monaboyd | Mistake Number Three

Title: Mistake Number Three - 12/19
Author:

dylan_dufresne
Pairing: BB/DM
Rating: R, maybe.
Summary: Separation from Dom affects Billy in a some unexpected ways that bring new problems and a turning of the tables in their friendship.
Feedback: Would be greatly appreciated as it’s my drug of choice. It’s like a hot fudge sundae with a cherry on top.
Disclaimer: Not at all true in reality.
A/N: Beta'd by

frojane. Thanks bunches sweetie.
Previous Parts: Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Day after day passes, with Dom calling each evening to update Billy on the latest news and his Dad’s progress. Every cheerful story fills Billy with both happiness and dread, the endless stream of uneasy questions in his mind only quieted by generous amounts of scotch.

On New Year’s Eve, Billy gets an early start on the celebrating, sprawled naked and limp in his bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in yet another fantasy involving a very naked and writhing Dom. So caught up in his need to find blissful release, finally free to cry out loudly as his hot come shoots across his trim stomach, Billy doesn’t hear the ringing at first. Shaking off his orgasm enough to somewhat clear his alcohol-soaked thoughts, Billy makes a grab for the cordless phone on the nightstand.

“Aye?” he asks breathlessly.

“Billy?”

“Dom! Hey!”

It’s in that moment Billy regrets just how much scotch he’s had, as his head is spinning, tongue dangerously loose.

“Did I wake you?” Dom asks, surprised by Billy’s greeting.

Almost sing-songing, Billy replies, “Oh, no. I’m awake.”

“Billy, are you drunk?”

“Just a wee bit,” Billy says with a laugh, squishing his thumb and forefinger together.

“You get completely sloshed when I’m not there to make sure you don’t fall down the stairs and break your bloody neck?” Dom asks incredulously, suddenly wondering if Billy is alone. “Brilliant, Billy.”

“Oh, I’m fine,” Billy says with a soft laugh. “Don’t worry about me.”

“Did you go out?” Dom asks cautiously. “Celebrate at the pub or something?”

“No. Just had a nice, relaxing night and now I’m in bed.”

The knowledge that Billy is laying in bed, drunk and quite possibly naked, causes lust to flare in Dom’s belly and he struggles to control his breathing. Now, more than ever, he wishes that he and Billy had not been separated. Dom misses so many things about Billy, the sound of his voice in the morning, the aroma of his aftershave, and the way his small fingers always seem to find their way into Dom’s hair when he’s in need of comfort. He’s missed Billy’s soothing touch these past few days, more than he wants to admit to anyone, especially himself.

“Well, you’re there now, so stay put, yeah?” Dom requests. “Wait until you sober up and I call you in the morning.”

“Hmmm. Aye, okay,” Billy agrees, sinking into his pillow and smiling sleepily. “I’ll stay.”

“Good.”

“Happy New Year, Dommie.”

Dom laughs lightly. “Happy New Year to you, too. Now go to sleep.”

“See you soon,” Billy murmurs, snuggling under the coverlet. “Miss you.”

“I miss you, too,” Dom replies softly, but it’s too late as Billy has lost consciousness.

* * * * *

Several days later, Billy is locking the safe in his office after closing the shop for the night when he hears a vehicle pull into the driveway behind the book shop. Looking at his watch, Billy frowns. He’s not expecting any deliveries today, especially not at this hour. It’s nearly seven o’clock. Unlocking the back door, Billy peers out and then breaks out into a wide smile.

“Now this is a surprise,” he says happily. “Why didn’t you call?”

“Because then it wouldn’t be a surprise,” Dom replies, returning Billy’s smile. “Hey.”

“Welcome h-back.”

“Thanks.”

“Get in here,” Bill instructs, beckoning to Dom. “It’s bloody cold out.”

“So, what’s for dinner?” Dom teases, rather enjoying the view of Billy’s lovely arse as he follows Billy up the stairs to the flat they share, suitcase clutched in his hand.

“Uh, well-”

“It’s okay, I’ll make something for us,” Dom says with a laugh and a smile.

“I haven’t been shopping too much,” Billy confesses awkwardly. “Or cooking, for that matter.”

Dom laughs again. “Okay. How about some takeaway?”

“That works for me.”

“Alright then.” As Billy opens the door, Dom realizes that Billy is wearing the sweater he gave him for Christmas. “It looks really good on you, by the way. The color.”

Glancing down, Billy pets the front of his sweater fondly. “I like it.”

“I’m glad.”

“Why don’t you take a shower to warm up while I call for food? Billy suggests. “Thai okay?”

“Sounds good.”

Moving down the hallway with his borrowed suitcase, Dom does as Billy hopes, not noticing the disarray in the living room. Phone pressed to his ear, Billy quickly places an order for delivery while shoving the takeaway boxes scattered across the couch and coffee table into a large rubbish bag and collecting the empty bottles of alcohol. The last thing he wants Dom to see is that he’s been laying around every night, missing him, and letting things slide. He’s not quite sure when he became so dependent on Dom’s presence, feeling as though a part of him has been ripped away, and now he’s whole again. Maybe that means he’ll start to feel better, and the dull throb at the base of his skull will fade away.

Shortly, Dom emerges, warm and refreshed with wet hair, the reconciliation with his parents having lifted a heavy weight off his slender shoulders. There is a new sparkle in his eyes, and a peace about him. A cheerful fire is crackling in the fireplace, giving the room a warm, comforting glow. Before they can start to talk, the food arrives, and Billy slips downstairs to pay for it. They decide to eat in the living room, sitting down on either side of the coffee table cross-legged so they are face to face, their knees almost touching.

“These are new,” Billy begins, fingers gently brushing one of the black leather cuffs now encircling both of Dom’s slender wrists as they dig into the small boxes of food. He also notices that Dom’s nails are covered in chipped black nail varnish and his long, elegant fingers are adorned with several silver rings.

“The day I left, I couldn’t find them,” Dom says, gazing at Billy’s small fingers as they stroke the smooth leather. “My mum held onto them, kept them on her bedside table, hoping that it meant I’d come back to get them.”

Exhaling sharply, Dom averts his eyes and slides his fingers through his wet hair, blinking rapidly to clear the excess moisture gathering in his soulful blue-grey eyes.

“So how are you doing?” Billy asks gently, changing the subject and poking at some chicken curry with his fork.

“Good,” Dom replies with a soft smile. “Tired from the long drive, but good.”

“And your dad is happy to be back home?”

Leaning back a little, Dom tilts his head to one side. “Very much so. Mum is so relieved, fussing over him every minute.”

“You could’ve stayed longer, you know,” Billy says, watching Dom through a layer of ginger eyelashes. “Taken as much time as you wanted.”

“I know that.”

Hiding his nervousness as best he can, Billy asks, “What did your parents say when you told them you were leaving? Again?”

“See you soon,” Dom says simply, reaching over and stealing a mouthful of Pad Thai.

“What?”

Hope rushes through Billy’s limbs, the fear of Dom leaving and returning to Manchester fading slightly. Then he wonders if perhaps Dom means something else entirely. That he’s leaving. Returning to Manchester. Permanently. Billy’s head begins to throb again.

“They’re going to come see me in a few weeks,” Dom replies happily after swallowing the fried noodles. “They want to see where I’m living and working. Meet my flat mate.”

Billy’s eyes widen in surprise. “You told them about me?”

“Of course I did. Why wouldn’t I tell them about you, my best mate?” Dom asks incredulously.

Billy shifts uncomfortably and stares at his fork. “I thought you might, uh, you know, want-”

“They know my life is here now,” Dom interrupts softly. “I’ve changed. I’m not the same boy they remember. He’s gone.”

“Oh, I think he’s still in there somewhere,” Billy says gently, reaching across the table and brushing a stray lock of damp blonde hair out of Dom’s eyes. “He’s stronger than he thinks he is.”

“I didn’t tell them, about me. About what I did,” Dom confesses, eyes downcast and glistening. “I just couldn’t burden them with that. They’ve suffered way too much already, thinking that I might be dead, all this time.”

“I can understand that,” Billy replies gently. “You don’t want to hurt them. It won’t be easy, carrying the secret. Are you sure you can handle it by yourself?”

“I don’t think I have to,” Dom murmurs softly, tentatively meeting Billy’s gaze. “You know.”

“Yes, I do,” Billy replies reassuringly. “So you’re not alone.”

“Are you alright?” Dom asks, brow furrowing as he looks closer at Billy. “You look pretty knackered.”

“Oh, I’m fine. Shop’s been busy. I’ve been working late, catching up on paperwork,” Billy says, hoping that Dom believes him. Well, technically everything he’s said is true. He’s just neglecting to mention what’s been happening after that. “I just need a good night’s sleep.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah.”

Before Dom can ask any more questions, Billy suggests a movie, and they settle into the couch to watch some Monty Python. The level of Dom’s exhaustion becomes very clear when he falls asleep part way through the movie, slipping bonelessly to one side and curling into Billy’s welcoming warmth. Enjoying the sensation of Dom pressed against him and refusing to wake the younger man when he clearly needs the rest, Billy carefully guides Dom down to lay on the couch and covers him with a blanket. After turning off the television, Billy kneels at Dom’s side, gently smoothing back Dom’s now dry, silky hair. Unable to stop himself, Billy leans over and brushes a tender, feathery kiss to Dom’s temple.

“I’m so glad you’re home,” he whispers. “I really missed you.”

Switching off the lights, Billy moves silently down the hall to his room to crawl into bed while an oblivious Dom sleeps on, his eyelids fluttering and a soft smile teasing at his lips as he dreams peacefully.

* * * * *

It’s the middle of the night when Dom is awakened by a strange sound of distress coming from Billy’s room. Pushing himself up off the couch, Dom quickly makes his way down the hall to investigate. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Dom pauses uncertainly outside Billy’s room, finally cracking open the door and risking a look inside, only to find Billy’s bed empty, the coverlet shoved back and moonlight spilling across the sheets.

“Billy?” he calls softly.

The noise sounds again, and Dom realizes that it’s coming from Billy’s loo. Unless his guess is very off, Billy is in there, throwing up, rather violently. Decision made, Dom pushes open the door and steps inside the room, knowing he’s breaking one of Billy’s rules, but beyond caring.

“Billy, I’m coming in,” he offers as a warning.

Curled up into a ball, pale skin slicked with sweat and chest heaving, Billy sags against the wall and looks up at Dom as he walks into the loo. Immediately dropping to his knees at Billy’s bare feet, Dom lays a hand on Billy’s trembling, t-shirt clad shoulder.

“You alright?”

Wearily, Billy nods. “Yeah, except for the spinning. I really don’t like that.”

“Do you think you’re done, or do you want to stay here a while longer?” Dom asks, smoothing Billy’s damp, ginger hair back and cupping his scruffy cheek to keep his head steady.

“I think that was it,” Billy replies weakly. “It feels like I’ve just tossed up everything I’ve had since I was a lad. I don’t think there’s anything left.”

Reaching over, Dom presses the handle on the toilet, flushing away the contents of Billy’s rebellious stomach.

“Okay then, up you go,” Dom says, sliding an arm around Billy’s waist and carefully helping him to his feet. “Let’s get you back to bed.”

“I’m okay, Dom. You don’t have to-”

Knees buckling, Billy makes a haphazard grab for Dom’s arms to keep from falling to the floor, ending up pressed firmly to Dom’s chest.

“You were saying?” Dom asks mildly, tightening his arm around Billy’s waist.

“Uh, thank you?” Billy says sheepishly, looking up into Dom’s warm, blue-grey eyes.

Bearing the majority of Billy’s weight, Dom closes his eyes when Billy lays his head down on Dom’s shoulder and his small hand clutches Dom’s hip as he attempts to straighten up, swaying unsteadily.

“Want to wash out your mouth?” Dom asks, surprised that his voice is actually close to normal despite the tightness in his throat and ache of need in his belly. Billy is sick, this is no time to be indulging in sexual fantasies of sweat-slicked bodies writhing and thrusting together.

“Yeah.”

Shifting, but keeping an arm wrapped around Billy’s chest to support him and hold him close, Dom rubs his back with the other hand as Billy rinses with mouthwash and spits into the basin.

“Better?” Dom asks, gently stroking Billy’s spine between his shoulder blades.

“Feck, yeah,” Billy moans, pushing back a little, sinking into Dom’s embrace and laying his head back on Dom’s shoulder, his neck too weak to hold his head up.

Head lolled to one side, Billy’s throat is exposed to Dom’s hungry gaze, the soft skin just begging to nuzzled, kissed, licked and sucked. Closing his eyes for a moment, Dom swallows. Hard.

“Let’s try walking,” he says finally. “Slowly.”

Once Billy is safely deposited on the bed, Dom slips back into the loo for a few moments. Running water can be heard as the taps are twisted on and off, and then Dom returns to Billy’s side, perching on the edge of the bed, bathing Billy’s sweaty face with a cool, damp face flannel.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were sick?” Dom asks, brow furrowed in concern and sympathy.

“Didn’t know I was until I woke up with my stomach in my throat,” Billy replies honestly. “I thought I was just a little worn out.”

“Well, you’ve got a temperature. You’re definitely sick.”

Ensuring that the coverlet is tucked up to Billy’s chin, Dom slips away to his own room, only to return a minute later with the blanket that usually sits at the foot of his bed. Spreading it over Billy and tucking the material close to his body, Dom smiles softly.

“I’m going to make you some tea,” he says. “Close your eyes. Try to rest. I’ll be back.”

“Dom, you don’t have to-”

“Shut it, Billy,” Dom interrupts firmly, meeting Billy’s gaze. “Don’t finish that sentence. I want to help.”

When Dom returns with tea and a bottle of Paracetamol, Billy has fallen asleep, whistling ever so softly as he breathes. Laying the back of his hand against Billy’s forehead, Dom frowns. He’s very warm. Decision made, Dom pulls a chair up to the edge of the bed and settles into it, getting comfortable as he’s going to be there a while. Putting his sock-clad feet up on the mattress alongside Billy’s legs, Dom’s hand rests on the pillow next to Billy’s cheek so he can check Billy’s temperature often. Whimpering softly, Billy shifts, nuzzling into Dom’s touch.

It’s much later when Dom’s tired eyes close, head lolling to one side.

* * * * *

Weak rays of the morning sunlight falling across his face wakens Dom with a start, and he barely manages to stifle the hiss of discomfort because of the tense stiffness in his back and the crick in his neck from sleeping in a chair. Feeling scruffy warmth against his fingers, Dom looks over at Billy, who appears to be sleeping very heavily. Billy’s cheek is slightly cooler than last night, but it’s still quite warm.

Carefully and slowly withdrawing his hand, Dom can’t resist taking the opportunity to observe Billy in this vulnerable, unguarded moment, his pixie-like features softened and even more youthful in sleep. Even with his forehead damp with sweat and cheeks flushed with heat, Dom finds himself aching to reach out and touch Billy, press his mouth to the Scotsman’s perfect, bow shaped lips and slide into the bed next to him.

Coming back to himself, Dom shakes his head and rises silently, moving the chair back and closing the curtains before taking the cold mug of tea off the nightstand. After ensuring that Billy is adequately tucked in, Dom slips out to go to the kitchen. Plugging in the kettle, Dom rinses out the mug and prepares to make two fresh cups of honey-sweetened tea. Stifling a yawn, Dom stretches his long, slender arms above his head, smiling when he hears a very satisfying crack and feels the stiff muscles in his back loosen a wee bit. Lowering his arms and pursing his lips in thought, Dom recalls what Billy had said last night, and begins examining the contents of the cupboards in the kitchen.

“Christ, Billy,” Dom muses softly as he gazes at the oddly empty shelves in the refrigerator. “You weren’t kidding about the not shopping.”

Curious, Dom peeks into the rubbish bag sitting in the corner, and then shakes his head. “And I see we decided on the fruit and vegetable diet this week,” he mutters dryly. “Nice.”

Sighing ruefully, Dom resumes making the tea, returning to Billy’s room with two steaming mugs and a glass of water. He’s barely inside the room when Billy opens his eyes and yawns widely.

“Good morning,” Dom says softly with a small smile.

Eyelids heavy and voice raspy with disuse, Billy replies with a weary, “Hey.”

“I made some tea. Do you want some?”

Setting the glass of water and cups of tea on the nightstand, Dom perches on the edge of the bed. Leaning over Billy, Dom carefully slips an arm under the Scotsman’s weak form, slowly lifting him up into a sitting position. Once Billy is pressed to his chest, Dom reaches over to the nightstand and picks up a steaming mug.

“Try to drink a little. Don’t want you to get dehydrated,” Dom says, bringing the mug to Billy’s lips.

Obediently, Billy swallows a few sips before Dom sets the cup down to open the bottle of Paracetamol one handed. Placing two pills on the tip of Billy’s pointy tongue, Dom picks up the mug again, and this time Billy drinks nearly half the contents before sagging into Dom’s body, breathless and weak.

“That’s good for now,” Dom murmurs before laying Billy back down on the pillow. “You’re cold. I’ll get you a warmer shirt.”

Before Billy can say a word, Dom is gone, only to return a minute later, holding his Man U jumper.

“No, it’s alright,” Billy protests limply, gazing up at Dom. “I’m okay.”

“You’ve been sweating and your shirt is wet,” Dom says pointedly. “You need to be warm and dry. Off it comes.”

“Dom-”

Billy’s objection is muffled as he’s once again, cradled to Dom’s chest, small nose and mouth pressed into Dom’s slender neck, and then his damp t-shirt is being drawn over his head. As the cool air flows over his bare, damp skin, Billy shivers and quietly whimpers.

“Stop your whinging,” Dom murmurs fondly, breath wuffling Billy’s hair. “I’ll get you covered up in just a few seconds.”

Head lolling to one side, Billy watches Dom slip his limp arms into the jumper before pulling it over his head, enveloping Billy in a soft warmth that smells soothingly of Dom’s cologne. Unable to stop himself, Billy sighs softly.

“See? There you go,” Dom says with a smile. “Let’s lay you back down now.”

Struggling in Dom’s embrace, Billy tries to sit up on his own. “I need to get up, Dom. The shop-”

“Billy, no,” Dom protests, gently but firmly pushing him back down. “You’re sick and you’re taking it easy today.”

“Mark isn’t due in until lunch. I can manage until then,” Billy insists. “It’s Friday. I need to be open.”

“No, you can’t.” Tucking the blankets around Billy, Dom rises and runs his hands through his hair. “You rest. I’ll open the shop and take care of things.”

Dom is at the doorway when Billy speaks again.

“I put all the money in the safe last night,” he says hoarsely, giving Dom a knowing look when the younger man turns around. “The register is empty.”

“Oh, right.” Dom pauses to think for a moment. “Okay, I’ll take you downstairs to open the safe, but then you’re coming right back to bed. You won’t get better unless you rest.”

Pushing back the coverlet, Billy tries to stand, only to fall back on the mattress with a squeak of surprise before Dom can reach him.

“Are you okay?” Dom asks, dropping to his knees at Billy’s bare feet, hands on Billy’s biceps to steady him.

“Just a bit dizzy,” Billy replies. “Do me a favor and get me a pen out of the drawer.”

Frowning, Dom does as Billy asks, digging into the top drawer of the nightstand for something to write with. When Dom offers a blue pen to Billy, he takes Dom’s hand, forcing his eyes to focus long enough to write three numbers on Dom’s palm.

“There you go.”

“Billy-”

“What?” he asks, giving Dom a wobbly smile. “I trust you.”

“Get some sleep,” Dom says softly, tucking Billy back into bed. “I’ll check on you later.”

“M’kay.”

“If you need anything, call downstairs,” Dom adds, pulling Billy’s mobile out of the pocket of his denims and laying it on the nightstand. “And if I hear you moving around, I’ll come up and kick your arse myself.”

“Pushy bugger, aren’t you?” Billy asks with a faint smile.

“I had a very good teacher,” Dom says fondly with a lopsided grin. “Now rest.”

Exhausted, Billy curls up under the coverlet and is asleep again before Dom leaves the room.

* * * * *

The bell above the front door jingles cheerily as Mark slips inside and quickly closes the door behind him, shivering at the bitter cold outside. Turning around and spotting Dom standing behind the register, Mark sighs with relief.

“You’re back. Thank fucking God.”

Laughing lightly, Dom smiles. “Hello to you, too.”

“When did you get back?”

“Last night,” Dom replies. “What’s wrong?”

Shrugging out of his jacket, Mark rolls his eyes. “Where is Mr. Sunshine?”

“Billy?”

“Yeah, the cranky Scotsman who runs this place.”

Confused and surprised, Dom raises an eyebrow. “Are we talking about the same Billy?”

“Yeah. He’s been in a real charming mood while you’ve been gone,” Mark replies with a wry smile. “So where is he?”

“Sick.”

“Huh. Well, I guess that would explain it,” Mark comments as he hangs his jacket and scarf on the coat rack just inside Billy’s office.

“He said he was feeling a little tired, that’s all,” Dom says, brow furrowing. “I talked to him every night this week and he never mentioned anything.”

“Stubborn bastard.”

“I’m going to check on him, try and get him to eat some soup or something. Think you can handle things down here for a bit?” Dom asks.

“Yeah, it’s fine. Hope he feels better,” Mark replies sincerely.

Dom sighs. “Me too.”

“Hey Dom?” Mark says, reaching out and laying a hand on Dom’s arm to stop him from walking away.

“Yeah?”

“I’ve been meaning to tell you that you look really good,” Mark continues. “Happy. Strong. Healthy. It’s hard to believe that you’re the same person who walked through that door two and a half months ago. It’s amazing, really. If I hadn’t watched it happen, I wonder if I’d be able to recognize you now.”

“Thank you,” Dom says softly, cheeks pinking a little. “That means a lot to me.”

“When you first got here, I was so worried about you,” Mark reveals. “And I could tell that Billy was really scared. He stared at that ceiling all the time those first few days, listening for you, in case you needed him. I think part of the reason that he’s been such a prat this week is because he’s been missing you.”

Dom struggles to find the words to reply, but they refuse to come. He has no idea what to say.

“I just thought you should know,” Mark adds quietly, shrugging as the front door opens and an elderly gentleman enters the shop.

“Thanks,” Dom says before numbly walking up the stairs, his mind racing at Mark’s words.

* * * * *

“Lunch,” Dom announces with a smile as he enters Billy’s room a short while later and finds Billy awake, sipping the small glass of water.

“Hey.”

After propping Billy up with several pillows and spreading a kitchen towel across his chest, Dom reaches over to the nightstand and picks up the bowl of chicken noodle soup with finely chopped vegetables that he’s brought. Billy makes a feeble attempt to take the spoon from Dom’s hand, but Dom merely shushes him.

“Save your strength.”

Wrinkling his nose for a moment, Billy obediently opens his mouth to receive the spoon and it’s only when the bowl is nearly empty that Dom speaks again.

“Are you staying warm?” Dom asks. “Comfortable?”

“Yeah.”

Billy doesn’t say that he buried his nose into Dom’s jumper when he’d drifted off to sleep, erotic fantasizes filling his dreams and causing his cock to stiffen beneath the coverlet. Being so close to Dom is only making it worse, but Billy cannot bear to send Dom away.

Setting the bowl on the nightstand, Dom gives Billy more Paracetamol after slipping into the loo to fill his now empty water glass.

“Anything else I can get you?” Dom asks as Billy swallows the pills down. “Another blanket?”

“Some tea would be nice,” Billy replies shyly. “But only if you want some, too.”

“Yeah, that sounds good,” Dom says with a smile, gathering up all the dirty dishes on the nightstand. “I’ll be right back.”

Billy’s cup is nearly empty when his eyes start to grow heavy again.

“I should get back downstairs to see how Mark is doing,” Dom says reluctantly. “Do you need to trip to the loo before I go?”

“Oh I can manage,” Billy says quickly.

“C’mon, you stubborn bastard.” Dom grins when Billy scowls in mock annoyance. “It’s me.”

Helping a faintly protesting Billy to his feet, Dom guides him over to the toilet, ensuring that the Scotsman has a hold of the basin to steady himself before slipping out and closing the door behind him to give Billy some privacy. When he hears the boom and hiss of plumbing, Dom knocks and cracks open the door, wordlessly sliding an arm around Billy’s waist and helping him back to the bed. Drawing the coverlet and extra blanket up to Billy’s chin, Dom picks up the empty mugs of tea and slips out of the room, smiling fondly as Billy snuggles in and drops off to sleep once again.

The entire process is repeated later that evening, Dom entertaining Billy during dinner and then later with stories of things that have happened in the shop while he wasn’t around. It’s nearing eleven o’clock when Dom turns down the lights and starts to settle into the chair next to bed, shifting about in an attempt to find a comfortable position.

“You look rather knackered. You didn’t sleep in that chair last night, did you?” Billy asks, curled up on his side, watching Dom closely, finally mentioning the faint smudges he noticed beneath Dom’s eyes earlier, and the stiffness in his movements.

“You have a fever,” Dom explains. “I want to keep an eye on you.”

“Go back to your room,” Billy orders gently. “I’ll be fine.”

“You’re still too warm,” Dom argues. “One more night, just to be sure.”

“Dom, I’m not going to let you attempt to sleep in that chair again,” Billy protests. “It’ll kill your poor back.”

“I’m not leaving you alone,” Dom states firmly. “Your temperature could still go up again.”

Billy falls silent for a few moment, considering carefully. “Okay. You can stay,” he decides. “But you’re going to be comfortable.”

“How?” Dom asks, arching an eyebrow.

Rolling onto his back, Billy pats the mattress beside him. “There’s room for both of us on the bed.”

“What about the rules?” Dom whispers, averting his eyes. “I kinda broke one by coming in here last night without your permission.”

“Don’t worry about it, Dom,” Billy says, reaching out to take Dom’s hand in his, giving it a soothing squeeze. “You were worried about me. I understand, and I’m grateful. I would’ve spent the night on the floor of my loo otherwise.”

“I don’t know-”

“C’mon, Dom. It’s just to get some sleep. We are adults, aren’t we?” Billy interrupts. “Friends? Best mates?”

“You’re not going to give up on this, are you?” Dom asks flatly, giving Billy a resigned look.

“No, so get your arse over here,” Billy replies with a firm nod. “I’m tired and I want to go to sleep.”

Sighing, Dom pushes himself up out of the chair, walks slowly around the bed and sits down, accepting the blanket that Billy offers to him.

“Good night,” Billy says, snuggling into his pillow and closing his eyes.

Stretching out on top of the coverlet and tugging the blanket up over his shoulders, Dom turns on his side, facing away from Billy, waiting for his body to calm down so he can fall asleep. Being so close to Billy, just inches away, is making his belly ache, almost painfully, with need. It’s a long while before exhaustion finally forces Dom to surrender, the gentle whistling of Billy’s rhythmic snoring lulling him into the deepest, most restful night of sleep he has experienced in years.

* * * * *

Pulling himself slowly out of the comforting arms of slumber as faint rays of the morning sun begins to pour though the window, Dom yawns and starts to shift, suddenly freezing when he feels something very unexpected. Soulful, blue-grey eyes wide with shock, Dom realizes that one of Billy’s small hands is now resting against his taut stomach, having slipped underneath the blanket and Dom’s t-shirt sometime during the night.

Their warm bodies are snuggled together from shoulders to knees, Billy’s hips pressed firmly against the sweet curve of Dom’s arse, and Billy’s hard erection can be felt though the coverlet that separates him from Dom. Looking tentatively over his shoulder, Dom discovers that Billy’s tantalizing mouth is less than two inches away, breath hot and moist against his bare, slender neck. Murmuring incoherently under his breath, Billy nuzzles closer, his mussed ginger hair rubbing against the dark blonde strands of Dom’s hair, instantly causing heat to pool in Dom’s belly and his own arousal to pull his blue jeans tight.

So stunned that even breathing is difficult, Dom slides slowly and silently towards the edge of the mattress, inching away from Billy, hoping that he won’t wake up and discover what has happened. Dom can’t help it when his stomach muscles contract violently beneath Billy’s warm hand as one small fingertip accidentally dips into his sensitive belly button. It takes all of Dom’s strength not to moan out loud at the erotic sensation.

Finally, Dom slips free of Billy’s embrace and off the bed, and his hands are shaking when he reaches for the doorknob that lead to his escape. When Billy shifts and curls forward, searching for Dom’s warmth, Dom swallows a gasp of panic, quickly opening the door and darting into the hall. Only when the door is closed behind him does Dom allow himself to relax a wee bit and breathe a sigh of relief.

Making his way down the hall and into his own room, Dom closes and locks the door behind him, sagging limply against the wall, heart threatening to pound right out of his chest. Knees buckling, Dom sinks weakly to the floor, hugging his knees to his chest and rocking back and forth, the memory of Billy’s hand and breath almost burning his skin.

One thing is very clear to Dom. This situation cannot continue any longer. Something has to change.

* * * * *

Chapter 13

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Date: 2005-10-29 07:36 pm (UTC)

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