billy wraps his arms around Dom’s trembling shoulders, pulling the younger man tightly to his chest. Heart aching, Billy fights back his own tears, fear twisting his stomach into knots.

“It’s alright, Dom,” Billy murmurs, tucking Dom’s head under his chin and stroking his hair. “We’ll talk to Viggo. Get you the best doctors, medication, everything. It’ll be okay.”

“No,” Dom says, his voice muffled against Billy’s neck, silky hair brushing against Billy’s jaw line.

“Dom, this isn’t up for debate,” Billy insists. “There are lots of treatments-”

“No, look,” Dom says, reaching down to grab the wrinkled piece of paper and pushing it under Billy’s nose until he takes it.

Scanning it, Billy’s eyes widen.

“Negative,” he whispers. “Everything’s negative.”

Meeting Dom’s eyes, he realizes that they are full of joyful tears and that he is smiling. Idly, Billy wonders how it is that Dom keeps ending up in his arms, and how much he wants to throw rational thought out the window and bring their lips together in a joyful, celebratory kiss. He wonders if Dom’s rosy lips taste as good as they look, and decides that they're probably even better.

“I can’t believe it,” Dom says, eyes almost glazed, he’s so overwhelmed. “It’s over. It’s really, really over. I’m free.”

“Yes, you are,” Billy agrees, playfully ruffling Dom’s hair. “And now it’s time to celebrate.”

“What?” Dom asks, struggling to sit up.

Reluctantly allowing Dom to slip out of his embrace, Billy smiles warmly. “You just got some great news. Now we celebrate. Dinner. Anywhere you want. Anything.”

Nodding firmly, Billy rises and then offers Dom a hand.

“Anything?” Dom repeats in surprise as he stands up. “Billy-”

“Don’t argue with me, please,” Billy requests. “This is big, Dom. It deserves some recognition.”

“Well, it’s good news for both of us, so how about we find a place that we both like,” Dom replies, ducking his head shyly. “You know what I like, but I don’t know what you like. If you think about it Billy, there’s a lot I don’t know about you.”

“You’re right,” Billy realizes. “I haven’t told you much about me at all, have I?”

“You didn’t even tell me that you used to sleep with Viggo,” Dom adds, secretly enjoying the rather unmanly squeak of surprise that escapes Billy’s perfect, bow shaped lips.

“How did you know that?” he finally manages to ask, shaking his head in disbelief. “Did he tell you?”

“No, I saw the way he looked at you, that’s all,” Dom replies with a shrug. “It was pretty obvious, Billy.”

“Okay. First things first. Dinner,” Billy states, swiftly changing the subject. “What do you feel like?”

“I don’t know.”

“Thai? Italian? Sushi? Steak and lobster? Scrambled eggs and bacon?”

“What would you like?” Dom asks, looking pointedly at Billy. “You know I like almost anything. Except porridge. That’s the only thing I’ll say no to tonight.”

“Well, pizza worked well for us before,” Billy says with a light laugh. “What do you say?”

“With beer?” Dom’s eyebrow arches suspiciously.

Billy grins. “Aye, with beer.”

“Give me ten minutes to change my clothes and wash my face?” Dom requests, drawing the back of his hand across his tear stained cheek.

“Deal.”

An invisible weight has been lifted from Dom’s slender shoulders, and it’s almost as though he’s floating as they walk down the street to dinner, his cheeks bright from the chill in the air. While they are at the restaurant, Billy allows himself to lose himself in a fantasy that he and Dom are on a date, and not just out as friends. The mood is light and easy, the hours passing far too quickly as pizza and beer are ingested, and humorous stories of their youth exchanged.

It becomes very evident that Dom has indulged a wee bit too much when he needs some help getting up from the booth at the back of the restaurant. Worried that Dom might fall down and hurt himself, Billy slides an arm under Dom’s jacket and around his narrow waist to steady him as they walk back to the book shop. It’s not until Billy is attempting to hold Dom up and get his key into the lock at the top of the stairs that Dom mentions his level of inebriation.

“Hey Billy?” he says, breath warm and moist against Billy’s neck.

“Yeah?”

Dom frowns for a moment as he thinks carefully to form the words. “I think I’m a wee bit drunk.”

At the slightly unfocused look in Dom’s eyes and crooked grin, Billy can’t help but smile.

“Dom, you’re more than a wee bit drunk. You’re sloshed.”

“I’m sorry,” Dom sighs, leaning even more heavily on Billy.

“It’s okay,” Billy says with a laugh. “Don’t worry about it.”

“I don’t know what happened. I used to be able to hold m-”

Knees buckling, Dom starts to slide down to the floor, but Billy tightens his hold around his waist, pulling their bodies together from shoulders to knees.

“Hold onto me, Dom,” Billy requests with a laugh, guiding Dom’s long arms over his shoulders. “If you fall, I don’t know if I’ll be able to pick you up again.”

Dom nuzzles into Billy’s neck and sighs again. “I’m sorry.”

Smothering a groan, Billy tries to ignore the effect Dom’s proximity is having on his body. For the second time in one night, Dom has ended up in his arms, causing heat to pool, low in Billy’s belly and his trousers to pull very tight. “It’s alright. Let’s just get you inside.”

Somehow, Billy manages to maneuver Dom down the hall and into his bedroom without too much trouble, Dom’s occasional bouts of drunken giggles making him smile. Keeping a hand on Dom’s waist, Billy quickly peels off Dom’s jacket and lets it drop to the floor before walking Dom over to the bed.

“Can you manage-”

“Eh, I’ll sleep in my clothes,” Dom says unsteadily, waving Billy off. “Don’t worry about it.”

“At least get your trousers off,” Billy replies, holding Dom firmly at his hips as he awkwardly heels off his trainers and kicks them aside. “You’ll be more comfortable.”

Biting down on his lower lip for a moment, Billy unbuttons Dom’s blue jeans and carefully lowers the zipper. Pointedly not looking down, Billy pushes the denim over Dom’s hips, thumbs brushing the warm, smooth, tantalizing skin, and he swallows a gasp when he feels the material thump to the floor. Drunk and now half-naked, Dom is gazing at him with soft eyes and a sleepy, inviting smile.

“Ever notice that I keep ending up starkers with you Billy?” he asks with a sigh, swaying unsteadily. “I just thought of that.”

“C’mon,” Billy manages to say. “Let’s get you into bed.”

Pulling back the coverlet, Billy sits Dom on the mattress and then covers his nudity with the sheet before kneeling to pull off the denim pooled at Dom’s ankles.

“Don’t move, okay?” Billy requests. “I’ll be right back.”

In less than a minute, Billy makes a quick trip to the loo, returning with a large glass of water and a bottle of Paracetamol. Two pills are tapped out onto Billy’s palm and offered to Dom.

“Take these.”

“What?” Dom says, struggling to focus as his eyelids grow heavy. “No pills, Billy.”

“They’re so you won’t have a headache in the morning.”

“Oh right. I’m going to have a hangover, aren’t I?” Dom asks with a whimper. “Fuck, Billy. I have to work tomorrow.”

“I’ll talk to your boss,” Billy says with a teasing smile. “Now take these.”

Obediently, Dom swallows the pills down with nearly half the glass of water. After finally placing the glass on the nightstand, Dom starts to fall back onto the mattress, but Billy grips his biceps to hold him up.

“Not on your back, Dom,” he cautions. “On your tummy.”

Nodding sleepily, Dom turns onto his stomach, not noticing or caring that the sheet falls back, giving Billy a rather spectacular view of his bare arse. Settling into his pillow, Dom sighs when Billy draws the sheet and coverlet up to his shoulders, completely oblivious to the desire burning in Billy’s intense green eyes. Looking at Dom for a long, quiet moment, Billy brushes Dom’s hair off his face and then reaches over to the nightstand to turn off the alarm clock.

“Sleep well,” he murmurs gently.

At the doorway, Dom’s drowsy voice interrupts the quiet.

“Billy?”

“Aye?”

“I had a really good time tonight. Thank you.”

“I’m glad,” Billy replies softly. “See you in the morning.”

“Billy?”

“Aye?”

Dom doesn’t answer, because he’s fallen asleep with a sweetly innocent smile on his face.

Ten minutes later, Billy is stretched out in his own bed, fist and firm belly slick with come, Dom’s name ghosting over his lips. He falls asleep with the intoxicating smell of Dom in his lungs and the memory of Dom’s warm breath on his skin.

* * * * *

It’s after ten when Dom awakens, head heavy and tongue fuzzy from the alcohol ingested the night before. Because of the pills and water Billy made him take before passing out, Dom is fortunately headache free, though he needs to visit the loo rather desperately. Splashing some water on his face and brushing his teeth, Dom dresses quickly and hurries downstairs, an apology on his lips for being late. Billy looks up from his desk and merely smiles when Dom enters, looking rather contrite.

“Well, good morning.”

“Billy, I-”

“How’s your head?” Billy interrupts.

Dom blushes. “Good. Thanks.”

“Are you up to running an errand with me?” Billy asks. “It’s been quiet this morning, so I thought you might like to join me.”

“Shouldn’t I get to work?” Dom asks, glancing over his shoulder, brow furrowing in surprise.

“Mark is here. It won’t take long.”

“Uh, okay.”

“Go get your jacket,” Billy tells him. “It’s cold out.”

Billy offers no further explanation until they walk into the bank and over to the new accounts section.

“Billy, what are we doing here?” Dom asks, looking around.

“It’s payday,” Billy replies, handing him an envelope. “You need a bank account so you deposit your paycheque.” Reaching into his jacket pocket, Billy then pulls out the envelope of cash that Dom had asked him to hold onto. “I also thought you’d like to have a safe place for this.”

“Keep it. I know it won’t cover the money you’ve spent, but it’ll help,” Dom says to Billy with a shrug. “It’s your money now.”

“No, Dom. It’s not mine,” Billy says, shaking his head and pressing the envelope firmly into Dom’s hands. “You earned it, it’s your money.”

Staying at Dom’s side to offer support if and when it’s needed, Billy helps him fill out the necessary paperwork, giving Dom some privacy while he sets up a PIN number for his account. It’s not until they are back at the book shop that Dom tries again to give Billy the money.

“No, Dom,” Billy says firmly, closing the office door behind him so Mark won’t overhear their private conversation. “I won’t take it.”

“Then how about a compromise?” Dom requests.

“I’m listening,” Billy says cautiously.

Carefully, Dom counts out a small pile of bills.

“That’s what you left on my nightstand, to make me stay in bed,” Dom says quietly. “I didn’t earn that. I’d like to give it back.”

“Dom-”

Finally, Dom looks up to meet Billy’s gaze, his eyes filled with pleading. “Please,” he says softly. “I need to do this.”

Brow furrowing, Billy finally sighs and nods, respecting Dom’s wishes. “Okay, but the rest you keep. It’s yours. You do what you want with it, except give it to me.”

“Okay.”

* * * * *

When Billy rises on Monday morning, he is surprised to discover Dom already dressed and making tea in the kitchen. After breakfast, Dom tells him that he has an appointment, but that he’ll be back in time for his shift at the shop. Curious, but trying to respect Dom’s privacy, Billy agrees, insisting that Dom borrow a pair of gloves and a scarf as the temperature outside is quite chilly. It’s the middle of November now, and winter has definitely set in.

Billy doesn’t like to think about where Dom would be now, if he was still working on the street. Part of him has to admit that Dom would likely be homeless, quite possibly dead, from what Viggo said. That thought causes Billy’s breath to catch, and he turns away to hide the brightness in his eyes. He doesn’t want Dom to think that he pities him, because he doesn’t. Every day Billy is amazed at the strength and courage that Dom displays, pushing himself forward, even though he is unsure and often scared.

It’s nearly three hours later when Dom returns, looking a bit tired, but happy, his arms loaded down with books and paperwork. At Billy’s look of surprise, Dom smiles and hands Billy a folded piece of paper from his pocket. It’s a tuition receipt from a local sixth form college.

“You’re going back to school,” Billy realizes, his eyes lighting up as he gives Dom a smile. “That’s great, Dom.”

“I’m going to try,” Dom replies with a nervous smile. “I’ve applied to take my A levels again, but because I’ve been out of school so long I need to write an entrance exam. They actually have classes to help prepare you, so that’s what these are for,” he continues, gesturing to the stack of textbooks in his arms. “Classes are at night so it won’t affect me working at the shop.”

“At night?”

Part of Billy is disappointed, knowing that he’s losing time that they could spend together, but the other part of him is very proud of Dom for taking such an important step.

“Three nights a week, for three hours,” Dom says. “Monday, Wednesday and an extra studying session on Thursday, if I want. If I pass and I’m accepted into the course, I can start the A level classes in January.”

“This is really great, Dom. Really. If there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know, okay?” Billy requests. “Please.”

“I’ll need someone to quiz me later on, before the exam-”

“Absolutely,” Billy interrupts. “And if you need extra time off, we’ll work something out.”

“Thanks, Billy.”

“Now get to work,” Billy teases. “Mark needs to go to some seminar this afternoon.”

“Sure thing, boss,” Dom replies with a grin. “Just need to take these books upstairs.”

Dom is more than halfway up the stairs before Billy finally recognizes what he saw reflected in Dom’s deep, blue-grey eyes. It’s something he’s never seen in Dom before.

Just the faintest trace of hope.

* * * * *

A routine is quickly established as Dom devotes every free moment he has away from the shop to attending class and studying for the entrance exam. Billy insists on driving Dom to and from the school for his classes, and for once, Dom doesn’t fight him on it. Though they don’t say it out loud, they’re thinking the very same thing. What if Dom were to run into a former customer, one who may not want to take no for an answer? Dom may be healing, rather well, actually, but he’s still weak. The solution is simple, and Dom recognizes Billy’s need to ensure his safety, not wanting to face that situation if he can help it.

It becomes commonplace for Billy to find Dom hunched over the coffee table in the living room when he comes upstairs for dinner after closing up the shop for the night. Honoring the requirements of their living arrangement without complaint, Dom takes care of preparing his share of the meals and the required clean up, but he almost always eats with a textbook in his lap, reading and making notes.

Watching Dom quietly from the kitchen, Billy longs for the time they usually spend together, much more than he expected he would. In the short time they’ve lived together, Dom has slipped into nearly every part of Billy’s life, the sole exception being his bed. When Dom’s back no longer requires bandaging, their time is diminished even further, and Billy misses the minutes where he has the chance to touch Dom without it appearing inappropriate.

One night, after tossing and turning for nearly two hours, Billy rolls out of bed, deciding that a cup of tea might help him relax and go to sleep. Walking quietly down the hall, Billy is surprised to discover Dom still sitting at the coffee table, arms folded into a makeshift pillow over a textbook, fast asleep. Kneeling at Dom’s side, Billy strokes the mussed, dark blonde hair off of Dom’s face before gently rubbing his shoulder.

“Dom?” he says softly. “Wake up.”

“Hmmm?”

“It’s really late, Dom,” Billy says as Dom’s eyes flutter open. “You should go to bed.”

Sitting up and scrubbing his hands over his face, Dom blinks rapidly. “What time is it?” he asks sleepily.

“Almost half one.”

“Oh, shite. I didn’t wake you, did I?” Dom asks as he struggles to stand up.

Long legs asleep from being folded up for several hours, Dom stumbles to stay upright, and of course, Billy is there to help steady him. It gives Billy great comfort to realize that Dom is heavier in his arms, because he’s obviously gaining weight. His color has improved greatly over the last month, as well as his stamina. Dom is pushing himself hard, but he seems to be enjoying the challenge.

“Let’s get you to bed,” Billy says, switching off the light and throwing the room into darkness. “You need your rest.”

“I’m sorry I woke you up,” Dom tells him, eyes guilty as he stifles a yawn.

“You didn’t,” Billy replies. “I couldn’t sleep, so I got up to make some tea.”

“Oh.”

Unlike the night when Dom was drunk, Billy releases him at the doorway to Dom’s bedroom.

“Get some sleep, yeah?”

“Thank you, Billy.”

“You’re welcome,” Billy says softly before closing Dom’s bedroom door.

Imagining Dom crawling into bed, sleepy and naked, causes Billy’s body to throb, and he heads back down the hall to the kitchen, hoping that some tea will help soothe his nerves. Minutes later, mug of fragrant liquid cupped in his small hands, Billy makes his way back to his room, pausing when he hears an unfamiliar sound. It turns out that Dom’s door didn’t quite latch shut, and now it has swung open nearly six inches. Moonlight bathes the bed in soft, blue light, and the young man writhing beneath the sheets.

It’s then that Billy realizes that even though Dom’s eyes are closed, he isn’t asleep. The sheet has been pushed low on Dom’s hips, his t-shirt riding up, exposing a few tantalizing inches of soft skin at the sweet curve of his arse. Hips rocking into his fist and the mattress beneath him, Dom is nearing the end of a fast, intense wank, biting down on his lower lip to muffle his moans of pleasure. It reminds Billy of the first time they had dinner together, how they’d ended up back at Dom’s flat, and the breathy, whimpering sounds Dom had made as their sweat-slicked bodies slammed together. Oh, how he misses the feeling of Dom wrapped tightly around him, the warmth of his breath and his soft, tantalizing skin.

A ragged moan fills the air as Dom comes, body shuddering when release slides through his long limbs. Not opening his eyes, Dom slowly cleans himself up with one of his old t-shirts and then drops it on the floor beside the bed. Sighing softly, Dom finally curls his arms around his pillow, hugging it to his chest, drifting off into a sated sleep.

Tiptoeing down the hall, Billy barely manages to close his bedroom door before his free hand is inside his boxers, wrapping around his throbbing erection. Tea sloshing over the side of the cup and onto the floor, Billy shoves it onto the nightstand, falling face first onto his mattress and stifling a hoarse groan of need into his pillow as he thrusts desperately into his fist. Fortunately, release comes quickly, dampening yet another pair of Billy’s boxers. Rolling off the bed and letting the material fall to the floor, Billy wipes up the spilled tea with his shorts before walking into the loo to take yet another cold shower. It’s the third one this week, and it’s only Wednesday.

* * * * *

After nearly two and a half weeks of Dom’s marathon studying, Billy is in his office when Dom comes looking for him. Lingering in the doorway and shifting from one sock foot to the other, Dom gnaws on his lower lip for a few moments before finally speaking.

“Hey.”

Looking up from his paperwork, Billy smiles. “Hey.”

“You coming up for dinner?” Dom asks, absently scratching at the back of his neck. “It’s almost half seven.”

“Oh, uh, no,” Billy replies, more than a bit distracted. “Sorry. I’ve got a lot of work to do here. It’s going to be a late night. I’m fine. You go ahead.”

“Oh. Okay.”

Trudging back up the flight of stairs, Dom stares at the meal laid out on the kitchen table, an apology of sorts for Billy, for his distance of late. Making a decision, Dom dishes up two servings, tucking forks, knives and napkins into the back pocket of his blue jeans before carefully making the trip back down to Billy’s office, a plate in each hand.

“Dom?” Billy says in surprise when the plate is set down in front of him. “What is this?”

“Dinner.” Handing Billy a napkin and utensils, Dom sits down across from him, balancing his plate on his knees. “Eat up.”

“You didn’t have to do this-”

“I hate eating alone,” Dom interrupts. “And how many times have you told me in the last two weeks that the brain functions better with fuel.”

Knowing that Dom is right, Billy smiles. “Thank you.”

After their plates are empty, Dom collects them before sitting back in his chair and giving Billy a critical look.

“Anything I can help with?”

“No,” Billy replies quickly. A little too quickly, actually.

“That was a yes,” Dom says with a soft smile. “C’mon, let me do something.”

“You have studying to do,” Billy protests. “Your exam.”

“I’m all done for the night,” Dom tells him. “And I’m not leaving.”

Billy opens his mouth to argue again, but then he gets caught up in Dom’s eyes, watching him intently. There is a new strength in Dom, a light humor as he knowingly quirks an eyebrow at Billy.

Sighing, Billy points to a stack of papers on the corner of his desk. “Well, I need those invoices to be checked against the inventory on the shelves and then sorted by payment date.”

Pushing himself out of his chair and grabbing a pencil off the desk, Dom picks up the stack of papers. “Okay.”

Before Billy can say another word, Dom slips out of the office and disappears into the front of the shop. Over an hour passes before Dom returns, placing the completed stack of paperwork on the corner of Billy’s desk.

“You’re done already?” Billy asks in surprise, looking away from the monitor of his computer, mind swimming with figures.

“Numbers and the alphabet. It’s not brain surgery,” Dom replies with an easy smile. “What else can I do?”

Realizing that Dom is not is going to leave him alone to work, Billy points to a tray of papers on top of the filing cabinet in the corner.

“Those need to be filed,” Billy tells him. “Shop transactions and banking records go in the bottom drawer, invoices by company in the top drawer, most recent at the front of the file."

“Okay.”

Sitting cross-legged on the floor, Dom begins sorting the papers into several piles.

“Dom?”

Looking up, Dom blows a stray lock of dark blonde hair out of his expressive eyes. “Yeah?”

“Thank you. This was shaping up to be a very long night,” Billy admits.

Dom tilts his head to one side and gives Billy a lopsided grin. “You’re welcome.”

“When’s your exam?”

“Wednesday. I’m going to need to take the afternoon off.”

“No problem. Want me to quiz you on Sunday and after dinner on Tuesday night?” Billy asks.

“That would be great. Thank you.”

Nearly an hour later, Billy insists that they stop, as he’s more caught up than he ever hoped to be tonight. After washing up the dinner dishes together, Billy surprises Dom with microwave popcorn and a favorite movie from his now infamous sharpie list.

During the movie, Dom curls up and falls asleep on the couch, the small square cushion his head is resting on nestled against Billy’s thigh. Not wanting to disturb Dom’s peaceful sleep, Billy quietly turns off the television and covers him with a blanket. Unable to stop himself, Billy leans down, gently brushing Dom’s hair off his forehead and pulling the intoxicating scent of Dom deep into his lungs before reluctantly heading to bed. He’s missed their time together, and is happy that he’ll be able to help Dom take one more step towards his future.

* * * * *

Chapter 10

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